每週一妥拉 2010/1/17-1/23
於2010-01-23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。每週一妥拉的禱告更新內容並不是為了提供這些閱讀『註解』，我們在讀經各處挑出一些重點乃是對我們的代禱有助益。
從一月十七日到一月廿三日的閱讀被稱為進去/來（Bo）:『耶和華對摩西說：你進去（來Bo）見法老。我使他和他臣僕的心剛硬。』，讀經內容包括：
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。』
就像在出埃及記九章1節，主在這裡將祂的名字和神性與希伯來民族認同─ 一個民族回溯到祖先亞伯拉罕、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。
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民族的神，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 10:28-29. 『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。』
在出埃及記七章1節，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）這個字同義。在詩篇廿七篇8-9節，當主說：『當尋求我的面！』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，可以聽見並回應神放在所有人心中的呼喚：『當尋求我的面！』
*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，為這兩族群的內在帶來照明、盼望與安全。
*出埃及記12:2. 『你們要以本月為正月，為一年之首。』
在希伯來曆，一年的數字（今年是5770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（Aviv在申命記16:1又稱尼散月）在希伯來宗教曆裡稱『正月，為一年之首』，今年的亞筆月開始於三月16日。
*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』巡行這地執行審判；然而，13節所提到的越過意指『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，三月份在家中的逾越節晚餐桌上再次讀到時 ─ 遮蓋與略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 46:27-28. 『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。』
下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀內容（1/24-1/30『容百姓去』）：出埃及記13:17-17:16；士師記4:4-5:31。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
每周一妥拉 2010/1/17-1/23
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。每周一妥拉的祷告更新内容并不是为了提供这些阅读『批注』，我们在读经各处挑出一些重点乃是对我们的代祷有帮助。
从一月十七日到一月廿三日的阅读被称为进去/来（Bo）:『耶和华对摩西说：你进去（来Bo）见法老。我使他和他臣仆的心刚硬。』，读经内容包括：
妥 拉: 出埃及记10:1-13:16
先知书: 杰里迈亚书46:13-28
*出埃及记 10:3. 『摩西、亚伦就进去见法老，对他说：耶和华─希伯来人的神这样说：你在我面前不肯自卑要到几时呢﹖容我的百姓去，好事奉我。』
就像在出埃及记九章1节，主在这里将祂的名字和神性与希伯来民族认同─一个民族回溯到祖先亚伯拉罕、艾萨克和雅各布前的许多世代，主又在燃烧的荆棘中与摩西认同。祂也是法老的父亲在八十年前试图除灭之种族的神。
请祷告以色列能苏醒意识到他们所认识的是同样的神，在法老面前称自己是希伯来民族的神，祂神迹式地使这民族存留超过四千年以上，至今祂仍选择与此民族认同，为着美善而非邪恶的目的。
*出埃及记 10:28-29. 『法老对摩西说：你离开我去吧，你要小心，不要再见我的面！因为你见我面的那日你就必死！摩西说：你说得好！我必不再见你的面了。』
在出埃及记七章1节，主说：『我使你在法老面前代替神。』在希伯来圣经中充满在主面前找着光、胜利与救恩的观念（参考诗篇44:3, 80:3,7,19）。通常『面』（face）这个字与『同在』（presence）这个字同义。在诗篇廿七篇8-9节，当主说：『当寻求我的面！』戴维诚心的回应神的劝告说：『祢的面我正要寻求，不要向我掩面。』当法老拒绝摩西的面时，他正拒绝摩西之神的同在、生命与盼望，最后神只好答应他所求的。
请祷告，为着世俗的、宗教的、正统犹太教与极端正统犹太教的犹太人，可以听见并响应神放在所有人心中的呼唤：『当寻求我的面！』
*出埃及记 10:21-23. 『耶和华对摩西说：你向天伸杖，使埃及地黑暗；这黑暗似乎摸得着。摩西向天伸杖，埃及遍地就乌黑了三天。三天之久，人不能相见，谁也不敢起来离开本处；惟有以色列人家中都有亮光。』
『生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。』（约翰福音1:4-5,9）
请祷告：人们可以感到并憎恨黑暗─真光将照亮在以色列和埃及，为这两族群的内在带来照明、盼望与安全。
*出埃及记12:2. 『你们要以本月为正月，为一年之首。』
在希伯来历，一年的数字（今年是5770年）是从秋天的吹角节开始，传统上此与世界被造的季节有关。然而，亚笔月（Aviv在申命记16:1又称尼散月）在希伯来宗教历里称『正月，为一年之首』，今年的亚笔月开始于三月16日。
*出埃及记12:12-13. 『因为那夜我要巡行埃及地，把埃及地一切头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都击杀了，又要败坏埃及一切的神。我是耶和华。这血要在你们所住的房屋上作记号；我一见这血，就越过你们去。我击杀埃及地头生的时候，灾殃必不临到你们身上灭你们。』
在出埃及记一开始（参考出4:22-23），神警告法老若拒绝让祂的『长子』以色列来事奉祂，神会杀了法老的长子。是主自己，而不单是『使者』巡行这地执行审判；然而，13节所提到的越过意指『跳过』或『跨过』─因此神跳过他们，审判临到其它的长子身上。
请祷告：这周在会堂读到这段经文，三月份在家中的逾越节晚餐桌上再次读到时─遮盖与略过审判之羔羊宝血的信息，会超自然启示在世界各地的犹太人中间。祷告圣灵会感动人心来认出『神的羔羊，除去世人的罪』─被神击打、苦待的逾越节羔羊是为我们的过害受害，因祂受的鞭伤，我们得医治（以赛亚书53:4-5）。
