Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
DECEMBER 5-11
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAYA 1-5
“Wozani Sikhuphukele Entabeni KaJehova”
(Isaya 2:2, 3) Engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku intaba yendlu kaJehova iyomiswa iqine ibe ngaphezu kwesiqongo sezintaba, futhi ngokuqinisekile iyophakanyiswa ngaphezu kwamagquma; zonke izizwe ziyogobhozela kuyo. 3 Ngokuqinisekile izizwe eziningi ziyohamba zithi: “Wozani sikhuphukele entabeni kaJehova, endlini kaNkulunkulu kaJakobe; uzosifundisa izindlela zakhe, sihambe emikhondweni yakhe.” Ngoba umthetho uyophuma eZiyoni, nezwi likaJehova eJerusalema.
Indlu KaJehova Iyaphakanyiswa
6 Siyogcwaliseka nini isiprofetho sika-Isaya? “Engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku.” I-New International Version ifundeka kanje: “Ezinsukwini zokugcina.” ImiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki yabikezela izici ezaziyokwenza ibonakale le nkathi. Phakathi kwazo kukhona izimpi, ukuzamazama komhlaba, izifo eziwumshayabhuqe, ukuntuleka kokudla ‘nezikhathi ezibucayi okunzima ukubhekana nazo.’ (2 Thimothewu 3:1-5; Luka 21:10, 11) Ukugcwaliseka kweziprofetho ezinjalo kunikeza ubufakazi obukhulu bokuthi siphila “engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku,” izinsuku zokugcina zalesi simiso sezwe samanje. Kunengqondo-ke ukuba silindele ukubona izinto ezabikezelwa u-Isaya zigcwaliseka esikhathini sethu.
Intaba Okumelwe Kukhulekelwe Kuyo
7 Ngamazwi ambalwa, u-Isaya udweba umfanekiso ogqamile ongokwesiprofetho. Sibona intaba ephakeme, phezu kwayo kunendlu ekhazimulayo, ithempeli likaJehova. Le ntaba yinde kunezintaba namagquma ayizungezile. Nokho, ayikwenzi ushaywe uvalo noma ikwesabise; iyakhanga. Abantu bazo zonke izizwe bafisa ukukhuphukela kule ntaba yendlu kaJehova; bagobhozela kuyo. Kulula ukukubona ngeso lengqondo lokhu, kodwa kusho ukuthini?
8 Ngosuku luka-Isaya amagquma nezintaba avame ukuhlotshaniswa nokukhulekela. Ngokwesibonelo, asetshenziswa njengezindawo zokukhulekela izithombe nezezindlu ezingcwele zawonkulunkulu bamanga. (Duteronomi 12:2; Jeremiya 3:6) Nokho, indlu kaJehova noma ithempeli lakhe, ihlobisa isiqongo seNtaba iMoriya eJerusalema. Ama-Israyeli athembekile aya eJerusalema kathathu ngonyaka, aqwale iNtaba iMoriya ayokhulekela uNkulunkulu weqiniso. (Duteronomi 16:16) Ngakho ukugobhozela kwezizwe ‘entabeni yendlu kaJehova’ kufanekisela ukubuthana kwabantu abaningi beze ekukhulekeleni kweqiniso.
9 Yebo, namuhla abantu bakaNkulunkulu ababuthaneli entabeni engokoqobo enethempeli lamatshe. Ithempeli likaJehova eJerusalema labhujiswa amabutho amaRoma ngo-70 C.E. Ngalé kwalokho, umphostoli uPawulu wakwenza kwacaca ukuthi ithempeli laseJerusalema netabernakele elalandulelayo kwakufanekisela okuthile. Kwakumelela okuthile okungokomoya okukhulu ngokwengeziwe, ‘itende leqiniso, elamiswa uJehova, hhayi umuntu.’ (Heberu 8:2) Lelo thempeli elingokomoya liyilungiselelo lokukhulekela uJehova elisekelwe emhlatshelweni wesihlengo kaJesu Kristu. (Heberu 9:2-10, 23) Ngokuvumelana nalokhu, “intaba yendlu kaJehova” okukhulunywa ngayo ku-Isaya 2:2 imelela ukukhulekelwa kukaJehova okuphakeme nokumsulwa esikhathini sethu. Labo abamukela ukukhulekela okumsulwa ababuthaneli endaweni ethile engokoqobo; babuthana ngobunye ekukhulekeleni.
Ukuphakanyiswa Kokukhulekela Okumsulwa
10 Umprofethi uthi “intaba yendlu kaJehova,” noma ukukhulekela okumsulwa, ‘yayiyomiswa ngokuqinile ngaphezu kwesiqongo sezintaba’ futhi ‘iphakanyiswe ngaphezu kwamagquma.’ Kusasele isikhathi eside ngaphambi kwesikhathi sika-Isaya, iNkosi uDavide yaletha umphongolo wesivumelwano phezulu eNtabeni YaseZiyoni eJerusalema, eyayiphakeme ngamamitha angu-760 ukusuka olwandle. Lo mphongolo wahlala lapho waze wayiswa ethempelini elase liqediwe eNtabeni YaseMoriya. (2 Samuweli 5:7; 6:14-19; 2 IziKronike 3:1; 5:1-10) Ngakho, ngosuku luka-Isaya umphongolo ongcwele wawusuphakanyiswe ngokoqobo wabekwa ethempelini, endaweni ephakeme kunamagquma amaningi ayezungezile ayesetshenziselwa ukukhulekela kwamanga.
11 Yebo, ngomqondo ongokomoya, ukukhulekelwa kukaJehova bekulokhu kuphakeme kunemikhuba yenkolo yalabo abakhonza onkulunkulu bamanga. Nokho, osukwini lwethu, uJehova uye waphakamisa ukukhulekelwa kwakhe kwafinyelela phezulu ezulwini, kwadlula zonke izinhlobo zokukhulekela okungahlanzekile, yebo, kwaba ngaphezu kwawo wonke ‘amagquma nesiqongo sezintaba.’ Kanjani? Ikakhulu ngokubuthela ndawonye bonke labo abafuna ukumkhulekela “ngomoya nangeqiniso.”—Johane 4:23.
Indlu KaJehova Iyaphakanyiswa
20 UJehova akabayeki abantu bakhe bazulazule kuhle kwezimvu ezilahlekile. NgeBhayibheli nangezincwadi ezisekelwe eBhayibhelini, ubanikeza “umthetho” wakhe “nezwi” lakhe ukuze bafunde izindlela zakhe. Lolu lwazi lubahlomisela ‘ukuhamba ezindleleni zakhe.’ Ngezinhliziyo ezigcwele ukwazisa nangokuvumelana nesiqondiso saphezulu, baxoxelana ngezindlela zikaJehova. Babuthana ndawonye emihlanganweni emikhulu nasemaqenjini amancane—emaHholo OMbuso nasemizini yabanye—ukuze bezwe futhi bafunde izindlela zikaNkulunkulu. (Duteronomi 31:12, 13) Ngaleyo ndlela balingisa isibonelo samaKristu okuqala, wona ayehlangana ndawonye ukuze akhuthazane futhi avuselelane ukuze akhule “othandweni nasemisebenzini emihle.”—Heberu 10:24, 25.
21 Bamema abanye ukuba ‘bakhuphukele’ ekukhulekeleni uJehova uNkulunkulu okuphakeme. Yeka ukuthi lokhu kuvumelana kanjani nomyalo uJesu awunika abafundi bakhe ngaphambi nje kokuba anyukele ezulwini! Wabatshela: “Ngakho-ke hambani niyokwenza abantu bazo zonke izizwe abafundi, nibabhapathize egameni likaYise neleNdodana nelomoya ongcwele, nibafundise ukugcina zonke izinto enginiyale ngazo.” (Mathewu 28:19, 20) Bethola ukusekelwa kwaphezulu, oFakazi BakaJehova bayalalela, baye emhlabeni wonke bafundise futhi benze abantu abafundi, bababhapathize.
(Isaya 2:4) Ngokuqinisekile uyokhipha isahlulelo phakathi kwezizwe alungise izindaba ngokuqondene nabantu bezizwe eziningi. Ziyokhanda izinkemba zazo zibe ngamageja nemikhonto yazo ibe ngocelemba. Isizwe ngeke sisaphakamisela isizwe inkemba, futhi ngeke zisayifunda impi.
