於2012-10-19發佈

每週一妥拉 2012/10/14-10/20
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。

妥拉: 創世記 6:9-11:32
先知書: 以賽亞書54:1-55:5

妥拉
這週的閱讀(10/14-20)稱為『挪亞』(Noach),這個名字有安息、沈著、安慰與慰藉之意。
            
在橄欖山上空的彩虹,主回來時祂的腳將站在這地方。(撒迦利亞書14:4)

挪亞的日子怎樣,人子降臨也要怎樣』(馬太福音24:37)。

*創世記 6:9. 『挪亞是個義人,在當時的世代是個完全人。挪亞與神同行。』

『完全』(perfect)這個字在詩篇25:21又翻成『純全』(integrity):『願純全、正直保守我,因為我等候祢。』

*創世記 6:11-13. 『世界在神面前敗壞,地上滿了強暴。神觀看世界,見是敗壞了;凡有血氣的人在地上都敗壞了行為。神就對挪亞說:凡有血氣的人,他的盡頭已經來到我面前;因為地上滿了他們的強暴,我要把他們和地一併毀滅。』

血氣之人的領導帶來敗壞與毀滅,新約對末後的預言說那會再次『像挪亞的日子一樣』。撒迦利亞書2:11-13指示我們在末後的日子,當彌賽亞要再次收回猶大、揀選耶路撒冷,當主從祂聖所興起時,對信徒而言很重要的是他們要對血氣說『安靜下來』(13節)。我們若沒有在聖靈的能力中釘死我們的血氣,它將會成為我們的敗壞,就像挪亞的日子一樣。

*創世記6:14.『你要用歌斐木造一隻方舟,分一間一間地造,裡外抹上松香。』這裡『方舟』的希伯來文是teva ,指的是盒子或箱子(以色列今日的信箱就是用這個字)。出埃及記2:3用來裝小摩西的箱子亦是同一個字(約櫃則使用不同的希伯來文)。
在這裡顯出極大的救贖景象,經文中提到的『抹上』(cover)和『松香』(pitch)與救贖的字相通。使徒保羅描繪出約櫃如同在耶穌裡的救恩,我們的良心藉由祂的受死與復活而被施洗(彼前3:18-22)。

*創世記7:4. 『因為再過七天,我要降雨在地上四十晝夜。』是神『降雨在地上』。我們現在正進入以色列『秋雨』的時節(會在秋天和早冬臨到,『春雨』則會在晚冬和早春臨到);以色列一直處在乾旱期。

請禱告:神會憐憫以色列,敞開天上的窗戶,正如祂在挪亞的日子所做的─不是為著審判而是為著憐憫。正如我們先前所提到的,在以賽亞書41:17-20說到,當以色列為著水而向神哭求,神會垂聽─祂會做創造性的事,在想不到的地方釋放出水來─到最後『好叫人看見、知道、思想、明白;這是耶和華的手所做的,是以色列的聖者所造的。』 

*創世記7:15. 『凡有血肉、有氣息的活物,都一對一對地到挪亞那裡,進入方舟。』 

*創世記9:3.『凡活著的動物都可以作你們的食物。這一切我都賜給你們,如同菜蔬一樣。』神是唯一將肉與菜蔬『賜給』人吃的那位,關於個人決定吃肉或不吃肉,我們需要尊重個人在神面前的良心。然而,有些人教導不吃肉是神的主意,因為在伊甸園和洪水前的食物都沒有肉,這種說法並不符合這段經文。 

*創世記9:4. 『惟獨肉帶著血,那就是他的生命,你們不可吃。』『生命』的希伯來文是 chaim,但在這裡卻用『靈魂』(nephesh)這個字,這句話應是:『惟獨肉帶著血,那就是他的靈魂,你們不可吃。』

在利未記17:13-14重申此:『凡以色列人,或是寄居在他們中間的外人,若打獵得了可吃的禽獸,必放出他的血來,用土掩蓋。論到一切活物的生命(靈魂),就在血中。所以我對以色列人說:無論什麼活物的血,你們都不可吃,因為一切活物的血就是他的生命(靈魂)。凡吃了血的,必被剪除。』 

