Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
AGASTI 7-13
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | HEZEKELI 28-31
“UJehova Wavuza Isizwe Esasingamkhonzi”
(Hezekeli 29:18) “Ndodana yomuntu, uNebukhadirezari uqobo, inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, wenza ukuba ibutho lakhe lempi lenze inkonzo enkulu ngokumelene neThire. Wonke amakhanda aphuculwa, futhi wonke amahlombe akhuhlwa aphucuka. Kodwa yena nebutho lakhe lempi abayitholanga inkokhelo eThire ngenxa yenkonzo ababeyenze ngokumelene nalo.
it-2-E 1136 ¶4
IThire
Ukubhujiswa Komuzi. Phakathi nesikhathi eside sokuvimbezela kukaNebukhadirezari umuzi waseThire, amakhanda amabutho akhe “aphuculwa” ngenxa yezigqoko zempi zokuzivikela futhi amahlombe awo “akhuhlwa aphucuka” ngenxa yokuthwala izinto zokwakha zomsebenzi wokuvimbezela umuzi waseThire. Ngenxa yokuthi uNebukadirezari wayengazange ayithole inkokhelo ngenxa yokusetshenziswa uJehova ukuba akhiphe isahlulelo saKhe kwabaseThire, uJehova wathembisa ukumkhokhela ngomcebo waseGibhithe. (Hez 29:17-20) Ngokwesazimlando esingumJuda uJosephus, ukuvinjezelwa kweThire kwathatha iminyaka engu-13 (Against Apion, I, 156 [21]), futhi kwaba yizindleko ezinkulu kakhulu kwabaseBhabhiloni. Umlando wezwe awukuvezi ngokuqondile ukuthi ukuhlasela kukaNebukadirezari kwakwenziwe ngokucophelela okungakanani nokuthi kwaphumelela ngezinga elingakanani. Kodwa kumelwe ukuba kwafa abantu abaningi eThire, konakala nempahla eningi.—Hez 26:7-12.
(Hezekeli 29:19) “Ngakho-ke yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Bheka nginika uNebukhadirezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni izwe laseGibhithe, uzomuka nomcebo walo awuphange ngokuphanga okukhulu; uzoba yinkokhelo yebutho lakhe lempi.’
it-1-E 698 ¶5
IGibhithe, UmGibhithe
Kuye kwatholakala umbhalo waseBhabhiloni wangonyaka ka-37 (588 B.C.E.) wokubusa kukaNebukhadinezari, oveza umkhankaso wokulwa neGibhithe. Akwaziwa ukuthi wawubhekisele ekunqobeni kokuqala noma ezimpini ezalandela. Kunoma ikuphi, uNebukhadinezari wathola umcebo waseGibithe njengenkokhelo ngenxa yenkonzo yezempi ayenza njengoba uJehova ayekhipha isahlulelo eThire elalimelene nabantu bakaNkulunkulu.—Hez 29:18-20; 30:10-12.
(Hezekeli 29:20) “‘Ngimniké izwe laseGibhithe njengembuyiselo yenkonzo ayenza ngokumelene nalo, ngoba benzela mina,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova.
g86 11/8 27 ¶4-5
Ingabe Zonke Izintela Kumelwe Zikhokhwe?
Ukuze siphendule lokhu, singase siveze ukufana nokuziphatha koMdali ekukhokheni isikweleti kuhulumeni ngezinkonzo ezinikelwe. Intukuthelo efanele yashukumisa uJehova ukuba amemezele ukubhujiswa komuzi wasendulo waseTire. Ekufezweni kwalesi senzo, uNkulunkulu wasebenzisa amandla empi aseBabiloni ngaphansi kombusi uNebukadinesari. Nakuba iBabiloni lanqoba, izindleko zempi zazinkulu. Ngakho uJehova waba nomuzwa wokuthi kumelwe bakhokhelwe ngezinkonzo zabo abazinikele. Amazwi akhe avela kuHezekeli 29:18, 19: “Ndodana yomuntu, uNebukadinesari inkosi yaseBabele wasebenzisa impi yakhe umsebenzi omkhulu ngeTire; . . . nokho yena nempi yakhe babengenankokhelo evela eTire ngomsebenzi abalenzela wona. Ngalokho isho kanje iNkosi uJehova, ithi: Bheka ngizakunika uNebukadinesari inkosi yaseBabele izwe laseGibithe; uyakuyisusa ingcebo yalo, aphange impango yalo, agcugce ingcugco yalo, kube-yinkokhelo yempi yakhe.”
Abafundi beBhayibheli bayazi ukuthi uNebukadinesari wayeyinkosi eqhoshayo enobugovu nengakholwa. IBabiloni nezimpi zalo kwakwaziwa ngokuphatha kwalo izithunjwa ngonya. UJehova akakutusanga ukuziphatha okunjalo, nokho kuye isikweleti sasiyisikweleti, futhi wasikhokha sonke.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Hezekeli 28:12-19) “Ndodana yomuntu, haya ingoma yokulila ngokuphathelene nenkosi yaseThire, uthi kuyo, ‘Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo: “‘“Ubeka uphawu esifanekisweni, ugcwele ukuhlakanipha, uphelele ngobuhle. 13 Wa-wuse-Edene, insimu kaNkulunkulu. Wonke amatshe ayigugu ayeyisembatho sakho, irubi, itopazi nejaspi; ikhrisolithe, i-onikisi nejeyidi; isafire, itherkhoyisi nesimaragidu; futhi zaziyigolide izisekelo zakho nezikhoxe zakho ezikuwe. Zalungiswa ngosuku lokudalwa kwakho. 14 Uyikherubi eligcotshiwe elisibekelayo, futhi ngikumisile. Wawusentabeni engcwele kaNkulunkulu. Wawuhambahamba phakathi kwamatshe omlilo. 15 Wawungenaphutha ezindleleni zakho kusukela ngosuku lokudalwa kwakho kwaze kwatholakala ukungalungi kuwe. 16 “‘“Ngenxa yobuningi bempahla yakho ethengiswayo bakugcwalisa ngobudlova ngaphakathi, waqala ukona. Ngizokukhipha njengongcolile entabeni kaNkulunkulu, futhi ngizokubhubhisa, kherubi elisibekelayo, ngizokubhubhisa usuke phakathi kwamatshe avuthayo. 17 “‘“Inhliziyo yakho yazidla ngenxa yobuhle bakho. Wachitha ukuhlakanipha kwakho ngenxa yobukhazikhazi bakho. Ngizokuphonsa phezu komhlaba. Ngizokumisa phambi kwamakhosi, ukuba akubuke. 18 “‘“Ngenxa yobuningi beziphambeko zakho, ngenxa yokungabi nabulungisa kwempahla yakho ethengiswayo, uzingcolisile izindlu zakho ezingcwele. Ngizokhipha umlilo phakathi kwakho. Yiwo ozokushwabadela. Ngizokwenza umlotha phezu komhlaba phambi kwamehlo abo bonke abakubonayo. 19 Kepha bonke abakwaziyo phakathi kwezizwe, ngokuqinisekile bayokugqolozela bemangele. Uyoba izinto ezesabisayo ezingazelelwe, futhi ngeke ube khona kuze kube nini nanini.”’”
