於2013-03-08發佈

每週一妥拉 2013/3/3-3/9
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(3/3-3/9)是『雙倍閱讀』: 
 
『招聚』(VaYakhel)
妥 拉 : 出埃及記35:1-38:20 

『總數』(P'kudei)
妥 拉 : 出埃及記38:21-40:38 

加上『正月安息日』的額外閱讀(參考下面):
妥 拉 : 出埃及記12:1-20
先知書: 以西結書45:16-46:18

註:正如上週一樣,這週亦是逾越節前四個特別安息日之一,有額外的妥拉閱讀,先知書內容也更換了,額外的妥拉閱讀稱為『正月閱讀』(HaChodesh),因為是希伯來曆正月開始前的最後一個安息日(今年是在3月11日日落開始)。除了額外的妥拉閱讀,先知書也從原來的列王記上(7:13-26, 40-50和7:51-8:21)變為以西結書。 

I.『招聚』(VaYakhel)
妥 拉 : 出埃及記35:1-38:20

*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仔細地重複早先在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、才幹與時間都能捐得甘心『樂意』(林後9:7),不單是出於『律例』─更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。

II.『總數』(P'kudei)
妥 拉 : 出埃及記38:21-40:38

神榮耀的彰顯Shekinah

*這週妥拉讀經結束在會幕工作的完成(39:32)、帳幕被立起來(40:17),以及主用祂的榮耀充滿在其中─在前往迦南的路上住在祂百姓中間。同樣地,先知書結束在約櫃從大衛城運送到新的聖殿,被放在至聖所,神的榮光充滿了殿(王上8:11)。

雖然sh'chinah (英文: shekinah)這個字沒有出現在聖經裡,但有時人們會用這個字作為神榮耀的光在地上的彰顯。sh'chinah這個字與lishkon(有著居住,與某人為鄰之意)為相關字,代表神強烈渴望『住在』祂子民中間。出埃及記29:45-46:『我要住在以色列人中間,作他們的神。他們必知道我是耶和華─他們的神,是將他們從埃及地領出來的,為要住在他們中間。我是耶和華─他們的神。』撒迦利亞書2:11:『我要住在你中間,你就知道萬軍之耶和華差遣我到你那裡去了。』

請禱告:喚起以色列對主同在回到聖地的渴望;禱告在信徒當中為祂的榮耀預備道路時的恩典,並禱告以色列人在彌賽亞回來前能得著啟示,祂榮耀的靈是有可能居住在祂子民的心中─好與他們相交、鼓勵他們、帶領他們,就好像祂同在的雲柱與火柱在曠野裡一樣。 

祂的救恩誠然與敬畏祂的人相近,叫榮耀住在我們的地上。』(詩篇85:9)
耶和華說:我要作耶路撒冷四圍的火城,並要作其中的榮耀。』(撒迦利亞書2:5)

下週的閱讀進度(3/10-3/16)被稱為『呼叫』(VaYikra),妥拉─利未記1:1-6:7;先知書─以賽亞書43:21-44:23。

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 portion for this week, 3-9 March, is a "double reading": 

VaYakhel-"And he assembled"-
TORAH: Exodus 35:1-38:20 

P'kudei-"Accountings of"
TORAH: 38:21-40:38 

Plus additional "Shabbat haChodesh" readings (See below): 
TORAH: Exodus 12:1-20
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 

Note: As with last week, this is one of four special Shabbats before Passover having additional Torah and replacement Haftarah readings. This one is called HaChodesh-"The Month"-since it is the last Shabbat before Chodesh haChodeshim, the "Beginning of Months" in the Hebrew religious calendar (which this year begins at sundown on the 11th of March). It contains an additional Torah reading (see above); and the usual Haftarot (I Kings 7:13-26, 40-50 and 7:51-8:21) are replaced by the reading from Ezekiel.) 

I. VaYakhel
TORAH: Exodus 35:1-38:20

*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 chapters 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). 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.  

II. P'kudei
TORAH: Exodus 38:21-40:38 

Shekinah

*THIS TORAH PORTION ends with the completion of the work of the Tabernacle (39:32), its erection (40:17), and the coming of the manifest Presence of the LORD to fill it with His Glory-that He might dwell among His people in their travel to Canaan. Similarly, the Haftarah ends with the Ark of the Covenant being brought up to the new Temple from the City of David, being placed in its inner court-and with the cloud of God's glory filling the House of the LORD (I Kings 8:11).  

Although the word does not appear in the Bible, a name sometimes given to the manifestation of the Light of God's Glory on Earth is sh'chinah (English: shekinah). It is related to the word lishkon-"to dwell, to "neighbor", a fulfillment of God's intense desire and purpose to "dwell" among, near to His people. Exodus 29:45: 'I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am YHVH their God'; Zechariah 2:11: 'And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.'  

PLEASE PRAY: for an awakened longing in Israel for the Presence of the LORD to return to His Land. Pray for grace among us as Believers in preparing the way for His Glory. And pray for revelation among Israelis that preceding Messiah's physical return to the Land, it is possible for His glorious Spirit to take up residence within the individual hearts of all of His people-to commune with them and encourage them, and to lead, even as did the cloud and the fire of His presence in the wilderness. 

"Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell [lishkon] in our land" (Psalm 85:9). 
" 'For I,' says the LORD, 'will be a wall of fire all around her [i.e. Jerusalem], and I will be the glory in her midst'" (Zechariah 2:5).  

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem 

[The Parasha for next week (March 10-16) is called VaYikra-"And He Called": TORAH: Leviticus 1:1-6:7; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 43:21-44:23]