CKI基督國度代禱團

 每週一妥拉 2013/9/29-10/5（+真正的使者(喬納)）

每週一妥拉 2013/9/29-10/5
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（9/29-10/5）稱為『挪亞』（Noach），這個名字有安息、沈著、安慰與慰藉之意。

妥拉：創世記6:9-11:32
先知書：以賽亞書54:1-55:5

備註：因為希伯來曆第八個月的『月朔/新月』剛好在這星期六，所以許多猶太會堂會以特別的先知書閱讀作為取代：以賽亞書66:1-24, 23。

*創世記 6:9. 『挪亞是個義人，在當時的世代是個完全人。挪亞與神同行。』

『完全』（perfect）這個字在詩篇25:21又翻成『純全』（integrity）：『願純全、正直保守我，因為我等候你。』在詩篇101篇當大衛論到當如何行在他家中，3次使用到這個字。他說：『我要用智慧行完全的道。你幾時到我這裡來呢？我要存完全的心行在我家中。邪僻的事，我都不擺在我眼前；悖逆人所做的事，我甚恨惡，不容沾在我身上。彎曲的心思，我必遠離；一切的惡人（或譯：惡事），我不認識。』(詩篇101:2-4)

*創世記 6:11-13. 『世界在神面前敗壞，地上滿了強暴。神觀看世界，見是敗壞了；凡有血氣的人在地上都敗壞了行為。神就對挪亞說：凡有血氣的人，他的盡頭已經來到我面前；因為地上滿了他們的強暴，我要把他們和地一併毀滅。』

血氣之人的領導帶來敗壞與毀滅，新約對末後的預言說那會再次『像挪亞的日子一樣』。撒迦利亞書2:11-13指示我們在末後的日子，當彌賽亞要再次收回猶大、揀選耶路撒冷，當主從祂聖所興起時，對信徒而言很重要的是他們要對血氣說『安靜下來』（13節）。我們若沒有在聖靈的能力中釘死我們的血氣，它將會成為我們的敗壞，就像挪亞的日子一樣。

*創世記6:14.『你要用歌斐木造一隻方舟，分一間一間地造，裡外抹上松香。』這裡『方舟』的希伯來文是teva ，指的是盒子或箱子（以色列今日的信箱就是用這個字）。出埃及記2:3用來裝小摩西的箱子亦是同一個字（約櫃則使用不同的希伯來文）。

在這裡顯出極大的救贖景象，經文中提到的『抹上』(cover)和『松香』(pitch)與救贖的字相通。使徒保羅描繪出約櫃如同在耶穌裡的救恩，我們的良心藉由祂的受死與復活而被施洗(彼前3:18-22)。

*創世記7:4.『因為再過七天，我要降雨在地上四十晝夜。』是神『降雨在地上』。我們現在正進入以色列『秋雨』的時節（會在秋天和早冬臨到，『春雨』則會在晚冬和早春臨到）。

請禱告：神會憐憫以色列，敞開天上的窗戶，正如祂在挪亞的日子所做的─不是為著審判而是為著憐憫。正如我們先前所提到的，在以賽亞書41:17-20說到，當以色列為著水而向神哭求，神會垂聽─祂會做創造性的事，在想不到的地方釋放出水來─到最後『好叫人看見、知道、思想、明白；這是耶和華的手所做的，是以色列的聖者所造的。』

*創世記7:15. 『凡有血肉、有氣息的活物，都一對一對地到挪亞那裡，進入方舟。』

*創世記9:3.『凡活著的動物都可以作你們的食物。這一切我都賜給你們，如同菜蔬一樣。』神是唯一將肉與菜蔬『賜給』人吃的那位，關於個人決定吃肉或不吃肉，我們需要尊重個人在神面前的良心。然而，有些人教導不吃肉是神的主意，因為在伊甸園和洪水前的食物都沒有肉，這種說法並不符合這段經文。

*創世記9:4. 『惟獨肉帶著血，那就是他的生命，你們不可吃。』『生命』的希伯來文是 chaim，但在這裡卻用『靈魂』(nephesh)這個字，這句話應是：『惟獨肉帶著血，那就是他的靈魂，你們不可吃。』

在利未記17:13-14重申此：『凡以色列人，或是寄居在他們中間的外人，若打獵得了可吃的禽獸，必放出他的血來，用土掩蓋。論到一切活物的生命（靈魂），就在血中。所以我對以色列人說：無論什麼活物的血，你們都不可吃，因為一切活物的血就是他的生命（靈魂）。凡吃了血的，必被剪除。』

