At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16: 11)
“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set”
Proverbs 22:28
This is a proverb from which we may draw two applications. The first is the obvious and literal meaning. It is a proverb that refers to the boundary markers for a piece of property, let us say the large boulder on the northeast corner. If an unscrupulous neighbor decided to enlarge his holdings, all he would need to do is move the boulder. But the children of Israel were commanded to honor the apportionments of their fathers, and to leave the ancient landmarks right where they were.
This proverb requires that the landmarks be honored, thus echoing the demands of the Torah. First, a curse is pronounced on the one who is guilty of this great evil, and all the people acknowledge the justice of the curse.
“Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen” (Deuteronomy 27:17).
The standard is also stated a few chapters earlier in Deuteronomy.
“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).
We have the same elements. The moving of the landmarks is prohibited, and the historical significance of the inheritance being platted the way it is is affirmed. In addition, it is emphasized that this legacy, with the markers just where they were, is the inheritance that the Lord God bestowed on them. The command not to steal is a command that presupposes private property, just as the command not to commit adultery presupposes the institution of marriage. God is therefore watching the person who moves that boulder.
Another similar proverb adds an additional element.
“Remove not the old landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless” (Proverbs 23:10).
Here it is assumed that this form of theft is being perpetrated on orphans—people who might be helpless to defend themselves in court. They might not be able to afford lawyers. Jesus says something in a similar vein about this kind of problem.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14).
No, it is not sharp business practices. It is theft, pure and simple.
