Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
SEPTHEMBA 5-11
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 9–10
“Dumisa UJehova Ngenxa Yokuhlakanipha Kwakhe”
Ukuvakasha Okwavuzwa Ngokucebile
Lapho ihlangana noSolomoni, le ndlovukazi yaqala ukumvivinya “ngemibuzo enzima.” (1 AmaKhosi 10:1) Igama lesiHeberu elisetshenziswe lapha lingahunyushwa ngokuthi “iziphicaphicwano.” Kodwa lokhu akusho ukuthi le ndlovukazi yadlala imidlalo engasho lutho noSolomoni. Ngokuthakazelisayo, kumaHubo 49:4 kusetshenziswe igama lesiHeberu elifanayo ukuchaza imibuzo ebalulekile ephathelene nesono, ukufa nesihlengo. Khona-ke, cishe indlovukazi yaseSheba yayixoxa ngezindaba ezijulile ezazivivinya ukujula kokuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni. IBhayibheli lithi “yakhuluma naye ngakho konke okwakusenhliziyweni yayo.” USolomoni “wayiphendula yonke imibuzo yayo. Ayikho into okwakunzima kakhulu ngenkosi ukuba iyichazele yona.”—1 AmaKhosi 10:2b, 3.
Lapho Ukuphana Kuvama
Imangazwe yilokho eyakuzwa neyakubona, inkosikazi yaphendula ngokuzithoba: “Ziyajabula nezinceku zakho ezima phambi kwakho njalo, zilalele ukuhlakanipha kwakho!” (1 AmaKhosi 10:4-8) Ayizange ithi izinceku zikaSolomoni ziyajabula ngenxa yokuthi zazizungezwe ingcebo—nakuba kwakunjalo. Kunalokho, izinceku zikaSolomoni zazibusisiwe ngoba zazilalela njalo ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni ayekunikwe uNkulunkulu. Yeka isibonelo esihle inkosikazi yaseSheba eyiso kubantu bakaJehova namuhla, abajabulela ukuhlakanipha koMdali ngokwakhe nokweNdodana yakhe, uJesu Kristu!
Ukuvakasha Okwavuzwa Ngokucebile
Ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni nokuchuma kombuso wakhe kwahlaba indlovukazi yaseSheba umxhwele kangangokuthi “wawungasekho umoya kuyo.” (1 AmaKhosi 10:4, 5) Lawa mazwi abanye bawabheka njengasho ukuthi indlovukazi “yabamba umoya.” Esinye isazi size sisikisele ukuthi yaquleka! Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, lokho indlovukazi eyakubona neyakuzwa kwayimangaza. Yathi izinceku zikaSolomoni zazijabula ngokukwazi ukuzwa lokhu kuhlakanipha kwenkosi, futhi yabonga uJehova ngokubeka uSolomoni esihlalweni sobukhosi. Yabe isipha inkosi izipho ezibizayo, igolide lilodwa nje lalingamaRandi angu-247 600 000 ngokwenani lanamuhla. USolomoni naye waletha izipho, wanika le ndlovukazi “konke eyayikufisa neyayikucelile.”—1 AmaKhosi 10:6-13
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Ingabe Bewazi?
INkosi uSolomoni yayine-golide elingakanani?
ImiBhalo ithi uHiramu, inkosi yaseThire, yathumela amathani amane egolide kuSolomoni, indlovukazi yaseSheba yamnika inani elifanayo, kanti imikhumbi kaSolomoni yaletha amathani angaphezu kwangu-15 egolide elalivela e-Ofiri. Ukulandisa kuthi: “Igolide elaliza kuSolomoni ngonyaka lalingamathalenta egolide angu-666,” noma amathani angaphezu kwangu-25. (1 AmaKhosi 9:14, 28; 10:10, 14) Ingabe lokhu kunengqondo? Yayingakanani imithombo yegolide ezikhathini zasendulo?
Umbhalo wasendulo, izazi ezithi uyiqiniso, uthi uFaro Thutmose III waseGibhithe (wangekhulu lesibili B.C.E.) waletha amathani angaba ngu-13,5 egolide ethempelini lika-Amun-Ra eKarnak. Ekhulwini lesi-8 B.C.E., inkosi yase-Asiriya uThigilati-phileseri III yathola amathani angaphezu kwamane egolide njengentela evela eThire, kanti uSarigoni II waletha inani elifanayo njengesipho sonkulunkulu baseBhabhiloni. Inkosi yaseMakedoniya uPhilip II (359-336 B.C.E.) kubikwa ukuthi wayethola amathani angaphezu kwangu-28 egolide unyaka ngamunye ezimayini zasePangaeum eThrace.
Lapho indodana kaPhilip u-Alexander Omkhulu (336-323 B.C.E.) ethumba umuzi wasePheresiya iSusa, kuthiwa wathatha amathani angaba ngu-1 180 egolide kanye namathani angaba ngu-7 000 kulo lonke elasePheresiya. Ngakho uma kuqhathaniswa nale mibiko, incazelo yeBhayibheli yegolide leNkosi uSolomoni ayilona ihaba.
