When we are kids, we think boundaries are not fair. If we have older siblings, we assume we should be able to do what they are doing. When we get a little older, we realize boundaries protect us. Wild animals are wonderful to look at when you go to the zoo because you are protected by boundaries.
I remember being in the Bad Lands of South Dakoda on a warm sunny day. After a long drive we let our small kids out of the car. But as we began to walk the trail, we realized there were steep drop-offs on the edge of the trail. There were no guard rails and we realized the danger. My son came running by me at full speed and as he went by, I grabbed him by the back of his shirt. He had no idea that just ahead he could have gone off a steep cliff.
Throughout the Bible, the Lord shows us the importance of boundaries. The Lord told Adam not to eat from the tree of good and evil or he would die. Adam disobeyed God and suffered the consequences along with all of his descendants. In the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis, God created boundaries by creating different languages and dispersing people all over the earth. In both cases, boundaries were set by God to protect and help people.
In our story of Moses and the Hebrews God also created a boundary. Ex.19:12 Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. 13 No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.” [1]
God did not have this boundary created because He was arbitrary and mean. He did it out of love for His people. He knew that their human bodies would not be able to withstand all His holiness and wanted to protect them.
How has the Lord protected you in your life by boundaries? How did becoming more mature in your faith change your view of the importance of boundaries?
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[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ex 19:12–13). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.