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。
從六月廿七日到七月三日的閱讀被稱為『非尼哈』（Pinchas/Phinehas）
妥 拉: 民數記 25:10-29:40
先知書: 列王記上 18:46-19:21
* 主忌邪的心。『祭司亞倫的孫子，以利亞撒的兒子非尼哈，使我向以色列人所發的怒消了；因他在他們中間，以我的忌邪為心，使我不在忌邪中把他們除滅。這約要給他和他的後裔，作為永遠當祭司職任的約；因他為神有忌邪的心，為以色列人贖罪。』
希伯來字Kinah在聖經上可以翻成熱心或忌邪。神聖的熱心是對某件事或某個人的好與熱愛而焚燒著熱情的忌邪。我們必須要知道的是，同樣的字若是由肉體點燃牽涉的只有『嫉妒』（箴言23:17）。大衛唱到他對主的殿的熱心如同火燒（詩篇69:9），這首詩歌也成為要來的彌賽亞的預言（約翰福音2:17）。撒迦利亞書一章14節記錄了耶和華對耶路撒冷的熱心，而以賽亞書九章6-7節說到祂對祂兒子與祂公義國度的熱心。非尼哈則對『尊榮他的神』充滿著熱心（或忌邪的心）。
請禱告：求 神在以色列的信徒中甦醒一個燃燒的熱心，一個聖潔的忌邪之心，單單為著 神的事─是以真理與真知識為根基（羅馬書10：2）─要讓 神轉離怒氣，我們需要這樣忌邪的心，好使之後世代的子民不致被除滅。
* 微小的聲音。 『耶和華卻不在風中；風後地震，耶和華卻不在其中；地震後有火，耶和華也不在火中；火後有微小的聲音』（王上19:11-12）。
『微小的聲音』也可以翻譯成『靜默時刻的聲音』。領會這時刻，孕育 神的話對那些充滿熱心的人而言是很重要的，在洞中，以利亞說他對耶和華『大發熱心』，但 神卻必須讓他知道，烈風、崩山碎石、地震再加上熱心仍不夠─強大的逼迫使以利亞感到心灰意冷、拒絕與害怕，在暴風的中心一定也需要 神安靜話語的穩定同在。當他降服在 神的話語時，主才能釋放指令要他『回去』（15節），繼續進行 神對他的呼召。在以色列的吼聲中，要領會並擁抱『靜止沈默的時刻』是非常困難，卻很重要的事。
當此靜止沈默的時刻臨到時，請禱告我們會花時間聆聽並進入這些時刻。幾年前我們的一個詩人歌手伊戶伯耐（Ehud Banai）依據聖經寫了一首大有能力的歌曲，以下是其內容：
一個靜止沈默的時刻
它突然來到，就在白天與夜晚之間
當無人真正預備好時
它穿過一切頻率與管道
從城市裡的高速公路到一般房舍
無人知曉它是什麼或它關乎什麼
不，先前並無人曾聽過像這樣的事
一個靜止沈默的時刻
它在總理刮鬍子之際深深抓住了他
他跑向電話，卻在那裡也聽到了此瞬間
它切入脫口秀的現場廣播
使人人靜默無人知曉它是什麼
或它關乎什麼
不，先前並無人曾聽過像這樣的事
一個靜止沈默的時刻
它突然來到，就在白天與夜晚之間
它真實發生，感覺卻像在夢中
每一個人在他的地方獨自站著
聽見它從裡面出來
一個靜止沈默的時刻
過去的將會成為未來
過去的將會成為未來
* 外袍的傳遞。 『嫩的兒子約書亞是心中有聖靈的；你將他領來，按手在他頭上，使他站在祭司以利亞撒和全會眾面前，囑咐他，又將你的尊榮給他幾分，使以色列全會眾都聽從他』（民數記27：18-20）。
『並膏亞伯米何拉人沙法的兒子以利沙作先知接續你。以利亞到他那裡去，將自己的外衣搭在他身上。』（列王記上19:16,19）。
摩西傳給約書亞的『權柄』是『尊榮』─『一個與君尊有關的莊嚴或威嚴』（就是詩篇45:3的榮耀）─尊榮使會眾聽從並順服約書亞的工作。
當以利亞將外衣搭在以利沙身上時，以利沙便立即起身『跟隨』以利亞。
請禱告：在以色列肢體的領袖能『聽見』並忠心將他們的外袍傳給忠心的人，那些人會在要興起的世代中得蒙恩寵。
下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀（7/4-7/10）為雙倍閱讀，內容包括：
I. 『支派』（Matot）. 妥拉：民數記30:1-32:42；先知書：耶利米書1:1-2:3
II.『路程』（Massei）. 妥拉：民數記33:1-36:13；先知書：耶利米書2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
每周一妥拉 (2010/6/27-7/3)
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。
从六月廿七日到七月三日的阅读被称为『非尼哈』（Pinchas/Phinehas）
妥 拉: 民数记 25:10-29:40
先知书: 列王记上 18:46-19:21