it-2-E 604 ¶4-5
Ukuphelela
Isoni sokuqala nenkosi yaseThire. Isono nokungapheleli kwaqala ezulwini kwehlela emhlabeni njengoba amazwi kaJesu akuJohane 8:44 nokulandisa kwesahluko 3 sencwadi kaGenesise kubonisa. Nakuba ingoma esencwadini kaHezekeli 28:12-19 yayibhekisele ‘enkosini yaseThire’ engumuntu, ibonakala ifana nenkambo eyathathwa indodana kaNkulunkulu engumoya eyaba eyokuqala ukona. Ukuzikhukhumeza ‘kwenkosi yaseThire,’ ukuzenza “unkulunkulu,” ukubizwa kwayo ngokuthi “ikherubi” nokubhekisela kwale ngoma ‘e-Edene, ensimini kaNkulunkulu,’ ngokuqinisekile kuhambisana nalokho okuseBhayibhelini okubhekisele kuSathane uDeveli, owazikhukhumeza, ohlotshaniswa nenyoka yase-Edene, obizwa nangokuthi “unkulunkulu walesi simiso sezinto.”—1Thim 3:6; Gen 3:1-5, 14, 15; IsAm 12:9; 2Ko 4:4.
Inkosi yaseThire elingashiwongo igama layo, ehlala emzini ewubiza ngokuthi ‘uphelele ngobuhle,’ yona ngokwayo ‘yayigcwele ukuhlakanipha, iphelele [isiphawulo esihlobene negama lesiHebheru elithi ka·lalʹ] ngobuhle,’ futhi ‘ingenaphutha [ngesiHebheru, ta·mimʹ]’ ezindleleni zayo kusukela yadalwa kwaze kwatholakala ukungalungi kuyo. (Hez 27:3; 28:12, 15) Le ngoma esencwadini kaHezekeli ingase ibhekisele ohlwini lwababusi baseThire kunokuba ibhekisele enkosini eyodwa. (Qhathanisa nesiprofetho esasilahla ‘inkosi yaseBhabhiloni’ engabizwanga ngegama esiku-Isaya 14:4-20.) Uma kunjalo, kungenzeka ukuthi kubhekiselwa endleleni ababusi baseThire ababonisa ngayo ubungane nokubambisana no-Israyeli, njengoba iThire laze lanikela ukuze kwakhiwe ithempeli likaJehova eNtabeni iMoriya ngesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi uDavide neseNkosi uSolomoni. Ngakho, ekuqaleni kwakungenaphutha endleleni izikhulu zaseThire ezaziphatha ngayo abantu bakaJehova, u-Israyeli. (1Kho 5:1-18; 9:10, 11, 14; 2Kro 2:3-16) Nokho, amakhosi alandela ayishiya inkambo ‘yokungabi naphutha’ futhi abaprofethi bakaNkulunkulu uJoweli, u-Amose noHezekeli balilahla iThire. (Jow 3:4-8; Amo 1:9, 10) Ngaphandle kokufana okusobala phakathi kwenkambo ‘yamakhosi aseThire’ neyeSitha esiyinhloko sikaNkulunkulu, lesi siprofetho siphinde sibonise nendlela ‘ukuphelela’ kanye ‘nokungabi naphutha’ okungasetshenziswa ngayo ngomqondo olinganiselwe.
(Hezekeli 30:13, 14) “Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Futhi ngiyobhubhisa izithombe ezinjengendle ngibangele ukuba onkulunkulu abangasizi ngalutho baphele eNofi, futhi ngeke kusaba khona isikhulu esiphuma ezweni laseGibhithe; ngokuqinisekile ngiyofaka ukwesaba ezweni laseGibhithe. 14 Ngiyokwenza iPhatirosi libe yincithakalo ngokhele umlilo eZowani ngenze izenzo zokwahlulela eNo.
Zashonaphi?
IGAMA elithi Nofi nelithi No amagama aseBhayibhelini ezinhloko-dolobha zaseGibhithe zakudala ezazidumile iMemphis neThebes. INofi (Memphis) yayisebangeni elingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-23 eningizimu yeCairo, entshonalanga yoMfula iNayile. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi iMemphis ayibange isaba inhloko-dolobha yaseGibhithe. Ekuqaleni kwekhulu le-15 B.C.E., iGibhithe yayisinenhloko-dolobha entsha, iNo (Thebes), eyayisebangeni elingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-500 eningizimu yeMemphis. Elinye lamanxiwa amaningi amathempeli aseThebes yinxiwa lethempeli laseKarnak, okuthiwa liyisakhiwo esikhulu kunazo zonke ezake zakhiwa ngezinsika. IThebes nethempeli lakhona laseKarnak kwakunikezelwe ekukhulekeleni u-Amoni, unkulunkulu oyinhloko wamaGibhithe.
Sabikezelani isiprofetho seBhayibheli ngeMemphis neThebes? Kwakhishwa isahlulelo ngoFaro waseGibhithe nangonkulunkulu balo, ikakhulukazi unkulunkulu oyinhloko, “u-Amoni ukusuka eNo.” (Jeremiya 46:25, 26) Izixuku ezazibuthana khona zizokhulekela ‘zaziyoqedwa.’ (Hezekeli 30:14, 15) Kwaba njalo nangempela. Okusele ngokuphathelene nokukhulekelwa kuka-Amoni amanxiwa ethempeli kuphela. Idolobha lanamuhla laseLuxor lisengxenyeni yendawo okwakukhona kuyo iThebes yasendulo, bese kuba khona amadolobhana amancane phakathi kwamanxiwa ayo.
