於2013-01-23發佈

每週一妥拉 2013/1/20-/1/26
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(1/20-1/26)稱為『容百姓去』(B'Shalach)『法老容百姓去的時候』,讀經進度為:
妥拉:出埃及記13:17-17:16
先知書:士師記4:4-5:31

*出埃及記 13:18b. 『以色列人出埃及地,都帶著兵器上去。』他們還沒有軍事經驗或紀律(參考17節),沒多遠就有一場與亞瑪力人激烈的爭戰等著他們(出17:8-16),但當他們出埃及時,他們就以某種整齊隊伍的方式,帶著兵器上去。在撒母耳記上17:45,大衛出去見歌利亞,『是靠著萬軍之耶和華的名,…帶領以色列軍隊的神』。是萬軍之耶和華帶領以色列,在實際上與屬靈上都成為整齊的軍隊來面對敵人。

請禱告:以色列的軍隊能在萬軍之耶和華統帥下井然有序。為在以色列國防部裡的彌賽亞信徒禱告,感謝主他們已經組織起來,可以在週末定期聚在一起讚美、敬拜與禱告。過去兩年在以色列報紙上出現很棒的文章,談到以色列軍隊裡的彌賽亞信徒,許多人表現優異,其中一些人大蒙恩寵,獲得升級,現在處於領導地位。我們知道當中還有一些指揮官真的受到上司鼓勵,在軍中與他人分享他們的信仰。預估目前在以色列軍隊裡的彌賽亞信徒至少有三百位!但仇敵對他們的攻擊是很激烈的,請禱告這些年輕男女有勇氣、正直、清潔、與神與人都有美好的關係─使他們可以成為同伴間真理與生命的光。 

*出埃及記13:21-22; 14:19-20. 『日間,耶和華在雲柱中領他們的路;夜間,在火柱中光照他們,使他們日夜都可以行走。日間雲柱,夜間火柱,總不離開百姓的面前。』『在以色列營前行走神的使者,轉到他們後邊去;雲柱也從他們前邊轉到他們後邊立住。在埃及營和以色列營中間有雲柱,一邊黑暗,一邊發光,終夜兩下不得相近。』

請禱告:讓以色列察覺到神與她同在,帶領他們並光照他們。讓信徒瞭解祂的同在,知道神的天上使者在我們四周引導、鼓勵與保護! 

*出埃及記14:13-14. 『摩西對百姓說:不要懼怕,只管站住!看耶和華今天向你們所要施行的救恩。因為,你們今天所看見的埃及人必永遠不再看見了。耶和華必為你們爭戰;你們只管靜默,不要作聲。』

我們觀察到一開始摩西要他們『只管站住』,這絕不是慵懶的站在一旁,這與哈巴谷書2:1用來形容守望者站在望樓的字完全一樣:『我要立在望樓觀看』。當我們在望樓守望時,主會在戰場上施展祂的救恩。在這週閱讀進度的最後,當約書亞(意思是主的拯救)在平地爭戰,摩西的望樓是到山頂上舉手。

出埃及記15:1-18涵蓋著在任何語言中最尊貴、美麗並充滿真理的得勝之歌。

海中之歌(Shirat haYam)

*15:2. 『耶和華是我的力量,我的詩歌,也成了我的拯救。這是我的神,我要讚美祂,是我父親的神,我要尊崇祂。 』

請禱告:今日的以色列將曉悟主確實成為她的拯救(耶穌的希伯來文Yeshua正是耶和華(YHVH)的縮寫,加上拯救(Yeshuah)這個字的字根。

*15:3. 『耶和華是戰士(爭戰的人);祂的名是耶和華。』這節經文實質上稱主為『人』(man)─除非祂真會成為人?

請禱告:聖靈在祂經上寫的話中照亮出神聖的亮光─人心會被打開,以瞭解在摩西五經、先知書與詩篇裡所寫到的耶穌(路加福音24:44-45)。

*15:11. 『耶和華啊,眾神之中,誰能像祢?誰能像祢─至聖至榮,可頌可畏,施行奇事?