Indlu KaJehova Iyaphakanyiswa
24 Izizwe zizonke azisoze zawufinyelela lo mgomo ophakeme. Uphakeme kakhulu kunazo. Amazwi ka-Isaya agcwaliswa abantu abavela ezizweni eziningi, abamunye ekukhulekeleni okumsulwa. UJehova uye ‘walungisa izindaba’ nabo. Ufundise abantu bakhe ukuba bahlalisane ngokuthula. Ngempela, ezweni elihlukene nelikhungethwe izingxabano, ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, baye bakhanda ‘izinkemba zabo zaba amageja, nemikhonto yabo yaba izikele zokuthena imithi.’ Kanjani?
25 Phakathi kokunye, abathathi hlangothi ezimpini zezizwe. Ngaphambi nje kokufa kukaJesu, kwafika amadoda ahlomile ezombopha. Lapho uPetru egalela ngenkemba ukuze avikele iNkosi yakhe, uJesu wathi kuye: “Buyisela inkemba yakho endaweni yayo, ngoba bonke labo abaphatha inkemba bayobhubha ngenkemba.” (Mathewu 26:52) Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, abalandeli bezinyathelo zikaJesu baye bakhanda izinkemba zabo zaba amageja futhi baye benqaba ukuthatha izikhali ukuze babulale omunye umuntu nokusekela imizamo yempi ngezinye izindlela. ‘Baphishekela ukuthula nabantu bonke.’—Hebheru 12:14.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Isaya 1:8, 9) Indodakazi yaseZiyoni isele njengedokodo esivinini, njengendlwana yokuqapha ensimini yamakhukhamba, njengomuzi ovinjezelwe. 9 Ukube uJehova wamabutho akasishiyelanga ingcosana nje yabasindileyo, sasiyokuba njengeSodoma nje, sasiyofana neGomora uqobo.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
Izimpendulo Zemibuzo YemiBhalo:
1:8, 9—Kungamuphi umqondo indodakazi yaseZiyoni ‘iyosala njengedokodo esivinini, njengendlwana yokuqapha ensimini yamakhukhamba’? Lokhu kusho ukuthi phakathi nokuhlaselwa i-Asiriya, iJerusalema liyobonakala lingenamandla okuzivikela njengedokodo esivinini noma njengendlwana engabhidlizeka kalula ensimini yamakhukhamba. Kodwa uJehova uyalisiza, ngakho akalivumeli ukuba lifane neSodoma neGomora.
(Isaya 1:18) “Wozani, manje, masilungise izindaba phakathi kwethu,” kusho uJehova. “Nakuba izono zenu kungenzeka ukuthi zibomvu klebhu, zizokwenziwa zibe mhlophe njengeqhwa; nakuba kungenzeka ukuthi zibomvu njengendwangu ebomvu okwegazi, zizoba njengoboya.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
1:18—Asho ukuthini amazwi athi: “Wozani, manje, masilungise izindaba phakathi kwethu”? Lesi akusona isicelo sokuba kuxazululwe indaba bese kufinyelelwa esivumelwaneni ngokubonisana. Kunalokho, leli vesi lisho ukuba khona kwenkundla yobulungisa lapho uMahluleli olungile, uJehova, enikeza khona u-Israyeli ithuba lokuguquka azihlanze.
it-2-E 761 ¶3
Ukubuyisana
Izinyathelo ezidingekayo zokubuyisana. Njengoba kunguNkulunkulu osuke oniwe lapho kuphulwa noma kuphulwe umthetho wakhe, ngabantu okumelwe babuyisane noNkulunkulu, akuyena uNkulunkulu okumelwe abuyisane nabantu. (IHu 51:1-4) Umuntu akalingani noNkulunkulu futhi lokho uNkulunkulu akubheka njengokulungile akushintshi, noma kudingeke kulungiswe, noma kuthuthukiswe. (Isaya 55:6-11; Mal 3:6; qhathanisa noJak 1:17.) Ngakho, asikho isidingo sokuba imibandela yakhe yokubuyisana idingidwe, iphenyisiswe noma ihoxiswe. (Qhathanisa noJobe 40:1, 2, 6-8; Isaya 40:13, 14.) Nakuba izinguqulo eziningi zihumusha u-Isaya 1:18 ngokuthi, “Wozani, sibonisane, kusho INKOSI” (KJ; AT; JP; RS), indlela efanelekayo nelindelekile ithi: “ ‘Wozani, silungise izindaba [“silungise ingxabano,” Ro] phakathi kwethu,’ kusho uJehova.” Iphutha elibangela ukungavumelani lenziwe abantu, hhayi uNkulunkulu.—Qhathanisa noHez 18:25, 29-32.
DECEMBER 12-18
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI
LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAYA 6-10
“Isiprofetho SikaMesiya Esagcwaliseka”
(Isaya 9:1, 2) Nokho, ukusitheka ngeke kube njengalapho izwe lalicindezelekile, njengasesikhathini sangaphambili lapho umuntu ayeliphatha ngokwedelela izwe lakwaZebhuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali nalapho esikhathini sakamuva umuntu enza ukuba idunyiswe—indlela engasolwandle, esifundeni saseJordani, iGalile lezizwe. 2 Abantu ababehamba ebumnyameni baboné ukukhanya okukhulu. Ngokuqondene nalabo abahlala ezweni lethunzi elimnyama, ukukhanya kuye kwakhanya kubo.
Balinda Ukufika KukaMesiya
13 Inkonzo yasobala kaMesiya eGalile yayibikezelwe. Mayelana “[nezwe] lakwaZebhuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali . . . iGalile lezizwe,” u-Isaya wabhala: “Abantu ababehamba ebumnyameni baboné ukukhanya okukhulu. Ngokuqondene nalabo abahlala ezweni lethunzi elimnyama, ukukhanya kuye kwakhanya kubo.” (Isaya 9:1, 2) UJesu waqala inkonzo yakhe yasobala eGalile, ehlala eKapernawume, lapho izakhamuzi eziningi zakwaZebhuloni nezakwaNafetali zazuza khona ekukhanyeni okungokomoya azilethela kona. (Math. 4:12-16) KuseGalile lapho uJesu anikeza khona iNtshumayelo Yasentabeni eshukumisayo, wakhetha abaphostoli bakhe, wenza isimangaliso sakhe sokuqala futhi cishe wabonakala khona kubafundi abangaba ngu-500 ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe. (Math. 5:1–7:27; 28:16-20; Marku 3:13, 14; Joh. 2:8-11; 1 Kor. 15:6) Ngakho, wagcwalisa isiprofetho sika-Isaya ngokushumayela ‘ezweni lakwaZebhuloni nasezweni lakwaNafetali.’ Yebo, uJesu washumayela isigijimi soMbuso nakweminye imizi yakwa-Israyeli.
Isithembiso SeSikhulu Sokuthula
Izwe ‘Eliphathwa Ngokwedelela’
13 U-Isaya manje ubhekisela kwesinye isigigaba esibi kunazo zonke ezehlela inzalo ka-Abrahama: “Ukusitheka ngeke kube njengalapho izwe licindezelekile, njengasesikhathini sangaphambili lapho umuntu eliphatha ngokwedelela izwe lakwaZebuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali nalapho esikhathini sakamuva umuntu enza ukuba idunyiswe—indlela engasolwandle, esifundeni saseJordani, iGalile lezizwe.” (Isaya 9:1) IGalile indawo esembusweni wakwa-Israyeli osenyakatho. Esiprofethweni sika-Isaya ihlanganisa ‘nezwe lakwaZebuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali nendlela engasolwandle,’ umgwaqo wasendulo owawugudla uLwandle LwaseGalile uze uyoshaya oLwandle iMedithera. Ngosuku luka-Isaya, le ndawo ibizwa ngokuthi “iGalile lezizwe,” cishe ngoba emizini yalo eminingi kuhlala abangewona ama-Israyeli. Leli zwe ‘liphathwa’ kanjani “ngokwedelela”? Abase-Asiriya abangamaqaba bayalinqoba, bathumbe ama-Israyeli, babuye bahlalise amaqaba kule ndawo, amaqaba angeyona inzalo ka-Abrahama. Umbuso wasenyakatho wezizwe eziyishumi ushabalala kanjalo emlandweni njengesizwe esizimele!—2 AmaKhosi 17:5, 6, 18, 23, 24.
14 UJuda naye ucindezelwa abase-Asiriya. Ingabe ‘uzositheka’ unomphela njengoba kwenzeka embusweni wezizwe eziyishumi ezifanekiselwa uZebuloni noNafetali? Cha. “Esikhathini sakamuva,” uJehova uzoletha izibusiso endaweni yombuso waseningizimu wakwaJuda ngisho nasezweni elalibuswa umbuso wasenyakatho. Kanjani?
