於2012-12-20發佈

每週一妥拉 2012/12/16-12/22
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(12/16-12/22)稱為『挨近』(Vayiggash),讀經進度為:
妥拉:創世記44:18-47:27
先知書:以西結書 37:15-28

*創世記 44:18. 『猶大挨近他(約瑟)。』毫無疑問約瑟與他兄弟的故事,提供了耶穌與祂『自己人』(例如希伯來人)的先知性寫照,他們拒絕祂─但有一天祂會彰顯出『從死裡復活』的大能,為他們帶來救恩。祂以很特別的方式來愛他們,那是永恆的愛,祂以慈愛吸引他們。在祂的恩典中,許多人已經挨近祂,當他們這樣做時,耶穌就會像約瑟一樣,神蹟性地向他們顯現!(撒迦利亞書2:9,11)。

請禱告:以色列有越來越多人被引至神的慈愛中,悔改並回應祂的呼喚來『挨近』祂。 

*創世記 46:28. 『雅各打發猶大先去見約瑟,請派人引路往歌珊去;於是他們來到歌珊地。』

從第四十三章開始,這裡更多強調:領導的外袍已從流便轉到猶大身上。從這裡開始,一個特別的優先地位給了猶大支派─猶大先去:雅各將關乎王權的杖賜福給此支派(創49:8);軍隊前行至迦南的領導(民10:14);在士師時期保衛土地(士1:2);大衛的王位;大衛城中彌賽亞的誕生;撒加利亞對末日的預言,那時『耶和華必收回猶大作祂聖地的分,也必再揀選耶路撒冷』,但『耶和華必先拯救猶大的帳棚,免得大衛家的榮耀和耶路撒冷居民的榮耀勝過猶大』(撒2:12; 12:7)。從這些經文看出猶大的意義,但最直接的重點是與利亞所取的名字有關─猶大:舉手來表達感謝讚美。

請禱告:在以色列肢體之間對感恩與讚美的甦醒,意識到此必須優先(歷下20:21-22)─讚美會帶領以色列肢體得勝,也會在彌賽亞裡找著她產業的真實地位。禱告主會在聖地確實『得著讚美』(撒2:12),如此的讚美會在心靈與誠實中被釋放出來。 

*以西結書 37:21-23. 『主耶和華如此說:我要將以色列人從他們所到的各國收取,又從四圍聚集他們,引導他們歸回本地。我要使他們在那地,在以色列山上成為一國(註:這裡說的包括猶大與撒瑪利亞,今天稱為『西岸』),有一王作他們眾民的王。他們不再為二國,決不再分為二國;也不再因偶像和可憎的物,並一切的罪過玷污自己。我卻要救他們出離一切的住處,就是他們犯罪的地方;我要潔淨他們,如此,他們要作我的子民,我要作他們的神。』

請禱告:為罪、為義、自己審判自己』的靈越來越多澆灌在以色列,將她帶到神所預備的潔淨之處,好讓她可以永遠住在立約之地(25節)。 

下週的閱讀進度(12/23-12/29)被稱為『住在』(VaYechi),妥拉─創世記47:28-50:26;先知書:列王記上2:1-12。

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 (Parasha) 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 16-22 December are called Vayiggash-"And [Judah] Approached": 
TORAH: Genesis 44:18-47:27
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 37:15-28 

*Genesis 44:18; 46:28. "Then he [Judah] drew near to him [Joseph]." There is no question that the story of Joseph and his brothers provides a prophetic picture of Yeshua/Jesus and His "own" (i.e. the Hebrew people) who rejected Him-but to whom He will one day be revealed as "risen from the dead" to provide salvation. In a special way, He loves them with an everlasting love and draws them with lovingkindness. In His grace, many are already drawing near to Him, confessing their sin as did the brothers.and as they do so, He, like Joseph, miraculously reveals Himself to them! (Zechariah 2:9, 11).  

PLEASE PRAY: for more and more in Israel to be led in God's kindness to repentance and to respond to His call to "draw near." 

*Genesis 46:28. "Then he (Jacob) sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen." Beginning in Chapter 43 and more strongly emphasized here, the mantle of leadership shifts from Reuben to Judah. From here on, a special precedence will be given to this tribe-"Judah goes first"! From Jacob's blessing regarding a scepter of royalty (Gen. 49:8); to leadership of the armies marching towards Canaan (Numbers 10:14); to the securing of the land in the time of the Judges (Judges 1:2), to the Kingship of David; to the birth of the Messiah in the City of David; to Zechariah's prophecy of the Last Days when "The LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem" but "will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah" (2:12; 12:7)-God has chosen that this tribe shall lead. There is much of significance which may be drawn from this.but perhaps the most immediate point would be related to the name itself which Leah gave at his birth-Yehudah (Judah). The word means "Thankful praise expressed by the raising of the hands".  

PLEASE PRAY: for a fresh awakening of thanksgiving and praise amongst the Body in Israel, an awareness that this must come first (II Chron. 20:21-22). It is thankful praise which will lead Israel into victories and her true place of inheritance in her Messiah. Pray that the Lord will indeed "take possession of praise" in the Holy Land (Zechariah 2:12) and that it will be released in Spirit and in Truth. 

*Ezekiel 37:21-23. "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will purify them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God."  

PLEASE PRAY: that the Spirit who 'convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment' would be poured out on Israel in increasing measure, bringing her to a place where God can reveal the Purification which has been prepared for her-so that she may dwell in their land of covenant forever (vs. 25).  

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Readings for next week 23-29 December are called VaYechi-"And he Lived": TORAH: Genesis 47:28-50:26; HAFTARAH: I Kings 2:1-12]