“And he [God] made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of the dwelling of men, for them to seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:24-27) Both science and the Bible attest to the fact that the entire human family can trace its origin to one man; this man, in turn, received his life and breath from God, his Creator. The interesting point is then made that the wide limit for man’s dwelling is “the entire surface of the earth.” This, of course, does not agree with the ambitious saying that the sky is the limit. Man might travel through the atmosphere and even probe as far as the moon, but he cannot permanently reside in either. He should be content to dwell within his God-given boundary.

 7. When God issues a decree or anything similar, what is always implied?

⁷ What does Paul have in mind when he next says that God “decreed the appointed times and the set limits [literally, a ‘setting of the bounds’] of the dwelling of men, for them to seek God”? Notice that word “decreed.” When God, the Sovereign Lord, issues a decree or anything similar, such as an edict, law or command, then a theocratic boundary, fixed limit, or line of demarcation, is immediately established. This must always be so, for the issuing of such lays down and imposes certain requirements and obligations that must be observed. Obedience requires that you stay within the bounds thereof. Disobedience means that you are overstepping or violating those bounds or limits, hence becoming out of bounds, as we say, and perhaps guilty of invading the rights of others. A further examination of this in the light of the Scriptures will help us in seeking God, but first we inquire concerning these “appointed times” and “set limits of the dwelling of men.”

10. (a) For what purpose did God establish “appointed times” and “set limits”? (b) based on this, what further argument and warning were then given?

¹⁰ We can now better understand what Paul had in mind regarding the “appointed times” and “set limits of the dwelling of men.” To what end did God decree such? More often than not, men set up boundaries, such as a high wall, to keep out those who are unknown and unwanted. But in this instance we have a delightful contrast. Paul says that their purpose is to act as helpful signposts or guidelines for men “to seek God . . . and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us.” This is backed up by the reminder that man is dependent on God for life and movement, “even as certain ones of the poets among you have said, ‘For we are also his progeny.’” Then Paul gives warning against being misguided by idolatry, a form of worship based on ignorance: “Seeing, therefore, that we are the progeny of God, we ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is . . . like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man.” As we listen, we want to know what we are expected to do about this. Without delay, we are told: “True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent.”​—Acts 17:27-30.

11. What was the climax of Paul’s argument, involving what theocratic boundaries?

¹¹ The apostle quickly reaches the climax of his argument, at least as far as he is permitted to get. In a few words, he has reached right back to the start of creation, is now showing what God is telling men to do, then gives the reason for this by reaching into the future. Why the call to repentance? “Because he [God] has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurrected him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) Do you notice the theocratic boundaries, the set “day” and the appointed “man” who is guaranteed by God to render a righteous judgment, favorable to those sincerely seeking him? These set time bounds speak of greater things than the “set limits of the dwelling of men” as earlier mentioned at Acts 17:26. Desiring a favorable judgment, we today need to get a clear view of the line of demarcation between obedience and disobedience toward God, between right and wrong. Do not draw this line yourself. As we shall see, it requires more care than is generally recognized, involving the heart as well as the mind.

More often than not, men set up boundaries, such as a high wall, to keep out those who are unknown and unwanted. But in this instance we have a delightful contrast. Paul says that their purpose is to act as helpful signposts or guidelines for men “to seek God . . . and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us.” This is backed up by the reminder that man is dependent on God for life and movement, “even as certain ones of the poets among you have said, ‘For we are also his progeny.’” Then Paul gives warning against being misguided by idolatry, a form of worship based on ignorance: “Seeing, therefore, that we are the progeny of God, we ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is . . . like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man.” As we listen, we want to know what we are expected to do about this. Without delay, we are told: “True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent.”​—Acts 17:27-30.