於2013-12-20發佈

每週一妥拉 2013/12/15-12/21
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12/15-12/21稱為『名字』(Sh'mot,讀經進度為:
妥拉出埃及記1:1-6:1
先知書: 以賽亞書27:6-28:13;29:22-23

這週的妥拉讀經進度進入充滿大能的出埃及記
(
希伯來文SH'MOT-"名字")

單是一開始的幾章就有許多豐富的內容,因此我們這週想要比往常更廣泛深入來檢視其內容。

 
      一日摩西領羊群往野外去...
                 出埃及記 3:1

*出埃及記2:2. 那女人懷孕,生一個兒子,見他俊美,就藏了他三個月。』希伯來文『俊美』和『藏』與詩篇31:19的『恩惠』與『積存』是同一個字─『敬畏祢、投靠祢的人,祢為他們所積存的,在世人面前所施行的恩惠是何等大呢!』在敬虔的母親與敬畏神的收生婆協助下,這小小『蒙恩惠』的孩子被藏了起來,事實上,神還在埃及和米甸將他積存了八十年之久,直到他成為領袖,帶領一群在他領導下大能的子民,學習敬畏神,讓神成為他們的避難所。

請禱告:神保護那些『蒙恩惠』、目前被隱藏起來,在未來會被釋放在以色列彌賽亞肢體中的人。禱告當我們敬畏、信靠並愛祂時,我們有恩典相信神為我們所積存的恩惠。禱告在以色列信主的家庭有勇氣和屬天的引導,在他們的孩子進入近乎異教的世俗學校前,神將他們隱藏在敬虔的家庭環境中。 

*出埃及記2:3. 後來不能再藏,就取了一個蒲草箱,抹上石漆和石油,將孩子放在裡頭,把箱子擱在河邊的蘆荻中。』『箱子』的希伯來文是teva (另一個字aron 則是約櫃的櫃子),teva這個字和神吩咐挪亞建造的方舟為同一個字,使他和他一家人都得救。第二個方舟則保護了存留之國的未來領袖,有一位全人類的拯救者將從這國而出,祂的名是耶穌彌賽亞。

*出埃及記2:25, 3:7-8a. 看顧以色列人,也知道他們的苦情。耶和華說:我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦,我實在看見了;他們因受督工的轄制所發的哀聲,我也聽見了。我原知道他們的痛苦,我下來是要救他們脫離埃及人的手神仍看顧祂的百姓以色列,祂看見他們所受的困苦,聽見他們心中所發的哀聲─祂知道他們的痛苦。這裡的痛苦(3:7)和以賽亞書53:3-4二次提到的痛苦是同一個字:『祂被藐視,被人厭棄;多受痛苦,常經憂患。…祂誠然擔當我們的憂患,背負我們的痛苦。』於是祂下來拯救他們脫離埃及,領他們『出了那地』,到美好、寬闊、流奶與蜜之地(8節),有一天祂會再次下來拯救他們─還有所有人類脫離罪惡。祂仍知道並看顧他們,還會為了他們再次下來(撒迦利亞書8:3, 12:8, 14:4)。到那日,所有以色列人都會認識祂!『他們各人不再教導自己的鄰舍和自己的弟兄說:你該認識耶和華,因為他們從最小的到至大的都必認識我。我要赦免他們的罪孽,不再記念他們的罪惡。這是耶和華說的』(耶利米書31:34)。

請禱告: 宗教和世俗猶太人將知道在摩西和法老時期『知道』他們痛苦的那位,深知他們一直以來所經歷的痛苦和憂患。事實上,祂再次『下來』拯救,背負他們的痛苦和憂患,並在樹上擔當『多人的罪』(以賽亞書53:12)。

*出埃及記3:5.神說:不要近前來。當把你腳上的鞋脫下來,因為你所站之地是聖地。』我們在聖經另一處發現同樣講到聖地(希伯來文:adamat hakodesh),在撒迦利亞書二章12-13節:『耶和華必收回猶大作祂聖地的分,也必再揀選耶路撒冷。凡有血氣的都當在耶和華面前靜默無聲;因為祂興起,從聖所出來了。』

請禱告:神甦醒以色列對『聖潔』的覺察─使我們不會草率地『親近神』,在肉身我們也要敏銳於土地的神聖,這塊土地過去曾有聖潔活動發生,今日主會為祂的榮耀再次收復!

