CKI基督國度代禱團

   每週一妥拉 2013/9/1-9/7（+餘民原則(喬納)）

每週一妥拉 2013/9/1-9/7
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。

這週的閱讀進度（9/1-9/7）稱為『側耳聽』（Ha’azimr），讀經內容包括：
妥拉：申命記32:1-52
先知書：何西阿書14:1-9；約珥書2:15-27；彌迦書7:18-20

*在吹角節和贖罪日之間的安息日稱為『歸向安息日』（Sabbath of Return），因為特別的先知書閱讀始於何西阿書14:1：『以色列啊，你要歸向耶和華─你的神』。

這週的妥拉進度包括我們所謂的摩西之歌（這首歌記載在出埃及記15章跨越紅海之後，也常被稱為紅海之歌）。這是神賜給摩西的見證之歌，為要教導以色列兒女，當他們進入迦南地後，好讓他們教導他們的兒女。這首歌的一部份也在啟示錄15:2-4預言到，或許有一天會與羔羊之歌一同被唱到。這首歌包括聖經中一些的嚴重後果，會臨到那些站立在摩西面前卻選擇遠離神的後裔。但我們一定要看見早在前兩章（30:19-20），滿有憐憫的神是如何呼喚以色列：『要揀選生命，使你和你的後裔都得存活；且愛耶和華─你的神，聽從祂的話，專靠祂；因為祂是你的生命，你的日子長久也在乎祂。這樣，你就可以在耶和華向你列祖亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各起誓應許所賜的地上居住。』

*申命記32:3-4. 『我要宣告耶和華的名；你們要將大德歸與我們的神。祂是磐石，祂的作為完全；祂所行的無不公平，是誠實無偽的神，又公義，又正直。』

『磐石』這個字（希伯來文Tzur-石頭、峭壁、堡壘）在這首歌用到六次以上：神偉大的屬性（4節）；膏油/恩膏的來源（13節）；耶路撒冷救恩的來源；真正生以色列的那位（18節）；爭戰得勝之能力的來源（30節）。在13節提到的磐石（不是同一個希伯來字）是蜂蜜的來源。

*申命記 32:7a, 9a, 10-14. 『你當追想上古之日，思念歷代之年；耶和華的分本是祂的百姓。耶和華遇見他在曠野，就環繞他，看顧他，保護他，引導他，使他乘駕地的高處，又使他從磐石中咂蜜。』

請禱告：雅各當『追想上古之日』。

*申命記32:21b. 『我也要以那不成子民的觸動他們的憤恨，以愚昧的國民惹了他們的怒氣。』在羅馬書10:19和11:11-15，保羅引用同樣的經文是與救恩臨到外邦人有關，最後以色列的憤恨（妒忌）促使她被收納、重建，在世界各地帶出『死而復生』。

請禱告：彌賽亞的真光與真理可以在外邦人中被看見，因而在猶太人的意識中激起妒忌、聖潔的渴望，將他們吸引回歸真理的主。

*申命記32:36, 43b. 『耶和華見祂百姓毫無能力，無論困住的、自由的都沒有剩下，就必為他們伸冤，為祂的僕人後悔（憐憫）。因祂要伸祂僕人流血的冤，救贖祂的百姓。』

救恩總是經由信心的恩典而來，因著祂的憐憫而拯救我們。有趣的是，在這裡經文最後一句的希伯來文真的在說『祂會救贖祂的地祂的百姓。』在祂的地和百姓之間並沒有『和』，他們是不可分開的一體。神與亞伯拉罕、以撒與雅各和其子孫所立的永恆之約，永遠與祂所創造的一部份土地連結。這些百姓是祂的─祂所創造的地有特定的一部份是祂的，祂有全然主權決定將百姓與地連結在一起。當百姓犯罪時，地就被玷污，將他們驅逐出去。唯有神能提供必需的救贖來潔淨土地與百姓，再次將他們連結在一起。百姓還沒有全部潔淨，也還沒有全都再次與土地連結。但救贖已經做成，在這裡所用到救贖的字，就是贖罪日（Yom Kippur）所使用的字。

