Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
NOVEMBER 1-7
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | UJOSHUWA 18-19
“Ukwabiwa Kwelizwe Kutshengisa Inhlakanipho KaJehova”
it-1-E 359 ¶1
Umngcele
Yikho kukhanya angani ukwabiwa kwelizwe phakathi kwezizwana kwakusiya ngezinto ezimbili. Okokuqala yilokho okwakutshiwo yinkatho, okwesibili yibukhulu besizwana. Kungenzeka inkatho yayitshengisa kuphela indawo eyayizakuba lilifa lesizwana esithile, kungaba senyakatho, eningizimu, empumalanga kumbe entshonalanga loba emagcekeni asekhunjini kumbe endaweni elezintaba. Inkatho yayitshengisa lokho okuyabe kukhethwe nguJehova yikho kwakungeke kube lomhawu kumbe ukuxabana phakathi kwezizwana. (Zag 16:33) Kanti njalo uNkulunkulu wasebenzisa indlela le ukuze abe leqiniso lokuthi isizwana ngasinye sihlala endaweni elezimo ezivumelana lalokho okwatshiwo nguJakhobe esezakufa, esiphrofethweni esiphefumulelweyo esitholakala kuGenesisi 49:1-33.
it-1-E 1200 ¶1
Ilifa
Indawo ezililifa. Isizwana sakoSimeyoni lesakoLevi kasizange siphiwe indawo yaso ezimele yodwa ukuthi ibe lilifa, njengalokho okwakuphrofethwe nguJakhobe kuGenesisi 49:5, 7. Indawo yesizwana sakoSimeyoni yayiphakathi kwendawo eyayiphiwe isizwana sakoJuda. Isizwana sikaLevi sona sasiphiwe amadolobho angu-48 ayesabalele kulo lonke elako-Israyeli.
it-1-E 359 ¶2
Umngcele
Ngemva kokubona ukuthi inkatho yayisithi isizwana esithile sizanikwa yiphi indawo kwakukhangelwa ukuthi isizwana sakhona singanani ukuze kubonakale ukuthi indawo yaso izaba nkulu kangakanani. “Yabelanani ilizwe ngenkatho, kusiya ngokwezinsendo zenu. Ixuku elikhulu kaliphiwe isabelo esikhulu, kuye kuthi ixuku elincinyane liphiwe isabelo esincinyane. Okuzakuya kubo ngenkatho akube ngokwabo.” (Nan 33:54) Indawo eyabe iqanjwe yinkatho yayingasoze itshintshwe kodwa ubukhulu belifa yibo obabungatshintshwa. Yikho kwathi sekubonakale ukuthi indawo eyayiphiwe isizwana sakoJuda yayinkulu kakhulu yancitshiswa, ingxenye eyayiqunyiwe yasinikwa isizwana sakoSimeyoni.—Jos 19:9.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
it-1-E 359 ¶5
Umngcele
Kulezizatho ezitshiyeneyo abanye abacabanga ukuthi yizo ezabangela ukuthi izizwana eziyisikhombisa ziphuze ukuthatha umhlabathi owawusele. Abanye bacabanga ukuthi njengoba izizwana lezo zazithole indawo enkulu ngemva kokunqoba izitha zazo njalo zingakhathazekanga ngokuhlaselwa ngamaKhenani, azizange zibone kulesizatho sokujaha ukuthatha indawo eseleyo. Okunye okungabe kwabangela ukuthi ziphuze yikuthi zazidonda ukulwisana lezitha ezilamandla ezazisendaweni eseleyo. (Jos 13:1-7) Kanti njalo kungenzakala ukuthi zazingayazi kangako indawo leyo nxa iqathaniswa lezinye ezasezizabelene eLizweni Lesithembiso.
NOVEMBER 8-14
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | UJOSHUWA 20-22
“Ukungazwisisi Okwabakhona Kusifundisani?”
