於2015-12-18發佈

每週一妥拉 2015/12/13-12/19
從古時起,世界各地的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經,從摩西五經(妥拉)到先知的書(先知書)。每週的讀經內容都有一個希伯來名稱,其出自經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節,耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂,讀了一段先知書(以賽亞書61章)。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容,不僅提供我們機會,與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容,在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上,聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。 

這週的閱讀12/13-12/19稱為『挨近Vayiggash 
妥拉創世記44:18-47:27
先知書以西結書 37:15-28

*創世記 44:18; 46:28. 猶大挨近他(約瑟)。』約瑟與他兄弟的故事,毫無疑問地提供了耶穌與祂『自己人』(例如希伯來人)的先知性寫照,他們拒絕祂─但有一天祂會彰顯出『從死裡復活』的大能,為他們帶來救恩。祂以很特別的方式來愛他們,那是永恆的愛,祂以慈愛吸引他們(耶利米書31:3)。在祂的恩典中,許多人已經挨近祂,承認自己的罪與過犯,正如約瑟兄弟所做的一樣。在上週的妥拉讀經最後,猶大承認說:我們對我主說神甚麼呢?還有甚麼話可說呢?我們怎能自己表白出來呢?神已經查出僕人的罪孽了!當他們這樣做時,耶穌就會像約瑟一樣,神蹟性地向他們顯現!(撒迦利亞書2:9,11)。祂對以色列慈愛與救恩的寫照,描繪出祂賜給全人類同樣的愛與公義!

請禱告:以色列有越來越多人被引至神的慈愛中,悔改並回應祂的呼喚來『挨近』祂。

*創世記44:20, 30-31. 我們有父親,已經年老,還有他老年所生的一個小孩子。他哥哥死了,他母親只撇下他一人,他父親疼愛他。我父親的命與這童子的命相連。如今我回到你僕人─我父親那裡,若沒有童子與我們同在,我們的父親見沒有童子,他就必死。這便是我們使你僕人─我們的父親白髮蒼蒼、悲悲慘慘地下陰間去了。』 

早在22年前,他們對約瑟心中的嫉妒與憎恨使他們漠視父親的情感,當他們虐待父親雅各所愛的兒子,他們並不敬重父親,帶回約瑟已死的假消息。是主的恩慈領我們悔改,現在我們看見他們裡面對父親有極其柔和的心。瑪垃基書4:5-6說『在神大而可畏之日未到以前』,神先知性的話語將使父親的心轉向兒女,兒女的心轉向父親。 

*創世記 46:28. 雅各打發猶大先去見約瑟,請派人引路往歌珊去;於是他們來到歌珊地。』

從第四十三章開始,這裡更多強調:領導的外袍已從流便轉到猶大身上。從這裡開始,一個特別的優先地位給了猶大支派─猶大先去:雅各將關乎王權的杖賜福給此支派(創49:8);軍隊前行至迦南的領導(民10:14);在士師時期保衛土地(士1:2);大衛的王位;大衛城中彌賽亞的誕生;撒加利亞對末日的預言,那時『耶和華必收回猶大作祂聖地的分,也必再揀選耶路撒冷』,但『耶和華必先拯救猶大的帳棚,免得大衛家的榮耀和耶路撒冷居民的榮耀勝過猶大』(撒2:12; 12:7)。神已經揀選猶大這支派來帶領(也請參考歷代志上5:2)。 

從這些經文看出猶大的重要性,但最直接的重點是與利亞所取的名字有關─猶大(Yehudah):這是利亞在猶大出生時取的名字(創世記29:35),這個字的意思是『舉手來表達感謝讚美』。 

請禱告:在以色列肢體之間對感恩與讚美的甦醒,意識到此必須優先(歷下20:21-22)─讚美會帶領以色列肢體得勝,也會在彌賽亞裡找著她產業的真實地位。禱告主會在聖地確實『得著讚美』(撒2:12),如此的讚美會在心靈與誠實中被釋放出來。

*以西結書 37:21-23. 主耶和華如此說:我要將以色列人從他們所到的各國收取,又從四圍聚集他們,引導他們歸回本地。我要使他們在那地,在以色列山上成為一國(註:這裡說的包括猶大與撒瑪利亞,今天稱為『西岸』),有一王作他們眾民的王。他們不再為二國,決不再分為二國;也不再因偶像和可憎的物,並一切的罪過玷污自己。我卻要救他們出離一切的住處,就是他們犯罪的地方;我要潔淨他們,如此,他們要作我的子民,我要作他們的神。』

