於2010-01-03發佈

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。

從十二月二十七日到一月二日的閱讀被稱為他住在(VaYechi)『雅各住在埃及地十七年』,讀經內容包括:

妥    拉 :  創世記47:28-50:26
先知書 :  列王記上 2:1-12

這週的妥拉閱讀將帶領我們進入創世記的末了,內容是關於約瑟在埃及最後十七年的生活,他對以法蓮與瑪拿西的祝福、他對十二個兒子最後的預言、他的死亡、他的骸骨帶回希伯崙埋葬,以及約瑟在埃及活到一百一十歲的種種。在第四十九章繼續對以色列的兒子預言,我們相信這關乎今日以色列召聚與回歸的身份,以及他們的祖先四百年後返回與佔據的土地 ─ 那也是他們子孫數千年後神蹟般返回之所。

*創世記 48:5. 『我未到埃及見你之先,你在埃及地所生的以法蓮和瑪拿西這兩個兒子是我的,正如流便和西緬是我的一樣。 』
事實上,因著流便的罪,他長子的名分透過以法蓮與瑪拿西這兩個兒子,歸到拉結的長子約瑟身上(參考歷代志上5:1-2),但統治權還是從猶大而來。

*創世記 48:20. 『當日就給他們祝福說:以色列人要指著你們祝福說:願 神使你如以法蓮、瑪拿西一樣。於是立以法蓮在瑪拿西以上。 』
在許多希伯來的家庭裡,今日父親仍在星期五晚上用這段話為兒子祝福。

*創世記 49:5-7. 『西緬和利未是弟兄;他們的刀劍是殘忍(希伯來文:哈瑪斯)的器具。我的靈啊,不要與他們同謀;我的心哪,不要與他們聯絡;因為他們趁怒殺害人命,任意砍斷牛腿大筋。他們的怒氣暴烈可咒;他們的忿恨殘忍可詛。』

人的怒氣並不能成就 神的義(雅各書1:20);在西緬與利未這兩兄弟的案例中,最後導致他們將來的產業大量流失或四散。近來,以色列猶太人在示劍附近(正是兩兄弟發生暴力攻擊之處)的定居者,為了抗議政府停止在屯墾區興建住宅,闖入巴勒斯坦城鎮亞索夫(Yasouf)燒了一間清真寺,在牆上寫上威脅的標語。在阿拉伯的橄欖樹林也不斷遭到蓄意破壞,並時而毆打阿拉伯人,塗鴉一些種族方面的威脅字眼(如阿拉伯人去死等)。如此的行為雖然不是所有猶太定居者在爭取領土時的寫照,卻也屢次不斷浮上台面。

請禱告抵擋用來形容西緬與利未的暴怒的靈 ─ 特別是那些勇敢尋求解決他們在猶大與撒瑪利亞的產業之地。惡者不想要 神的話在這區域應驗(參考上週的先知書:以西結書37:21-23)。許多對這些定居者不實的謊言,無論是透過憎恨與錯誤,或是放大他們思想裡在個性與罪上的軟弱,仇敵會盡其可能來破壞他們的名譽和信用。
禱告 神對定居者關乎彌賽亞的啟示,這會帶來潔淨與公義,還有神聖的方向 ─ 一個永久住在這地、得著城邑的能力(以西結書36: 27-28; 33-35)。

*創世記 49:10-11. 『圭必不離猶大,杖必不離他兩腳之間,直等細羅【就是賜平安者】來到,萬民都必歸順。猶大把小驢拴在葡萄樹上,把驢駒拴在美好的葡萄樹上。他在葡萄酒中洗了衣服,在葡萄汁中洗了袍褂。』
這段經文在歷史上充滿極大的奧秘,其中一部份與『細羅』(Shiloh)這個字所代表的希伯來文翻譯有關。然而,很清楚它是說到他們會來到『杖』真實歸屬的那位,祂配得『萬民歸順』。在新約裡似乎有更進一步的線索:馬太福音廿一章2-7節提到當耶穌進到耶路撒冷,會有一隻驢駒拴在那邊;啟示錄七章14節則提到那些『用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白淨的』;在啟示錄十九章13節那稱為『誠信真實的』,穿著濺了血的衣服,祂的名字也稱為『神之道』。

