Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
JANUWARI 7-13
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | IZENZO 21-22
“Intando KaJehova Mayenzeke”
(IzEnzo 21:8-12) Ngosuku olulandelayo sasuka futhi safika eKhesariya, saya endlini kaFiliphu umvangeli, owayengomunye wamadoda ayisikhombisa, sahlala naye. 9 Lo muntu wayenamadodakazi amane ayizintombi, ayeprofetha. 10 Kodwa lapho sisahlezi izinsuku eziningana impela, umprofethi othile ogama lakhe lingu-Agabu wehla evela eJudiya, 11 wafika kithi wathatha ibhande likaPawulu, wazibopha izinyawo nezandla wathi: “Usho kanje umoya ongcwele, ‘Indoda okungelayo leli bhande, amaJuda azoyibopha ngale ndlela eJerusalema, ayinikele ezandleni zabantu bezizwe.’” 12 Manje lapho sikuzwa lokhu, thina nabantu bakuleyo ndawo, samncenga ukuba angakhuphukeli eJerusalema.
“Intando KaJehova Mayenzeke”
15 Ngesikhathi uPawulu ehlala emzini kaFiliphu, kwafika nesinye isivakashi esihloniphekile—u-Agabu. Labo ababesendlini kaFiliphu babazi ukuthi u-Agabu umprofethi; wayebikezele indlala enkulu phakathi nokubusa kukaKlawudiyu. (IzE. 11:27, 28) Mhlawumbe bazibuza: ‘U-Agabu ubekwa yini lapha? Yisiphi isigijimi asiphethe?’ Njengoba bemgqolozele, wathatha ibhande likaPawulu—umchilo omude wendwangu owawuboshwa okhalweni owawungafaka imali nezinye izinto. U-Agabu walithatha wazibopha izinyawo nezandla. Wayesekhuluma. Isigijimi sakhe sasibalulekile: “Usho kanje umoya ongcwele, ‘Indoda okungelayo leli bhande, amaJuda azoyibopha ngale ndlela eJerusalema, ayinikele ezandleni zabantu bezizwe.’”—IzE. 21:11.
16 Lesi siprofetho saqinisekisa ukuthi uPawulu wayezoya eJerusalema. Sabonisa nokuthi ukushumayela kwakhe kumaJuda kwakuyophumela ekubeni anikelwe “ezandleni zabantu bezizwe.” Lesi siprofetho sabathinta kakhulu ababekhona. ULuka uyabhala: “Manje lapho sikuzwa lokhu, thina nabantu bakuleyo ndawo, samncenga ukuba angakhuphukeli eJerusalema. Khona-ke uPawulu waphendula: ‘Nenzani ngokukhala ningenza buthaka enhliziyweni na? Qinisekani ngalokhu, angilungele ukuboshwa nje kuphela kodwa futhi nokufa eJerusalema ngenxa yegama leNkosi uJesu.’”—IzE. 21:12, 13.
(IzEnzo 21:13) Khona-ke uPawulu waphendula: “Nenzani ngokukhala ningenza buthaka enhliziyweni na? Qinisekani ngalokhu, angilungele ukuboshwa nje kuphela kodwa futhi nokufa eJerusalema ngenxa yegama leNkosi uJesu.”
“Intando KaJehova Mayenzeke”
17 Sibone ngeso lengqondo lesi simo. Abazalwane, kuhlanganise noLuka, bancenga uPawulu ukuba angahambi. Abanye bayakhala. Eshukunyiswa ukukhathalela kothando abambonisa kona, ngomusa uPawulu uthi bamenza “buthaka enhliziyweni,” noma “bamphula inhliziyo,” njengoba ezinye izinguquko zesiGreki zihumusha le nkulumo. Yize kunjalo, uzimisele futhi ngeke akuvumele ukuncengwa noma izinyembezi zimyekise, njengoba nje engazange akuvumele nakubazalwane baseThire. Kunalokho, uyabachazela ukuthi kungani kumelwe ahambe. Yeka isibindi nokuzimisela akubonisa! Njengoba kwenza uJesu, uPawulu wayezimisele ukuya eJerusalema kumnyama kubomvu. (Heb. 12:2) Wayengafuni ukuba umfel’ ukholo, kodwa uma lokho kwenzeka, wayeyokubheka njengelungelo ukufa engumlandeli kaKristu Jesu.
(IzEnzo 21:14) Lapho engenakuvinjwa, sathula sathi: “Intando kaJehova mayenzeke.”
“Intando KaJehova Mayenzeke”
18 Abazalwane basabela kanjani? Ngelilodwa nje, ngenhlonipho. Siyafunda: “Lapho engenakuvinjwa, sathula sathi: ‘Intando kaJehova mayenzeke.’” (IzE. 21:14) Labo ababezama ukukholisa uPawulu ukuba angayi eJerusalema abazange baphoqelele imibono yabo. Bamlalela, bamukela ayekusho, beqaphela ukuthi ukuhamba kwakhe kuyintando kaJehova, ngisho noma lokho kwakunzima kubo. UPawulu wayeqale umsebenzi owawuyogcina umholele ekufeni. Kwakuyoba lula ngaye ukube labo ababemthanda babengazange bazame ukumvimba.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IzEnzo 21:23, 24) Ngakho-ke yenza lokhu esikutshela kona: Sinamadoda amane enzé isifungo. 24 Wathathe la madoda uzihlanze nawo ngokwesiko futhi unakekele izindleko zawo, ukuze aphuce amakhanda awo. Ngakho bonke abantu bazokwazi ukuthi awekho la mahemuhemu abawatshelwe ngawe, kodwa uhamba ngokuhlelekile, nawe ngokwakho uyawugcina uMthetho.
“Yizwani Ukuziphendulela Kwami”
10 Nokho, uPawulu wabonisa ukubaqonda labo ababengenankinga yokugcina amasiko athile obuJuda, njengokungasebenzi ngeSabatha noma ukugwema ukudla okuthile. (Roma 14:1-6) Akazange futhi abeke mithetho ngokuqondene nokusoka. Yiqiniso, uPawulu wamsoka uThimothewu ukuze amaJuda angakhubeki ngoba uyise wayengumGreki. (IzE. 16:3) Ukusoka kwakuyisinqumo somuntu siqu. UPawulu watshela abaseGalathiya: “Ukusoka nokungasoki akubaluleke ngalutho, kodwa ukholo olusebenza ngothando yilo olubalulekile.” (Gal. 5:6) Nokho, ukusoka ngenjongo yokuba ngaphansi koMthetho noma ukuthi ukusoka kuyadingeka ukuze umuntu amukelwe uJehova, kwakuyobe kubonisa ukuntula ukholo.
