Are Your Private and Public Boundaries Honoring? (Proverbs 24 – 30)
“Everything in moderation.” My kids have heard this phrase repeatedly over their little life spans but it represents a broader picture for adults as well. When reading through Proverbs, you almost can’t help but notice that every choice we make needs to be intentional because it is a protective boundary we place around our lives.
God, in His sovereignty, knew we were wired in such a way that we need to live with boundaries (ie., moderation).
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Boundaries are priority markers…
Proverbs is a one-stop shop for guidance. Often, boundaries boils down to one thing: priorities. Share on XBoundaries come in all shapes and sizes; they also address a multitude of situations and scenarios. From who to hang out with to how often to visit a neighbor, Proverbs is a one-stop shop for guidance. Often, boundaries boils down to one thing: priorities.
What are God’s priorities? What is His advice for our own lives, how we deal with others, etc?
A Little Leaven…
Throughout the Old Testament, God often said to cleanse the nation of those who refused to bend their knee to Him. The message at that time is carried through the whole Bible: a little leaven will taint the whole loaf. Cut out the leaven.
Old Testament
Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.
Exodus 12:15
For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people.
Leviticus 18:29
‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the Lord and must be cut off from the people of Israel. Because they have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’”
Numbers 15:30-31 (NIV)
New Testament
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 5:7-9
And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
Matthew 10:14
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
God takes His laws seriously, His people seriously, and His holiness seriously. He asks us to as well.
Understanding Dross…
There are two striking real-world illustrations in the Bible for people. One is leaven in bread, the other is dross in metals. Ever heard of the refiner’s fire that God takes us through? The one that will purify us and make us clean? It’s not a ‘fun’ process as it is meant to clean out sinful living in our lives, but a necessary one where we come out washed clean.
Oftentimes, the Bible lays out for us that God will bring us into the fire in order to purify us. To clarify, it helps to understand the basics of how a metal smith works with metals.
In layman’s terms (my level of understanding this), a refiner heats the metal (fire), removes the dross (discards), and is left with a pure substance.
Given that, we see that the steps are even laid out[:] God Himself brings us into the fire for our own benefit, our feet are put to the flames to purify us from sin. Yet, He ALSO intends for the removal of dross. What is dross from the refiner’s fire, that which is discarded and tossed aside?
It is not a what, but a WHOM!
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When we take this example in light of Proverbs, these verses take on a whole new meaning.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.
Psalm 119:119
Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
Proverbs 26:23 (NKJV)
Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:4-5
Boundaries with People…
Hoo boy, see how this can be a tough subject? The Bible talks OFTEN about boundaries with people, and Proverbs resonates a deep focus on setting them correctly. Here are some additional verses in Proverbs to consider when setting boundaries with people.
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
Proverbs 25:16-17
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17
Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
Proverbs 25:19
Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
Proverbs 26:10
Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
Proverbs 27:10
Boundaries…
Essentially, Proverbs warns us to keep good company and watch who we engage with. These boundaries are critical when considering our walks.
What are boundaries? They are essentially like a fence we put up around ourselves (or our families) for protection and care. It keeps the good things in and the bad things out.
Boundaries are blessings and Proverbs helps us understand that!
A motto that should hold fast to every area in our lives… why not grab a daily reminder to boast of Our King!
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Becca, this is a great message and reminder. I appreciate your insights and encouragement today. I’ve been reading about boundaries lately. Blessings.
Really interesting.