15 Umphostoli uMathewu uphendula lo mbuzo embhalweni wakhe ophefumulelwe wenkonzo kaJesu yasemhlabeni. Echaza izinsuku zokuqala zaleyo nkonzo, uMathewu uthi: “Ngemva kokusuka eNazaretha, [uJesu] wafika eKapernawume wahlala khona eceleni kolwandle ezifundeni zakwaZebuloni nakwaNafetali, ukuze kugcwaliseke lokho okwakhulunywa ngo-Isaya umprofethi, ethi: ‘O, lizwe lakwaZebuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali, ngasemgwaqweni wasolwandle, ngakolunye uhlangothi lweJordani, Galile lezizwe! abantu abahlezi ebumnyameni babona ukukhanya okukhulu, futhi ngokuqondene nalabo abahlezi endaweni yethunzi elibulalayo, ukukhanya kwaphumela phezu kwabo.’ ”—Mathewu 4:13-16.
16 Yebo, ‘isikhathi sakamuva’ esabikezelwa u-Isaya yisikhathi senkonzo kaKristu yasemhlabeni. Ingxenye enkulu yokuphila kukaJesu kwasemhlabeni yaba seGalile. Inkonzo yakhe wayiqala esifundeni saseGalile futhi waqala khona ukumemezela: “Umbuso wamazulu ususondele.” (Mathewu 4:17) EGalile, wanikeza iNtshumayelo yakhe edumile yaseNtabeni, wakhetha abaphostoli bakhe, wenza isimangaliso sakhe sokuqala futhi waziveza kubalandeli bakhe abangaba ngu-500 ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe. (Mathewu 5:1–7:27; 28:16-20; Marku 3:13, 14; Johane 2:8-11; 1 Korinte 15:6) Ngale ndlela, uJesu wagcwalisa isiprofetho sika-Isaya ngokudumisa “izwe lakwaZebuloni nezwe lakwaNafetali.” Yebo, uJesu akagcinanga kubantu baseGalile kuphela ukwenza inkonzo yakhe. Ngokushumayela izindaba ezinhle ezweni lonke, uJesu ‘wadumisa’ sonke isizwe sakwa-Israyeli, kuhlanganise noJuda.
“Ukukhanya Okukhulu”
17 Kuthiwani-ke ‘ngokukhanya okukhulu’ eGalile uMathewu akhuluma ngako? Nalokhu kwakuyingcaphuno yesiprofetho sika-Isaya. U-Isaya wabhala: “Abantu ababehamba ebumnyameni babone ukukhanya okukhulu. Ngokuqondene nalabo abahlala ezweni lethunzi elimnyama, ukukhanya kuye kwakhanya phezu kwabo.” (Isaya 9:2) Ekhulwini lokuqala C.E., amanga amaqaba ayesithibeze ukukhanya kweqiniso. Abaholi benkolo abangamaJuda babenze le nkinga yaba yimbi nakakhulu ngokubambelela emasikweni abo enkolo ‘ayelenzé ize’ “izwi likaNkulunkulu.” (Mathewu 15:6) Abathobekileyo babecindezelwa futhi bedidekile, belandela ‘abaqondisi abayizimpumputhe.’ (Mathewu 23:2-4, 16) Ngesikhathi kuvela uJesu, uMesiya, amehlo abantu abaningi abathobekile avuleka ngendlela eyisimanga. (Johane 1:9, 12) Umsebenzi kaJesu ngesikhathi esemhlabeni nezibusiso eziwumphumela womhlatshelo wakhe kuchazwe ngokufanele esiprofethweni sika-Isaya ngokuthi “ukukhanya okukhulu.”—Johane 8:12.
(Isaya 9:6) Ngoba sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe indodana; ukubusa kwesikhulu kuyoba phezu kwehlombe lakhe. Igama lakhe kuyothiwa uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu Onamandla, uYise Ongunaphakade, iSikhulu Sokuthula.
Jabulani Ngomshado WeWundlu!
18 Phakathi nokuBusa kwakhe Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, uKristu uyoba ubaba nakwabanye futhi. Eqinisweni, bonke abakhileyo emhlabeni abathola ukuphila okuphakade bayokuthola ngoba bebonisa ukholo emhlatshelweni wesihlengo kaJesu. (Joh. 3:16) Ngaleyo ndlela uba “uYise ongunaphakade” kubo.—Isaya 9:6, 7.
Ukuthola Ithemba Ezweni Eligcwele Usizi
Isisekelo Esiqinisekile Sethemba
UJesu Kristu watshela abalandeli bakhe: “Kumelwe nithandaze ngale ndlela: ‘Baba wethu osemazulwini, malingcweliswe igama lakho. Umbuso wakho mawuze. Intando yakho mayenzeke nasemhlabeni, njengasezulwini.’ ” (Mathewu 6:9, 10) Lowo Mbuso wasezulwini—uhulumeni osezandleni zikaJesu Kristu—uyindlela kaNkulunkulu yokubonakalisa ubukhosi bakhe obufanele phezu komhlaba.—IHubo 2:7-12; Daniyeli 7:13, 14.
Ukwesaba okungezindlela eziningi okuthinta zonke izici zokuphila namuhla kubonisa ngokucacile ukuthi kuyadingeka ukuba uNkulunkulu angenele. Kuyajabulisa ukuthi uzongenela maduze! Manje uJesu Kristu, obekwe uNkulunkulu esihlalweni sobukhosi njengeNkosi enguMesiya, uphathiswe igunya lokulwela ubukhosi bukaJehova futhi angcwelise igama laKhe. (Mathewu 28:18) Maduze, ukubusa kwalo Mbuso kuzoqondiswa emhlabeni ukuze kuqede zonke izimbangela zokwesaba nokukhathazeka. U-Isaya 9:6 ubalula izimfanelo ezibonisa ukuthi uJesu uyakufanelekela ukuba uMbusi ongasikhulula ekwesabeni esinakho. Ngokwesibonelo, ubizwa ngokuthi “uYise Ongunaphakade,” “uMeluleki Omangalisayo,” nangokuthi “iSikhulu Sokuthula.”
Cabangela inkulumo ethi “uYise Ongunaphakade.” Lesi sikhundla sibonisa ukuthi uJesu unamandla negunya—kanye nesifiso—sokunika abantu abalalelayo ithuba lokuphila phakade emhlabeni ngesisekelo somhlatshelo wakhe wesihlengo. Lokhu kusho ukuthi ekugcineni abantu bayokhululwa esonweni nasekungaphelelini abakuzuza kumuntu wokuqala owona, u-Adamu. (Mathewu 20:28; Roma 5:12; 6:23) UKristu futhi uyosebenzisa igunya lakhe alinikwe uNkulunkulu ukuba ababuyisele ekuphileni abaningi abaye bafa.—Johane 11:25, 26.
Ngesikhathi esemhlabeni, uJesu wazibonakalisa ‘enguMeluleki Omangalisayo.’ Ngenxa yolwazi lwakhe ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu nangenxa yokuqonda okungaphezu kokuvamile anakho ngobunjalo babantu, uJesu wayekwazi ukuxazulula izinkinga zokuphila kwemihla namalanga. Kusukela abekwa esihlalweni sobukhosi, uKristu uqhubeka ‘enguMeluleki Omangalisayo,’ okhonza njengomuntu oyinhloko emzileni kaJehova wokukhulumisana nabantu. Iseluleko sikaJesu, esilotshwe eBhayibhelini, sihlakaniphile futhi asinaphutha ngaso sonke isikhathi. Ukwazi nokukukholelwa lokhu kungakwenza uphile ukuphila okungenakho ukungaqiniseki nokwesaba okukhwantabalisayo.
U-Isaya 9:6 ubiza uJesu nangokuthi ‘uyiSikhulu Sokuthula.’ Ekuleso sikhundla, uKristu maduzane uzosebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze aqede konke ukungalingani—kwezombangazwe, kwezenhlalo nakwezomnotho. Kanjani? Ngokuletha isintu ngaphansi koMbuso owodwa kaMesiya onokuthula.—Daniyeli 2:44.