11 Nakuba la mahemuhemu ayengamanga aluhlaza cwe, awakhuba amakholwa angamaJuda. Yingakho amadoda amadala anikeza uPawulu lesi siqondiso: “Sinamadoda amane enzé isifungo. Wathathe la madoda uzihlanze nawo ngokwesiko futhi unakekele izindleko zawo, ukuze aphuce amakhanda awo. Ngakho bonke abantu bazokwazi ukuthi awekho la mahemuhemu abawatshelwe ngawe, kodwa uhamba ngokuhlelekile, nawe ngokwakho uyawugcina uMthetho.”—IzE. 21:23, 24.
12 UPawulu wayengase athi inkinga yangempela yayingewona amahemuhemu ngaye, kodwa kwakuwukushisekela kwamakholwa angamaJuda uMthetho KaMose. Kodwa wayezimisele ukuvumelana nezimo, inqobo nje uma ayengeke enze izinto ezingqubuzana nezimiso zikaNkulunkulu. Ngaphambidlana, nakhu ayekubhalile: “Kwabaphansi komthetho ngaba njengophansi komthetho, nakuba mina ngokwami ngingekho phansi komthetho, ukuze ngizuze labo abaphansi komthetho.” (1 Kor. 9:20) Kulokhu, uPawulu wabambisana nabadala baseJerusalema futhi waba “njengophansi komthetho.” Ukwenza kwakhe kanjalo kusibekela isibonelo esihle namuhla sokuba sibambisane nabadala futhi singaphoqi ukuba izinto zenziwe ngendlela yethu.—Heb. 13:17.
(IzEnzo 22:16) Manje ulibalelani? Vuka, ubhapathizwe, uhlanze izono zakho ngokubiza igama lakhe.’
iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 22:16 kuyi-nwtsty-E
uhlanze izono zakho ngokubiza igama lakhe: Noma “uhlanze izono zakho, ubize igama lakhe.” Izono zomuntu zingahlanzwa, hhayi nje ngokubhapathizwa ngamanzi kuphela kodwa ngokubiza igama likaJesu. Ukwenza lokhu kuhlanganisa ukuba nokholo kuJesu nokubonisa lolo kholo ngemisebenzi yobuKristu.—IzE 10:43; Jak 2:14, 18.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IzEnzo 21:1-19) Manje lapho sesihlukene nabo, sathatha uhambo lwasolwandle ngendlela eqondile safika eKhose, ngosuku olulandelayo saya eRodu, futhi ukusuka lapho saya ePathara. 2 Lapho sesithole isikebhe esasiwelela eFenike, sagibela sahamba. 3 Ngemva kokubona isiqhingi saseKhupro sasishiya ngemuva ngakwesobunxele saqhubeka ngesikebhe saya eSiriya, sase sifika eThire, ngoba isikebhe kwakumelwe sethule umthwalo waso khona. 4 Sabafuna sabathola abafundi futhi sahlala khona izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. Ngomoya batshela uPawulu ngokuphindaphindiwe ukuba angalubeki unyawo eJerusalema. 5 Ngakho lapho sesiqede lezo zinsuku, saphuma sangena indlela yethu; kodwa bonke, kanye nabesifazane nabantwana, basiphelezela kwaze kwaba ngaphandle komuzi. Futhi siguqa phansi ogwini, sathandaza 6 savalelisana, thina sakhuphukela esikebheni kodwa bona babuyela emakhaya. 7 Khona-ke saqedela uhambo olusuka eThire ngesikebhe safika ePhetolemayi, sabingelela abazalwane sahlala usuku olulodwa nabo. 8 Ngosuku olulandelayo sasuka futhi safika eKhesariya, saya endlini kaFiliphu umvangeli, owayengomunye wamadoda ayisikhombisa, sahlala naye. 9 Lo muntu wayenamadodakazi amane ayizintombi, ayeprofetha. 10 Kodwa lapho sisahlezi izinsuku eziningana impela, umprofethi othile ogama lakhe lingu-Agabu wehla evela eJudiya, 11 wafika kithi wathatha ibhande likaPawulu, wazibopha izinyawo nezandla wathi: “Usho kanje umoya ongcwele, ‘Indoda okungelayo leli bhande, amaJuda azoyibopha ngale ndlela eJerusalema, ayinikele ezandleni zabantu bezizwe.’” 12 Manje lapho sikuzwa lokhu, thina nabantu bakuleyo ndawo, samncenga ukuba angakhuphukeli eJerusalema. 13 Khona-ke uPawulu waphendula: “Nenzani ngokukhala ningenza buthaka enhliziyweni na? Qinisekani ngalokhu, angilungele ukuboshwa nje kuphela kodwa futhi nokufa eJerusalema ngenxa yegama leNkosi uJesu.” 14 Lapho engenakuvinjwa, sathula sathi: “Intando kaJehova mayenzeke.” 15 Ngemva kwalezi zinsuku salungiselela uhambo futhi sakhuphukela eJerusalema. 16 Kodwa abanye kubafundi baseKhesariya nabo bahamba nathi, ukuze basiyise kumuntu okwakufanele sibungazwe emzini wakhe, uMnasoni othile waseKhupro, umfundi okwabokuqala. 17 Lapho sifika eJerusalema, abafowethu basamukela ngokuthokoza. 18 Kodwa ngosuku olulandelayo uPawulu wangena nathi kuJakobe; wonke amadoda amadala ayekhona. 19 Wawabingelela waqala ukulandisa ngokuningiliziwe izinto uNkulunkulu ayezenze kwabezizwe ngenkonzo yakhe.
JANUWARI 14-20
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | IZENZO 23-24
“Wasolwa Ngokuba Umuntu Owuhlupho Nobhebhezela Ukuvukela Umbuso”
(IzEnzo 23:12) Lapho kusa, amaJuda akha uzungu futhi azibopha ngesiqalekiso, ethi ngeke adle noma aphuze aze ambulale uPawulu.
(IzEnzo 23:16) Nokho, umshana kaPawulu wezwa ngokuqamekela kwabo, weza wangena ekamu lamasosha wabikela uPawulu.
“Yiba Nesibindi!”
5 Isikhuthazo uPawulu asithola safika ngesikhathi. Ngakusasa, amadoda angamaJuda angaphezu kuka-40 “akha uzungu futhi azibopha ngesiqalekiso, ethi ngeke adle noma aphuze aze ambulale uPawulu.” Lolu “zungu oluboshwe ngesifungo” lwabonisa indlela lawo maJuda ayezimisele ngayo ukubulala lo mphostoli. Uma lwalungaphumeleli, ayekholelwa ukuthi ayezoba namashwa. (IzE. 23:12-15) Lolu zungu olwalugunyazwe abapristi abakhulu namadoda amadala lwaluhloselwe ukubuyisela uPawulu kuyiSanhedrini ukuze aqhubeke ephenywa ngemibuzo, njengokungathi kunezinto ezithile ngaye lawo maJuda ayefuna ukuziqonda ngokunembile. Kodwa la maJuda ayezobe emqamekele endleleni ukuze ambulale.