SEPTHEMBA 12-18
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 11–12
“Khetha Umuntu Ozoshada Naye Ngokuhlakanipha”
“Ngubani OngakuJehova?”
7 Kuningi esingakufunda esibonelweni seNkosi uSolomoni. Ngesikhathi esemusha, uSolomoni wayefuna isiqondiso kuJehova. UNkulunkulu wamnika ukuhlakanipha okukhulu, wamnika nesabelo sokwakha ithempeli elibabazekayo eJerusalema. Kodwa uSolomoni walahlekelwa ubuhlobo obuhle noJehova. (1 Kh 3:12; 11:1, 2) UMthetho kaNkulunkulu wawenqaba ngokuqondile ukuba inkosi engumHebheru “izithathele abafazi abaningi, ukuze inhliziyo yayo ingaphambuki.” (Dut 17:17) USolomoni akalalelanga, ekugcineni washada abesifazane abangu-700. Waletha emzini wakhe izancinza ezingu-300. (1 Kh 11:3) Amakhosikazi akhe amaningi ayengewona ama-Israyeli futhi ayekhonza onkulunkulu bamanga. Ngakho, uSolomoni waphinde waphula umthetho kaNkulunkulu ngokushada nabesifazane bezinye izizwe.—Dut 7:3, 4.
Ungayiqapha Kanjani Inhliziyo Yakho?
6 USathane ufuna sibe njengaye, sibe izihlubuki ezingazinaki izimiso zikaJehova nezinobugovu. Ngeke akwazi ukusiphoqa ukuba sicabange futhi senze njengaye. Ngakho usebenzisa ezinye izindlela ukuze enze lokho. Ngokwesibonelo, usebenzisa abantu esiphila nabo asebonakalisile kakade. (1 Johane 5:19) Unethemba lokuthi sizokhetha ukuchitha isikhathi nabo, ngisho noma sazi ukuthi ukuzihlanganisa nababi “konakalisa” indlela esicabanga nesenza ngayo. (1 Ko 15:33) Lelo qhinga lasebenza eNkosini uSolomoni. Yashada nabesifazane abaningi ababengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu, ekugcineni “baba nethonya elinamandla kuye” futhi ‘kancane kancane bayichezukisa inhliziyo yakhe.’—1 Kh 11:3.
“Ngubani OngakuJehova?”
9 Nokho, uJehova akabushalazeleli ububi. IBhayibheli lithi: “UJehova wamthukuthelela uSolomoni, ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yayichezukile kuJehova . . . , owayebonakale kabili kuye. nowayemxwayisile ngayo kanye le nto, ukuthi akufanele alandele abanye onkulunkulu. Kodwa akazange akulalele lokho uJehova ayemyale ngakho.” Ngenxa yalokho uJehova wamshiya, wayeka ukumsekela. Izindlalifa zikaSolomoni zalahlekelwa umbuso wakwa-Israyeli ohlangene futhi kusukela lapho isizwe sabhekana nezinkinga eziningi.—1 Kh 11:9-13.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Wayengase Athole Izibusiso ZikaNkulunkulu
URehobowamu wabutha ibutho lakhe ukuze ahlasele izizwe ezihlubukile. Kodwa uJehova wangenela ngomprofethi uShemaya, wathi: “Akumelwe nikhuphuke niyolwa nabafowenu abangama-Israyeli. Ngamunye wenu makabuyele endlini yakhe, ngoba yimi obangele ukuba le nto yenzeke.”—1 Kh 12:21-24
Ingabe uRehobowamu wayengeke alwe ngempela? Ungase ucabange nje indlela lokho okwamkhathaza ngayo uRehobowamu! Yini abantu ababezoyicabanga ngenkosi ayasongela ukujezisa abantu bayo “ngezitswebhu ezinameva” kodwa eyahluleka ukubajezisa lapho behlubuka? (Qhathanisa neyesi-2 IziKronike 13:7.) Noma kunjalo, inkosi nebutho layo “balilalela izwi likaJehova babuyela emakhaya, njengoba nje uJehova ayebatshelile.”
Yini esiyifundayo? Kuwukuhlakanipha ukulalela uNkulunkulu ngisho noma ukwenza kanjalo kungase kusenze sigconwe. Ukulalela uNkulunkulu kusenza sibe abangane bakhe futhi sithole izibusiso.—Dut 28:2.
Kwenzekani kuRehobowamu? Ngokuthobeka wayeka ukuhlasela isizwe esasisanda kumiswa, wabe eseqala ukwakha amadolobha kwaJuda nakwaBhenjamini okuyizindawo ayesabusa kuzo. Waqinisa amadolobha amaningi “ngezinga elikhulu.” (2 Kr 11:5-12) Okubaluleke nakakhulu, okwesikhathi esithile walalela imithetho kaNkulunkulu. Njengoba umbuso wakwa-Israyeli wezizwe eziyishumi owawubuswa uJerobowamu wawugxile ekukhulekeleni izithombe, abantu abaningi kuleso sizwe “basekela uRehobowamu” ngokuya eJerusalema ukuze bamelele ukukhulekela kweqiniso. (2Kr 11:16, 17) Ukulalela kukaRehobowamu kwaqinisa umbuso wakhe.
