從古時起，在全世界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）。本週的內容被給予一個希伯來名，出自於經文內容起頭的字。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。
這週的閱讀內容是平常的兩倍。
第一部份的閱讀被稱為『生產』：
妥 拉: 利未記 12:1-13:59
先知書: 列王記下4:42-5:19
第二部分的閱讀被稱為『大痲瘋』：
妥 拉: 利未記14:1-15:33
先知書: 列王記下7:3-20
上週我們專注在以色列被『分別出來』的重要性，她從聖的俗的，潔淨與不潔淨的中間分別出來（利未記10:10）─這週的內容持續談到要如何將此應用在日常生活中。當母親生孩子時需要被潔淨與贖罪；災病爆發的隔離與察看必須被測量（包括身體上與居住環境上的），一旦痊癒時也有復原的指定方式。當彌賽亞主耶穌在馬槽誕生時，祂的母親馬利亞遵行同樣的指示來潔淨（路加福音2:22），到了要獻祭的時候，她與約瑟只能提供這裡提到的卑微獻祭（利12:8；路2:24）。耶穌的來到為了『除滅魔鬼在這些疾病所顯出的計謀』，帶來贖罪，救贖的醫治和潔淨。在耶穌的醫治神蹟中，非常顯著的提到那些痲瘋病人與『血漏』的女子。
請禱告，在這週末當猶太會堂聽見這些經文，如此生動描繪出目前在我們中間罪的結果，人們需要醫治並被宣告得潔淨 ─聖靈將使我們為罪、為義、為審判責備自己，並且吸引猶太人尋求能將他們洗得白如雪的那位來潔淨。
* 列王記下5:1『亞蘭王的元帥乃縵在他主人面前為尊為大，因耶和華曾藉他使亞蘭人得勝；他又是大能的勇士，只是長了大痲瘋。』
這故事中一些重要的事件突顯出來─在今日亞蘭（敘利亞）這國家仍處在隨時與我們戰爭的狀態中，一個有數千個飛彈朝著我們的國家，一個在我們北方與伊朗和真主黨緊密連結的國家。然而，很重要的是我們不因他們國家聯合對抗我們而獸化他們所有的人；神對敘利亞的百姓有救贖的目的。在以利沙的日子，這個地區也是以色列的敵人，以色列北方的領導在那時同樣不與 神同行。上面的經文讓我們看見在同一個地區，一位英勇的元帥如何被主使用為亞蘭人帶來勝利（希伯來文：拯救），有一些勝利還是在以色列受損下發生的！但 神有一個更大的計畫，雖然以色列的王不信 神，但那仍是 神的應許，地上的列國會因其而得著祂的祝福。藉由一個富有同情心被擄的以色列小女子，神決意給乃幔個人的『救恩』與潔淨，並將救贖的知識賜給敘利亞，讓他們知道『在以色列國中有先知』（王下5:8）。
請禱告：
* 為了讓先知能再次在以色列中被建立，像古時一樣，此時的彌賽亞（預言中的靈意乃是為耶穌作見證─啟示錄19:10）肢體就算在仇敵的土地上都可以見證『在以色列國中有先知』（王下5:8）。
* 神會在敘利亞甦醒英勇的男女，啟示『救恩是出於猶太人』，以色列的神可以為所有人類帶來潔淨。祂的天使會為大馬士革（敘利亞首都）內外要承受救恩的人效力（希伯來書1:14）。
* 以色列總理尼坦雅胡能擁有屬 神的商議、力量與勇氣，在處理與敘利亞的和平中能跟隨 神的目的，使得如此的和平會出於 神的方式，而不是人的。這週有許多新聞關於美國新政府對中東和平路線的立場，介於以色列與敘利亞和以色列與巴勒斯坦。敘利亞要求以戈蘭高地的歸還作為和平基礎，其位在古時噩王的國 ─ 一個被摩西打敗的國，將戈蘭高地包括黑門山全部給了瑪拿西半支派（申3:13，書13:8-11）。就算將這地給出去，我們也看不到任何對以色列或敘利亞之間長久的和平。
請禱告 神會向我們顯示祂更好的方式並帶領我們，倘若祂可以藉由以色列來對一位敘利亞的元帥釋放憐憫─難道祂不會在我們的時候做類似的事嗎？因為祂的慈愛永遠長存！
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
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每周一妥拉 (2009/4/19-4/25)
从古时起，在全世界的犹太会堂会一周一次在安息日读经，从摩西五经（妥拉）到先知的书（先知书）。本周的内容被给予一个希伯来名，出自于经文内容起头的字。每周惯例读经的实例刚好记载在路加福音四章16节，耶稣来到拿撒勒的会堂，读了一段先知书（以赛亚书61章）。我们发现每周一次阅读这些内容，不仅提供我们机会，与世界成千上万的犹太人来确认神话语的内容，在我们为以色列与犹太人的代祷上，圣灵更时常贴切的启发具体的内容祷告。
