Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
SEPTEMBER 5-11
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 9-10
“Dumisa UJehova Ngenhlakanipho Yakhe”
w99-ZU 7/1 30 ¶6
Ukuvakasha Okwavuzwa Ngokucebile
Lapho ihlangana noSolomoni, le ndlovukazi yaqala ukumvivinya “ngezimfumbe.” (1 AmaKhosi 10:1) Igama lesiHeberu elisetshenziswe lapha lingahunyushwa ngokuthi “iziphico.” Kodwa lokhu akusho ukuthi le ndlovukazi yadlala imidlalo engasho lutho noSolomoni. Ngokuthakazelisayo, kumaHubo 49:4 kusetshenziswe igama lesiHeberu elifanayo ukuchaza imibuzo ebalulekile ephathelene nesono, ukufa nesihlengo. Khona-ke, cishe indlovukazi yaseSheba yayixoxa ngezindaba ezijulile ezazivivinya ukujula kokuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni. IBhayibheli lithi “yakhuluma naye ngakho konke okusenhliziyweni yayo.” USolomoni “wayiphendula ezindabeni zayo zonke. Kwakungekho nto eyayifihlelwe inkosi, engayitshelanga yona.”—1 AmaKhosi 10:2b, 3.
w99-ZU 11/1 20 ¶6
Lapho Ukuphana Kuvama
Imangazwe yilokho eyakuzwa neyakubona, inkosikazi yaphendula ngokuzithoba: “Zibusisiwe lezi zinceku zakho ezimi njalo phambi kwakho, zizwa ukuhlakanipha kwakho.” (1 AmaKhosi 10:4-8) Ayizange ithi izinceku zikaSolomoni ziyajabula ngenxa yokuthi zazizungezwe ingcebo—nakuba kwakunjalo. Kunalokho, izinceku zikaSolomoni zazibusisiwe ngoba zazilalela njalo ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni ayekunikwe uNkulunkulu. Yeka isibonelo esihle inkosikazi yaseSheba eyiso kubantu bakaJehova namuhla, abajabulela ukuhlakanipha koMdali ngokwakhe nokweNdodana yakhe, uJesu Kristu!
w99-ZU 7/1 30-31
Ukuvakasha Okwavuzwa Ngokucebile
Ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni nokuchuma kombuso wakhe kwahlaba indlovukazi yaseSheba umxhwele kangangokuthi “akwabe kusabakho moya kuyo.” (1 AmaKhosi 10:4, 5) Lawa mazwi abanye bawabheka njengasho ukuthi indlovukazi “yabamba umoya.” Esinye isazi size sisikisele ukuthi yaquleka! Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, lokho indlovukazi eyakubona neyakuzwa kwayimangaza. Yathi izinceku zikaSolomoni zazijabula ngokukwazi ukuzwa lokhu kuhlakanipha kwenkosi, futhi yabonga uJehova ngokubeka uSolomoni esihlalweni sobukhosi. Yabe isipha inkosi izipho ezibizayo, igolide lilodwa nje lalingamaRandi angu-247 600 000 ngokwenani lanamuhla. USolomoni naye waletha izipho, wanika le ndlovukazi “konke ekufunayo nekucelayo.”—1 AmaKhosi 10:6-13.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w08-ZU 11/1 22 ¶4-6
Ingabe Bewazi?
INkosi uSolomoni yayinegolide elingakanani?
ImiBhalo ithi uHiramu, inkosi yaseThire, yathumela amathani amane egolide kuSolomoni, indlovukazi yaseSheba yamnika inani elifanayo, kanti imikhumbi kaSolomoni yaletha amathani angaphezu kwangu-15 egolide elalivela e-Ofiri. Ukulandisa kuthi: “Isisindo segolide elaliza kuSolomoni ngonyaka owodwa sasingamathalenta egolide angamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi ayisithupha nesithupha,” noma amathani angaphezu kwangu-25. (1 AmaKhosi 9:14, 28; 10:10, 14) Ingabe lokhu kunengqondo? Yayingakanani imithombo yegolide ezikhathini zasendulo?
Umbhalo wasendulo, izazi ezithi uyiqiniso, uthi uFaro Thutmose III waseGibhithe (wangekhulu lesibili B.C.E.) waletha amathani angaba ngu-13,5 egolide ethempelini lika-Amun-Ra eKarnak. Ekhulwini lesi-8 B.C.E., inkosi yase-Asiriya uThigilati-phileseri III yathola amathani angaphezu kwamane egolide njengentela evela eThire, kanti uSarigoni II waletha inani elifanayo njengesipho sonkulunkulu baseBhabhiloni. Inkosi yaseMakedoniya uPhilip II (359-336 B.C.E.) kubikwa ukuthi wayethola amathani angaphezu kwangu-28 egolide unyaka ngamunye ezimayini zasePangaeum eThrace.
Lapho indodana kaPhilip u-Alexander Omkhulu (336-323 B.C.E.) ethumba umuzi wasePheresiya iSusa, kuthiwa wathatha amathani angaba ngu-1 180 egolide kanye namathani angaba ngu-7 000 kulo lonke elasePheresiya. Ngakho uma kuqhathaniswa nale mibiko, incazelo yeBhayibheli yegolide leNkosi uSolomoni ayilona ihaba.
SEPTEMBER 12-18
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 11-12
“Khetha Kuhle Umuntu Ozatshada Laye”
“Ngubani OngokaJehova?”