請禱告：從上頭來的光照亮這些話語，使猶太人在過今年贖罪日時，將會瞭解主已經『為祂的百姓伸冤』，已經『憐憫祂的百姓』，也已經『救贖祂的地祂的百姓』，不只是為著他們，更是為著祂所創造的全世界！。

*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?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?，赦免罪孽，饒恕?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。?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（9/8-9/14贖罪日），讀經內容包括：妥拉─利未記16:1-34；先知書─以賽亞書 57:14-58:14；約拿書全。

馬汀和娜瑪•賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷

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大使命34

餘民原則

這週我們將繼續談到餘民原則，以及要如何應用在今日。我會用一點點美國的歷史來說明，但不管你是來自哪個國家，許多相同的原則都可以應用。

倘若我們用信心的眼光來看餘民政策，其結果是非常激勵人的。只要一小部分的歷史就可以幫助我們更佳瞭解我們在哪裡，什麼可以決定我們的未來。

在美國獨立戰爭中，大約有三分之一的人是反對獨立的親英份子，此意味著他們想要繼續臣服在大英帝國的主權下。雖然此團體代表著廣大範圍的屬靈與政治信念，但他們多半是當時的保守派人士。

另有三分之一的美國人想要脫離大英帝國獨立，他們也涵蓋了大群的屬靈與政治派別。他們大部分是當時的自由派人士。

今日的保守黨不太能瞭解此事實，但它卻是如此真實。身為自由派或保守派並不代表你站在對的一方或錯的一方，要視問題而定。舉例來說，在共產主義下的保守派想要保存共產主義，而自由派人士則想要自由。保守或自由這幾個字並沒有改變，改變的是問題本身。

在獨立戰爭期間，大約有四成的人民既不是親英份子也不想獨立，他們是尚未決定的一群，哪一方贏就靠向哪一方，回應著雙方的暴行。我們已經成為一個國家長達二個半世紀之久，自由派、保守派和中間份子的比率並沒有太大的改變。

不論是哪一個黨派，美國獨立革命對每一個人而言皆極其艱辛，深深考驗著美國人的內心。我們現在正來到類似的時刻，所有人的心正受到挑戰。在美國歷史上只有在另一個時期有這種強度，那是在南北戰爭爆發前。改變是無法避免的，但路線卻可以。

這是否意味著我們正朝向在美國另一次類似的衝突？再一次，『倘若你不改變方向，最後你將朝著那方向前進。』我們正朝著美國另一個可怕的衝突前進，但它是可以避免的。我們仍有時間改變方向；然而，我們正在一個很大的十字路口，我們必須選擇一個方向。雖然終極問題將再次試驗我們的心，但這未必是件壞事。

就像獨立戰爭和南北戰爭的悲劇一樣，一些深度的問題需要在如此艱困的時期被處理。歷經這些異常的試煉，我們變成更好的國家，過程非常痛苦和血腥，我們處理的並不好。二場戰爭在我們國家的靈魂上留下嚴重的創傷，但也使我們變得更好。同樣地，我們可以在此時升起的衝突中做出另一次的跳躍。

造成獨立戰爭和南北戰爭的主要問題是自由，它再一次成為這次的主要問題。歐巴馬總統最近說美國必須在安全與自由之間做出選擇，那是一個令人發顫的陳述，嚇到許多人並不意外。即便如此，現在擺在我們面前的是先知性的選擇。我們會選哪一個？

我們應該問的一個明顯問題是：為何我們不能同時擁有兩者？有好的領導階層，我們可以擁有更多的自由與安全。然而，這需要一個不同於我們目前政治領導階層的思考方式。因此，我們必須在安全和自由之間做選擇。美國要如何選擇呢？

