於2010-10-30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。

十月廿四日到十月三十日的閱讀被稱為:撒拉的一生(Chayeh Sarah),讀經內容包括:
 
妥    拉 : 創世記  23:1-25:18
先知書 : 列王記上 1:1-31

* 創世記 23:17-8. 『於是,麥比拉、幔利前、以弗崙的那塊田和其中的洞,並田間四圍的樹木,都定準歸與亞伯拉罕,乃是他在赫人面前並城門出入的人面前買妥的。』

此地點位於耶路撒冷南邊幾哩外的希伯崙,是亞伯拉罕在古時所買的地,目前仍是聖地中最充滿爭競與備受爭議的地方之一。這也是主對亞伯拉罕如同朋友般說話的地方(創18─事實上,友誼的希伯來文就是用亞伯拉罕的名字所結合的字);希伯崙是以色列第一批探子看見巨人的地方,後來迦勒在此地征服了他們;希伯崙也是大衛被指示剛開始建立王權之地。

希伯崙是六日戰爭的重要城市,其居民在那裡舉白旗投降,使以色列軍隊不費吹灰之力就得勝。然而,希伯崙也是暴力屢次企圖掌管之地─1929年猶太人在那裡被穆斯林屠殺,1994年一位正統猶太教徒也在那裡被殺害。今日以色列擁有這城市的一小部分主權(整個主權是在1997年奧斯陸協議中讓出去的)。在城內城外皆有一小群的正統猶太教社區,住在那裡的穆斯林與猶太人(雙方都稱亞伯拉罕為父老),並不相信在此地向亞伯拉罕『顯現』之神的真實身分(創18),也不相信為全人類恢復與天父朋友般關係的『至高神的兒子』(路加福音1:32)。

請禱告 神的國降臨在希伯崙!神的兒子會在此顯現。

* 創世記24:5-6. 『僕人對他說:倘若女子不肯跟我到這地方來,我必須將你的兒子帶回你原出之地嗎﹖亞伯拉罕對他說:你要謹慎,不要帶我的兒子回那裡去。』與希伯來書11:15比較:『他們若想念所離開的家鄉,還有可以回去的機會。』

請為 神帶回以色列的移民者禱告(這是異常艱難的,特別是對年長者),他們不會聽從『回去美國』或『回去俄國』的試探。禱告 神的恩典與憐憫使他們融入祖先的地,但更重要的是,能與他們祖先的神融合。也為在這裡彌賽亞的身體禱告─不會回頭看,而是向前進入『一個更美好、屬天的國家』。

* 創世記24:12. 『他說:耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊,求祢施恩給我主人亞伯拉罕,使我今日遇見好機會。』後面句子實際的希伯來文意思是『讓這件事今日就在我面前發生!』

* 創世記24:62-64. 『那時,以撒住在南地,剛從庇耳‧拉海‧萊(亦即永生神看見我的井)回來。天將晚,以撒出來在田間默想,舉目一看,見來了些駱駝。利百加舉目看見以撒,就急忙下了駱駝。』

讓我們住在看見我們之神的同在(面前)並默想,祂預備並選定我們的時間,為了觀看並認出為我們命定的供應即將來到。

* 創世記24:27. 『那人(亞伯拉罕的僕人)就低頭向耶和華下拜,說:耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神是應當稱頌的,因祂不斷地以慈愛誠實待我主人。至於我,耶和華在路上引領我,直走到我主人的兄弟家裡。』

此結合神慈愛和誠實(真理)的屬性,在聖經中不斷重複出現,希伯來文分別是chesid和emet。約翰福音1:17的希伯來文翻譯成『妥拉本是藉著摩西傳的;恩典(chesid)和真理(emet)都是由耶穌基督來的。』

* 創世記25:12-16. 『撒拉的使女埃及人夏甲給亞伯拉罕所生的兒子是以實瑪利。以實瑪利兒子們的名字,按著他們的家譜記在下面。以實瑪利的長子是尼拜約,又有基達、亞德別、米比衫、米施瑪、度瑪、瑪撒、哈大、提瑪、伊突、拿非施、基底瑪。這是以實瑪利眾子的名字,照著他們的村莊、營寨,作了十二族的族長。』