7 Kunengi esingakufunda kulokho okwenziwa yiNkosi uSolomoni. Ngesikhathi uSolomoni esakhula wayecela ukuthi uJehova amqondise kukho konke ayekwenza. UJehova wamnika inhlakanipho enkulu kanye lomsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli elihle okumangalisayo eJerusalema. Kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uSolomoni wamtshiya uJehova. (1 AmaKho. 3:12; 11:1, 2) UMthetho kaJehova wawusithi inkosi engumHebheru akumelanga ‘ithathe abafazi abanengi funa inhliziyo yayo idukiswe.’ (Dute. 17:17) Kodwa uSolomoni kawulalelanga uMthetho kaJehova, wathatha abafazi abangu-700 njalo waba labanye abeceleni abangu-300. (1 AmaKho. 11:3) Abafazi bakhe abanengi wayebathethe ezizweni ezazikhonza onkulunkulu bamanga. Ngokwenza lokhu wephula uMthetho kaJehova owawusenqabela ama-Israyeli ukuthi athathe abafazi kwezinye izizwe.—Dute. 7:3, 4.
Ungayigcina Njani Inhliziyo Yakho?
6 USathane ungumhlamuki futhi kalandaba labanye abantu. Ufuna lathi sihlamukele uJehova njalo sizenzele esikufunayo. Kodwa ngeke asibambe ngamandla ukuthi sicabange loba senze njengaye. Manje yiziphi izindlela azisebenzisayo? Kwezinye izikhathi angazama ukusiyenga esebenzisa abantu esiphila labo ngoba abanengi babo balandela lokho akufunayo. (1 Joh. 5:19) Uyabe elethemba lokuthi sizakuba lobudlelwano labantu abanjalo lanxa sikwazi ukuthi abangane ababi ‘bangona’ indlela esicabanga ngayo lesenza ngayo. (1 Khor. 15:33) Lokhu yikho kanye okwenzakala kuSolomoni. Wathatha abafazi abanengi ababengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu futhi kancane kancane baphambula inhliziyo yakhe wacina ‘eselahlekile.’—1 AmaKho. 11:3.
“Ngubani OngokaJehova?”
9 UJehova kasithathi kancane isono. IBhayibhili lithi: “UJehova wamthukuthelela uSolomoni ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yayisimfulathele uJehova . . . , yena ayezibonakalise kuye kabili. Lanxa wayemlayile uSolomoni ukuba angalandeli abanye onkulunkulu uSolomoni kazange awulandele umlayo kaNkulunkulu.” Ngakho uJehova wamlahla njalo wasusa isibusiso sakhe kuye. Ukungalaleli kwakhe kwaletha impumela ebuhlungu embusweni wako-Israyeli, isizwe sadabukana phakathi futhi kwaba lezinhlupho ezingapheliyo okweminyaka eminengi.—1 AmaKho. 11:9-13.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
Ngabe Wawuthola Umusa KaNkulunkulu
URehobhowami wathi ebona izizwe ezilitshumi zimhlamukela wahle waqoqa ibutho lakhe ukuze ayehlasela. Kodwa uJehova wahle wakuvimba lokhu ngokuthumela umphrofethi uShemiya ukuthi ayekhuluma amazwi la: “Lingahambi ukuyakulwa labafowenu, abako-Israyeli. Yanini emakhaya enu, munye ngamunye, ngoba lokhu okwenzakalayo kuvela kimi.”—1 AmaKho. 12:21-24.
Kumele ukuthi lokhu kwamkhathaza uRehobhowami ngoba wayezimisele ukujezisa izizwe ezilitshumi. Mhlawumbe wayezibuza lokuthi abantu bazamkhangela njani ngoba eqalisa ukubusa wethusela abantu esithi uzabajezisa ‘ngokubalumisa ngezinkume.’ Pho kwasekusenzakala njani ukuthi ayekele abahlamuki bengajeziswanga? (Qathanisa lo-2 ImiLando 13:7.) Loba kunjalo inkosi lebutho layo ‘balalela ilizwi likaJehova babuyela emakhaya abo, njengokulaywa kwabo nguJehova.’
Kuyini esikufundayo endabeni le? Sifunda ukuthi kumele silalele uJehova lanxa ukwenza njalo kungabangela ukuthi sichothozwe. Ukulalela uNkulunkulu kwenza abe lomusa kithi futhi asibusise.—Dute. 28:2.
URehobhowami wathi esetshiye icebo lakhe lokuyakulwa lezizwe ezilitshumi waqalisa ukwakha lokuqinisa amadolobho akoJuda lakoBhenjamini. IBhayibhili lichaza ukuthi wakha amadolobho amanengi njalo ‘wawaqinisa kakhulu.’ (2 ImiLan. 11:5-12) Okunye okuhle yikuthi uRehobhowami waqala ukulalela imithetho kaJehova. Izizwe ezilitshumi ezazibuswa nguJerobhowami zasezicwile ekukhonzeni izithombe. Kodwa abantu abanengi ngaphansi kombuso kaJerobhowami “basekela uRehobhowami” ngokuya eJerusalema belanda ukuyakhonza uJehova. (2 ImiLan. 11:16, 17) Ukulalela kukaRehobhowami kwawuqinisa umbuso wakhe.
