The Way, The Truth, and The Life

As I prepare for the year of Shemitah, I've realized something new this week.  Many of us are exchanging natural pesticide ideas because it seems the bugs are enjoying the abundance as well.  By letting the land rest, the pests have to move on or starve.  I've owned this land since 2009, so this is the sixth year of operation.  In looking back, it seems the squash bugs have gained in population through the years, and are now even visiting the green beans and tomatoes.

A break in gardening will not only let the land rest, but the pests will lose their prolific momentum as well.  Our Creator is just so smart!  I find it curious that we have these amazing instructions written down and we think we can ignore them to be more successful!  There are several teachings and varying interpretations on how we are to handle the land, the flocks, and the herds.  Of course the basic foundation for varying interpretations of division, is the Torah is only for the Jews.  Once that division takes place, the teachings follow suit.  The exaltation of opinions goes on from there.  Regarding the land, is the claim the farming instructions only apply to the actual land in the Middle East.  The next division is based upon flocks and herds for sacrifice as opposed to just general well being.

Here is my understanding.  The Torah was given to a mixed multitude who agreed to enter into covenant with our Creator.  I don't know how I would follow Messiah without living by the Word [Torah.]  He is the Word in the flesh, so to follow Him, I follow Torah.  Our Creator made the entire world, and even science has proven the land will be depleted if it is not allowed to lie fallow.  That includes land outside of the Middle East.  As for flocks and herds, as a believer and follower of Y'hshwuah Messiah, my life is not my own.  I am to be a living sacrifice and I understand that to mean, my flocks and herds belong to YHWH.  So, I care for them according to Torah Instruction.

I don't have all the answers, but I know where to go to find every answer I need.  This isn't the Promised Land of Exodus, but this is where I've been led and the land I've been given.  There's no reason to assume I should not care for it according to the Instructions.

This book of Torah shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for YHWH thy G-d is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  Joshua 1:8-9