Ngaphansi kokubusa koMbuso, kuyoba khona ukuthula okuhlala njalo emhlabeni wonke. Kungani ungaqiniseka ngalokhu? Isizathu sembulwe ku-Isaya 11:9, othi: “Ngeke neze [izakhamuzi zoMbuso zilimaze noma zibangele] incithakalo kuyo yonke intaba yami engcwele; ngoba umhlaba ngokuqinisekile uyogcwala ulwazi ngoJehova njengoba nje amanzi esibekela ulwandle.” Ekugcineni, wonke umuntu emhlabeni uyoba nolwazi olunembile ngoNkulunkulu futhi uyomlalela. Ingabe inhliziyo yakho ayijabuli ngalesi sithembiso? Uma ijabula, ungazindeli ukungenisa “ulwazi” oluyigugu “ngoJehova.”
Ungaluthola lolu lwazi ngoNkulunkulu olwakha ukholo nolunikeza ukuphila ngokuhlola lokho iBhayibheli elikufundisayo ngempela ngezenzakalo zosuku lwethu nangekusasa eliqhakazile elithenjiswe eBhayibhelini. Ngakho-ke, sikunxusa ukuba uzizuzise emfundweni yamahhala yeBhayibheli enikezwa oFakazi BakaJehova endaweni yakini. Lena indlela yokudambisa ukwesaba neyokuthola ithemba langempela ezweni eligcwele usizi.
(Isaya 9:7) Ngeke kuphele ukuchichima kokubusa kwesikhulu kanye nokuthula, phezu kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavide naphezu kombuso wakhe ukuze umiswe uqine futhi usekelwe ngobulungisa nangokulunga, kusukela manje kuze kube nini nanini. Yona kanye intshiseko kaJehova wamabutho iyokwenza lokhu.
Isithembiso SeSikhulu Sokuthula
28 Ngesikhathi sikaNkulunkulu esifanele, uKristu uyomisa emhlabeni ukuthula kwembulunga yonke okungeke kuphazanyiswe, okuyohlala phakade. (IzEnzo 1:7) “Ngeke kuphele ukuchichima kokubusa kwesikhulu kanye nokuthula, phezu kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavide naphezu kombuso wakhe ukuze umiswe ngokuqinile futhi usekelwe ngobulungisa nangokulunga, kusukela manje kuze kube phakade.” (Isaya 9:7a) Lapho esebenzisa igunya lakhe njengeSikhulu Sokuthula, uJesu ngeke asebenzise izindlela zobushiqela. Izikhonzi zakhe ngeke ziphucwe inkululeko yazo yokuzikhethela bese ziyaphoqwa ukuba zithobeke. Kunalokho, konke lokho ayokufeza kuyoba “ngobulungisa nangokulunga.” Yeka ushintsho oluqabulayo!
29 Ngenxa yezincazelo ezimangalisayo zegama likaJesu elingokwesiprofetho, isiphetho sika-Isaya sale ngxenye yesiprofetho sakhe sivusa amadlingozi ngempela. Uyabhala: “Yona kanye intshiseko kaJehova wamabutho iyokwenza lokhu.” (Isaya 9:7b) Yebo, uJehova wenza izinto ngentshiseko. Akenzi lutho ngendlela yokugcina icala. Singaqiniseka ukuthi noma yini ayithembisayo, uyoyifeza ngokugcwele. Uma-ke noma ngubani efisa ukujabulela ukuthula okumi phakade, makakhonze uJehova ngenhliziyo yonke. NjengoJehova uNkulunkulu noJesu, iSikhulu Sokuthula, kwangathi zonke izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ‘zingashisekela imisebenzi emihle.’—Thithu 2:14.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Isaya 7:3, 4) UJehova wathi ku-Isaya: “Ngicela uhambe, uyohlangabeza u-Ahazi, wena noSheyari-jashubi indodana yakho, ekupheleni komsele wechibi elingenhla ngasemgwaqweni omkhulu wensimu yomhlanzi wezingubo. 4 Uthi kuye, ‘Zilinde futhi uhlale ungaphazamisekile. Ungesabi, futhi ungayivumeli inhliziyo yakho ibe novalo ngenxa yalezi zidunu ezimbili zalezi zikhuni ezivuthayo, ngenxa yentukuthelo evuthayo kaRezini neSiriya nendodana kaRemaliya.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
7:3, 4—Kungani uJehova asindisa u-Ahazi, inkosi embi? Amakhosi aseSiriya nakwa-Israyeli ahlela ukususa inkosi yakwaJuda u-Ahazi esihlalweni sobukhosi abeke umbusi ongupopayi, indodana kaThabeyeli—indoda eyayingeyona eyozalo lukaDavide. Leli cebo likaDeveli laliyophazamisa ukusebenza kwesivumelwano soMbuso esenziwa noDavide. UJehova wasindisa u-Ahazi ukuze agcine uhlu lozalo olwaluyoveza “iSikhulu Sokuthula” esithenjisiwe.—Isaya 9:6.
(Isaya 8:1-4) UJehova wathi kimi: “Zithathele isibhebhe esikhulu ulobe kuso ngothi lokuloba lomuntu ofayo ukuthi, ‘Mahere-shalali-hashi-bazi.’ 2 Mangizitholele ubufakazi ngofakazi abathembekile, u-Uriya umpristi noZakariya indodana kaJeberekiya.” 3 Khona-ke ngasondela kum-profethikazi, wakhulelwa ngemva kwesikhathi wabeletha indodana. UJehova manje wathi kimi: “Yiqambe ngokuthi uMahere-shalali-hashi-bazi, 4 ngoba ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukuthi, ‘Baba!’ nokuthi, ‘Mama!’ umuntu uyomuka nomnotho waseDamaseku nempango yaseSamariya phambi kwenkosi yase-Asiriya.”
it-1-E 1219
U-Isaya
Lapho u-Isaya ayengumprofethi kwaJuda, ikakhulu ezinsukwini zeNkosi u-Ahazi, ukuziphatha embusweni wakwaJuda kwakukubi. Abantu namakhosana babevukela futhi emehlweni kaJehova lesi sizwe sasigula enhliziyweni nasekhanda. Ababusi babebizwa ngokuthi “omashiqela baseSodoma” nabantu befaniswa ‘nabantu baseGomora.’ (Isaya 1:2-10) U-Isaya watshelwa kusengaphambili ukuthi izindlebe zabo zazingeke zizwe. UJehova wathi lesi simo sasiyoqhubeka kuze kube yilapho isizwe siba incithakalo futhi kwakuyosala “ingxenye yeshumi” kuphela, “inzalo engcwele,” njengesiphunzi somuthi omkhulu. Kumelwe ukuba umsebenzi ka-Isaya wokuprofetha waliduduza futhi waliqinisa ukholo lelo dlanzana, nakuba iningi lalesi sizwe lenqaba ukulalela.—Isaya 6:1-13.
Nakuba u-Isaya ayegxile kuJuda, waprofetha nango-Israyeli nezizwe ezazimzungezile, njengoba zazinesandla esimweni nasemlandweni kaJuda. Wakhonza isikhathi eside njengomprofethi, kusukela cishe ngo-778 B.C.E., lapho kufa iNkosi u-Uziya, noma mhlawumbe ngaphambi kwalokho, kwaze kwaba sesikhathini esithile ngemva konyaka we-14 wokubusa kukaHezekiya (732 B.C.E.).—Isaya 36:1, 2; 37:37, 38.
Umndeni Ka-Isaya. U-Isaya wayeshadile. Umkakhe ubizwa ngokuthi “umprofethikazi” (Isaya 8:3), okubonakala kusho okungaphezu nje kokuba umkamprofethi. Ngokusobala, wayenesabelo sokuprofetha esivela kuJehova njengoDebora wangezikhathi zabaHluleli nanjengoHulida wangesikhathi sokubusa kukaJosiya.—AbA 4:4; 2Kho 22:14.
IBhayibheli lisitshela amagama amadodana ka-Isaya amabili, awathola “njengezibonakaliso nanjengezimangaliso kwa-Israyeli.” (Isaya 8:18) USheyari-jashubi wayekhule ngokwanele ezinsukwini zika-Ahazi ukuba akwazi ukuphelezela uyise u-Isaya lapho ayehambisa umyalezo kuleyo nkosi. Igama elithi Sheyari-jashubi lisho ukuthi “Yinsali Kuphela (Abasele) Eyobuyela.” Leli gama lalingokwesiprofetho ngomqondo wokuthi, njengoba nje indodana ka-Isaya yethiwa ngempela lelo gama, kanjalo nombuso wakwaJuda wawuyogumbuqelwa ngempela esikhathini esizayo futhi kwakuyobuya insali kuphela ngemva kokudingiswa. (Isaya 7:3; 10:20-23) Lokhu kubuya kwedlanzana lensali kwenzeka ngo-537 B.C.E. lapho uKoresi inkosi yasePheresiya ekhipha isinqumo sokuyikhulula eBhabhiloni ngemva kweminyaka engu-70 yokudingiswa.—2Kro 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1; 2:1, 2.
