於2016-01-14發佈


每週一妥拉 2016/1/10-/1/16

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1/10-1/16稱為『進去/來』(Bo
妥拉:出埃及記10:1-13:16
先知書耶利米書46:13-28

*出埃及記10:3. 摩西、亞倫就進去見法老,對他說:耶和華─希伯來人的神這樣說:你在我面前不肯自卑要到幾時呢?容我的百姓去,好事奉我。』 

就像在出埃及記9:1,主在這裡將祂的名字和神性與希伯來民族認同─一個民族可以追溯到亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各前的許多世代,主又在燃燒的荊棘中與摩西認同。祂也是法老的父親在八十年前試圖除滅之種族的神(出1:16)。 

請禱告:以色列能甦醒意識到他們所認識的是同樣的神,在法老面前稱自己是希伯來人的神,祂神蹟式地使這民族存留超過四千年以上,至今祂仍選擇與此民族認同,為著美善而非邪惡的目的。 

*出埃及記10:21-23. 耶和華對摩西說:你向天伸杖,使埃及地黑暗;這黑暗似乎摸得著。摩西向天伸杖,埃及遍地就烏黑了三天。三天之久,人不能相見,誰也不敢起來離開本處;惟有以色列人家中都有亮光。』

生命在祂裡頭,這生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗裡,黑暗卻不接受光。那光是真光,照亮一切生在世上的人。』(約翰福音1:4-5,9)

請禱告:人們可以感到並憎恨黑暗─真光將照亮在以色列和埃及,為這兩族群的內在『居所』帶來照明、盼望與安全禱告。

*出埃及記10:28-29.『法老對摩西說:你離開我去吧,你要小心,不要再見我的面!因為你見我面的那日你就必死!摩西說:你說得好!我必不再見你的面了。』

在出埃及記7:1,主說:『我使你在法老面前代替神。』在希伯來聖經中充滿在主面前找著光、勝利與救恩的觀念(參考詩篇44:3, 80:3,7,19)。通常『面』(face)這個字與『同在』(presence)為同義字。在詩篇27:8-9,當主說:『當尋求我的面(Bakshu-Phanai)!』大衛誠心的回應神的勸告說:『祢的面我正要尋求,不要向我掩面。』當法老拒絕摩西的面時,他正拒絕摩西之神的同在、生命與盼望,最後神只好答應他所求的。

請禱告:為著世俗的、宗教的、正統猶太教與極端正統猶太教的猶太人禱告,他們可以聽見並回應神放在所有人心中的呼喚:『當尋求我的面(Bakshu-Phanai)!』

*出埃及記12:2.你們要以本月為正月,為一年之首。』

在出埃及記13:4和申命記16:1,這個月被迦南人稱為亞筆月(Aviv),現在的以色列將這個字用在『春天』。由於他們從巴比倫被擄歸回,巴比倫的名字『尼散』也被用在希伯來的月曆上。在希伯來曆,一年的數字(今年是5776年)是從秋天的吹角節開始,傳統上此與世界被造的季節有關。然而,亞筆月(在申命記16:1又稱為尼散月)在希伯來宗教曆裡稱為『正月,為一年之首』,今年的亞筆月開始於四月9日星期六。

*出埃及記12:12-13. 因為那夜我要巡行埃及地,把埃及地一切頭生的,無論是人是牲畜,都擊殺了,又要敗壞埃及一切的神。我是耶和華。這血要在你們所住的房屋上作記號;我一見這血,就越過你們去。我擊殺埃及地頭生的時候,災殃必不臨到你們身上滅你們。』 

在出埃及記一開始(參考出4:22-23),神警告法老若拒絕讓祂的『長子』以色列來事奉祂,神會殺了法老的長子。是主自己,而不單是『使者』巡行(巡行的希伯來文avar),在這地施行審判;然而,13節所提到的越過(pasach)意指『跳過』或『跨過』─因此神跳過他們,審判臨到其他的長子身上。 

請禱告:這週在會堂讀到這段經文,以及四月22日在家中的逾越節晚餐桌上再次讀到時遮蓋與越過審判之羔羊寶血的信息,會超自然啟示在世界各地的猶太人中間。禱告聖靈會感動人心來認出『神的羔羊,除去世人的罪』─被神擊打、苦待的逾越節羔羊是為我們的過害受害,因祂受的鞭傷,我們得醫治(以賽亞書53:4-5)。 

*耶利米書 47:27-28. 我的僕人雅各啊,不要懼怕!以色列啊,不要驚惶!因我要從遠方拯救你,從被擄到之地拯救你的後裔。雅各必回來,得享平靖安逸,無人使他害怕。我的僕人雅各啊,不要懼怕!因我與你同在。』 

下週的閱讀進度(1/17-1/23)被稱為『容百姓去』(B'Shalach),妥拉─出埃及記13:17-17:16;先知書─士師記4:4-5:31。由於這週的妥拉和先知書閱讀涵蓋兩首聖經所記錄的讚歌(紅海之歌和底波拉和巴拉之歌),因此這週的安息日有時又稱為『讚歌安息日』(Shabbat Shirah)。 

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 only 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. The Haftarah, unless otherwise noted, will be that read in Ashkenazy synagogues around the world. The references for all texts are those found in English translations of the Scriptures.

