Homesteading Instructions and Focus

The other day, one of our Steadfast Contributors posted a short, to the point video about our focus in life.  He posted it to his FB wall, and now has graciously posted it to youtube.  First he spoke of a problem, using a penny to represent the problem.  He held the penny up to give the relative size of "the problem," then moved it toward the camera lense until the penny consumed the entire frame and beyond . . . His comments were rather concise, in that when we focus on the problem, it can become all we see.

He then held up a New Testament with the Psalms and Proverbs.  It was, of course, massive compared to the penny.  He did the same thing with the New Testament and the camera as he'd done with the penny.  This spoke to me, in volumes!  Focusing on the life of Messiah, the prayers and comfort found in the Psalms, and the wisdom in the Proverbs certainly reduces the power of that penny problem!  Interesting that he used the penny, in that so many of our problems and stresses in life revolve around earnings and expenses.  This thought led me to the point here, at Holy Homesteading.

There really isn't much said about agriculture in the New Testament or the Psalms and Proverbs.  By the time of Messiah's ministry, Israel was under the rule of Rome, so their lifestyle was more commercialized.  Clearly, Paul's letters were addressed to congregations in bustling cities of commerce, but there are many instructions for agricultural living, in the Hebrew Scriptures.  This is where the focus, once again expands . . . on the Word that stands forever.

Deuteronomy 28 addresses blessings and curses, both in the country and the city.  Although Solomon, born in the palace, probably never saw much more agriculture than a glimpse of the garden and vineyards mention in Song of Solomon, David was a shepherd before he was a valiant warrior and king.  Noah was a farmer.  Elisha was plowing fields when Elijah cast his mantle on him.

As I followed my friend's video, it seemed so succinct.  Compared to our Creator, all of our problems are penny-ante, it's our focus and frustration that increases their size and intensity.  The New Testament is our reassurance of faith, Abba's fulfillment of the Promised Covenant.  The Proverbs are full of wise counsel, and I can so relate to the humanness of David as he sought our Creator through various times of his life, and the Psalms continuously reference Torah, the Instructions.  As for the rest of the Whole Book, we have history and prophecy.  We can see how life works when following the Instructions by faith, and we can see how life turns out when ignoring the Instructions, or walking in fear.

Without the Hebrew Scriptures, there is no Psalms or Proverbs.  Without the New Testament, we don't have the documentation of Messiah's example or the evidence of faith.  Without G-d's Word, penny sized problems can be all consuming.  Without the Instructions, this homestead would have collapsed years ago and without faith in Messiah, I'd have never even started this project.  Without my relationship with YHWH, the frustrations of this world would be the full frame of focus while I scrambled to earn the pennies I thought I needed.