Enye indodana ka-Isaya yaqanjwa ngaphambi kokuba unina akhulelwe, futhi igama layo labhalwa esibhebheni futhi kwaba nofakazi abathembekile balokho. Kubonakala sengathi leyo ndaba yagcinwa iyimfihlo kwaze kwaba ngemva kokuzalwa kwaleyo ndodana, lapho kwavela khona ofakazi bafakazela ukubikezelwa kusengaphambili kokuzalwa kwaleyo ndodana, kanjalo befakazela ukuthi leso senzakalo sasiprofethiwe. Igama uNkulunkulu aliqamba lo mfana kwakunguMahere-shalali-hashi-bazi, okusho ukuthi “Phuthuma, Mpango! Uphuthumé Impango; noma, Ephuthuma Impango, Uphuthumé Impango.” Kwathiwa ngaphambi kokuba lo mfana akwazi ukuthi “Baba!” nokuthi, “Mama!” ukusongelwa kukaJuda ngenxa yozungu lweSiriya nombuso wakwa-Israyeli wezizwe eziyishumi kwakuzosuswa.—Isaya 8:1-4.
Isiprofetho sabonisa ukuthi uJuda wayezokhululeka maduze; nembala wakhululeka lapho i-Asiriya liphazamisa umkhankaso kaRezini inkosi yaseSiriya noPheka inkosi yakwa-Israyeli wokuhlasela uJuda. Abase-Asiriya bathumba iDamaseku futhi, kamuva, ngo-740 B.C.E., bachitha umbuso wakwa-Israyeli bazithathela nempango, beyigcwalisa ngokuphelele incazelo engokwesiprofetho yegama lalowo mfana. (2Kho 16:5-9; 17:1-6) Nokho, kunokuthembela kuJehova, iNkosi u-Ahazi yazama ukugwema usongo lweSiriya no-Israyeli ngokufumbathisa inkosi yase-Asiriya ukuze le nkosi iyivikele. Ngenxa yalokhu, uJehova wavumela i-Asiriya ukuba libe usongo olukhulu kuJuda futhi lithathe izwe lakwaJuda kuze kuyofika eJerusalema, njengoba kwakuxwayise u-Isaya.—Isaya 7:17-20.
U-Isaya wakhuluma kaningi ‘ngezibonakaliso’ ezaziyonikezwa uJehova, ezihlanganisa amadodana akhe amabili, futhi kwesinye isenzakalo, ngisho no-Isaya uqobo. UJehova wamyala ukuba ahambe nqunu engafake zicathulo iminyaka emithathu njengesibonakaliso nebika ngokumelene neGibhithe neTopiya, okwakubonisa ukuthi babeyothunjwa inkosi yase-Asiriya.—Isaya 20:1-6; qhathanisa no-Isaya 7:11, 14; 19:20; 37:30; 38:7, 22; 55:13; 66:19.
Iziprofetho Zokudingiswa Nokwakha Kabusha. U-Isaya waba nanelungelo lokubikezela ukuthi akulona i-Asiriya elalizosusa amakhosi akwaJuda esihlalweni libhubhise neJerusalema, kodwa lokhu kwakuyokwenziwa iBhabhiloni. (Isaya 39:6, 7) Ngesikhathi lapho i-Asiriya lingena kwaJuda likhukhula lize ‘lifinyelela entanyeni,’ u-Isaya waletha umyalezo oduduzayo eNkosini uHezekiya wokuthi amabutha ase-Asiriya ayengeke akwazi ukungena emzini. (Isaya 8:7, 8) UJehova wenza izwi laKhe lagcwaliseka ngokuthumela ingelosi ukuba ibulale abangu-185 000 ebuthweni labase-Asiriya, amadoda anamandla nabaholi, ngaleyo ndlela ekhulula iJerusalema.—2Kro 32:21.
Akungabazeki ukuthi okwamjabulisa kakhulu u-Isaya kwakuyilungelo ayelinikwe uJehova lokumemezela nokubhala iziprofetho eziningi zokwakhiwa kabusha kweJerusalema ayelithanda kakhulu. Nakuba uJehova ayeyokuvumela ukuba abantu bakhe badingiselwe eBhabhiloni ngenxa yokuhlubuka nokumvukela, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wayeyolahlulela iBhabhiloni ngenxa yezenzo zalo zobutha nesifiso salo sokugcina abantu bakaNkulunkulu besekudingisweni phakade. Iziprofetho eziningana zika-Isaya zigxile ekwahluleleni kukaNkulunkulu iBhabhiloni nencithakalo elaliyoba yiyo, lingaphinde lakhiwe kabusha.—Isaya 45:1, 2; izahl 13, 14, 46-48.
Thembela KuJehova Lapho Ubhekene Nobunzima
Izibikezelo Ezishaya Emhloleni
23 U-Isaya manje usekhuluma ngesimo sangaleso sikhathi. Ngesikhathi iJerusalema livinjezelwe umfelandawonye weSiriya no-Israyeli, u-Isaya uyabika: “UJehova wathi kimi: ‘Zithathele isibhebhe esikhulu ulobe kuso ngothi lokuloba lomuntu ofayo ukuthi, “Maheri-shalali-hashi-bazi.” Mangizitholele ubufakazi ngofakazi abakholekile, u-Uriya umpristi noZakariya indodana kaJeberekhiya.’ ” (Isaya 8:1, 2) Igama elithi Maheri-shalali-hashi-bazi lisho ukuthi “Phuthuma, O Mpango! Ufiké Masinyane Empangweni.” U-Isaya ucela amadoda amabili ahlonishwayo emphakathini ukuba afakazele ukubhala kwakhe leli gama esibhebheni esikhulu, ukuze kamuva aqinisekise ukuthi lo mbhalo uyiqiniso. Nokho, lesi sibonakaliso kumelwe sigcizelelwe ngesibonakaliso sesibili.
24 U-Isaya uthi: “Khona-ke ngasondela kumprofethikazi, wakhulelwa ngemva kwesikhathi wabeletha indodana. UJehova manje wathi kimi: ‘Yiqambe ngokuthi uMaheri-shalali-hashi-bazi, ngoba ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukuthi, “Baba!” nokuthi, “Mama!” umuntu uyomuka nomnotho waseDamaseku nempango yaseSamariya phambi kwenkosi yase-Asiriya.’ ” (Isaya 8:3, 4) Lesi sibhebhe esikhulu nomfana osanda kuzalwa kuzoba izibonakaliso zokuthi maduze nje i-Asiriya lizophanga abacindezeli bakaJuda, iSiriya no-Israyeli. Maduze kangakanani? Ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukusho amagama okuqala izingane eziningi eziwafundayo—elithi “Baba” nelithi “Mama.” Ukubikezela okuqonde kanjalo kufanele kwakhe ukuthembela kwabantu kuJehova. Noma kungenza abanye bamhleke usulu u-Isaya namadodana akhe. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, amazwi ka-Isaya angokwesiprofetho ayagcwaliseka.—2 AmaKhosi 17:1-6.
DECEMBER 19-25
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI
LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAYA 11-16
“Ulwazi NgoJehova Luyogcwala Umhlaba”
(Isaya 11:3-5) Futhi uyojabula ngokwesaba uJehova. Ngeke ahlulele ngokwanoma yikuphi okubonakala emehlweni akhe, noma amane asole ngokwento ayizwe ngezindlebe. 4 Uyokwahlulela abantu abaphansi ngokulunga, futhi uyosola ngobuqotho ngenxa yabantu abamnene basemhlabeni. Uyoshaya umhlaba ngenduku yomlomo wakhe; futhi uyobulala omubi ngomoya wezindebe zakhe. 5 Ukulunga kuyoba yibhande lezinqulu zakhe, nokuthembeka kube yibhande lezinkalo zakhe.