大約有三成的美國人會選擇安全，三成的美國人選擇自由，四成的美國人兩者皆可，取決於他們可以有多少安全來放棄自由或有多少自由來放棄安全。這是一個新浮現的斷層線，誰拿到了主動權就可以對美國未來有最大的影響。

儘管我們分成三比三比四的比例，但只要有百分之二充滿熱情與決心的人，就可能改變其他人的路線。先不管宣傳數字，百分之二大約就是美國同性戀的真正百分比，只因為他們比持有聖經道德觀的人更有決心，對自己的理念更有熱情，他們正在贏得美國靈魂的文化之戰。倘若有百分之十的基督徒對主有類似的熱情，國家的路線就可以改變。

(摘自喬納 word for the week, Week 34, 2013)

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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 weekend 7 September is called Ha'azinu-"Give Ear!":
Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-52
Haftarah (Shabbat Shuvah-"Sabbath of Return"):
Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20, Joel 2:15-27

*The Sabbath falling between Yom T'Ruah ("Day of Sounding the Shofar") and Yom Kippur ("Day of Atonement") is called Shabbat Shuvah-"Sabbath of Return" because the special Haftarah used on that day begins with Hosea 14:2, "Return O Israel".

The Torah Portion this weekend is comprised of what is often called the Song of Moses (The song recorded in Exodus 15 after crossing the Red Sea is more often known as the Song of the Sea). It is a song of testimony which God gave to Moses to teach to the Children of Israel, who in turn were to teach it to their children after they had crossed into Canaan. Perhaps it is portions of this song which are prophesied in Revelation 15:2-4 as someday being sung with the Song of the Lamb. This song contains some of the grimmest promises in Scripture of the consequences awaiting the descendants of those standing before Moses when they choose to go away from the Life-God. But it must be seen in a context of the merciful God calling out to Israel two chapters earlier (30:19-20): "Choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love YHVH your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which YHVH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

*Deuteronomy 32:3-4. "For the name of YHWH I proclaim, give greatness to our God! The Rock, whole-and-perfect are his deeds, for all his ways are just. A God steadfast, (with) no corruption, equitable and upright is he" (Everett Fox Translation).

This word "rock" (Hebrew: Tzur-a rock, a cliff, a fortress) is used over six times in this song: It is one of the attributes of God's greatness (vs. 4); a source of oil/anointing (vs. 13b); the source of Jerusalem's salvation (vs. 15b); the One from whom Israel was actually birthed (vs. 18); the source of strength for victory in warfare (vs. 30). In verse 13a the rock (a different Hebrew word) is a source of honey or sweetness.

*Deuteronomy 32:7a, 9a, 10-14. "Remember the days of old.For the LORD's portion is His people.He found him.encircled him.instructed him.guarded him.led him.made him ride on heights.made him suckle honey from the rock."

PLEASE PRAY: That Jacob "remember the days of old."

*Deuteronomy 32:21b. "But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation." In Romans 10:19 and 11:11-15, Paul quotes this verse as actually being related to salvation coming to the Gentiles and eventually, through Israel's jealousy precipitating her own restoration, which will in turn release "life from the dead" throughout the world.

PLEASE PRAY: For the light and truth of Messiah among Gentiles to be seen and to awaken in Jewish consciousness a jealousy, a holy longing, which will draw them back to the Truth.

*Deuteronomy 32:36, 43b. "For the LORD will judge His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining, bond or free.He will provide atonement for His land and His people." Salvation has always come by Grace through Faith. It is according to Hi s mercy that He saves us. It is interesting here that in the Hebrew the last line of this poem reads literally, "and will atone His land His people." There is no "and" between the Land and the People, they are together-indivisible-ONE. The eternal Covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their seed is forever connected with a certain portion of the earth (adama) which He has created. The people are "His"-this particular portion of the earth He had created is His-He has sovereignly determined that they be and remain together.