Ngokuqondene neMemphis, kuncane okusele ngaphandle kwamathuna akhona. Isazi seBhayibheli uLouis Golding sithi: “Emakhulwini amaningi eminyaka abanqobi beGibhithe abangama-Arabhu basebenzisa amanxiwa amakhulu aseMemphis njengenkwali yokwakha inhloko-dolobha yabo [iCairo] ngaphesheya komfula. Abakhi abangama-Arabhu kanye neNayile benza umsebenzi ophelele kangangokuthi amakhilomitha ngamakhilomitha ayo yonke indawo yedolobha lasendulo akukho ngisho netshe elilunguzile kulowo mhlabathi omnyama.” Ngempela, njengoba kwabikezelwa iBhayibheli, iMemphis laba ‘yinto eshaqisayo nje . . . langaba nowakhile kulo.’—Jeremiya 46:19.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Hezekeli 29:1-12) Ngonyaka weshumi, ngenyanga yeshumi, ngosuku lweshumi nambili lwenyanga, izwi likaJehova lafika kimi, lathi: 2 “Ndodana yomuntu, misa ubuso bakho bumelane noFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe uprofethe ngokumelene naye nangokumelene neGibhithe lilonke. 3 Khuluma, uthi, ‘Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo: “Bheka ngimelene nawe, Faro, nkosi yaseGibhithe, silo esikhulu sasolwandle esinabalele phakathi kwemiselekazi yaso yeNayile, esithé, ‘UMfula wami iNayile ungowami, mina—mina ngizenzele wona.’ 4 Ngizofaka izingwegwe emihlathini yakho ngibangele ukuba izinhlanzi zemiselekazi yeNayile zinamathele emazengeni akho. Ngizokukhuphula ngikukhiphe phakathi kwemiselekazi yakho yeNayile nazo zonke izinhlanzi zemiselekazi yakho yeNayile ezinamathele emazengeni akho. 5 Ngizokushiya ehlane, wena nazo zonke izinhlanzi zemiselekazi yakho yeNayile. Uzowela endle. Ngeke ubuthwe noma uqoqelwe ndawonye. Ngizokunikela ezilwaneni zasendle zomhlaba nasezidalweni ezindizayo zamazulu ube ngukudla kwazo. 6 Bonke abakhileyo eGibhithe bayokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova ngenxa yokuthi baba uzime oluwumhlanga endlini ka-Israyeli. 7 Lapho bekubamba ngesandla wafohloka, wabangela ukuba liqhekeke lonke ihlombe labo. Futhi lapho bencika kuwe, waphuka, futhi wabangela ukuba kuxegezele onke amanyonga abo.” 8 “Ngakho-ke yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo: “Bhekani ngiletha phezu kwakho inkemba, futhi ngizonquma kuwe umuntu wasemhlabeni nesilwane esifuywayo. 9 Izwe laseGibhithe liyoba yihlane eliyincithakalo nendawo ebhuqiwe; futhi bayokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova, ngoba uthé, ‘UMfula iNayile ungowami, mina ngiwenzile.’ 10 Ngakho-ke bheka ngimelene nawe futhi ngimelene nemiselekazi yakho yeNayile, futhi ngizokwenza izwe laseGibhithe libe yizindawo ezibhuqiwe, libe ngukoma, nogwadule olwenziwe incithakalo, kusukela eMigidoli kuye eSiyene kuze kube semngceleni weTopiya. 11 Ngeke kudabule kulo unyawo lomuntu wasemhlabeni, futhi ngeke kudabule kulo unyawo lwesilwane esifuywayo, iminyaka engamashumi amane ngeke lihlalwe. 12 Ngizokwenza izwe laseGibhithe libe yihlane eliyincithakalo phakathi kwamazwe enziwe incithakalo; imizi yalo izoba yihlane eliyincithakalo phakathi kwemizi ebhuqiwe iminyaka engamashumi amane; amaGibhithe ngizowahlakazela ezizweni ngiwahlakazele emazweni.”
AGASTI 14-20
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | HEZEKELI 32-34
“Umsebenzi Onzima Womlindi”
(Hezekeli 33:7) “Manje ngokuqondene nawe ndodana yomuntu, ngikwenzé umlindi endlini ka-Israyeli, futhi kumelwe uzwe izwi emlonyeni wami ubanikeze isixwayiso esivela kimi.
it-2-E 1172 ¶2
Umlindi
Ukusetshenziswa Kwaleli Gama Ngendlela Engokomfanekiso. UJehova wayemisa abaprofethi ukuze bakhonze njengabalindi abangokomfanekiso esizweni sakwa-Israyeli (Jer 6:17), kanti nabo, ngezinye izikhathi, babekhuluma ngabalindi ngendlela engokomfuziselo. (Isaya 21:6, 8; 52:8; 62:6; Hos 9:8) Laba baprofethi abangabalindi babenomsebenzi wokuxwayisa abantu ababi ngembhubhiso eyayisondela, uma bengabaxwayisi, laba balindi babebekwa icala. Uma abantu bengalaleli futhi bengasamukeli isixwayiso, igazi labo laliba semakhanda abo. (Hez 3:17-21; 33:1-9) Umprofethi ongathembekile wayeyinto engasizi ngalutho njengomlindi oyimpumputhe noma inja eyisimungulu.—Isaya 56:10.
(Hezekeli 33:8, 9) Lapho ngithi komubi, ‘Wena muntu omubi, uzokufa nokufa!’ kodwa wena ungakhulumi umxwayise omubi endleleni yakhe, yena njengomuntu omubi uyofa esiphambekweni sakhe, kodwa igazi lakhe ngiyolibiza esandleni sakho. 9 Kodwa wena, uma empeleni umxwayisa omubi endleleni yakhe ukuba abuye kuyo kodwa angabuyi endleleni yakhe, yena uyokufa esiphambekweni sakhe, kuyilapho wena uyowukhulula umphefumulo wakho.
Qhubekani Nishumayela UMbuso
Ukugwema Icala Legazi
13 Umthwalo wemfanelo woFakazi BakaJehova abazinikezele wokuxwayisa abantu ngesahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu esizayo ungaqhathaniswa nalowo kaHezekeli ngesikhathi sakhe. Wayemiswe ukuba abe umlindi wendlu kaIsrayeli. Isabelo sakhe sasiwukuxwayisa amaIsrayeli ukuthi ayezokwehlelwa yimbubhiso uma engaphenduki ezindleleni zawo ezimbi. Ukuba yena njengomlindi wahluleka ukuzwakalisa isixwayiso, imbubhiso yayisayokuza phezu kwabantu ababi, kodwa igazi labo laliyokuba phezu kwekhanda lomlindi oyekelelayo. Kulokhu uJehova ubonisa isimo sakhe mayelana nokukhipha isahlulelo: “Angithokozi ngokufa komubi, kuphela ngokubuya komubi endleleni yakhe aze aphile. Buyani, buyani ezindleleni zenu ezimbi; niyakufelani nina-ndlu yakwaIsrayeli na?”—Hezekeli 33:1-11.
(Hezekeli 33:11) Wothi kubo, ‘“Kuphila kwami,” kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova, “Angijabuli ngokufa komubi kodwa ngokuba omubi abuye endleleni yakhe futhi empeleni aqhubeke ephila. Buyani, buyani ezindleleni zenu ezimbi, kungani kufanele nife, nina ndlu ka-Israyeli?”’
