於2018-04-28發佈


每週一妥拉 2018/4/22-/4/28

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4/22-4/28)又是『雙倍閱讀』:

1. 『死了以後』(Acharei Mot
妥拉:利未記16:1-18:30
先知書:以西結書22:1-19

2. 『你們要聖潔』(Kedoshim
妥拉:19:1-20:27
先知書:阿摩司書9:7-15

*在雙倍閱讀這一週,先知書一般只讀第二部分

*利未記16:21-22. 『(亞倫)兩手按在羊頭上,承認以色列人諸般的罪孽過犯,就是他們一切的罪愆,把這罪都歸在羊的頭上,藉著所派之人的手,送到曠野去。要把這羊放在曠野,這羊要擔當他們一切的罪孽,帶到無人之地。』

這週的妥拉閱讀內容始於對一年最聖潔之日的指示─贖罪日(Yom Kippur)。一隻羊被犧牲,牠的血彈在幔內的施恩座上。利未記16:15稱此羊為『作贖罪祭的公山羊』;然而,在希伯來文中,此羊實質上稱為『有罪的公山羊』,被殺為要潔淨人。在哥林多後書5:21說到彌賽亞耶穌:『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。』當這隻羊成為贖罪祭,第二隻羊則背負這些罪送到曠野去。詩篇103:12告訴我們:『東離西有多遠,祂叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠!』這隻『代罪羔羊』的名字叫阿撒瀉勒(希伯來文azazel),在今日的以色列被用來作為咒詛的同義詞。

請禱告:以色列得著啟示,知道耶穌(拯救之意)是神的『羔羊』,為我們成為『咒詛』,用祂的血為我們贖罪,除去世人的罪(約翰福音 1:29)

*利未記17:11. 因為活物的生命是在血中。我把這血賜給你們,可以在壇上為你們的生命贖罪;因血裡有生命,所以能贖罪。』 

這裡翻成『生命』的字並不是chaim(希伯來文:生命),而是 nephesh,常被翻成『靈魂』(參考創世記2:7『耶和華神用地上的塵土造人,將生氣(chaim)吹在他鼻孔裡,他就成了有靈 (nephesh)的活人,名叫亞當。』在這裡我們並不是在說人的『靈魂』以血為中心,但生命是以血為中心,動物的生命也是如此。『看哪,世人(靈魂)都是屬我的;為父的(靈魂)怎樣屬我,為子的(靈魂)也照樣屬我;犯罪的(靈魂),他必死亡』 (以西結書18:4)。因為死亡掌權在全人類(因為世人都犯了罪),所以神選擇讓死亡可以藉由生命的血來贖罪(利17:14)。贖罪需要一個中保─祭司,血就不會因個人的目的而被流在家中(利17:1-6),贖罪的血也不會成為人的食物(參考利17:10,14;創9:4;徒15:20)。

*利未記17:7. 『他們不可再獻祭給他們行邪淫所隨從的鬼魔(原文作公山羊);這要作他們世世代代永遠的定例。』

『鬼魔』在這裡的原文真的與在16:8守贖罪日所使用的『公山羊』為同一個字,撒旦不僅以『光明的天使』出現,更成為異教徒用來崇拜的相同動物,並且被用來贖罪與背負罪惡。

*利未記17:13-14. 『凡以色列人,或是寄居在他們中間的外人,若打獵得了可吃的禽獸,必放出他的血來,用土掩蓋。論到一切活物的生命 (靈魂nephesh),就在血中。所以我對以色列人說:無論什麼活物的血,你們都不可吃,因為一切活物的血就是他的生命 (靈魂nephesh)。凡吃了血的,必被剪除。』 

屠宰動物當作食物的儀式是根據一些條例,包括放血,到如今仍在猶太(還有一些伊斯蘭)社會中實踐。雖然在歷史上被認為是人道的,但目前卻受到一些國家的攻擊,爭議其作法,有些國家已經禁止。令人擔憂的是看到一些西方國家在過去四、五年間對猶太教放血屠宰方式,以及另一個猶太教傳統割禮越來越多的批評,甚至一些國家立法禁止,聲稱其違法動物或男嬰的『權利』。這週的妥拉閱讀便在處理以色列屠宰動物的祝福,以及禁止與獸交合這類逆性的事(利未記17:13: 18:23)。

