20150519 Tuesday, May 19 2015
Proverbs 22: The Borders Of The Earth

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Thou hast set all the borders of the Earth"

The English word "border" originated from an Anglo-Saxon word, bord, that meant a plank i.e. a board. While the first boards were utilized to make shelters for humans and their animals, boards began to be used to create enclosed areas of pasture or property i.e. the still-used term "board fence." Eventually, the practice became a term to denote the line between sovereign nations. Due to the much greater distances involved, "landmarks" began to be used, along with or in place of, boards as "borders."

Removing or violating a landmark or border is a stated high crime in the eyes of God, not only because it is a violation of the Commandments against coveting and theft, but also because it is yet-another Satanic attack on God's sovereignty - "for all the Earth is Mine" (Exodus 19:5 KJV) and "Thou hast set all the borders of the Earth" (Psalm 74:17 KJV).

Property law was codified by the LORD (see The LORD God Our Saviour) very early. Violating a property or border landmark has always been very easy; the difficulty, and the wrath, comes from the property owners, and from the LORD, after the criminal crosses the line, for "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark."

"19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it." (Deuteronomy 19:14 KJV)

"22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28 KJV)

"27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark." (Deuteronomy 27:17 KJV)

Many of the Holy Scriptures, including the Proverbs, deal with property rights - all of which are a product of the Fourth Commandment to work six days and then rest from work on the true Sabbath (see Why Was Jesus A Carpenter? and the Fact Finder question below). Socialism and communism are Satanic inventions of the idle - and for the idol.

"22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22:22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 22:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 22:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." (Proverbs 22;1-29 KJV)

Fact Finder: How can someone observe the Sabbath and still grossly violate the Fourth Commandment?
See How Do Sluggards Violate The Fourth Commandment?