請禱告:『為罪、為義、自己審判自己』的靈越來越多澆灌在以色列,將她帶到神所預備的潔淨之處,好讓她可以永遠住在立約之地(25節)。

*以西結書 37:21-22. 我要將以色列人從他們所到的各國收取,又從四圍聚集他們,引導他們歸回本地。我要使他們在那地,在以色列山上成為一國,有一王作他們眾民的王。他們不再為二國,決不再分為二國。』

很清楚,神仍看祂應許給亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各後裔的地為他們的本地。『以色列山上』指的就是目前被世界稱為『西岸』的地方,他們計畫將其分為二國,各有自己的元首。從上面經文我們看見如此分為『二國』的解決方案,絕不是神的計畫,未來也不會是。只有祂可以將被分裂的以色列歸回,使他們成為一國。而且最終會成就在這些土地上(包括神給示劍、伯特利和希伯崙的應許);因此,巨大的屬靈爭戰正在激烈進行,而且會持續下去,當以色列與她的神建立關係,最後的戰役將得勝,神的國會降臨在那地(以西結書38-39章)。

請禱告: 神的國臨到以色列歸回的兒女,以及以色列的山上─猶大、耶路撒冷和撒馬利亞。禱告在以色列的猶太人對管家職分有著更新的看見,關乎所有主說是『他們自己的土地』。禱告他們覺悟必須信靠神來成全,若他們決不要再分為二國。

*以西結書37:24-25. 我的僕人大衛必作他們的王;眾民必歸一個牧人。我的僕人大衛必作他們的王,直到永遠。』福音派基督徒常視此『大衛』為耶穌,祂是撒母耳所恩膏之大衛的屬靈和屬肉身子孫。耶穌當然會從祂在耶路撒冷的寶座上掌權(詩篇2),成為萬王之王;正如28節這裡所說的:『我的聖所在以色列人中間直到永遠,外邦人就必知道我是叫以色列成為聖的耶和華。』然而,在希伯來傳統裡(還有許多在以色列的彌賽亞信徒),認為這段經文事實上指的是復活的大衛─耶西的兒子,牧羊人的王(有趣的是,在以西結書45:7開始提到『王』這個字,而這位王的土地就是在神秘的聖殿中間。大衛王常常表達他渴望『住在耶和華的殿中直到永遠』。

請禱告神的政府來到這塊土地,無論是在最近或是遙遠的未來,願祂的國降臨!

下週的閱讀進度(12/20/15-12/26/15)被稱為『住在』(VaYechi),妥拉─創世記47:28-50:26;先知書:列王記上2:1-12。 

馬汀和娜瑪賽維士(Martin & Norma Sarvis
於耶路撒冷

 

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion (Parashah) from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and an ending (Haftarah) from the Prophets read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name drawn from the opening words of the Torah passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arrived in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not onl y are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.

The readings for this week 13-19 December are called VaYiggash-"And He [Judah] Drew Near":
TORAH: Genesis 44:18-47:27
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 37:15-28

*Genesis 44:18; 46:28. "Then he [Judah] drew near to him [Joseph]." There is no question that the story of Joseph and his brothers provides a prophetic picture of Yeshua/Jesus and His "own" (i.e. the Hebrew people) who rejected Him-but to whom He will one day be revealed as "risen from the dead" to provide salvation. In a special way He continues to love them with an everlasting love and to "draw" them with loving kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). In His grace, many are already "drawing near" to God, confessing their sin and inadequacy as did the brothers. At the close of last week's Portion Judah confessed: "What shall we say to my Lord? What shall we speak? How can we make ourselves righteous? God has brought ou t the iniquity of your servants!". As they do so, Yeshua, like Joseph, miraculously reveals Himself to them! (Zechariah 2:9, 11) And this picture of His kindness, His salvation for Israel is itself a portrait of the same love and righteousness He offers on behalf of all humankind!

PLEASE PRAY: for more and more in Israel to be led in God's kindness to repentance and to respond to His call to "draw near."

*Genesis 44:20, 30-34" 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'. 'Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad's life, it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.'"

