Ancient Landmarks

Proverbs 22:28 says, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.” In a recent sermon on this verse, I pointed out that every society has a set of landmarks which it will defend — whether that be of a moral nature, or even with respect to old buildings and architecture.

Biblically speaking, the landmarks which we who are Christians celebrate and defend are founded upon the Law of God — particularly the ten commandments.

Today, we are witnessing a removing of ancient positions — whether a total removal or a slight displacement which can also have devastating effects — in a variety of areas.

In the sphere of the family, the offspring of godly parents often go their own way, deliberately tearing down and rejecting the faith and morals of those who preceded them. This phenomenon is manifested not only in the home, but also in business: department store magnates J.C. Penney and John Wanamaker were strong Sabbatarians, but their successors have repudiated any notion of keeping the Lord’s Day holy.

In society and government, old landmarks are being replaced on matters such as the sanctity of marriage and an abhorrence of sexual deviance. The “politically correct” are attempting to change history and to erase from monuments all references to the nation’s Christian heritage. Even the very nature of law is being challenged through notions such as a “living constitution” — the perverse idea that a document’s meaning can change even though the words remain the same.

But this proverb has particular and pointed application in the contemporary Church, as historic standards are being set aside in favor of the whims of the moment. This is true not only in leftist denominations, such as the so-called mainline Protestant groups, but also among those who would consider themselves evangelical and Bible-believing. Scripture is being mistranslated, sometimes to suit the latest fads (such as being “gender-neutral”). The “openness theology”, which maintains that God doesn’t even know the future, threatens to dethrone Him. Entertainment has supplanted the genuine, heart-felt worship of yesteryear — a reverent approach to the Almighty. Old familiar guideposts have been swept away even by those who claim to honor the One who set them up.

It is incumbent upon us not to remove the ancient landmarks; and in that regard, we place a great deal of importance upon history. But we also recognize that trying to preserve the “old paths” cannot be done in our own strength, and that we cannot be accepted before God by our good intentions. The Lord Jesus is the One who has fulfilled this proverb. He never transgressed the proper bounds, but rather always sustained His Father’s law and will. In doing so, He thereupon prepared a pleasant heritage for us — which we receive by faith alone in Him.

Cordially,
Pastor Frank J. Smith