(Hezekeli 33:14-16) “‘Futhi lapho ngithi komubi: “Uzokufa nokufa,” futhi empeleni abuye esonweni sakhe enze ubulungisa nokulunga, 15 futhi lo muntu omubi abuyise into eyisibambiso, abuyisele izinto ebezithathwe ngokuphangwa, futhi empeleni ahambe ngezimiso zokuphila ngokuba angakwenzi ukungabi nabulungisa, nakanjani uyoqhubeka ephila. Ngeke afe. 16 Akukho nesisodwa ezonweni zakhe one ngazo esiyokhunjulwa ngokumelene naye. Wenze ubulungisa nokulunga. Nakanjani uyoqhubeka ephila.’
Hlale Unomuzwa Wokuphuthuma
KUNGANI UKUSHUMAYELA KWETHU KUPHUTHUMA?
3 Lapho ucabanga ngalokho esizokuzuza noma okuzolahleka ngokushumayela kwethu, cishe uyaqaphela ukuthi kunesidingo esiphuthumayo sokukhuluma nabanye ngezindaba ezinhle. (Roma 10:13, 14) IZwi likaNkulunkulu lithi: “Lapho ngithi komubi: ‘Uzokufa nokufa,’ futhi empeleni abuye esonweni sakhe enze ubulungisa nokulunga, . . . nakanjani uyoqhubeka ephila. Ngeke afe. Akukho nesisodwa ezonweni zakhe one ngazo esiyokhunjulwa ngokumelene naye.” (Hez. 33:14-16) Ngempela, iBhayibheli lithi kulabo abafundisa abanye isigijimi soMbuso: “Uyozisindisa wena nabakulalelayo.”—1 Thim. 4:16; Hez. 3:17-21.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Hezekeli 33:32, 33) Futhi, bheka! kubo ufana nengoma yothando oluvusa imizwa, unjengomuntu onezwi elimtoti futhi obetha kahle insimbi yomculo enezintambo. Ngokuqinisekile bazowezwa amazwi akho, kodwa akekho noyedwa owenzayo. 33 Futhi lapho kugcwaliseka—bheka! kuzogcwaliseka—bayokwazi futhi ukuthi kwakukhona umprofethi phakathi kwabo.”
Hambisana Nenqola KaJehova Yasezulwini
Ukungadunyazwa Ukuzithela Ngabandayo
16 UHezekeli wabeka futhi isibonelo esihle ngokuba olalelayo nangokungazivumeli ukuba adunyazwe ukuzithela ngabandayo noma ukuhlekwa usulu. Ngokufanayo, ngokuhambisana nokuthuthuka kolimi oluhlanzekile, silethwa ekuvumelaneni nohlangothi oluthathwa uMgibeli weNqola wasebukhosini. Ngaleyondlela sihlonyiselwa ukuba sisabele emiyalweni yakhe, siqiniselwa ukuba singadunyazwa ukuzithela ngabandayo noma ukuhleka usulu kwalabo esikhuluma kubo isigijimi sesahlulelo sikaJehova. NjengoHezekeli, uNkulunkulu uye wasixwayisa kusengaphambili ngokuthi abanye abantu babeyophikisa ngentshiseko, benebunzi elilukhuni nenhliziyo enqala. Abanye babengeke bezwe ngoba bengafuni ukulalela uJehova. (Hezekeli 3:7-9) Futhi abanye babeyoba abazenzisi, njengoba uHezekeli 33:31, 32 esho: “Bafika kuwe njengokufika kwabantu, bahlala phambi kwakho njengabantu bami, bezwa amazwi akho, abawenzi kodwa, ngokuba ngomlomo wabo babonakalisa uthando olukhulu, kepha inhliziyo yabo ilandela inzuzo yabo. Bheka, uyisihlabelelo esithandekayo sonephimbo elimnandi kubo, obetha kahle ngogubhu, ngokuba bezwa amazwi akho, abawenzi kodwa.”
17 Wawuyoba yini umphumela? Ivesi 33 liyanezela: “Lapho lokhu kufika—bheka, kuyeza!—bayakwazi ukuthi kwakukhona umprofethi phakathi kwabo.” Lawomazwi embula ukuthi uHezekeli akazange ayeke ngenxa yokungasabeli. Ukuzithela ngabandayo kwabanye akuzange kumenze azithele ngabandayo. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi abantu babelalela noma cha, walalela uNkulunkulu futhi wafeza ukuthunywa kwakhe.
(Hezekeli 34:23) Ngiyovusa phezu kwazo umalusi oyedwa, uyozondla, yebo inceku yami uDavide. Yena uyoziklabisa, futhi uyoba umalusi wazo.
Ukuzithoba Ngentobeko Kubelusi Abanothando
3 Isiprofetho sika-Isaya 40:10, 11 sigcizelela isisa uJehova abelusa ngaso abantu bakhe. (IHubo 23:1-6) Phakathi nenkonzo yakhe yasemhlabeni, noJesu wabonisa ukubakhathalela ngesisa abafundi bakhe nabantu bebonke. (Mathewu 11:28-30; Marku 6:34) Bobabili uJehova noJesu basizonda isihluku sabelusi, noma abaholi, bakwa-Israyeli, ababengenandaba nemihlambi yabo futhi beyixhaphaza bengenamahloni. (Hezekeli 34:2-10; Mathewu 23:3, 4, 15) UJehova wathembisa: “Ngiyozisindisa izimvu zami, ngeke zisaba yinto yokuphangwa; futhi ngiyokwahlulela phakathi kwemvu nemvu. Ngiyovusa phezu kwazo umalusi oyedwa, uyozondla, yebo inceku yami uDavide. Yena uyoziklabisa, futhi uyoba umalusi wazo.” (Hezekeli 34:22, 23) Kulesi sikhathi sokuphela, uJesu Kristu, uDavide Omkhulu, nguye “umalusi oyedwa” uJehova ammise phezu kwazo zonke izinceku zaKhe emhlabeni, ezihlanganisa amaKristu agcotshwe ngomoya “nezinye izimvu.”—Johane 10:16.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Hezekeli 32:1-16) Kwathi futhi ngonyaka weshumi nambili, ngenyanga yeshumi nambili, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga, izwi likaJehova lafika kimi, lathi: 2 “Ndodana yomuntu, haya ingoma yokulila ngokuphathelene noFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe, uthi kuye, ‘Njengebhongo lengonyama elinomhlwenga lezizwe uthulisiwe. “‘Uye waba njengesilo sasemanzini ezilwandle, futhi wawulokhu ufulukuhlela emifuleni yakho futhi ulokhu udunga amanzi ngezinyawo zakho ungcolisa imifula yawo.’ 3 “Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Ngizokwelulela inetha lami phezu kwakho ngebandla lezizwe eziningi, futhi ngokuqinisekile zizokuletha ngenetha lami elihudulwayo. 