SEPTHEMBA 19-25
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 13–14
“Kungani Kufanele Saneliseke Futhi Sibe Nesizotha?”
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
4 UJerobowamu ube esethi kumuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Woza siye ekhaya uthole okudliwayo, ngikuphe nesipho.” (1Kh 13:7) Uzokwenzenjani lo mprofethi manje? Asamukele yini isimemo sokuya endlini yenkosi ngemva kokuyitshela isigijimi esiyilahlayo? (Hu 119:113) Noma asenqabe, nakuba kubonakala sengathi inkosi iyazisola? Akungabazeki ukuthi uJerobowamu angabagidlabeza ngezipho eziphambili abangane bakhe. Uma kuwukuthi umprofethi kaNkulunkulu ubenesifiso esicashile sezinto ezibonakalayo, cishe isimemo senkosi siyisilingo esikhulu kuye. Nokho, uJehova umyale kanje umprofethi: “Akumelwe udle isinkwa noma uphuze amanzi, futhi ungabuyeli emuva ngendlela oze ngayo.” Ngakho uphendula ngaphandle kokunanaza: “Ngisho noma ubunganginika ingxenye yendlu yakho, bengingeke ngihambe nawe ngidle isinkwa noma ngiphuze amanzi kule ndawo.” Umprofethi uyasuka eBhethele ahambe ngenye indlela. (1Kh 13:8-10) Isinqumo somprofethi sisifundisani ngokuba qotho ngokusuka enhliziyweni?—Rom 15:4.
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
15 Yini enye esingayifunda ephutheni lomprofethi wakwaJuda? IzAga 3:5 zithi: “Thembela kuJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakho, ungathembeli kokwakho ukuqonda.” Kunokuba aqhubeke ethembela kuJehova njengoba ayenzile ngaphambili, kulo mzuzu lo mprofethi wakwaJuda wathembela kokwakhe ukuhlakanipha. Iphutha lakhe lamlahlekisela ukuphila kwakhe negama elihle ayezenzele lona noNkulunkulu. Yeka ukuthi okwamehlela kukugcizelela ngokunamandla kanjani ukubaluleka kokukhonza uJehova ngesizotha nangobuqotho!
Londoloza Ubuqotho Ngenhliziyo Enobunye
10 Umprofethi wakwaJuda kwakufanele abubone ubuqili balo mprofethi omdala. Wayengazibuza, ‘Uma uJehova ebefuna ukunginika iziyalezo ezintsha, ingabe ingelosi ubezoyithumela komunye umuntu?’ Wayengacela uJehova ukuba acacise ngalezi ziyalezo, kodwa imiBhalo ayibonisi ukuthi wakwenza lokho. Kunalokho, ‘waphindela emuva nale ndoda endala ukuze ayodla isinkwa aphuze namanzi emzini wayo.’ UJehova akajabulanga ngalokho. Lapho umprofethi okhohlisiwe ekugcineni esebuyela kwaJuda, wahlaselwa ingonyama yambulala. Yeka ukuthi umsebenzi wakhe njengomprofethi waphela ngendlela edabukisa kanjani!—1Kh 13:19-25.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Ubheka Okuhle Kubantu
Okubaluleke kakhulu ukuthi amazwi akweyoku-1 AmaKhosi 14:13 asifundisa okuthile okuhle ngoJehova nokuthi yini ayibheka kithi. Khumbula ukuthi kukhona okuhle ‘okwatholakala’ ku-Abhiya. Kubonakala sengathi uJehova wahlola inhliziyo ka-Abhiya kwaze kwaba yilapho ethola okuthile okuhle. Omunye umbhali uthi uma eqhathaniswa nomndeni wakubo, u-Abhiya wayeyipharele “enqwabeni yamatshe.” UJehova wabazisa lobu buhle futhi wabuvuza, walibonisa umusa omkhulu leli lungu elilodwa lomndeni omubi.
SEPTHEMBA 26–OKTHOBA 2
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 15-16
“U-Asa Waba Nesibindi—Ingabe Wena Unaso?”
“Ukhona Umvuzo Womsebenzi Wenu”
Phakathi neminyaka engu-20 yangemva kokuhlukana kuka-Israyeli abe imibuso emibili, uJuda wayesonakaliswe ngokuphelele imikhuba yobuqaba. Lapho u-Asa eba yinkosi ngo-977 B.C.E., ukukhulekelwa konkulunkulu benzalo bamaKhanani kwase kungene nasesigodlweni. Kodwa umlando ophefumulelwe wezenzakalo zansuku zonke wokubusa kuka-Asa uthi “wenza okuhle nokulungile emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.” U-Asa “Wasusa ama-altare abanye onkulunkulu nezindawo eziphakeme, waphihliza izinsika ezingcwele wanquma nezigxobo ezingcwele.” (2Kr 14:2, 3) Wabuye waxosha “waxosha izifebe zesilisa zasethempelini” embusweni wakwaJuda, ezazenza ubungqingili egameni lenkolo. Kodwa akagcinanga lapho. Wabuye wanxusa abantu ukuba ‘bafune uJehova uNkulunkulu wokhokho babo’ futhi bagcine “uMthetho nomyalo” kaNkulunkulu.—1Kh 15:12, 13; 2Kr 14:4
Khonza UJehova Ngenhliziyo Ephelele!
