於2013-02-26發佈

<更新>每週一妥拉 2013/2/17-2/23
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。

這週的閱讀(2/17-2/23)稱為『吩咐』(Tetsaveh)『你要吩咐以色列人,把那為點燈搗成的清橄欖油拿來給你,使燈常常點著。』,讀經進度為:

註: 這週是逾越節前四個特別安息日之一,會有額外的妥拉閱讀,先知書內容也不一樣。由於這週的安息日是在普珥節前夕,所以稱為『紀念安息日』(Shabbat Zachor)─要記得亞瑪力人對你們所做之事!包括額外的妥拉閱讀,原來的先知書(以西結書43:10-27)也改成撒母耳記上,內容是掃羅奉命要滅盡亞瑪力人,他卻沒有殺亞甲(哈曼的祖先)。

妥 拉 : 出埃及記 27:20-30:10 (+申命記 25:17-19)
先知書: 撒母耳記上 15:2-34
普珥節前夕的安息日:閱讀以斯帖記全

光和完全

這週的妥拉閱讀以光和點燈為開始和結束(出埃及記27:20-21; 30:7-8),中間則是『光和完全』─參考下面的烏陵和土明。神告訴摩西要吩咐以色列人:『把那為點燈搗成的清橄欖油拿來給他,使燈常常點著』。接近結尾,大祭司的職責包括每早晨和黃昏要收拾燈和點燈,同時也要在主面前燒香。

出埃及記28章. 涵蓋為大祭司亞倫和他兒子作聖衣的指示,對大祭司的衣服有著特別的描述:胸牌、以弗得、外袍、內袍、冠冕、腰帶。

出埃及記29章. 提到祭司的成聖方式與聖職之任命,以及在所服事的祭壇上當獻之祭。 

出埃及記30:1-10. 描述放在幔子外燒香的壇,這其實都是『聖潔之地』,是在祈求主『照亮』你的妥拉閱讀!除了這些內容,我們也推薦你閱讀撒迦利亞書三章,主自己在那裡顯現責備撒旦,並提供在祂面前公義事奉所需要的潔淨。 

註釋

*出埃及記 27:20; 30:7,8: 『你要吩咐以色列人,把那為點燈搗成的清橄欖油拿來給你,使燈常常點著。亞倫在壇上要燒馨香料做的香;每早晨他收拾燈的時候,要燒這香。黃昏點燈的時候,他要在耶和華面前燒這香,作為世世代代常燒的香。』一般的橄欖油根本無法好好點燃,它需要精鍊、清澈、純淨、沒有摻雜。燈臺上的光照亮聖所,燈也照亮桌上象徵祂同在的餅。

請禱告:我們的心靈之燈能不斷修剪,以聖靈為燃料,好照亮祂話語的真理與祂的同在。『你們腰裡要束上帶,燈也要點著』(路加福音12:35);『你必點著我的燈;耶和華─我的神必照明我的黑暗』(詩篇18:28)。『那吩咐光從黑暗裡照出來的神,已經照在我們心裡,叫我們得知神榮耀的光顯在耶穌基督的面上』(哥林多後書4:6)。 

*出埃及記 28:3: 『又要吩咐一切心中有智慧的,就是我用智慧的靈所充滿的,給亞倫做衣服,使他分別為聖,可以給我供祭司的職分。 』

請為那些神特別恩賜的工藝家禱告:使他們瞭解自己的才幹和藝術發展技巧的恩典,是藉由聖靈吹氣而成,好讓他們將創造力奉獻給聖潔主。在以色列和其他國家,有『盜賊』伺機將神百姓藝術恩賜轉用在世界的奉承中。 

烏陵和土明

*出埃及記 28: 29-30. 『亞倫進聖所的時候,要將決斷胸牌,就是刻著以色列兒子名字的,帶在胸前,在耶和華面前常作紀念。又要將烏陵和土明放在決斷的胸牌裡;亞倫進到耶和華面前的時候,要帶在胸前,在耶和華面前常將以色列人的決斷牌帶在胸前。』

