Proverbs 22.26-27
“Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?”
Proverbs makes it clear that wise people are generous. However, to be generous means giving money to the poor without the expectation of return. Here we have a different situation. This proverb warns against guaranteeing a loan for someone who is not trustworthy, or guaranteeing a loan without having the means to pay.
Proverbs 22.28
“Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.”
Land was absolutely necessary for ancient Israelites, as their society was predominantly agricultural for most of their history. The legal expression of the prohibition against moving landmarks is voiced in Deuteronomy 19:14. This was important for many reasons, especially for protecting the poor, as they were group in society most subject to abuse in this matter. The poor were vulnerable to manipulators and cheats, especially those in power.
In Deuteronomy, the young administrators were urged not to engage in such practices and to forbid others to do so. The instruction only hints at reasons that preclude such conduct: “ancient” recalls the parceling out of land as part of the tribal settlements in Joshua’s day; “fathers” underscores those old agreements and confirms their binding authority. The “landmark” or boundary was central to the existence of each family. It symbolized the grace of God who portioned out the land; it represented their survival—no land, no livelihood; and it assured their continuity, as vital to them as was their name.
Having given the legal interpretation of this proverb, I think there is a deeper meaning here. I believe “the ancient landmark” is a reference to God’s timeless Truth and standards. The Lord is telling us not to change his standards.
In Jeremiah chapter 6, the Lord warns Israel that judgment was imminent. It was imminent because the religious and political leaders of the nation had rejected God’s principles and had led the people astray by promoting false standards. The leaders taught things that were not true, and the people believed the lies, which was devastating to the culture of the nation of Israel.
“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 6.13-15)
Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord calls the people of Israel to turn away from the false teaching and return to the timeless truth of “the ancient paths.” In other words, replace the ancient landmarks and return to God’s standards.
“Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6.16)
We are in a similar situation in America today. Many leaders promote ideas and establish policies that are contrary to the Lord’s standards. They have rejected God’s truth. They consider themselves wise and enlightened, and they think the principles of scripture are old and outdated. They seek to marginalize Christianity and rob it of its historical and traditional impact on our nation. In other words, they want to remove the ancient landmarks.
Here is how the prophet Isaiah describes it:
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5.20-21)
May we hear what the Lord says to us through his great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. Let us stand firm, look carefully, and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is. And may we walk that path with wisdom, courage, and faithfulness in our time and place in history.