这周的阅读内容是平常的两倍。
第一部份的阅读被称为『生产』：
妥 拉: 利未记 12:1-13:59
先知书: 列王记下4:42-5:19
第二部分的阅读被称为『大痲疯』：
妥 拉: 利未记14:1-15:33
先知书: 列王记下7:3-20
上周我们专注在以色列被『分别出来』的重要性，她从圣的俗的，洁净与不洁净的中间分别出来（利未记1:10）─这周的内容持续谈到要如何将此应用在日常生活中。当母亲生孩子时需要被洁净与赎罪；灾病爆发的隔离与察看必须被测量（包括身体上与居住环境上的），一旦痊愈时也有复原的指定方式。当弥赛亚主耶稣在马槽诞生时，祂的母亲马利亚遵行同样的指示来洁净（路加福音2:22），到了要献祭的时候，她与约瑟只能提供这里提到的卑微献祭（利12:8；路2:24）。耶稣的来到为了『除灭魔鬼在这些疾病所显出的计谋』，带来赎罪，救赎的医治和洁净。在耶稣的医治神迹中，非常显著的提到那些痲疯病人与『血漏』的女子。
请祷告，在这周末当犹太会堂听见这些经文，如此生动描绘出目前在我们中间罪的结果，人们需要医治并被宣告得洁净─圣灵将使我们为罪、为义、为审判责备自己，并且吸引犹太人寻求能将他们洗得白如雪的那位来洁净。
* 列王记下5:1『亚兰王的元帅乃缦在他主人面前为尊为大，因耶和华曾藉他使亚兰人得胜；他又是大能的勇士，只是长了大痲疯。』
这故事中一些重要的事件突显出来─在今日亚兰（叙利亚）这国家仍处在随时与我们战争的状态中，一个有数千个飞弹朝着我们的国家，一个在我们北方与伊朗和真主党紧密连结的国家。然而，很重要的是我们不因他们国家联合对抗我们而兽化他们所有的人；神对叙利亚的百姓有救赎的目的。在伊莱沙的日子，这个地区也是以色列的敌人，以色列北方的领导在那时同样不与神同行。上面的经文让我们看见在同一个地区，一位英勇的元帅如何被主使用为亚兰人带来胜利（希伯来文：拯救），有一些胜利还是在以色列受损下发生的！但神有一个更大的计划，虽然以色列的王不信神，但那仍是神的应许，地上的列国会因其而得着祂的祝福。藉由一个富有同情心被掳的以色列小女子，神决意给乃幔个人的『救恩』与洁净，并将救赎的知识赐给叙利亚，让他们知道『在以色列国中有先知』（王下5:8）。
请祷告：
* 为了让先知能再次在以色列中被建立，像古时一样，此时的弥赛亚（预言中的灵意乃是为耶稣作见证─启示录19:10）肢体就算在仇敌的土地上都可以见证『在以色列国中有先知』（王下5:8）。
* 神会在叙利亚苏醒英勇的男女，启示『救恩是出于犹太人』，以色列的神可以为所有人类带来洁净。祂的天使会为大马士革（叙利亚首都）内外要承受救恩的人效力（希伯来书1:14）。
* 以色列总理尼坦雅胡能拥有属 神的商议、力量与勇气，在处理与叙利亚的和平中能跟随 神的目的，使得如此的和平会出于 神的方式，而不是人的。这周有许多新闻关于美国新政府对中东和平路线的立场，介于以色列与叙利亚和以色列与巴勒斯坦。叙利亚要求以戈兰高地的归还作为和平基础，其位在古时噩王的国 ─ 一个被摩西打败的国，将戈兰高地包括黑门山全部给了玛拿西半支派（申3:13，书13:8-11）。就算将这地给出去，我们也看不到任何对以色列或叙利亚之间长久的和平。
请祷告神会向我们显示祂更好的方式并带领我们，倘若祂可以藉由以色列来对一位叙利亚的元帅释放怜悯─难道祂不会在我们的时候做类似的事吗？因为祂的慈爱永远长存！
马汀和娜玛‧赛维士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
于耶路撒冷
This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the prophets (Haftarah) read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name taken from the opening words of the 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. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
This week's portion contains a double reading.
