於2016-06-24發佈


每週一妥拉 2016/6/19-6/25

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。 

這週的閱讀進度6/19-6/25稱為『打發』Sh'lach L'cha讀經內容包括

妥拉民數記13:1-15:41
先知書約書亞記2:1-24

這週的閱讀聚焦在十二個探子身上,一當以色列離開西乃山後,主曉諭摩西打發人去窺探迦南地,他們卻帶回不同的回報,在那些回報的背後有著不同的靈審判臨到那一世代的成人身上,因他們裡面充滿懼怕與不信的靈。先知書的閱讀則是近四十年後,約書亞為著相同的目的打發探子出去,只不過這次是不同的世代和邊界。 

*民數記13:16: 這就是摩西所打發、窺探那地之人的名字。摩西就稱嫩的兒子何西阿為約書亞。』 

何西阿意指『拯救』;約書亞(希伯來文的發音是YehoSHUah)意指『主拯救』。因此,這個名字的簡短形式Yeshua(耶穌的希伯來文),是天使要約瑟替耶穌取的名字(在路加福音1:31也告訴約瑟的太太馬利亞),『你要給祂起名叫耶穌(Yeshua),因祂要將自己的百姓從罪惡裡救出來。』(馬太福音1:21)

*民數記13:30; 14:6-9: 迦勒在摩西面前安撫百姓,說:我們立刻上去得那地吧!我們足能得勝。...嫩的兒子約書亞和耶孚尼的兒子迦勒對以色列全會眾說:我們所窺探、經過之地是極美之地。耶和華若喜悅我們,就必將我們領進那地,把地賜給我們;那地原是流奶與蜜之地。但你們不可背叛耶和華,也不要怕那地的居民;因為他們是我們的食物,並且蔭庇他們的已經離開他們。有耶和華與我們同在,不要怕他們!

值得注意的是,希伯來文『戰爭』和『麵包』的字根相同。神的戰士手裡拿著兩刃的刀(詩篇149:6),實質上在說『許多口中』的刀吞吃祂的敵人─當戰士口中充滿著讚美!

*民數記 13.33. 我們在那裡看見亞衲族人,就是偉人;他們是偉人的後裔。據我們看,自己就如蚱蜢一樣;據他們看,我們也是如此。

在聖經中只有在另一處創世記6:4有提到偉人(nephilim)這個名字,我們並無法確定探子所看到的就是這些偉人,也懷疑在洪水過後這些偉人是否還存在地上。事實上,彼得後書2:3-4提到他們被丟在地獄,『交在黑暗坑中,等候審判』。英文翻譯所加上的補充語『他們是偉人的後裔』當然不是希伯來文,我們相信這可能是出於嚇壞的探子所做的陳述─允許洪水之前的古老怪獸故事,增添色彩在他們真實看見的巨人身上。聖經本身的敘述只提到『亞衲族人(巨人)』(13:22)或『亞衲族的人』(13:28)。

*民數記14:24惟獨我的僕人迦勒,因他另有一個心志(另有一個靈),專一跟從我,我就把他領進他所去過的那地;他的後裔也必得那地為業。

請禱告:抵擋以色列在回應巨人時所面對的懼怕的靈,他們知道若他們信靠神,祂不會容許那地吞吃他們。請禱告抵擋在這地上老信徒之間的悲觀對話,說地將要吞吃凡住在其中的;這只使得神想要在這地興起充滿力量、得勝與管理能力的世代灰心喪膽而已。請禱告『擁有不一樣的靈』之男女會在以色列興起,他們『認識神』並擁有屬神的洞見(但以理書11:32),他們不看巨人,單單信靠創造天地、應許給他們流奶與密之地的神,好使公義的人可以居住在那地。

*民數記15:38-40: 你吩咐以色列人,叫他們世世代代在衣服邊上做繸子,又在底邊的繸子上釘一根藍細帶子。你們佩帶這繸子,好叫你們看見就記念遵行耶和華一切的命令,不隨從自己的心意、眼目行邪淫,像你們素常一樣;使你們記念遵行我一切的命令,成為聖潔,歸與你們的神。』

『藍色』細帶子或繸子(希伯來文tzitzit),是從一種很特別的蝸牛所製成的天空藍染料(好幾世紀以來,人們認為這種藍色蝸牛已經絕跡了,所以這種細帶子就沒有被放在猶太人的繸子上。此稀有的昂貴染料是以色列兒女離開埃及時被賜予的珍寶。當主給予祂所居住聖殿的建造指示時(出埃及記25:4),此藍色染料也是人們所贈送的其中一個禮物,用巧匠的手工織在聖殿的幔子和門簾上(出埃及記26),還有在聖殿服事的大祭司衣服上(出埃及記28:5,15,28,31, 33,37)。

當起營的時候,首先會在陳設餅、金燈臺與金壇上先鋪蓋上此藍色毯子(民數記4:7-11),約櫃則是由亞倫和他兒子依序蓋上幔子、海狗皮與此『純藍色的毯子』(民數記4:5-6)。當以色列起行時,首先看見的並不是在祭司肩膀上的約櫃(沒有人被允許看見約櫃;就算是大祭司一年一次進入至聖所,裡面也充滿著煙霧)。能看見的是代表神住在人當中約櫃外面所覆蓋的天空藍毯子。

