Boundaries

Published March 11, 2026

Judges 1-5

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | Marissa Wynn

In life, rules and boundaries are placed around us to keep us safe. As a parent, I do the same for my children. When those boundaries are ignored, consequences follow—some natural, some appointed. When a child runs through the house after repeated warnings and ends up with a stubbed toe, the pain becomes the lesson. I said “no running” to protect them, not restrict them.

God did the same with Israel.

They were His chosen people, and He gave them clear boundaries: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Yet they turned to the Baals and adopted the ways of the Canaanites. So God allowed consequences: “They shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you” (Judges 2:3). What He had warned them about became their hardship.

But like a loving parent, God did not stop loving His children. When Israel cried out in their distress, He raised up judges to deliver them. “Though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (Lamentations 3:31–32).

Sometimes we choose to learn the hard way.

In His mercy, God allows us to feel the weight of our choices. And often, it is when we are flat on the ground that we recognize our need for Him most. Like a child running back for comfort, we return to the One who was trying to protect us all along.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6).

His boundaries are not meant to harm us—but to guard us.

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