於2017-03-03發佈


每週一妥拉2017/2/26-3/4 

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2/26-3/4)被稱為『禮物/捐獻』(T'ruma
妥拉出埃及記25:1-27:19
先知書列王記上5:12-6:13

會幕-神的居所 

出埃及記後半部大多與建造『會幕』有關(除了金牛犢事件外),會幕的希伯來文是mishkan,意指『神的居所』。它的字根shakhan在現代希伯來文中有『鄰居』之意─居住在附近的人。神渴望靠近祂的子民,作他們的「鄰居」。在出埃及記25:8,當神指示建造一個『聖所』,好讓祂可以住在以色列中間,用到的就是這個字,這就是在曠野與士師時期所使用有帳棚覆蓋的會幕。在這週先知書最後(列王記上6:13),所羅門王也於五百年後在摩利亞山上建造聖殿,再一次重複相同的字『我必住在以色列人中間,並不丟棄我民以色列。』過了四百四十年後,道成肉身前的耶穌藉由撒迦利亞先知一連兩次釋放這個字:錫安城啊,應當歡樂歌唱,因為我來要住在你中間。這是耶和華說的。那時,必有許多國歸附耶和華,作我的子民。我要住在你中間,你就知道萬軍之耶和華差遣我到你那裡去了。(撒迦利亞書2:10-11 

其實,『至高者並不住人手所造的』(使徒行傳7:48),今日透過彌賽亞─耶穌的工作,祂在地上的身體『也靠祂同被建造,成為神藉著聖靈居住的所在(希伯來文:mishkan)』(以弗所書2:22)。最後,約翰告訴我們有一天,天上會有聲音說:『看哪,神的帳幕(希伯來文:mishkan在人間。祂要與人同住(希伯來文:shakhan),他們要作祂的子民。神要親自與他們同在,作他們的神』(啟示錄21:3-4)。 

在英文聖經中,有一個不同的希伯來文succa,意思是『臨時的庇護所』,通常也被翻成『居所/會幕』(tabernacle)─在秋季的住棚節(the Feast of Tabernacles)便是succa這個字的複數Succot 

*出埃及記25:2. 你告訴以色列人當為我送禮物來;凡甘心樂意的,你們就可以收下歸我。』 

*出埃及記25:10. 要用皂莢木做一櫃。』『約櫃』(ark)的希伯來文是aron,今日可作為櫃子和衣櫃(挪亞的方舟和放小摩西的蒲草箱則是另一個希伯來文(teva),意思是盒子)。這櫃子(aron)後來又被稱為『法櫃』、『約櫃』和『神的約櫃』。

*出埃及記25:12-15.也要鑄四個金環,安在櫃的四腳上;這邊兩環,那邊兩環。要用皂莢木做兩根槓,用金包裹。要把槓穿在櫃旁的環內,以便擡櫃。這槓要常在櫃的環內,不可抽出來。』

值得注意的是,這段內容竟在強調槓的重要,而且這槓要一直在環內!但在大衛時期,顯然他並沒有在意這些不重要的『細節』,即便他持續閱讀妥拉,也很愛讀它。當他允許以不同的方式來抬神的約櫃,悲劇就發生了(撒母耳記下6:1-8)。採用神所有的建議是很重要的,祂的指示並沒有孰重孰輕之分。『耶和華啊,祢的話句句真實!』 

在這裡我們也要強調,會幕的所有物件都很重要、缺一不可才得以完全,無論是美麗的金燈臺、基路伯 、幔子、罩棚上的頂蓋和銅製器具,如『要做盆,收去壇上的灰,又做鏟子、盤子、肉鍤子、火鼎』(27:3)。所以,今日這些『器皿』在地上組成了彌賽亞的身體。一些人的位置可能比其他人更顯為尊榮,但在神面前,每一個部分都經由神這位巧匠特別的設計,使祂的身體完全─才是重要的事。 

*出埃及記25:17.要用精金做施恩座(希伯來文:kaporet)。Kaporet有著『贖罪』和『遮蓋』之意。主的同在住在二基路伯之間,因此shekinah這個字(非聖經希伯來文),與上面shakhan這個字有關,有主顯現/主同在之意。在贖罪日當天,血會被灑在施恩座上。 