請禱告:以色列得著啟示『猶大支派中的獅子,大衛的根』已經來到─而且會以『萬王之王,萬主之主』的身份再次來到!(啟示錄5:5; 19:16)。

下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀內容(1/3-1/9『名字』):出埃及記1:1-6:1;以賽亞書27:6-28:13; 29:22-23。

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 2009/12/27-2010/1/2
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。

从十二月二十七日到一月二日的阅读被称为他住在(VaYechi)『雅各布住在埃及地十七年』,读经内容包括:

妥    拉 : 创世记47:28-50:26
先知书 : 列王记上 2:1-12

这周的妥拉阅读将带领我们进入创世记的末了,内容是关于约瑟在埃及最后十七年的生活,他对以法莲与玛拿西的祝福、他对十二个儿子最后的预言、他的死亡、他的骸骨带回希伯仑埋葬,以及约瑟在埃及活到一百一十岁的种种。在第四十九章继续对以色列的儿子预言,我们相信这关乎今日以色列召聚与回归的身份,以及他们的祖先四百年后返回与占据的土地─那也是他们子孙数千年后神迹般返回之所。

*创世记 48:5. 『我未到埃及见你之先,你在埃及地所生的以法莲和玛拿西这两个儿子是我的,正如流便和西缅是我的一样。 』
事实上,因着流便的罪,他长子的名分透过以法莲与玛拿西这两个儿子,归到拉结的长子约瑟身上(参考历代志上5:1-2),但统治权还是从犹大而来。

*创世记 48:20. 『当日就给他们祝福说:以色列人要指着你们祝福说:愿神使你如以法莲、玛拿西一样。于是立以法莲在玛拿西以上。 』
在许多希伯来的家庭里,今日父亲仍在星期五晚上用这段话为儿子祝福。

*创世记 49:5-7. 『西缅和利未是弟兄;他们的刀剑是残忍(希伯来文:哈玛斯)的器具。我的灵啊,不要与他们同谋;我的心哪,不要与他们联络;因为他们趁怒杀害人命,任意砍断牛腿大筋。他们的怒气暴烈可咒;他们的忿恨残忍可诅。』

人的怒气并不能成就神的义(雅各布书1:20);在西缅与利未这两兄弟的案例中,最后导致他们将来的产业大量流失或四散。近来,以色列犹太人在示剑附近(正是两兄弟发生暴力攻击之处)的定居者,为了抗议政府停止在屯垦区兴建住宅,闯入巴勒斯坦城镇亚索夫(Yasouf)烧了一间清真寺,在墙上写上威胁的标语。在阿拉伯的橄榄树林也不断遭到蓄意破坏,并时而殴打阿拉伯人,涂鸦一些种族方面的威胁字眼(如阿拉伯人去死等)。如此的行为虽然不是所有犹太定居者在争取领土时的写照,却也屡次不断浮上台面。

请祷告抵挡用来形容西缅与利未的暴怒的灵─特别是那些勇敢寻求解决他们在犹大与撒玛利亚的产业之地。恶者不想要神的话在这区域应验(参考上周的先知书:以西结书37:21-23)。许多对这些定居者不实的谎言,无论是透过憎恨与错误,或是放大他们思想里在个性与罪上的软弱,仇敌会尽其可能来破坏他们的名誉和信用。
祷告神对定居者关乎弥赛亚的启示,这会带来洁净与公义,还有神圣的方向─一个永久住在这地、得着城邑的能力(以西结书36: 27-28; 33-35)。

*创世记 49:10-11. 『圭必不离犹大,杖必不离他两脚之间,直等细罗【就是赐平安者】来到,万民都必归顺。犹大把小驴拴在葡萄树上,把驴驹拴在美好的葡萄树上。他在葡萄酒中洗了衣服,在葡萄汁中洗了袍褂。』
这段经文在历史上充满极大的奥秘,其中一部份与『细罗』(Shiloh)这个字所代表的希伯来文翻译有关。然而,很清楚它是说到他们会来到『杖』真实归属的那位,祂配得『万民归顺』。在新约里似乎有更进一步的线索:马太福音廿一章2-7节提到当耶稣进到耶路撒冷,会有一只驴驹拴在那边;启示录七章14节则提到那些『用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净的』;在启示录十九章13节那称为『诚信真实的』,穿着溅了血的衣服,祂的名字也称为『神之道』。