SEPTEMBER 19-25
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 13-14
“Kungani Kumele Sisuthiseke Futhi Sithobeke?”
w08-ZU 8/15 8 ¶4
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
4 UJerobowamu ube esethi kumuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Woza siye endlini uthathe okokuzisekela, futhi mangikuphe isipho.” (1 AmaKh. 13:7) Uzokwenzenjani lo mprofethi manje? Asamukele yini isimemo sokuya endlini yenkosi ngemva kokuyitshela isigijimi esiyilahlayo? (IHu. 119:113) Noma asenqabe, nakuba kubonakala sengathi inkosi iyazisola? Akungabazeki ukuthi uJerobowamu angabagidlabeza ngezipho eziphambili abangane bakhe. Uma kuwukuthi umprofethi kaNkulunkulu ubenesifiso esicashile sezinto ezibonakalayo, cishe isimemo senkosi siyisilingo esikhulu kuye. Nokho, uJehova umyale kanje umprofethi: “Akumelwe udle isinkwa noma uphuze amanzi, futhi ungabuyi ngendlela ohambe ngayo.” Ngakho uphendula ngaphandle kokunanaza: “Noma ubunganginika ngisho nengxenye yendlu yakho bengingeke ngihambe nawe ngidle isinkwa noma ngiphuze amanzi kule ndawo.” Umprofethi uyasuka eBhethele ahambe ngenye indlela. (1 AmaKh. 13:8-10) Isinqumo somprofethi sisifundisani ngokuba qotho ngokusuka enhliziyweni?—Roma 15:4.
w08-ZU 8/15 11 ¶15
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
15 Yini enye esingayifunda ephutheni lomprofethi wakwaJuda? IzAga 3:5 zithi: “Thembela kuJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakho, ungenciki kokwakho ukuqonda.” Kunokuba aqhubeke ethembela kuJehova njengoba ayenzile ngaphambili, kulo mzuzu lo mprofethi wakwaJuda wathembela kokwakhe ukuhlakanipha. Iphutha lakhe lamlahlekisela ukuphila kwakhe negama elihle ayezenzele lona noNkulunkulu. Yeka ukuthi okwamehlela kukugcizelela ngokunamandla kanjani ukubaluleka kokukhonza uJehova ngesizotha nangobuqotho!
w08-ZU 8/15 9 ¶10
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
10 Umprofethi wakwaJuda kwakufanele abubone ubuqili balo mprofethi omdala. Wayengazibuza, ‘Uma uJehova ebefuna ukunginika iziyalezo ezintsha, ingabe ingelosi ubezoyithumela komunye umuntu?’ Wayengacela uJehova ukuba acacise ngalezi ziyalezo, kodwa imiBhalo ayibonisi ukuthi wakwenza lokho. Kunalokho, ‘waphindela emuva nale ndoda endala ukuze adle isinkwa endlini yayo aphuze namanzi.’ UJehova akajabulanga ngalokho. Lapho umprofethi okhohlisiwe ekugcineni esebuyela kwaJuda, wahlaselwa ingonyama yambulala. Yeka ukuthi umsebenzi wakhe njengomprofethi waphela ngendlela edabukisa kanjani!—1 AmaKh. 13:19-25.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
Kakulalutho ‘Olungasehlukanisa Lothando lukaNkulunkulu’
11 Okwesithathu, ngesikhathi uJehova esihlola, uyahluza ngonanzelelo edinga okuhle. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho uJehova esithi yonke indlu yeNkosi uJerobhowami yayizabulawa, walaya ukuthi enye yamadodana enkosi okuthiwa ngu-Abhija, ingcwatshwe kuhle. Kungani? “Ngoba nguye yedwa endlini kaJerobhowami, uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli amfumene enze ukulunga.” (1 AmaKhosi 14:1, 10-13) Ngamanye amazwi, uJehova wahluza inhliziyo yendoda leyo eyayisakhula wasethola ‘yenze ukulunga.’ Lanxa ukulunga lokho kwakukuncane, uJehova wakubona kuqakathekile ukuthi kubhalwe ngakho eLizwini lakhe. Wanika u-Abhija umvuzo ngenxa yokulunga kwakhe okuncane, etshengisa umusa ngokwezinga elithile kulelolunga lendlu yabahlamuki.
SEPTEMBER 26–OCTOBER 2
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 15-16
“U-Asa Waba Lesibindi—Wena-ke?”
w12-ZU 8/15 8 ¶4
“Ukhona Umvuzo Womsebenzi Wenu”
Phakathi neminyaka engu-20 yangemva kokuhlukana kuka-Israyeli abe imibuso emibili, uJuda wayesonakaliswe ngokuphelele imikhuba yobuqaba. Lapho u-Asa eba yinkosi ngo-977 B.C.E., ukukhulekelwa konkulunkulu benzalo bamaKhanani kwase kungene nasesigodlweni. Kodwa umlando ophefumulelwe wezenzakalo zansuku zonke wokubusa kuka-Asa uthi “wenza okuhle nokulungile emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.” U-Asa “wasusa ama-altare abanye onkulunkulu nezindawo eziphakeme futhi waphula izinsika ezingcwele wanquma nezigxobo ezingcwele.” (2 IziKr. 14:2, 3) Wabuye waxosha “izifebe zesilisa zasethempelini” embusweni wakwaJuda, ezazenza ubungqingili egameni lenkolo. Kodwa akagcinanga lapho. Wabuye wanxusa abantu ukuba ‘bafune uJehova uNkulunkulu wokhokho babo’ futhi bagcine “umthetho nomyalo” kaNkulunkulu.—1 AmaKh. 15:12, 13; 2 IziKr. 14:4.