在創世記2:7，『耶和華神用地上的塵土造人，將生氣（生命）吹在他鼻孔裡，他就成了有靈（靈魂）的活人，名叫亞當』。

當該隱謀殺亞伯，『他兄弟的血有聲音從地裡向神哀告』。犯了罪的靈魂必須死，所有人都犯了罪，所以死亡在亞當的後代中掌權，只有一位除外─由童女所生救主的血除外，耶穌這位『末後的亞當』純淨沒有犯罪(希伯來書4:15)。因此，『祂必洗淨許多國民』(以賽亞書52:15)，『這血所說的比亞伯的血所說的更美』(希伯來書12:24)。神以『祂（靈魂）為贖罪祭』(以賽亞書53:10)，用祂所流的血，『祂將命（靈魂）傾倒』，並『擔當多人的罪』(以賽亞書53:12)。

*創世記 9:20-21. 『挪亞作起農夫來，栽了一個葡萄園。他喝了園中的酒便醉了（希伯來文字根shekhar），在帳棚裡赤著身子。』

這是聖經第一處提到酒醉；酒的希伯來文是ya'in，濃酒和醉酒的希伯來文字根是shekhar。在這週的閱讀中，挪亞栽了一個發酵後會醉的作物葡萄，因誤用而招致羞辱。倘若一個人沒有智慧的容許自己被酒精誤導，終會使人褻慢進而產生愚蠢與暴力的行為。

(箴言. 20:1) 『酒能使人褻慢，濃酒(shekhar)使人喧嚷；凡因酒錯誤的，就無智慧。』

神對犯了誤用酒精的宗教領袖說了很嚴重的警告：他們敗壞事奉的榮美，他們若是祭司，神裝備他們用來服事的先知性異象和判斷將會失去準確性。

(以賽亞書 28:1, 7) 『禍哉！以法蓮的酒徒(shekhar)，住在肥美谷的山上，他們心裡高傲，以所誇的為冠冕，猶如將殘之花。就是這地的人也因酒搖搖晃晃，因濃酒東倒西歪(shekhar)。祭司和先知因濃酒搖搖晃晃(shekhar)，被酒所困，因濃酒東倒西歪(shekhar)。他們錯解默示，謬行審判。』

但聖經並沒有說適量的喝酒有罪；事實上，神本是要讓酒成為人的喜樂和祝福，倘若是在神面前這麼做（在祂同在的光中）：申命記14:22-26：『你要把你撒種所產的，就是你田地每年所出的，十分取一分；又要把你的五穀、新酒、和油的十分之一，並牛群羊群中頭生的，吃在耶和華─你神面前，就是他所選擇要立為他名的居所。這樣，你可以學習時常敬畏耶和華─你的神。當耶和華─你神賜福與你的時候，耶和華─你神所選擇要立為他名的地方若離你太遠，那路也太長，使你不能把這物帶到那裡去，你就可以換成銀子，將銀子包起來，拿在手中，往耶和華─你神所要選擇的地方去。你用這銀子，隨心所欲，或買牛羊，或買清酒濃酒(shekhar)，凡你心所想的都可以買；你和你的家屬在耶和華─你神的面前吃喝快樂。』

創世記 43:34說：『約瑟把他面前的食物分出來，送給他們（他的兄弟）；但便雅憫所得的比別人多五倍。他們就飲酒（他的兄弟），和約瑟一同宴樂。』約翰福音2:1-11耶穌第一個被記錄下來的神蹟，祂在一個猶太婚禮中『彰顯祂的榮耀』，使水變酒。

但卻不是醉酒，而是在聖靈的節制中飲酒(加拉太書 5:16-26)。有些信徒可能被引導禁戒濃酒，有些人則選擇許下拿細耳人的願將自己分別為聖，在許願期間清酒和濃酒(shekhar)都不喝(民數記 6:2-4)。自由喝酒的人亦不能去論斷或強迫那些良心不容他喝酒的人(羅馬書 14)。

『你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。不要作糊塗人，要明白主的旨意如何。不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。當用詩章、頌詞、靈歌、彼此對說，口唱心和的讚美主。凡事要奉我們主耶穌基督的名常常感謝父神。又當存敬畏基督的心，彼此順服。』(以弗所書5:15-21)