w18 8/15 5-6 ¶10
Qala Uyizwisise Indaba
Khumbula okwenzakala kuma-Israyeli ayehlala entshonalanga yoMfula uJodani ngesikhathi uJoshuwa engumkhokheli. (Josh. 22:9-34) Amukela umbiko owawusithi izizwana ezazihlala empumalanga yeJodani zasezizakhele inkalakatha ye-alithare eduze loMfula uJodani. Izizwana lezi zazigoqela isizwana sakoRubheni lesakoGadi kanye lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase. Umbiko lo wawuliqiniso kodwa wawungaphelelanga. Ngenxa yalokhu, ama-Israyeli ayesentshonalanga acabanga ukuthi abafowabo ababehlala empumalanga basebehlamukele uJehova, yikho alungiselela ukuyabahlasela. (Bala uJoshuwa 22:9-12.) Okuhle yikuthi engakayihlasela aqala athuma amadoda athile ukuthi ayezwisisa indaba le. Amadoda la athola ukuthi okwenza ama-Israyeli ayesempumalanga yeJodani akha i-alithare yikuthi ayefuna libe yisikhumbuzo hatshi ukuthi libe ngelemihlatshelo. Lalizakhumbuza izizukulwane ezizayo ukuthi ama-Israyeli ayesempumalanga yeJodani lawo ayeyizinceku zikaJehova ezithembekileyo. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi ama-Israyeli ayesentshonalanga yeJodani athokoza ngoba ayengazange abambe inhlwa ngekhanda ahlasele abafowabo kodwa aqala ahluza lokho ayekuzwile.
w08-ZU 11/15 18 ¶5
‘Phishekela Izinto Ezibangela Ukuthula’
Kungenzeka ukuthi amanye ama-Israyeli ayenomuzwa wokuthi kwase kunobufakazi obanele bobubi nokuthi uma ehlasela lezi ezinye izizwe zingalindele kwakuyofa abambalwa kuwo. Nokho, kunokuba ziphamazele, izizwe ezazisentshonalanga yeJordani zathumela amanxusa ukuba ayoxoxa ngale nkinga nabafowabo. Abuza: “Senzo sini sokungathembeki lesi enisenzileyo kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngokuyeka namuhla ukulandela uJehova?” Empeleni, okwenziwa izizwe ezazakhe i-altare kwakungesona isenzo sokungathembeki. Kodwa zaziyosabela kanjani kulokho kubekwa icala? Ingabe zaziyobhoka ngolaka noma zenqabe ukukhuluma nawo? Izizwe ezazibekwa icala zaphendula ngomoya ophansi, zachaza ngokucacile ukuthi empeleni ezazikwenzile kwakushukunyiswe isifiso sazo sokukhonza uJehova. Impendulo yazo yalondoloza ubuhlobo bazo noNkulunkulu yasindisa nokuphila. Ukuxoxa ngomoya ozolile kwalungisa izinto futhi kwabuyisela ukuthula.—Josh. 22:13-34.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
it-1-E 402 ¶3
IKhenani
Izitha zonke zama-Israyeli zazilomhedehede ngenxa yawo njalo zazingeke zibe yingozi kiwo. UNkulunkulu wayetshilo ukuthi wayezawadudula “kancane kancane” amaKhenani ukuze inyamazana zeganga zingabi zinengi kakhulu nxa ilizwe selingaselabantu. (Eks 23:29, 30; Dut 7:22) Lanxa amaKhenani ayelezikhali zempi ezizwayo, ezigoqela inqola zensimbi, ukwehluleka kwama-Israyeli ukuthatha ezinye indawo okwakumele zibe ngezabo kwakungeke kube kubangelwe yikuthi uJehova kagcinanga isithembiso sakhe. (Jos 17:16-18; Aba 4:13) Kodwa iMibhalo iveza ukuthi okwakusenza ama-Israyeli anqotshwe kwezinye izikhathi yikungathembeki kwawo.—Nan 14:44, 45; Jos 7:1-12.
NOVEMBER 15-21
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | UJOSHUWA 23-24
“Amazwi KaJoshuwa Okuvalelisa Ama-Israyeli”
it-1-E 75
Ukudlelana Lezizwe
Ama-Israyeli ayeqonqoselwe ukuthi angendiselani labantu bezizwe lezo. Phela lokho kwakungabangela ukuthi abe labafazi abangamahedeni futhi adlelane lezihlobo zabo ezikhonza onkulunkulu bamanga futhi ezilamasiko uNkulunkulu angawathandiyo. Ukwenza njalo kwakuzacina sekungumjibila kuma-Israyeli futhi kuwenze ahlamukele uNkulunkulu.—Dut 7:2-4; Eks 34:16; Jos 23:12, 13.
w07-ZU 11/1 26 ¶19-20
Izwi LikaJehova Akwenzeki Lingagcwaliseki
Ngokuqinisekile, kulokhu esiye sakubona ngamehlo ethu, singasho ukuthi: “Akukho nelilodwa izwi kuwo wonke amazwi amahle uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu awakhulumile kini eliye laphutha. Agcwaliseke wonke kini. Akuphuthanga nezwi elilodwa kuwo.” (Joshuwa 23:14) UJehova ukhulula, avikele futhi anakekele izinceku zakhe. Sikhona yini isithembiso sakhe ongathi asigcwalisekanga ngesikhathi sakhe asimisile? Asikho. Ngokuhlakanipha, sithembela eZwini likaNkulunkulu elinokwethenjelwa.