7 Ngamunye kithi angahlola inhliziyo yakhe ukuze abone ukuthi iphelele yini kuNkulunkulu. Zibuze, ‘Ingabe ngizimisele ukujabulisa uJehova, ukumelela ukukhulekela kweqiniso nokuvikela abantu bakhe kunoma yiliphi ithonya elibi?’ Cabanga ngesibindi u-Asa okwadingeka abe naso ukuze amelane noMahakha, ‘owayeyindlovukazi’ yezwe! Kungenzeka ukuthi akekho umuntu omaziyo owenza njengoMahakha, kodwa zikhona izimo ongalingisa kuzo intshiseko ka-Asa. Ngokwesibonelo, ungenzenjani uma ilungu lomndeni wakho noma umngane wakho omkhulu ona, angaphenduki futhi kudingeke ukuba asuswe? Ingabe ubuyothatha isinyathelo esiwujuqu, uyeke ukuzihlanganisa naye? Inhliziyo yakho iyokushukumisela ukuba wenzeni?
it-1-E 184-185
U-Asa
Izimfanelo ezinhle zika-Asa nokususa ukukhulekela kwamanga ngokusobala kwazidlula izono ayezenzile nakuba abonisa ukungahlakaniphi nokungaqondi ngezinye izikhathi futhi ubhekwa njengenye yamakhosi athembekile ozalweni lwakaJuda. (2Kr 15:17) Ukubusa kweNkosi u-Asa iminyaka engu-41 kwalingana nokubusa kwamakhosi angu-8 akwa-Israyeli: uJerobowamu, uNadabi, uBhahasha, u-Elahi, uZimri, u-Omri, uThibini (owabusa ingxenye yakwa-Israyeli elwisana no-Omri), no-Ahabi. (1Kh 15:9, 25, 33; 16:8, 15, 16, 21, 23, 29) Lapho u-Asa efa, indodana yakhe uJehoshafati yaba inkosi.—1Kh 15:24.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Ingabe UNkulunkulu Ungokoqobo Kuwe?
Ngokwesibonelo, funda isiprofetho esiphathelene nenhlawulo yokwakha iJeriko kabusha bese ucabangela ukugcwaliseka kwaso. UJoshuwa 6:26 uthi: “Ngaleso sikhathi uJoshuwa wafunga wathi: ‘Kwangathi angaqalekiswa phambi kukaJehova umuntu owakha kabusha leli dolobha laseJeriko. Lapho ebeka isisekelo salo kuyofa izibulo lakhe, futhi lapho efaka iminyango yalo kuyofa uthunjana wakhe.’” Ukugcwaliseka kwaso kwenzeka eminyakeni engaba ngu-500 kamuva, ngoba kweyoku-1 AmaKhosi 16:34 sifunda ukuthi: “Ezinsukwini [zeNkosi u-Ahabi] uHiyeli waseBhethele wakha kabusha iJeriko. Wabeka isisekelo salo wafelwa u-Abhiramu izibulo lakhe, wafaka iminyango yalo wafelwa uSegubi uthunjana wakhe, ngokwezwi uJehova alikhuluma esebenzisa uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni.” NguNkulunkulu ongokoqobo kuphela owayengaphefumulela iziprofetho ezinjalo futhi aqikelele ukuthi ziyagcwaliseka
OKTHOBA 3-9
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 17-18
“Kuyoze Kube Nini Nigxamalaze Phakathi Kwemibono Emibili?”
Bonisa Ukholo Unqume Ngokuhlakanipha!
6 Lapho esezinzile eZweni Lesithembiso, ama-Israyeli asendulo ayenesinqumo esilula nesibalulekile okwakudingeka asenze: Ukukhonza uJehova noma ukukhonza omunye unkulunkulu (noma abanye onkulunkulu). (Funda uJoshuwa 24:15.) Lokho kwakungase kubonakale kuyisinqumo esilula. Nokho, isinqumo sawo sasingasho ukufa nokuphila. Phakathi nezikhathi zabaHluleli, ngokuphindaphindiwe ama-Israyeli enza izinqumo ezingahlakaniphile. Amshiya uJehova akhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga. (Hlu 2:3, 11-23) Cabanga nangalokho okwenzeka kamuva emlandeni wabantu bakaNkulunkulu lapho kwakuphoqeleka ukuba benze isinqumo. Umprofethi u-Eliya wakubeka kwacaca okwakufanele bakhethe kukho: Ukukhonza uJehova noma ukukhonza unkulunkulu wamanga uBhali. (1Kh 18:21) U-Eliya wabakhuza abantu ngokuba manqikanqika. Ungase ucabange ukuthi lesi kwakuyisinqumo esilula ngoba kuhlale kuzuzisa futhi kuwukuhlanipha ukukhonza uJehova. Eqinisweni, akekho umuntu onengqondo okufanele akuthande ukukhonza uBhali. Noma kunjalo, lawo ma-Israyeli ‘ayegxamalaze phakathi kwemibono emibili.’ Ngokuhlakanipha, u-Eliya wawanxusa ukuba akhethe indlela engcono kakhulu yokukhulekela—ukukhonza uJehova
Walwela Ukukhulekela Okumsulwa
15 Ngenxa yalokho, abapristi bakaBhali kwaba sengathi bayahlanya, “babememeza ngalo lonke izwi labo, bezisika ngemimese nangemikhonto njengoba babevame ukwenza, baze bagxaza igazi.” Kwaba zinhlanga zimuka nomoya! “Kwakungekho zwi, kungenamuntu ophendulayo; akekho owayenakile.” (1Kh 18:28, 29) Ngempela, wayengekho uBhali. Wayeziqanjelwe uSathane ukuze ayenge abantu bahlamuke uJehova. Iqiniso liwukuthi, ukukhetha enye inkosi ngaphandle kukaJehova kuholela ekudumazekeni ngisho nasekuhlazekeni.—Funda iHubo 25:3; 115:4-8.