*創世記10:25.『希伯生了兩個兒子，一個名叫法勒【法勒就是分的意思】，因為那時人就分地居住。』分這個字也有『分開』與『斷成好幾部分』的意思。一些人建議說這裡可能真的提到有一個時期，有一些大洲改變成現代地圖的模樣，這也可以解釋從伊甸流出的四道河(創世記2:10-14)，何以不再顯出如此的相關性。

還有一些人則認為在此改變以前，伊甸園是被放在今日的耶路撒冷，將『首先的亞當』犯罪之地藉著『末後的亞當』耶穌以死來贖回。有趣的是，在猶太人傳統的教導亞當和夏娃被葬在希伯崙，當年亞伯拉罕購買用來埋在撒拉的土地上，距離耶路撒冷只有三十公里(創世記 23)，最終亞伯拉罕、撒拉、以撒、利百加、雅各和利亞都葬在那裡。

先知書

這週的先知書閱讀充滿神對祂子民的心腸與憐憫計畫；我們可以祈求神使用這些經文來協助我們禱告，禱告這週在會堂裡聽見這些經文的人，在靈魂深處能湧出屬天的啟示！禱告以色列將知道她是蒙愛的，她會認她的罪，成認她需要一位救贖主，並瞭解到主是她唯一的救贖主，她的公義將從祂而來！

*以賽亞書54:5. 『因為造你的是你的丈夫；萬軍之耶和華是祂的名。救贖你的是以色列的聖者；祂必稱為全地之神。』這位全地之神選擇將自己與祂賜給祂僕人雅各─以色列的名連在一起。凡不謙卑自己來承認此『身份』的國家，將發現自己正在抵擋這位萬國與全宇宙的神。

*以賽亞書54:7-10.『我離棄你不過片時，卻要施大恩將你收回。我的怒氣漲溢，頃刻之間向你掩面，卻要以永遠的慈愛憐恤你。這是耶和華─你的救贖主說的。這事在我好像挪亞的洪水。我怎樣起誓不再使挪亞的洪水漫過遍地，我也照樣起誓不再向你發怒，也不斥責你。大山可以挪開，小山可以遷移；但我的慈愛必不離開你；我平安的約也不遷移。這是憐恤你的耶和華說的。』

*以賽亞書54:13-15. 『你的兒女都要受耶和華的教訓；你的兒女必大享平安。你必因公義得堅立，必遠離欺壓，不致害怕；你必遠離驚嚇，驚嚇必不臨近你。即或有人聚集，卻不由於我；凡聚集攻擊你的，必因你仆倒（或譯：投降你）。』

*以賽亞書54:17. 『凡為攻擊你造成的器械必不利用；凡在審判時興起用舌攻擊你的，你必定他為有罪。這是耶和華僕人的產業，是他們從我所得的義。這是耶和華說的。』

*以賽亞書55:1-3. 『你們一切乾渴的都當就近水來；沒有銀錢的也可以來。你們都來，買了吃；不用銀錢，不用價值，也來買酒和奶。你們為何花錢（原文是平銀）買那不足為食物的？用勞碌得來的買那不使人飽足的呢？你們要留意聽我的話就能吃那美物，得享肥甘，心中喜樂。你們當就近我來；側耳而聽，就必得活。我必與你們立永約，就是應許大衛那可靠的恩典。』

下週的閱讀（10/6-12）稱為離開（Lech Lecha），讀經進度為妥拉：創世記12:1-17:27；先知書：以賽亞書40:27-41:16。

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

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大使命38

真正的使者

當我們對人的信心超過對神的信心時，我們傾向將我們的安全感和自信心建立在有多少人認同我們的看法上。耶穌則有不同的觀點，祂在路加福音六章26節說：

人都說你們好的時候，你們就有禍了！因為他們的祖宗待假先知也是這樣。

值得注意的是，在歷史上一些偉大的聲音，他們的觀點後來也被證實是真的，當時卻總遭到大多數人的抵擋，而且常常是孤軍奮戰。我們在初代的使徒身上看見此；即便如此，倘若我們知道自己是被神差派，並知道是從祂那領受信息，那人們怎麼想我們就真的不太重要了。

正如保羅說：『我現在是要得人的心呢？還是要得神的心呢？我豈是討人的喜歡嗎？若仍舊討人的喜歡，我就不是基督的僕人了。』 尋求人認同或鼓勵的心態可能會是我們最大的絆腳石，使我們無法成為真正傳神信息的使者。保羅對此非常瞭解，當他的使徒權柄受到挑戰時，他指出他所受到的痛苦和逼迫證明他真是一位使徒。這與今日宣稱自己是使徒的人有著何等的不同？