此家譜是 神對以實瑪利應許的應驗,記載在創世記17:20,神並沒有應許亞伯拉罕從他而出的『後裔』(頂多和基土拉為亞伯拉罕所生的孩子一樣─25:1-6),會和以撒與雅各的子孫一樣。今日的阿拉伯國家居民普遍錯誤假設他們是以實瑪利肉身的子孫,因此『也是亞伯拉罕的孩子』,除了沒有聖經依據之外,也全然忽略早在以實瑪利出生前就住在這地區的人。當然,以實瑪利與基土拉的子孫存留在阿拉伯人中間,但把所有阿拉伯人都放在猶太人與外邦人之外的『第三類型』,只會對其他中東的穆斯林傳福音帶來混淆,諸如土耳其人、庫德人、亞美尼亞人、伊朗人,沒有一個是阿拉伯後裔。

再一次,我們在這裡說的是與十二族族長歷史上的血緣連結;我們完全沒有想要『拿去』這偉大族群的真實產業與身份,他們是 神所愛的。當然聖靈可能會使用關乎以實瑪利的類推,既然伊斯蘭(意指『順服』)緊握不放 神對人的約是經由以實瑪利而非以撒而來,神呼召夏甲(創世記16:9)回去服在撒萊手下(此包括神應許藉由她後裔來的祝福)仍可以成為共鳴,如同所有穆斯林盼望的呼求與心中的生命力,無論他們肉身的種族淵源為何。事實上,他們回去服在 神真正的約以下,反而可以用來當作扳機,在末日喚醒 神原先所應許的百姓!

下週的閱讀進度(10/31-11/6)被稱為以撒的後代(Toldot),讀經內容包括:妥拉─創世記25:19-28:9;先知書─瑪垃基書1:1-2:7。

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. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.

The readings for this week are called Chayeh Sarah ("Sarah Lived"):
TORAH: Genesis 23:1-25:18
HAFTARAH : I Kings 1:1-31

*Genesis 23:17. "So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city."

This location is Hebron, a few miles south of Jerusalem. Purchased by the Patriarch in ancient times, it remains one of the most contested and contentious places in the Holy Land. It is the place where the LORD spoke with Abraham as a friend (Gen. 18-in fact, the name itself is associated with a Hebrew word for friendship); It is where the first Israelite spies saw the giants-and where Caleb later conquered them; It is where David was instructed to first set up his kingship.

Hebron was the major city during the Six Day War from which, the inhabitants emerged with a white flag, surrendering to Israeli troops without firing a shot. Yet it is also a place where violence repeatedly seeks to rule-where Jews were massacred by Muslims in 1929, where an Orthodox Jew massacred Muslims in 1994. Today Israel holds sovereignty over a small part of the city (total sovereignty was surrendered as part of the Oslo Agreement in 1997). There is a tiny community of Orthodox Jews both within and outside of the city. Neither the Muslims nor the Jews living there (both of whom claim Abraham for Father) yet believe in the true identity of the One who "appeared" to Abraham on this spot, as recorded in Genesis 18, who "rejoiced to see His day"-the "Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32), who restores friendship with the Father for all humankind.

Please pray that God's Kingdom Come in Hebron! That the Son be revealed there.

*Genesis 24:5-6. "And the servant said to him, 'Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?' But Abraham said to him, 'Beware that you do not take my son back there!' Cf: Hebrews 11:15: "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return."

Please pray for immigrants whom God brings back to Israel (It can be frighteningly hard, especially for the older ones)-they they will not listen to the temptations to "go back to America" or to "go back to Russia".

Pray for grace and mercy for absorption into the society in the land of their Fathers.but more importantly, into the God of their Fathers. And for the Body of Messiah here-that it also will not look back, but rather fare forward into "a better, that is, a heavenly country."

*Genesis 24:12. "Then he [Abraham's servant] said, 'O YHVH God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show lovingkindness with my master Abraham." The literal Hebrew of the second phrase of the servant's prayer reads, "Please make it happen before me today!"

*Genesis 24:62-64. "Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi (i.e. 'Well of the Living One who sees me').went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted." Dwelling and meditating in the Presence (before the face) of the One who sees us, prepares and times us to lift our own eyes to see and recognize when provision for our destiny is approaching.

