CKI基督國度代禱團

  每週一妥拉2012/3/11-3/17

Thursday, March 15, 2012 3:30 PM

每週一妥拉2012/3/11-3/17

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。

這週的閱讀比平常多，在猶太會堂裡會分三段閱讀。

這週的閱讀（3/11-3/17）是雙倍閱讀：I.『招聚』（VaYakhel）；II. 『總數』（P'kudei）；III.『閱讀紅母牛條例』（Parashat Parah），此關於潔淨方面的特別閱讀，是放在猶太宗教新年（出埃及記12:1-2）正月（尼散月）安息日（3/24）的前一週。

I.『招聚』（VaYakhel）
妥拉：出埃及記35:1-38:20
先知書：列王記上7:13-26, 40-50

*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、才幹與時間上都能捐得甘心『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。

*先知書描述在耶路撒冷聖殿的預備與完成。在列王記上7:14講到另一個來自推羅的工匠戶蘭（不要和當時推羅王希蘭搞混）。戶蘭是以色列人，也是『寡婦的兒子』，一位『作銅匠的，滿有智慧、聰明、技能，善於各樣銅作。他來到所羅門王那裡，做王一切所要做的。』值得注意的是，雖然在歷代志下2:13說戶蘭是一個善於雕刻各樣金、銀、寶石與織品的專家，在列王記上卻將他的工作單單專注在更謙卑的『銅作』。

請禱告：在以色列肢體中，有智慧與謙卑孕育出聖潔的創作恩賜，不管是在家庭、課堂或擁有『特別殊榮』的人。禱告教會對『孤兒寡婦的祝福』，會擴展到認出並教育這些擁有特別恩賜的人。禱告這些藝術家能領悟到做在謙卑或尊貴人身上，或是銅或是金並沒有差別，只要是做在榮耀的王身上！

II. 『總數』（P'kudei）
妥拉：出埃及記38:21-40:38
先知書：列王記上7:51-8:21

*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）。

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）

*在先知書，列王記上8:8指出在所羅門的聖殿，用來?約櫃的槓甚長，延伸到內殿前的聖所都可以看見。當大衛想要將神的約櫃從岡上亞比拿達的家裡?出來（撒下6:3），大衛顯然沒注意主在妥拉中關於?送約櫃的細節指示，導致他的人因牛失前蹄時伸手扶約櫃而死。

請禱告：我們能留意神全然的旨意（使徒行傳20:27）─得以瞭解到細節與『大圖畫』一樣非常重要。

III.『閱讀紅母牛條例』（Parashat Parah）
妥拉：民數記19:1-22
先知書：以西結書36:16-38

在希伯來宗教新的一年開始（3/24）前一週的特別閱讀，聚焦在摸了死屍後潔淨的必要性。民數記這段內容（今年還會再次讀到）是與『紅母牛』條例有關，涵蓋聖水的預備，用以潔淨摸了死屍的人。配合此閱讀的先知書是以西結書，關乎神美好的應許：『我必用清水灑在你們身上，你們就潔淨了。我要潔淨你們，使你們脫離一切的污穢，棄掉一切的偶像。我也要賜給你們一個新心，將新靈放在你們裡面，又從你們的肉體中除掉石心，賜給你們肉心。我必將我的靈放在你們裡面，使你們順從我的律例，謹守遵行我的典章。你們必住在我所賜給你們列祖之地。你們要作我的子民，我要作你們的神。』（以西結書36:25-28）

請禱告：從聖靈來的知罪，明白我們被死亡玷污需要潔淨；禱告神供應所需要的潔淨，以無瑕疵的活神來取代我們充滿罪惡的石心；禱告祂所差來住在我們裡面的聖靈引導我們。禱告當以色列從這些真理中甦醒過來，允許神在她裡面工作，她就能安全地住在她回到的土地上！

下週的閱讀進度（3/18-3/24）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。新月閱讀（聖經新年的第一個月（尼散月）特別閱讀：妥拉─出埃及記12:1-20；先知書─以西結書45:18-46:15。

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.

THIS WEEK'S IS A LONGER THAN USUAL PARASHA, WITH THREE SEPARATE READINGS TAKING PLACE IN THE SYNAGOGUES.

The regular readings for this week (11-17 March) are a "double reading: I. VaYakhel-"Gathered" II. P'kudei-Inventory/Reckoning. III. Parashat Parah-Regarding the Red Heifer. This special reading related to cleansing is added on the Sabbath preceding next week's Shabbat HaChodesh (24 March) heralding the 1st of Nisan and the beginning of the Hebrew religious new year (Exodus 12:1-2).

I. VaYakhel

TORAH: Exodus 35:1-38:20

HAFTARAH: I Kings 7:13-26, 40-50

*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.

*The Haftarah describes the preparation and artistic finishing of the Temple in Jerusalem . In I Kings 7:14, it focuses on the work of another artisan, Hiram, who came from Tyre (not to be confused with Hiram the King of Tyre at that time). He was an Israelite and a "widow's son. a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work." It is noteworthy that although II Chr. 2:13 makes clear that this Hiram (also called "Huram-abi") was a master, skilled in the fine artistic workmanship of gold, silver, precious stones, rich fabrics, etc., the account in I Kings focuses entirely upon his work with the more-humble "bronze".

PLEASE PRAY: for wisdom and humility in the nurturing in holiness of the creative gifts in the Body in Israel -with no special regard for family, class or 'privilege'. Pray that the church's 'blessing of widows and orphans' would extend to recognition of and education in their special giftings. Pray for realization among artists that in putting one's hand to the humble or to the glamorous, to brass or to gold, it makes no difference, so long as it is done to the glory of the King!

II. P'kudei

TORAH: Exodus 38:21-40:38

HAFTARAH: I Kings 7:51-8:21

*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). 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 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).

*IN THE HAFTARAH, I Kings 8:8 takes care to point out that in Solomon's Temple, the poles used to transport the Ark of the Covenant were so prominent that they extended out of the Inner Sanctuary of the Temple so as to be visible in the Holy Place. The LORD's instructions in the Torah for carrying the Ark had evidently been viewed as 'lesser details' by David when he sought to bring it up to Jerusalem from Kiryat Yearim (II Samuel 6:3), resulting in the death of one of his men when the ox pulling the cart stumbled. PLEASE PRAY that we be attentive to the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)-realizing that details are just as critically important as what seem to be the 'big pictures.'

III. PARASHAT-PARAH

TORAH: Numbers 19:1-22

HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 36:16-38

This special reading before the beginning of the Hebrew religious new year (24 March) focuses on the necessity of our being cleansed and purified from the curse of death. The Numbers passage (which will be read again later in the year) relates the ordinance of the "red heifer". This involved preparation of holy water which would decontaminate someone who had come in contact with a dead body. The companion reading from Ezekiel includes the wonderful promise, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:25-28).

PLEASE PRAY: For conviction from the Holy Spirit that we all have been contaminated by death and are in need of cleansing; That God has provided the cleansing necessary, and can also replace our hard sinful hearts with clean, living ones; That He has sent His Spirit to dwell inside of us to guide us. That when Israel awakens to these truths and allows God to work them within her, THEN she will be able to dwell securely in the land to which she has been returned!

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (18-24 March) is called: VaYikra-"And He Called (to Moses)": TORAH: Leviticus 1:1-6:7; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 43:21-44:23: PARASHAT-HACHODESH (Special readings for the Head of the first month (Nisan) of the Biblical New Year: TORAH: Exodus 12:1-20; HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 45:18-46:15.]