Insindiso Nokujabula Ngaphansi Kokubusa KukaMesiya
UMahluleli Olungileyo Nonesihe
9 U-Isaya ubikezela okwengeziwe ngezimfanelo zikaMesiya: “Ngeke ahlulele ngokwanoma yikuphi okubonakala emehlweni akhe, noma amane asole ngokwento ayizwe ngezindlebe.” (Isaya 11:3b) Ukube ubungama phambi kwenkantolo, ubungeke yini ubonge ngokuba nomahluleli onjalo? NjengoMahluleli waso sonke isintu, uMesiya akakhohliswa yizimpikiswano ezingamanga, ubuqili basezinkantolo, inzwabethi noma izinto ezingasho lutho, njengengcebo. Uyakwazi ukubona inkohliso futhi ubuka ngalé komzimba ongakhangi, abone “umuntu osithekile wenhliziyo,” “umuntu ofihlekile.” (1 Petru 3:4, umbhalo waphansi) Isibonelo sikaJesu esiphakeme kunazo zonke siyisibonelo kubo bonke abaye bacelwe ukuba bahlulele izindaba ebandleni lobuKristu.—1 Korinte 6:1-4.
10 Izimfanelo zikaMesiya ezisezingeni eliphakeme ziyozithinta kanjani izahlulelo zakhe? U-Isaya uyachaza: “Kumelwe ahlulele abantu abaphansi ngokulunga, futhi kumelwe asole ngobuqotho ngenxa yabantu abanobuvi basemhlabeni. Kumelwe ashaye umhlaba ngenduku yomlomo wakhe; futhi uyobulala omubi ngomoya wezindebe zakhe. Ukulunga kumelwe kube yibhande lamanyonga akhe, nokukholeka kube yibhande lezinkalo zakhe.”—Isaya 11:4, 5.
11 Uma abalandeli bakhe bedinga ukulungiswa, uJesu ubalungisa ngendlela ebazuzisa kakhulu—isibonelo esihle kubadala abangamaKristu. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, labo ababenza umkhuba ububi bangalindela isahlulelo esinzima. Lapho uNkulunkulu enza lesi simiso sezinto silandise, uMesiya ‘uyoshaya umhlaba’ ngezwi lakhe elinegunya, abanikeze isahlulelo sokubhujiswa bonke ababi. (IHubo 2:9; qhathanisa nesAmbulo 19:15.) Ekugcineni, bayobe bengasekho abantu ababi abaphazamisa ukuthula kwesintu. (IHubo 37:10, 11) Njengoba amanyonga nezinkalo zikaJesu zibhince ukulunga nokukholeka, unamandla okukwenza lokhu.—IHubo 45:3-7.
(Isaya 11:6-8) Impisi iyohlala isikhathi newundlu leduna, ingwe ilale kanye nezinyane lembuzi, ithole nebhongo lengonyama elinomhlwenga nesilwane esikhuluphele konke ndawonye; nomfanyana nje uyoba umholi wako. 7 Inkomazi nebhere kuyoklaba; amankonyane ako alale ndawonye. Ngisho nengonyama iyodla utshani njengenkunzi. 8 Umntwana oncelayo ngokuqinisekile uyodlala emgodini wemfezi; futhi ingane elunyuliweyo iyofaka isandla sayo embotsheni yomgodi wenyoka.
Ukuthula Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane Nangalé Kwayo!
8 Kungenzeka yini ngempela ukuba abantu bathotshelwe yizo zonke izilwane futhi babe nokuthula nazo? Abantu abaningi basondelene kakhulu nezilwane abazifuyile, njengezinja namakati. Nokho, kuthiwani ngezilwane zasendle? Omunye umbiko uthi: “Ososayensi abaye bahlala eduze nezilwane zasendle futhi bacwaninga ngazo bathole ukuthi zonke izilwane ezincelisayo zinemizwelo.” Yiqiniso, siye sibone izilwane zesaba noma ziba nolaka lapho zisongelwa, kodwa ingabe ziyakwazi ukubonisa lokho abanye abangakuchaza ngokuthi uthando? Lo mbiko uyaqhubeka: “Imfanelo enhle kakhulu yezilwane ezincelisayo—ikhono lazo elimangalisayo lokubonisa uthando—ibonakala endleleni ezikhulisa ngayo abantwana bazo.”
9 Khona-ke, akufanele simangale lapho sifunda eBhayibhelini ukuthi kuyoba nokuthula phakathi kwabantu nezilwane. (Funda u-Isaya 11:6-9; 65:25.) Kungani? Khumbula ukuthi lapho uNowa nomndeni wakhe bephuma emkhunjini ngemva kukaZamcolo, uJehova wathi kubo: “Ingebhe nokunesaba okukhulu kuzohlale kukhona kuzo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba.” Lokho kwakuyozivikela izilwane. (Gen. 9:2, 3) Ngeke yini uJehova akususa ngezinga elithile lokho kwesaba nalokho kuthuthumela ukuze umyalo wakhe wokuqala ugcwaliseke? (Hos. 2:18) Yeka isikhathi esijabulisayo esilindele bonke abayosinda ukuze baphile emhlabeni ngaleso sikhathi!
(Isaya 11:9) Ngeke neze kulimaze noma kubangele incithakalo kuyo yonke intaba yami engcwele; ngoba umhlaba ngokuqinisekile uyogcwala ulwazi ngoJehova njengoba nje amanzi esibekela ulwandle.
Ukwazisa UJehova NjengoMbumbi Wethu
9 Ezweni elisha, siyozuza ngokugcwele epharadesi elingokomoya. Siyojabulela nokuphila epharadesi elingokoqobo eliyobe libuswa uMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Ngaleso sikhathi, uJehova uyoqhubeka esibumba futhi esifundisa ngendlela esingenakuyicabanga manje. (Isaya 11:9) UJehova uzokwenza nokuba izingqondo nemizimba yethu kuphelele. Lokhu kuyokwenza kube lula ukuba siqonde nokuba silalele imiyalo yakhe ngokuphelele. Ngakho, masiqhubeke sivumela uJehova ukuba asibumbe futhi simbonise ukuthi siyalwazisa uthando asibonisa lona.—IzAga 3:11, 12.
Umhlaba Ongenalo Ubandlululo—Nini?
UMBUSO KANKULUNKULU UYOLUQEDA NYA UBANDLULULO
Nakuba ulwazi lweBhayibheli lungasiza ekulawuleni nasekusiphuleni imizwa ejulile, kunezinto ezimbili okumelwe zisuswe ngaphambi kokuba ubandlululo luqedwe ngokuphelele. Okokuqala, sinesono futhi asiphelele. IBhayibheli lisho ngokucacile: “Akekho umuntu ongoni.” (1 AmaKhosi 8:46) Ngakho, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi sizama kangakanani, sibhekene nempi yangaphakathi njengomphostoli uPawulu, owabhala: “Lapho ngifisa ukwenza okuhle, kukhona okubi kimi.” (Roma 7:21) Ngakho, ngezikhathi ezithile, izinhliziyo zethu ezingaphelele ziyosibuyisela ‘emicabangweni emibi’ engaholela obandlululweni.—Marku 7:21.
Okwesibili, kunethonya likaSathane uDeveli. IBhayibheli limchaza ngokuthi “umbulali wabantu” futhi lithi ‘udukisa umhlaba wonke owakhiwe.’ (Johane 8:44; IsAmbulo 12:9) Lokho kubonisa ukuthi kungani ubandlululo lugcwele kangaka futhi kungani abantu bengeke bakwazi ukuqeda ubandlululo, ukuqothulwa kohlanga nazo zonke izinhlobo zokucwasa ngokohlanga, ngenkolo noma ngesimo somuntu.
Ngakho, ngaphambi kokuba ubandlululo luqedwe ngokuphelele, kufanele kususwe isono, ukungapheleli nethonya likaSathane uDeveli kubantu. IBhayibheli libonisa ukuthi uMbuso kaNkulunkulu uyokwenza lokho kanye.
UJesu Kristu wafundisa abalandeli bakhe ukuba bathandaze kuNkulunkulu bathi: “Umbuso wakho mawuze. Intando yakho mayenzeke nasemhlabeni, njengasezulwini.” (Mathewu 6:10) UMbuso kaNkulunkulu uyokuqeda konke ukungabi nabulungisa—kuhlanganise nazo zonke izinhlobo zobandlululo nokungamukelani.
Lapho uMbuso kaNkulunkulu ufika futhi usubusa wonke umhlaba, uSathane ‘uyoboshwa,’ noma avalelwe ngqí ukuze “angabe esazidukisa izizwe.” (IsAmbulo 20:2, 3) Ngaleso sikhathi kuyoba “nomhlaba omusha” noma umphakathi ‘oyoba nokulunga.’—2 Petru 3:13.
