Playground Rules

Joshua 15-18

Clearly defined boundaries.  That’s what’s happening in these chapters.  The Promised Land is being divided between the different tribes, each parcel with clearly defined boundaries.   I once heard a story about a new elementary school.  On the playground all the children would huddle around the teachers to play.  No one could understand why until one wise mother suggested they put a fence around the playground.  That was the answer.  The children immediately ventured all over the playground, discovering, exploring and playing. 

Clearly defined boundaries offer security and guidelines for how to behave and live.  In our postmodern culture clearly defined boundaries have been removed and everyone lives and behaves according to their own set of boundaries.  Seems ideal if everyone “loved their neighbor as themselves.”

In a postmodern world, recess can be a dangerous and confusing place.  Clearly defined boundaries are good for children at recess, children of Israel and all children grown into adults. 

Who shall define our boundaries?