Kuthiwani ngekusasa? UJehova uye wasitshela ukuthi iningi lethu lingaba nethemba lokuphila emhlabeni oguqulwe waba ipharadesi elijabulisayo. Abambalwa kithi banethemba lokubusa noKristu ezulwini. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi sinaliphi ithemba, sinesizathu esizwakalayo sokuhlala sithembekile njengoJoshuwa. Luyeza usuku lapho ithemba lethu liyogcwaliseka khona. Khona-ke, siyocabanga ngazo zonke izithembiso uJehova azenzile, futhi nathi siyothi: ‘Zigcwalisekile zonke.’
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w04-ZU 12/1 12 ¶1
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJoshuwa
24:2—Ingabe ubaba ka-Abrahama, uThera, wayengumkhulekeli wezithombe? Ekuqaleni, uThera wayengeyena umkhulekeli kaJehova uNkulunkulu. Kungenzeka ukuthi wayekhulekela unkulunkulu wenyanga okuthiwa uSin—unkulunkulu odumile e-Uri. Ngokokulandisa kwamaJuda, kungenzeka nanokuthi uThera wayengumenzi wezithombe. Nokho, lapho u-Abrahama elalela umyalo kaNkulunkulu eshiya i-Uri, uThera uhamba naye baya eHarana.—Genesise 11:31.
NOVEMBER 22-28
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ABAHLULELI 1-3
“Indaba Etshengisa Isibindi Futhi Evusa Usinga”
w04-ZU 3/15 31 ¶3
U-Ehudi Ugqabula Ijoka Lomcindezeli
Amasu ka-Ehudi awaphumelelanga ngenxa yokuhlakanipha kwakhe noma ukuhluleka kwesitha. Ukuphumelela kwezinjongo zikaNkulunkulu akuxhomekile kumuntu. Isizathu esiyinhloko sokuphumelela kuka-Ehudi sasiwukuthi wasekelwa uNkulunkulu njengoba enza ngokuvumelana nentando yaKhe engenakubhuntshiswa yokukhulula abantu baKhe. UNkulunkulu wayevuse u-Ehudi, ‘nalapho uJehova evusela abantu bakhe abahluleli, uJehova wayeba nalowo mahluleli.’—AbaHluleli 2:18; 3:15.
w04-ZU 3/15 30 ¶1-3
U-Ehudi Ugqabula Ijoka Lomcindezeli
Isinyathelo sokuqala u-Ehudi asithatha saba ‘ukuzenzela inkemba’—eyayisika nhlangothi zombili futhi imfushane ngokwanele ukuba ayithukuse ngaphansi kwezingubo zakhe. Kungenzeka wayekulindele ukuseshwa. Izinkemba zazivame ukubhincwa ngakwesobunxele ukuze labo abasebenzisa isandla sokunene basheshe bakwazi ukuzikhipha. Njengoba ayeyinxele, u-Ehudi wafihla inkemba yakhe “ngaphansi kwengubo yakhe phezu kwethanga lakhe lesokunene,” lapho onogada benkosi babengavamile ukusesha khona. Kungasekho lutho olumthikamezayo, “wayethula le nkokhiso ku-Egiloni inkosi yakwaMowabi.”—AbaHluleli 3:16, 17.
Imininingwane ngokwenzeka ekungeneni kwakhe ehlalankosi, ayichazwanga. IBhayibheli limane lithi: “Kwathi lapho [u-Ehudi] eseqedile ukuyethula le nkokhiso, ngaso leso sikhathi wabamukisa abantu, abaphathi benkokhiso.” (AbaHluleli 3:18) U-Ehudi wayethula inkokhiso, wakhapha abaphathi benkokhiso wabayisa endaweni ephephile kude nomuzi ka-Egiloni, wabe esebuyela kwa-Egiloni ngemva kokubamukisa. Wakwenzelani lokhu? Ingabe u-Ehudi wayehamba nala madoda ukuze amvikele, noma ngenxa yenkambiso nje, noma mhlawumbe ayemane engabathwali benkokhiso? Futhi ingabe wayefuna ukuba la madoda ahambe ngaphambi kokufeza isu lakhe ukuze angachaphazeleki? Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi u-Ehudi wayecabangani, ngesibindi wabuyela yedwa emzini ka-Egiloni.
