於2013-03-15發佈

每週一妥拉 2013/3/10-3/16
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(3/10-3/16)稱為『呼叫』(VaYikra):『耶和華從會幕中呼叫摩西』
妥  拉: 利未記 1:1-6:7
先知書: 以賽亞書 43:21-44:23 

這週的閱讀帶領我們進入利未記。利未記這名稱來自希伯來聖經的希臘翻譯,意思是『與利未人有關的事物』。然而,希伯來名稱『VaYikra』(呼叫)是取自利未記的第一個字,提到主從會幕中『呼叫』摩西,給他指示。神不僅渴望住在我們當中─祂更渴望與我們說話和相交。在利未記有五十次寫到神對摩西說話,這卷書的重點在於聖潔─首要關注是會幕中的敬拜服事─是祭司型的代禱者或介於兩者之間的人可以代表百姓完成他們的工作。這週的內容與五種特定的獻祭型態有關(用每一章來區分):1. 燔祭;2. 素祭; 3. 平安祭; 4. 贖罪祭; 5-6:7贖愆祭。

先知書

這週的先知書(以賽亞書43:21-44:23)充滿大有能力的段落,來協助我們為以色列代禱。

以賽亞書43:21.『這百姓是我為自己所造的,好述說我的美德。』

以賽亞書43:25.『惟有我為自己的緣故塗抹你的過犯;我也不記念你的罪惡。』 

以賽亞書44:1-5. 『我的僕人雅各,我所揀選的以色列啊,現在你當聽。造作你,又從你出胎造就你,並要幫助你的耶和華如此說:我的僕人雅各,我所揀選的耶書崙哪,不要害怕! 因為我要將水澆灌口渴的人,將河澆灌乾旱之地。我要將我的靈澆灌你的後裔,將我的福澆灌你的子孫。他們要發生在草中,像溪水旁的柳樹。這個要說:我是屬耶和華的;那個要以雅各的名自稱;又一個要親手寫:歸耶和華的(或譯:在手上寫歸耶和華),並自稱為以色列。』

以賽亞書44:6-7. 『耶和華─以色列的君,以色列的救贖主─萬軍之耶和華如此說:我是首先的,我是末後的;除我以外再沒有真神。自從我設立古時的民,誰能像我宣告,並且指明,又為自己陳說呢?讓他將未來的事和必成的事說明。』
 
以賽亞書44:8. 『你們不要恐懼,也不要害怕。我豈不是從上古就說明指示你們嗎?並且你們是我的見證!除我以外,豈有真神嗎?誠然沒有磐石,我不知道一個! 』

以賽亞書44:21-22.『雅各,以色列啊,你是我的僕人,要記念這些事。以色列啊,你是我的僕人,我造就你必不忘記你。我塗抹了你的過犯,像厚雲消散;我塗抹了你的罪惡,如薄雲滅沒。你當歸向我,因我救贖了你。』
 
以賽亞書44:23. 『諸天哪,應當歌唱,因為耶和華做成這事。地的深處啊,應當歡呼;眾山應當發聲歌唱;樹林和其中所有的樹都當如此!因為耶和華救贖了雅各,並要因以色列榮耀自己。』 

請禱告

1.神的靈將澆灌雅各後裔乾旱口渴之地(44:3),好使她領悟到她受造的原因,她的命定與崇高呼召是為了『述說祂的美德』(43:21),見證她神─這磐石的美善 (44:8)。

2.禱告我們將明白我們一切的努力,甚至神聖的律法都無法拯救我們,惟有背負我們罪的主可以拯救我們,祂為自己的緣故塗抹我們的過犯(43:25),祂救贖了我們 (44:6, 22-23)。

3.禱告以色列『紀念』並『歸向』她的神 (44:21-22),這位首先與末後的神,以她的完全來看她─耶書崙:『正直的民』,神要因她榮耀自己! (44:2, 23)

下週的閱讀進度(3/17-3/23)被稱為『吩咐』(Tsav),妥拉─利未記6:8-8:36;先知書(大安息日Shabbat haGadol)─瑪垃基書3:4-4:6。

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 this week is called VaYikra-"And He called (to Moses)": 
TORAH: Leviticus 1:1-6:7
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 43:21-44:23 

This week's reading brings us into the Book of Leviticus. This name comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures and means "relating to the Levites". However, the Hebrew name VaYikra is drawn from the first word in the book and refers to the LORD "calling" to Moses from the Tent of Meeting to give him instructions. He not only desires to dwell among us-He longs to speak and commune with us. Some 50 times in this book it is written that God "spoke" to Moses. The book's emphasis is holiness-and regards primarily the services of worship at the Tabernacle-the way that the priestly intercess ors or 'go-betweens' could accomplish their work on behalf of the people. This week's portion pertains to five specific types of offerings (divided generally by chapters): 1. Burnt Offerings; 2. Grain Offerings; 3. Peace Offerings; 4. Sin Offerings; 5-6:7 Guilt Offerings.

Haftarah 

The Haftarah for the week (Isaiah 43:21-44:23) is filled with powerful passages to assist in our intercession for Israel. 

Isaiah 43:21. "This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare my praise." 

Isaiah 43:25. "I even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. 

Isaiah 44:1-3. "Yet hear me now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Thus says the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Yeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.' One will say, 'I and the LORD's; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write with his hand, 'the LORD's,' and name himself by the name of Israel." 

Isaiah 44:6-7. "Thus says YHVH, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, YHVH of Armies: 'I am First and I am Last; Besides Me there is no God." 

Isaiah 44:8. "Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one." 

Isaiah 44:21-22. "Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." 

Isaiah 44:23. "Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For YHVH has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel." 

PLEASE PRAY

That God's own Spirit will be poured out on the dry, thirsty ground of Jacob's descendants (44:3). That Israel come into realization that the reason for which she was formed, her very destiny and high call is to be "for Himself to declare His praise" (44:21)-to bear witness to the virtues of her God, the 'Rock' (44:8). That we will realize that all of our efforts, or even her holy laws cannot of themselves save us-it is God Himself who has borne our sin, who blots out our transgressions for His own sake (43:25), who redeems us (44:6, 22-23). Pray for the "remembering" and the "returning" of Israel to her God (44:21-22).a God who as First and Last, and sees her in her completion-Yeshurun -"Upright One" in whom He shall be glorified! (44:2, 23)  

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem 

[The Parashah for next week (17-23 March) is called Tsav-"Command!": TORAH: Levitic us 6:8-8:36; HAFTARAH (Shabbat haGadol) : Malachi 3:4-4:6]