*杰里迈亚书 46:27-28. 『我的仆人雅各布啊，不要惧怕！以色列啊，不要惊惶！因我要从远方拯救你，从被掳到之地拯救你的后裔。雅各布必回来，得享平靖安逸，无人使他害怕。我的仆人雅各布啊，不要惧怕！因我与你同在。』
下周的妥拉与先知书阅读内容（1/24-1/30『容百姓去』）：出埃及记13:17-17:16；士师记4:4-5:31。
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. While it is not within the scope of this Prayer Update to supply a "commentary" on these readings, we will here and there draw attention to certain points which may prove helpful in informing our intercession. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
The readings for January 17-23 are called Bo ("YHWH said to Moshe, 'Come [Bo] to Pharaoh! For I have made his heart and the heart of his servants heavy-with-stubbornness. (Translation: Everett Fox)" and include:
TORAH: Exodus 10:1-13:16
HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 46:13-28
*Exodus 10:3. "Thus says YHVH Elohei-ha'Ivrim (YHVH 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 going back many generations before the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with whom He had identified Himself to Moses in the Burning Bush. He is also the God of the race which Pharaoh's father had tried to exterminate 80 years before (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 10:28-29. "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 light, victory and salvation in the LORD's face runs throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (See Psalms 44:3, 80:3,7,19). Often, the word "face" is 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 and life and 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 places in the hearts of all men, "Bakshu-Phanai!-Seek my Face!"
*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 the darkness will be felt and hated-and that the true Light will shine into both Egypt and Israel, bringing illumination, hope and security to the inner dwellings of both of these peoples.
*Exodus 12:2. "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you."
The "number" of the year in the Hebrew calendar (This year 5770) comes with the Feast of Trumpets in the Fall and is traditionally related to the season associated with the creation of the world. However, this month of "Aviv" (Deut. 16:1; also called "Nisan") marks the "beginning of months" on the Hebrew religious calendar. This year it will begin on 16 March.
*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 his own firstborn. It was the LORD, not a mere '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 them the judgment coming on all the other firstborn.
PLEASE PRAY: That this weekend when this passage will be read in synagogues-and at the Seder tables in March when it is read again in homes-that the message of the BLOOD of the Lamb which covers and diverts judgment would be imbued with supernatural revelation to Jews around the world.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would move 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 47:27. "'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.'"
[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (24-30 January, "B'Shalach") will be: Exodus 13:17-17:16; Judges 4:4-5:31.]