所以,為何以色列之子被吩咐要在他們衣服四角佩帶這種有『天空藍』細帶子的繸子?我們並不確定,因為聖經上並沒有說。從經文內容來看這似乎與人類承繼罪的本性有關,包括『隨從自己的心意、眼目行邪淫』(民數記15:39),有可能天空藍繫成的繸子指出我們的無能,甚至盡了最大努力也無法勝過自己的天然人?有可能當看著此繸子,提醒人們需要注視神的同在來得勝(在這裡預表被藍色毯子覆蓋的施恩寶座)?或許天藍色本身便指向神的住所,祂的慈愛高及諸天,就是祂將祂寶座安置之處(詩篇36:5; 57:10; 103:19)。

坐在天上的主啊,我向祢舉目。』(詩篇123:1)。耶穌自己的眼目持續在父神身上,祂只做祂父親要祂做的事,當祂在地上的時候也選擇順服佩帶這些繸子。血漏婦人觸摸了耶穌衣裳上的『繸子』,『有能力從祂身上出去』,並且醫治了那婦人(可5:25,路8:43)。

在近幾年可以做出此藍色染料的蝸牛,重現在以色列南方靠紅海的阿卡巴灣,現在又有許多人再次佩帶這種有『天空藍』細帶子的繸子!

*約書亞記 2:12; 2:18:喇合:『現在我既是恩待你們,求你們指著耶和華向我起誓,也要恩待我父家,並給我一個實在的證據。』探子:『我們來到這地的時候,你要把這條朱紅線繩繫在縋我們下去的窗戶上,並要使你的父母、弟兄,和你父的全家都聚集在你家中。』

這裡有一幅很美的圖畫。喇合要求探子恩待(希伯來文:hesid)她與她的家人,給她一個真理(希伯來文:emet)的證據,恩典和真理(hesidemet)的證據就是朱紅線帶子,當他們看見時就會保護他們,免於將臨到那邪惡國家審判所帶來的毀滅。當天父將光賜給這世界,聖經告訴我們律法雖然是藉著摩西傳的,『恩典和真理(希伯來文翻譯:hesidemet)卻由耶穌這位彌賽亞而來』(約1:17),並藉由祂的寶血蒙救贖,照著神豐盛的恩典(希伯來文:hesid),我們的過犯得赦免(弗1:7)。 

請禱告:在以色列中得著需要從神忿怒中蒙拯救的啟示,而恩典和真理將賜給那些相信彌賽亞的寶血已完成此救贖工作的人!詩篇33:18-19說:耶和華的眼目看顧敬畏祂的人和仰望祂慈愛hesed的人,要救他們的命脫離死亡,並使他們在饑荒中存活! 

下週的閱讀進度(6/26-7/2)稱為『可拉』Korach讀經內容包括:妥拉─民數記16:1-18:32;先知書─撒母耳記上11:14-12:22。 

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 thekii 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.

NOTE:  Below are the texts for the Parashah read in Jerusalem.  Because in theDiaspora (i.e. communities of Jews outside of Israel) an extra day is celebrated at Passover (and this year, that day came on a Sabbath), the readings read outside of Israel are now behind one week from those read here.   On August 6th, through the use of a special "double reading" covering the final chapters of the Book of Numbers, the readings both inside and outside of Israel will once again coincide.

The Parashah for this week 19-25 June 2016 is called Sh'lach L'cha-"Send for Yourself!"  (i.e. Men to spy out the land of Canaan).

TORAH:  Numbers 13:1-15:41
HAFTARAH:  Joshua 2:1-24

This week's reading focuses on the 12 scouts sent out by Moses at the command of the LORD to spy out the land of Canaan soon after Israel left Mt Sinai.  It relates the differing reports which were brought back and the spirits behind those reports.  It then recounts the judgment released over the entire adult generation of those who followed the spirit of fear and unbelief released by ten of the spies. In the Haftarah, it is almost 40 years later and spies are once again being dispatched, this time from the next generation and from a different border.

*Numbers 13:16:  "These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land.  And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua."  

Hoshea means "Salvation".  Joshua (in Hebrew pronounced YehoSHUah), is a contraction for "YEHOVAH SAVES".  Over 1500 years later a still-shorter form of that name Yeshua, would be given by the angel to Joseph (and in Luke 1:31 to Miriam-"Mary", his wife), ".and you shall call His name Yeshua, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

*Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9:  "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.'"  "Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh.spoke to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey.  Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us.  Do not fear them.'"  

It is remarkable that the Hebrew root for the word "war" and that for "bread" are identical (The two-edged sword in the hands of God's warriors (Psalm 149:6) is literally a "many mouthed" sword to devour His enemies, while the mouths of the warriors themselves are filled with His praise!  