6 Nokho, umshana kaPawulu wezwa ngalolu zungu, wayesembikela. UPawulu wacela le nsizwa ukuba ibike lolu daba kumlawuli wamabutho aseRoma, uKlawudiyu Lisiya. (IzE. 23:16-22) Ngokuqinisekile uJehova uyayithanda intsha efana nomshana kaPawulu, ongagagulwanga ngegama, equnga isibindi ibeke inhlalakahle yabantu bakaNkulunkulu ngaphambi kweyayo futhi ngokwethembeka yenze konke engakwenza ukuze ithuthukise izithakazelo zoMbuso.
(IzEnzo 24:2) Lapho ebizwa, uTertulu wammangalela, ethi: “Njengoba sijabulela ukuthula okukhulu ngenxa yakho futhi kwenzeka izinguquko kulesi sizwe ngenxa yokucabanga kwakho kusengaphambili,
(IzEnzo 24:5, 6) Ngoba sithole le ndoda ingumuntu owuhlupho nobhebhezela ukuvukela umbuso phakathi kwawo wonke amaJuda emhlabeni wonke owakhiwe futhi ingumholi wehlelo lamaNazaretha, 6 ingumuntu owazama nokungcolisa ithempeli, sambamba.
“Yiba Nesibindi!”
10 Ngesikhathi eseKhesariya, uPawulu ‘wagcinwa esigodlweni sikaHerode’ ukuze alinde ababemmangalele ababevela eJerusalema. (IzE. 23:35) Ngemva kwezinsuku ezinhlanu bafika—umPristi Ophakeme u-Ananiyase, isikhulumi saseningini uTertulu kanye neqembu lamadoda amadala. UTertulu waqale wancoma uFeliksi ngalokho ayekwenzela amaJuda, ngokusobala emthopha futhi ezincengela. UTertulu wabe esengena endabeni, wathi uPawulu ‘ungumuntu owuhlupho nobhebhezela ukuvukela umbuso phakathi kwawo wonke amaJuda emhlabeni wonke owakhiwe futhi ungumholi wehlelo lamaNazaretha, ungumuntu owazama nokungcolisa ithempeli, bambamba.’ Amanye amaJuda “ahlanganyela kulokhu kuhlasela, egomela ngokuthi lezi zinto zinjalo.” (IzE. 24:5, 6, 9) Ukuvukela umbuso, ukuhola ihlelo eliyingozi nokungcolisa ithempeli—kwakungamacala amabi kakhulu ayengaholela ekugwetshweni intambo.
(IzEnzo 24:10-21) UPawulu, lapho umbusi emkhomba ngekhanda ukuba akhulume, waphendula: “Njengoba ngazi kahle ukuthi lesi sizwe besinawe njengomahluleli iminyaka eminingi, ngizikhuluma ngokunganqikazi izinto ezimayelana nami ngiziphendulela, 11 njengoba usesimweni sokuthola ukuthi akukabi izinsuku ezingaphezu kweshumi nambili kusukela ngakhuphukela eJerusalema ngiyokhulekela; 12 futhi abangitholanga ethempelini ngiphikisana nomuntu noma ngibangela ukuba kubuthane isixuku, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kusemasinagogeni noma kuwo wonke umuzi. 13 Futhi abanakuzifakazela kuwe izinto abangimangalela ngazo njengamanje. 14 Kodwa ngiyavuma kuwe ukuthi, ngokwendlela abayibiza ngokuthi ‘ihlelo,’ ngale ndlela nginikela inkonzo engcwele kuNkulunkulu wokhokho bami, njengoba ngikholwa yizo zonke izinto ezibekwe eMthethweni nezilotshwe kubaProfethi; 15 futhi nginethemba kuNkulunkulu, okuyithemba nalaba bantu ngokwabo abanalo, lokuthi kuyoba khona uvuko lwabalungile nabangalungile. 16 Ngempela, ngiziqeqesha njalo mayelana nalokhu ukuba ngiqaphele ukuba ngingenzi cala kuNkulunkulu nakubantu. 17 Ngakho ngemva kweminyaka eminingana impela ngafika ngizoletha izipho zesihe neminikelo esizweni sakithi. 18 Lapho ngisenza lezi zinto bangithola ngihlanzekile ngokwesiko ethempelini, kodwa kungekho sixuku kanye nami noma ukuxokozela. Kodwa kwakukhona amaJuda athile ayevela esifundeni sase-Asiya, 19 okufanele abe khona phambi kwakho futhi angimangalele uma kungenzeka ukuthi anokuthile okubi ngami. 20 Noma, wona la madoda akhona lapha mawasho wona ngokwawo ukuthi bubi buni abuthola lapho ngimi phambi kweSanhedrini, 21 ngaphandle kwaleli zwi elilodwa engamemeza ngalisho lapho ngimi phakathi kwawo, ‘Ngahlulelwa namuhla phambi kwenu ngenxa yovuko lwabafileyo!’”
“Yiba Nesibindi!”
13 UPawulu wasibekela isibonelo esihle okufanele sisilingise uma kwenzeka siyiswa phambi kwababusi bezwe ngenxa yokukhulekela kwethu, simangalelwa ngokuthi singabaphehli bodweshu, sivukela umbuso noma singamalungu ‘ehlelo eliyingozi.’ Akazange azenze muhle kumbusi ngokusebenzisa amazwi athophayo njengoba kwenza uTertulu. Wayelokhu ezibambile futhi enenhlonipho. Ngobuhlakani, wanikeza ubufakazi obucacile nobuyiqiniso. Wathi ‘amaJuda avela esifundeni sase-Asiya’ ayemmangalele ngokungcolisa ithempeli ayengekho, kanti ngokomthetho kwakufanele abe khona ukuze uPawulu azizwele ukuthi ambeka maphi amacala.—IzE. 24:18, 19.
