Musing – What are we focused on?

Hebraic Musing – What are we focused on?

When asked “Are you satisfied with what you have?” many people say yes, but in their heart of hearts the real answer is no. They wish they had a different car, house, spouse, income, job…  Thus too many of us are living with disappointment with life; and sometimes that disappointment causes us to do things we regret. And we find ourselves doing things that God wishes we didn’t do.

Adam and Eve had it made!  God walked and talked with them and they had an awesome garden of fruits and veggies to choose from. They were okay until they began to focus on what they did not have. Satan’s temptation presentation is rather short in scripture, but in reality it probably took a period of time for Adam and Eve time to focus on what they did not have.

A few months ago we celebrated the feast of Purim and read the book of Esther. Haman is a key character, the bad guy, and we enjoyed ‘boo-ing’ at every mention of his name. What was the source of Haman’s problem? He was a blessed man; honored by the king; wore the king’s signet ring; drinking buddy of the king; family man; and possessed a sizable estate. What was his problem?

Haman (BOO) displayed his attitudinal problem when the king called for him in Esther 6:6-7 When Haman (BOO) entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman (BOO) thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” And when Mordecai (YEAH!) became the one being honored, Haman (BOO!) became focused on something that was not his.

Interesting note – Haman in Hebrew is spelled  /mh  Hei Mem Nun.  In Genesis, when God accuses Adam and Eve of sinning, the forbidden or the ‘not yours’ item is also spelled and pronounce ‘Haman’.

What did Adam and Eve and Haman have in common with us?  Like them, we focus to often on what we do not have instead of enjoying what God has given us. And we Americans have been blessed with so much, why do we focus on what we don’t have?

Point to ponder

What would life be like if we were happy and thankful
and appreciative of the things we have,
instead of focusing on that which we do not have?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                             June 12, 2012

Author “Hebraic Insights – messages exploring the Hebrew Roots of Christian faith”

Author “Biblical Marriage” (published  June 2012)

Weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings” blogging available at  www.InsightsByYosef.com
To be added to distribution -- Yosef1@cox.net