於2017-04-08發佈


每週一妥拉 2017/4/2-/4/8

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4/2-4/8)被稱為『吩咐』(Tsav
妥拉:利未記6:8-8:36 
先知書:瑪垃基書3:4-4:6 (大安息日)

備註:在進入逾越節前的安息日(Shabbat haGadol-大安息日),原來的先知書(本是耶利米書7:21-8:3, 9:23-24會換成瑪垃基書。此大安息日的名字來源,是因為瑪垃基書這段經文在呼召預備主即將來到的大而可畏之日(Yom haGadol)

妥拉

利未記 6:8-8:36

在這週的閱讀中,耶和華曉諭摩西吩咐亞倫和他的子孫,關乎他們很快要在神面前所獻的祭,每一個祭都有仔細的指令並強調過程中的聖潔。亞倫與他的兒子被潔淨成聖、穿上聖衣、抹上膏油,在他們代表百姓開始承接聖職前先行贖罪。

先知書

大安息日

瑪垃基書 3:4-4:6

逾越節前的安息日,又稱為『大安息日』。Gadol這個希伯來字指的是『大』,其來自這週特別先知書瑪垃基書4:5耶和華大而可畏之日。這是嚴肅『思想』那日的重要時刻,那日臨近,『勢如燒著的火爐』,但也不要忘記神的應許:『敬畏我名的人必有公義的日頭出現,其光線(原文是翅膀)有醫治之能! 

*瑪垃基書 3:16-18.那時,敬畏耶和華的彼此談論,耶和華側耳而聽,且有紀念冊在祂面前,記錄那敬畏耶和華、思念祂名的人。萬軍之耶和華說:在我所定的日子,他們必屬我,特特歸我。我必憐恤他們,如同人憐恤服事自己的兒子。那時你們必歸回,將善人和惡人,事奉神的和不事奉神的,分別出來。』 

這段經文顯示,信徒花時間與其他信徒以敬畏神的方式彼此交談,並花時間思念祂的名─這些人將擁有分辨力,不受迷惑,他們會不斷得勝,直到主回來(太24:4, 11, 24;但8:25)。

*瑪垃基書 4:1.萬軍之耶和華說:那日臨近,勢如燒著的火爐。』

當黑暗聚集(約9:4;但12:1-3),身為信徒的我們必須彼此相顧、傾聽,『不可停止聚會…,既知道(原文是看見)那日子臨近,就更當如此』(希伯來書10:24-25)。當世界拒絕等候神的命令,另一種聲音將取代祂憤怒的火,呼喊著:聖靈向眾教會所說的話,凡有耳的,就應當聽(啟示錄2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9)。 

下週在世界各地的逾越節晚餐中,猶太人會把一杯酒放在入口處給『以利亞』。在晚餐最後通常會有一個小孩子被派出去看他是否『有來』,這是一個迷人的傳統,卻關係到一個來自神非常重要的話語,祂應許說耶和華大而可畏之日未到以前,祂必差遣先知以利亞到你們那裡去。(瑪垃基書4:5)。耶穌確認了此說:『以利亞固然先來,並要復興萬事』(馬太福音17:11)。儘管他已經以『施洗約翰』的樣式而來,但無人認出。然而,或許他下次再來的終極樣式,在以色列土地上甦醒的彌賽亞身體需要分辨的恩賜與能力,還有他所呈現的先知職分。

請禱告: 在以色列渴慕擁有分辨的恩賜,這次不會再次無法認出!

你們要追求愛,也要切慕屬靈的恩賜,其中更要羨慕的,是作先知講道(原文作:是說預言),因為預言中的靈意乃是為耶穌作見證(林前14:1;啟19:10)。 

四月十日星期一晚上開始逾越節和除酵節,當週一直到四月15日節期中的安息日會有逾越節的特別讀經,接下來的一般妥拉讀經第八天Shemini),將在四月22日的安息日繼續。

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 2-8 April 2017 are called Tsav- "Command".

TORAH: Leviticus 6:8-8:36
HAFTARAH: Malachi 3:4-4:6 (Shabbat haGadol)

Note: On the Shabbat preceding the beginning of Passover (Shabbat haGadol- "The Great Shabbat") the regular Haftarah (In this case Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:23-24) is replaced by the above reading from Malachi. The name comes from the fact that this passage is centered around a call to prepare for the coming Great Day (Yom haGadol) of the LORD.

TORAH

Leviticus 6:8-8:36

In this week's readings, Moses is told to command Aaron and his sons concerning the offerings they will shortly begin making before God. Careful instruction is made concerning each of these-with emphasis on the holiness of the priest's activities. Then Aaron and his sons are then consecrated, clothed in their holy garments and anointed, and atonement is made for them before they begin their duties on behalf of the people.

HAFTARAH

SHABBAT HAGADOL

Malachi 3:4-4:6

The Sabbath preceding Passover is called Shabbat HaGadol-the "Great Sabbath". It takes its name from Yom Yehovah haGadol v'haNorah- "The Great and dreadful day of the LORD" found in Malachi 4:5 of the special Haftarah which is read on this occasion. It is an important time for soberly "taking account" of the Day which is coming "burning like an oven" .but also for taking heart from God's promise that "to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings!"

*Malachi 3:16-18. "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of Armies, 'On the day that I make them my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.' Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." This passage shows that believers who spend time with other believers in conversation characterized by the Fear of the Lord, and who also spend time meditating on the attributes signified by His name-these will be ones who are granted discernment so as to be spared the deception which will prevail more and more until the Lord's return (Matt. 24:4, 11, 24; Daniel 8:25).

*Malachi 4:1. "For behold, the Day is coming, burning like an oven."

As darkness gathers (John 9:4; Daniel 12:1-3) we must as believers hold to each other, listening, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.as we see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25). As the world refuses to wait on God's command, drawing instead the fire of His wrath, another voice will be calling- "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations . . ." (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9).

Next week at seders around the world, Jews will put a glass of wine out on the porch "for Elijah". At the end of the seder someone (often a child) will be sent out to see if he "came". It is a charming tradition-but one related to a very serious Word from God, who has promised that He will "send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful Day of the LORD" (Malachi 4:5). Yeshua (Jesus) affirmed that "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.", even though he had already "come" in the form of John the Baptizer, yet gone unrecognized. However may be the ultimate form of his next coming, the awakened body of Messiah in the land of Israel is in great need of the discernment and power of the gifts and office of prophet which he represented.

PLEASE PRAY:
For the desire for and discernment of these gifts in Israel-and that this time their manifestation not be unrecognized!

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.For the testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) is the spirit of prophecy" (I Cor. 14:1; Rev. 19:10). 

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem


[Passover and the Week of the Festival of Unleavened Bread begin Monday evening April 10th. There will be special Passover readings through the week and on Shabbat Chol haMoed 15 April. The next in the regular cycle of Torah readings (Shmini-"Eighth") will continue on 22 April.]