*出埃及記3:16b; 4:31. 我實在眷顧(造訪)了你們,我也看見埃及人怎樣待你們。百姓就信了。以色列人聽見耶和華眷顧(造訪)他們,鑒察他們的困苦,就低頭下拜。』現代希伯來文動詞liphkod通常指著『命令』;然而,在聖經時代,它可以指著『照料/眷顧』,常有『造訪』之意。因此,在創世記50:24-25,約瑟應許:神『必定看顧(造訪)』他兄弟在埃及的子孫,把他們帶出那地。當他們在埃及四百年之後,這裡告訴我們神眷顧(造訪)的時候已經來到。

在詩篇8:4大衛表達出對神奇妙眷顧(造訪)的敬畏,『人算什麼,祢竟顧念他?世人算什麼,祢竟眷顧(造訪)?』對那些愛祂、等候造訪的人,神的眷顧(造訪)是生命、救恩與祝福。就算在約伯痛苦受折磨時,他說:『祢將生命和慈愛賜給我;祢也眷顧(祢的造訪)保全我的心靈』(約伯記10:12)。

但對那些悖逆抵擋神的人,祂的造訪可就沒那麼喜樂了。事實上,在以賽亞書10:3,還有耶利米書許多地方(8:12, 10:15, 11:23等),造訪這個字被翻譯為『降罰』。路加福音19:44看見耶穌為耶路撒冷哭泣,神已經賜下一切『關係她平安的事』,但卻『是隱藏的,叫她的眼看不出來。』(42節)因此,爭戰與毀滅臨到那地,『因她不知道眷顧(造訪)她的時候。』
 
請禱告:神在耶路撒冷和以色列有大能的造訪,禱告在這裡的彌賽亞肢體能預備並渴慕神的造訪。使徒彼得留給我們關乎今日很重要的指示:親愛的弟兄啊,你們是客旅,是寄居的。我勸你們要禁戒肉體的私慾;這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。你們在外邦人中,應當品行端正,叫那些毀謗你們是作惡的,因看見你們的好行為,便在鑒察(或作:眷顧、造訪)的日子歸榮耀給神(彼得前書2:11-12)。 

*出埃及記3:14, 15. 神對摩西說:我是自有永有的;又說:你要對以色列人這樣說:那自有的打發我到你們這裡來。神又對摩西說:你要對以色列人這樣說:耶和華─你們祖宗的神,就是亞伯拉罕的神,以撒的神,雅各的神,打發我到你們這裡來。耶和華是我的名,直到永遠;這也是我的記念,直到萬代。』英文翻譯『神』容易給人誤解,『神』是一個尊稱,並不是名字,重點是我們的神有名字,是四百年前以色列的父老就已經認識的名。這名是雅威(YHVH),是神給予祂子民個別關係的名,那會成為他們最寶貴的財產,數不盡的詩篇論到這名之美。但因著以色列的罪,在神的榮耀同在離開耶路撒冷的聖殿後(以西結書10:1-11:23),這心愛的名字也隨之消失。

今日是不能直呼此名的;有時會稱神為亞多乃(Adonai─希伯來文與主子有關)。在馬太福音23:39,耶穌將詩篇118:26應用在自己身上,告訴耶路撒冷,她將不會再見到祂,直到她說『奉耶和華(雅威)名來的是應當稱頌的!』Yeshua這名字(耶穌的希伯來文)是YHVH(雅威)的縮寫形式,有『拯救』之意─『他將要生一個兒子,你要給祂起名叫耶穌,因祂要將自己的百姓從罪惡裡救出來。』(馬太福音1:21)。
 
請禱告:那施恩叫人懇求的靈,澆灌大衛家和耶路撒冷的居民。他們必仰望那位,就是他們所扎的(撒迦利亞書12:10-14瞭解到祂聖潔的名字YESHUA含有他們父親之神的名字與救恩─好讓『凡求告主名的,就必得救!』。 

*出埃及記4:2; 19b. 耶和華對摩西說:你手裡是什麼﹖他說:是杖。摩西手裡拿著神的杖。』 神從我們所在之處、所有之物開始,當摩西為他所擁有的來順服神時,一個普通的杖就變成了『神的杖』!