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。每週一妥拉的禱告更新內容並不是為了提供這些閱讀『註解』，我們在讀經各處挑出一些重點乃是對我們的代禱有助益。
從一月十七日到一月廿三日的閱讀被稱為進去/來（Bo）:『耶和華對摩西說：你進去（來Bo）見法老。我使他和他臣僕的心剛硬。』，讀經內容包括：
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。』
就像在出埃及記九章1節，主在這裡將祂的名字和神性與希伯來民族認同─ 一個民族回溯到祖先亞伯拉罕、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。
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民族的神，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 10:28-29. 『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。』
在出埃及記七章1節，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）這個字同義。在詩篇廿七篇8-9節，當主說：『當尋求我的面！』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，可以聽見並回應神放在所有人心中的呼喚：『當尋求我的面！』
*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，為這兩族群的內在帶來照明、盼望與安全。
*出埃及記12:2. 『你們要以本月為正月，為一年之首。』
在希伯來曆，一年的數字（今年是5770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（Aviv在申命記16:1又稱尼散月）在希伯來宗教曆裡稱『正月，為一年之首』，今年的亞筆月開始於三月16日。
*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』巡行這地執行審判；然而，13節所提到的越過意指『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，三月份在家中的逾越節晚餐桌上再次讀到時 ─ 遮蓋與略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 46:27-28. 『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。』
下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀內容（1/24-1/30『容百姓去』）：出埃及記13:17-17:16；士師記4:4-5:31。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
每周一妥拉 2010/1/17-1/23
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。每周一妥拉的祷告更新内容并不是为了提供这些阅读『批注』，我们在读经各处挑出一些重点乃是对我们的代祷有帮助。
从一月十七日到一月廿三日的阅读被称为进去/来（Bo）:『耶和华对摩西说：你进去（来Bo）见法老。我使他和他臣仆的心刚硬。』，读经内容包括：
妥 拉: 出埃及记10:1-13:16
先知书: 杰里迈亚书46:13-28
*出埃及记 10:3. 『摩西、亚伦就进去见法老，对他说：耶和华─希伯来人的神这样说：你在我面前不肯自卑要到几时呢﹖容我的百姓去，好事奉我。』
就像在出埃及记九章1节，主在这里将祂的名字和神性与希伯来民族认同─一个民族回溯到祖先亚伯拉罕、艾萨克和雅各布前的许多世代，主又在燃烧的荆棘中与摩西认同。祂也是法老的父亲在八十年前试图除灭之种族的神。
请祷告以色列能苏醒意识到他们所认识的是同样的神，在法老面前称自己是希伯来民族的神，祂神迹式地使这民族存留超过四千年以上，至今祂仍选择与此民族认同，为着美善而非邪恶的目的。
*出埃及记 10:28-29. 『法老对摩西说：你离开我去吧，你要小心，不要再见我的面！因为你见我面的那日你就必死！摩西说：你说得好！我必不再见你的面了。』
在出埃及记七章1节，主说：『我使你在法老面前代替神。』在希伯来圣经中充满在主面前找着光、胜利与救恩的观念（参考诗篇44:3, 80:3,7,19）。通常『面』（face）这个字与『同在』（presence）这个字同义。在诗篇廿七篇8-9节，当主说：『当寻求我的面！』戴维诚心的回应神的劝告说：『祢的面我正要寻求，不要向我掩面。』当法老拒绝摩西的面时，他正拒绝摩西之神的同在、生命与盼望，最后神只好答应他所求的。
请祷告，为着世俗的、宗教的、正统犹太教与极端正统犹太教的犹太人，可以听见并响应神放在所有人心中的呼唤：『当寻求我的面！』
*出埃及记 10:21-23. 『耶和华对摩西说：你向天伸杖，使埃及地黑暗；这黑暗似乎摸得着。摩西向天伸杖，埃及遍地就乌黑了三天。三天之久，人不能相见，谁也不敢起来离开本处；惟有以色列人家中都有亮光。』
『生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。』（约翰福音1:4-5,9）
请祷告：人们可以感到并憎恨黑暗─真光将照亮在以色列和埃及，为这两族群的内在带来照明、盼望与安全。
*出埃及记12:2. 『你们要以本月为正月，为一年之首。』
在希伯来历，一年的数字（今年是5770年）是从秋天的吹角节开始，传统上此与世界被造的季节有关。然而，亚笔月（Aviv在申命记16:1又称尼散月）在希伯来宗教历里称『正月，为一年之首』，今年的亚笔月开始于三月16日。
*出埃及记12:12-13. 『因为那夜我要巡行埃及地，把埃及地一切头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都击杀了，又要败坏埃及一切的神。我是耶和华。这血要在你们所住的房屋上作记号；我一见这血，就越过你们去。我击杀埃及地头生的时候，灾殃必不临到你们身上灭你们。』
在出埃及记一开始（参考出4:22-23），神警告法老若拒绝让祂的『长子』以色列来事奉祂，神会杀了法老的长子。是主自己，而不单是『使者』巡行这地执行审判；然而，13节所提到的越过意指『跳过』或『跨过』─因此神跳过他们，审判临到其它的长子身上。
请祷告：这周在会堂读到这段经文，三月份在家中的逾越节晚餐桌上再次读到时─遮盖与略过审判之羔羊宝血的信息，会超自然启示在世界各地的犹太人中间。祷告圣灵会感动人心来认出『神的羔羊，除去世人的罪』─被神击打、苦待的逾越节羔羊是为我们的过害受害，因祂受的鞭伤，我们得医治（以赛亚书53:4-5）。
*杰里迈亚书 46:27-28. 『我的仆人雅各布啊，不要惧怕！以色列啊，不要惊惶！因我要从远方拯救你，从被掳到之地拯救你的后裔。雅各布必回来，得享平靖安逸，无人使他害怕。我的仆人雅各布啊，不要惧怕！因我与你同在。』