14 Okuphawuleka kakhulu ukuthi uPawulu akazange athule, wabunikeza ubufakazi ngezinkolelo zakhe. Ngesibindi, waphinde wakhuluma ngokukholelwa kwakhe ovukweni, indaba eyayisuse uthuthuva ngesikhathi ephambi kweSanhedrini. (IzE. 23:6-10) Lapho eziphendulela, wagcizelela ithemba lovuko. Kungani? Kungoba wayenikeza ubufakazi ngoJesu nangokuvuswa kwaKhe kwabafileyo—into labo baphikisi ababengayikholelwa. (IzE. 26:6-8, 22, 23) Yebo, impikiswano yayiphathelene novuko—futhi ngokuqondile nje, babengakholelwa kuJesu nasovukweni lwakhe.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IzEnzo 23:6) Manje lapho uPawulu eqaphela ukuthi enye ingxenye yayingabaSadusi kodwa enye ingabaFarisi, wamemeza kuyiSanhedrini wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngingumFarisi, indodana yabaFarisi. Ngahlulelwa ngenxa yethemba lovuko lwabafileyo.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 23:6 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ngingumFarisi: Abanye balabo ababelalele babemazi uPawulu. (IzE 22:5) Kungezeka babeqonda ukuthi njengoba ezibiza ngokuthi uyindodana yabaFarisi, wayebonisa ukuthi unesizinda esifana nesabo. Babeqonda ukuthi uPawulu wayengasho ukuthi ungumFarisi, ngoba abaFarisi beSanhedrini babazi ukuthi wayesengumKristu oshisekayo. Kodwa kule ndaba, uPawulu wayengasho ukuthi ungumFarisi ongokoqobo; wayebonisa ukuthi ufana nabaFarisi kunabaSadusi ngoba abaFarisi nabo babekholelwa ovukweni. Ngokwenza kanjalo, wayeveza into ayevumelana ngayo nabaFarisi ababelapho. Kubonakala sengathi ngokuveza lo mehluko okhona phakathi kwabaFarisi nabaSadusi, uPawulu wayefuna ukwenza amanye amalungu eSanhedrini abe sohlangothini lwakhe futhi lelo cebo lasebenza. (IzE 23:7-9) La mazwi kaPawulu asencwadini yezEnzo 23:6 avumelana nanendlela azichaza ngayo kamuva lapho ezivikela phambi kweNkosi u-Agripha. (IzE 26:5) UPawulu wabuye wazibiza ngokuthi ungumFarisi nalapho eseRoma ebhalela amaKristu akanye nawo aseFilipi. (Fil 3:5) Phawula nendlela incwadi yezE 15:5 echaza ngayo amanye amaKristu ayengabaFarisi.—Bheka iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 15:5.
(IzEnzo 24:24) Ezinsukwini ezithile kamuva uFeliksi wafika noDrusila umkakhe, owayengumJudakazi, wathumela ukuba kulandwe uPawulu futhi wamlalela ngokuphathelene nokukholwa kuKristu Jesu.
(IzEnzo 24:27) Kodwa, lapho sekudlule iminyaka emibili, uFeliksi walandelwa uPorkiyu Festu; ngenxa yokuthi uFeliksi wayefisa ukuthandwa ngamaJuda, washiya uPawulu eboshiwe.
iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 24:24 kuyi-nwtsty-E
noDrusila: Lena indodakazi yesithathu encane kunawo wonke kaHerode okukhulunywa ngaye encwadini yezE 12:1, okunguHerode Agripha I. UDrusila wazalwa cishe ngo-38 C.E. futhi wayewudadewabo ka-Agripha II noBernice. (Bheka iphuzu lokucwaninga lezE 25:13 ne-Glossary ye-nwt-E, kwesithi “Herode.”) Umbusi uFeliksi wayengumyeni kaDrusila wesibili. Waqale washada neNkosi yaseSiriya u-Azizus wase-Emesa wabe esemdivosa washada noFeliksi cishe ngonyaka ka-54 C.E., noma lapho eneminyaka engaba ngu-16. Kungenzeka ukuthi wayekhona lapho uPawulu ekhuluma phambi kukaFeliksi “ngokuqondene nokulunga nokuzithiba nokwahlulela okuzayo.” (IzE 24:25) Lapho uFeliksi edlulisela ubukhosi kuFestu, washiya uPawulu ejele ukuze ‘athandwe ngamaJuda,’ okwenza abanye bacabanga ukuthi wayefuna ukujabulisa umkakhe osemusha, owayengumJuda.—IzE 24:27.
amaphuzu okucwaninga lzE 25:13
U-Agripha: OkunguHerode Agripha II. Ungumzukulu kaHerode Omkhulu nendodana kaHerode Agripha I nomkakhe uCypros.—IzE 12:1; bheka i-glossary ye-nwt-E, kwesithi “UHerode.”
UBernike: Udadewabo kaHerode Agrippa II ayethandana naye futhi ehlala naye. Kamuva waba inkosikazi kaThithu ngaphambi kokuba uThithu abe umbusi waseRoma.
nwt glossary
UHerode
The family name of a dynasty that ruled over the Jews by appointment from Rome. Herod the Great was famous for rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and for ordering the slaughter of children in an attempt to destroy Jesus. (Mt 2:16; Lu 1:5) Herod Archelaus and Herod Antipas, sons of Herod the Great, were appointed over sections of their father’s domain. (Mt 2:22) Antipas was a tetrarch, popularly referred to as “king,” who ruled during Christ’s three-and-a-half-year ministry and through the period up to Acts chapter 12. (Mr 6:14-17; Lu 3:1, 19, 20; 13:31, 32; 23:6-15; Ac 4:27; 13:1) After that, Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was executed by God’s angel after ruling for a short time. (Ac 12:1-6, 18-23) His son, Herod Agrippa II, became ruler and reigned up to the time of the Jewish revolt against Rome.—Ac 23:35; 25:13, 22-27; 26:1, 2, 19-32.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IzEnzo 23:1-15) Egqolozele iSanhedrini, uPawulu wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngiye ngaziphatha ngonembeza omsulwa ngokuphelele phambi kukaNkulunkulu kuze kube yilolu suku.” 2 Khona-ke umpristi ophakeme u-Ananiya wayala labo ababemi ngakuye ukuba bamshaye emlonyeni. 3 UPawulu wathi kuye: “UNkulunkulu uzokushaya, wena ludonga olucakiwe. Ingabe uhlalele ukungahlulela ngokuvumelana noMthetho ngesikhathi esifanayo weqa uMthetho, ngokuyala ukuba ngishaywe?” 4 Labo ababemi lapho bathi: “Uthuka umpristi ophakeme kaNkulunkulu?” 5 UPawulu wathi: “Bafowethu, bengingazi ukuthi ngumpristi ophakeme. Ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi, ‘Ungakhulumi kabi ngombusi wabantu bakini.’” 6 Manje lapho uPawulu eqaphela ukuthi enye ingxenye yayingabaSadusi kodwa enye ingabaFarisi, wamemeza kuyiSanhedrini wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngingumFarisi, indodana yabaFarisi. Ngahlulelwa ngenxa yethemba lovuko lwabafileyo.” 7 Ngenxa yokusho lokhu, kwavela ukungezwani phakathi kwabaFarisi nabaSadusi, uquqaba lwaqhekeka. 8 Ngoba abaSadusi bathi akukho luvuko nangelosi namoya, kodwa abaFarisi bakuvuma konke obala. 9 Ngakho kwaba khona ukuklabalasa okukhulu, futhi abanye kubabhali beqembu labaFarisi basukuma baphikisa ngolaka, bethi: “Asitholi lutho olubi kulo muntu; kodwa uma umoya noma ingelosi yakhuluma naye,—.” 10 Manje lapho ukungezwani kuba kukhulu, umlawuli wamabutho wesaba ukuthi babezomdwengula uPawulu abe yizicucu, wayala ibutho lamasosha ukuba lehle limhlwithe phakathi kwabo limngenise ekamu lamasosha. 11 Kodwa ngobusuku obulandelayo iNkosi yema ngakuye yathi: “Yiba nesibindi! Ngoba njengoba ubufakaza ngokungashwampuluzi ngezinto eziphathelene nami eJerusalema, kanjalo kumelwe ufakaze futhi naseRoma.” 12 Lapho kusa, amaJuda akha uzungu futhi azibopha ngesiqalekiso, ethi ngeke adle noma aphuze aze ambulale uPawulu. 13 Ayengaphezu kwamashumi amane amadoda akha lolu zungu oluboshwe ngesifungo; 14 futhi aya kubapristi abakhulu nasemadodeni amadala athi: “Sizibophé nokuzibopha ngesiqalekiso ukuba singakudli ukudla size simbulale uPawulu. 15 Ngakho-ke, nina kanye neSanhedrini caciselani umlawuli wamabutho ukuthi kungani kufanele amehlisele kini, njengokungathi nihlose ukuthola lonke iqiniso ngezindaba ezimhilelayo. Kodwa ngaphambi kokuba asondele sizobe sesikulungele ukumbulala.”