4 Ngizokushiya ezweni. Ngizokujikijela endle. Ngizokwenza ukuba kuhlale phezu kwakho zonke izidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu, ngizisuthise ngawe izilo zasendle zomhlaba wonke. 5 Ngizobeka inyama yakho phezu kwezintaba ngigcwalise izigodi ngokulahlwayo kwakho. 6 Ngizobangela ukuba izwe liphuze okuphuma kuwe, igazi lakho, phezu kwezintaba; neziqu zemifudlana ziyogcwala okuvela kuwe.’ 7 “‘Lapho ucima ngizomboza amazulu ngenze mnyama izinkanyezi zawo. Ilanga lona, ngizolimboza ngamafu, nenyanga ngeke ikwenze kukhanye ukukhanya kwayo. 8 Zonke izinkanyiso zokukhanya emazulwini ngizozenza mnyama ngenxa yakho, futhi ngizobeka ubumnyama phezu kwezwe lakho,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova. 9 “‘Ngizocasula inhliziyo yezizwe eziningi lapho izithunjwa ezivela kuwe ngiziyisa phakathi kwezizwe emazweni ongawazi. 10 Nakanjani ngizobangela ukuba izizwe eziningi zifikelwe ukuthuthumela ngenxa yakho, namakhosi azo azoqhaqhazela enokukwesaba okukhulu lapho ngisikaza inkemba yami ebusweni bawo, azothuthumela umzuzwana ngamunye, yileyo naleyo ngenxa yomphefumulo wayo, ngosuku lokuwa kwakho.’ 11 “Ngoba yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Inkemba yenkosi yaseBhabhiloni izokwehlela phezu kwakho. 12 Ngizokwenza isixuku sakho siwe ngezinkemba zabanamandla, omashiqela bezizwe, bonke; futhi empeleni bayophanga ukuziqhenya kweGibhithe, sonke isixuku salo siyobhuqwa. 13 Futhi ngizobhubhisa zonke izilwane zalo ezifuywayo ziphele eceleni kwamanzi amaningi, unyawo lomuntu wasemhlabeni ngeke lusaphinde luwadunge, ngisho nezinselo zesilwane esifuywayo ngeke zisawadunga.’ 14 “‘Ngaleso sikhathi ngiyokwenza amanzi alo acwebe, nemifula yalo ngiyoyenza igeleze njengamafutha,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova. 15 “‘Lapho ngenza izwe laseGibhithe libe yihlane eliyincithakalo futhi kuchithwa nokuligcwalisile, lapho ngibulala bonke abakhileyo kulo, khona-ke bayokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova. 16 “‘Lena yingoma yokulila, futhi ngokuqinisekile abantu bayoyihaya. Ngisho namadodakazi ezizwe ayoyihaya; ayoyihaya ngeGibhithe nangaso sonke isixuku salo,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova.”
AGASTI 21-27
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | HEZEKELI 35-38
“UGogi WakwaMagogi Uzobhujiswa Maduze”
(Hezekeli 38:2) “Ndodana yomuntu, misa ubuso bakho bumelane noGogi wezwe lakwaMagogi, isikhulu esiyinhloko sikaMesheke noThubhali, uprofethe ngokumelene naye.
Imibuzo Evela Kubafundi
Ungubani-ke uGogi wakwaMagogi? Ukuze siphendule lo mbuzo, kudingeka sicwaninge eBhayibhelini sithole ukuthi ngubani ohlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu. IBhayibheli likhuluma ngokuhlasela ‘kukaGogi wakwaMagogi,’ ukuhlasela ‘kwenkosi yasenyakatho’ nokuhlasela ‘kwamakhosi omhlaba.’ (Hezekeli 38:2, 10-13; Daniyeli 11:40, 44, 45; IsAmbulo 17:14; 19:19) Ingabe lokhu ukuhlasela okuhlukahlukene? Akubonakali kunjalo. Kubonakala sengathi iBhayibheli lisebenzisa izinkulumo ezihlukahlukene ekuchazeni ukuhlasela okufanayo. Sikusho ngani lokhu? Ngenxa yokuthi iBhayibheli lisitshela ukuthi zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyohlanganyela kulokhu kuhlasela kokugcina okususa impi ye-Armagedoni.—IsAmbulo 16:14, 16.
Lapho siziqhathanisa zonke lezi zikhathi iBhayibheli elikhuluma ngazo ngalokhu kuhlaselwa kokugcina kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu, kuyacaca ukuthi inkulumo ethi uGogi wakwaMagogi ayibhekiseli kuSathane. Kunalokho, le nkulumo ibhekisela ezizweni eziningi ezihlangene. Ingabe lezi zizwe ziyoholwa “inkosi yasenyakatho”? Asinakugomela ngalokhu. Kodwa le ncazelo ibonakala ivumelana nalokho uJehova akushoyo ngoGogi: “Uyokuza uvela endaweni yakho, ezingxenyeni ezikude kakhulu zenyakatho, wena nezizwe eziningi kanye nawe, zonke zigibele amahhashi, ibandla elikhulu, yebo ibutho lempi elinabantu abaningi.”—Hezekeli 38:6, 15.
(Hezekeli 38:14-16) “Ngakho-ke profetha ndodana yomuntu, uthi kuGogi, ‘Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo: “Ngeke yini wazi ngalolo suku lapho abantu bami u-Israyeli behlala ngokulondeka? 15 Ngokuqinisekile uyokuza uvela endaweni yakho, ezingxenyeni ezikude kakhulu zenyakatho, wena nezizwe eziningi kanye nawe, zonke zigibele amahhashi, ibandla elikhulu, yebo ibutho lempi elinabantu abaningi. 16 Nakanjani uyokhuphuka ngokumelene nabantu bami u-Israyeli, njengamafu asibekela izwe. Kuyokwenzeka engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku, futhi ngiyokuletha umelane nezwe lami, ngenjongo yokuba izizwe zingazi lapho ngizingcwelisa kuwe Gogi, phambi kwamehlo azo.”’
Indlela Leli Zwe Eliyophela Ngayo
8 Ngemva kokuba inkolo yamanga ibhujisiwe, izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ziyobe zisekhona ‘zihleli zilondekile’ futhi ‘zingenaludonga.’ (Hez. 38:11, 14) Kuyokwenzekani kuleli qembu labantu elibonakala lingavikelekile eliqhubeka likhulekela uJehova? Kubonakala sengathi liyoba izisulu zokuhlasela okuwukhukhulela-ngoqo ‘kwezizwe eziningi.’ IZwi likaNkulunkulu lichaza lokho kuhlasela njengokuvela ‘kuGogi wezwe lakwaMagogi.’ (Funda uHezekeli 38:2, 15, 16.) Kufanele sikubheke kanjani lokho kuhlasela?