“[U-Ehudi] wabuya ngasezinkwalini ezaziseGiligali, wathi: ‘Nginezwi eliyimfihlo engingathanda ukulixoxa nawe, nkosi.’” ImiBhalo ayichazi ukuthi wakwazi kanjani ukuphinde angene aze ayofika ku-Egiloni. Kwakungafanele yini onogada basole ukuthi kukhona okushaya amanzi? Ingabe bacabanga ukuthi umIsrayeli oyedwa nje vó akanakuba usongo enkosini yabo? Ingabe ukufika kuka-Ehudi ehamba yedwa kwenza kwabonakala sengathi uthengisa abantu bakubo? Kunoma ikuphi, u-Ehudi wacela ukukhuluma nenkosi ngasese, futhi inkosi yavuma.—AbaHluleli 3:19.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w05-ZU 1/15 24 ¶7
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YabaHluleli
2:10-12. Kumelwe sibe nesimiso sokutadisha iBhayibheli njalo ukuze ‘singazikhohlwa izenzo zikaJehova.’ (IHubo 103:2) Abazali kudingeka baligxilise iqiniso leZwi likaNkulunkulu ezinhliziyweni zezingane zabo.—Duteronomi 6:6-9.
NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 5
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ABAHLULELI 4-5
“UJehova Usebenzisa Abesifazana Ababili Ukuthi Akhulule Abantu Bakhe”
w15-ZU 8/1 12-13 ¶1
“Ngisukuma Njengomama Kwa-Israyeli”
USisera! Lelo gama lilodwa lalibangela ukwesaba nokuthuthumela kuma-Israyeli. Inkolo nesiko lamaKhanani lalinonya, kwakwenziwa umhlatshelo ngezingane futhi kudayiswa umzimba ethempelini. Kwakunjani ukubuswa ujenene waseKhanani nebutho lakhe? Ingoma kaDebora ibonisa ukuthi kwakunzima kakhulu ukuhamba ezweni futhi emaphandleni kwakukhala ibhungane. (AbaHluleli 5:6, 7) Singase sibabone ngeso lengqondo abantu becashe emahlathini nasemagqumeni besaba ukulima noma ukuhlala emaphandleni angenazivikelo, besaba ukuhamba emigwaqweni evulekile futhi besaba ukuhlaselwa, ukulahlekelwa izingane zabo nokudlwengulwa kwamakhosikazi abo.
w15-ZU 8/1 13 ¶2
“Ngisukuma Njengomama Kwa-Israyeli”
Lokho kuhlukumezeka kwaqhubeka iminyaka engu-20, kwaze kwaba yilapho uJehova ebona ubufakazi bokuthi laba bantu abantamo lukhuni base bekulungele ukuphenduka noma njengoba ingoma ephefumulelwe kaDebora noBharaki isho, “Kwaze kwaba yilapho mina, Debora ngisukuma, Kwaze kwaba yilapho ngisukuma njengomama kwa-Israyeli.” Asazi ukuthi uDebora, umkaLapitodi, wayenazo yini izingane, kodwa le nkulumo yayisetshenziswa ngendlela engokomfanekiso. Empeleni uJehova wanika uDebora isabelo sokuvikela isizwe njengomama. Wamthuma ukuba abize indoda enokholo oluqinile, umaHluleli uBharaki futhi ayiyale ukuba imelane noSisera.—AbaHluleli 4:3, 6, 7; 5:7.
