Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"Save the Ancient Landmarks!"

"Do not remove the ancient landmark that your ancestors set up."
(Proverbs 22:28)

Proverbs. Wisdom. Insight. These words usually go hand-in-hand. As I read through the book of Proverbs, I find many 'pithy' sayings. And then I find a few that cause me to say, 'Huh!?!?' Proverbs 22:28 is one of those. "Don't remove the landmark that your ancestors set up." Hmmmmm.....

So I started pondering why. Why is this in the collection of wisdom sayings (and worth repeating in 23:10?)? Were they having a problem with vandalism - people stealing ancient landmarks in order to decorate their ancient dorm rooms? Were they being removed to make way for a new mass transit system? Or were people simply no longer viewing these landmarks as relevant?
Then I started thinking about the "landmarks" that I remember from the OT. Noah's altar when he got out of the ark, safe and sound after those 40 days & nights of rain (not to mention numerous weeks waiting for the floods to recede). Jacob's altar at Bethel, where he had his "angelic ladder" vision - the gateway to Heaven itself! The pile of 12 stones that the Israelites made when they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land (after 40 years of wandering). All of these landmarks are marking a significant moment of God's help and provision. They all point people back to God. Rather than commemorating a specific battle, or building, or exceptional scenic view... the landmarks of the OT had spiritual significance.

So... no matter WHY one MIGHT want to remove it (even if it is to build a new Starbucks!), the wise author of these proverbs knew it was better to leave it there - so others might be reminded of just how amazing God truly is.

I guess that IS worth keeping around. We all can use reminding of that every now and again, can't we? (Homework assignment: What "landmarks" would mark YOUR personal spiritual journey?)

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