9 Ukwazi kusengaphambili ngalokhu kuhlaselwa kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu akusenzi sikhathazeke ngokweqile. Kunalokho, into eyinhloko esikhathazeka ngayo, akuyona insindiso yethu, kodwa ukungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova nokulwelwa kobukhosi bakhe. Eqinisweni, uJehova washo izikhathi ezingaphezu kuka-60 ukuthi: “Niyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.” (Hez. 6:7) Yingakho sikulindele ngokukhulu ukulangazela ukugcwaliseka kwaleso sici esiphawulekayo sesiprofetho sikaHezekeli, sinethemba lokuthi “uJehova uyayazi indlela yokukhulula ekulingweni abantu abanokuzinikela kokuhlonipha uNkulunkulu.” (2 Pet. 2:9) Ngesikhathi esifanayo, sifuna ukusebenzisa wonke amathuba okuqinisa ukholo lwethu ukuze sikwazi ukugcina ubuqotho bethu kuJehova kungakhathaliseki uvivinyo esingase sibhekane nalo. Yini okufanele siyenze? Kufanele sithandaze, sitadishe iZwi likaNkulunkulu, sizindle ngalo futhi sikhulume nabanye ngesigijimi soMbuso. Ngokwenza kanjalo, sigcina ithemba lethu lokuphila okuphakade liqinile, “njengehange.”—Heb. 6:19; IHu. 25:21.
(Hezekeli 38:21-23) “‘Ngiyombizela inkemba kuso sonke isifunda sami sezintaba,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova. ‘Inkemba yomuntu ngamunye iyomelana nomfowabo. 22 Ngiyozingenisa ekwahluleleni kanye naye, ngesifo esiwumshayabhuqe nangegazi; futhi ngiyonisa phezu kwakhe naphezu kwamaviyo akhe naphezu kwezizwe eziningi eziyobe zikanye naye imvula ekhukhulayo namatshe esichotho, umlilo nesibabule. 23 Ngokuqinisekile ngiyozikhulisa ngizingcwelise ngizenze ngaziwe phambi kwamehlo ezizwe eziningi; ziyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.’
“Manje Seniyisizwe SikaNkulunkulu”
16 Ngemva kokubhujiswa kweBhabhiloni Elikhulu, abantu bakaJehova bayohlaselwa nxazonke, futhi ngaleso sikhathi kuyodingeka sibe sesivikelweni uJehova ayosinikeza izinceku zakhe. Njengoba lokhu kuhlasela kuyosho ukuqala kwengxenye yokugcina ‘yosizi olukhulu,’ nguJehova ngokwakhe oyoqondisa izinto futhi akhethe isikhathi esifanele salolu suku lwamanqamu. (Math. 24:21; Hez. 38:2-4) Ngaleso sikhathi, uGogi uyohlasela ‘isizwe esibuthwe ezizweni,’ abantu bakaJehova. (Hez. 38:10-12) Lokho kuhlasela kuyobangela uJehova ukuba akhiphe izahlulelo zakhe kuGogi nasemabuthweni akhe. UJehova uyokhulisa ubukhosi bakhe, angcwelise negama lakhe ngoba uthi: “Ngokuqinisekile . . . [ngiyozenza] ngaziwe phambi kwamehlo ezizwe eziningi; ziyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.”—Hez. 38:18-23.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Hezekeli 36:20, 21) Ngakho yafika ezizweni eyafika kuzo, abantu balingcolisa igama lami elingcwele ngokuba babhekisele kubo bathi, ‘Laba ngabantu bakaJehova, futhi baphumile ezweni lakhe.’ 21 Ngiyoba nobubele ngegama lami elingcwele, indlu ka-Israyeli elingcolisile phakathi kwezizwe efikele kuzo.”
Funda Futhi Ufundise Ukuziphatha KobuKristu
12 Umphostoli wagcizelela isizathu esiyinhloko sokufunda bese usebenzisa izimiso zokuziphatha ozithola eBhayibhelini? Ukuziphatha kabi kwamaJuda kwakummelela kabi uJehova: “Wena, oziqhenya ngomthetho, ingabe ngokweqa kwakho uMthetho uhlaza uNkulunkulu? Ngoba ‘igama likaNkulunkulu liyahlanjalazwa ngenxa yenu phakathi kwezizwe.’” (Roma 2:23, 24) Kuyiqiniso ngokufanayo nanamuhla ukuthi uma singakunaki ukuziphatha kobuKristu sihlaza uMthombo wako. Kodwa futhi uma sibambelela siqinisa ezindinganisweni zikaNkulunkulu, kummelela kahle, kumdumise. (Isaya 52:5; Hezekeli 36:20) Ukukuqaphela kwakho lokhu kungakwenza uzimisele nakakhulu uma ubhekana nezilingo noma izimo lapho ukungakunaki ukuziphatha kobuKristu kungase kubonakale kulula. Amazwi kaPawulu asifundisa nokunye futhi. Ngaphezu kokuqaphela ngokwakho ukuthi ukuziphatha kwakho kumelela uNkulunkulu, njengoba ufundisa abanye, basize nabo babone ukuthi ukusebenzisa kwabo izindinganiso abazifundayo kuyommelela uJehova. Ukuziphatha kobuKristu akugcini nje ngokuletha ukwaneliseka nokuvikela impilo yomuntu. Kumelela naLowo owasungula futhi okhuthaza lokho kuziphatha.—IHubo 74:10; Jakobe 3:17.
(Hezekeli 36:33-36) “Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Mhla nginihlanza kuzo zonke iziphambeko zenu ngiyobangela futhi ukuba imizi ihlalwe, nezindawo ezibhuqiwe ziyokwakhiwa kabusha. 34 Izwe elenziwe incithakalo liyolinywa, nakuba lalibe yihlane eliyincithakalo phambi kwamehlo abo bonke abadlulayo. 35 Ngokuqinisekile abantu bayothi: “Leliya zwe elalenziwe incithakalo selinjengensimu yase-Edene, nemizi eyayiyihlane yenziwe incithakalo futhi idiliziwe isinezivikelo eziqinile; isiyahlalwa.” 36 Izizwe eziyosala zinizungezile ziyokwazi ukuthi mina, Jehova, ngizakhile izinto ebezidiliziwe, ngikutshalile obekwenziwe incithakalo. Mina, Jehova, ngikhulumile futhi ngikwenzile.’