* 主忌邪的心。 『祭司亚伦的孙子，伊莱贾撒的儿子非尼哈，使我向以色列人所发的怒消了；因他在他们中间，以我的忌邪为心，使我不在忌邪中把他们除灭。这约要给他和他的后裔，作为永远当祭司职任的约；因他为神有忌邪的心，为以色列人赎罪。』
希伯来字Kinah在圣经上可以翻成热心或忌邪。神圣的热心是对某件事或某个人的好与热爱而焚烧着热情的忌邪。我们必须要知道的是，同样的字若是由肉体点燃牵涉的只有『嫉妒』（箴言23:17）。戴维唱到他对主的殿的热心如同火烧（诗篇69:9），这首诗歌也成为要来的弥赛亚的预言（约翰福音2:17）。撒迦利亚书一章14节记录了耶和华对耶路撒冷的热心，而以赛亚书九章6-7节说到祂对祂儿子与祂公义国度的热心。非尼哈则对『尊荣他的神』充满着热心（或忌邪的心）。
请祷告：求 神在以色列的信徒中苏醒一个燃烧的热心，一个圣洁的忌邪之心，单单为着 神的事─是以真理与真知识为根基（罗马书10:2）─要让 神转离怒气，我们需要这样忌邪的心，好使之后世代的子民不致被除灭。
* 微小的声音。 『耶和华却不在风中；风后地震，耶和华却不在其中；地震后有火，耶和华也不在火中；火后有微小的声音』（王上19:11-12）。
『微小的声音』也可以翻译成『静默时刻的声音』。领会这时刻，孕育 神的话对那些充满热心的人而言是很重要的，在洞中，伊莱贾说他对耶和华『大发热心』，但 神却必须让他知道，烈风、崩山碎石、地震再加上热心仍不够─强大的逼迫使伊莱贾感到心灰意冷、拒绝与害怕，在暴风的中心一定也需要 神安静话语的稳定同在。当他降服在 神的话语时，主才能释放指令要他『回去』（15节），继续进行 神对他的呼召。在以色列的吼声中，要领会并拥抱『静止沉默的时刻』是非常困难，却很重要的事。
当此静止沉默的时刻临到时，请祷告我们会花时间聆听并进入这些时刻。几年前我们的一个诗人歌手伊户伯耐（Ehud Banai）依据圣经写了一首大有能力的歌曲，以下是其内容：
一个静止沉默的时刻
它突然来到，就在白天与夜晚之间
当无人真正预备好时
它穿过一切频率与管道
从城市里的高速公路到一般房舍
无人知晓它是什么或它关乎什么
不，先前并无人曾听过像这样的事
一个静止沉默的时刻
它在总理刮胡子之际深深抓住了他
他跑向电话，却在那里也听到了此瞬间
它切入脱口秀的现场广播
使人人静默无人知晓它是什么
或它关乎什么
不，先前并无人曾听过像这样的事
一个静止沉默的时刻
它突然来到，就在白天与夜晚之间
它真实发生，感觉却像在梦中
每一个人在他的地方独自站着
听见它从里面出来
一个静止沉默的时刻
过去的将会成为未来
过去的将会成为未来
* 外袍的传递。 『嫩的儿子乔舒亚是心中有圣灵的；你将他领来，按手在他头上，使他站在祭司伊莱贾撒和全会众面前，嘱咐他，又将你的尊荣给他几分，使以色列全会众都听从他』（民数记27:18-20）。
『并膏埃布尔米何拉人沙法的儿子伊莱沙作先知接续你。伊莱贾到他那里去，将自己的外衣搭在他身上。』（列王记上19:16,19）。
摩西传给乔舒亚的『权柄』是『尊荣』─『一个与君尊有关的庄严或威严』（就是诗篇45：3的荣耀）─尊荣使会众听从并顺服乔舒亚的工作。当伊莱贾将外衣搭在伊莱沙身上时，伊莱沙便立即起身『跟随』伊莱贾。
请祷告：在以色列肢体的领袖能『听见』并忠心将他们的外袍传给忠心的人，那些人会在要兴起的世代中得蒙恩宠。
下周的妥拉与先知书阅读（7/4-7/10）为双倍阅读，内容包括：
I. 『支派』（Matot）. 妥拉：民数记30:1-32:42；先知书：杰里迈亚书1:1-2:3
II.『路程』（Massei）. 妥拉：民数记33:1-36:13；先知书：杰里迈亚书2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2
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 27 JUNE—3 July 2010 are called “Pinchas/Phinehas”:
Torah: Numbers 25:10—29:40
Haftarah: I Kings 18:46—19:21
* The ZEAL of the LORD. “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aharon the Priest has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with my zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal…He was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:11, 13).