*利未記18:21. 『不可使你的兒女經火歸與摩洛,也不可褻瀆你神的名。我是耶和華。』

摩洛(molech)這個名字是掌權(Limloch)的動詞現在式(君王(melech)則是名詞)。正如巴力(Baal)這個字有著『主,夫子,先生』之意,被邪惡的假神拿去使用作為尊崇之意,摩洛則是鬼魔的王,頭銜為『掌權者』。可悲的是,以色列最後還是迎接了此勢力(耶利米書32:35),受到神嚴厲的審判。因著對此罪的嫌惡,今日的希伯來敬拜歌曲,包括猶太教徒與大部分彌賽亞信徒不會使用『來掌權』的現在式,避免提到摩洛的名字,而是以祂掌權( malach)或祂將掌權(yimloch )來取代。

*利未記18:3,4-利未記20:22. 『你們從前住的埃及地,那裡人的行為,你們不可效法,我要領你們到的迦南地,那裡人的行為也不可效法,也不可照他們的惡俗行。你們要遵我的典章,守我的律例,按此而行。我是耶和華─你們的神。所以,你們要謹守遵行我一切的律例典章,免得我領你們去住的那地把你們吐出。

在這幾節經文中間列出許多邪惡行為,包括拜偶像、行淫亂與秘術活動,儘管在埃及或迦南盛行,以色列卻被禁止。不管以前在以色列是否允許近親性關係,但在這裡不再允許。某些性行為被視為『大惡』(18:17),另一些則是『可憎惡的』(18:22) 或『逆性』之事(18:23)。以色列被警告這些行為已使先前的居民四散各地,後來以色列真的因這些可憎之事而被驅逐(參考原來先知書以西結書22:1-16的閱讀內容)。

請禱告:為以色列帶來復興所需的認罪與悔改禱告;這段經文提到的許多可憎之事,今日仍在我們的土地上盛行。我們若要在這塊土地深根、長存,這些邪惡必須被除去。神對這些行為的律法並沒有改變,祂對行這些事之人的審判也未曾改變。

*利未記19:1-2.耶和華對摩西說:你曉諭以色列全會眾說:你們要聖潔,因為我耶和華你們的神是聖潔的。

正如埃弗里特.福克斯Everett Fox)在他翻譯的聖經註釋中指出:『十九章是利未記的重要章節,內容廣泛有力,它將聖潔延伸至生活的每一個層面,家庭、曆法、異教、工作、民法與刑法、社交關係與性方面。大部分的律例(但不是全部)都在處理我們所謂的道德問題,也就是人與人之間的關係。藉此它們成為西方對這些問題的範例與基石,至少以理想的形式來看。』

至於二十章,『我們跳到律法上如何處理一些以聖經觀點對神最嚴重的冒犯:拜偶像(包括拜摩洛與交鬼)、咒罵父母、通姦與淫亂的罪。二十章和十九章的區別在於其包含刑罰方式。』(摘自埃弗里特.福克斯對摩西五經的翻譯)

*利未記19:3.你們各人都當孝敬父母,也要守我的安息日。我是耶和華你們的神。』

這一章(關於對聖潔最初的呼召)一開始的明確指令,結合了對父母的孝敬與第一件記錄在聖經上與聖潔有關的事─安息日:神賜福給第七日,定為聖日;因為在這日,神歇了祂一切創造的工,就安息了(創世記2:3)。『我是耶和華』『我是耶和華你們的神』這句話在這章中至少出現15,神立約的名字耶和華(YHWH)的正確發音在今日並不確定,有些學者認為是耶和華(Yehovah),有些則認為是雅威(Ya’hweh)。耶和華和以色列要進入那地的其他神祇很不一樣─祂與眾不同,而祂跟隨者的生活形態也要有所不同!祂是耶和華!祂名字的大能要為那些願意順服之人釋放恩典與權柄。