JANUWARI 21-27
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | IZENZO 25-26
“UPawulu Udlulisela Icala KuKhesari Bese Eshumayeza INkosi UHerode Agripha”
(IzEnzo 25:11) Ngakolunye uhlangothi, uma ngingumenzi wobubi ngempela futhi ngenzé noma yini engenza ngifanelwe ukufa, angikubalekeli ukufa; ngakolunye uhlangothi, uma zingekho lezi zinto laba bantu abangimangalela ngazo, akukho muntu ongazenza athandwe ngokunginikela kubo. Ngidlulisela icala kuKhesari!”
“Ngidlulisela Icala KuKhesari!”
6 Isifiso sikaFestu sokujabulisa amaJuda sasingafaka ukuphila kukaPawulu engozini. Ngakho-ke, uPawulu wasebenzisa ilungelo lakhe njengesakhamuzi saseRoma. Watshela uFestu: “Ngimi phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela sikaKhesari, lapho kufanele ngahlulelwe khona. Angonanga lutho kumaJuda, njengoba nawe ukuthola kahle impela. . . . Ngidlulisela icala kuKhesari!” Kwakungavamile ukuba sihoxiswe leso sicelo uma sesenziwe. UFestu wakugcizelela lokho lapho ethi: “Udlulisele icala kuKhesari; uzoya kuKhesari.” (IzE. 25:10-12) Ngokucela ukuya egunyeni eliphakeme, uPawulu wawabekela isibonelo amaKristu eqiniso namuhla. Lapho abaphikisi bezama ukubiyela “inkathazo ngesinqumo somthetho,” oFakazi BakaJehova basebenzisa amalungiselelo angokomthetho ukuze bavikele izindaba ezinhle.—IHu. 94:20.
(IzEnzo 26:1-3) U-Agripha wathi kuPawulu: “Uvunyelwe ukuba uzikhulumele.” Khona-ke uPawulu welula isandla wayesethi ekuzivikeleni kwakhe: 2 “Ngokuphathelene nazo zonke izinto amaJuda angimangalela ngazo, Nkosi Agripha, ngiyajabula ngokuthi namuhla kumelwe ngiziphendulele phambi kwakho, 3 ikakhulukazi njengoba uyisazi sawo wonke amasiko nezimpikiswano phakathi kwamaJuda. Ngakho-ke ngiyakuncenga ukuba ungilalele ngesineke.
“Ngidlulisela Icala KuKhesari!”
10 UPawulu wayibonga ngenhlonipho iNkosi u-Agripha ngethuba lokuzikhulumela eyamnika lona, wavuma ukuthi le nkosi yayiyisazi sawo wonke amasiko nezimpikiswano ezaziphakathi kwamaJuda. UPawulu wabe esechaza ukuphila kwakhe kwangaphambili: “Ngokwehlelo elinomthetho oqine kakhulu lendlela yethu yokukhulekela ngangiphila njengomFarisi.” (IzE. 26:5) NjengomFarisi, uPawulu wayenethemba lokufika kukaMesiya. Kodwa njengoba ayesengumKristu washo ngesibindi ukuthi uJesu Kristu wayeyilowo Mesiya okwase kuyisikhathi eside elindelwe. Inkolelo yena nabamangaleli bakhe ababevumelana ngayo—okungukuthi, ithemba lokugcwaliseka kwesithembiso uNkulunkulu asenza kokhokho babo—yiyona eyayiyisizathu sokuquliswa kwakhe icala ngalolo suku. Le ncazo yenza u-Agripha waba nesithakazelo esengeziwe sokuzwa lokho uPawulu ayezokusho.
11 Ekhumbula indlela ayewahlukumeza ngayo amaKristu, uPawulu wathi: “Mina ngokwami, ngangicabanga ngaphakathi kimi ukuthi kufanele ngenze izenzo eziningi zokuphikisa igama likaJesu umNazaretha . . . Njengoba ngangibathukuthelele ngokudlulele [abalandeli bakaKristu], ngaze ngabashushisa ngisho nasemizini engaphandle.” (IzE. 26:9-11) UPawulu wayengenzi ihaba. Abantu abaningi babeyazi indlela ayewahlukumeze ngayo amaKristu. (Gal. 1:13, 23) Kungenzeka ukuthi u-Agripha wazibuza, ‘Kazi yini eyayishintshe le ndoda?’
12 Amazwi kaPawulu alandelayo ayinikeza impendulo: “Njengoba ngangiya eDamaseku nginegunya futhi ngithunywe abapristi abakhulu, emini bebade ngabona endleleni, nkosi, ukukhanya okuvela ezulwini okungaphezu kokukhazimula kwelanga kubaneka nxazonke zami nalabo esasihamba nabo. Lapho sonke sesiwele phansi, ngezwa izwi lithi kimi ngolimi lwesiHebheru, ‘Sawulu, Sawulu, ungishushiselani na? Ukuqhubeka ukhahlela izinkandi kwenza kube nzima kuwe.’ Kodwa ngathi, ‘Ungubani wena, Nkosi?’ INkosi yathi, ‘NginguJesu, omshushisayo.’”—IzEnzo 26:12-15.
13 Ngaphambi kokubona lo mbono ongavamile, uPawulu ‘wayekhahlela izinkandi’ ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso. Njengoba nje inkabi ingazilimaza uma ingakhahlela induku ecijile eyenzelwe ukuyiqhuba nokuyiqondisa, noPawulu wayezilimazile ngokomoya ngokumelana nentando kaNkulunkulu. Ngokubonakala kuPawulu endleleni eya eDamaseku, uJesu ovusiwe wenza ukuba le ndoda eqotho, kodwa ngokusobala eyayidukisiwe, ishintshe ukucabanga kwayo.—Johane 16:1, 2.