Labo abayophila kulowo mphakathi bayokwenziwa baphelele, bakhululwe esonweni. (Roma 8:21) Izikhonzi zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu, ‘ngeke zilimaze noma zibangele incithakalo.’ Kungani? “Ngoba umhlaba ngokuqinisekile uyogcwala ulwazi ngoJehova.” (Isaya 11:9) Ngaleso sikhathi, bonke abantu bayofunda ngezindlela zikaJehova uNkulunkulu futhi balingise izimfanelo zakhe zothando. Ngokuqinisekile, lokhu kuyosho ukuphela kwalo lonke ubandlululo, “ngoba akukho ukukhetha kuNkulunkulu.”—Roma 2:11.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Isaya 11:1) Kuyophuma ihlumela esiphunzini sikaJese; ezimpandeni zakhe ihlumela liyothela.
(Isaya 11:10) Ngalolo suku kuyoba khona impande kaJese eyobe imi njengesibonakaliso ezizweni. Ngisho nezizwe ziyophendukela kuye ukuba zibuze, futhi indawo yakhe yokuphumula iyoba ngekhazimulayo.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
11:1, 10—UJesu Kristu angaba kanjani “ihlumela [eliphuma] esiphunzini sikaJese” abuye abe ‘yimpande kaJese’? (Roma 15:12) UJesu wavela “esiphunzini sikaJese” ngokoqobo. Wayengowozalo lukaJese ngendodana kaJese, uDavide. (Mathewu 1:1-6; Luka 3:23-32) Nokho, ukuthola kukaJesu amandla okubusa kuthinta ubuhlobo bakhe nokhokho bakhe. Ngenxa yokuthi uye wanikezwa amandla negunya lokunikeza isintu esilalelayo ukuphila okuphakade emhlabeni, uJesu uba “uYise Ongunaphakade” kubo. (Isaya 9:6) Yingakho abuye abe “impande” yokhokho bakhe, kuhlanganise noJese.
(Isaya 13:17) Bheka ngibavusela amaMede, lawo abheka isiliva uqobo njengelingelutho, futhi angajatshuliswa yigolide.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
Izimpendulo Zemibuzo YemiBhalo:
13:17—Kungayiphi indlela amaMede ayebheka isiliva njengelingelutho futhi engajatshuliswanga yigolide? AmaMede namaPheresiya babebheka udumo abaluthola ngemva kokunqoba njengolungaphezu kwempango yempi. Lokhu kwabonakala kahle lapho uKoresi enikeza izithunjwa ezazibuyela ekhaya izitsha zegolide nezesiliva ezaziphangwe uNebukhadinezari ethempelini likaJehova.
DECEMBER 26–JANUARY 1
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI
LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAYA 17-23
“Lapho Ulisebenzisa Kabi Igunya Liyakulahlekela”
(Isaya 22:15, 16) Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi, uJehova wamabutho, ekushilo: “Hamba, ngena kulo mphathi, uShebina, owengamele indlu, uthi, 16 ‘Yini engeyakho lapha, futhi ubani ongowakho lapha, ukuba uziqophele ingcwaba lapha?’ Uqopha ingcwaba lakhe endaweni ephakeme; uzimbela indawo yakhe yokuhlala edwaleni.
Izifundo Eziphathelene Nokungathembeki
Umphathi Onobugovu
16 Umprofethi uyasuka kubantu abangathembekile agxile kumuntu ongathembekile. U-Isaya uyabhala: “Yilokhu iNkosi EnguMbusi, uJehova wamabutho, ekushilo: ‘Hamba, ngena kulo mphathi, uShebina, ophezu kwendlu, uthi, “Yini engeyakho lapha, futhi ubani ongowakho lapha, ukuba uziqophele ingcwaba lapha?” Uqopha ingcwaba lakhe endaweni ephakeme; uzigumbela indawo yakhe yokuhlala edwaleni.’ ”—Isaya 22:15, 16.
17 UShebina ‘ungumphathi phezu kwendlu,’ cishe indlu yeNkosi uHezekiya. Njengomphathi, unesikhundla esikhulu, ulandela inkosi ngesikhundla. Kuningi okulindeleke kuye. (1 Korinte 4:2) Nokho, ngesikhathi okufanele ngabe unaka ngaso izindaba zesizwe kuqala, uShebina uzifunela udumo lwakhe siqu. Uthumela ukuba aqoshelwe ingcwaba lekhethelo—elifana nelenkosi—phezulu edwaleni. Ekubona lokhu, uJehova uphefumulela u-Isaya ukuba axwayise lo mphathi ongathembekile: “Bheka! UJehova ukuphonsa phansi ngokuphonsa okunamandla, ndoda engumqemane, futhi ukubamba ngendluzula. Nakanjani uyokusonga akuqinise, ukuba akuphonse njengebhola ezweni elibanzi. Uyofela khona, futhi izinqola zenkazimulo yakho ziyokuba yihlazo lendlu yenkosi yakho lapho. Ngiyokududula ngikususe esikhundleni sakho; futhi umuntu uyokudiliza endaweni yakho engokomthetho.” (Isaya 22:17-19) Ngenxa yomhobholo wakhe, uShebina ngeke aze abe ngisho nanengcwaba elivamile eJerusalema. Kunalokho uyophonswa kuhle kwebhola, afele ezweni elikude. Kule ndaba kunesixwayiso kubo bonke abaphathiswe igunya phakathi kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Ukusebenzisa kabi igunya kuyoholela ekulahlekeni kwalo noma mhlawumbe nasekuxoshweni.
(Isaya 22:17-22) ‘Bheka! UJehova ukujikijela phansi ngamandla ndoda enamandla, futhi ukubamba ngendluzula. 18 Nakanjani uyokusonga akuqinise, akusonge njengebhola ukuze akujikijele ezweni elibanzi. Uyofela khona, futhi izinqola zenkazimulo yakho ziyoba yihlazo lendlu yenkosi yakho lapho. 19 Ngiyokududula ngikususe esikhundleni sakho; futhi umuntu uyokudiliza endaweni yakho engokomthetho. 20 “ ‘Kuyothi ngalolo suku ngiyibize inceku yami, okungukuthi, u-Eliyakimi indodana kaHilikiya. 21 Ngiyoyembathisa isembatho sakho, ngiyibophe ngebhande lakho lendwangu ngiliqinise, ngiyonikela umbuso wakho esandleni sayo; iyoba nguyise kowakhileyo eJerusalema nasendlini kaJuda. 22 Ngiyobeka isihluthulelo sendlu kaDavide phezu kwehlombe layo, iyovula kungabikho ovalayo, ivale kungabikho ovulayo.
Izifundo Eziphathelene Nokungathembeki
17 UShebina ‘ungumphathi phezu kwendlu,’ cishe indlu yeNkosi uHezekiya. Njengomphathi, unesikhundla esikhulu, ulandela inkosi ngesikhundla. Kuningi okulindeleke kuye. (1 Korinte 4:2) Nokho, ngesikhathi okufanele ngabe unaka ngaso izindaba zesizwe kuqala, uShebina uzifunela udumo lwakhe siqu. Uthumela ukuba aqoshelwe ingcwaba lekhethelo—elifana nelenkosi—phezulu edwaleni. Ekubona lokhu, uJehova uphefumulela u-Isaya ukuba axwayise lo mphathi ongathembekile: “Bheka! UJehova ukuphonsa phansi ngokuphonsa okunamandla, ndoda engumqemane, futhi ukubamba ngendluzula. Nakanjani uyokusonga akuqinise, ukuba akuphonse njengebhola ezweni elibanzi. Uyofela khona, futhi izinqola zenkazimulo yakho ziyokuba yihlazo lendlu yenkosi yakho lapho. Ngiyokududula ngikususe esikhundleni sakho; futhi umuntu uyokudiliza endaweni yakho engokomthetho.” (Isaya 22:17-19) Ngenxa yomhobholo wakhe, uShebina ngeke aze abe ngisho nanengcwaba elivamile eJerusalema. Kunalokho uyophonswa kuhle kwebhola, afele ezweni elikude. Kule ndaba kunesixwayiso kubo bonke abaphathiswe igunya phakathi kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Ukusebenzisa kabi igunya kuyoholela ekulahlekeni kwalo noma mhlawumbe nasekuxoshweni.