*利未記19:17-18.不可心裡恨你的弟兄;總要指摘你的鄰舍,免得因他擔罪。不可報仇,也不可埋怨你本國的子民,卻要愛人如己。我是耶和華。

耶穌將愛人如己的命令與大誡命放在一起,就是盡心、盡性、盡意愛主─我們的神(馬太福音22:39)。在新約裡,約翰進一步教導:『人若說自己在光明中,卻恨他的弟兄,他到如今還是在黑暗裡。愛弟兄的,就是住在光明中,在他並沒有絆跌的緣由。惟獨恨弟兄的,是在黑暗裡,且在黑暗裡行,也不知道往哪裡去,因為黑暗叫他眼睛瞎了。』(約翰壹書2:9-11)

*利未記19:32.在白髮的人面前,你要站起來;也要尊敬老人,又要敬畏你的神。我是耶和華。這節經文前半段『在白髮的人面前,你要站起來』(Mifnei seva takum),寫在耶路撒冷公車內!

Bus Sign

請禱告:以色列的長者能親近神,年輕人對以色列年長者的尊敬與尊榮─並認識到這與『敬畏神』息息相關。

*利未記20:7-8.所以你們要自潔成聖,因為我是耶和華你們的神。你們要謹守遵行我的律例;我是叫你們成聖的耶和華。』

『自潔』、『聖潔』與『成聖』這幾個字裡面全都有希伯來文Kadosh(聖潔);在這裡我們個人的責任在於『分別為聖』─藉由遵行神的指示,但我們也看見最後要成為聖潔也需要主自己的工作!

*阿摩司書 9:11.到那日,我必建立大衛倒塌的帳幕,堵住其中的破口,把那破壞的建立起來,重新修造,像古時一樣。』 

傳統上此經文被解釋和以色列在她的土地上重建有關。我們相信這樣的解釋有其真實性。大衛在錫安山建造他的第一個皇宮,就在南邊摩利亞山下面,他的兒子所羅門最終在那裡建造第一聖殿。撒迦利亞書12:10清楚提到,有一天施恩叫人懇求悔改的靈會臨到『大衛家』。以西結書34:23-30和37:22-28預言以色列的聯合國度未來會在大衛底下再次被重建。 

然而,在使徒行傳十五章12-17節,我們看見耶路撒冷早期彌賽亞教會領袖雅各,將神要興起屬靈帳幕的經文不單是應用在猶太人,還有『餘剩的人,就是凡稱為我名下的外邦人,都尋求主。』 

在過去30年間,聖靈啟示『大衛帳幕』的另一層面,大衛是合神心意的人,他是首先也是末後『以心靈和誠實』的敬拜者,他將約櫃帶回耶路撒冷,放在暫時的居所,在周圍設立敬拜者來服事主長達32年之久(歷代志上16:1)。我們看見在我們的世代,聖靈正興起不間斷敬拜與禱告的地方,包括以色列和世界各地,如同阿摩司書9:11預言終極應驗的序幕。 

請禱告:『神的國降臨』在此古老地區,這裡在聖殿山南方下面一點,是大衛建造他第一個宮殿,並為約櫃豎立帳幕之處!目前此地居住著穆斯林的阿拉伯人與正統猶太教教徒。

禱告神的公義與公平、祂的智慧、勇氣、憐憫與時候臨到耶路撒冷市長尼爾伯克特(Nir Birkat)與總理納坦雅胡,他們不斷面對一些重大決定,關乎耶路撒冷古大衛會幕地區。

請為在這條狹窄道路為鄰卻彼此仇視的阿拉伯人和正統猶太人禱告,光會照進他們的黑暗大衛子孫,也就是神的兒子已來到地上,祂還會再來掌權的啟示臨到他們。

禱告集體的敬拜、讚美與代禱,正如大衛帳幕的模式將持續在以色列與世界各地建立與成長,由真理的聖靈來滋養。

下週的閱讀進度(4/29-5/5)被稱為『說』Emor)讀經內容包括:妥拉─利未記21:1-24:23;先知書─以西結書44:15-31。 

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.
 