*出埃及記4:22-26. 你要對法老說:耶和華這樣說:以色列是我的兒子,我的長子。我對你說過:容我的兒子去,好事奉我。你還是不肯容他去。看哪,我要殺你的長子。摩西在路上住宿的地方,耶和華遇見他,想要殺他。西坡拉就拿一塊火石,割下他兒子的陽皮,丟在摩西腳前,說:你真是我的血郎了。這樣,耶和華才放了他。西坡拉說:你因割禮就是血郎了。』  

這段黑暗令人困擾的經文在幾十世紀以來常為讀者所帶來的困惑,可能多過出埃及記任何一處的經文。學者與神學家常與其意思和含意摔角,到底發生了什麼事?為什麼呢?為什麼在這裡加入此插曲呢?(亞倫與摩西在接下來幾節中的會面似乎是在這件事發生之前);西坡拉的話是帶著怒氣還是順服?這些話有何含意?當然我們絕不會假設自己能探究這些深度;然而,我們卻能以禱告的心來看下列的想法:

*22節,先對法老做出拒絕釋放以色列之後果的警告;最後一災並不是無預警的來到。神將以色列視為祂的『兒子』,祂的『長子』;不釋放以色列將導致法老自己的長子死亡。

*有沒有可能對法老的警告也是對摩西的嚴厲警告?神慎重命令亞伯拉罕要以割禮作為他並他後裔與神立的約(創世記17:9-14)。他家中所有男子和後裔都要受割禮(17:10)。割禮的希伯來文意思是『割除』;倘若有一個兒子的包皮沒有割除,神的約就無法成立,這人的靈魂(希伯來文:nefesh)也必從這民中剪除(17:14)。摩西自己有受割禮的證據(出埃及記2:6),但他在埃及的皇宮長大,後來又娶了一位米甸女子。無論是出於他自己或他太太的猶豫,他的長子並沒有受割禮。可能與他所成長的埃及文化或他太太的米甸文化有所抵觸,也有可能割禮太過殘忍並不人道。

此時摩西與妻子並沒有意識到背後的屬靈爭戰;此人蒙天上的神揀選,為要實現祂對亞伯拉罕的應許─將與祂立約的百姓帶回迦南(創15:13-16)。現在,摩西這位領袖與楷模將要為自己的家不守神的約負責,他的任務甚至還沒開始執行呢!這是相當可怕卻非常重要來學習的功課。正如法老拒絕釋放神的長子(以色列)進入約的目的,將迫使自己的長子犧牲,摩西也是如此,若他拒絕釋放他的長子藉由割禮進入他的立約目的,他的長子也需要被『剪除』。

*對任何父親而言,要讓他的兒子受任何痛苦與流血是一件很難的事,然而這不過是象徵性的小傷。最終,天上的父親將差派祂的兒子─祂唯一的『長子』將被『剪除』(以賽亞書53:8;但以理書9:26)。祂所受的鞭傷將為全人類帶來醫治,治死有罪的肉體,在祂的血中啟動一個新約。藉此土地也會被潔淨,最終神的約將重建在祂所創造的人和地之間(羅馬書8:19-22)。

請禱告在猶太人當中能領會到他們仍是蒙神所愛、與神立約,受神的愛吸引的子民,並領會到神用耶穌這位彌賽亞的血已為他們立了新約。 

*以賽亞書28:7. 就是這地的人也因酒搖搖晃晃,因濃酒東倒西歪。祭司和先知因濃酒搖搖晃晃,被酒所困,因濃酒東倒西歪。他們錯解默示,謬行審判。』酒賜給人是讓人在神的面前喜樂和蒙福(申命記14:26, 詩篇104:15)。離了神同在的光,酒就使人褻慢,『凡因酒錯誤的,就無智慧』(箴言20:1)。

彼得前書4:7和5:8說到『要警醒禱告』,務要謹守警醒(清醒沒喝醉的),因為萬物的結局近了,我們的仇敵遍地遊行,尋找可吞吃的人。在以色列黑暗日子關乎末了的預言,但以理(11:33, 35; 12: 3)強調那時人的心志必須清晰與自制,好訓誨並引導多人行義。正如上面所提到的,撒迦利亞書2:13警告,命令凡有血氣的都當在耶和華面前『靜默無聲』,因為『祂興起,從聖所出來了』。

請禱告:在以色列屬靈領袖當中有清楚和準確的異象與判斷。禱告他們將行在聖靈的能力和自制中,禱告他們不會掉入食慾的自我欺騙中,無論他們吃喝什麼,都是為著神的榮耀,禱告他們不要醉酒,乃要被聖靈充滿!(加拉太書5:16; 以弗所書 5:18)

