於2012-09-19發佈

每週一妥拉 2012/9/16-9/22

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。

這週的閱讀(9/16-9/22)稱為『去』(VaYelech),讀經內容包括:
妥拉:申命記31:1-30
先知書:何西阿書14:1-9;約珥書2:11-27;彌迦書7:18-20

*申命記 31:7. 『摩西召了約書亞來,在以色列眾人眼前對他說:你當剛強壯膽!因為,你要和這百姓一同進入耶和華向他們列祖起誓應許所賜之地;你也要使他們承受那地為業。』

神在約書亞記一章不斷出現『剛強壯膽』這幾個字,是一個『命令式』,是直接對一個人以命令的口吻說話。

*何西阿書14:1-2. 『以色列啊,你要歸向耶和華─你的神;你是因自己的罪孽跌倒了。當歸向耶和華,用言語禱告祂說:求祢除淨罪孽,悅納善行;這樣,我們就把嘴唇的祭代替牛犢獻上。』 

*約珥書2:12-13. 『耶和華說:雖然如此,你們應當禁食、哭泣、悲哀,一心歸向我。你們要撕裂心腸,不撕裂衣服。歸向耶和華─你們的神;因為祂有恩典,有憐憫,不輕易發怒,有豐盛的慈愛,並且後悔不降所說的災。』

*約珥書2:18. 『耶和華就為自己的地發熱心,憐恤祂的百姓。』

*彌迦書7:18-20. 『神啊,有何神像祢,赦免罪孽,饒恕祢產業之餘民的罪過,不永遠懷怒,喜愛施恩﹖必再憐憫我們,將我們的罪孽踏在腳下,又將我們的一切罪投於深海。祢必按古時起誓應許我們列祖的話,向雅各發誠實,向亞伯拉罕施慈愛。』 

下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀(9/23-9/29)稱為『側耳聽』(Ha’azimr),讀經內容包括:妥拉─申命記32:1-52;先知書─撒母耳記下22:1-51。

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 reading for this week 16-22 September is called VaYelech-"Went": 
TORAH: Deuteronomy 31:1-30
HAFTARAH: Hosea 14:1-9; Joel 2:11-27; Micah 7:18-20

*Deuteronomy 31:7. "Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, 'Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it." 

"Be strong and of good courage" (Hebrew: Chazak v'ematz!) will appear again over and over from God Himself in Joshua 1. It is a "command form" of verb.strength and courage are commanded/proclaimed directly into the person.

*Hosea 14:1-2. "O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips."

*Joel 2:12-13. " 'Now, therefore,' says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.' So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm."

*Joel 2:18. "Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, and pity His people."

*Micah 7:18-20. "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in lovingkindness. He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old."

Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem