In Deuteronomy (D’varim, or ‘words’) 27:17–18, YHWH outlines some of the curses that will befall His people should they turn from Him and His righteous rulings:

“‘A curse on anyone who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ All the people are to say, ‘Amen!’ “‘A curse on anyone who causes a blind person to lose his way on the road.’ All the people are to say, ‘Amen!’”

     While there is certainly a practical, surface-level application to these commandments, there’s much deeper understanding to be drawn from this well of the Father’s infinite wisdom than initially meets the eye.

     Moving or removing the physical boundary marker that defines the boundaries of a man’s property is dishonest and unacceptable in the eyes of YHWH. What’s even more abhorrent to the Creator is attempting to alter the boundaries He’s set forth in His instructions—His Torah.

     Any good father has house rules. These are boundaries he sets up to act as a guard rail around the children he’s been given charge of in the interest of their safety. Fathers don’t erect boundaries around their children’s behavior to harm them, but to protect them. Setting boundaries for our protection and prosperity is an act of love. A father understands that children lack the experience and foresight needed to make wise and beneficial decisions. This is the role of the father: to teach, guide, lead, correct, and encourage for the good of the entire family. This pattern has been established by our Heavenly Father, and He sets the perfect example with His Torah instructions for righteous, safe, abundant, and blessed living found in the first five books of the Holy Bible.

     As small children, we are “blind” to the ills of the corrupt world we inhabit. We trust things that are not trustworthy. We lack the discernment to perceive danger where we should. We need someone to guide us along “the road” of life. As children of the Most High, the same concepts apply in a spiritual sense. Although the Father expects that we might grow and mature along the way, we all come to Him in lack of understanding and desperate need of His guidance. We come with an inherent blindness to the deceptive nature of all the carnal pleasures this world offers. We need His help to avoid the pitfalls the adversary has dug for us, and He has offered us that in His instruction. Through temptation, the enemy teaches us how to love ourselves. Through His instruction, the Father teaches us how to love Him and each other.

     YHWH says that a curse abides on anyone who leads a blind person to lose his way. Our Messiah says He is The Way.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

     The danger in moving the boundaries the Father has set up is that they were designed to point us to abundant enteral life through His Son. The boundaries show us His heart; they help us to know Him. If we know Him, we will know His Son, our Savior.

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:7

     No servant of the Mighty One of Israel should ever be found leading others away from the boundary makers that lead men in “The Way” on the road of life. His boundaries set us apart from the nations. His boundaries teach us to know the difference between holy and profane. His boundaries keep us safe. His boundaries show the world His love for us. There is honor in teaching others about His boundary markers and leading them to respect them.

     “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19

     Boundaries exist for a reason. They are not arbitrary. His very commandments were stone boundary markers! Boundary markers are often erected by those who have gone before us and have learned a thing or two from their own mistakes. Fences don’t just keep us in; they keep the enemy out! The Father reminds us of this in His book of wisdom.

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” Proverbs 22:28

     To this, all of YHWH’s people should say, “Amen!”

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About the Seeking Scripture Team: We are a group of believers from all walks of the faith, saved by grace alone through faith in our Messiah. While we are of one accord in many things, we are all works in progress and lifelong learners. Therefore the opinions of one may not always represent the opinions of all.

Cassandre Rosenbum
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