w15-ZU 8/1 15 ¶2
“Ngisukuma Njengomama Kwa-Israyeli”
UJayeli kwadingeka acabange ngokushesha. Wabonisa uSisera indawo yokulala. USisera wamyala ukuba athi akekho kunoma ubani ombuzayo. UJayeli wamembathisa njengoba elala, kwathi lapho ecela amanzi wamnika ubisi. Ngokushesha uSisera wazumeka, walala zwί. UJayeli wabe esethatha isikhonkwane setende nesando—amathuluzi ayekwazi kahle ukuwasebenzisa. Njengoba eqoshama eduze kwekhanda likaSisera, wayesebhekene nomsebenzi onzima wokukhipha isahlulelo njengommeleli kaJehova. Ukungabaza kwakungasho inhlekelele. Ingabe wacabanga ngabantu bakaNkulunkulu nangendlela le ndoda eye yabahlukumeza ngayo amashumi eminyaka? Noma ingabe wacabanga ngelungelo lokumelela uJehova? Ukulandisa akusho. Esikwaziyo nje ukuthi wasithatha isinyathelo. USisera wafa!—AbaHluleli 4:18-21; 5:24-27.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w05-ZU 1/15 25 ¶4
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YabaHluleli
5:20—Izinkanyezi zamlwela kanjani uBharaki zisezulwini? IBhayibheli alisho ukuthi lokhu kwakuhilela usizo lwezingelosi yini, noma ukuwa kwezinto emkhathini okwabhekwa izihlakaniphi zikaSisera njengokusho inhlekelele, noma mhlawumbe izibikezelo zezinkanyezi ezikhohlisa uSisera. Nokho, ngokungangabazeki uNkulunkulu wangenela ngandlela-thile.
DECEMBER 6-12
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | JUDGES 6-7
“Hamba Ngamandla Olawo”
w02-ZU 2/15 6-7
Izimiso ZikaNkulunkulu Zingakuzuzisa
Umuntu owayenesimo esihle sengqondo ngaye ngokwakhe nowazenza watuseka kwakunguGideyoni, umahluleli wamaHeberu asendulo. Akazange azifunele ukuba umholi ka-Israyeli. Nokho, lapho uGideyoni ekhethwa ukuba abe kulesi sikhundla, waveza ukungafaneleki kwakhe. Wachaza: “Umndeni wami umpofu kwaManase, mina ngingomncinyane endlini kababa.”—AbAhluleli 6:12-16.
w05-ZU 7/15 16 ¶3
“Inkemba KaJehova NekaGideyoni!”
Yeka indlela abakwaMidiyani abethuka ngayo manje! Ngokuphazima kweso, ukuthula kuphela ngokuphahlazwa kwezimbiza ezingu-300, nokushaywa kwezimpondo ezingu-300 kanye nokumemeza kwamadoda angu-300. Njengoba beshaqiswe ikakhulu amazwi amemezayo, athi “inkemba kaJehova nekaGideyoni!,” abakwaMidiyani baqala ukukhala ube mkhulu nakakhulu umsindo. Kuleyo nxushunxushu, akunakwenzeka ngabo ukuba bahlukanise umuntu wangakubo esitheni. Abangu-300 bama phuhle ezindaweni ababelwe kuzo njengoba uNkulunkulu ebangela ukuba izitha zigwazane zodwa. Ikamu liyangquzulwa, akekho ophunyukayo futhi abasele bayabulawa okuhilela ukususwa ngokuphelele kosongo lwabakwaMidiyani. Ekugcineni ukubuswa osekuthathe isikhathi eside nokunonya kuyaphela.—AbaHluleli 7:19-25; 8:10-12, 28.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w05-ZU 1/15 26 ¶5
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YabaHluleli
6:25-27. UGideyoni wasebenzisa ukuqonda ukuze angathukuthelisi abaphikisi bakhe ngokungadingekile. Lapho sishumayela izindaba ezinhle, kumelwe siqaphele ukuba singacasuli abanye ngokungadingekile ngendlela esikhuluma ngayo.
DECEMBER 13-19
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ABAHLULELI 8-9
“Ukuthobeka Kungcono Kulokuzigqaja”
Xwaya Ukuncintisana, Wenze Ukuthi Kube Lokuthula
Ake sixoxe ngokwenzakala phakathi kukaGidiyoni owayengowesizwana sakoManase lakumadoda esizwana sako-Efrayimi. UJehova wayencedise uGidiyoni lamadoda angu-300 ayelaye ukuthi banqobe empini futhi lokhu kwakungenza ukuthi bazigqaje. Amadoda esizwana sako-Efrayimi ahlangana loGidiyoni kodwa kulokuthi amncome, amsola. Ayezondele ukuthi uGidiyoni kawabizanga ekuqaliseni ukuthi bayekulwa lezitha zikaNkulunkulu. Ayekhathazeke ngokufuna ukuthi isizwana sawo sihlonitshwe, akhohlwa ukuthi okwakuqakatheke kakhulu yikuthi uGidiyoni wayeyenze ukuthi ibizo likaJehova lihlonitshwe, labantu bakhe bavikelwe.—Abahlu. 8:1.