弟兄們,你們卻不在黑暗裡,叫那日子臨到你們像賊一樣。你們都是光明之子,都是白晝之子。我們不是屬黑夜的,也不是屬幽暗的。所以我們不要睡覺像別人一樣,總要警醒謹守。
因為睡了的人是在夜間睡,醉了的人是在夜間醉。但我們既然屬乎白晝,就應當謹守,把信和愛當作護心鏡遮胸,把得救的盼望當作頭盔戴上。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書5:4-8)。

*以賽亞書28:5-6. 到那日,萬軍之耶和華必作祂餘剩之民的榮冠華冕,也作了在位上行審判者公平之靈,並城門口打退仇敵者的力量。

請禱告:為著回到以色列地『祂餘剩之民』禱告,他們裡面將甦醒過來,渴慕這位以榮耀威嚴和聖潔榮美掌管萬有的神,禱告聖靈以公義來塑造以色列的國民政府,以勇敢和力量來充滿以色列的軍隊。為以色列彌賽亞肢體『餘民中的餘民』禱告,也為彌賽亞的猶太人和阿拉伯的基督徒社區禱告,他們將以公平和公義的審判而被認識,成為在聖靈裡被鍛鍊與預備的爭戰武器,並成為在城門口打退仇敵者的力量!

下週的閱讀進度(12/22-12/28)被稱為『顯現』(Va'Era),妥拉─出埃及記6:2-9:35;先知書─以西結書28:25-29:21。

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 w eek 15-21 December 2013 are called Sh'mot-"Names":
TORAH: Exodus 1:1-6:1
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23


THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION BEGINS THE MIGHTY
BOOK OF EXODUS
(HEBREW: SH'MOT-"Names").


There is so much within these opening chapters that we feel to extend our Update to examine a bit more than usual.



And he led the flock to the back of the desert . . .
Exodus 3:1

*Exodus 2:2. "So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months." The Hebrew word for "beautiful" and "hid" are the same as the words for "goodness" and "stored up" in Psalm 31:19 (NIV)-"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." Through the agency of a godly mother and then God-fearing midwives who had assisted her, this little "goodness" w as hidden away-in fact, would be "stored up" in Egypt and Midian for the next 80 years-until being brought forth as leader on behalf of a mighty people who, under his leadership, would learn to fear and take refuge in their God.

PLEASE PRAY: For protection of those "goodnesses" of God which are presently hidden away for a time of future release to the Body of Messiah in Israel. Pray for grace to trust that God is storing up goodness on our behalf as we love, fear and trust Him. Pray for courage and Heavenly guidance for believing families in Israel in storing away their children as much as possible in godly home environments before they are released into the near-paganism of many secular Israeli schools.

*Exodus 2:3. "But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank." "Ark" is the Hebrew word teva, a box (A different word aron-"closet", is used for the Ark of the Covenant). The same word teva is used for the ark which God commissioned Noah to build, in which he and all His household were saved. This second ark protected the future leader of a remnant-nation from which would come a de liverer for all people, Yeshua the Messiah.

*Exodus 2:25, 3:7-8a... "And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them (Hebrew: "and God knew."); "And the LORD said: 'I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them.'" (Emphasis ours). God still knows His people Israel, He sees oppression against them and hears the cry of their hearts. His knowledge of them includes a fellowship in their pain and sorrows. The Hebrew word here translated "sorrows" (3:7) is the same as that found twice in Isaiah 53:3-4: "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." He, who came down to deliver Israel from Egypt and to lead them "up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey" (vs 8), would one day come down to provide deliverance for them-and all of Humankind-from their sin. And He who still knows and watches over Israel shall come down yet again on their behalf (Zechariah 8:3, 12:8, 14:4). By that day all of Israel shall know Him! "No more shall every man teach his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:34).

PLEASE PRAY: that both religious and secular Jews will come to realize that the same One who "knew" the sorrows of the people of Israel in the days of Moses and Pharaoh has known their griefs and sorrows throughout the ages since-in fact, has again "come down to deliver" by bearing those very griefs and sorrows-along with "the sin of many" (Isaiah 53:12) on the tree.

*Exodus 3:5. "Then He said, 'Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'" The other place in Scripture where we find this expression "holy ground/earth/land" is Zechariah 2:12-13: "And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. Hush! all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation."

PLEASE PRAY: for an awakened sense of the "Holy" in Israel-that we will abstain from "drawing near" carelessly and in the flesh-that we will be sensitive to the sanctity of the very EARTH where holy activity has taken place in the past, and which the Lord is repossessing for His glory today!