Walwela Ukukhulekela Okumsulwa
18 Ngaphambi kokuba u-Eliya athandaze, izixuku ezazilapho kungenzeka zazizibuza ukuthi uJehova ngeke yini naye ehluleke njengoba kuhluleke uBhali. Kepha ngemva komthandazo, asibanga khona isikhathi sokuzibuza. Ukulandisa kuthi: “Kwabe sekwehla umlilo kaJehova wadla umnikelo oshiswayo, izinkuni, amatshe nothuli, wakhotha namanzi ayesemseleni.” (1Kh 18:38) Yeka impendulo eyisimanga! Abantu bona basabela kanjani?
Ingcebo Engokomoya
w08 4/1 19, ibhokisi
Waqapha Futhi Walinda
Isomiso Sosuku Luka-Eliya Saba Side Kangakanani?
Umprofethi kaJehova u-Eliya watshela iNkosi u-Ahabi ukuthi kwakuzoba nesomiso eside maduzane. Lokho kwenzeka “ngonyaka wesithathu”—ngokusobala kusukela osukwini u-Eliya aqala ukusibikezela ngalo. (1 AmaKhosi 18:1) UJehova waletha imvula ngokushesha ngemva kokuba u-Eliya ethé uNkulunkulu wayezokwenza kanjalo. Khona-ke, abanye bangase baphethe ngokuthi isomiso saphela phakathi nonyaka waso wesithathu, ngakho-ke sathatha isikhathi esingaphansi kweminyaka emithathu. Kodwa uJesu noJakobe basitshela ukuthi lesi somiso sathatha “iminyaka emithathu nezinyanga eziyisithupha.” (Luka 4:25; Jakobe 5:17) Ingabe iBhayibheli liyaziphikisa?
Lutho neze. Phela inkathi engenazo izimvula kwa-Israyeli wasendulo yayiyinde kakhulu, ithatha izinyanga ezingaba yisithupha. Akungabazeki ukuthi u-Eliya watshela u-Ahabi ngesomiso ngesikhathi lapho inkathi engenazo izimvula isibonakala iyinde ngokungavamile. Empeleni, isomiso sasiqale cishe esigamwini sonyaka ngaphambi kwalokho. Ngakho, lapho u-Eliya ememezela ukuphela kwesomiso “ngonyaka wesithathu” kusukela esimemezelweni sakhe sokuqala, isomiso sase sithathe iminyaka emithathu nengxenye. Kwase kuphele “iminyaka emithathu nengxenye” ngesikhathi bonke abantu bebuthana ndawonye ukuzobona lesi sivivinyo esikhulu eNtabeni iKarmeli
Cabanga nangesikhathi u-Eliya aya ngaso ku-Ahabi okokuqala. Abantu babekholelwa ukuthi uBhali “wayegibela amafu,” umuntu owayengaqeda isomiso ngokuletha imvula. Uma kuwukuthi inkathi engenamvula yayiyinde ngokungavamile, kungenzeka abantu babezibuza: ‘Uphi uBhali? Uzoyiletha nini imvula?’ Isimemezelo sika-Eliya sokuthi kwakungeke kube namvula noma amazolo kuze kusho yena kumelwe ukuba sabakhungathekisa kakhulu abakhulekeli bakaBhali.—1 AmaKhosi 17:1
Lokho Esikufundayo Okholweni Lomfelokazi
Waphendula: “Ngifunga uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, anginaso isinkwa, nginenkeshezana kafulawa kuphela embizeni enkulu namafutha amancane embizeni encane. Manje ngitheza izinkuni ezimbalwa, ngizongena ngizenzele okuthile mina nendodana yami. Lokhu kuzoba ukudla kwethu kokugcina, ngemva kwalokho sizofa.” (1 Kh. 17:12) Ake sihlaziye lokho okwembulwa yile ngxoxo.