Twenty-two years earlier, the jealousy and hatred in their hearts towards Joseph had calloused the hearts of the brothers towards their father's feelings to the extent that they greatly dishonored Jacob when they abused the son he l ov ed. "It is the Lord's mercies which lead us to repentance." We see now how a genuine respectful, familial tenderness has at last been awakened towards the feelings of their Father. Malachi 4:5-6 tells of a day when God's prophetic word will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, before the coming of the "great and dreadful day of the LORD."

*Genesis 46:28. "Then he (Jacob) sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen." Beginning in Chapter 43 and more strongly emphasized here, the mantle of leadership shifts from Reuben to Judah. From here on, a special precedence will be given to this tribe-"Judah goes first"! From Jacob's blessing regarding a scepter of royalty (Gen. 49:8); to leadership of the armies marching towards Canaan (Numbers 10:14); to the securing of the land in the time of the Judges (Judges 1:2), to the Kingship of David; to the birth of the Messiah in the City of David; to Zechariah's prophecy of the Last Days when "The LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem" but "will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the hou se of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah" (Zechariah 2:12; 12:7)-God has chosen that this tribe shall lead (See also I Chronicles 5:2).

There is much of significance which may be drawn from this.but perhaps the most immediate point would be related to the name itself, Yehudah (Judah), given by Leah at his birth (Genesis 29:35). The word means "Thankful praise expressed by the raising of the hands".

PLEASE PRAY: for a fresh awakening of thanksgiving and praise amongst the Body in Israel, with an awareness that this must come first (II Chron. 20:21-22). It is such thankful praise which will lead Israel into victories and into the true place of her inheritance in Messiah. Pray that the Lord will indeed "take possession of praise" in the Holy Land (Zechariah 2:12), that it will be released to His glory in Spirit and in Truth.

*Ezekiel 37:21-23. "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no lo nger be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will purify them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God."

PLEASE PRAY: that the Spirit who 'convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment' would be poured out on Israel in increasing measure, bringing her to a place where God can reveal the Purification which has been prepared for her-so that Israel may indeed dwell in his land of covenant forever (vs. 25).

*Ezekiel 37:21-22"I will.bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again(Emphases ours).

It is plain that God still sees the Land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's seed forever as being "their own land." The "mountains of Israe l" refers to that same area currently labeled the "West Bank" and slated by much of the world to be split off, forming "two nations side by side" each with its own leader. From these two verses, it is clear that such a "two-state" solution made up of two nations and with two different leaders is not, nor will ever be God's plan. Only He can bring divided Israel back and make them one nation in this same section of His land in which the promises in Shechem, Bethel and Hebron were made. Hence, the huge warfare already raging and which will continue until Israel comes into relation with her God, the final battle is won, and God's Kingdom is established there (Ezekiel 38-39).

PLEASE PRAY: That God's kingdom come in the returning Children of Israel and in the Mountains of Israel-Judea, Jerusalem and Samaria. Pray for a renewed sense of stewardship of Jews in Israel regarding all which God says is "their own land"-and an awareness of Who must be trusted to bring it to pass if it is never to be divided into two kingdoms again.

*Ezekiel 37:24-25"David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.My servant David shall be their prince forever." Evangelical Christianity often sees this "David" as Yeshua/Jesus, t he spiritual and physical descendant of the David anointed by Samuel. Yeshua will certainly reign (Psalm 2) from His throne in Jerusalem as King of Kings. As verse 28 here states, "the nations also will know that I, YHVH, make Israel holy, when my holy place is in their midst forevermore." However, in Hebrew tradition (and today among many Messianic believers in the land), it is assumed that this passage indeed refers to a resurrected David, the "shepherd king" son of Jesse (It is of interest that the "Prince" who begins to be mentioned in Ezekiel 45:7 and who ministers in the midst of the mysterious Temple described there is designated with the same Hebrew word nasi as the word for "prince" here. David's often stated desire had been that he might "dwell in the house of the YHVH forever.").

PLEASE PRAY: That God's government comes into place in this land. Both in the near and in the distant future, may His Kingdom Come!

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 20-26 December 2015: VaYechi-"And He [Jacob] Lived" will be: TORAH: Genesis 47:28-50:26; HAFTARAH: I Kings 2:1-12]