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。
每週一妥拉的禱告更新內容並不是為了提供這些閱讀『註解』，我們在讀經各處挑出一些重點乃是對我們的代禱有助益。
從六月十三日到六月十九日的閱讀被稱為『律例』（Chukat）─律法中的『律例』
妥 拉: 民數記19:1-22:1
先知書: 士師記11:1-33
因著死亡不斷在他們中間發生，民數記十九章以一種特別的『消毒』來處理那些觸摸死屍的人。三十八年悄悄地度過，到了二十章提到米利暗之死，他們已經靠近應許之地了。
在這一週的閱讀中，摩西與亞倫悖逆神，使他們無法進入應許之地，而那些餘留下來愛發怨言的世代有許多人被蛇咬死─但一個新的世代開始起來爭戰，戰勝擋住他們進入應許之路的巨人。
* 民數記 19章: 紅母牛條例。
除了可拉背叛獻香的人死去外，沒多久還有一萬四千七百人死於瘟疫─神宣告還有成千上萬的人會死在曠野裡。『死亡』持續充斥營中，所以需要特別的潔淨。一隻寶血顏色、沒有殘疾、未曾負軛的『母牛』在營外焚燒，再把香柏木、牛膝草與朱紅色線都丟在火中一塊燒。母牛的灰被收存在營外的器皿裡，需要的人將其與『活水』（17節）混在一起，用來除去那些觸摸死屍的污穢（實質上就是除罪的水，9節）。
請禱告：這週當以色列讀到這段經文，求神賜下神聖的啟示，引導他們從第一世紀猶太人所寫的書卷中發現真理：『若山羊和公牛的血，並母牛犢的灰，灑在不潔的人身上，尚且叫人成聖，身體潔淨，何況基督藉著永遠的靈，將自己無瑕無疵獻給神，祂的血豈不更能洗淨你們的心，除去你們的死行，使你們事奉那永生神嗎﹖』（希伯來書9:13-14）。
*民數記 20:10, 24:
摩西說：『你們這些背叛的人聽我說：我為你們使水從這磐石中流出來嗎﹖神說：『因為在米利巴水，你們（摩西和亞倫）違背了我的命。』
摩西是一個充滿勇氣、憐憫與謙卑的偉大領袖，卻仍有在怒氣方面的『盲點』。怒氣常在摩西生命中被提到或影射（出2:12、11:8、32:19，利10:16，民11:10、16:15）。雖然怒氣有存在的必要性，但當其出於肉體或不在神的時間被釋放出來，就無法『成就神的義』（雅各書1:19-20）。最後，怒氣引發摩西違背神的命令，使他指責人們的罪惡，對他們說而非對磐石說。提多書一章7節說神的管家必須『不暴躁』。
請禱告：在以色列彌賽亞肢體的領袖能持續被聖靈訓練得以自制。禱告我們將處理聖靈所顯明的問題，否則在重大決定的關鍵時刻可能會用我們的情緒或創傷來回應，而沒有在人面前尊主為聖。
* 民數記21:9/約翰福音3:14-15/哥林多後書5:21:
『摩西便製造一條銅蛇，掛在杆子上；凡被蛇咬的，一望這銅蛇就活了。』『摩西在曠野怎樣舉蛇，人子也必照樣被舉起來，叫一切信祂的都得永生。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。』。
*民數記 21:34-35/申命記 3:11:
『耶和華對摩西說：不要怕他（巴珊王噩）！因我已將他和他的眾民，並他的地，都交在你手中；於是他們殺了他和他的眾子，並他的眾民，沒有留下一個，就得了他的地。』『利乏音人所剩下的只有巴珊王噩。』
當以色列在三十八年後抵達迦南邊界時，只剩下當初他們父親所懼怕的虛構『巨人』。神給他們的指示與他們父親的完全一樣，這次他們聽了神的話並毀滅了了巴珊王噩。打敗巴珊王噩的意義非凡─在申命記、約書亞記、列王記上、尼希米記與詩篇多次提到他。
這一段經文 神所提到『交在以色列手中』的土地，就是1967年六日戰爭從敘利亞奪回的土地─戈蘭高地，這區域當時是分給瑪拿西支派作為部分領土。領土的南邊到達亞嫩河，是從亞摩利人的王西宏得來的，最後成為流便與迦得支派的領土。這地方目前位在約旦西北邊為約旦所佔據。
請禱告：在迦勒與約書亞身上『不一樣的心志』，能激勵以色列年輕的世代再次甦醒過來─使我們信靠神，以擊敗再次在我們返回之土地上所興起的許多巨人。
下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀（6/20-6/26）稱為『巴勒』（Balak），內容包括：民數記22:2-25:9；彌迦書5:7-6:8。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
每周一妥拉2010/6/13-6/19
从古时起，在全世界的犹太会堂会一周一次在安息日读经，从摩西五经（妥拉）到先知的书（先知书）。本周的内容被给予一个希伯来名，出自于经文内容起头的字。每周惯例读经的实例刚好记载在路加福音四章16节，耶稣来到拿撒勒的会堂，读了一段先知书（以赛亚书61章）。