请祷告:以色列得着启示『犹大支派中的狮子,戴维的根』已经来到─而且会以『万王之王,万主之主』的身份再次来到!(启示录5:5; 19:16)。

下周的妥拉与先知书阅读内容(1/3-1/9『名字』):出埃及记1:1-6:1;以赛亚书27:6-28:13; 29:22-23。

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 five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the prophets (Haftarah-final reading) 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 Haftarah 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.

The readings for December 27, 2009-January 2, 2010 are called VaYechi ("And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years"), and include:

TORAH: Genesis 47:28-50:26
HAFTARAH: I Kings 2:1-12

This week's readings bring us to the end of the Book of Genesis. They encompass the last seventeen years of Jacob's life in Egypt, his blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, his final prophetic Word over his twelve sons, his death, return of his body to Hebron for burial, and the life and death of Joseph in Egypt at the age of 110. The poetic prophecy over Israel's sons in Chapter 49 continues we believe to have bearing on the identity of gathered and returned Israel today.as well as on the land to which their forefathers returned and took possession 400 years later-and to which they as their descendants have miraculously returned thousands of years later still.

*Genesis 48:5. "And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine."
In fact, because of Reuben's sin, his birthright was transferred to Joseph, the first-born of Rachel, through these two sons (see I Chronicles 5:1-2). Yet rulership would come through Judah.

*Genesis 48:20. "By you Israel will bless, saying, 'May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!'"
In many Hebrew households, this blessing is still used on Friday evenings by a father over his sons.

*Genesis 49:5. "Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruel violence (Hebrew:hamas) their trade. Let my soul not enter into their secret council, their assembly my presence shun. For in their fury they slaughtered men, at their pleasure they tore down ramparts. Cursed be their fury so fierce, and their wrath so remorseless!"

The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:20); in the case of these two brothers, it resulted in loss or dispersion of much of their future inheritance. Recently, Israeli Jewish settlers in the vicinity of Shechem (where the violent attack of Simeon and Levi took place) in reaction to a governmental ruling freezing building in the territories, broke into and burned a mosque in the Palestinian town of Yasouf, painting threatening slogans on the walls. There have also been repeated outbreaks of vandalism on Arab olive groves, and occasional beatings of Arabs and scrawling of racist threats ("Death to Arabs", etc.). While actions such as these do not epitomize the conduct of all Jewish settlers in the contested territories, they do tend to surface disturbingly often.

PLEASE PRAY: against the spirit of wrath which characterized Simeon and Levi - especially in those Jews who are heroically seeking to work the land of their inheritance in Judea and Samaria. The Evil One does not want the Word over this region to be fulfilled (see last week's Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:21-23). Many lies are spread about these settlers; whether through hatred and falsehoods, or though capitalization upon weaknesses of character and sinfulness within their midst, he will do what he can to blight their reputation and credibility Pray for revelation of God and of His Messiah to the settlers which will bring cleansing and righteousness and godly direction-and with it, a capacity to live permanently in the land and to inhabit its cities (Ezekiel 36: 27-28; 33-35).

*Genesis 49:10-11. "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes." There had historically been great mystery surrounding this passage, part of it related to what exactly is meant by the Hebrew word translated "Shiloh".

It appears clear, nevertheless, that it is speaking of One who will come to whom the "scepter" truly belongs, and who will be worthy of "the obedience of the people." And there seem to be further hints in the New Testament: Matthew 21:2-7 refers to a donkey tied with its colt upon which Yeshua would enter Jerusalem; Revelation 7:14 speaks of those whose garments will have been "washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb"; and in Revelation 19:13 One called "Faithful and True" clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and His name is also called "The Word of God."

PLEASE PRAY: for revelation in Israel that the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David" has come-and is coming again as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 5:5; 19:16).

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (3-9 Jan, "Shmot") will be: Exodus 1:1-6:1; Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23]