*Exodus 3:16b; 4:31. ".I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt."."So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped" (NKJV). Today the Hebrew verb liphkod usually means "to command". It could in Biblical times, however, mean "to attend to/to care for" and often "to visit." Thus, in Genesis 50:24, 25 (NKJV), Joseph promises that God "will surely visit" his brothers' descendants in Egypt and bring them out of that land. Here, in Egypt 400 years later, we are told that the time of that "sure visitation" has come. In Psalm 8:4 (NKJV) David expresses awe at the amazing privilege of God's visiting us, "What is mortal man that You are mindful of him, and the son of Adam that You visit him?" This visitation is life, salvation and blessing for th ose who love Him and are waiting for it. Job, even from the midst of painful affliction, echoes this: "You have granted me life and favor, and Your visitation has guarded my spirit" (Job 10:12).

Yet God's visitation does not come as a joy to those who are in rebellion against Him. In fact, in Isaiah 10:3 (NKJV, NAS) and many places in Jeremiah (8:12, 10:15, 11:23, etc.) this same word, instead of a day of "visitation", is rendered one of "punishment." Luke 19:44 shows Yeshua weeping over Jerusalem. God had sent "all the things which were needed for her peace"-but they are "hidden from her eyes." Consequently, warfare and destruction are looming, "because she did not know the time of her visitation."

PLEASE PRAY: For a powerful visitation of God in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. Pray for the Body of Messiah here to prepare and long for that visitation. The Apostle Peter left us important instructions regarding this day: "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, gl orify God in the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12).

*Exodus 3:14, 15. "And God said to Moses, 'I AM THAT I AM.Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: "YHVH, God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations."'" English translations which read "The LORD God." can be misleading. "Lord" is a title of respect, not a name. The point was that this God had a NAME, one by which He had been known to their fathers 400 years before, but not in a personal intimate way. That name was YHVH (The letters Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh in the Hebrew). It was a personal name given to His people. It would become one of their most precious possessions, and countless psalms spoke of its beauty. But because of Israel's sin, sometime after the Glory of God's presence departed from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10:1-11:23), the correct pronunciation of the beloved Name was also lost. Today it is normally not attempted to be spoken in Israel; Adonai (a Hebrew name related to the word for "master") is used in its place, or the words Ha Shem-"the Name". Words such as Yeho'vah, Jehovah, or Yahweh, sometimes utilized in the West, are at best educated guesses. In most English Bibles "LORD" (all caps) designates YHVH. "Lord" (only the beginning letter capitalized) designates Adonai/Master. In Matthew 23:39, Yeshua applied Psalm 118:26 to Himself, telling Jerusalem that she would not see Him again until she said, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH." Yet the One who will again come "in that Name" actually already bears it within His own! The name Yeshua (Jesus) is a contracted form of the name YHVH and yesha-"salvation". "And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua-for He (i.e. YHVH) will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

PLEASE PRAY: For a spirit of grace and supplication to be poured out on the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem-grace to look on the One who was pierced (Zech 12:10-14), and to realize that His holy name YESHUA bears within it th e Name and Salvation of the God of their Fathers-that "All who call on the Name of the LORD shall be saved!"

*Exodus 4:2; 19b. "So the LORD said to him (Moses), 'What is that in your hand?' He said, 'A rod."."And Moses took the rod of God in his hand." God begins with us where we are and with what we have. When Moses in obedience yielded to God what he had, the simple rod became transformed into "The Rod of God"!

*Exodus 4:22-26 (Robert Alter: translation). "And you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus said the LORD: My son, my firstborn, is Israel. And I said to you, Send off my son that he may worship Me, and you refused to send him off, and, look, I am about to kill your son, your firstborn.' And it happened on the way at the night camp that the LORD encountered him and sought to put him to death. And Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched it to his feet, and she said, 'Yes, a bridegroom of blood you are to me.' And He let him go. Then did she say, 'A bridegroom of blood by the circumcising.'" (Robert Alter: translation).

This dark and disturbing passage has perplexed readers over the centuries probably more than any other passage in Exodus. Scholars and theologians have wrestled with its meaning, its implications-What exactly happened? Why? Why is it inserted here? (The meeting of Aaron with Moses in the following verses seems to have taken place before the events of this passage); Are Zipporah's words spoken in anger or submission; and what do they signify? We certainly do not presume to be able to plumb these depths. We would, however, submit for your prayerful consideration the following thoughts:

*In verse 22 a warning is made to Pharaoh in advance about the consequences of a refusal to release Israel; the last plague did not come unannounced. God considers Israel His "son", his "firstborn"; not releasing him to his Call will result in the death of Pharaoh's own eldest son.