UGidiyoni wathobeka watshela amadoda ako-Efrayimi wathi: “Kuyini mina engikufezileyo okulingana lokwenu na?” Wasewakhumbuza indlela uJehova ayewabusise ngayo. Lokhu kwenza ukuthi ‘ukuthukuthela kwawo kudede.’ (Abahlu. 8:2, 3) UGidiyoni wazehlisa ukuze agcine ukuthula phakathi kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu.
Kungani Kuqakathekile Ukuzithoba?
UGidiyoni waba yisibonelo esihle kakhulu endabeni yokuzithoba. Lapho ethunywa ukuthi ayekulwa lamaMidiyani ukuze ahlenge ama-Israyeli, uGidiyoni watshela ingilosi kaJehova wathi: “Usendo lwakithi kalulamandla koManase, njalo mina ngingomncinyane emulini yakwethu.” (Abahlu. 6:15) Ngesikhathi esevumile ukuyakwenza umsebenzi lo uGidiyoni waba leqiniso lokuthi uyazwisisa ukuthi uJehova ufuna enzeni njalo wathandaza kuye ecela ukuthi amqondise. (Abahlu. 6:36-40) Wayeyindoda elesibindi sibili. Loba kunjalo wenza izinto ngokuhlakanipha langonanzelelo. (Abahlu. 6:11, 27) Umsebenzi lo wawungamenza abe ngumuntu odumileyo kodwa yena wazithoba. Yikho wathi eqeda ukwenza umsebenzi ayewuthunyiwe wabuyela emzini wakhe.—Abahlu. 8:22, 23, 29.
w08-ZU 2/15 9 ¶9
Hamba Ngezindlela ZikaJehova
Ukuze sibe abangane bakaNkulunkulu, kumelwe sibe ‘abathobekile engqondweni.’ (1 Pet. 3:8; IHu. 138:6) Ukubaluleka kokuthobeka sikubona kubaHluleli isahluko 9. Indodana kaGideyoni, uJothamu, yathi: “Kwathi ngesinye isikhathi imithi yahamba yayozigcobela inkosi.” Kuleso sahluko, kwakhulunywa ngomuthi womnqumo, umkhiwane nomvini. Le mithi yayimelele abantu ababefaneleka, kodwa abangazange bafune ukubusa ama-Israyeli akubo. Kodwa ijikijolo—elisetshenziselwa nje ukubasa—lamelela ubukhosi buka-Abhimeleki oqhoshayo, umbulali owayeshabashekela ukubusa abanye. Nakuba ‘azenza isikhulu phezu kuka-Israyeli iminyaka emithathu,’ washeshe wafa. (AbaHl. 9:8-15, 22, 50-54) Yeka ukuthi kungcono kangakanani ukuba ‘othobekile engqondweni’!
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w04-ZU 10/15 16-17 ¶10
“Hambahamba Ezweni”
UGideyoni waxosha insalela yalowo mfelandawonye wadlula eBheti-shitha wayesebheka eningizimu e-Abela-mehola, ngaseJordani. (AbaHluleli 7:22-25) Ukulandisa kuthi: “UGideyoni wafika eJordani, waliwela, yena namadoda angamakhulu amathathu ayekanye naye, bekhathele kodwa beqhubeka nokubajaha.” Athi angawela ama-Israyeli, axosha isitha abheka eningizimu eSukoti nasePhenuweli, ngaseJabhoki, ayesegibela emagqumeni aya eJogibeha (ngase-Amman yanamuhla, eJordan). Ukuxoshwa kwezitha kulwiwa nazo kwenzeka endaweni engamakhilomitha angaba ngu-80. UGideyoni wabamba amakhosi amabili akwaMidiyani wawabulala; wabe esebuyela emzini wakubo, i-Ofira, ngalapho impi yayiqale khona. (AbaHluleli 8:4-12, 21-27) Kusobala ukuthi uGideyoni nebutho lakhe abazange bamane bashaye amacilongo, baphakamise izimbaqa, bamemeze, konke ngemizuzu embalwa, kwaphelela lapho. Futhi cabanga indlela okunezela ngayo isisindo kula mazwi akhuluma ngamadoda okholo: “Isikhathi sizongishiya uma ngiqhubeka ngilandisa ngoGideyoni [nabanye okwathi] besesimweni esibuthakathaka benziwa baba namandla, baba ngamaqhawe empini.” (Hebheru 11:32-34) NamaKristu angase akhathale emzimbeni, kodwa akubalulekile kakhulu yini ukuba siqhubeke senza intando kaNkulunkulu?—2 Korinte 4:1, 16; Galathiya 6:9.