*出埃及記25:21-22.要將施恩座安在櫃的上邊,又將我所要賜給你的法版放在櫃裡。我要在那裡與你相會,又要從法櫃施恩座上二基路伯中間,和你說我所要吩咐你傳給以色列人的一切事。』在這裡『與你相會』指的是『在指定的時間與地方』。在神的憐憫中,我們現在『因耶穌的血得以坦然進入至聖所,是藉著祂給我們開了一條又新又活的路』,好與我們的天父相會、說話(希伯來書10:19-20)。 

*出埃及記25:30.又要在桌子上,在我面前,常擺陳設餅。』實際上,這就是神面前的餅。利未記24:5-9清楚指出這十二個餅是用細麵做成,代表以色列的十二支派。每個安息日他們會把餅擺在精金的桌子上,金燈臺上的光照在陳設餅上。詩篇44:3說以色列得勝不是靠自己的能力,『乃是靠祢的右手、祢的膀臂,和祢臉上的亮光,因為祢喜悅他們。』

*出埃及記 25:33. 這旁每枝上有三個杯,形狀像杏花,有球,有花;那旁每枝上也有三個杯,形狀像杏花,有球,有花。從燈臺杈出來的六個枝子都是如此。』用來點綴金燈臺的『杏』或『杏花』的希伯來文是sha'ked這個字也是另一個類似發音sha'kad的字根,意思是『看守、警醒、殷勤』。這個字出現在詩篇127:1『若不是耶和華看守城池,看守的人就枉然警醒。』因為杏樹是以色列第一個在冬天中旬開花的樹,其他樹仍在沈睡著,所以這個字的字根成為『警醒』和『警覺』的象徵字。這也是何以在耶利米書1:11-12使用這個字:『耶和華的話又臨到我說:耶利米,你看見什麼?我說:我看見一根杏(sha'ked)樹枝。耶和華對我說:你看得不錯;因為我留意保守(sha'kad)我的話,使得成就。』 

即便如此,當所有事物都在沈睡,用來照亮黑暗的金燈臺以這些杏花來點綴,象徵著主看守以色列,不打盹也不睡覺,祂也留意保守祂的話,使得成就。當我們在寫這週的妥拉時,在耶路撒冷的杏花已經開花。 

請禱告:以色列的肢體能警醒,殷勤尋求聖靈的光來照亮神的話,這話語能在此時此刻以生命和指引來滋養我們! 

*出埃及記25:40.要謹慎做這些物件,都要照著在山上指示你的樣式。』這些物件有約櫃、金環、皂莢木做的槓、施恩座、基路伯、陳設餅與金燈臺,它們都在述說著耶穌的工作,祂是我們天上的大祭司,是新約的中保,耶和華說:那些日子以後,我與以色列家所立的約乃是這樣:我要將我的律法放在他們裡面,寫在他們心上。我要作他們的神,他們要作我的子民。我要赦免他們的罪孽,不再記念他們的罪惡(耶利米書31:33-34; 希伯來書8:3-13)  

下週的閱讀進度(3/5-3/11)被稱為『吩咐』(Tetsaveh),妥拉─出埃及記27:20-30:10;先知書─以西結書43:10-27。  

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 readings for this week 26 February-4 March 2017 are called T'rumah- "Donation".

TORAH: Exodus 25:1-27:19
HAFTARAH: I Kings 5:12-6:13

MISHKAN- "DWELLING PLACE"

The rest of the book of Exodus (except for the incident regarding the golden calf) will be related to the setting up of the "Tabernacle." The Hebrew for this word is mishkan-which means "a dwelling place." Its root shakhan is used in the modern Hebrew word for "neighbor"-someone who "dwells" nearby. (*) God longs to shokhen with, to dwell-to "neighbor" closely with His people. The word is used in Exodus 25:8 when He instructs that a "holy place" (sanctuary) be constructed so that He may dwell within Israel. This would be the tent-covered Tabernacle used in the wilderness and in the days of the Judges. At the end of this week's Haftarah (I Kings 6:13) Solomon, some 500 years later, has completed a Temple on Mount Moriah-and the same words are again repeated, "And Iwill dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel." Around 440 years later still, a pre-incarnate Yeshua twice more released these words through the prophet Zechariah, "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwellin your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you." (Zechariah 2:10-11).

Yet, "the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48), and today, through the work of the Messiah Yeshua, His Body on earth is "being built together for a dwelling place(Hebrew translation: mishkan) of God in the Spirit" (Ephesian 2:22). Finally, John tells us of a day when a Voice from heaven will proclaim, "Behold, the tabernacle (Hebrew translation: mishkan) of God is with the children of Adam, and He will dwell (shokhen) with them and they shall be His people. Elohim Himself will be with them and be their God" (Revelation 21:3-4).