*Genesis 24:27. "And the man [i.e. Abraham's servant] bowed down his head and worshiped YHVH. And he said, 'Blessed be YHVH God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master" (Emphases ours). This combination of God's attributes "lovingkindness and truth", chesid and emet in Hebrew, are repeated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. In John 1:17 of the New Covenant, the Hebrew translation reads, "For the Torah was given through Moses, but the chesid and the emet came through Yeshua the Messiah."

*Genesis 25:12-16. "Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations."

This chronicles the fulfillment of God's promise regarding Ishmael found in Genesis 17:20. Nowhere is there a promise that this "seed" of Abraham (anymore than that of the children born to him through Ketura-Ch 25:1-6) would remain a perpetually distinct race as would the descendants of Isaac and Jacob. A commonly held erroneous assumption that all inhabitants of modern-day Arab nations are physical descendants of Ishmael and therefore "also children of Abraham", besides lacking any Biblical warrant, completely ignores the physical descendants of the vast numbers of peoples who inhabited these regions long before Ishmael was born. Of course Ishmael's and Ketura's descendants exist amongst Arab peoples, but placing all Arabs into a "third category" from Jews and Gentiles, besides being unsound can prepare the way for confusion in evangelization of other Muslim peoples in the Middle-East such as Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Iranians, none of whom are of Arabic lineage.

Again, we are speaking here of historical physical connections to the Patriarchs; we in no way wish to "take away" from the true heritage and identity of this great people group whom God loves and is bringing to Himself. Of course the Holy Spirit may make use of analogies regarding Ishmael. Since Islam (meaning "submission") holds that the actual covenant of God for Humankind came through Ishmael instead of Isaac.God's call to Hagar (Genesis 16:9) to go back and submit to Sarah (Which would include to God's promises of a Blessing through her seed) can still resonate as a call of hope and life in the hearts of all Muslim peoples, regardless of their physical ethnicity. Indeed, their return and submission to God's true Covenant may well be used to trigger a last-days awakening in the original people of the Promise!
 
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The readings for next week (31 October-6 November 2010) will be called Toldot (Generations). TORAH: Genesis 25:19-28:9; HAFTARAH: Malachi 1:1-2:7]

每週一妥拉 2010/10/24-10/30

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。

十月廿四日到十月三十日的閱讀被稱為:撒拉的一生(Chayeh Sarah),讀經內容包括:
 
妥    拉 : 創世記  23:1-25:18
先知書 : 列王記上 1:1-31

* 創世記 23:17-8. 『於是,麥比拉、幔利前、以弗崙的那塊田和其中的洞,並田間四圍的樹木,都定準歸與亞伯拉罕,乃是他在赫人面前並城門出入的人面前買妥的。』

此地點位於耶路撒冷南邊幾哩外的希伯崙,是亞伯拉罕在古時所買的地,目前仍是聖地中最充滿爭競與備受爭議的地方之一。這也是主對亞伯拉罕如同朋友般說話的地方(創18─事實上,友誼的希伯來文就是用亞伯拉罕的名字所結合的字);希伯崙是以色列第一批探子看見巨人的地方,後來迦勒在此地征服了他們;希伯崙也是大衛被指示剛開始建立王權之地。

希伯崙是六日戰爭的重要城市,其居民在那裡舉白旗投降,使以色列軍隊不費吹灰之力就得勝。然而,希伯崙也是暴力屢次企圖掌管之地─1929年猶太人在那裡被穆斯林屠殺,1994年一位正統猶太教徒也在那裡被殺害。今日以色列擁有這城市的一小部分主權(整個主權是在1997年奧斯陸協議中讓出去的)。在城內城外皆有一小群的正統猶太教社區,住在那裡的穆斯林與猶太人(雙方都稱亞伯拉罕為父老),並不相信在此地向亞伯拉罕『顯現』之神的真實身分(創18),也不相信為全人類恢復與天父朋友般關係的『至高神的兒子』(路加福音1:32)。

請禱告 神的國降臨在希伯崙!神的兒子會在此顯現。

* 創世記24:5-6. 『僕人對他說:倘若女子不肯跟我到這地方來,我必須將你的兒子帶回你原出之地嗎﹖亞伯拉罕對他說:你要謹慎,不要帶我的兒子回那裡去。』與希伯來書11:15比較:『他們若想念所離開的家鄉,還有可以回去的機會。』