The readings for this week 10-16 January 2016 are called Bo-"Come" (.in to Pharaoh)
TORAH: Exodus 10:1-13:16
HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 46:13-28

*Exodus 10:3. "Thus says YHVH Elohei-ha'Ivrim ("Yehovah the Hebrews-God"): 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Send My people that they may serve Me.'"

As in Ex. 9:1, the LORD here identifies his Name YHVH and godhead Elohim with the Hebrews as a race-a people extending back many generations before the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (with whom He had identified Himself to Moses in the Burning Bush). He is thus also the God of the race which Pharaoh's father had tried to exterminate 80 years previously (Ex 1:16). PLEASE PRAY: for an awakened awareness in Israel that it is this same God who identified Himself by Name with the Hebrew race to Pharaoh.who has miraculously kept it in existence for over 4000 years-and who still chooses to identify Himself with this race for good and not evil.

*Exodus 10:21-23. "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world" (John 1:4-5,9). PLEASE PRAY: that darkness will be felt and hated-that the true Light will shine into both Egypt and Israel today, bringing illumination, hope and security to the inner "dwellings" of both of these peoples.

*Exodus 10:28-29. "Then Pharaoh said to him, 'Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!" So Moses said, 'You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.'"

In Ex 7:1, the LORD says,"See, I have made you Elohim to Pharaoh."The concept of finding hope, strength, encouragement and salvation in the light of the LORD's face runs throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (See Psalms 44:3, 80:3,7,19). Often, the word translated "face" (panim) is also synonymous with the word "presence". In Psalm 27:8-9, David's response to the admonition "Bakshu-Phanai!-Seek My Face!" is a heartfelt,"Your face O LORD will I seek.Do not hide your face from me." By rejecting Moses' face, Pharaoh was rejecting the presence, the life, the hope of Moses' God.and eventually God allowed him to be granted his request.

PLEASE PRAY: For secular, religious, Orthodox, and ultra-Orthodox Jews to hear and respond to the call which God causes to be released in the hearts of all men, "Bakshu-Phanai!-Seek my Face!"

*Exodus 12:2. "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you."

In Exodus 13:4 and Deuteronomy 16:1 this month is called by the Canaanite name Aviv, a name now used in Israel for "springtime." Since the return from Babylonian captivity, a Babylonian name Nisan has been used on Hebrew calendars. The "number" of the year for the Hebrew calendar (this year 5776) is calculated on the Hebrew calendar from the Feast of Trumpets in the fall (a day related in Hebrew tradition to the creation of the world). The month of Aviv/Nisan,however, marks the "Beginning of Months" for the Hebrew religious calendar (from which date all the Biblical Feasts are calculated). Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") for this Rosh Chodashim ("Head of Months") will fall this year on Saturday April 9th. .

*Exodus 12:12-13. "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am YHVH. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

At the very beginning (see Ex. 4:22-23) YHVH had warned Pharaoh that refusal to release His "firstborn" Israel to serve Him, would result in the killing of Pharaoh's own firstborn. It was the YHVH (the LORD), not a created 'angel', Who would pass through (Heb: avar) the land executing judgment. However, the word translated "pass over" in verse 13 (pasach) means to "skip" or "step over"-thus sparing those under the blood from the judgment coming upon all the other firstborn.

PLEASE PRAY: That this weekend when this passage is read in synagogues-and at Seder tables on the evening of next April 22nd (Passover) when it will be read again in Jewish homes around the world-that the message of the BLOOD of the Lamb which covers and diverts judgment would be imbued with supernatural revelation to the descendants of Jacob. Pray that the Holy Spirit would move Jewish hearts to recognize the "Lamb of God, who carries away the sin of the world"-the Pesach Lamb who was "stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.He was wounded for our transgressions.and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5).

*Jeremiah 46:27. "'But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,' says the LORD, 'For I am with you.'"

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 17-23 January 2016: B'Shalach-"In the Sending" (.of the people away by Pharaoh): TORAH: Exodus: 13:17; HAFTARAH: Judges 4:4-5:31. NOTE: Because this week's Torah and Haftarah readings contain two of the great recorded songs of the Bible (the Song of the Sea and the Song of Barak and Deborah), this Sabbath is sometimes known as Shabbat Shirah-"Sabbath of Song".]