Umfelokazi waqaphela ukuthi u-Eliya wayengumIsrayeli owesaba uNkulunkulu. Lokhu kubonakala emazwini akhe athi “ngifunga uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho.” Kubonakala sengathi nakuba ayenolwazi oluthile ngoNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lwalungafinyeleli eqophelweni lokuba asebenzise amazwi athi “uNkulunkulu wami” lapho ebhekisela kuJehova. Wayehlala eZarefati “laseSidoni,” noma mhlawumbe umzana owawungaphansi komuzi waseFenike. Cishe, kwakuhlala abakhulekeli bakaBhali eZarefati. Noma kunjalo, kukhona okuhlukile uJehova ayekubonile kulo mfelokazi.
Nakuba lo mfelokazi waseZarefati ayehlala phakathi kwabantu abakhonza izithombe, wayenokholo. UJehova wathumela u-Eliya kuye ngoba efuna kuzuze lona wesifazane nomprofethi. Singafunda isifundo esibalulekile kulokhu.
Akubona bonke abakhileyo baseZarefati lapho kwakukhulekelwa khona uBhali ababebabi ngokuphelele. Ngokuthumela u-Eliya kulo mfelokazi, uJehova wabonisa ukuthi uyabaqaphela abantu abanezinhloso ezinhle abangakamkhonzi. Ngempela, “ezizweni zonke umuntu omesabayo nowenza okulungile uyamukeleka kuye.”—IzE 10:35.
Bangaki abantu abahlala ensimini yakini abanjengalo mfelokazi waseZarefati? Nakuba kungenzeka ukuthi bazungezwe abantu abanamathele enkolweni yamanga, kungenzeka ukuthi balangazelela okuthile okungcono. Kungenzeka ukuthi abanalo ulwazi ngoJehova noma banoluncane, ngakho badinga usizo ukuze bamukele ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile. Ingabe uyabacinga abantu abanjalo futhi ubasize?
“Qala Ngokwenzela Mina Isinkwa Esiyindilinga”
Cabangisisa ngalokho u-Eliya acela lo mfelokazi ukuba akwenze. Wayesanda kumtshela ukuthi wayezokwenza ukudla kokugcina azokudla nendodana yakhe bese befa. Kodwa, wathini u-Eliya? “Ungesabi. Ngena, wenze njengoba ushilo. Kodwa qala ngokwenzela mina isinkwa esiyindilinga ngalokho onakho usilethe kimi. Ngemva kwalokho ungazenzela okuthile wena nendodana yakho. 14 Ngoba yilokhu uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli akushoyo: ‘Imbiza enkulu kafulawa ngeke iphele, nembiza encane yamafutha ngeke iphele kuze kube usuku uJehova ayonisa ngalo imvula phezu komhlaba.’”—1 Kh. 17:11-14.
Abanye babengase bathi: ‘Uthi ngikunike ukudla kwethu kokugcina? Thana uyadlala.’ Kodwa lo mfelokazi akasabelanga ngaleyo ndlela. Nakuba ayenolwazi olungatheni ngoJehova, wamkholwa u-Eliya futhi wenza ngokwesicelo sakhe. Yeka ukuthi ukholo lwakhe lwavivinywa kakhulu kangakanani futhi yeka ukuthi wenza isinqumo esihlakaniphe kangakanani!
UNkulunkulu akazange amshiye lo mfelokazi ompofu. Njengoba nje u-Eliya ayethembisile, uJehova wakwandisa lokho kudlana kwakhe okuncane kangangokuba kwabondla yena nendodana yakhe no-Eliya kwaze kwaphela isomiso. Ngempela, “imbiza enkulu kafulawa ayizange iphele nembiza encane yamafutha ayizange iphele, ngokwezwi likaJehova ayelikhulume ngo-Eliya.” (1 Kh. 17:16; 18:1) Ukube lona wesifazane wenqaba ukwenza lokho ayecelwa ukuba akwenze, mhlawumbe isinkwa ayeyosenza ngaleyo nkeshezana kafulawa namafutha amancane ayenawo ngabe kwaba ukudla kwakhe kokugcina kwabe sekuphela ngetswayi. Kodwa, wabonisa ukholo, wathembela kuJehova futhi wanika u-Eliya ukudla kuqala.
Isifundo esingasifunda kulokhu ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyababusisa ababonisa ukholo. Lapho ubhekene novivinyo lobuqotho futhi ubonisa ukholo, uJehova uyokusiza. Uyoba uMondli, uMvikeli noMngane ukuze akusize ubhekane ngokuphumelelayo nalolo vivinyo.—Eks. 3:13-15.
Ngo-1898, i-Zion’s Watch Tower yaveza lesi sifundo kule ndaba yomfelokazi: “Uma lona wesifazane ayenokholo olwaludingeka ukuze alalele, khona-ke wayeyobhekwa njengokufanelekelayo ukusizwa iNkosi isebenzisa uMprofethi; uma ayengazange abonise ukholo, kwakungase kutholakale omunye umfelokazi owayezolubonisa. Kunjalo nangathi,—ezikhathini ezihlukahlukene zempilo yethu iNkosi isiletha endaweni lapho iluvivinya khona ukholo lwethu. Uma sibonisa ukholo siyothola isibusiso; uma singalubonisi, siyophuthelwa isibusiso.”
Lapho sibhekene novivinyo oluthile, kudingeka sifune isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu emiBhalweni nasezincwadini zethu ezisekelwe eBhayibhelini. Lapho sesisitholile, kufanele senze ngokuvumelana nesiqondiso sikaJehova kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kunzima kanjani ukusamukela. Siyobusiswa ngempela uma senza ngokuvumelana nalesi saga esihlakaniphile: “Thembela kuJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakho, ungathembeli kokwakho ukuqonda. Mqaphele kuzo zonke izindlela zakho, yena uyokwenza izindlela zakho ziqonde.”—IzA 3:5, 6.
‘Uzé Ukuzobulala Indodana Yami’
Ukholo lwalo mfelokazi lwalusazobhekana nolunye uvivinyo. Ukulandisa kweBhayibheli kuthi: “Ngemva kwalezi zinto indodana yalona wesifazane owayengumninindlu, yagula kakhulu yaze yafa.” Efuna isizathu salolu sizi lokushonelwa, lo mama wathi ku-Eliya: “Ngenzeni kuwe, muntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso? Ingabe uzele ukuzongikhumbuza izono zami nokuzobulala indodana yami?” (1 Kh. 17:17, 18) Asho ukuthi lawo mazwi abuhlungu?
Ingabe lona wesifazane wayekhumbula isono esithile esasimudla? Ingabe wayecabanga ukuthi ukufa kwendodana yakhe kuyisijeziso esivela kuNkulunkulu nokuthi u-Eliya uyisithunywa sikaNkulunkulu esiletha ukufa? IBhayibheli alisitsheli, kodwa linye iphuzu elisobala: Lo mfelokazi akazange nhlobo abeke uNkulunkulu icala lokwenza okungalungile.
Kumelwe ukuba u-Eliya washaqeka ngokufa kwendodana yomfelokazi nawumcabango ayewuvezile wokuthi ukuba khona kwalo mprofethi okwakubangele lolu sizi olukhulu kangaka. Ngemva kokuthatha isidumbu salo mfana enyukele naso ekamelweni elisophahleni, u-Eliya wakhala: “O Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ingabe uletha usizi nakulo mfelokazi engihlala kwakhe ngokuvumela ukuba indodana yakhe ife?” Kwakunzima kulo mprofethi ukucabanga ngesihlamba igama likaNkulunkulu elaliyothelwa ngaso uma uJehova ayengavumela lona wesifazane onomusa nonomoya wokungenisa izihambi ukuba ezwe ubuhlungu obungaphezu kwalobo ayevele enabo. Ngakho u-Eliya wanxusa: “O Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ngiyacela, yenza ukuba lo mntwana aphinde aphile.”—1 Kh. 17:20, 21.
“Bheka, Indodana Yakho Iyaphila”
UJehova wayelalele. Umfelokazi wayondle umprofethi wakhe futhi ebonise ukholo. Kubonakala sengathi uNkulunkulu wavumela ukuba ukugula kwalo mfana kuqhubeke kuze kube seqophelweni lokumbulala azi ukuthi kunesimangaliso sovuko esasizokwenzeka futhi esasizonika izizukulwane ezizayo ithemba—esingesokuqala kwezilotshwe emiBhalweni. Lapho u-Eliya emncenga, uJehova wamvusa umfana. Cabanga ukuthi wajabula kanjani umfelokazi lapho u-Eliya ethi: “Bheka, indodana yakho iyaphila”! Lo mfelokazi wabe esethi ku-Eliya: “Manje sengiyazi ukuthi ngempela ungumuntu kaNkulunkulu nokuthi izwi likaJehova olikhulumile liyiqiniso.”—1 Kh. 17:22-24.
Ukulandisa okukweyoku-1 AmaKhosi isahluko 17 akube kusasitshela ngalona wesifazane. Nokho, ngenxa yokuthi uJesu wakhuluma kahle ngaye, kungenzeka ukuthi waba inceku ethembekile kaJehova. (Luk 4:25, 26) Indaba yakhe isifundisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyababusisa labo abenza okuhle ezincekwini zakhe. (Mat 25:34-40) Ifakazela ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyabanakekela abantu bakhe abathembekile ngisho nasezimweni ezinzima kakhulu. (Mat 6:25-34) Lokhu kulandisa kusinika nobufakazi bokuthi uJehova uyafisa futhi unamandla okuvusa abafileyo. (IzE 24:15) Ngokuqinisekile, lezi izizathu ezinhle kakhulu zokumkhumbula umfelokazi waseZarefati.