(*) In English Bibles, a different Hebrew word succa, meaning "a temporary shelter," is often also translated "tabernacle"-the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall uses the plural of this word Succot.

*Exodus 25:2. "Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering."

*Exodus 25:10. "And they shall make an ark of acacia wood." The word "ark" is aron, a word used today for a cabinet, closet or wardrobe (Noah's "ark" and that of the baby Moses is a different word teva, meaning 'box'). This ark would later be called the "Ark of the Testimony, --of the Covenant", --of God", and "the Ark of YHVH (the LORD)".

*Exodus 25:13-15. "You shall cast four rings of gold for it [the Ark of the Covenant], and put them in its four corners.and you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by then. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it." It is remarkable the lengths this passage goes to stress the importance of the poles and that they are to stay in the rings at all times! Yet by the time of David, even though he read the Torah continually and loved it, this would have faded to that of a minor, unimportant "detail" in his mind. Tragedy would occur when he allowed the Ark to be carried a different way (II Samuel 6:1-8). It is crucial to employ the wholecounsel of God; there are no details of His instructions which are more important than others. "Thy Word O LORD is Truth!"

We would also stress here that ALL of the articles of the Tabernacle were essential in the completion of the perfection of the whole-whether the beautiful golden menorah, the cherubim, the intricately embroidered inner curtains, or the more homely boards for the sides, the skins over the top, the instruments of bronze such as the "pans to receive the ashes, the shovels and its basins and its forks and its firepans" (27:3). So with those human "vessels" making up the Body of Messiah on earth today.some may be in positionings which appear more honorable than others, but before God, each part being in the place for which it has been specially fashioned by the Master Artisan in His preparing the Whole, that is the important thing.

*Exodus 25:17. "You shall make a mercy seat (Hebrew: kaporet) of pure gold." Kaporet means both "atonement" and "covering". Upon this the blood would be sprinkled on the Day of Atonement. It was above this that the Presence of the LORD would dwell between the Cherubim, Hence the (non-Biblical) word shekinah, related to shakhan above, refers to the manifest dwelling-presence of the LORD.

*Exodus 25:22. "You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel." "Meet with you" here means "at an appointed fixed time and place." In God's mercies, we now "have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us"-so as to meet with and be spoken with by our Father (Hebrews 10:19-20).

*Exodus 25:30. "And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always." Showbread isliterally "Bread of the Face" or "Bread of the Presence". Leviticus 24:5-9 clarifies that it would consist of 12 loaves made from wheat flour, corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel. Each Sabbath they were placed before God on the golden table, across from the menorah whose light shone upon it. Psalm 44:3 says that Israel's victories did not come by her own prowess, but "It was Your right hand, Your arm and the Light of Your Face, for You loved them!"

*Exodus 25:33. "Three bowls [of the menorah] shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch." The Hebrew for "almond" or "almond blossoms" which were to decorate the Menorah is sha'ked. This is also the root for another similar-sounding Hebrew word sha'kad meaning "to watch, to wake, to be diligent." This is the word used in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." Since the almond is the first tree to blossom in Israel, in mid-winter while other trees are still sleeping, it bears this same root and has become a symbol for wakefulness, and alertness. This is why both of these words are used in Jeremiah 1:11-12. The LORD asks Jeremiah what he sees, and he responds, "The branch of an almond (sha'ked) tree."  The LORD responds, "You have seen well, for I am watching over (sha'kadmy word to perform it." 

Even so, the menorah, which illumined the darkness when all else were sleeping was decorated with these flowers-among other things, a symbol of He who watches over Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps-who also watches over His word regarding her to perform it. As we write, the hills around Jerusalem are still shining with these flowers.

 PLEASE PRAY for the Body in Israel to be alert, and awake, diligently seeking the Light of the Spirit to illumine the Word which nourishes us with life and guidance during this hour!

*Exodus 25:40. "And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." All of these things-the Ark; the rings of gold; the poles of acacia wood; the Mercy Seat; the Cherubim; the Table of Showbread; the golden Menorah- point to the work of Yeshua, our heavenly High Priest and mediator of a New Covenant, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:3-13). 

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The readings for next week (5-11 March) are called Tetsaveh- "Command/Charge." 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 comes just before Purim, it is called Shabbat-Zachor-"Remember! (what Amalek did to you)." It contains an additional Torah reading, and the usual Haftarah (Ezekiel 43:10-27) is replaced by the reading from I Samuel.]