於2013-08-22發佈

每週一妥拉 2013/8/18-8/24
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。 

這週的閱讀進度(8/18-8/24)稱為『你進去(得地)的時候』(Ki-Tavo),讀經內容包括: 
妥拉:申命記26:1-29:9
先知書:以賽亞書60:1-22

上週的妥拉閱讀中,神給予以色列進入應許之地的指示,列在申命記11:29-32,以色列必須經過示劍外的二山(示劍是亞伯蘭剛進入迦南時神向他顯現的地方─創世記12:7),並以言語陳明什麼樣的行動會帶來祝福,什麼會招致咒詛。關於咒詛明確的罪列在28:1-15。不聽從的咒詛從28:15開始一直到68節,那是聖經裡最令人害怕的片段;藉著選擇離開神的保護,為自己帶來可怕的結局:『因為你富有的時候,不歡心樂意地事奉耶和華─你的神,所以你必事奉你的仇…。』(47節)。不幸的是,以色列大部分的歷史都因為她選擇遠離神所給她的富有、歡心樂意,最後成為拒絕彌賽亞的縮影,在列國中飄盪了數十世紀,儘管她因咒詛而受苦,但神永恆的愛仍看顧著她,持續以慈愛來吸引她。我們相信受苦的日子即將結束;這週的先知書來自以賽亞書六十章,正宣告著她的甦醒,同時也宣告光與盼望臨到萬國的甦醒!

*申命記 27:15-26. 『百姓都要答應說:阿們』百姓都要答應說阿們這個字出現總共十四次,但其意義比禱告結束後的『句點』更深遠。在希伯來文『阿們』是由三個字母所組成,這些字的希伯來字根有信心、信實、信仰和相信。說『阿們!』代表『我對此有信心』『我相信這是真的』。對於這些經文所列出來的罪,相信神的宣言,確認這些都是真的,對那些順服說阿們的人會帶來生命。『因為人心裡相信,就可以稱義;口裡承認,就可以得救』(羅馬書10:10)。

*以賽亞書 60:14. 『素來苦待你的,他的子孫都必屈身來就你;藐視你的,都要在你腳下跪拜。他們要稱你為耶和華的城,為以色列聖者的錫安。』值得注意的是,以色列目前仇敵最惡毒的,就是拒絕使用神賜給雅各的名字(以色列,亞伯拉罕之約的後裔─以撒的兒子)。 他們不用以色列這名,反而選擇使用一個揶揄錫安的名字(錫安主義實體the Zionist entity),他們所事奉的神也不會允許他們用主的名(耶和華)來稱呼那地。這段經文顯示有一天,他們會分辨出真理的光,向這位全地的聖者跪拜,這位聖者選擇永遠與他們所鄙視的三個名字連在一起─耶和華、錫安和以色列。

*以賽亞書60:18-20. 『你地上不再聽見強暴(希伯來文:哈瑪斯hamas)的事,境內不再聽見荒涼毀滅的事。你必稱你的牆為拯救,稱你的門為讚美。日頭不再作你白晝的光,月亮也不再發光照耀你。耶和華卻要作你永遠的光,你神要為你的榮耀。你的日頭不再下落;你的月亮也不退縮;因為耶和華必作你永遠的光。你悲哀的日子也完畢了。』

耶和華說:我要作耶路撒冷四圍的火城,並要作其中的榮耀。』(撒迦利亞書2:5)

*以賽亞書60:21. 『你的居民都成為義人,永遠得地為業;是我種的栽子,我手的工作,使我得榮耀。』公義使一個國家高舉,以色列產業回到那地的最後擔保就是他們成為義人。

神使那無罪(無罪:原文是不知罪)的,替我們成為罪,好叫我們在祂裡面成為神的義』    (哥林多後書5:21)。

下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀(8/25-8/31)是雙倍閱讀:妥拉I─申命記29:10-30:20;妥拉II─申命記31:1-30;先知書─以賽亞書61:10-63:9。

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 this week 18-24 August are called Ki-Tavo-"When you Come In":
Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:9
Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

In this week's Torah Portion, Israel is given further instructions to those of Deuteronomy 11:29-32. Upon entering the land, she must travel to the two mountains outside Shechem (Modern-day Nablus). This was near to the place where God appeared to and spoke with Abram when first he entered Canaan (Genesis 12:7). Israel must now return there and verbalize what actions will bring Israel blessing in the Land-and those which will result in curses. Curses for specific sins are listed in 27:14-26. Then come the promises of blessings for obedience to God's commandments in 28:1-15. The curses for disobedience begin in 28:15 and continue through verse 68. This is one of the most terrifying passages in the Bible; by choosing to be outside of God's protection, one opens one's self to horrors-"Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies." (vs. 47). Tragically, much of the history of Israel may be traced in her choosing to walk out from beneath the "joy and gladness and abundance" offered her, eventually turning down the epitome of these in the rejection of her Messiah, and wandering for centuries in the nations. Yet there is an "everlasting love" which has kept watch over the centuries of her wanderings, continuing to "draw her in loving kindness", even as she labored under a curse. We believe that those years are drawing to an end. This week's Haftarah from Isaiah 60 heralds her awakening, an awakening which heralds light and hope to the gentile nations as well!

*Deuteronomy 27:15-26. "And all the people shall answer and say, 'AMEN!' Twelve times the people are called to say this word. Its meaning is much deeper than a mere 'period' at the end of a prayer. In Hebrew "amen" is made up of three letters which happen also to form the root for the Hebrew words for faith, faithfulness, belief, and to believe. To say "Amen!" means, "I have faith in this"; "I believe this to be true" (Emet, the word for "truth" is itself etymologically related to this root). 

Believing God's pronouncements regarding the sins listed in these verses, and affirming them to be true would bring life to those who obediently spoke them out. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).

*Isaiah 60:14. < /b>"Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of YHVH, ZION of the Holy One of Israel." It is significant that the most virulent of Israel's present enemies refuse to utilize the name given by God to Jacob-(the offspring of Abraham's covenant-son Isaac). Rather than Israel, they choose to utilize in a derisive way the name Zion ("the Zionist entity"). Neither will the deity they serve allow them to call on the name of the LORD (Yehovah). This passage reveals that one day they will have discerned the light of Truth-and bow to the Holy One over all the earth, who chose to eternally associate himself with the three names they despised-Yehovah, Zion and Israel.

*Isaiah 60:18-20. "Violence (Hebrew: hamas) shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Yeshu'ah (Salvation) and your gates Tehi'lah (Praise). The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall n o longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; For the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended." 

"'For I,' says the LORD, 'will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst'" (Zechariah 2:5).

*Isaiah 60:21. "Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified." It is righteousness that exalts a nation. The final securing of Israel's inheritance back in the Land is their having come into righteousness. 

"He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). 

Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 25-31 August is a "double reading": TORAH I: Deuteronomy 29:10-30:20; TOR AH II: Deuteronomy 31:1-30; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 61:10-63:9]