Khonza UJehova Ngenhliziyo Yonke
7 Sonke kumele sizihlole ukuze sibone ukuthi simkhonza ngenhliziyo yonke yini uJehova. Kufanele sizibuze imibuzo le, ‘Ngizamlalela yini uJehova lanxa izimo zinzima? Ngizimisele yini ukugcina ibandla lihlanzekile? Khumbula ukuthi u-Asa kwakumele abe lesibindi ukuze asuse ugogo wakhe uMahakha esikhundleni sokuba yindlovukazi. Yikho lawe kwezinye izikhathi kungadingakala ukuthi ube lesibindi njengaye. Ngokwesibonelo, kungenzakala ukuthi omunye emulini yangakini loba umngane wakho asuswe ebandleni ngenxa yokungafuni ukutshiya ububi abenzayo. Uzazimisela yini ukuthi ungabi lobudlelwano laye? Uzakwenza ngenhliziyo yonke yini lokhu kumbe uzabe uvala abanye amehlo nje?
it-1-E 184-185
U-Asa
Lanxa u-Asa wenza izinto ezitshengisa ukuthi wayengahlakaniphanga njalo engaqakathekisi izinto zokukhonza wayelobuntu obuhle futhi kazange azihlanganise labahlamuki. Lokhu kwenza wabalwa phakathi kwamakhosi akoJuda ayethembekile. (2Imi 15:17) Ngesikhathi u-Asa ebusa koJuda okweminyaka engu-41 kwaba lamakhosi angu-8 ko-Israyeli agoqela uJerobhowami, uNadabi, uBhahasha, u-Ela, uZimiri, u-Omiri, uThibhini (owayebusa ingxenye yako-Israyeli eyayingasekeli u-Omiri) lo-Ahabi. (1Am 15:9, 25, 33; 16:8, 15, 16, 21, 23, 29) Ngemva kokufa kuka-Asa indodana yakhe uJehoshafathi yaba yinkosi.—1Am 15:24.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w98-ZU 9/15 21-22
Ingabe UNkulunkulu Ungokoqobo Kuwe?
Ngokwesibonelo, funda isiprofetho esiphathelene nenhlawulo yokwakha iJeriko kabusha bese ucabangela ukugcwaliseka kwaso. UJoshuwa 6:26 uthi: “UJoshuwa wabafungisa ngalesosikhathi, wathi: Makaqalekiswe phambi kukaJehova umuntu osuka akhe lomuzi waseJeriko; uyakubeka isisekelo sawo ngokulahlekelwa yizibulo lakhe, amise amasango awo ngokulahlekelwa ngomncinyane wakhe.” Ukugcwaliseka kwaso kwenzeka eminyakeni engaba ngu-500 kamuva, ngoba kweyoku-1 AmaKhosi 16:34 sifunda ukuthi: “Ezinsukwini [zeNkosi u-Ahabi] uHiyeli waseBethele wabuye wakha iJeriko; wabeka isisekelo salo ngokulahlekelwa nguAbiramu izibulo lakhe, wamisa amasango alo ngokulahlekelwa yithunjana lakhe uSegubi njengezwi likaJehova owalikhuluma ngesandla sikaJoshuwa indodana kaNuni.” NguNkulunkulu ongokoqobo kuphela owayengaphefumulela iziprofetho ezinjalo futhi aqikelele ukuthi ziyagcwaliseka.
OCTOBER 3-9
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 17-18
“Lizathandabuza Kuze Kube Nini Ngeminakano Emibili Le?”
Tshengisa Ukuthi Ulokholo Ngokwenza Izinqumo Ezinhle
6 Ngesikhathi abako-Israyeli sebeselizweni ababelithenjisiwe kwakumele bakhethe ukuthi bazakhonza uJehova yini loba abanye onkulunkulu. (Bala uJoshuwa 24:15.) Lesi kwakuyisinqumo esiqakatheke kakhulu ngoba sasisitsho ukuphila loba ukufa kubo. Kodwa ngesikhathi sabahluleli, abako-Israyeli babesenza izinqumo ezimbi futhi bephambuka kuJehova besiyakhonza onkulunkulu bamanga. (Abahlu. 2:3, 11-23) Langesikhathi sika-Elija abantu bakaNkulunkulu kwakumele benze isinqumo. Umphrofethi u-Elija wabatshela ukuthi bakhethe phakathi kokukhonza uJehova lokukhonza uBhali. (1 AmaKho. 18:21) Kwakungakhanya kulula ukwenza isinqumo lesi ngoba ukukhonza uJehova yikho vele okufaneleyo. Ngakho kwakungelangqondo ukuthi umuntu alingeke loba akhethe ukukhonza uBhali. Kodwa okudanisayo yikuthi abako-Israyeli ‘babeleminakano emibili.’ Lanxa kunjalo u-Elija wabakhuza wasebakhuthaza ukuthi bakhethe ukukhonza uJehova.
Walwela Ukukhonza Kweqiniso
15 Lapho-ke abaphrofethi bakaBhali benza angathi sebephambene. “Baklabalala ngamandla baziklaya ngezingqamu langezinkemba, njengoba kwakungumkhuba wabo, kwaze kwajuluka igazi.” Kodwa akuzange kubancede. “Akubanga lalutho, akubanga lampendulo, kakho owazihlupha ngakho.” (1 AmaKho. 18:28, 29) Kwacaca ukuthi kwakungelanto okuthiwa nguBhali. Kwakuyindlela kaSathane yokuhuga abantu ukuthi bacine bengasamkhonzi uJehova. Kuyakhanya-ke ukuthi sizadana kakhulu kumbe siyangeke nxa singakhetha ukukhonza omunye unkulunkulu kulokuthi sikhonze uJehova.—Bala iHubo 25:3; 115:4-8.