The Hebrew word Kinah Biblically may be translated either zeal (NKJV) or jealousy (NASB). Holy zeal is a burning passionate jealousy on behalf of something or someone good and deeply loved. It is important to know that the same word when ignited by the flesh refers to mere envy (Proverbs 23:17). . David sang of his zeal for God’s House (Psalm 69:9) which consumed him, a song which would be found to be prophetic of the Messiah Who was to come (John 2:17). Zechariah 1:14 records YHVH’s zeal for Jerusalem—and Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of His zeal for His Son and the establishment of His Righteous Kingdom on Earth. Phinehas was zealous for “the honour of his God” (NIV).
PLEASE PRAY: For the awakening of a burning zeal, a holy jealousy in believers in Israel for the things of God—based on truth and knowledge (Rom 10:2)—a zeal which will be necessary in turning away God’s wrath so that his people in this later generation are not consumed.
* The Voice in the Still Silent Moment. “And the LORD was not in the wind…the earthquake…the fire; and after the fire a still small voice” (I Kings 19:11-12).
The “still small voice” can also be translated, “A voice—a silence—a moment”.
Apprehending this moment, pregnant with the Word of God, is essential for those aflame with zeal. In the cave, Elijah protested that he had been “very zealous” on God’s behalf—yet God had to show him that the roar and shaking and flame accompanying zeal was not enough—the intense persecution it had aroused had left Elijah with feelings of alienation, rejection and fear.
There must also be the stabilizing presence of the quiet Word within, at the center of the storm.
When He yielded to that Word, the Lord was able to release instructions for Him to “return to his way” (vs 15) and proceed in his call. In the roar of Israel, it is difficult, yet essential to apprehend and embrace that “still silent moment”.
PLEASE PRAY THAT WE TAKE THE TIME TO HEAR AND ENTER INTO THESE MOMENTS WHEN THEY COME.
A few years ago one of our singer-poets Ehud Banai wrote a powerful song based on this Scripture. Here is the English translation:
A Still Silent Moment
It came suddenly, at a time between day and night
when no one was really ready for it yet
it passed through all the frequencies and channels
from the super highway to very house in the city
no one knew what is was or what is was about
no, no one had heard anything like it before
a still silent moment.
It caught the prime minister in the middle of shaving
he ran to the telephone but heard it there too
it cut into the live broadcast of the talk show
and silenced everyone no one knew what it was
or what is was about
no, no one had heard anything like it before
a still silent moment
It came suddenly, at a time between day and night
it happened in reality but it felt like a dream
and every person stood alone in his place
And heard it come from within
a still silent moment
What was will be
What was will be
(English Translation of “Dm’a’ma Daka”: Ehud Banai, c2004)
* The Transfer of Mantles. “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you…set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight.
And you shall give some of your authority, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient” (Numbers 27: 20). “…and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place…Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him” (I Kings 19:16,19).
The “authority” Moses was to pass on to Joshua is “hod” –a “grandeur or majesty related to royalty” (“splendor” in Psalm 45:3 NASB)—which would result in the congregation listening and obeying his work. When Elijah threw his mantle on Elisha, he immediately arose and “ran after” him.
PLEASE PRAY: For leaders in the Body in Israel to “hear” and be faithful in passing on their mantles to faithful ones who will have favour in the generation rising up behind.
Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The readings for next week, 4-10 July (Double Reading) will be:
I. Matot/Tribes. TORAH: Numbers 30:1-32:42; HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
II. Massei/Journeys. TORAH: Numbers 33:1-36:13; HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2]