18 Nokho, uyosuswa kanjani uShebina esikhundleni sakhe? Ngo-Isaya, uJehova uyachaza: “Kuyokuthi ngalolo suku ngiyibize inceku yami, okungukuthi, u-Eliyakimi indodana kaHilikiya. Ngiyoyembathisa isivatho sakho, ngiyibophe ngebhande lakho lendwangu ngiliqinise, ngiyonikela umbuso wakho esandleni sayo; kumelwe ibe uyise kowakhileyo eJerusalema nasendlini kaJuda. Ngiyobeka isihluthulelo sendlu kaDavide phezu kwehlombe layo, iyovula kungabikho ovalayo, ivale kungabikho ovulayo.” (Isaya 22:20-22) Njengoba ezothatha isikhundla sikaShebina, u-Eliyakimi uzonikezwa izingubo zomphathi kanye nezihluthulelo zendlu kaDavide. IBhayibheli lisebenzisa igama elithi “isihluthulelo” uma lifanekisela igunya, uhulumeni noma amandla. (Qhathanisa noMathewu 16:19.) Endulo, umeluleki wenkosi, njengoba ayephathiswa izihluthulelo, wayengase engamele zonke izindlu zasebukhosini, aze anqume nokuthi obani abangasebenzela inkosi. (Qhathanisa nesAmbulo 3:7, 8.) Ngakho isikhundla sokuba umphathi sibalulekile, futhi kukhulu okulindelwa kulowo osuke ekuso. (Luka 12:48) Kungenzeka ukuthi uShebina uwenza kahle umsebenzi, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi akathembekile, uJehova uzofaka omunye esikhundleni sakhe.
(Isaya 22:23-25) Ngiyoyibethela njengesikhonkwane endaweni ehlala njalo, iyoba njengesihlalo sobukhosi senkazimulo endlini kayise. 24 Bayoneka phezu kwayo yonke inkazimulo yendlu kayise, uzalo namahlumela, zonke izitsha zohlobo oluncane, izitsha zohlobo lwezindishi kanye nezitsha zohlobo lwezimbiza ezinkulu. 25 “ ‘Ngalolo suku,’ kusho uJehova wamabutho, ‘isikhonkwane esibethelwe endaweni ehlala njalo siyosuswa, futhi siyonqanyulwa siwe, nomthwalo ophezu kwaso uyonqunywa, ngoba uJehova ngokwakhe ukukhulumile.’ ”
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye II
Izifundo Esizitholayo:
36:2, 3, 22. Nakuba asuswa esikhundleni sokuba umphathi, uShebina wavunyelwa ukuba aqhubeke ekhonza inkosi njengonobhala womphathi omusha. (Isaya 22:15, 19) Uma ngasizathu simbe sigudluzwa esikhundleni esithile somthwalo wemfanelo enhlanganweni kaJehova, akufanele yini siqhubeke sikhonza uNkulunkulu kunoma isiphi isici asivumela ukuba sikhonze kuso?
Izifundo Eziphathelene Nokungathembeki
Izikhonkwane Ezimbili Ezingokomfanekiso
19 Okokugcina, uJehova usebenzisa ulimi olungokomfanekiso lapho echaza ukuphucwa kukaShebina igunya linikezwe u-Eliyakimi. Uthi: “ ‘[U-Eliyakimi] ngiyombethela njengesikhonkwane endaweni ehlala njalo, kumelwe abe njengesihlalo sobukhosi senkazimulo endlini kayise. Kumelwe bamneke phezu kwayo yonke inkazimulo yendlu kayise, uzalo namahlumela, zonke izitsha zohlobo oluncane, izitsha zohlobo lwezindishi kanye nezitsha zohlobo lwezimbiza ezinkulu. Ngalolo suku,’ kusho uJehova wamabutho, ‘[uShebina] isikhonkwane esibethelwe endaweni ehlala njalo siyosuswa, futhi kumelwe sinqanyulwe siwe, futhi umthwalo ophezu kwaso kumelwe unqunywe, ngoba uJehova ngokwakhe ukukhulumile.’ ”—Isaya 22:23-25.
20 Kula mavesi, isikhonkwane sokuqala ngu-Eliyakimi. Uyoba ‘isihlalo sobukhosi senkazimulo’ endlini kayise, uHilikiya. Ngokungafani noShebina, ngeke awuthele ngehlazo umuzi kayise noma idumela lawo. U-Eliyakimi uyoba insika ehlala njalo yezitsha zasendlini, okusho ukuthi, kwabanye abasebenzela inkosi. (2 Thimothewu 2:20, 21) Kanti isikhonkwane sesibili nguShebina. Nakuba kungase kubonakale sengathi ulondekile, uzosuswa. Noma ubani oqhubeka ebheke kuye uzokuwa.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Isaya 21:1) Isimemezelo ngokumelene nehlane lolwandle: Kuphokophele phambili njengezivunguvungu eningizimu, kuza kuvela ehlane, ezweni elesabekayo.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—INgxenye I
21:1—Isiphi isifunda esibizwa ngokuthi ‘ihlane lolwandle’? Nakuba iBhabhiloni lalingekho nhlobo eduze kolwandle, libizwa ngale ndlela. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi izikhukhula zemifula i-Ewufrathe neTigrisi zazivame ukuhlasela le ndawo minyaka yonke, zenze kube nexhaphozi ‘elinjengolwandle.’
(Isaya 23:17, 18) Kuyothi ekupheleni kweminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa uJehova alinake iThire, futhi liyobuyela enkokhelweni yalo yokuqashwa lifebe nayo yonke imibuso yomhlaba esebusweni bomhlaba. 18 Futhi imbuyiselo yalo nenkokhelo yokuqashwa kwalo kuyoba yinto engcwele kuJehova. Ngeke ibekelelwe, noma iqongelelwe, ngoba inkokhelo yokuqashwa kwalo iyoba ngeyalabo abahlala phambi kukaJehova, ukuba badle baneliseke futhi bazembathise ngokuhle.
UJehova Ungcolisa Ukuziqhenya KweTire
22 U-Isaya uyaqhubeka: “Ekupheleni kweminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa iTire liyokwehlelwa okunjengokushiwo engomeni yesifebe: ‘Thatha ihabhu, zungeza umuzi, sifebe esilitshelwe. Yenza okusemandleni akho ekubetheni izintambo; yandisa izingoma zakho, ukuze ukhunjulwe.’ Kuyothi ekupheleni kweminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa uJehova alinake iTire, futhi kumelwe libuyele ekuqashweni kwalo lifebe nayo yonke imibuso yomhlaba esebusweni bomhlabathi.”—Isaya 23:15b-17.
23 Ngemva kokuwa kweBabiloni ngo-539 B.C.E., iFenike iba ngaphansi kombusi woMbuso WamaMede NamaPheresiya. Umbusi wasePheresiya, uKoresi Omkhulu, ungumbusi obabekezelelayo abanye. Ngaphansi kwalo mbuso omusha, iTire lizowuqala phansi umsebenzi walo wangaphambili futhi lizikhandle ukuze liphinde liqashelwe njengesikhungo somhlaba sezentengiselwano—njengoba nje nesifebe esilitshelwe futhi salahlekelwa amakhasimende siye sizame ukuthola amasha ngokuzungeza umuzi, sidlale ihabhu laso, sihlabelele nezingoma zaso. Ingabe iTire lizophumelela? Yebo, uJehova uzolinika impumelelo. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, lo muzi oyisiqhingi uyochuma kangangokuba ngasekupheleni kwekhulu lesithupha B.C.E., umprofethi uZakariya uyothi: “ITire lazakhela igoqo lokuvikela, lanqwabelanisa isiliva njengothuli negolide njengodaka lwezitaladi.”—Zakariya 9:3.
‘Imbuyiselo Yalo Kumelwe Ibe Into Engcwele’
24 Yeka indlela amangalisa ngayo la mazwi alandelayo angokwesiprofetho! “Imbuyiselo yayo nenkokhelo yokuqashwa kwayo kumelwe kube into engcwele kuJehova. Ngeke ibekelelwe, noma iqongelelwe, ngoba inkokhelo yokuqashwa kwayo iyoba ngeyalabo abahlala phambi kukaJehova, ukuba badle baneliseke futhi bazembathise ngokuhle.” (Isaya 23:18) Kwenzeka kanjani ukuba imbuyiselo yezinto ezibonakalayo zeTire ibe yinto engcwele? UJehova uhlela izinto ngendlela yokuba isetshenziswe ngokwentando yakhe—ukuze abantu bakhe badle baneliseke futhi bazembathise. Lokhu kwenzeka ngemva kokubuya kwama-Israyeli ekudingisweni eBabiloni. Abantu baseTire bayawasiza ngokuwanikeza izingodo zomsedari zokwakha kabusha ithempeli. Babuye baqale nokuhwebelana neJerusalema.—Ezra 3:7; Nehemiya 13:16.