下周的妥拉与先知书阅读内容（1/24-1/30『容百姓去』）：出埃及记13:17-17:16；士师记4:4-5:31。
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. While it is not within the scope of this Prayer Update to supply a "commentary" on these readings, we will here and there draw attention to certain points which may prove helpful in informing our intercession. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
The readings for January 17-23 are called Bo ("YHWH said to Moshe, 'Come [Bo] to Pharaoh! For I have made his heart and the heart of his servants heavy-with-stubbornness. (Translation: Everett Fox)" and include:
TORAH: Exodus 10:1-13:16
HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 46:13-28
*Exodus 10:3. "Thus says YHVH Elohei-ha'Ivrim (YHVH 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 going back many generations before the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with whom He had identified Himself to Moses in the Burning Bush. He is also the God of the race which Pharaoh's father had tried to exterminate 80 years before (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 10:28-29. "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 light, victory and salvation in the LORD's face runs throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (See Psalms 44:3, 80:3,7,19). Often, the word "face" is 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 and life and 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 places in the hearts of all men, "Bakshu-Phanai!-Seek my Face!"
*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 the darkness will be felt and hated-and that the true Light will shine into both Egypt and Israel, bringing illumination, hope and security to the inner dwellings of both of these peoples.
*Exodus 12:2. "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you."
The "number" of the year in the Hebrew calendar (This year 5770) comes with the Feast of Trumpets in the Fall and is traditionally related to the season associated with the creation of the world. However, this month of "Aviv" (Deut. 16:1; also called "Nisan") marks the "beginning of months" on the Hebrew religious calendar. This year it will begin on 16 March.
*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 his own firstborn. It was the LORD, not a mere '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 them the judgment coming on all the other firstborn.
PLEASE PRAY: That this weekend when this passage will be read in synagogues-and at the Seder tables in March when it is read again in homes-that the message of the BLOOD of the Lamb which covers and diverts judgment would be imbued with supernatural revelation to Jews around the world.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would move 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 47:27. "'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.'"
[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (24-30 January, "B'Shalach") will be: Exodus 13:17-17:16; Judges 4:4-5:31.]