請禱告:主的這些奇妙屬性將以新的瞭解被釋放在全世界的教會─
1.至聖至榮。
2.可頌可畏─用心靈與誠實讚美可以在祂僕人裡面滋養屬神的敬畏,使仇敵喪膽。
3.因祂『聖僕耶穌』的名施行奇事(使徒行傳4:30)。

*15:17. 『祢要將他們領進去,栽於祢產業的山上─耶和華啊,就是祢為自己所造的住處;主啊,就是祢手所建立的聖所。』此預言關乎幾百年後在耶路撒冷稱為『聖殿山』之處。從1967年開始,以色列再次宣稱這山的統治權,但非穆斯林只能在每週固定幾天特別的時間上聖殿山。傳說『最後戰役』會對抗『在此山上敬拜的人』;在金頂寺的內門有一段來自穆斯林可蘭經的經文宣稱神『沒有兒子』。希伯來聖經詩篇第二篇則說主不但有兒子,祂還會如君王般在聖山掌權。在以西結書20:40主耶和華宣告:『在我的聖山,就是以色列高處的山,所有以色列的全家都要事奉我。我要在那裡悅納你們。』到那日,以色列會『被帶到並栽在山上』,但目前她只能小心翼翼看管一個高度受爭議的區塊。

請禱告:神的國降臨,祂的旨意行在耶路撒冷『祂產業的山上』。我們知道有信徒團隊每週都上聖殿山行走、禱告。也請禱告我們國家領袖能有屬神的智慧與指引,如何能更好管理以色列目前在此聖山的統轄權。

*出埃及記15:26b. 『因為我─耶和華是醫治你的。』

請禱告:在以色列彌賽亞肢體中對醫治恩賜的釋放、啟示與進展!

*出埃及記16:8b. 『你們的怨言不是向我們發的,乃是向耶和華發的。』在新約使徒行傳5:4有一段類似的警告:『你不是欺哄人,是欺哄神了。』

請禱告:在以色列肢體中敬畏主,留意他們對神所揀選之領袖的尊榮與言行。 

*出埃及記16:29. 『你們看!耶和華既將安息日賜給你們。』神賜福安息日,定為聖日(創2:3a)。主教導『安息日是為人設立的,人不是為安息日設立的。所以,人子也是安息日的主。』(馬可福音2:27-28)

請禱告:以色列能脫離人的律法主義結構,進入神所賜的真正安息。特別為彌賽亞肢體的領袖禱告,不要忽略神命令祂孩子空出時間安息的重要性。 

*出埃及記17:15-16. 『摩西築了一座壇,起名叫耶和華尼西(就是耶和華是我旌旗的意思),又說:耶和華已經起了誓,必世世代代和亞瑪力人爭戰。』希伯來文的『旌旗』是『nes』(『我的旌旗』是『nissi尼西』)。Nes也有『神蹟』的意思,亞瑪力人是真實存在的人,但聖經用他們來象徵反閃主義的靈,他們是以色列出埃及後的第一個敵人。他們掠奪她、擊殺軟弱落後的人(申25:17-19)。神對那些威脅祂立約子民的人毫不留情,將他們的名『從天下塗抹』。掃羅王並沒有做到此,最後反被一個亞瑪力人所殺。幾世紀後,如以斯帖記所記載的,亞甲族(掃羅沒滅絕的亞瑪力人)的後裔哈曼,尋求點燃第一次的大屠殺。帶著撒旦對以色列的憎恨與她救贖的呼召,那確實是屬神的神蹟飛向她,撐住她,使她仍存留至今,古老的語言被恢復,再次回到她原來的土地。

請禱告:以色列得著啟示,唯有耶和華的旌旗飛向她,才能保護她不被滅絕,是主為她爭戰,以愛為旗在她以上。 

*士師記4:8. 『巴拉(對底波拉)說:你若同我去,我就去;你若不同我去,我就不去。』在這裡我們提出巴拉的錯誤不單是懼怕或膽小(他是列在希伯來書十一章的信心偉人)。事實上,摩西在出埃及記33:15對主說了很類似的話:『祢若不親自和我同去,就不要把我們從這裡領上去。』但在那裡,摩西感到失望是因為他渴望主的同在(主的面),神當時威脅他只差派天使同去。在士師記這段經文中,底波拉是先知性的士師帶領著以色列,釋放神的話語在戰士身上,但巴拉似乎不瞭解神授命的話(道)就是神在戰役中的同在與權柄。他似乎認同釋放話語屬神能力與權柄的器皿,而不是話語本身,因此他覺得同時擁有先知的話與神的話比較保險(值得注意的是,底波拉後來釋放了更進一步的命令─巴拉修正錯誤,毫不猶豫地如閃電般下了山(4:14)。