14 UPawulu wazenza ngempela izinguquko ezinkulu ekuphileni kwakhe. Wathi ku-Agripha: “Angizange ngingawulaleli umbono wasezulwini, kodwa ngayisa isigijimi kulabo abaseDamaseku kuqala nakulabo abaseJerusalema, nakulo lonke izwe laseJudiya nasezizweni, sokuthi kufanele baphenduke futhi baguqukele kuNkulunkulu ngokwenza imisebenzi efanele ukuphenduka.” (IzE. 26:19, 20) Kwase kudlule iminyaka eminingi uPawulu enza umsebenzi uJesu Kristu amthuma wona kulowaya mbono awuthola emini bebade. Kwaba namiphi imiphumela? Abantu abamukela izindaba ezinhle ezazishunyayelwa uPawulu bashiya izindlela zabo zokuziphatha okubi nokungathembeki, baphendukela kuNkulunkulu. Baba izakhamuzi ezinhle ezihlonipha umthetho nezineqhaza ekuletheni ukuhleleka.
15 Kodwa lezo zinto ezinhle zazingasho lutho kubaphikisi bakaPawulu abangamaJuda. UPawulu wathi: “Ngenxa yalezi zinto amaJuda angibamba ethempelini futhi azama ukungibulala. Nokho, ngenxa yokuthi ngitholé usizo oluvela kuNkulunkulu ngiyaqhubeka kuze kube yilolu suku ngifakaza kwabancane nabakhulu.”—IzEnzo 26:21, 22.
16 NjengamaKristu eqiniso, kumelwe ‘ngaso sonke isikhathi sikulungele ukuvikela’ ukholo lwethu. (1 Pet. 3:15) Lapho sikhuluma nabahluleli nababusi ngezinkolelo zethu, kungase kusize ukulingisa indlela uPawulu akhuluma ngayo no-Agripha noFestu. Ngokuzitshela ngenhlonipho iziphathimandla indlela amaqiniso eBhayibheli ashintshe ngayo ukuphila—okwethu nokwalabo abalalela isigijimi esisiphethe—singase sizithinte izinhliziyo.
(IzEnzo 26:28) Kodwa u-Agripha wathi kuPawulu: “Ngesikhashana nje uzongithonya ukuba ngibe umKristu.”
“Ngidlulisela Icala KuKhesari!”
18 Kodwa uPawulu wamphendula lo mbusi: “Angihlanyi, Mhlonishwa Festu, kodwa ngikhuluma amazwi eqiniso nawokuhluzeka kwengqondo. Eqinisweni, inkosi engikhuluma kuyo ngenkululeko yokukhuluma yazi kahle ngalezi zinto . . . Ingabe wena, Nkosi Agripha, uyakholelwa kubaProfethi? Ngiyazi ukuthi uyakholelwa.” U-Agripha waphendula: “Ngesikhashana nje uzongithonya ukuba ngibe umKristu.” (IzE. 26:25-28) Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi la mazwi ayesuka enhliziyweni noma cha, abonisa ukuthi ukufakaza kukaPawulu kwayithinta ngokujulile le nkosi.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IzEnzo 26:14) Lapho sonke sesiwele phansi, ngezwa izwi lithi kimi ngolimi lwesiHebheru, ‘Sawulu, Sawulu, ungishushiselani na? Ukuqhubeka ukhahlela izinkandi kwenza kube nzima kuwe.’
iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 26:14 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ukhahlela izinkandi: Isikhandi induku ecijile esetshenziselwa ukuqhuba izilwane. (AbaHl 3:31) Le nkulumo ethi “ukhahlela izinkandi” iyisaga esitholakala ezincwadini zesiGreki. Lesi saga sisuselwa enkunzini enenkani ekhahlela induku ngoba ingafuni ukuqhutshwa, okuyenza ukuba ilimale. USawulu wenza ngendlela efanayo ngaphambi kokuba abe umKristu. Ngokulwa nabalandeli bakaJesu ababesekelwa uJehova uNkulunkulu, uPawulu wayezibeka engozini yokuzilimaza kakhulu. (Qhathanisa nezE 5:38, 39; 1Thim 1:13, 14.) Encwadini yomShu 12:11, kukhulunywa ‘ngezinkandi’ ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, lapho kubhekiselwa emazwini omuntu ohlakaniphile enza ozwayo ukuba alalele iseluleko.
I-glossary ye-nwt-E
Isikhandi. Induku ende enensimbi ecijile, esetshenziswa abalimi ukuze baqhube izilwane. Isikhandi sifaniswa namazwi omuntu ohlakaniphile enza ozwayo ukuba alalele iseluleko esihlakaniphile. ‘Ukukhahlela izinkandi’ kususelwa kulokho okwenziwa inkunzi enenkani ekhahlela induku ngoba ingafuni ukuqhutshwa, okuyenza ukuba ilimale.—IzE 26:14; AbaHl 3:31.
(IzEnzo 26:27) Ingabe wena, Nkosi Agripha, uyakholelwa kubaProfethi? Ngiyazi ukuthi uyakholelwa.”