‘Bayokwazi Ukuthi NginguJehova’
11 Ngemva kokuba insali ibuyele kwaJuda, lelozwe elalenziwe incithakalo laguqulwa laba “insimu yase-Edene” ethelayo. (Funda uHezekeli 36:33-36.) Ngokufanayo, kusukela ngo-1919 uJehova uye waguqula izwe elake laba yincithakalo lensali egcotshiwe laba ipharadesi elingokomoya elithelayo, manje elihlanganyelwa ‘nesixuku esikhulu.’ Njengoba lelipharadesi elingokomoya liye lakhiwa abantu abangcwele, sengathi umKristu ngamunye ozinikezele angasebenzela ukuligcina lihlanzekile.—Hezekeli 36:37, 38.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Hezekeli 35:1-15) Izwi likaJehova laqhubeka lifika kimi, lithi: 2 “Ndodana yomuntu, misa ubuso bakho bumelane nesifunda sezintaba saseSeyiri uprofethe ngokumelene naso. 3 Uthi kuso, ‘Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo: “Bheka ngimelene nawe sifunda sezintaba saseSeyiri, ngizokwelulela isandla sami kuwe ngikwenze ihlane eliyincithakalo, yebo incithakalo. 4 Imizi yakho ngizoyimisa njengendawo ebhuqiwe, wena uzoba yihlane eliyincithakalo nje; wazi ukuthi nginguJehova, 5 ngenxa yokuthi waba nobutha obumi njalo njalo futhi wawulokhu unikela abantwana bakwa-Israyeli emandleni enkemba, ngesikhathi senhlekelele yabo, nangesikhathi sesiphambeko sabo sokugcina.”’ 6 “‘Ngakho-ke kuphila kwami,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova, ‘ngoba ngangikulungiselela igazi, uzolandelwa yigazi. Ngokuqinisekile yigazi owawulizonda, ngakho yigazi elizokulandela. 7 Ngokuqinisekile ngizokwenza isifunda sezintaba saseSeyiri sibe ugwadule oluyincithakalo, yebo incithakalo, futhi ngizoqeda kuso odabulayo nobuyayo. 8 Ngizogcwalisa izintaba zaso ngababuleweyo baso; amagquma akho nezigodi zakho nazo zonke iziqu zemifudlana yakho, ababulewe ngenkemba bayowela kukho. 9 Ngizokwenza ube yihlane eliyincithakalo elimi kuze kube nini nanini, imizi yakho ngeke ihlalwe; niyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.’ 10 “Ngenxa yokusho kwakho ukuthi, ‘Lezi zizwe ezimbili nala mazwe amabili—azoba ngawami, ngokuqinisekile sizothatha izwe ngalinye,’ ebe elapho uJehova, 11 ‘ngakho-ke kuphila kwami,’ kusho iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova, ‘ngizokwenza ngokwentukuthelo yakho nangokomhawu wakho owubonisile ngenxa yemizwa yakho yenzondo ngabo; ngizozenza ngaziwe phakathi kwabo lapho ngikwahlulela. 12 Uzokwazi ukuthi mina, Jehova, ngizizwile zonke izinto zendelelo ozishilo ngokuphathelene nezintaba zakwa-Israyeli, uthi: “Zenziwé incithakalo. Zinikwe thina ukuba zibe ukudla.” 13 Nanilokhu nizigqaja ngokuzigqaja okukhulu ngokumelene nami ngemilomo yenu, futhi niwandisile amazwi enu ngokumelene nami. Ngiwazwile.’ 14 “Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ekushilo, ‘Lapho umhlaba wonke ujabula, wena ngiyokwenza ihlane eliyincithakalo. 15 Njengoba nje kwakukhona ukujabula kuwe ngenxa yefa lendlu ka-Israyeli ngoba lenziwe incithakalo, nawe ngizokwenza into efanayo. Uzoba yihlane eliyincithakalo sifunda sezintaba saseSeyiri, yebo lonke elakwa-Edomi, lonke; bayokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.’”
AGASTI 28–SEPTHEMBA 3
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | HEZEKELI 39-41
“Lokho Ongakufunda Embonweni Wethempeli KaHezekeli”
(Hezekeli 40:2) Emibonweni kaNkulunkulu wangiletha ezweni lakwa-Israyeli futhi ekugcineni wangibeka phezu kwentaba ephakeme kakhulu, okwakukhona phezu kwayo into efana nesakhiwo somuzi ngaseningizimu.
‘Beka Inhliziyo Yakho’ Ethempelini LikaNkulunkulu!
16 Ukuze sithole impendulo, ake siphindele kuwo umbono. UHezekeli wabhala: “Ngemibono kaNkulunkulu wangiyisa ezweni lakwa-Israyeli, wangibeka entabeni ephakeme kakhulu, okwakuphezu kwayo kungathi isakhiwo somuzi ngaseningizimu.” (Hezekeli 40:2) Indawo lo mbono owenzeka kuyo, ‘intaba ephakeme kakhulu,’ isikhumbuza uMika 4:1: “Kepha kuyakuthi ngezinsuku ezizayo [engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku, NW] intaba yendlu kaJehova iqiniswe esiqongweni sezintaba, iphakame kunamagquma, nabantu bayakugobhozela khona.” Sigcwaliseka nini lesi siprofetho? UMika 4:5 ubonisa ukuthi lokhu kuqala izizwe zisakhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga. Eqinisweni, kuye kwaba sesikhathini sethu uqobo, “engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku,” lapho ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile kuye kwaphakanyiswa khona, kwabuyiselwa endaweni yako efanele ekuphileni kwezinceku zikaNkulunkulu.
(Hezekeli 40:3) Wangiletha lapho, bheka! kwakukhona indoda. Ukubonakala kwayo kwakunjengokubonakala kwethusi, kukhona intambo yefilakisi esandleni sayo, nomhlanga wokulinganisa, futhi imi esangweni.
(Hezekeli 40:5) Bheka! Kwakukhona udonga ngaphandle kwendlu nxazonke. Esandleni sale ndoda kwakukhona umhlanga wokulinganisa oyizingalo eziyisithupha, ngengalo nobubanzi besandla. Yaqala ukulinganisa ububanzi baleyo nto eyayakhiwe, umhlanga owodwa; nokuphakama, umhlanga owodwa.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli—INgxenye II
40:3–43:17—Kusho ukuthini ukulinganiswa kwethempeli? Ukulinganiswa kwethempeli kuwuphawu lokuthi injongo kaJehova mayelana nokukhulekela okumsulwa iyogcwaliseka nakanjani.
(Hezekeli 40:10) Amakamelo abaqaphi asesangweni ngasempumalanga ayemathathu kulolu hlangothi, emathathu kuloluya hlangothi. Womathathu ayenesilinganiso esifanayo, nezinsika ezisemaceleni zazinesilinganiso esifanayo, kulolu hlangothi nakuloluya hlangothi.
(Hezekeli 40:14) Khona-ke yalinganisa izinsika ezisemaceleni zaba izingalo ezingamashumi ayisithupha, kanjalo nezinsika ezisemaceleni zegceke emasangweni nxazonke.