我们发现每周一次阅读这些内容，不仅提供我们机会，与世界成千上万的犹太人来确认神话语的内容，在我们为以色列与犹太人的代祷上，圣灵更时常贴切的启发具体的内容祷告。
每周一妥拉的祷告更新内容并不是为了提供这些阅读『批注』，我们在读经各处挑出一些重点乃是对我们的代祷有帮助。
从六月十三日到六月十九日的阅读被称为『律例』（Chukat）─律法中的『律例』
妥 拉: 民数记19:1-22:1
先知书: 士师记11:1-33
因着死亡不断在他们中间发生，民数记十九章以一种特别的『消毒』来处理那些触摸死尸的人。三十八年悄悄地度过，到了二十章提到米利暗之死，他们已经靠近应许之地了。在这一周的阅读中，摩西与亚伦悖逆神，使他们无法进入应许之地，而那些余留下来爱发怨言的世代有许多人被蛇咬死─但一个新的世代开始起来争战，战胜挡住他们进入应许之路的巨人。
*民数记 19章: 红母牛条例。
除了可拉背叛献香的人死去外，没多久还有一万四千七百人死于瘟疫─神宣告还有成千上万的人会死在旷野里。『死亡』持续充斥营中，所以需要特别的洁净。一只宝血颜色、没有残疾、未曾负轭的『母牛』在营外焚烧，再把香柏木、牛膝草与朱红色线都丢在火中一块烧。母牛的灰被收存在营外的器皿里，需要的人将其与『活水』（17节）混在一起，用来除去那些触摸死尸的污秽（实质上就是除罪的水，9节）。
请祷告：这周当以色列读到这段经文，求神赐下神圣的启示，引导他们从第一世纪犹太人所写的书卷中发现真理：『若山羊和公牛的血，并母牛犊的灰，洒在不洁的人身上，尚且叫人成圣，身体洁净，何况基督借着永远的灵，将自己无瑕无疵献给神，祂的血岂不更能洗净你们的心，除去你们的死行，使你们事奉那永生神吗﹖』（希伯来书9:13-14）。
*民数记 20:10, 24:
摩西说：『你们这些背叛的人听我说：我为你们使水从这盘石中流出来吗﹖神说：『因为在米利巴水，你们（摩西和亚伦）违背了我的命。』
摩西是一个充满勇气、怜悯与谦卑的伟大领袖，却仍有在怒气方面的『盲点』。怒气常在摩西生命中被提到或影射（出2:12、11:8、32:19，利10:16，民11:10、16:15）。虽然怒气有存在的必要性，但当其出于肉体或不在神的时间被释放出来，就无法『成就神的义』（雅各布书1:19-20）。最后，怒气引发摩西违背神的命令，使他指责人们的罪恶，对他们说而非对盘石说。提多书一章7节说神的管家必须『不暴躁』。
请祷告：在以色列弥赛亚肢体的领袖能持续被圣灵训练得以自制。祷告我们将处理圣灵所显明的问题，否则在重大决定的关键时刻可能会用我们的情绪或创伤来响应，而没有在人面前尊主为圣。
*民数记21:9/约翰福音3:14-15/哥林多后书5:21:
『摩西便制造一条铜蛇，挂在杆子上；凡被蛇咬的，一望这铜蛇就活了。』『摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信祂的都得永生。神使那无罪（无罪：原文是不知罪）的，替我们成为罪，好叫我们在祂里面成为神的义。』。
*民数记 21:34-35/申命记 3:11:
『耶和华对摩西说：不要怕他（巴珊王噩）！因我已将他和他的众民，并他的地，都交在你手中；于是他们杀了他和他的众子，并他的众民，没有留下一个，就得了他的地。』『利乏音人所剩下的只有巴珊王噩。』
当以色列在三十八年后抵达迦南边界时，只剩下当初他们父亲所惧怕的虚构『巨人』。神给他们的指示与他们父亲的完全一样，这次他们听了神的话并毁灭了了巴珊王噩。打败巴珊王噩的意义非凡─在申命记、乔舒亚记、列王记上、尼赫迈亚记与诗篇多次提到他。
这一段经文神所提到『交在以色列手中』的土地，就是1967年六日战争从叙利亚夺回的土地─戈兰高地，这区域当时是分给玛拿西支派作为部分领土。领土的南边到达亚嫩河，是从亚摩利人的王西宏得来的，最后成为流便与迦得支派的领土。这地方目前位在约旦西北边为约旦所占据。
请祷告：在迦勒与乔舒亚身上『不一样的心志』，能激励以色列年轻的世代再次苏醒过来─使我们信靠神，以击败再次在我们返回之土地上所兴起的许多巨人。
下周的妥拉与先知书阅读（6/20-6/26）称为『巴勒』（Balak），内容包括：民数记22:2-25:9；弥迦书5:7-6:8。
马汀和娜玛‧赛维士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
于耶路撒冷
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.