* Is it possible that within this warning to Pharaoh lay also a sober warning to Moses? Circumcision had been solemnly commanded Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14) as a sign of God's covenant with him and his seed regarding their eternal connection to the Land where it was given. All males in his household and all of their descendants were to be circumcised (17:9). The Hebrew for circumcision means "cut off"; if the foreskin of a son were not cut away, God's covenant had been broken and the very soul (Hebrew: nefesh) of that son would be cut off from the holy purposes destined for this people in the promised land (17:14). Moses had himself evidently been circumcised (Exodus 2:6); but he had grown up in an Egyptian court and then married a Midianite maiden. Whether at the hesitation of Tziporah or of himself, Gershom, his own firstborn had not been circumcised. Perhaps it went against his Egyptian or her Midianite cultures which they had grown up with. Perhaps it seemed cruel, not the humanitarian thing to do. And certainly neither parent at this time realized the spiritual warfare which was going on behind the scenes. Here was the man chosen by the God of Heaven to fulfill His promise to Abraham-to bring His people of Covenant back to Canaan (Gen 15:13-16). Now Moses, the leader and model, the figurehead, was about to be responsible for causing the covenant to be broken in his own family before even getting started in his mission! It was a terrible but essential lesson to be learned. Even as Pharaoh's refusal to release God's Firstborn (Israel) into its Covenant purposes would necessitate the sacrifice of Pharaoh's own eldest, so Moses' refusal to release Gershom into his Covenant purposes through circumcision would necessitate that firstborn also being "cut off".

*It is a difficult thing for an y father to submit his son to the pain and bloodshed of being cut-although in reality, this was a relatively minor wounding symbolic of something far greater. Ultimately, the Heavenly-Father would send His one and only-His "Firstborn" Son-to be "cut off" (Isaiah 3:8; Daniel 9:26). In his wounding would come redemptive healing for all humankind, the putting to death of sinful flesh, and a New Covenant initiated in His blood. In this would also be cleansing for the Land, and eventual restoration of God's covenant between Man all the earth He created (Romans 8:19-22).

PLEASE PRAY: For realization amongst Jews that they are still a Covenant People whom God loves and is drawing in lovingkindness. That a New Covenant of Life has been made for them in the Blood of the Messiah Yeshua.

*ISAIAH 28:7. "But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment." Wine was given as that which might be a joy and a blessing for man in the presence of God (Deuteronomy 14:26, Psalm 104:15). Outside of the light of that P resence, it becomes a mocker and "whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).

I Peter 4:7 and 5:8 speaks of being "serious and watchful in your prayers" -of being "sober and vigilant" because of our adversary "as the end of all things is at hand." Prophesying regarding the dark days in Israel during the "time of the end", Daniel (11:33, 35; 12: 3) stresses the key positioning of those who at that time must have clarity and control of their mental faculties (Hebrew: sekhel) so as to instruct and lead many to righteousness. And, as mentioned above, Zechariah 2:13 warns to command "Hush!" to the flesh in that day when the LORD "is aroused from His holy habitation."

PLEASE PRAY: For clear and accurate vision and judgment among Israel's spiritual leaders. That they will walk in the power and self-control of the Holy Spirit. That they will not fall into self-deception regarding their appetites-that whatever (and however much) they eat and drink, it will be done to the Glory of God-that they will be not drunk with wine but filled with the Spirit of God! (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18).

"But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all child ren of light-children of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation (I Thessalonians 5:4-8).

*ISAIAH 28:5-6. "In that day the LORD of Armies will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate."

PLEASE PRAY: For the "remnant of His people" who have returned to the Land of Israel, that there awaken within them a longing for the One who rules in glorious majesty and the beauty of holiness. Pray for Justice fueled by the Holy Spirit to characterize Israel's civil government.and courage and strength her military. Pray for the "remnant-within-a-remnant" of the Body of Messiah in Israel-for the Messianic Jewish and Christian Arab community, that it become recognized for its fairness and righteous judgment-and that it become tempered and prepared in the weapons of its warfare in the Holy Spir it, so as to recognize its enemy and turn back the battle at the gates!

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem


[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (22-28 December: Va'Era-"And I Appeared") will be: TORAH: Exodus 6:2-9:35; HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21]