當然，也不能單因為有許多人不聽我們的，就證明我們是對的，我們必須留心一些警告，例如馬太福音二十四章12-13節：

只因不法的事增多，許多人/多數人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。

倘若我們是從群眾得著我們的安全感，而非從主得著，我們將跟隨群眾而非跟隨主。主沒有說『一些人』或『很多人』的愛心冷淡了，而是說『多數人』。倘若我們傾向跟隨群眾，我們最後會被蒙蔽，就像『全以色列都走迷了』，跟隨押沙龍來攻擊他的父親大衛王。

這樣的事怎麼會發生在以色列？從那時起同樣的方式已發生過許多次，至今仍持續在發生。押沙龍就像一位很好的政客，他會見百姓，對他們的問題表現出同情心。因為他是很好的政客，他逐漸增加在人們身上的影響力。後來大衛和拔示巴犯的罪曝了光，你一定認為神當然會因為大衛犯了如此邪惡的罪而離開他。然而，神比人有恩典多了，祂並沒有棄絕大衛。祂因為愛大衛而管教他，卻從沒有離開他或棄絕他。

撒督是押沙龍背叛時期的大祭司，他冒著失去事奉，甚至生命的危險，抬起約櫃來跟從大衛進入看似毫無勝算的局面。就算『全以色列』都跟隨押沙龍，撒督分辨出恩膏仍在大衛身上，主仍與大衛同在。因此，他孤注一擲來跟隨主。那是相當不尋常的屬靈分辨力和信心，這就是這些時候我們迫切需要的屬靈領袖。

過了許多世紀之後，主透過以西結先知賜給撒督一個最棒的稱讚。主說『撒督的子孫』可以親近祂，事奉祂，並且侍立在祂面前（參考以西結書44:15-16）。所以，今日誰是撒督的子孫？

當法利賽人告訴耶穌他們得以自由，是因為他們是亞伯拉罕的兒子，耶穌回應他們說，他們若是亞伯拉罕的兒子，就必行亞伯拉罕所行的事（參考約翰福音8:39-41）。同樣地，撒督真正的子孫就是那些行撒督所行之事的人─甚至當他們是少數或只有一人，甚至要付上一切代價，甚至可能是生命的代價，他們仍跟隨主到底。今日我們迫切需要『撒督的子孫』。

(摘自喬納 word for the week, Week 38, 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 readings for this week are called Noach-"Noah"-a name related to rest, calm, comfort and consolation.

TORAH: Genesis 6:9-11:32
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Note: Because the "head" of the eighth month on the Hebrew calendar (Rosh Chodesh Bul/Cheshvan), falls on this coming Saturday, many Synagogues will substitute a special Haftarah reading: Isaiah 66:1-24, 23).

*Genesis 6:9. "Noah was a just man, perfect (or, "blameless") in his generations; Noah walked with God."

"Perfect" of "Blameless" is a form of the Hebrew word tome translated "integrity" in Psalm 25:21: "Let integrity and uprightness guard me for I wait for you" (NKJV). In Psalm 101 David uses this word three times regarding his walk within his house. He tells us, "I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house. I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away, it shall not cling to me. (Psalm 101:2-4)

*Genesis 6:11-13. "Now the earth had gone to ruin before God, the earth was filled with wrongdoing. God saw the earth, and here: it had gone to ruin, for all flesh had ruined its way upon the earth. God said to Noah: An end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with wrongdoing through them: here, I am about to bring ruin upon them, along with the earth" (Everett Fox translation; emphases ours).

Flesh, given its lead, brings ruin and destruction. In the New Covenant Yeshua prophesied that in latter days, it will again be "as it was in the days of Noah". Zechariah 2:11-13 instructs us that in those days, as Messiah draws near to "again take possession of Judah and to choose Jerusalem", and the LORD is "aroused from His holy habitation", it will be imperative for Believers that they (as did Noah) say "HUSH" (Hebrew: Hass! Vs 13) to the flesh. Either we crucify it in the power of the Holy Spirit, or it will, as in the days of Noah, be our ruin.

*Genesis 6:14. "Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms [or nests] in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch." The English word "ark" is used here for Hebrew teva which means a box or case (the word is used for 'mailbox' in Israel today). It is the same as that used to shelter the baby Moses in Exodus 2:3 (The "Ark of the Covenant" uses a different Hebrew word).