Walwela Ukukhonza Kweqiniso
18 Mhlawumbe kulabanengi ababezibuza ukuthi iyozala nkomoni. Kambe uJehova laye wayezakwehluleka yini njengoBhali? Ngemva komthandazo bayithola impendulo. IBhayibhili lithi: “Khonokho umlilo kaJehova wehla watshisa umhlatshelo, inkuni, amatshe lomhlabathi, kwaze kwatsha lamanzi ayesemgelweni.” (1 AmaKho. 18:38) Lesi kwakuyisimanga sezimanga! Manje abantu bathini?
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
ia 86, ibhokisi
Walwela Ukukhonza Kweqiniso
Isomiso Sangesikhathi Sika-Elija Sathatha Isikhathi Esinganani?
U-Elija umphrofethi kaJehova watshela iNkosi u-Ahabi ukuthi isomiso esasesidonse isikhathi eside sasesizaphela. Isaziso lesi wasikhipha “ngomnyaka wesithathu.” Kukhanya angathi iminyaka le ibalwa kusukela ngelanga amemezela ngalo ukuthi izulu lalingasoze line. (1 AmaKho. 18:1) UJehova wanisa izulu u-Elija esanda kutsho ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzalinisa. Abanye bangathi izulu lana phakathi komnyaka wesithathu, besitsho ukuthi isomiso saphela iminyaka emithathu ingakeneli. Kodwa uJesu loJakhobe bathi indlala le yathatha ‘iminyaka emithathu lengxenye.’ (Luk. 4:25; Jak. 5:17) Manje okuyikho yikuphi?
Ko-Israyeli wasendulo kwakuhlala kungelazulu inyanga zize zibe yisithupha. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi u-Elija wathi ezotshela u-Ahabi ngesomiso kwasekukhanya ukuthi izulu laseliphuzile futhi kwasekusonakala. Lokhu kutsho ukuthi isomiso sasesilezinyanga ezingaba yisithupha siqalisile. U-Elija wakhipha isaziso sokuphela kwesomiso “ngomnyaka wesithathu” emveni kokuba ekhiphe esokuqala, okutsho ukuthi isomiso sasesidonse iminyaka emithathu kanye lezinyanga ezingaba yisithupha. Yikho-ke kwasekudlule ‘iminyaka emithathu lengxenye’ ngesikhathi abantu besiyabuthana eNtabeni iKhameli ukuze babone ukuthi ngubani uNkulunkulu weqiniso.
U-Elija wahamba ngesikhathi esihle sibili esiyahlangana lo-Ahabi okokuqala. Phela abantu babekholwa ukuthi uBhali “wayengumgadi wamayezi,” unkulunkulu oletha izulu ngesikhathi esifaneleyo. Njengoba izulu laseliphuze kakhulu engxenye basebezibuza besithi: ‘UBhali ungaphi? Uzalinisa nini izulu?’ Kumele ukuthi isaziso sika-Elija sokuthi kwakungasoze kube lezulu lamazolo yena aze atsho sabagwaza emahlabankomo abantu ababekhonza uBhali.—1 AmaKho. 17:1.
OCTOBER 10-16
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 19-20
“Thembela KuJehova Ukuthi Akududuze”
Thembela KuJehova Nxa Ukhathazekile
5 Bala u-1 AmaKhosi 19:1-4. Kodwa u-Elija wesaba ngesikhathi iNdlovukazi uJezebeli ifunga ukuthi izambulala. Yikho wabaleka waya eBherisheba. Wadana kakhulu waze “wakhulekela ukuthi ngabe uyafa.” Kungani wadana kangako? U-Elija wayelesono njalo “wayengumuntu olemizwa enjengeyethu.” (Jak. 5:17) Kungenzeka wayesekhulelwe yikukhathazeka njalo esedinwe kakhulu. Kukhanya wayesecabanga ukuthi wayedlalise isikhathi ezama ukunceda abantu ukuthi bakhonze uJehova ngoba izinto azizange zibe ngcono ko-Israyeli. Wayesecabanga lokuthi nguye yedwa owayelokhu ekhonza uJehova. (1 AmaKho. 18:3, 4, 13; 19:10, 14) Kungasimangalisa ukuthi umphrofethi lo othembekileyo wacabanga izinto ezinjalo. Kodwa uJehova wayizwisisa indlela u-Elija ayezizwa ngayo.
Waduduzwa NguNkulunkulu Wakhe
13 Ucabanga ukuthi uJehova wezwa njani ekhonale ezulwini ebona umphrofethi wakhe ayemthanda elele ngaphansi kwesihlahla ebubula esithi kungangcono azifele? IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi u-Elija uthe esabubhuqa ubuthongo uJehova wathuma ingilosi yakhe. Ingilosi le yamthinta, yamvusa kuhlekuhle yathi: “Vuka udle.” Lakanye u-Elija wavuka wathatha iqebelengwana elalisatshisa kanye lamanzi okunatha ayewaphiwe. Wayibonga yini ingilosi le? IBhayibhili kalisitsheli, kodwa lithi wadla, wanatha waphinda walala. Wayemdambiyana yini okokuthi wayesesehluleka lokukhuluma? Kasikwazi, kodwa esikutshelwayo yikuthi ingilosi yaphinda yamvusa, mhlawumbe sekusemathathakusa. Yakhuluma laye okwesibili yathi: “Vuka udle.” Yamtshela lamazwi la aqakathekileyo yathi: “Uhambo lude luzakukhulela.”—1 AmaKho. 19:5-7.
