Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set.
Do you see a man skilful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.Proverbs 22:28-29
H A Ironside makes the following comment on 28: 'Each Israelite had received his portion directly from Jehovah. Its bounds were marked out by clearly-indicated landmarks, which all were commanded to respect. He who removed them forcibly, or in secret, would have to do with God for his transgression.
In this dispensation of grace the portion of the people of God is heavenly, not earthly. Their inheritance is in the precious truth which He has committed to us. To remove the landmarks the great distinguishing doctrines of Scripture - will be to incur the divine displeasure. Yet alas, this is the wretched business in which many learned doctors and wiseacres are engaged today. Nothing too sacred for their irreverent handling. Precious truths like those of Atonement and Justification by Faith - yea even the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ - are, in their eyes, but common things which they may dismiss or ignore as they please. But a day of reckoning is coming when God will judge them in righteousness, and when those who have been misled by their removal of ancient and venerable landmarks will curse them for the loss of their souls. Terrible will be the accounting of men who while posing as instructors of the book of Christ have all the while been Satan's instruments for overthrowing the saving truths of Scripture.'
In 29, the emphasis is similar to that in 21:5 (see Note for Thursday, 10th January): Thoroughness tells. A man who is diligent in business becomes a certain kind of person. Such people are of sterling value in our society; there is something royal about them.