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。
從二月二十日到二月廿六日的閱讀被稱為『招聚』（VaYakhel）『摩西招聚以色列全會眾』，讀經內容包括：
妥 拉 : 出埃及記35:1-38:20
先知書: 列王記上7:13-26,40-50
*在本週的閱讀，摩西招聚以色列全會眾，告訴他們關於神所吩咐的會幕建造。在執行上，出埃及記35:4-39:43仔細重複早先在25-28章以及隨後所記載的內容。但這裡還加上一些細節：舉例來說，這裡特別提到婦女：『凡心中有智慧的婦女親手紡線』。29節仔細提到『無論男女』，凡甘心樂意獻禮物來建造會幕的人。在36:6提到他們的奉獻甘心樂意、慷慨大方到摩西不得不傳命說：『無論男女，不必再為聖所拿什麼禮物來。』
請禱告以色列信徒的心受神感動，將他們的技巧與創作活力白白獻給至高神。禱告男人與女人在才幹與恩賜上能公平被重視與認出。禱告以色列信徒在地上的資源、才幹與時間上都能心中捐得『樂意』（林後9:7），不單是出於『律例』─乃是聖靈在他們心中的感動。
*上週我們讀到比撒列（猶大的子孫）與亞何利亞伯（但的支派）─他們是充滿神一切智慧與恩典的工匠，來執行並監督會幕預備中所有複雜的巧工。在35:34提到神使人心裡靈明、能『教導』。事實上在36:1提到神讓其他充滿智慧做巧工的人服在他們下面，聽從他們智慧的指示。
請禱告那些在以色列會眾擁有藝術技巧的人，不單將時間專注在工作上，更是心中被激動，渴望將他們的智慧與技藝傳給下一世代的男女。
*先知書描述在耶路撒冷聖殿的預備與完成。在列王記上7:14講到另一個來自推羅的工匠戶蘭（不要和當時推羅王希蘭搞混）。戶蘭是以色列人，也是『寡婦的兒子』，一位『作銅匠的，滿有智慧、聰明、技能，善於各樣銅作。他來到所羅門王那裡，做王一切所要做的。』有趣的是，雖然在歷代志下2:13說戶蘭是一個善於雕刻各樣金、銀、寶石與織品的專家，在列王記上卻將他的工作單單專注在更謙卑的『銅作』。
為以色列肢體禱告：有智慧與謙卑孕育出聖潔的創作恩賜，不管是在家庭、課堂或擁有『特別殊榮』的人。禱告教會對『孤兒寡婦的祝福』，會擴展到認出並教育這些擁有特別恩賜的人。禱告這些藝術家能領悟到做在謙卑或尊貴人身上，或是銅或是金並沒有差別，只要是做在榮耀的王身上！
下週的閱讀進度（2/27-3/5）被稱為『總數』（P’kudei），讀經內容包括：妥拉─出埃及記38:21-40:38；先知書─列王記上7:51-8:21。
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. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
The readings for this week are called VaYakhel-Gathered:
TORAH: Exodus 35:1-38:20
HAFTARAH: I Kings 7:13-26, 40-50
*In this week's readings, Moses gathers together the congregation of Israel and relates to them what God has instructed regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. In effect, Exodus 35:4-39:43 carefully repeats what was recorded earlier in chs. 25-28 and subsequent passages. But here certain details have been added: for instance, unlike the earlier passages, this one makes specific mention of women : "Each woman who is a gifted artisan" (35:25-26). And verse 29 is careful to mention both "men and women" whose hearts moved them to volunteer materials and labor as a freewill offering for building the tabernacle. In 36:6, this had in fact been done with such generosity and cheerfulness that Moses was forced to issue a command, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contribution of the sanctuary!"
Please pray for hearts of Israeli believers to be moved to offer up their craftsmanship and creative energies as a free-will offering to the Most High. Pray for women and men to be equally valued and recognized in their talents and giftings. Pray for "cheerful" giving from the heart (II Cor. 9:7) on the part of Israeli believers, both of physical resources and of talents and time, not merely as a 'mitzva'-but at the moving of the Holy Spirit within their hearts.
*Last week we read of Betzalel (a descendant of Judah) and Aholiav (of the tribe of Dan)-artisans whom God had filled with all wisdom and grace for performing and overseeing the intricate workmanship required in preparation of the Tabernacle. In this later passage (35:34) it is mentioned that He also put it in their hearts "to teach." Indeed, 36:1 mentions others whom the LORD had filled with artistic grace to work under them (36:1), subject to their wise instruction.
Please pray that those released in the artistic skills in the congregations in Israel will focus not only on the work allotted to them for their own times-but will be stirred in their hearts with a desire and ability to pass on their wisdom and skill to the men and women of the generation rising after them.
*The Haftarah describes the preparation and artistic finishing of the Temple in Jerusalem. In I Kings 7:14, it focuses on the work of another artisan, Hiram, who came from Tyre (not to be confused with Hiram the King of Tyre at that time). He was an Israelite and a "widow's son. a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work." It is noteworthy that although II Chr 2:13 makes clear that this Hiram (also called "Huram-abi") was a master, skilled in the fine artistic workmanship of gold, silver, precious stones, rich fabrics, etc., the account in I Kings focuses entirely upon his work with the more-humble "bronze".
Please Pray for wisdom and humility in the nurturing in holiness of the creative gifts in the Body in Israel-with no special regard for family, class or 'privilege'. Pray that the church's 'blessing of widows and orphans' would extend to recognition of and education in their special giftings. Pray for realization among artists that in putting one's hand to the humble or to the glamorous, to brass or to gold, it makes no difference, so long as it is done to the glory of the King!
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (27 Feb-5 Mar) is called P'kudei-Inventory and will include TORAH: Exodus 38:21-40:38; HAFTARAH: I Kings 7:51-8:21.]