(NOTE:  Because of the extra day of Passover Week observed outside of Israel, the present readings will be one week behind those read in Jerusalem for each week until that of 12 May.)
 
The Parashah for this week 22-28 April again contains a “double reading”:
 
I.  Acharei Mot—“After the Death” 
TORAH:  Leviticus 16:1—18:30
* HAFTARAH:  Ezekiel 22:1-19
 
II.  Kedoshim—“Holy Ones” 
TORAH:  Leviticus 19:1—20:27
HAFTARAH:  Amos 9:7-15
 
* On weeks in which a “double reading” occurs, only the Haftarah of the second reading is generally used.
 
*Leviticus 16:21-22.   “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness…The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.”
 
This portion begins with instructions for the most holy day of the year, Yom Kippur—“Day of Atonement”.  A goat was sacrificed and its blood applied to the Mercy Seat as atonement for the sins of the people.  In some English translations of Leviticus 16:15, this is referred to as the “goat of the sin offering.”  The more literal rendering of the Hebrew would be “the sin goat” or “the goat of sin”—which is slain to cleanse the people and make them clean.  II Corinthians 5:21 reads of the Messiah Yeshua, “He [i.e. God] made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.  While the blood of this goat made atonement for sin, a second “scapegoat” bore the sins of the people away into the desert.  Psalm 103:12 tells us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
  

*Leviticus 17:11. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”

The word translated “life” here is not chaim, the word normally used, but nephesh which is usually translated “soul” (See Genesis 2:7: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (“chaim”); and man became a living soul (“nephesh”).” We are not here suggesting that the “soul” of man’s being is centered in his blood—but the life-factor of his physical body is, as is that of animals. “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4). Because death reigns in all human-kind (for all have sinned), God has chosen that this death be atoned for by life-blood which “sustains the soul” (vs 14:b). Nor was the blood, with its special value as life-force or atonement, to be treated carelessly or indiscriminately. Atonement required a mediator-priest, so blood wasn’t to be shed at home for that purpose by one’s self (vss. 1-6); nor was that which redeems the soul to be used as physical food to sustain the body (vss. 10 & 14—see also Genesis 9:4 and Acts 15:20).

*Leviticus 17:7. “They [i.e. “All the children of Israel”] shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot.”

“Demons” here is not the usual sheddim—but instead, it is actually the same word translated “goats” in the observance of Yom Kippur in 16:8. Satan not only comes as an “angel of light”—but among the pagan peoples sought worship in the form of the same animal which would be used as a symbol to pay for and to bear away sin.

*Leviticus 17:13-14. “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life(“nephesh”) of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life (“nephesh”).”

The practice of sh’chita—the slaying of an animal for food in accordance with certain stipulations which include bleeding it—is still practiced in Jewish (and some Islamic) communities today. Although historically considered humane, it is presently coming under fire in a number of countries which contest this and, in some cases, have succeeded in forbidding it. It is troubling to see how in several western countries over the past five or six years both sh’chita and another Jewish religious tradition brit milah—the “covenant of circumcision,” have been coming under increased criticism and in some cases legislation to be banned on the basis of alleged violation of “rights” (of the animal or the baby boy). In recent years Denmark banned Jewish ritual slaughter on the grounds of animals’ rights (This, while being not only one of a few NATO countries which continue to practice vivisection, but also a country which has legalized bestiality, a practice which of course has nothing to do with the rights of the animal (“Jewish groups excoriate Denmark over legalized bestiality”: JPOST.com, 6 April 2014 12:51 IST). Both the blessing for Israel of sh’chita,and the forbidding of this abominable perversion are dealt with in this week’s Torah Portion (Leviticus 17:13; 18:23).

*Leviticus 18:21. “And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am YHVH.”

The name molech is actually the singular present tense of the verb Limloch—“To Reign” (“king” is the noun form melech). As the name Baal is really the word for “lord-master-husband”, but taken by an evil demonic deity which presumed its right to be called such by those held under its deception, Molechwas a demonic monarch which assumed the title “The One Who Reigns”. Sadly, Israel would eventually embrace this power (Jeremiah 32:35) and come under God’s severe judgment. Because of a strong revulsion against this sin, Hebrew worship songs today, both amongst Orthodox Jews and most Messianics do not make use of this present-tense form of the verb “to reign” when referring to deity, substituting instead malach (He reigned) or yimloch (He will reign), melech (He is King).

*Leviticus 18:3,4. “According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am YHVH your God. You shall therefore guard My statutes and My judgments, which if an “adam” does, he shall live by them. I am YHVH. Leviticus 20:22. You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all my judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not spew you out.”

Between these verses are enumerated a wide array of practices related to idolatry, sexuality and occult activity which although prevalent in Egypt or Canaan, were forbidden to the Israelites. Whether or not it may have been to some degree permitted in earlier days, sexual relations (marriage) with near blood relatives was no longer allowed for Israel. Indeed, here there is clarification as to whom “nakedness” belongs, and this was not to be violated. Certain sexual acts are labeled “wickedness” (18:17), others “abomination” (18:22) or “perversion” (18:23). Genesis 2:24 states, “Therefore a man (Hebrew: ish) shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his woman (Hebrew: isha) and they shall become one flesh.” No other physical “joining” was allowed. In Yeshua’s time, He said this had been the rule from the beginning (Matt. 19:4-5; Mark 10:6-9). Israel was warned that indulgence in these practices had resulted in pollution of the very land itself, and the previous inhabitants being spat out of that land. Eventually (See the usual Haftarah for this first portion from Ezekiel 22:1-16) indulgence in these would bring about the expulsion of Israel herself.

PLEASE PRAY: for conviction of sin and for repentance leading to revival in Israel. Many of the same abominations mentioned in this passage are prevalent in our Land today. God’s law regarding such behavior has not changed…nor the judgments He has ordained regarding those who embrace it. If we are to become rooted soundly in the land and remain, their practice must be seen as sin, confessed and put aside.

*Leviticus 19:1-2. “YHWH spoke to Moshe, saying: ‘Speak to the entire community of the Children of Israel, and say to them: “Holy are you to be, for holy am I, YHWH your God!”’” (Everett Fox Trans.).

As Everett Fox points out in the commentary to his translation, “As the key chapter of this part of Leviticus, Chap. 19 is wide-ranging and rhetorically powerful. It extends holiness to virtually all areas of life—family, calendar, cult, business, civil and criminal law, social relations, and sexuality. Most (but not all) of the laws deal with what we would term ethics, that is, relations between people…As such, they have become an exemplar and a cornerstone, at least in idealized form, in Western thinking about these issues.”

For Chapter 20, “We move now into laws dealing with some of the more serious offenses against God in the biblical view: idolatry (Including worship of the “Molekh” and consulting spirits), insulting parents, adultery, and sexual crimes. These are distinguished from the previous chapter by the inclusion of punishments; their seriousness is indicated by their capital nature.” (Fox, Everett: The Five Books of Moses…©1995, Shocken Books, New York).

*Leviticus 19:3 (Fox Translation). “Each-man—his mother and his father you are to hold-in-awe, and my Sabbaths you are to keep: I am YHWH your God!” (Everett Fox Trans.).

The first specific directive in this chapter (regarding the initial call to holiness) combines the reverent respect for one’s parents with that of the first thing ever recorded as being “holy”—the Sabbath (“Then Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [i.e. made it holy, VaYekadesh], because in it He ceased from all His work which Elohim had created and made.”—Genesis 2:3). The phrases “I am YHWH!” or “I am YHWH your God!” are used at least 15 times in this chapter. YHWH (The exact pronunciation is today uncertain, some scholars think Yehovah, others Ya’hweh) is different than all the other gods served by the inhabitants of the lands Israel would be entering. As He is different, so the life-styles of His followers must be different! He is YHWH! The very power of that NAME released with His directives would provide sufficient grace and authority for those who would be willing to obey.

*Leviticus 19:17-18. “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of Your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am YHVH.”

Yeshua would equate this command to “love one’s neighbor as one’s self” with the First Commandment, to “Love YHVH our God with all our hearts, souls and minds” (Matthew 22:39). In the New Covenant, John would teach further that

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes”
(I John 2:9-11).

*Leviticus 19:32. “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.”

The first part of this verse, Mifnei seva takum!— “Before the aged, Arise!” is today posted on little signs (see below) in public buses in Jerusalem over the first seats behind the driver!

Bus Sign

PLEASE PRAY for the aged in Israel—that they will draw near to their God. Pray for the younger, that there will be a renewal of respect and honor for age in the Land—with the realization that this is linked to the “Fear of God” and honoring the Name of the LORD.

*Leviticus 20:7-8. “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am YHVH your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am YHVH who sanctifies you.”

The words “consecrate”, “holy” and “sanctifies” in this passage all have within them the root of the Hebrew word kadosh. Here we have man’s responsibility in “setting himself apart”—by guarding and walking in God’s directives—but we also see that becoming truly Holy will ultimately require a work of the LORD Himself!

*Amos 9:11. “In that day I will raise up the fallen sukka [hut, temporary shelter, tent, tabernacle] of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Nations who are called by My name.”

This passage has traditionally been interpreted as relating to the restoration of Israel in her land. We believe this to be true. David built his first palace on Mount Zion, just south and below Mount Moria where his son Solomon would eventually raise the First Temple. Zechariah 12:10 makes clear that a day of grace for conviction and repentance is coming to the “House of David” in Jerusalem. And Ezekiel 34:23-30 and 37:22-28 prophecy that in latter days a united kingdom of Israel under David will be restored.

Yet, in Acts 15:12-17, we find James (Jacob) a leader in the early Messianic congregation in Jerusalem, applying this passage to God’s raising up of a spiritual structure within which not only Jews, but also “the rest of humankind may seek the LORD, even the Nations who are called by My name.”

And within the past 30 years, the Holy Spirit has revealed yet another aspect of the “Tabernacle of David.” David was “a man after God’s own heart.” As such, he was first and last a worshipper “in Spirit and in truth”. He brought the Ark of the Covenant, above which dwelt the Presence of the LORD, up to Jerusalem, placed it in a tent (a temporary dwelling, sukka), and stationed worshippers around it ministering continually before the LORD for some 32 years (I Chronicles 16:1). We see in this the phenomenon in our own day of the Holy Spirit’s raising up places of continual Davidic worship and intercession, in Israel and around the world, as an earnest of—a “prelude to—the ultimate fulfillment of the Amos 9:11 prophecy, which will be a blessing to Israel and all of the World.

PLEASE PRAY: that God’s “Kingdom Come!” over the Covenant Hebrew people and the land which He has promised to them forever. Over the City of David, the ancient location just south and below the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where David built his first palace and erected the tent for the Ark. The area is currently home to both a Muslim Arab and an Orthodox Jewish population. Pray for God’s righteousness and justice, His wisdom, courage, compassion and timing over Israel’s Prime Minister and Jerusalem’s Mayor, who continue to face decisions of great import regarding this area. Pray for the Arabs and Orthodox Jews who are often hostile neighbors on this tiny strip of land…that a Light would shine in their darkness—a revelation of the Son of David who is also the Son of God, who came once as a Man into this world, and who will one day return to rule.

For barriers to come down between the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the other Nations—that they draw together as One New Man in the mercy of God the Father for all the descendants of Adam in the work of His Son.

Pray that houses of corporate praise, worship and intercession, as modelled by David and nourished by the Holy Spirit of Truth, will continue to be established and grow in Israel and around the world!

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Parashah for next week 29 April—5 May 2018 is called Emor—“Say!” TORAH: Leviticus 21:1—24:23; HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 44:15-31]