請禱告:以色列的彌賽亞肢體對『先知預言』的成熟,藉由聖靈再次建立先知職分。禱告信徒間對神話語的分辨與敬重,以及神的話要如何關係到以色列政府。禱告在戰場上充分瞭解到,立即對神授命的權柄結構順服是非常重要的。  

下週的閱讀進度(1/27-2/2)被稱為『葉忒羅』(Yitro),妥拉─出埃及記18:1-20:26;先知書─以賽亞書6:1-7:6;9:6-7。
 
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 20-26 January are called B'Shalach- "In the sending away" (by Pharaoh o f the people).
TORAH: Exodus 13:17-17:16
HAFTARAH: Judges 4:4-5:31 

*Exodus 13:18b. "And the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt" (NASB). There was, as of yet, no military experience or discipline in this people (see verse 17), and a furious battle with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16) awaited them just a little way down the road. Yet, somehow, they left Egypt armed and in orderly array. In I Samuel 17:45, David goes out to meet Goliath "in the name of the LORD of Hosts, God of the Battle-Arraying of Israel (YHVH Tzeva'ot Elohei-Ma'arkhot-Yisrael)". It is YHVH of Armies who ultimately brings Israel into array both physically and spiritually to face her enemies.

PLEASE PRAY: For the armies of Israel to come into array under the LORD of Hosts. Pray for the Messianic Believers in the Israeli Defense Force; they have organized, and many get together regularly on weekends for praise, worship and prayer. Favorable articles have appeared in Israeli newspapers in the past two years about the Messianic presence in Israel's military. Many of these soldiers have excelled, some gaining rank and favor and now themselves in positions of command. We know of cases in which some of these commanders have been actually encouraged by their superiors to share their faith with the others in their company. At present it is estimated that there are at least 300 Messianic believing soldiers in the Israeli military! But the battle against them by the Enemy is fierce. Please pray courage, integrity, cleanness, and close fellowship for these young men and women both with their LORD and each other, that they be a light of Truth and Life to their comrades. 

*Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19-20. "And YHVH went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud b y day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people." "And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night."

PLEASE PRAY: for Israel to be aware that God's presence is with her to lead and give light. For believers to apprehend His Presence.for an awareness of the presence of God's angels in the heavenlies round about us to lead, encourage and protect!  

*Exodus 14:13-14. "SET YOURSELF and SEE." "And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid! Stand still (NKJV)/Set Yourself (NASB)/Take Your Station (Robert Alter), and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall not continue to see forever and ever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."  

We would observe regarding the first part of Moses' admonition "Stand Still", that this is far from an indolent 'standing to the side'-rather, it is exactly the same word used by the Watchman standing his post in Habakkuk 2:1, "I will.set myself (NKJV)/station myself (NASB) on the rampart, and watch to see." As we are watchful at our stations, the LORD will be working his salvation on the battlefield. At the end of these readings Moses' station is on the hill with his hands raised as Joshua (meaning "The LORD is Salvation") is prevailing in physical combat on the plain below.  

Exodus 15:1-18 contains one of the most exalted, beautiful and truth-filled victory songs in any language:  

Shirat haYam-The Song of the Sea 

*15:2. "My strength and song is YAH; and He is become to me Salvation (Yeshuah); He is my God, and I will adorn Him with praises."

PLEASE PRAY: That present-day Israel will recognize that the LORD is indeed become her Salvation (The name Yeshua (Jesus) is a contraction combining the name of the LORD (YHVH) with the yesha, the root word meaning "Salvation"). 

*15:3. "YHVH (the LORD) is a man of war; YHVH is His name." This verse literally calls the LORD a "man". We do not believe this to be merely metaphorical. How could the Most High call Himself a man (Ish)-unless He would actually become one?

PLEASE PRAY: That the Holy Spirit will shine divine illumination onto his written Word-that minds will be opened to comprehend what is written about Yeshua (Jesus) in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44-45). 

*15:11. "Who is like You, YHVH, among the gods? Who is like You, sublime in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

PLEASE PRAY: that these wonderful attributes of the LORD will be released in new understanding in His congregation throughout the world-1. Sublime HOLINESS; 2. PRAISES in spirit and truth which nurture GODLY FEAR in His servants, terror in His enemies. 3. A release of signs and WONDERS in the name of His "holy servant Yeshua" (Acts 4:30). 