Siza Abanye Bamukele Isigijimi SoMbuso
14 UPawulu wayazi ukuthi u-Agripha ungumJuda ngegama. Esebenzisa ulwazi luka-Agripha lwenkolo yobuJuda, uPawulu wabonisa ukuthi ngalokho akushumayelayo empeleni ‘akasho lutho ngaphandle kwezinto abaProfethi kanye noMose abathi zaziyokwenzeka’ ngokufa nokuvuka kukaMesiya. (IzEnzo 26:22, 23) UPawulu wabuza u-Agripha uqobo: “Ingabe wena, Nkosi Agripha, uyakholelwa kubaProfethi?” U-Agripha wayesenkingeni. Uma ayebaphika abaprofethi, idumela lakhe njengekholwa elingumJuda laliyokonakala. Kodwa uma ayevumelana nendlela kaPawulu yokucabanga, wayezobe uziveza obala njengovumelana nalo mphostoli, azibeke engozini yokubizwa ngomKristu. Ngokuhlakanipha, uPawulu wawuphendula yena umbuzo wakhe, wathi: “Ngiyazi ukuthi uyakholelwa.” Inhliziyo ka-Agripha yamshukumisela ukuba aphendule kanjani? Wathi: “Ngesikhashana nje uzongithonya ukuba ngibe umKristu.” (IzEnzo 26:27, 28) Nakuba u-Agripha engabanga umKristu, kusobala ukuthi ngezinga elithile uPawulu wayithonya inhliziyo yakhe ngesigijimi sakhe.—Hebheru 4:12.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IzEnzo 25:1-12) Ngakho-ke uFestu, esengene kuhulumeni wesifundazwe, wakhuphukela eJerusalema ezinsukwini ezintathu kamuva esuka eKhesariya; 2 abapristi abakhulu namadoda avelele kumaJuda bamnika ukwaziswa okumelene noPawulu. Ngakho bamncenga, 3 bezicelela umusa ngalo muntu ukuba athumele ukuba alethwe eJerusalema, ngoba babeqamekele ukuba bambulale endleleni. 4 Nokho, uFestu waphendula ngokuthi uPawulu kwakumelwe agcinwe eKhesariya nangokuthi naye ngokwakhe wayesezokuya khona ngokushesha. 5 “Ngakho labo abasesikhundleni sokuphatha phakathi kwenu,” esho, “mabehle nami bambeke icala, uma kunokuthile okuyiphutha ngale ndoda.” 6 Ngakho lapho esechithe izinsuku ezingengaphezu kweziyisishiyagalombili noma eziyishumi phakathi kwabo, wehlela eKhesariya, futhi ngosuku olulandelayo wahlala esihlalweni sokwahlulela wayala ukuba uPawulu angeniswe. 7 Lapho efika, amaJuda ayehle evela eJerusalema ema amzungeza, emthwesa amacala amaningi namabi ayengakwazi ukuveza ubufakazi ngawo. 8 Kodwa uPawulu ezivikela wathi: “Angenzanga sono ngokumelene noMthetho wamaJuda noma ngokumelene nethempeli noma ngokumelene noKhesari.” 9 UFestu, efisa ukuthandwa ngamaJuda, waphendula wathi kuPawulu: “Ingabe uthanda ukukhuphukela eJerusalema wahlulelwe khona phambi kwami mayelana nalezi zinto?” 10 Kodwa uPawulu wathi: “Ngimi phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela sikaKhesari, lapho kufanele ngahlulelwe khona. Angonanga lutho kumaJuda, njengoba nawe ukuthola kahle impela. 11 Ngakolunye uhlangothi, uma ngingumenzi wobubi ngempela futhi ngenzé noma yini engenza ngifanelwe ukufa, angikubalekeli ukufa; ngakolunye uhlangothi, uma zingekho lezi zinto laba bantu abangimangalela ngazo, akukho muntu ongazenza athandwe ngokunginikela kubo. Ngidlulisela icala kuKhesari!” 12 Khona-ke uFestu, ngemva kokukhuluma nomkhandlu wabeluleki, waphendula: “Udlulisele icala kuKhesari; uzoya kuKhesari.”
JANUWARI 28–FEBHUWARI 3
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | IZENZO 27-28
“UPawulu Uya ERoma Ngomkhumbi”
(IzEnzo 27:23, 24) Ngoba kulobu busuku kuye kwema eduze kwami ingelosi kaNkulunkulu engingowakhe nenginikela kuye inkonzo engcwele, 24 yathi, ‘Ungesabi, Pawulu. Kumelwe ume phambi kukaKhesari, futhi, bheka! uNkulunkulu ukunike bonke labo abahamba nawe.’
“Akukho Mphefumulo Kini Ozolahleka”
15 Cishe uPawulu wayefakaze kwabaningi emkhunjini ‘ngethemba lesithembiso esenziwa uNkulunkulu.’ (IzE. 26:6; Kol. 1:5) Manje, njengoba base besengozini yokuphihlizekelwa umkhumbi, uPawulu wayesengakwazi ukubanika isisekelo esiqinile sethemba. Wathi: “Kulobu busuku kuye kwema eduze kwami ingelosi . . . , yathi, ‘Ungesabi, Pawulu. Kumelwe ume phambi kukaKhesari, futhi, bheka! uNkulunkulu ukunike bonke labo abahamba nawe.’” UPawulu wabanxusa: “Ngakho-ke yibani nesibindi, madoda; ngoba ngiyakholwa kuNkulunkulu ukuthi kuzoba njengoba nje ngitsheliwe. Nokho, kumelwe siphonseke ogwini esiqhingini esithile.”—IzEnzo 27:23-26.
(IzEnzo 28:1, 2) Lapho sifika endaweni ephephile, sezwa ukuthi lesi siqhingi sasibizwa ngokuthi iMelitha. 2 Abantu bakhona abakhuluma olunye ulimi basibonisa umusa wobuntu ongaphezu kovamile, ngoba babasa umlilo futhi basamukela sonke basisiza ngenxa yemvula eyayina nangenxa yamakhaza.
“Akukho Mphefumulo Kini Ozolahleka”
18 Abasinda bazithola sebesesiqhingini saseMelitha, eningizimu yaseSisili. (Bheka ibhokisi elithi “Ikuphi IMelitha?”) Abantu bakulesi siqhingi abakhuluma olunye ulimi bababonisa “umusa wobuntu ongaphezu kovamile.” (IzE. 28:2) Bababasela umlilo laba bantu abangabazi ababefikele ogwini lwabo bemanzi té futhi beqhaqhazela. Umlilo wabasiza bafudumala. Wenza kwenzeka nesimangaliso.
“Akukho Mphefumulo Kini Ozolahleka”
21 Kule ndawo kwakuhlala uPhubhiliyu, isicebi esasinezindawo. Kungenzeka ukuthi wayeyisikhulu esingumRoma esiqavile eMelitha. ULuka wamchaza ngokuthi “indoda evelele yalesi siqhingi,” esebenzisa isiqu esifana nesiye satholwa emibhalweni emibili eqoshiwe yaseMelitha. Wababungaza ngomusa izinsuku ezintathu oPawulu nayehamba nabo. Nokho, uyise kaPhubhiliyu wayegula. Nalapha futhi uLuka usichaza ngokunembile isifo sakhe. Wathi le ndoda ‘yayilele icindezelwe umkhuhlane nesihudo,’ ekuchaza ngokuthé ngqo okwakuyigulisa. UPawulu wathandaza futhi wayibeka izandla, yayisiphulukiswa. Zithintwe ngokujulile yilesi simangaliso, izakhamuzi zaletha abanye abantu abagulayo ukuze bazophulukiswa, zaletha nezipho ukuze zinakekele izidingo zikaPawulu nayehamba nabo.—IzEnzo 28:7-10.
(IzEnzo 28:16, 17) Ekugcineni, lapho singena eRoma, uPawulu wavunyelwa ukuba ahlale yedwa nesosha elalimqaphile. 17 Nokho, ezinsukwini ezintathu kamuva wabizela ndawonye labo ababengamadoda avelele kumaJuda. Lapho sebehlangene, wathi kubo: “Madoda, bafowethu, nakuba ngingenzanga lutho oluphambene nabantu noma amasiko okhokho bethu, eJerusalema nganikelwa ezandleni zamaRoma njengesiboshwa.