Waduduzwa NguNkulunkulu Wakhe
21 Kwakhanya ukuthi imvelo ilamandla amangalisayo kodwa iBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi uJehova wayengekho phakathi kwakho konke lokhu. U-Elija wayekwazi ukuthi uJehova wayengayisuye nkulunkulu wemvelo ongaqedakaliyo njengoBhali owayedunyiswa yizikhonzi zakhe zisithi ugada amayezi, zisitsho ukuthi nguye oletha izulu. Wonke amandla amangalisayo akhona ezintweni ezidaliweyo avela kuJehova kodwa yena mkhulu khatshana kulazo. Phela mkhulu kulezulu eliphakemeyo ngokwalo. (1 AmaKho. 8:27) Manje konke lokhu akubonayo kwamsiza ngani u-Elija? Khumbula ukuthi wayesesaba. Yikho-ke nxa wayesekelwa nguJehova uNkulunkulu olamandla amakhulukazi, u-Ahabi loJezebeli babeyini kambe ukuthi atshone ebesaba?—Bala iHubo 118:6.
Waduduzwa NguNkulunkulu Wakhe
22 Umlilo wathi usucitshile kwathula cwaka, u-Elija wesesizwa “ilizwi elipholileyo linyenyeza.” Lambuza umbuzo owenza ukuthi aphinde akhulume konke okwakumkhathaza. Engxenye ukukhuluma okwakumkhathaza kwenza ukuthi azwe angathi wethulwe umthwalo osindayo. Akuthandabuzwa-ke ukuthi lokho ‘ilizwi elipholileyo elalinyenyeza’ elamtshela khona kwamduduza kakhulu. UJehova wamsiza u-Elija ukuthi angathandabuzi ukuthi wayeyinceku yakhe eqakathekileyo. Njani? Wamtshengisa ukuthi wayezimisele ukususa bonke ababekhonza uBhali ko-Israyeli. Kwacaca ukuthi u-Elija wayengasebenzelanga mahala ngoba lokho uNkulunkulu ayekuhlosile kwakuzaphumelela loba sekutheni. UJehova waphinda wamnika omunye umsebenzi, futhi lokhu kwakusitsho ukuthi wayefuna ukuqhubeka emsebenzisa umphrofethi lo.—1 AmaKho. 19:12-17.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
Ukuthembeka Kuyamjabulisa UNkulunkulu
17 Khathesi kulamaKhristu amanengi asakhulayo akhetha ukungatshadi kumbe ukungabi labantwana ukuze azinikele ngokugcweleyo emsebenzini kaJehova. Kanti njalo bakhona lasebekhulile abadela ukutshona labantwababo kanye labazukulu ukuze bancedise ukwakhiwa kwezakhiwo zenhlanganiso kumbe ukuthi bangene iSikolo Sabavangeli BoMbuso kanye lokuyakhonza lapho okulabamemezeli abalutshwana khona. Abanye njalo bahlela kuhle izimo zabo ukuze benelise ukwengezelela inkonzo yabo ngesikhathi seSikhumbuzo. Konke lokhu okwenziwa ngabazalwane kuyamthokozisa uJehova njalo kasoze awukhohlwe umsebenzi abawenzayo lothando abamtshengisa lona. (Bala uHebheru 6:10-12.) Kukhona yini lawe ongakwenza ukuze wenze okunengi enkonzweni kaJehova?
OCTOBER 17-23
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-1 AMAKHOSI 21-22
“Lingisela Indlela UJehova Asebenzisa Ngayo Amandla Akhe”
it-2-E 21
UJehova Wamabutho
UJoshuwa wathi esezafika eJerikho wabona ingilosi waseyibuza ukuthi yayisekela abako-Israyeli yini kumbe izitha zawo. Ingilosi le yamphendula yathi, “Angikho ndawo, kodwa njengomlawuli webutho likaJehova sengifikile.” (Jos 5:13-15) Umphrofethi uMikhaya watshela iNkosi u-Ahabi leNkosi uJehoshafathi wathi, “Ngabona uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi lamabandla wonke asezulwini emi ngakwesokunene sakhe lakwesokhohlo sakhe.” Kusegcekeni ukuthi uMikhaya wayekhuluma ngezingilosi zikaJehova. (1Am 22:19-21) Kuqondile ukuthi kuthiwe uJehova wamabandla kumbe wamabutho hatshi webandla kumbe webutho njengoba nje kwezinye indawo eBhayibhilini kuvezwa ukuthi izidalwa zomoya ezisezulwini zingamaqembu amakherubhi lawamaserafi lawezingilosi. (Isy 6:2, 3; Gen 3:24; Sam 5:11) Kuphinda kuvezwe ukuthi zingamaqembu ahlelekileyo. Lokhu sikubona emazwini kaJesu Khristu lapho esithi angacela ukuthunyelwa izingilosi “ezedlula amaligiyoni angu-12.” (Mat 26:53, amabala angaphansi) UHezekhiya ethandaza kuJehova emncenga wathi ‘unguJehova uSomandla (kumbe owamabutho), uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli osebukhosini phakathi kwamakherubhi.’ Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uHezekhiya wayecabanga ngebhokisi lesivumelwano okwakubunjwe amakherubhi phezu kwalo. Amakherubhi la ayemela isihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova. (Isy 37:16; khangela u-1Sa 4:4; 2Sa 6:2.) Kwathi amabutho esegombolozele idolobho u-Elisha ayehlala kulo, inceku yakhe yekela ukwesaba isibone amaqaqa “agcwele amabhiza lezinqola zokulwa ezomlilo” zebutho lezingilosi zikaJehova.—2Am 6:15-17.