在創世記2:7,『耶和華神用地上的塵土造人,將生氣(生命)吹在他鼻孔裡,他就成了有靈(靈魂)的活人,名叫亞當』。當該隱謀殺亞伯,『他兄弟的血有聲音從地裡向神哀告』。犯了罪的靈魂必須死,所有人都犯了罪,所以死亡在亞當的後代中掌權,只有一位除外─由童女所生救主的血除外,耶穌這位『末後的亞當』純淨沒有犯罪(希伯來書4:15)。因此,『祂必洗淨許多國民』(以賽亞書52:15),『這血所說的比亞伯的血所說的更美』(希伯來書12:24)。神以『(靈魂)為贖罪祭』(以賽亞書53:10),用祂所流的血,『祂將命(靈魂)傾倒』,並『擔當多人的罪』(以賽亞書53:12)。 
*創世記10:25.『希伯生了兩個兒子,一個名叫法勒【法勒就是分的意思】,因為那時人就分地居住。』分這個字也有『分開』與『斷成好幾部分』的意思。一些人建議說這裡可能真的提到有一個時期,有一些大洲改變成現代地圖的模樣,這也可以解釋從伊甸流出的四道河(創世記2:10-14),何以不再顯出如此的相關性。

先知書

這週的先知書閱讀充滿神對祂子民的心腸與憐憫計畫;我們可以祈求神使用這些經文來協助我們禱告,禱告這週在會堂裡聽見這些經文的人,在靈魂深處能湧出屬天的啟示!禱告以色列將知道她是蒙愛的,她會認她的罪,成認她需要一位救贖主,並瞭解到主是她唯一的救贖主,她的公義將從祂而來! 

*以賽亞書54:5. 『因為造你的是你的丈夫;萬軍之耶和華是祂的名。救贖你的是以色列的聖者;祂必稱為全地之神。』這位全地之神選擇將自己與祂賜給祂僕人雅各─以色列的名連在一起。凡不謙卑自己來承認此『身份』的國家,將發現自己正在抵擋這位萬國與全宇宙的神。
*以賽亞書54:7-8.『我離棄你不過片時,卻要施大恩將你收回。我的怒氣漲溢,頃刻之間向你掩面,卻要以永遠的慈愛憐恤你。這是耶和華─你的救贖主說的。』 
*以賽亞書54:13-15. 『你的兒女都要受耶和華的教訓;你的兒女必大享平安。你必因公義得堅立,必遠離欺壓,不致害怕;你必遠離驚嚇,驚嚇必不臨近你。即或有人聚集,卻不由於我;凡聚集攻擊你的,必因你仆倒(或譯:投降你)。』 

*以賽亞書54:17. 『凡為攻擊你造成的器械必不利用;凡在審判時興起用舌攻擊你的,你必定他為有罪。這是耶和華僕人的產業,是他們從我所得的義。這是耶和華說的。』

*以賽亞書55:1-3. 『你們一切乾渴的都當就近水來;沒有銀錢的也可以來。你們都來,買了吃;不用銀錢,不用價值,也來買酒和奶。你們為何花錢(原文是平銀)買那不足為食物的?用勞碌得來的買那不使人飽足的呢?你們要留意聽我的話就能吃那美物,得享肥甘,心中喜樂。你們當就近我來;側耳而聽,就必得活。我必與你們立永約,就是應許大衛那可靠的恩典。』 

下週的閱讀(10/21-27)稱為離開(Lech Lecha),讀經進度為妥拉:創世記12:1-17:27;先知書:以賽亞書40:27-41:16。

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.
 
TORAH: Genesis 6:9-11:32
HAFTARAH : Isaiah 54:1-55:5 

Torah
 
The readings for this week are called Noach (Noah)-whose name is related to rest, calm, comfort, and consolation.
            
Rainbow over the Mount of Olives upon which the Lord's feet will stand upon His return (Zechariah 14:4)

"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:37).
 
*Genesis 6:9. "Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God." 

"Perfect" is an adjectival form of the word translated "integrity" in Psalm 25:21: "Let integrity and uprightness guard me for I wait for you" (NKJV). 
 
*Genesis 6:11-13. "Now the earth had gone to ruin before God, the earth was filled with wrongdoing. God saw the earth, and here: it had gone to ruin, for all flesh had ruined its way upon the earth. God said to Noah: An end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with wrongdoing through them: here, I am about to bring ruin upon them, along with the earth" (Everett Fox translation; emphases ours). 