我們已經無法考察烏陵和土明確切的性質,以及要如何使用。但我們可以認定:它們是大祭司用來為以色列做『智慧審判』的神聖工具(民數記27:21;尼希米記7:65)。烏陵的最佳意思是『光』─『光中之光』,而土明的最佳意思是『完全』─『完全中的完全』。光通常和『啟示與亮光』有關,而希伯來文『完全』(tome)這個字的字根常翻為『純全』(比較詩篇25:21願純全、正直保守我,因為我等候祢)。對神百姓公義的判決貼近神的心腸,祂渴慕這樣的判決貼近祂祭司的心,此需要至高的亮光和純全。

最後,烏陵的第一個字母是希伯來文的第一個字母ALEPH,而土明的第一個字母則是希伯來文的最後一個字母TAV。Aleph和Tav (希伯來文) / A和Z (英文)/ 阿拉法和俄梅戛(希臘文)。啟示錄22:13的希伯來文翻譯,耶穌宣告著:『我是Aleph,我是Tav;我是首先的,我是末後的;我是初,我是終』。 

請禱告:在以色列的代禱者會被引導,渴慕公義的審判,懇求主的啟示和純全,祂是『首先的和末後的』,是『公義審判的主』(提摩太後書4:8),是照亮黑暗的真光,照亮一切生在世上的人(約翰福音1:9)。 

*出埃及記 29:43-46. 『我要在那裡與以色列人相會,會幕就要因我的榮耀成為聖。我要使會幕和壇成聖,也要使亞倫和他的兒子成聖,給我供祭司的職分。我要住在以色列人中間,作他們的神。他們必知道我是耶和華─他們的神,是將他們從埃及地領出來的,為要住在他們中間。我是耶和華─他們的神。』 

上週我們讀到神渴望與祂的百姓同住;請禱告:以色列的兒女渴望見神的面─禱告他們渴望因祂的榮耀『成為聖潔』。在猶太會堂常禱告神榮耀所彰顯的同在(Shekinah)回到錫安。祂渴望『住在』以色列人當中─但他們必須先被潔淨,使他們成為聖潔來預備道路(瑪垃基書3:2-3)

下週的閱讀進度(2/24-3/2)被稱為『你數的時候』(Ki Tisa),妥拉─出埃及記30:11-34:35(+民數記19:1-22);先知書─以西結書36:16-38。 註:正如這週一樣,下週亦是逾越節前四個特別安息日之一,有額外的妥拉閱讀,先知書內容也更換了,額外的妥拉閱讀稱為母牛,回顧紅母牛條例,包括紅母牛的灰能潔淨摸死屍而不潔之人。先知書則從列王記上18:1-39變成以西結書。

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: Exodus 27:20-30:10 (+ Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
HAFTARAH: I Samuel 15:2-34 

(Note: This is one of four special Shabbats before Passover having additional Torah and replacement Haftarah readings. Because this Shabbat just precedes Purim, it is called Shabbat-Zachor-"Remember! (what Amalek did to you)." It contains an additional Torah reading (see above); and the usual Haftarah (Ezekiel 43:10-27) is replaced by the reading from 1 Samuel about Saul's charge to destroy the Amalekites and his failure to kill Agag (an ancestor of Haman). 

Lights and Perfections 

This week's Torah reading begins and ends (Exodus 27:20-21; 30:7-8) with Light and Illumination (and in the middle are "Lights and Perfections"-See Urim & Thumim below). Moses is told to command the Children of Israel to bring to him "clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to raise up a lamp perpetually." Near the close, the High Priest's duties will include servicing the wicks and flames each morning and evening, at which time he will also be burning incense before the LORD.

Chapter 28 contains instructions related to the holy garments for Aaron the High Priest and his sons, with special instructions regarding the clothing of the High Priest: the 'breastplate', the 'ephod', the robe, tunic, turban, and sash.

Chapter 29 addresses the consecration and ordination of priests, the altar at which they would be serving and the sacrifices required. 