請為 神帶回以色列的移民者禱告(這是異常艱難的,特別是對年長者),他們不會聽從『回去美國』或『回去俄國』的試探。禱告 神的恩典與憐憫使他們融入祖先的地,但更重要的是,能與他們祖先的神融合。也為在這裡彌賽亞的身體禱告─不會回頭看,而是向前進入『一個更美好、屬天的國家』。

* 創世記24:12. 『他說:耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊,求祢施恩給我主人亞伯拉罕,使我今日遇見好機會。』後面句子實際的希伯來文意思是『讓這件事今日就在我面前發生!』

* 創世記24:62-64. 『那時,以撒住在南地,剛從庇耳‧拉海‧萊(亦即永生神看見我的井)回來。天將晚,以撒出來在田間默想,舉目一看,見來了些駱駝。利百加舉目看見以撒,就急忙下了駱駝。』

讓我們住在看見我們之神的同在(面前)並默想,祂預備並選定我們的時間,為了觀看並認出為我們命定的供應即將來到。

* 創世記24:27. 『那人(亞伯拉罕的僕人)就低頭向耶和華下拜,說:耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神是應當稱頌的,因祂不斷地以慈愛誠實待我主人。至於我,耶和華在路上引領我,直走到我主人的兄弟家裡。』

此結合神慈愛和誠實(真理)的屬性,在聖經中不斷重複出現,希伯來文分別是chesid和emet。約翰福音1:17的希伯來文翻譯成『妥拉本是藉著摩西傳的;恩典(chesid)和真理(emet)都是由耶穌基督來的。』

* 創世記25:12-16. 『撒拉的使女埃及人夏甲給亞伯拉罕所生的兒子是以實瑪利。以實瑪利兒子們的名字,按著他們的家譜記在下面。以實瑪利的長子是尼拜約,又有基達、亞德別、米比衫、米施瑪、度瑪、瑪撒、哈大、提瑪、伊突、拿非施、基底瑪。這是以實瑪利眾子的名字,照著他們的村莊、營寨,作了十二族的族長。』

此家譜是 神對以實瑪利應許的應驗,記載在創世記17:20,神並沒有應許亞伯拉罕從他而出的『後裔』(頂多和基土拉為亞伯拉罕所生的孩子一樣─25:1-6),會和以撒與雅各的子孫一樣。今日的阿拉伯國家居民普遍錯誤假設他們是以實瑪利肉身的子孫,因此『也是亞伯拉罕的孩子』,除了沒有聖經依據之外,也全然忽略早在以實瑪利出生前就住在這地區的人。當然,以實瑪利與基土拉的子孫存留在阿拉伯人中間,但把所有阿拉伯人都放在猶太人與外邦人之外的『第三類型』,只會對其他中東的穆斯林傳福音帶來混淆,諸如土耳其人、庫德人、亞美尼亞人、伊朗人,沒有一個是阿拉伯後裔。

再一次,我們在這裡說的是與十二族族長歷史上的血緣連結;我們完全沒有想要『拿去』這偉大族群的真實產業與身份,他們是 神所愛的。當然聖靈可能會使用關乎以實瑪利的類推,既然伊斯蘭(意指『順服』)緊握不放 神對人的約是經由以實瑪利而非以撒而來,神呼召夏甲(創世記16:9)回去服在撒萊手下(此包括神應許藉由她後裔來的祝福)仍可以成為共鳴,如同所有穆斯林盼望的呼求與心中的生命力,無論他們肉身的種族淵源為何。事實上,他們回去服在 神真正的約以下,反而可以用來當作扳機,在末日喚醒 神原先所應許的百姓!

下週的閱讀進度(10/31-11/6)被稱為以撒的後代(Toldot),讀經內容包括:妥拉─創世記25:19-28:9;先知書─瑪垃基書1:1-2:7。

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. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.

The readings for this week are called Chayeh Sarah ("Sarah Lived"):
TORAH: Genesis 23:1-25:18
HAFTARAH : I Kings 1:1-31

*Genesis 23:17. "So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city."

