於2016-08-12發佈


埃波月九日TISHA B'AV

八月13日星期六是希伯來曆埃波月九日(Av-Tisha B'Av),由於是在安息日,所以會到隔天─八月14日星期日禁食。

在埃波月九日(聖殿被毀日),世界各地的猶太會堂將閱讀以下的經文:

妥拉: 申命記 4:25-40
先知書: 耶利米書 8:13-9:23
耶利米哀歌全

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每週一妥拉2016/8/7-8/13

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(8/7-8/13)稱為『話語』(D'varim),讀經內容包括:
妥拉:申命記1:1-3:22;
先知書(異象安息日):以賽亞書1:1-27

異象安息日:在聖殿被毀日(埃波月九日)之前的安息日稱異象安息日,因為在此時先知書總會讀到以賽亞書第一章,一開頭說到『亞摩斯的兒子以賽亞得默示(異象)…』。這也是第三個與最後一個『受苦的先知書』。

申命記

這週我們進入申命記(希伯來文 D'varim:話語),裡面有許多摩西在生前對以色列所說的話─回憶他們所走過的地方,神所成就的事情,以及關於前面道路最後的指示、警告與勸誡。

*申命記 1:2-3. 『從何烈山經過西珥山到加低斯巴尼亞有十一天的路程。出埃及第四十年十一月初一日,摩西照耶和華藉著他所吩咐以色列人的話都曉諭他們。』

此意味著從西乃山到迦南可能只需要11天,卻因百姓的悖逆和不信(希伯來書3:16-19),歷經了四十年的旅程。

*申命記1:7-8. 要起行轉到亞摩利人的山地和靠近這山地的各處,就是亞拉巴、山地、高原、南地,沿海一帶迦南人的地,並利巴嫩山又到伯拉大河。如今我將這地擺在你們面前;你們要進去得這地,就是耶和華向你們列祖亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各起誓應許賜給他們和他們後裔為業之地。』 

在二千年之後,以色列神蹟式地再次恢復古老的語言,開始招聚與回歸在這裡所描述的地土;以色列再次回到世界列國的版圖。然而,她『在地上』的環境非常不同於當初神帶領她至迦南的情況。 

請禱告:

*禱告神會建立以色列的地界─祂會賜給她領袖關於以色列地界的啟示,是按著祂的時間表─他們目前座落在哪裡?(顯然以色列此時並未擁有所有神當初應許她在黎巴嫩、敘利亞與約旦的領土。)以色列要如何因應目前住在這些土地上的非猶太人?

*禱告『神的國降臨』在猶太人中間,包括讓以色列能活在國際的承認與有爭議性的領土上─禱告雅各的子孫擁有關乎天上神國度的超自然啟示,以及地上他們在祖先土地上應有的位置。

*申命記1:16-17.當時,我囑咐你們的審判官說:你們聽訟,無論是弟兄彼此爭訟,是與同居的外人爭訟,都要按公義判斷。審判的時候,不可看人的外貌;聽訟不可分貴賤,不可懼怕人,因為審判是屬乎神的。』以賽亞書1:26(這週的先知書). 我也必復還你的審判官,像起初一樣,復還你的謀士,像起先一般。然後,你必稱為公義之城,忠信之邑。』 

在以色列沒有『陪審團審訊』,而是『審判官(法官)』決定每一個案件。我們很感恩在民事法庭常做出正直與公義的判決。同時,我們也注意到法官所裁決的案件深受正統猶太教的威脅。更高的法院常不自覺受到屬靈權勢的影響,我們最高法院建築物本身的設計與建築,顯然是在共濟會強烈的影響之下─包括在屋頂上有著『金字塔』的建築結構。

請禱告:公義超自然地被恢復在以色列法院中,神所恩膏與興起的法官,就像舊約時代的士師俄陀聶、以笏、耶弗他、底波拉與撒母耳─他們可以在幼年時就受到保護,在需要與悔改的時刻興起,充滿智慧、真理與恩寵來進入他們的位置。『公義使邦國高舉』(箴言14:34);『因為耶和華的言語正直;凡祂所做的盡都誠實;祂喜愛仁義公平。』(詩篇33:4-5)。

