A surveyor’s task to mark land boundaries has existed from modern-day to many millenniums past including in Solomon’s day. When modern surveyors find a property’s boundaries they place metal stakes in the ground to mark the corners. In Solomon’s day, they either placed a large stone in corners or a large pile of small stones. No one can illegally move corner markers set by a surveyor without punishment. (22:28; Deuteronomy 19:14; Job 24:2; Psalm 68:5)
What if a society’s leadership is corrupt and they move or demolish boundary stones? What is there to do when some in a corrupt society have no way to seek justice? Such was often the case in Israel’s history, especially for widows. Even though the law of the Lord protected all including widows, at times Israel and Jewish leadership ignored or changed the Lord’s laws. They derived ways to circumvent the law as Ahab and Jezabel did. (1 Kings 21)
Hope exists for the Lord “keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.” Though I may lose that which is mine momentarily, the Lord in the end will eternally restore that which he has promised and established. “For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” (Psalm 37:9-10) “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line’…'” (Isaiah 28:16-17)
1 Corinthians 15:57-58a promises, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