This location is Hebron, a few miles south of Jerusalem. Purchased by the Patriarch in ancient times, it remains one of the most contested and contentious places in the Holy Land. It is the place where the LORD spoke with Abraham as a friend (Gen. 18-in fact, the name itself is associated with a Hebrew word for friendship); It is where the first Israelite spies saw the giants-and where Caleb later conquered them; It is where David was instructed to first set up his kingship.

Hebron was the major city during the Six Day War from which, the inhabitants emerged with a white flag, surrendering to Israeli troops without firing a shot. Yet it is also a place where violence repeatedly seeks to rule-where Jews were massacred by Muslims in 1929, where an Orthodox Jew massacred Muslims in 1994. Today Israel holds sovereignty over a small part of the city (total sovereignty was surrendered as part of the Oslo Agreement in 1997). There is a tiny community of Orthodox Jews both within and outside of the city. Neither the Muslims nor the Jews living there (both of whom claim Abraham for Father) yet believe in the true identity of the One who "appeared" to Abraham on this spot, as recorded in Genesis 18, who "rejoiced to see His day"-the "Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32), who restores friendship with the Father for all humankind.

Please pray that God's Kingdom Come in Hebron! That the Son be revealed there.

*Genesis 24:5-6. "And the servant said to him, 'Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?' But Abraham said to him, 'Beware that you do not take my son back there!' Cf: Hebrews 11:15: "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return."

Please pray for immigrants whom God brings back to Israel (It can be frighteningly hard, especially for the older ones)-they they will not listen to the temptations to "go back to America" or to "go back to Russia".

Pray for grace and mercy for absorption into the society in the land of their Fathers.but more importantly, into the God of their Fathers. And for the Body of Messiah here-that it also will not look back, but rather fare forward into "a better, that is, a heavenly country."

*Genesis 24:12. "Then he [Abraham's servant] said, 'O YHVH God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show lovingkindness with my master Abraham." The literal Hebrew of the second phrase of the servant's prayer reads, "Please make it happen before me today!"

*Genesis 24:62-64. "Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi (i.e. 'Well of the Living One who sees me').went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted." Dwelling and meditating in the Presence (before the face) of the One who sees us, prepares and times us to lift our own eyes to see and recognize when provision for our destiny is approaching.

*Genesis 24:27. "And the man [i.e. Abraham's servant] bowed down his head and worshiped YHVH. And he said, 'Blessed be YHVH God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master" (Emphases ours). This combination of God's attributes "lovingkindness and truth", chesid and emet in Hebrew, are repeated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. In John 1:17 of the New Covenant, the Hebrew translation reads, "For the Torah was given through Moses, but the chesid and the emet came through Yeshua the Messiah."

*Genesis 25:12-16. "Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations."

This chronicles the fulfillment of God's promise regarding Ishmael found in Genesis 17:20. Nowhere is there a promise that this "seed" of Abraham (anymore than that of the children born to him through Ketura-Ch 25:1-6) would remain a perpetually distinct race as would the descendants of Isaac and Jacob. A commonly held erroneous assumption that all inhabitants of modern-day Arab nations are physical descendants of Ishmael and therefore "also children of Abraham", besides lacking any Biblical warrant, completely ignores the physical descendants of the vast numbers of peoples who inhabited these regions long before Ishmael was born. Of course Ishmael's and Ketura's descendants exist amongst Arab peoples, but placing all Arabs into a "third category" from Jews and Gentiles, besides being unsound can prepare the way for confusion in evangelization of other Muslim peoples in the Middle-East such as Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Iranians, none of whom are of Arabic lineage.

Again, we are speaking here of historical physical connections to the Patriarchs; we in no way wish to "take away" from the true heritage and identity of this great people group whom God loves and is bringing to Himself. Of course the Holy Spirit may make use of analogies regarding Ishmael. Since Islam (meaning "submission") holds that the actual covenant of God for Humankind came through Ishmael instead of Isaac.God's call to Hagar (Genesis 16:9) to go back and submit to Sarah (Which would include to God's promises of a Blessing through her seed) can still resonate as a call of hope and life in the hearts of all Muslim peoples, regardless of their physical ethnicity. Indeed, their return and submission to God's true Covenant may well be used to trigger a last-days awakening in the original people of the Promise!
 
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The readings for next week (31 October-6 November 2010) will be called Toldot (Generations). TORAH: Genesis 25:19-28:9; HAFTARAH: Malachi 1:1-2:7]