* 申命記 2:10; 2:12,22; 2:20; 2:11; 3:11. 在這些經文中,摩西仔細列出以米人(2:10);何利人(2:12,22);散送冥 (2:20),以及利乏音人(2:11; 3:11),他們身材高大,數量眾多,卻輕易被來到應許之地的以色列人打敗。四十年前,十個探子就是遇到這些人而報惡信(民數記13)。如果他們能想到當時打敗這些巨人的基大老瑪(可能約書亞和迦勒有想到),最後卻被他們的先祖亞伯拉罕殺敗,藉著相信神的能力(創世記14:5,16),這些探子可能會帶回完全不一樣的報告。

值得注意的是,在申命記2-3章的巨人名單中沒有提到亞衲族人 ,而在民數記13:33提到亞衲族人 嚇壞了十個探子。正如先前所提到的,在洪水之後唯一提到亞衲族人 的地方,就是探子所報的惡信(包括他們認為亞衲族人 是偉人的後裔)。最近有一些人對這些古時的偉人有興趣,包括民間團體和一些基督教圈子的人,他們的看法在聖經中也有明證指出:『又有不守本位、離開自己住處的天使,主用鎖鍊把他們永遠拘留在黑暗裡,等候大日的審判。』(猶大書6)。

請禱告:當我們面對恐怖主義與靈界巨人仍逗留不去,我們要記得神是亞伯拉罕的盾牌(創世記15:1),祂的得勝大過所有這些權勢。

*以賽亞書1:16-18. 『你們要洗濯、自潔,從我眼前除掉你們的惡行,要止住作惡,學習行善,尋求公平,解救受欺壓的;給孤兒伸冤,為寡婦辨屈。耶和華說:你們來,我們彼此辯論。你們的罪雖像硃紅,必變成雪白;雖紅如丹顏,必白如羊毛。 

請禱告:當猶太人這個週末在會堂讀到這些話語,聖靈會刺透他們的心─使猶太人找著對這些話語敞開的方式,進到這樣的潔淨中! 

*以賽亞書1:27. 錫安必因公平得蒙救贖;其中歸正的人必因公義得蒙救贖。』 

讚美神!因為救贖是全然公平並且帶來所有人的悔改(包括猶太人和外邦人),使他們在天父面前能進入真正公義的地位─ 『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)。 

埃波月九日TISHA B'AV

八月13日星期六是希伯來曆埃波月九日(Av-Tisha B'Av),由於是在安息日,所以會到隔天─八月14日星期日禁食。

在埃波月九日(聖殿被毀日),世界各地的猶太會堂將閱讀以下的經文:

妥拉: 申命記 4:25-40
先知書: 耶利米書 8:13-9:23
耶利米哀歌全

下週的閱讀進度(8/14-8/20)稱為『懇求』V'Et'chanan讀經內容包括:妥拉─申命記3:23-7:11;先知書─以賽亞書40:1-26。

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. The Haftarah, unless otherwise noted, will be that read in Ashkenazy synagogues around the world. The references for all texts are those found in English translations of the Scriptures.

The Parashah for this week 7-13 August 2016 is called D'varim- "Words"
TORAH: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 1:1-27 (Shabbat Chazon-"Sabbath of Vision")

Shabbat Chazon-"Sabbath of Vision", so-called because the Haftarah for the Sabbath coming before Tish'a B'Av (the Ninth of Av) is always taken from the first chapter of Isaiah, which begins"The vision of Isaiah". It is the third and final "Haftarah of Affliction/Admonition"

DEUTERONOMY

This week we enter the Book of Deuteronomy (Hebrew: D'varim-"Words"), a great collection of addresses given by Moses to Israel shortly before his death. It includes reminiscences regarding where they have been, what God has done, final instructions, warnings an d admonitions regarding what is ahead.

*Deuteronomy 1:2-3. "It is eleven days' journey from Horev by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as commandments to them."

The implication is that the 40-year journey to Canaan from Mount Sinai (Horeb) might have lasted only eleven days, but for the peoples' rebellion and unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19).

*Deuteronomy 1:7-8. "Turn and take your journey, and go to.the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers-to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-to give to them and their descendants after them."

After over 2000 years, Israel has miraculously regained her ancient tongue, and begun to be gathered and returned to a portion of the land described here; she is once again a great nation, one to be reckoned with in the world. Her circumstances 'on the ground' are, however, still very different from when she was first set marching into Canaan by her God.