DECEMBER 20-26
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ABAHLULELI 10-12
“UJefitha Wayeyindoda Eqinileyo Ekukhonzeni”
Ukuthembeka Kuyamjabulisa UNkulunkulu
UJosefa waba lomusa kubafowabo lanxa ‘babemzonda.’ Kungenzakala ukuthi isibonelo sakhe sakhuthaza uJefitha ukuthi laye aphathe abafowabo kuhle. (Gen. 37:4; 45:4,5) Ukucabangisisa ngesibonelo lesi kungabe kwamnceda ukuthi aphile impilo ethokozisa uJehova. Kuliqiniso sibili ukuthi indlela abafowabo abamphatha ngayo yayibuhlungu kodwa kayizange imenze ayekele ukukhonza uJehova lokuncedisa isizwe sakibo. (Abahlu. 11:9) Okwakuqakatheke kakhulu kuJefitha yikulwela ibizo likaJehova ukwedlula indlela ayezizwa ngayo. Wayezimisele ukuhlala ethembekile kuJehova futhi lokhu kwenza ukuthi yena lesizwe sakibo bathole izibusiso.—Heb. 11:32, 33.
w07-ZU 5/15 9 ¶2-3
UJefta Ugcina Isithembiso Asenza KuJehova
UJefta uzama ukuxoxisana nabakwa-Amoni. Uthumela izithunywa enkosini yabo ukuze athole isizathu sokuba abakwa-Amoni babahlasele. Impendulo ibabeka icala: Lapho ama-Israyeli ephuma eGibhithe, athatha izwe labakwa-Amoni, futhi lelo zwe kufanele libuyiselwe kubo.—AbaHluleli 11:12, 13.
Ngenxa yokuthi uJefta uwazi kahle umlando wakwa-Israyeli, ukuphikisa ngobuhlakani lokho okushiwo abakwa-Amoni. Uthi kubo lapho ama-Israyeli esuka eGibhithe awazange abahluphe abakwa-Amoni, abakwaMowabi noma abakwa-Edomi; futhi izwe elibangwayo kwakungelona elabakwa-Amoni ngesikhathi soFuduko luka-Israyeli. Ngaleso sikhathi lalingelama-Amori, kodwa uNkulunkulu wanikela inkosi yawo uSihoni esandleni sika-Israyeli. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ama-Israyeli ayeseneminyaka engu-300 ehlala kuleyo ndawo. Kungani abakwa-Amoni kuyima belifuna?—AbaHluleli 11:14-22, 26.
w07-ZU 5/15 9 ¶4
UJefta Ugcina Isithembiso Asenza KuJehova
UJefta ubuye agxile empikiswaneni eyinhloko ekuhluphekeni kuka-Israyeli: Ubani uNkulunkulu weqiniso? UJehova noma onkulunkulu bezwe u-Israyeli ahleli kulo? Uma uKemoshi ayenamandla, wayengeke yini awasebenzisele ukulondoloza izwe labantu bakhe? Lona umbango phakathi kokukhulekela kweqiniso nenkolo yamanga emelelwa abakwa-Amoni. Ngakho, uJefta uphetha ngokunengqondo: “UJehova uMahluleli makahlulele namuhla phakathi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli nabantwana bakwa-Amoni.”—AbaHluleli 11:23-27.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
it-2-E 26
UJefitha
UJefitha Wayengazalwanga Ngobufebe. Unina kaJefitha “wayeliwule.” Kodwa lokho akutsho ukuthi uJefitha wazalwa ngobufebe. Unina wayeke waba liwule engakabi ngumfazi wesibili kaGiliyadi, njengoba nje uRahabi wayeke waba liwule engakayendeli kuSalimoni. (Aba 11:1; Jos 2:1; Mat 1:5) Okunye okutshengisa ukuthi uJefitha wayengazalwanga ngobufebe yikuthi abafowabo abazalwa ngumfazi wokuqala kaGiliyadi bamxotsha ukuze bangabelani laye ilifa. (Aba 11:2) Kanti njalo ngemva kwesikhathi amadoda akoGiliyadi enza uJefitha waba ngumkhokheli wawo, (kukhanya phakathi kwamadoda lawo amkhethayo abafowabo bakaJefitha babelezikhundla). (Aba 11:11) UJefitha wenza umhlatshelo kuNkulunkulu ethabanikeli. (Aba 11:30, 31) Konke lokhu kwakungeke kwenzakale aluba wayezelwe ngobufebe ngoba uMthetho wawucacile, usithi: “Loba ngubani ozelwe ngobufebe loba izizukulwane zakhe kuze kube ngesetshumi, kavunyelwa ukungena ebandleni likaJehova.”—Dut 23:2.