There is much redemption pictured here. The very word translated "cover" and "pitch" (kopher) is identical with the word for atonement. In I Peter 3:18-22 the apostle Peter pictures the ark as a type of our salvation in Yeshua, our consciences being baptized through His death and resurrection.

*Genesis 7:4. "For after seven more days, I will cause it to rain on the earth." It is God who "causes it to rain on the earth".As mentioned last week, we have now entered into the time of the "Former Rains" in Israel (these come in the fall and winter, the "Latter Rains" come in spring). PLEASE PRAY that God will have mercy upon Israel and, as He did in Noah's day, open the windows of heaven-not for judgment but in mercy. As we have often mentioned, Isaiah 41:17-20 speaks of a time when Israel will cry out for water and be heard by her God-Who will do creative works to release water in unexpected places to the end "that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."

*Genesis 7:15. "They (the animals) came to Noah into the ark.of all flesh in which is the spirit of life".

*Genesis 9:4a. "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs (NKJV). God is the One who has now "given" humankind meat to eat, as well as plants. We are to honor each man's conscience before God with regard to personal decisions to eat or not eat meat. However, it is difficult to reconcile with this Scripture the teachings of some who hold that God's ideal for humankind today is the meatless sustenance afforded them in Eden and before the Flood.

*Genesis 9:4b. "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

The word usually translated "life" in Hebrew is chaim. Yet here, the word nephesh-"soul" is used-"But you shall not eat flesh with its soul, that is, its blood."

This will be reiterated in Leviticus 17:13-14, "Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the soul of all flesh. Its blood sustains its soul. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the soul of all flesh is its blood."

In Genesis 2:7, "The LORD God formed man of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [i.e. chaim], and man became a living soul [i.e. nephesh]."

When Cain murdered Abel, the "voice of [his] brothers blood cried out" to God from the ground.

The soul that sins must die, and all have sinned.so death reigns in the very blood-line of all children of Adam. Except for One. The Blood of the virgin-born Savior, the "Second Adam", Yeshua, was pure and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Thus, it could "sprinkle many nations" (Isaiah 52:15) with a "sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). God made "His soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10)-and with the sheddi ng of His blood, "He poured out His soul (nephesh) unto death" and "bore the sin of many" (53:12).

*Genesis 9:20-21. "And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was intoxicated (root: shekhar), and became uncovered in his tent."

This is the first place in the Bible where intoxicating drink is mentioned. The Hebrew word for wine is ya'in, and the root word for both intoxicating drink and "becoming intoxicated" is shekhar. In this week's reading, Noah discovered the intoxicating properties of fermented grape juice and was put to shame by its misuse. If one unwisely allows oneself to be led astray by alcohol, it becomes a mocker leading into foolish acts and violence.

(Prov. 20:1) "Wine is a mocker, Strong drink (shekhar) is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

God speaks an extremely serious warning to religious leaders who err in the misuse of alcohol: they tarnish the beauty of the ministry wh ich they lead, and if they persist, the prophetic vision and judgment with which God equipped them for administration over His people will begin to fail them.

(Isaiah 28:1, 7) "Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards (shekhar) of Ephraim , whose glorious beauty is a fading flower which is at the head of the verdant valleys, to those who are overcome with wine!...But they have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink (shekhar) are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink (shekhar), they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink (shekhar) ; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment" (Emphases ours).

Yet the Bible does not teach that partaking of wine in moderation is sin; in fact, it strongly implies that God intends such drink may be a joy and a blessing for humankind if taken as before the LORD our God (in the light of His presence): Deuteronomy 14:22-26-"You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or strong drink (shekhar), for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household " (Emphases ours). Genesis 43:34-"So they (i.e. Joseph's brothers) drank and were merry (shekhar) with him." John 2:1-11- Yeshua's first recorded miracle in which He "manifested His glory" was turning water at a Jewish wedding into wine.

Yet, not in drunkenness, but in the self-control (temperance) of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). Believers may be led to abstain from strong drink, as those who chose to separate themselves to the Lord by a Nazirite vow would abstain from wine and strong drink (shekhar) all the days of their separation (Numbers 6:2-4). Nor are those who move in a freedom to drink wine to judge or seek to coerce those whose conscience forbids them from that freedom (Romans 14).

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, submitting to one another out of reverence for Messiah."

