“The leaders of Judah have become like those who displace a boundary marker; On them I will pour out My anger like water.”
This is an interesting comparison. It’s referring to one swapping out something sacred for personal gain. It reminds me of the worldly who value the new thing. They are obsessed with the popular at the expense of the the old ways.
Something old doesn’t mean it’s right. It does in this case. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments He also gave many other rules. One was changing the boundaries a family had on it’s property. I believe one could rent out their land, but after a time it was to revert back to the original family. This is referring to the corrupt ones who ignore those rules and take the property of others.
These are the powerful taking advantage of the weak. Psalm 10:17,18 says, “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.” God cares for the “lesser than”. All throughout scripture we hear Him defending the widow and orphan.
The proud don’t see God in life. They have an overinflated view of their power and influence. In Psalm 73:6-11, David gives insight into the mindset of the wicked, ‘Therefore arrogance is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them. Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart overflow. They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return here, And abundant waters are drunk by them. They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”’ David was depressed by these thoughts. Then come verses 17 and 18, “Until I entered the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end. You indeed put them on slippery ground; You dropped them into ruin.” Those who don’t fear God have a blindness. They act with what they think is impunity. But God sees and will bring justice.
We need to learn the lesson of David. He saw the big picture when he stepped into God’s house. So we need to be in church, in His Word and with other believers. When we stray we become limited in sight and are susceptible to being fooled.
We can also be the bad guys in this story. Our selfishness can get the best of us and we can grab what we think is ours. Stay close to God, let His light search our hearts. Learn from Him.
He wants us to adopt His values and protect others. To look out for the widows and orphans, the weak or the “lesser than”. Lord give us eyes to see those who we can help. Give us wisdom as to how we can do that.
Lord, thank You that You care for the “lesser than”. Help us to have that heart as well. Help us to stay in Your Word so we won’t grow envious of the wicked.