DECEMBER 27–JANUARY 2
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ABAHLULELI 13-14
“Abazali Bafundani KuManowa Lomkakhe?”
Qeqetsha Umntanakho Ukuthi Athande UJehova—Ingxenye 1
YABAMBA owangaphansi indoda isizwa umkayo eyibikela izindaba ezimangalisayo. Phela bobabili babesazi mhlophe isimo salapha ekhaya; umama wayeyinyumba. Kodwa ingilosi kaJehova yayifike kowesifazana yamtshela ukuthi lokho ababengakukhangelelanga yikho kanye okwasekuzakwenzakala: UManowa lomkakhe babezakuba lendodana! Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uManowa wathokoza kakhulu ekuzwa lokhu. Kodwa-ke wayekunanzelela lokuthi wayesezakuba lomthwalo onzima emahlombe akhe. Yena lomkakhe babezayifundisa njani indodana yabo ukuthi ikhule ithanda uNkulunkulu njengoba babehlala elizweni elaligcwele ububi? UManowa ‘wakhuleka kuJehova’ wathi: “Ngiyakucela, umuntu kaNkulunkulu omthumileyo [ingilosi] kabuye futhi azesifundisa ukuthi umfana ozazalwa wondliwa njani.”—Abahlu. 13:1-8.
w05-ZU 3/15 25 ¶5
USamsoni Unqoba Ngamandla KaJehova!
Njengoba uSamsoni ayeqhubeka ekhula, “uJehova waqhubeka embusisa.” (AbaHluleli 13:24) Ngolunye usuku uSamsoni waya kuyise nonina wafike wathi: “Kukhona owesifazane engimbonile eThimna emadodakazini amaFilisti, manje ngithatheleni yena abe ngumkami.” (AbaHluleli 14:2) Cabanga ngendlela okwabashaqisa ngayo lokho. Esikhundleni sokuba ikhulule ama-Israyeli kubacindezeli, indodana yabo ifuna ukwenza ubuhlobo nabacindezeli ngokushada nendodakazi yabo. Ukuthatha umfazi okhulekela onkulunkulu bamaqaba kwakungqubuzana noMthetho kaNkulunkulu. (Eksodusi 34:11-16) Ngenxa yalokho, abazali bayenqaba: “Yingoba engekho yini owesifazane phakathi kwamadodakazi abafowenu naphakathi kwabo bonke abantu bakithi, ukuba uze uyothatha umfazi kumaFilisti angasokile?” Nakuba kunjalo, uSamsoni uyaphikelela athi kuyise: “Ngithathele yena nje, ngoba nguye kanye olungile emehlweni ami.”—AbaHluleli 14:3.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w05-ZU 3/15 26 ¶1
USamsoni Unqoba Ngamandla KaJehova!
KuSamsoni, ‘wayelungile’ ngayiphi indlela lona wesifazane ongumFilisti? I-Cyclopedia kaMcClintock noStrong ayisikiseli ukuthi “wayenguphuma langa sikothe, enogazi futhi eyisimomondiya, kodwa wayelungile ngenxa yenjongo ethile noma ngomqondo othile.” Ngenxa yayiphi injongo? AbaHluleli 14:4 bachaza ukuthi uSamsoni “wayefuna ithuba lokulwa namaFilisti.” USamsoni wayemthandela lokho lona wesifazane. Njengoba uSamsoni ayekhula eba yindoda, “umoya kaJehova wamqhuba,” noma wamshukumisela ukuba enze okuthile. (AbaHluleli 13:25) Ngakho, ngumoya kaJehova owashukumisa uSamsoni ukuba enze isicelo sokuthola umfazi esizweni esingalindelekile futhi yiwo owawumshukumisa phakathi naso sonke isikhathi lapho ayengumahluleli kwa-Israyeli. Ingabe uSamsoni walithola ithuba ayelifuna? Okokuqala, ake sihlole indlela uJehova amqinisekisa ngayo ukuthi uyomsekela.