Ch. 30:1-10 describes the Alter of Incense, which would be placed before the veil. All of this is "Holy Ground" indeed; ask the Lord to "illumine" your reading! We would also recommend reading Zechariah 3 along with this, where the LORD Himself is revealed as standing against the enemy and supplying the purification really necessary in ministering righteously before Him.  

NOTES 

*Exodus 27:20; 30:7,8: "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you clear, pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.And he shall burn it [fragrant incense] every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense." Plain olive oil doesn't burn well if at all. It needs to be tzach-refined, pristine, transparent, pure, clear. The Light from the Menorah illuminated the Holy Place; its lamps were also positioned so as to shine onto the table bearing the Bread of His Presence. 

Pray that we keep the lamps of our spirits trimmed, and fueled with the Holy Spirit, so that the truth of His Word and Presence will be illuminated. "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning . . ." (Luke 12:35 NIV); "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light" (Psalm 18:28 NIV). "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua the Messiah" (II Corinthians 4:6). 

*Exodus 28:3: "So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans (Heb: "wise-hearts"), whom I have filled with the spirit (wind) of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest." Pray for those whom God has especially gifted as 'craftsmen', that they realize their talent and grace in developing their artistic skills have been breathed into them by the Holy Spirit-and that they will devote their creativity to that which is holy. In Israel as in other countries, there is a 'thief' waiting to divert the artistic giftings of God's people away to the adulation of the world. 
Urim and Thumim

*Exodus 28: 29-30. "Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thumim, and they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually." The exact nature of the Urim and Thumim and how they were used is no longer known to us. But we may assume this: they were a divine means used by the High Priest in making 'wise judgment' for Israel (Num. 27:21; Nehemiah 7:65). Urim is a special superlative for "Light"-as it were, "Light of Lights" - and Thumim a superlative for "Perfection"-as it were, "Perfection of Perfections". Light (or) is related to "revelation and illumination", while (tome) the Hebrew root for the word perfection is often translated "integrity" (cf: Psalm 25:21-"Let integrity (tome) and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."). Righteous judgments for His people is near to God's Heart, and He desired it to be near to the heart of His priests. This required supreme Illumination and Integrity.  

Lastly, Urim begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet ALEPH, while Thumim begins with the last TAV. Aleph and Tav (Hebrew) / A and Z (English)/ Alpha and Omega (Greek). In the Hebrew translation of Revelation 22:18, Yeshua (Jesus) declares, "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last".  

PLEASE PRAY that intercessors in Israel would be guided by a longing for righteous judgment, a plea for revelation and integrity to the One who is the "FIRST and the LAST," the "Righteous Judge" (II Tim. 4:8)-the true Light shining in Darkness, who illumines everyone who comes into the world (John 1:9).  

*Exodus 28:43-46. "I will meet there with the sons of Israel, and it shall be consecrated by My glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to minister as priests to Me. I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. They shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am YHVH their God" (Emphases ours). We read last week of God's desire to "dwell with" to "neighbor closely" with His people. PLEASE PRAY: for a longing among the sons and daughters of Israel after the presence of our LORD-for an awakened desire to be "consecrated" by HIS glory. In the Synagogues there is an oft-recited prayer for the Shekinah (manifest presence of His glory) to return to Zion. He longs to "dwell among the children of Israel and to be their God"-but there must be a purification and consecration to prepare the way (Malachi 3:2-3). 

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem 

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 24 February-2 March is called Ki Tisa-"When you Elevate". TORAH: Exodus 30:11-34:35 (+Numbers 19:1-22); HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 36:16-38. NOTE: As with last week, this will also be one of four special Shabbats before Passover having additional Torah and replacement Haftarah readings. This one is called Parah (Cow) and recalls the ritual involving the ashes of a red heifer for purification from defilement by death. It contains an additional Torah reading (see above); and the usual Haftarah (I Kings 18:1-39) is replaced by the reading from Ezekiel.]