Flesh, given its lead, brings ruin and destruction. In the New Covenant Yeshua prophesied that in latter days, it will again be "as it was in the days of Noah". Zechariah 2:11-13 instructs us that in those days, as Messiah draws near to "again take possession of Judah and to choose Jerusalem", and the LORD is "aroused from His holy habitation", it will be imperative for Believers that they (as did Noah) say "HUSH" (Hebrew: Hass! Vs. 13) to the flesh. Either we crucify it in the power of the Holy Spirit, or it will, as in the days of Noah, be our ruin.
 
*Genesis 6:14. "Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms [or nests] in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch." The English word "ark" is used here for Hebrew teva which means a box or case (the word is used for 'mailbox' in Israel today). It is the same as that used to shelter the baby Moses in Exodus 2:3 (The "Ark of the Covenant" uses a different Hebrew word). 
 
There is much redemption pictured here. The very word translated "cover" and "pitch" (kopher) is identical with the word for atonement. The apostle Peter pictures the ark as a type of our salvation in Yeshua, our consciences being baptized through His death and resurrection (I Peter 3:18-22). 
 
*Genesis 7:4. "For after seven more days, I will cause it to rain on the earth." 
 
It is God who "causes it to rain on the earth". As mentioned last week, we have now entered into the time of the "Former Rains" in Israel (these come in the fall and winter, the "Latter Rains" come in spring).

PLEASE PRAY that God will have mercy upon Israel and, as He did in Noah's day, open the windows of heaven-not for judgment but in mercy. As we have often mentioned, Isaiah 41:17-20 speaks of a time when Israel will cry out for water and be heard by her God-Who will do creative works to release water in unexpected places to the end "that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." 
 
*Genesis 7:15. "They (the animals) came to Noah into the ark.of all flesh in which is the spirit of life".
 
*Genesis 9:4a. "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs (NKJV). God is the One who has now "given" humankind meat to eat, as well as plants. We are to honor each man's conscience before God with regard to personal decisions to eat or not eat meat. However, it is difficult to reconcile with this Scripture the teachings of some who hold that God's ideal for humankind today is the meatless sustenance afforded them in Eden and before the Flood. 
 
*Genesis 9:4b. "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood." 
 
The literal word for "life" in Hebrew is chaim. Yet here, the word nephesh-"soul" is used-"But you shall not eat flesh with its soul, that is, its blood." 
 
This will be reiterated in Leviticus 17:13-14, "Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the soul of all flesh. Its blood sustains its soul. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the soul of all flesh is its blood." 
 
In Genesis 2:7, "The LORD God formed man of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [i.e. chaim], and man became a living soul [i.e. nephesh]."
 
When Cain murdered Abel, the "voice of [his] brothers blood cried out" to God from the ground. 
 
The soul that sins must die, and all have sinned.so death reigns in the very blood-line of all children of Adam. Except One. The Blood of the virgin-born Savior, the "Second Adam", Yeshua, was pure and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Thus, it could "sprinkle many nations" (Isaiah 52:15) with a "sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). God made "His soul an offering for sin" (53:10)-and with the shedding of His blood, "He poured out His soul (nephesh) unto death" and "bore the sin of many" (53:12). 
 
*Genesis 10:25. "To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." The word may mean "split apart", "broken away into sections." Some have suggested that this may actually allude to a period in which at least some of the continental shiftings discernible on modern-day maps took place. Which might explain why for instance the four rivers branching out from the large one coming out of Eden (Genesis 2:10-14) no longer appear to be in that same relation to each other.
 
Haftarah
 
This week's reading from the prophet Isaiah is filled with God's heart and merciful plan for His people. Ask God to use these verses to help in your prayers. Pray that they will be quickened with divine revelation in the souls of those who hear them read in synagogues this weekend! Pray that Israel will know that she is loved, that she will be convicted of her sin and need for a Redeemer, that she will understand that the LORD Himself is her only Redeemer, and that her righteousness comes from Him! 
 
*Isaiah 54:5. "For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth." The God of all the earth has sovereignly chosen to identify Himself with the name He gave to his servant Jacob-Israel. Nations or religions which will not humble themselves to acknowledge this "identification" will find themselves standing against the very God of all nations and the universe itself. 
 
*Isaiah 54:7-8. " 'For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,' says the LORD, your Redeemer."
 
*Isaiah 54:13-15. "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me, whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake."
 
*Isaiah 54:17. " 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."
 
*Isaiah 55:1-3. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you-the sure mercies of David."
 
Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
 
[The readings for next week (21-27 October) will be called Lech Lecha. TORAH: Genesis 12:1-17:27; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 40:27-41:16]