Where Are the Landmarks?

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

Miriam Webster Definition of LANDMARK - An object that marks the boundary of land.

With that in mind, we might read the above verse as "Remove not the ancient boundary, which thy fathers have set. I find it interesting that these are landmarks, or boundaries, set by our fathers.

This could mean that we are to live within the boundaries set by our earthly, biological fathers. Certainly there would be great merit in that practice, however, I do not believe that is the application of this verse.

Rather, fathers refers to our "fore-fathers" - those that have lived before us.

Now, we have no problem understanding the admonition given in this verse, but let's carry it out a bit further.

I wonder how many of the boundaries, or landmarks, set forth by our Godly Fore-Fathers, have not only been removed, but forgotten. This slip, or neglect of the boundaries is why we are commanded to strengthen the things that remain. Revelation 3:2 - Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

I believe there are many Godly men (and women) across the globe that are trying hard to strengthen those things that remain. They fight against the tides of time to keep the church from looking too much like the world. I wonder though, if we couldn't go further than just trying to STRENGTHEN the things that remain. Could we not REVIVE the things that have been lost? Instead of being satisfied that "we're not as bad as the world", could we not strive to be COMPLETELY different from the world.

I know we are to be "in the world, but not of the world." But the call for Christians to be PECULIAR is still in the Bible. Many, many verses drive home the point that God desires for Himself a peculiar people. What IS peculiar?

Meriam Webster Definition of PECULIAR - 1 : characteristic of only one person, group, or thing. 2 : different from the usual or normal.

With this definition in mind, let's look at a few verses of scripture.


Deuteronomy 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people UNTO HIMSELF, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify UNTO HIMSELF a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

How different are we than the world? Consider:

Do I own a television? If so, what programming to I allow? Is anything that God considers an abomination given access to my home and family via the television? God considers rebellion to be as the sin of witchcraft. Adultery is an abomination. Homosexuality is an abomination. Women that dress like men and men that dress like women = abomination. Nakedness reveals shame. All of these things and more are permitted in our home via the television. God clearly commands in Deuteronomy 7:26 -Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. Are we peculiar or JUST like the world?

How do we dress? Of course, this question could take this post in another direction altogether. But let's just look at that last part of I Peter 2:9 "...that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" I'm struck by the words SHEW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM... I wonder if we shew forth the praises of God by the way we dress. If you were in public, would the world (lost) be able to pick you out as being "peculiar" or different? Sadly, most Christians get their fasions from the department store and look just like the world. "But I'm wearing a skirt to the knee", or "We look better than the world", yet, if our hearts were tender, we would want to look TOTALLY different. What used to be a 2 finger rule with shirt and blouse cuts has now turned into a 4 finger rule. Loose fitting now is gauged by having a 1" pinch on each side of the bust or hip. MY, MY, MY - most women could pinch an inch in their undergarments. No wonder when you look at a women today, even in so called SEPERATED Christian circles, their women look like painted heifers that greased and SLID into their skin tight clothing. Are we ANY DIFFERENT than the world?

What about our Speech?

What about our Witness?

If we truly displayed a tender heart, and searched scriptures for God's commands to His children of old and then PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE IN OUR OWN LIVES, we would certainly be a PECULIAR PEOPLE. Oh, to be a people completely pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

I'll continue this thought at another time.

God Bless you and REMEMBER - IT'S IN THE KING JAMES....