*Numbers 13.33.  "There we saw the nephilim-the sons of Anak came from the nephilim-and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

Nephilim are mentioned by name only one other place in the Bible, Genesis 6:4.  It is by no means certain that the spies saw nephilim-nor in fact that these fearful beings have ever existed on earth since the Flood.  II Peter 2:4 appears to be referring to them as having been cast into a place "below the earth" where they were delivered "into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment."  The "parentheses" placed around the statement "the sons of Anak[giants] came from the nephi lim" in many English translations are not in the Hebrew.  We believe it likely that this statement was itself a spur-of-the-moment amplification made by the terrified spies, allowing stories from antiquity about the monstrous pre-Flood beings to color their perception of the large people they had actually seen.  The author of the Biblical narrative itself only mentions the "children of Anak" (13:22) as had the spies themselves earlier (13:28).

*Numbers 14:24  "But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it."

PLEASE PRAY against Israelis responding to the giants we face in a spirit of fear.that we realize that if we trust in God, he will not allow the land to devour us.  Pray against cynical conversation amongst older believers in the Land about the land devouring those within it; this only serves to discourage and dishearten the generation God wishes to raise up for strength, victory and governance here.  Please pray that men and women of "a different spirit" , who "know their God" and have heavenly insight (Daniel 11:32) would rise up in Israel, not focusing on the giants but trusting in the God who made th e heavens, and Who has promised to give us a land flowing with milk and honey in which righteousness dwells.  

*Numbers 15:37-40:  "Speak to the children of Israel:  Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.  And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God."  

The "blue" thread in these tassels or fringes (Hebrew: tzitzit) was not mere coloring, buttekhelet-a sky-blue pigment derived from the secretions of a particular species of snail. This rare and costly dye was among the treasures given to the children of Israel when they left Egypt.  When the LORD gave building instructions for the mishkan (tabernacle) in which He would dwell (Exodus 25:4), this was among the offerings received from the people for its preparation.  Tekh el et was to be woven skillfully into the curtains, the screen and the veil (Ch. 26), and into the holy garments of the High Priest who ministered before it (28:5,15,28,31, 33,37).  

When the camp moved out, the Table of Showbread, the Menorah, and the Golden Altar of the Holy Place were covered first in tekhelet, then lastly with skins before being carried away (Numbers 4:7-11).  But the Ark of the Covenant was covered by Aaron and his sons, first with the veil, then with a covering of skins and lastlywith "a cloth entirely of tekhelet."(Numbers 4:5-6).  When the Israel was on the move, what was visible in front on the shoulders of the priests was not the Ark with the Cherubim (no one was allowed to see that; even the High Priest filled the Holy of Holies with smoke when he visited there once a year).  What was seen proclaiming the dwelling among men of the Presence of YHVH was the "form" of the Holy Ark beneath a covering of sky-blue.

So why were the sons of Israel commanded to wear fringes on the corners of their garments, with a thread of tekhelet among them?   We cannot say with certainty, the Scriptures are silent.  The context here seems to be the human dilemma of an inherited nature to sin, the "harlotry to which our hearts and our own eyes are inclined" (15:39).  Might the sky blue thread among the fringes point to our inability, even with our best efforts to overcome that nature on our own?  Might looking at this thread have served as a reminder of man's need to look beyond to the Presence (signified here by the techelet-covered Mercy Seat) for victory?  Perhaps even the sky-blue of the color itself pointed towards the habitat of the One whose mercies are in the heavens where He has placed His throne (Psalm 36:5; 57:10; 103:19).  

"Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens!" (Psalm 123:1).  Yeshua Himself, whose eyes were continually upon the Father and who only did what His Father told him, chose obediently to wear the fringes during His time on earth.  It was these tzitzit which the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25, Luke 8:43) touched and "power went out of Him" and healed her.

In recent years the particular crustacean from which the dye was extracted has been scientifically identified-along with discovery of how to bring it into the sky-blue color (exposing it to sunlight after extraction and dying of the cloth).  Now many Jews once again are wearing the tekhelet string in their tzit-tzit!  

*Joshua 2:12; 2:18:  RAHAB:  "Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token."  SPIES:  "We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home."

There is a wonderful picture here.  Rahab requests that the spies show her and her family "loving kindness" (Hebrew: hesed)  and give her a token of "truth" (Hebrew: emet).  The token of loving kindness and truth (hesed and emet) is a scarlet thread which, when seen, will protect them from a destruction of judgment soon to come upon all of her wicked nation.   When God the Father sent His Light into the world, we are told that although the Torah had been given through Mos es, "Loving kindness and Truth (Hebrew translation: hesed and emetcame through Yeshua the Messiah" (John 1:17)-"in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God's Loving kindness(Hebrew: hesed) (Ephesians 1:7).  Please pray for revelation in Israel regarding the urgent necessity of being saved from the wrath to come-and of the loving kindness andTruth which are offered to those who will put their trust in the finished work of the Messiah!  Psalm 33:18-19 says that "the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him and whose yearning hope is in His hesed-to deliver them from death and to keep them alive in famine!"

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (26 June-2 July 2016) are calledKorach-"Korah":  TORAH:  Numbers 16:1-18:32;  HAFTARAH:  I Samuel 11:14-12:22]