“Inhloko Yamadoda Wonke NguKhristu”
9 Ukuthobeka. UJehova uhlakaniphe ukwedlula loba ngubani kodwa uyalalela nxa izinceku zakhe ziveza lokho ezikucabangayo. (Gen. 18:23, 24, 32) Ngesinye isikhathi wake walalela icebo lengilosi. (1 AmaKho. 22:19-22) Lanxa yena engelasono, kalindelanga ukuthi singaphambanisi. Uzimisele ukusincedisa ukuthi siphumelele ekumkhonzeni. (Hubo. 113:6, 7) IBhayibhili lize lithi uJehova “ungumsizi.” (Hubo. 27:9; Heb. 13:6) INkosi uDavida yavuma ukuthi okwenza yaphumelela kukho konke eyayikwenza yikuthi uJehova uthobekile futhi wayeyincedisa.—2 Sam. 22:36.
it-2-E 245
Amanga
UJehova wavumela ingilosi ukuthi ibe ‘ngumoya wenkohliso’ emilonyeni yabaphrofethi baka-Ahabi. Ngamanye amazwi ingilosi le yenza bakhuluma lokho ababefuna ukukukhuluma futhi yikho u-Ahabi ayefuna ukukuzwa. Lanxa u-Ahabi wayexwayisiwe, wakhetha ukukholwa amanga abaphrofethi laba ababemkhohlisa futhi lokho kwambulalisa.—1Am 22:1-38; 2Imi 18.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
Kutshoni Sibili Ukuphenduka?
4 Ukubekezela kukaJehova kwacina kuphela. Wathuma u-Elija ukuthi atshele u-Ahabi loJezebheli indlela ayezabajezisa ngayo. Imuli yabo yonke yayizathanyelwa iphele du. Amazwi ka-Elija ahlaba ephukela ku-Ahabi. Okumangalisayo yikuthi indoda le ezigqajayo ‘yazithoba.’—1 AmaKho. 21:19-29.
5 Lanxa u-Ahabi wazithoba ngalesosikhathi, akwenzayo ngemva kwalokho kwatshengisa ukuthi wayengaphendukanga sibili. Kazange azame ukuqeda ukukhonzwa kukaBhali embusweni wakhe. Kanti njalo kazange akhuthaze abantu ukuthi bakhonze uJehova. Watshengisa langezinye izindlela ukuthi kaphendukanga.
6 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, u-Ahabi wacela inkosi elungileyo yakoJuda okwakuthiwa nguJehoshafathi ukuthi babambane bayekulwa lamaSiriya. UJehoshafathi wathi babuze umphrofethi kaJehova lokho okwakumele bakwenze bengakayi empini. Ekuqaliseni u-Ahabi wala, wathi: “Ukhona oyedwa esingabuza uJehova uNkulunkulu ngaye, kodwa ngiyamzonda ngoba kakaze aphrofethe okuhle ngami, uhlala ekhuluma okubi.” Lanxa kunjalo bacina bembuzile lowo mphrofethi okwakuthiwa nguMikhaya. Lakanye umphrofethi kaNkulunkulu waphrofetha okubi ngo-Ahabi. Kulokuthi inkosi le embi iphenduke njalo icele uJehova ayithethelele, yathi umphrofethi lo avalelwe ejele. (1 AmaKho. 22:7-9, 23, 27) Yenelisa sibili ukuvalela umphrofethi ejele kodwa yayingeke yenelise ukuvimba ukugcwaliseka kwesiphrofetho. Yafa empini isilwa lamaSiriya.—1 AmaKho. 22:34-38.
OCTOBER 24-30
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-2 AMAKHOSI 1-2
“Indlela Yokuqeqetsha Okumele Siyilingisele”
Abadala Bangabaqeqetsha Njani Abanye Abazalwane?
15 Okwasala kusenziwa ngu-Elisha esehlukane lo-Elija kutshengisa lokuthi abazalwane abaqeqetshwayo bangatshengisa njani ukuthi bayabahlonipha abafowethu asebeleminyaka eminengi bengabadala. U-Elija lenceku yakhe u-Elisha bathi sebevela bona abaphrofethi eJerikho bahamba eMfuleni iJodani. Sebekhonale, ‘u-Elija wathatha ingubo yakhe, wayigoqa watshaya ngayo amanzi. Amanzi adabuka phakathi.’ Bathi sebechaphile emhlabathini owomileyo baqhubeka ‘behamba bekhuluma.’ Kusegcekeni ukuthi u-Elisha kazange azitshele ukuthi wayesekwazi konke, kodwa waqhubeka elalela konke ayekutshelwa ngu-Elija baze behlukana ngesikhathi u-Elija esesenyuka ngesivunguzane. U-Elisha wathi esebuyela eMfuleni iJodani wafika wathatha ingubo ka-Elija watshaya ngayo amanzi ememeza esithi: “Ungaphi khathesi uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Elija?” Amanzi aphinda adabukana phakathi.—2 AmaKho. 2:8-14.