The name of the first is "Thazria" (Related to bringing forth of a child):
TORAH: Leviticus 12:1-13:59
HAFTARAH: II Kings 4:42-5:19
The second reading is called "Metsora" (Related to "leprosy"):
TORAH: Leviticus 14:1-15:33
HAFTARAH: II Kings 7:3-20
After last week's focus on the importance Israel's being 'set apart', of her distinguishing between the holy and unholy, the unclean and clean (Lev. 10:10)-this week's portion continues in how this was to be worked out in everyday life. There needed to be purification and atonement made for a mother when bringing forth children; there must be measures of isolation and testing taken for outbreaks of surface diseases or blights (both on physical bodies and on dwellings), and for contaminating discharges from the body. And there was the way prescribed for restoration once healing had occurred. When Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus) came to be born in a stable, his mother Miriam (Mary) submitted to these same instructions for purification (Luke 2:22), and when it was time for the sacrifice, she and Joseph could only afford the humble offering mentioned here (Lev 12:8; Luke 2:24). Yeshua's coming was to "undo the works of the devil" manifest in all of these diseases, to bring atonement, redemption healing and cleansing.
It is very significant that among his healing miracles, special mention is made of those involving lepers and a woman with an 'issue of blood'. Please pray, as those in synagogues this coming weekend hear these words which so graphically picture the presence and result of sin in our midst and man's need for healing and being pronounced clean-that the Holy Spirit will convict of sin and righteousness and judgment, and draw Jews to seek cleansing from the one who washes white as snow.
* II Kings 5:1: "Now Na'aman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, leprous."
Some important things stand out to us in this story-present-day Syria is a nation still considering itself in a state of war with us, a nation with thousands of missiles pointed at us (with poisonous gas payload capabilities), a nation with strengthening ties between Iran and Hezbollah forces to our north. Yet it is very important that we not dehumanize an entire people, because their country is aligned against us as an enemy; God has redemptive purposes for the people of Syria. In Elisha's day, this region also stood as Israel's enemy. Nor were northern Israel's leaders in any sense walking with God at that time. The passage above shows us how a heroic general of this same region was actually used by the LORD to bring victory (Hebrew: salvation) to Syria-and some of those victories had been at Israel's expense! But God had a bigger plan. Although Israel's king was a godless man, it was still God's promise that in Abraham's seed all the nations of the earth would receive His blessing. Through the compassionate testimony of a young captive Israeli girl, He purposed to bring further personal "salvation" and cleansing to Na'aman, and also the redeeming knowledge to Syria that there was a "prophet in Israel" (II Kings 5:8).
PLEASE PRAY:
*For the prophetic to be established again in Israel as in days of old, this time in the Body of Messiah ("The testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy"- Rev 19:10)-to the extent that even in the lands of our enemies there will come the testimony that "there is a prophet in Israel".
*That God will awaken heroic men and women in Syria, to the revelation that "salvation is of the Jews"-that there is cleansing for all men provided in "Elohei Yisrael"-the Israel God. That His angels will minister on behalf of those in and around Damascus who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
* That Benyamin Netanyahu will be given divine counsel, strength and courage to follow God's purposes regarding peace with Syria. That such peace will come in God's way-not man's. This week there has been much in the news of the new American administration's emerging stance calling for pursuit by Israel of joint concurrent peace tracks between Israel and Syria and Israel and the Palestinians. The Golan Heights, which Syria demands be returned to her as a basis for any peace, lies in the ancient territory of Og-a principality defeated by Moses, who gave the area including all of Mount Hermon to part of the tribe of Manasseh (Deut 3:13, Josh 13:8-11). We do not see any lasting peace or security coming for Israel or Syria by giving it away. Please pray that God will show and lead us in His better way. If He could influence the King of ancient Syria for good through releasing mercy through Israel on to one of his generals-might He not do something similar in our day? "Ki le'Olam hasdo!"-For His Mercy endureth Forever!!
Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem