於2009-11-22發佈

從古時起,在全世界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)。本週的內容被給予一個希伯來名,出自於經文內容起頭的字。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。

從十一月十五日到十一月廿一日的閱讀被稱為:以撒的後代(Toldot),讀經內容包括:
妥    拉: 創世記25:19-28:9
先知書: 瑪垃基書1:1-2:7

*創世記 25:22.  『若是這樣,我為什麼活著呢【或作我為什麼如此呢】他就去求問耶和華。』

請為在以色列的信徒禱告,在面臨難以理解的爭戰時(在以色列很多這類型的爭戰),我們會立刻『求問主』,而不是倚靠我們個人的瞭解來做回應。

*創世記26:18. 『當他父親亞伯拉罕在世之日所挖的水井因非利士人在亞伯拉罕死後塞住了,以撒就重新挖出來,仍照他父親所叫的叫那些井的名字。』

以撒的一生很多時候與『井』相關連─打從他妻子在井旁打水被發現(24:45),接著他又到另一個井與她相會(24:62),到了廿六章記載他重開舊井、續挖新井。

請為重新打開真理、祝福與詩歌古老源頭回到以色列禱告 ─ 並發掘一直被隱藏封閉,直到末世的知識(但以理書 12:9)。

禱告重新發現並正確認出『因信稱義』的井(創15:6),使得以色列會再次找著並打開真正的『救恩之井』。
看哪!神是我的拯救(希伯來文:耶穌);我要倚靠祂,並不懼怕。因為主耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。所以,你們必從救恩的泉源歡然取水。』(賽12:2-3)

*創世記26:19-22. 『以撒的僕人在谷中挖井,便得了一口活水井。基拉耳的牧人與以撒的牧人爭競,說:這水是我們的。以撒就給那井起名叫埃色【就是相爭的意思】,因為他們和他相爭。以撒的僕人又挖了一口井,他們又為這井爭競,因此以撒給這井起名叫西提拿【就是為敵的意思】。以撒離開那裡,又挖了一口井,他們不為這井爭競了,他就給那井起名叫利河伯【就是寬闊的意思】。他說:耶和華現在給我們寬闊之地,我們必在這地昌盛。』

超過一百年之久,回歸的希伯來人在神應許他們的土地上歷經爭吵、剝削與剝奪,當他們想要在地生根,再次重挖他們古老家鄉的『井』,他們不斷遭到世界與周圍仇敵與對手控訴。

請禱告越來越多回歸的以色列人領悟到,我們永遠也無法在這土地上『為自己騰出任何地方』。單靠自己,我們完全不知道如何與已經住在這地上的人相處、停止爭吵,我們必須信靠主,只有祂能『為我們騰出地方』(並為那些將要回歸的),使我們永久生根,並『在這地昌盛』。

*瑪垃基書 2:7. 『祭司的嘴裡當存知識,人也當由他口中尋求律法,因為他是萬軍之耶和華的使者。』啟示錄一章5-6節說:祂愛我們,用自己的血使我們脫離罪惡,又使我們成為國民,作祂父神的祭司。以此而論,我們的嘴格外重要,為存留知識給那些神帶領我們接觸的尋求者。在這裡所提到『使者』的希伯來文,與常翻譯為『天使』的字完全一樣。天使是天上的使者奉差遣來『為那將要承受救恩的人效力』;身為在 神面前的祭司,我們常被呼召與超自然的天使攜手同工。

請禱告:身為神祭司般的使者,我們對自己的職責有著敏銳的瞭解,並與祂的眾天使運行在聖靈大能的同一步調中,小心保守我們的口舌。

下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀內容:創世記 28:10-32:2; 何西阿書 12:12-14:9.

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 from the five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the prophets (Haftarah-final reading) read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name taken from the opening words of the 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 Haftarah 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 November 15-21 are called Toldot : "Geneology"-of Isaac, and include:
TORAH: Genesis 25:19-28:9
HAFTARAH: Malachi 1:1-2:7

*Genesis 25:22. "If this is so, why then am I . . .?" So she went to inquire of the LORD." Please pray for believers in Israel.that when faced with the perplexity of inexplicable conflicts (of which there are many in Israel), we would be quick to "go to inquire of the LORD" rather than leaning to our own understandings as to how to respond.

*Genesis 26:18. "And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them." Isaac's life is much associated with "wells"-from when his wife was discovered at one (24:45) and he came from another to meet her (24:62), to the reopening of old wells and the digging of new ones recorded in chapter 26.

PLEASE PRAY for the reopening of ancient sources of truth and blessing and song in returned Israel-as well as discovery of new reservoirs of understanding reserved for latter days (Daniel 12:9).
Pray for rediscovery and proper identification of the well of "Righteousness through Faith" (Genesis 15:6); that Israel will find and open again her true "Well of Salvation".and His Name. "Behold, God is my salvation (Heb: Yeshuah), I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

*Genesis 26:19-22. "Also Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled.so he called the name of the well ESEK (Exploited, Deprived Of). Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also, so he called its name SITNAH ("Sataned", Accusation, Enmity, Adversary). And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name REHOBOTH (Space, Widenesses), because he said, 'For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'"

For over a hundred years the returned Hebrews have faced quarreling, exploitation, and deprivation over the land God has promised to them. As they have attempted to become rooted, and to re-dig the "wells" of their ancient homeland, they have continued to be accused by the world and to be surrounded by enemies and adversaries.

PLEASE PRAY that more and more of returned Israel will come to realize that we will never "make room for ourselves" in this Land. Alone, we have no idea how to come into such a relationship with those already dwelling in the land as will quell the quarreling. We must turn in faith to our LORD, Who alone can "make room for us" (and those yet to come) to become permanently rooted and "fruitful in the Land".

*Malachi 2:7. "For the lips of a priest should preserve and guard knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of armies. Revelation 1:6 says that the One who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood has made us into a kingdom of priests. As such, our mouths are of exceptional importance-guarding knowledge for release to those seekers with whom God will bring us into contact. The Hebrew word for "messenger" here is exactly the same as that often translated "angel". Angels are heavenly messengers sent to "minister to those who will inherit Salvation". As priests before God we are often called to work hand in hand with these supernatural beings.

PLEASE PRAY for a keen understanding of our responsibility as priestly messengers of God to His people-and that in the power of the Holy Spirit we move in step with His angels--and keep a close guard on our tongues.

TORAH and HAFTARAH portions for next week: Genesis 28:10-32:2; Hosea 12:12-14:9.