While it is not within the scope of this Prayer Update to supply a “commentary” on these readings, we will here and there draw attention to certain points which may prove helpful in informing our intercession. [Note: All text citations are those for more-common English translations of the Scriptures.]
The readings for 13-19 JUNE 2010 are called Chukat/Statute (of the Law)
Torah: Numbers 19:1-22:1
Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33
Because of the dead who would be constantly in their midst as an entire generation passed away, Chapter 19 deals with a special ‘decontamination’ regarding death.
Then 38 years silently pass; in Chapter 20, with the death of Miriam, they are already drawing towards a close. In this reading Moses and Aaron themselves enter into a rebellion which will bar them from entering the Land, and a further remnant of the complaining generation are killed by serpents—but the new generation begins to move into warfare and to prevail against the giants barring their way into their inheritance.
*Numbers 19: Ordinance of the Red Heifer.
With the death of those offering incense in Korah’s rebellion, the 14,700 who died by plague in the uprising shortly thereafter, and the prospect that hundreds of thousands would pass away in the wilderness wanderings, Death hung over the camp continuously. There was need for an especial cleansing from death. A cow, perfect and never yoked, was burned in totality outside the camp, with cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet fed into the burning. Then the ashes were stored outside the camp. When needed, they were mixed with “living water” (vs17, Hebrew: mayim haim) and used as a decontaminant (literally, “water kept apart for sin”, vs 9) for those who had come into contact with death .
PLEASE PRAY: from the letter in the New Covenant written specifically to Jews of the First century: “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?” (Hebrews 9:13-14).
*Numbers 20:10, 24: Moses: “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Elohim: “Because you (both: Moses and Aaron) rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah…” A great leader of courage, compassion and humility, Moses nevertheless appears to have had a ‘blind spot’ regarding anger. One sees it quietly alluded to or mentioned a number of times during his life (Exodus 2:12, 11:8, 32:19, Lev 10:16, Numbers 11:10, 16:15). Although there is a place for anger, if it is released in the flesh or outside of God’s timing, it will “not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19). In the end, it triggered in him the very rebellion against God’s command which he accused the people of when he spoke to them rather than to the Rock. Titus 1:7 speaks of the necessity that God’s stewards be “not quick-tempered”.
PLEASE PRAY: For leaders in the Body of Messiah in Israel to be trained by the Holy Spirit in self control. Pray that we will deal with issues which the Spirit discloses, which otherwise could cause us, in moments of critical decision under intense pressure, to operate out of our emotions or woundings.
*Numbers 21:9/John 3:14-15/II Corinthians 5:21. “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
*Numbers 21:34-35/Deuteronomy 3:11 “Do not fear him (i.e. Og, King of Bashan), for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land…So they defeated him, his sons, and all his people, until there was no survivor left him; and they took possession of his land.”…“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants.”(Emphases ours). When Israel arrives 38 years late at the border of Canaan, only one of the fabled “giants” which had terrified their fathers remains. God gives them exactly the same directive he’d given their fathers…and this time they take Him at His word and destroy him. The significance of defeating this Og was huge—he is mentioned many times in Deuteronomy, Joshua, I Kings, Nehemiah and the Psalms.
The territory which this text says God Himself “delivered into Israel’s hand” is that area taken from Syria in the 1967 War—the present- day Golan Heights. That area became part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. The territory southward to the Arnon River was taken from King Sihon of the Amorites and eventually became territory of the tribes Reuben and Gad. This area is presently occupied by the north-western part of the Kingdom of Jordan.
PLEASE PRAY: That the “different spirit” of Caleb and Joshua which motivated this younger generation of Israelites would awaken again in Israel—that we would come to trust God for defeat of the many giants which have arisen again in the land to which we have returned.
Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The readings for next week, 20-26 July “Balak” will be: TORAH: Numbers 22:2—25:9; HAFTARAH: Micah 5:7—6:8.]