(Ephesians 5:18)

*Genesis 10:25. "To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." The word may mean "split apart", "broken away into sections." Some have suggested that this may actually allude to a period in which at least some of the continental shiftings discernible on modern-day maps took place. Which might explain why, for instance, the four rivers branching out from the large one coming out of Eden (Genesis 2:10-14) no longer appear to be in that same relation to each other. Some even suggest that before this shifting, Eden itself was located where Jerusalem is today.making the place where the "First Adam" sinned the place where that sin was atoned for in the death of the "Second Adam", Yeshua. It is interesting that Jewish tradition teaches that Adam and Eve are both buried in Hebron, only 30 km south of Jerusalem on the plot of land purchased by Abraham (Genesis 23) as a burial place for Sarah, and which eventually held Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah.

Haftarah

This week's reading from the prophet Isaiah is filled with God's heart and merciful plan for His people Israel. Ask God to use these verses to help in your prayers. Pray that the souls of those who hear them read in synagogues this weekend will be quickened with divine revelation! Pray that Israel will know that she is loved, that she will be convicted of her sin and need for a Redeemer, that she will understand that the LORD Himself is her only Redeemer and that her righteousness comes from Him!

*Isaiah 54:5. "For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth." The God of all the earth has sovereignly chosen to identify Himself with the name He gave to his servant Jacob-Israel. Nations or religions which will not humble themselves to acknowledge this "identification" will find themselves standing against the very God of all nations and the universe itself.

*Isaiah 54:7-10. " 'For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,' says the LORD, your Redeemer. 'For this is like the waters of Noah to Me, For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of shalom be removed,' says the LORD who has mercy on you".

*Isaiah 54:13 -15. "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me, whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake."

*Isaiah 54:17. " 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."

*Isaiah 55:1-3. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you-the sure mercies of David."

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The readings for next week (6-12 October 2013) is called Lech Lecha-"Go Forth, Yourself!" TORAH: Genesis 12:1-17:27; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 40:27-41:16]


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The Great Commission, Part 38
True Messengers,Week 38, 2013
Rick Joyner

When we have more faith in people than in God, we tend to get our security or confidence by how many people share our views. Jesus had a different perspective, saying in Luke 6:26:

“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.”

It is noteworthy that the great voices in history and those whose perspective proved true were almost always rejected by the majority, and often stood completely alone. We see this with the first apostles. Even so, if we know we are sent by God and that we have received our message from Him, then it really does not matter what men think about us.

As Paul said, “If I were still seeking to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (see Galatians 1:10). Just the mentality of seeking our approval or encouragement from men can be the biggest stumbling block that keeps us from being true messengers. Paul understood this well. When his apostolic authority was challenged, he pointed to his afflictions and persecutions as evidence that he was indeed an apostle. How different is that from most who claim to be apostles today?

Of course, just because not many people listen to us does not prove that we are right either. However, we must heed such warnings as

Matthew 24:12:

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (NIV).

If we get our security from the crowd rather than from the Lord, we will follow the crowd instead of the Lord. The Lord did not say that the love of “some” or “many” would grow cold, but “most.” If we are prone to follow the majority, then we will end up being deceived just as “all Israel went astray” following Absalom and turning on his father, King David.

How could this thing happen in Israel? The same way it has happened so many times since and still happens today. Like a good politician, Absalom met with people and showed sympathy for their problems. He gradually increased his authority with people because he was a good politician. Then David’s sin with Bathsheba was exposed. You would think that God would certainly depart from David after such a diabolical sin. However, God has considerably more grace than people do, and He did not abandon David. He disciplined David because He loved him, but He would never leave him or forsake him.

Zadok was High Priest during Absalom’s rebellion. At the risk of his ministry and even his life, he picked up the Ark and followed David into what seemed like certain defeat. Even though “all Israel” was following Absalom, Zadok had the discernment to know that the anointing was still on David and that the Lord was still with David. So, he risked everything to follow the Lord. That is remarkable spiritual discernment and faith. It is the kind that is desperately needed in spiritual leadership in these times.

Centuries later, one of the greatest commendations of all time was given by the Lord to Zadok through Ezekiel the prophet. The Lord said that it would be the “sons of Zadok” who would be allowed to come near to Him to minister to Him personally (see Ezekiel 44:15-16). So who are the sons of Zadok today?

When the Pharisees told Jesus that they were free because they were sons of Abraham, Jesus replied that if they were children of Abraham, they would do the deeds of Abraham (see John 8:39-41). Likewise, the true sons of Zadok are those who do the deeds of Zadok—those who follow the Lord even when they are a minority or are alone, and even when it seems certain to cost them everything, maybe even their lives. We are in desperate need of “sons of Zadok” today.