Abadala Bangabaqeqetsha Njani Abanye Abazalwane?
16 Ukunanzelele yini ukuthi isimangaliso sokuqala esenziwa ngu-Elisha sasifanana xathu lesimangaliso sokucina esasenziwe ngu-Elija? Ukufanana kwezimangaliso lezi kusifundisani? Kuyacaca ukuthi u-Elisha kazange athi, ‘Khathesi yimi esengizibambile, sekumele izinto zintshintshe.’ Kodwa waqhubeka elandela indlela u-Elija ayesenza ngayo futhi lokhu kwatshengisa ukuthi wayemhlonipha umqeqetshi wakhe kwaphinda kwenza lokuthi abanye abaphrofethi bamthembe u-Elisha. (2 AmaKho. 2:15) U-Elisha waba ngumphrofethi okweminyaka engu-60 njalo ngesikhathi leso uJehova wamnika amandla okwenza izimangaliso ezinengi ukwedlula ezika-Elija. Lokhu kungabafundisani abaqeqetshwayo?
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
w05-ZU 8/1 9 ¶1
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YamaKhosi Esibili
2:11—Ayini amazulu ‘u-Eliya enyukela kuwo ngesivunguvungu’? U-Eliya akayanga kwenye iplanethi, futhi akenyukelanga endaweni engokomoya lapho kuhlala khona uNkulunkulu namadodana akhe ayizingelosi. (Duteronomi 4:19; IHubo 11:4; Mathewu 6:9; 18:10) ‘Amazulu’ u-Eliya enyukela kuwo kwakuwumkhathi ozungeze umhlaba wethu. (IHubo 78:26; Mathewu 6:26) Njengoba inqola evuthayo yayihamba ngejubane elikhulu emkhathini womhlaba, kusobala ukuthi yamukisa u-Eliya kwenye indawo, lapho ahlala khona isikhathi esithile. Empeleni, eminyakeni eminingi kamuva, u-Eliya wabhalela uJehoramu, inkosi yakwaJuda incwadi.—2 IziKronike 21:1, 12-15.
OCTOBER 31–NOVEMBER 6
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | U-2 AMAKHOSI 3-4
“Thatha Indodana Yakho”
“Ngiyazi Ukuthi Uzavuka”
7 Isimangaliso sesibili esifunda ngaso eMibhalweni senziwa ngumphrofethi u-Elisha. Ngesikhathi umphrofethi lo eseShunemi wamukelwa kuhle ngowesifazane othile owayenothile. Owesifazane lo wayengelabantwana kodwa ngokuya kwesikhathi uJehova wambusisa yena lomkakhe owayesekhulile ngokubanika indodana. Ngemva kweminyaka ethile indodana le yafa. Lokhu kwamzwisa ubuhlungu owesifazane lo futhi wazimisela ukuhamba amakhilomitha angu-30 esiyadinga umphrofethi u-Elisha waze wamthola eNtabeni iKhameli. U-Elisha wathumela inceku yakhe uGehazi ukuthi igijime phambi kwabo iyemvusa umfana. UGehazi wehluleka ukumvusa kwaze kwafika unina lo-Elisha.—2 AmaKho. 4:8-31.
“Ngiyazi Ukuthi Uzavuka”
8 U-Elisha wathi efika waya lapho okulesidumbu somfana wathandaza kuJehova. Lakanye senzakala isimangaliso, umfana wavuka futhi unina wathaba okumangalisayo. (Bala u-2 AmaKhosi 4:32-37.) Kungenzakala ukuthi owesifazane lo wakhumbula umthandazo owatshiwo nguHana ngesikhathi esethula indodana yakhe uSamuyeli ethabanikeli, othi: “UJehova . . . wehlisela phansi engcwabeni njalo avuse.” (1 Sam. 2:6) Isimangaliso esenziwa ngu-Elisha eShunemi sitshengisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulamandla okuvusa abafileyo.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
it-2-E 697 ¶2
Umphrofethi
‘Ixuku Labaphrofethi.’ ‘Ixuku labaphrofethi’ lalingabe lingabaphrofethi ababengamalunga eqembu elalikhethiwe ukuthi lifundiswe ukwenza umsebenzi lo, kumbe kungenzeka laliyiqembu labaphrofethi ababesenza izinto bendawonye. Amaqembu anje ayetholakala eBhetheli, eJerikho laseGiligali. (2Am 2:3, 5; 4:38; khangela u-1Sa 10:5, 10.) USamuyeli wayekhokhela iqembu kumbe ixuku labaphrofethi elaliseRama (1Sa 19:19, 20) futhi kukhanya u-Elisha laye wayelabaphrofethi ababesebenza bengaphansi kwakhe. (2Am 4:38; 6:1-3; khangela u-1Am 18:13.) IBhayibhili lithi abanye abaphrofethi laba bazakhela indawo yokuhlala njalo lithi babesebenzisa ihloka elebolekiweyo. Lokhu kungabe kutshengisa ukuthi babeziphilela impilo engamangalisiyo. Izikhathi ezinengi babehlala bonke futhi bepheka ndawonye, kodwa babengaphiwa imisebenzi eyayingadinga ukuthi umuntu ayenze eyedwa.—1Am 20:35-42; 2Am 4:1, 2, 39; 6:1-7; 9:1, 2.