*15:17. "You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O YHVH, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, YHVH, which Your hands have established. YHVH shall reign forever and ever." This is a prophecy regarding what, hundreds of years later, came to be called the "Temple Mount" in Jerusalem. Since 1967, Israel has claimed sovereignty over this mountain. Yet non-Muslims are only allowed to ascend for a few specified hours on certain days of the week. It has been said that "the Last Battle will be fought over who will be worshipped on this mountain." Over the interior doors of the Dome of the Rock is a passage from the Muslim holy book proclaiming that that religion's deity "has no helper (son)". The Second Psalm of the Hebrew Bible says that the LORD not only has a Son, that Son will reign as King on that Mountain. In Ezekiel 20:40 the Lord GOD (Adonai YHVH) declares that "On My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel, there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them." At that time, it will truly be said that Israel has been "brought in and planted in the mountain". But at present, she is only a wary custodian of a highly disputed area inhabited by structures of desolation.

PLEASE PRAY: that God's King dom come and His will be done on the "mountain of His inheritance" in Jerusalem. We know teams of believers who ascend the mountain weekly to walk round it, praying this. Also, please pray for divine wisdom and guidance over our nation's leaders in how best to administer Israel's present governance of this holy site. 

*Exodus 15:26b. "For I am YHVH (The LORD) who heals you." 

PLEASE PRAY: For release, revelation and progression concerning the healing gifts in the Body of Messiah in Israel. 

*Exodus 16:8b. "Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD." A similar warning is echoed in the New Covenant in Acts 5:4, "You have not lied to men but to God." 

PLEASE PRAY: That the fear of the Lord would be on the Body of Messiah i n Israel regarding their honor and conduct towards God's appointed leaders.  

*Exodus 16:29. "See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath." Elohim blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Gen. 2:3a). Yeshua taught that "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27-28).

PLEASE PRAY: For Israel to be freed from the legalistic structures of man, and enter into the true Rest given by God. Pray especially for leaders in the Body of Messiah to not ignore the necessity of availing themselves of the rests God has ordained for His children. 

*Exodus 17:15-16. "And Moses built an altar and called its name, THE LORD IS MY BANNER; for he sai d, 'Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."  

The Hebrew for "banner" is nes ("my banner"-nissi). In modern Hebrew nes is also the word for "miracle". The Amalekites were a real people-who throughout the Scriptures epitomize and symbolize a covenant-hating spirit, specifically that of anti-Semitism. They were Israel's first enemies after leaving Egypt. They preyed on her, picking off the weak straggling in the rear (Deut. 25:17-19). God grants "no quarter" to those who threaten His Covenant purposes; their remembrance was to be "blotted out from under heaven." When King Saul failed to do this, it was an Amalekite who in the end claimed to have killed him. Centuries later, it would be Haman, a descendant of Agag (an Amalekite whom Saul also spared) who, as recorded in the Book of Esther, sought to ignite a Holocaust. With the hatred Satan has for Israel and her redemptive call, it is indeed a Divine Miracle flying over her which has sustained her and brought her, still an entity and with her ancient language re stored, back to her native Land. 

PLEASE PRAY: For revelation in Israel that it is only the Banner of YHVH (The LORD) flying over her which will protect her from annihilation.that the LORD is fighting for her.that His Banner over her is LOVE.  

*Judges 4:8. "And Barak said unto her [Deborah]: 'If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.'"  

We would suggest that Barak's error here was not fear or cowardice; he is, in fact, listed among the heroes of Faith in Hebrews 7. Moses had said something very similar to the LORD in Exodus 33:15, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here". But there, Moses was dismayed because He longed for the LORD's presence (face), and God had threatened to send an angel instead. In this passage, Deborah, who held the Office of Prophetic Judge over Israel had released God's Word of command over the warrior. Yet Barak seems not to have realized that in God's Word of Command would be God's presence and authority for the battle. He seems to have identified the divine power and authority with the vessel releasing the Word, rather than the Word itself, and thus felt it safer to have the prophetess along with the Word she had released (It is significant that when Deborah later released a further command, he corrected his error and without hesitation went like lightning (Hebrew: barak) down the mountain (4:14).

PLEASE PRAY: For a maturing in Israel of the Body of Messiah to the "prophetic." For re-establishment by the Holy Spirit of the Office of Prophet in Israel. For discernment and respect among believers for God's Word and how it relates to His government. For realization that on the Battlefield, instantaneous obedience to God-ordained authority structures is critical.   

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem 

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 27 January-2 February is called Yitro (Jethro): TORAH: Exodus 18:1-20:26; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:6-7]