(Hezekeli 40:16) Kwakukhona amafasitela anezinhlaka eziya ziba umngcingo emakamelweni abaqaphi nasezinsikeni zawo ezisemaceleni ukuya ngaphakathi kwesango nxazonke, kwakunjalo nangemipheme. Amafasitela ayenxazonke ngaphakathi, ezinsikeni ezisemaceleni kwakukhona imidwebo yemithi yesundu
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli—INgxenye II
40:14, 16, 22, 26. Imidwebo esodongeni yemithi yesundu esezindleleni ezingena ethempelini ibonisa ukuthi ngabaqotho kuphela abavunyelwe ukungena kulo. (IHubo 92:12) Lokhu kusifundisa ukuthi ukukhulekela kwethu uJehova kwamukeleka kuphela uma siqotho.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Hezekeli 39:7) Futhi igama lami elingcwele ngiyolenza laziwe phakathi kwabantu bami u-Israyeli, futhi ngeke ngisavuma ukuba igama lami elingcwele lingcoliswe; izizwe ziyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova, oNgcwele kwa-Israyeli.’
“Izizwe Ziyokwazi Ukuthi NginguJehova”
UJehova uthi: “Ngeke ngisavuma ukuba igama lami elingcwele lingcoliswe.” Lapho abantu bemsola ngokungabi khona kobulungisa, basuke bengcolisa igama lakhe. Kanjani? EBhayibhelini igama elithi “igama” libhekisela edumeleni. Enye incwadi ithi igama likaNkulunkulu libhekisela “kulokho okwaziwayo ngaye—lokho akwambulile ngaye; liphinde limelele udumo lwakhe nokuhlonipheka kwakhe.” Igama likaJehova lihlanganisa nedumela lakhe. Yini eyaziwayo ngoJehova uma kuziwa ekungabini khona kobulungisa? Uyakuzonda! Uyazizwela nezisulu zako. (Eksodusi 22:22-24) Lapho abantu bethi uNkulunkulu wenza zona kanye izinto azizondayo, basuke bengcolisa idumela lakhe. ‘Baphatha igama lakhe ngendelelo.”—IHubo 74:10.
(Hezekeli 39:9) Abakhileyo emizini yakwa-Israyeli bayophuma bashise futhi babase imililo ngezikhali zempi nangamahawu nangezihlangu ezinkulu,—ngeminsalo nangemicibisholo nangezinduku nangezijula; bayobasa imililo ngako iminyaka eyisikhombisa.
Ukuvula Indlela Ephindela EPharadesi
20 Kodwa kuthiwani ngazo zonke izinto ezisetshenziselwa impi eziyoshiywa izizwe? Uma kubhekwa isibonakaliso esingokomfanekiso sobude besikhathi ukubhujiswa kwezingxenye zazo ezingavutha okuyosithatha, ziyoba ziningi kakhulu. (Hezekeli 39:8-10) Abasinde eArmagedoni bangase bakwazi ukusebenzisa izinto zezizwe ezisele empini ezinjongweni ezinenzuzo.—Isaya 2:2-4.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Hezekeli 40:32-47) Kancane kancane yangiletha egcekeni elingaphakathi ngendlela yasempumalanga, yalinganisa isango laba nezilinganiso ezifana nalezi. 33 Amakamelo alo abaqaphi nezinsika zalo ezisemaceleni nompheme walo kwakunezilinganiso ezifana nalezi, futhi lona kanye nompheme walo lalinamafasitela nxazonke. Ubude babuyizingalo ezingamashumi amahlanu, ububanzi buyizingalo ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu. 34 Umpheme walo wawubheke egcekeni elingaphandle, ezinsikeni zawo ezisemaceleni kwakukhona imidwebo yemithi yesundu kulolu hlangothi nakuloluya hlangothi. Kwakuyizitebhisi eziyisishiyagalombili ukunyukela kuwo. 35 Yangingenisa esangweni lasenyakatho, yalinganisa, ngezilinganiso ezifana nalezi, 36 amakamelo alo abaqaphi, izinsika zalo ezisemaceleni kanye nompheme walo. Lalinamafasitela nxazonke. Ubude babuyizingalo ezingamashumi amahlanu, ububanzi buyizingalo ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu. 37 Izinsika zalo ezisemaceleni zazibheke egcekeni elingaphandle, imidwebo yemithi yesundu yayisezinsikeni zalo ezisemaceleni kulolu hlangothi nakuloluya hlangothi. Kwakuyizitebhisi eziyisishiyagalombili ukunyukela kuwo. 38 Ikamelo lokudlela nomnyango walo lalingasezinsikeni ezisemaceleni zamasango. Yilapho babewugezela khona umnikelo wokushiswa ophelele. 39 Emphemeni wesango kwakukhona amatafula amabili kulolu hlangothi namatafula amabili kuloluya hlangothi, okuhlabela umnikelo wokushiswa ophelele nomnikelo wesono nomnikelo wecala. 40 Ohlangothini olungaphandle, uma umuntu ekhuphukela emnyango wesango lasenyakatho, kwakukhona amatafula amabili. Kolunye uhlangothi lompheme wesango kwakukhona amatafula amabili. 41 Kwakukhona amatafula amane ngapha namatafula amane ngalé ohlangothini lwesango—amatafula ayisishiyagalombili, ababehlabela kuwo. 42 Amatafula amane omnikelo wokushiswa ophelele ayengawetshe eliqoshiwe. Ubude babuyingalo eyodwa nengxenye, ububanzi buyingalo eyodwa nengxenye, ukuphakama kuyingalo eyodwa. Phezu kwawo babebeka futhi amathuluzi ababehlaba ngawo umnikelo wokushiswa ophelele kanye nomhlatshelo. 43 Amashalofu okubeka izinto ayenobubanzi besandla esisodwa, efakwe ngokuqinile ngaphakathi, nxazonke; phezu kwamatafula babebeka inyama yomnikelo wesipho. 44 Endaweni engaphandle kwesango elingaphakathi kwakukhona amakamelo okudlela abahlabeleli, egcekeni elingaphakathi, elisohlangothini lwesango lasenyakatho. Uhlangothi lwawo olungaphambili lwalubheke eningizimu. Kwakukhona elilodwa ohlangothini lwesango elisempumalanga. Lalibheke enyakatho. 45 Yakhuluma nami yathi: “Leli kamelo lokudlela elibheke eningizimu, ngelabapristi abanakekela isibopho esiphathelene nendlu. 46 Ikamelo lokudlela elibheke enyakatho lingelabapristi abanakekela isibopho esiphathelene ne-altare. Bangamadodana kaZadoki, abasondela kuJehova ukuzomkhonza, bevela emadodaneni kaLevi.” 47 Yalinganisa igceke elingaphakathi. Ubude babuyizingalo eziyikhulu, ububanzi buyizingalo eziyikhulu, izinhlangothi ezine ezilinganayo. I-altare laliphambi kwendlu.