PLEASE PRAY:

*That God would establish Israel's boundaries according to His timetable. That He will give her leaders revelation regarding those boundaries. Where are the boundaries to lie at present? (Obviously Israel does not at this time lay claim to all those areas lying within Lebanon, Syria and the present-day Kingdom of Jordan originally promised to her). How is Israel to relate to non-Jewish peoples who are presently dwelling in portions of these lands?

*That God's "kingdom come" among Jewish people living in both internationally recognized Israel and the disputed territories-that Jacob's children have supernatural revelation regarding both the Kingdom of Heaven and their place in it here on earth in the land of their Fathers.

*Deuteronomy 1:16-17. "Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him. You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's.." Isaiah: 1:26 (From th is week's Haftarah). "I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the 'City of Righteousness', 'The Faithful City.'"

In Israel, there is no "trial by jury"-rather, the "judge" (or a group of judges) decides each case. We are grateful for the integrity and rightness evident in the decisions often made in the civilian courts-everyday 'traffic' courts, misdemeanor courts, etc. At the same time, we are aware of cases in which judges appear to have been strongly influenced in their rulings by Orthodox intimidation, or other factors related to "political correctness". And the higher courts are often influenced by spiritual powers of which they are not aware. Our Supreme Court building itself was designed and laid out for construction under obviously strong Masonic influence; part of its outer décor includes a 'pyramid' structure atop the roof.

PLEASE PRAY: That righteousness be supernaturally restored to Israel's courts. That God anoint and raise up righteous judges as of old-such as Othniel, Ehud, Jephthah, Deborah and Samuel-who will be protected in their y outh, and in times of need and repentance rise into their places in wisdom, truth and favor. "Righteousness exalts a nation." (Proverbs 14:34); "For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice."(Psalm 33:4-5).

* Deuteronomy 2:10-12; 20; 22; 3:11. In these passages Moses carefully lists the Emim (2:10);Horites (2:12,22); Zuzim/Zamzumim (2:20), and Rephaim (2:11; 3:11) as peoples "great, numerous and tall" who had nevertheless been easily conquered by the time Israel came to enter the Promised Land. It was terror-rumors of these same peoples which had contributed to the evil report of the ten spies forty years before (Numbers 13). If only they could have considered (as perhaps did Joshua and Caleb) that Chedorlaomer, who had defeated all of these giant races (Genesis 14:5, 16), had himself been subdued by their father Abraham through faith in the power of his God, they might have brought back a different report.

Notably absent from the list of "giants" in Deuteronomy 2-3 is any mention of the Nephilim,mentioned, in their terror, by the ten spies in Numbers 13:33. As noted previously, the only place where "Nephilim" are mention ed after the Flood is in that evil report of those spies (including their theory that "the descendants of Anak came from the Nephilim."). It is the opinion of the writers that, for all the recent interest in Nephilim, both in secular and some Christian circles, Biblical evidence points to their identification with the "angels who did not keep their proper domain.(whom) God has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6).

PLEASE PRAY there when faced by evil terrors and spiritual giants which still linger, we will remember the God who was the shield of Abraham (Genesis 15:1) and his victory over all such powers.

*Isaiah 1:16-18. "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,' says the LORD, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."

PLEASE PRAY: That these words will pierce Jewish hearts through the Holy Spirit when they are read in synagogues this weekend-that Jews will find the Way re vealed and open for them to come into this cleansing!

*Isaiah 1:27. "Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her penitents with righteousness."

Praise God! for a redemption which is altogether just.and which brings all who repent (both Jew and Gentile) into a place of true righteousness before the Father-

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

TISHA B'AV 

Saturday August 13th will be the 9th day of the Hebrew month Av-Tisha B'Av. Because it falls on a Sabbath, the fast day will be commemorated the next day, Sunday August 14th.

ON TISHA B'AV (OBSERVED), THE FOLLOWING PAS SAGES WILL BE READ IN SYNAGOGUES AROUND THE WORLD:

TORAH: Deuteronomy 4:25-40
Haftarah: Jeremiah 8:13-9:23
Book of Lamentations

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (14-20 August 2016) are called Va'Et'chanan-"And I Pleaded." TORAH: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11; HAFTARAH (Shabbat Nachamu - "Sabbath of Comforting") Isaiah 40:1-26]