The people sinned; the land was polluted and expelled them. Only God could provide the necessary atonement to cleanse the Land, and the People-and to bring them together again. The people are not yet all clean, they have not all been reunited with the Land. But the atonement has been made. The word for atonement here is that from which Yom Kippur takes its name-a holy covering.

PLEASE PRAY: For light from above to illumine these words-that Jews, as they experience Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement this year, will gain understanding that the LORD has "judged His people"-has "had compassion on His servants", and that He has "made atonement for His Land-His People"-and not for them only but for all His world!

*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

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 8-14 September (Yom Kippur): TORAH: Leviticus 16:1-34; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 57:14-58:14; Book of JONAH]

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The Remnant Principle - The Great Commission, Part 34
Week 34, 2013
Rick Joyner

This week we will continue to cover the remnant principle and how it applies to today. I will use a bit of our American history for this, but regardless of what country you are from, many of these same principles will apply.

The conclusion of the remnant principle is very encouraging, if we see it through the eyes of faith. A little history can help us better understand where we are and what can determine our future.

During the American Revolutionary War, about one-third of Americans were Loyalists, which means they wanted to remain submitted to the British Crown. Though this group represented a broad spectrum of spiritual and political beliefs, they were mostly the period’s conservatives.

About one-third of Americans wanted independence from Great Britain, and they too included a broad spectrum of spiritual and political persuasions. They were mostly the liberals of the time.

Conservatives today have a hard time grasping this fact, but it is true. Being liberal or conservative does not mean that you are on the right or wrong side of an issue. It depends on the issue. For example, conservatives under Communism were those who wanted to preserve Communism, while liberals wanted freedom. The meaning of these words does not change, but the issues do.

During the Revolutionary War, about 40% of the people were neither Loyalists nor did they want independence. They were the undecided ones, leaning either way based on anything from who was winning, to a reaction to the atrocities that were common on both sides. In the two and a half centuries in which we have been a nation, this ratio of committed conservatives, committed liberals, and those in-between, has not changed much. atrocity

Regardless of the group, the American Revolution was an extremely difficult time for everyone. It profoundly tried the hearts of all Americans. We are now in similar times. The hearts of all are being challenged. The only other time this has happened to this degree in American history was immediately preceding the Civil War. Change is inevitable, but the course it takes is not.

Does this mean we are headed for another similar conflict in America? Again, “If you do not change your direction, you will end up where you are headed.” We are headed for another terrible conflict in America, but it is not necessary. There is still time to change our direction. However, we are at a major crossroad. We must choose a direction. Though ultimate issues will profoundly try our hearts again, that can be a good thing.

As tragic as both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were, those extremely difficult times demanded that profound issues be dealt with. Through both of these extreme trials, we came out a much better nation. It was painful and bloody, and it was not done anywhere close to perfectly in either case. Both wars left serious wounds on the soul of our nation, but they also left us better. We can, likewise, make another leap forward through the rising conflict of our times.

The main issue that resulted in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War was freedom. That is again the main issue. President Obama recently stated that Americans are going to have to choose between security and freedom. That was a chilling statement, and understandably shocking to many. Even so, it was prophetic of the choice that is now before us. Which will we choose?

An obvious question we should be asking is why can’t we have both? With good leadership, we could have much more freedom with even more security. However, this would require a different way of thinking than our present political leadership thinks. So we will have to choose between security and freedom. How will American’s choose?

There is evidence that about 30% of Americans would choose security over freedom. About 30% would choose freedom over security. About 40% could go either way, depending on how much security they would have to give up for freedom, or how much freedom they would have to give up for security. This is an emerging major fault line, and who seizes the initiative could have the greatest impact on the future of America.

Even though we remain divided by the 30-30-40 ratios, it will likely be a passionate and resolute 2% that will set the course for the rest. Regardless of the propaganda, this is about the true percentage of gays in America, who are winning the culture war for the soul of America because they are more resolute, with more passion for their cause than those who hold to biblical standards of morality. If just 10% of Christians had a similar passion for their Lord, the course of the nation would change.