‘Ukunikeza Ubufakazi Obuphelele’
10 Lapho ekugcineni leli qembu lezihambi lifika eRoma “uPawulu wavunyelwa ukuba ahlale yedwa nesosha elalimqaphile.” (IzE. 28:16) Ukuze iziboshwa ezaziboshelwa endlini zingeqi, ngokuvamile iketanga ezaziboshwa ngalo laliboshelwa kunogada wazo. Ngisho eboshwe kanjalo, uPawulu wayengummemezeli woMbuso, futhi lelo ketanga lalingeke limthulise. Ngemva kokuphumula izinsuku ezintathu, wabizela ndawonye amadoda avelele kumaJuda eRoma ukuze azethule kuwo futhi awanikeze ubufakazi.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IzEnzo 27:9) Njengoba kwase kudlule isikhathi eside futhi ngalesi sikhathi sekuyingozi ukuhamba ngomkhumbi ngoba ngisho nokuzila ukudla [kosuku lokuhlawulela] kwase kudlulile kakade, uPawulu watusa,
iphuzu lokucwaninga IzE 27:9 kuyi-nwtsty-E
nokuzila ukudla [kosuku lokuhlawulela]: Noma “ukuzila ukudla kwangesikhathi sekwindla.” Ngokwezwi nezwi, “ukuzila ukudla.” Amazwi esiGreki ahunyushwe ngokuthi “ukuzila ukudla” abhekisela emyalweni owukuphela kwawo oseMthethweni KaMose wokuzila ukudla. Lolu kwangusuku lokuhlawulela lwaminyaka yonke, olubizwa nangokuthi i-Yom Kippur (ngesiHebheru, i-yohm hak·kip·pu·rimʹ, “usuku lokwemboza”). (Lev 16:29-31; 23:26-32; Num 29:7; bheka i-Glossary ye-nwt-E, kwesithi “Usuku Lokuhlawulela.”) Amazwi athi “nihluphe imiphefumulo yenu,” asetshenziswe lapho kukhulunywa ngosuku lokuhlawulela, avame ukuqondwa njengasho ukuzincisha izinto ezahlukahlukene kuhlanganise nokuzila ukudla. (Lev 16:29) Ukusetshenziswa kwamazwi athi ‘ukuzila ukudla’ encwadini yezE 27:9 kwenza kucace ukuthi into abantu ababezincisha yona ngosuku lokuhlawulela kwakungukudla. Usuku lokuhlawulela lwaluba ngasekupheleni kukaSepthemba noma ekuqaleni kuka-Okthoba.
Glossary
Usuku Lokuhlawulela
Lolu usuku olungcwele olwalubaluleke kunazo zonke kuma-Israyeli, olubizwa nangokuthi i-Yom Kippur (oluthathelwa egameni lesiHebheru, elithi yohm hak·kip·pu·rimʹ, “usuku lokwemboza”) olwaluba ngo-Ethanim 10. Lolu kwakuwukuphela kosuku lapho umpristi omkhulu engena eNgcwelengcwele letabernakele. Lapho wayefike anikele ngegazi lomhlatshelo ezinikelela yena, amaLevi nabantu bonke. Leso kwakuyisikhathi sombuthano ongcwele nesokuzila, kubuye kube isikhathi sesabatha okuyisikhathi umuntu okwakungamelwe enze ngaso imisebenzi evamile.—Le 23:27, 28.
(IzEnzo 28:11) Ezinyangeni ezintathu kamuva saqala uhambo ngomkhumbi owawunesithombe “samaDodana KaZeyusi” owawuvela e-Aleksandriya ukade uhlezi ubusika kulesi siqhingi.
nwtsty study note on IzE 28:11
samaDodana KaZeyusi: Ngokwezinganekwane zamaGreki namaRoma, ‘amaDodana kaZeyusi’ (ngesiGreki obizwa ngokuthi u-Di·oʹskou·roi) uCastor noPollux, ayengamadodana angamawele kankulunkulu uZeyusi (uJupiter) neNdlovukazi uLeda yaseSpartan. Phakathi kwezinye izinto, ayebhekwa njengavikela amatilosi, ekwazi ukuwasindisa ezingozini zasolwandle. Ukuphawulwa kwalesi sithombe esasisemkhunjini kungobunye ubufakazi bokuthi le ndaba yabhalwa umuntu owazibonela ngawakhe.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IzEnzo 27:1-12) Manje njengoba kwakunqunywe ukuba sihambe ngomkhumbi siye e-Italiya, banikela uPawulu nezinye iziboshwa esikhulwini sebutho esigama laso linguJuliyu seviyo lika-Awugustu. 2 Sagibela umkhumbi owawusuka e-Adramitiyu usuzoya ezindaweni ezigudle ugu lwesifunda sase-Asiya, saqala uhambo lwasolwandle, kukhona no-Aristarku umMakedoniya waseThesalonika. 3 Ngakusasa safika eSidoni, uJuliyu waphatha uPawulu ngomusa wobuntu wamvumela ukuba aye kubangane bakhe ajabulele ukunakekelwa yibo. 4 Sithatha uhambo lwasolwandle sisuka lapho sahamba ngomkhumbi singaphansi kweKhupro, ngoba imimoya yayiphambana nathi; 5 futhi sahamba ngomkhumbi olwandle oluvulekile sigudla iKhilikhiya nePhamfiliya sama esikhumulweni saseMira eLikhiya. 6 Kodwa isikhulu sebutho sathola lapho umkhumbi owawuvela e-Aleksandriya uya e-Italiya, sasigibelisa kuwo. 7 Khona-ke, ngemva kokuhamba kancane ngomkhumbi, uhamba izinsuku eziningana impela, safika kanzima eKinidu, ngoba umoya awusivumelanga ukuba siqhubeke, sahamba sikhosele ngaphansi kweKrethe eSalimone, 8 futhi siyigudla kanzima, safika endaweni ethile okuthiwa amaTheku Amahle, eduze kwayo kwakunomuzi waseLaseya. 9 Njengoba kwase kudlule isikhathi eside futhi ngalesi sikhathi sekuyingozi ukuhamba ngomkhumbi ngoba ngisho nokuzila ukudla [kosuku lokuhlawulela] kwase kudlulile kakade, uPawulu watusa, 10 ethi kubo: “Madoda, ngiyabona ukuthi lolu hambo lomkhumbi luzobangela umonakalo nokulahlekelwa okukhulu hhayi ngumthwalo nomkhumbi nje kuphela kodwa futhi nayimiphefumulo yethu.” 11 Nokho, isikhulu sebutho salalela umshayeli nomnini-mkhumbi kunezinto ezazishiwo uPawulu. 12 Njengoba itheku lalingelihle ukuba kuhlalwe ubusika kulo, iningi leluleka ukuba kuqalwe uhambo lwasolwandle kusukwe lapho, ukuze babone ukuthi ngandlela-thile bangefike yini eFeniksi ukuze bahlale khona ubusika, okuyitheku laseKrethe elivulekela ngasenyakatho-mpumalanga nangaseningizimu-mpumalanga.