OKTHOBA 10-16
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 19-20
“Thola Induduzo KuJehova”
Thembela KuJehova Lapho Ucindezelekile
5 Funda 1 AmaKhosi 19:1-4. Nokho, u-Eliya waba nokwesaba lapho iNdlovukazi uJezebeli imsongela ngokumbulala. Ngakho wabalekela eBheri-sheba. Wazizwa edikibele kangangokuba waze wacela “ukuba afe.” Yini eyamenza wazizwa kanjalo? U-Eliya wayengaphelele, “wayengumuntu onemizwa efana neyethu.” (Jak 5:17) Kungenzeka wayezizwa ecindezelekile futhi ekhandlekile. Kubonakala sengathi wayecabanga ukuthi imizamo yakhe yokulwela ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile yayingazange iphumelele, ukuthi ayikho into eyayishintshile kwa-Israyeli nokuthi nguye yedwa isikhonzi sikaJehova esasisele. (1Kh 18:3, 4, 13; 19:10, 14) Ingase isimangaze indlela lo mprofethi othembekile asabela ngayo. Kodwa uJehova wayiqonda indlela u-Eliya ayezizwa ngayo.
Wathola Induduzo KuNkulunkulu Wakhe
13 Ucabanga ukuthi uJehova wazizwa kanjani lapho ebuka phansi esezulwini futhi ebona umprofethi wakhe othandekayo elele ehlane phansi kwesihlahla, ecela ukufa? Akudingeki siqagele. Ngemva kokuba u-Eliya ezunywe ubuthongo, uJehova wathumela ingelosi kuye. Ingelosi yafike yamvusa kamnandi, yayisithi: “Vuka, udle.” U-Eliya wavuka, ngoba ingelosi yayimlungiselele ukudla okulula—isinkwa esishisayo esasisanda kwenziwa namanzi. Ingabe wazihlupha ngokuyibonga ingelosi? Ukulandisa kusitshela kuphela ukuthi lo mprofethi wadla, waphuza waphinde walala. Ingabe wayekhathazeke kakhulu ukuba angakhuluma? Noma ngabe ikuphi, ingelosi yamvusa okwesibili, mhlawumbe entathakusa. Yaphinde yamnxusa: “Vuka, udle,” yayisinezela la mazwi aphawulekayo, “ngoba yinde le ndlela ozoyihamba.”—1Kh 19:5-7.
Wathola Induduzo KuNkulunkulu Wakhe
21 Kukho konke lokhu, ukulandisa kusikhumbuza ukuthi uJehova wayengekho kulokho kubonakaliswa okumangalisayo kwamandla endalo. U-Eliya wayazi ukuthi uJehova akayena unkulunkulu wendalo oyinsumansumane, njengoBhali, owayebizwa abakhulekeli bakhe abakhohlisiwe ngokuthi “umgibeli wamafu,” noma oletha imvula. UJehova unguMthombo wangempela wawo wonke amandla amangalisayo asendalweni, kodwa futhi mkhulu kakhulu kunazo zonke izinto azenzile. Ngisho namazulu ngokwawo awakwazi ukumthwala! (1Kh 8:27) Kwamsiza kanjani u-Eliya konke lokhu? Khumbula ukuthi wayesaba. EnoNkulunkulu onjengoJehova ngakuye, uNkulunkulu owayenawo wonke lawo mandla amangalisayo, u-Eliya wayengenaso isizathu sokwesaba u-Ahabi noJezebeli!—Funda iHubo 118:6.
Wathola Induduzo KuNkulunkulu Wakhe
22 Ngemva kokuba umlilo usunqamukile, kwathula kwathi cwaká, u-Eliya wezwa “izwi eliphansi elizolile.” Lalimcela ukuba aphinde aveze imizwa yakhe, naye wenza kanjalo, wazisho zonke izinto ezimkhathazayo. Mhlawumbe lokho kwamlethela impumuzo eyengeziwe. Nokho, akungabazeki ukuthi u-Eliya wathola induduzo eyengeziwe kulokho “izwi eliphansi elizolile” elabe selimtshela khona. UJehova wamqinisekisa ngokuthi umazisa kakhulu. Kanjani? Wembula okuningi ngenjongo yakhe yesikhathi esizayo ephathelene nokulwa nokukhulekelwa kukaBhali kwa-Israyeli. Kuyacaca ukuthi umsebenzi ka-Eliya wawungelona ize, ngoba injongo kaNkulunkulu yayisazofezeka futhi akukho okwakungayivimba. Ngaphezu kwalokho, u-Eliya wayesazosetshenziswa ekufezeni leyo njongo, ngoba uJehova wambuyisela emsebenzini wamnika neziqondiso eziqondile.—1Kh 19:12-17.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Isibonelo Sokuzidela Nokwethembeka
Eziningi zezinceku zikaNkulunkulu namuhla zibonisa umoya ofanayo wokuzidela. Ezinye ziye zashiya “amasimu” azo, indlela yokuziphilisa, ukuze ziyoshumayela izindaba ezinhle emasimini akude noma ukuze ziyokhonza njengamalungu omkhaya waseBethel. Ezinye ziye zaya kwamanye amazwe ukuze ziyosebenza emisebenzini yokwakha yeNhlangano. Eziningi ziye zamukela lokho okungase kubizwe ngokuthi imisebenzi ephansi. Nokho, asikho isigqila sikaJehova esenza inkonzo engabalulekile. UJehova uyabazisa bonke abamkhonza ngokuzithandela, futhi uyowubusisa umoya wabo wokuzidela.—Marku 10:29, 30.
OKTHOBA 17-23
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 AMAKHOSI 21-22
“Lingisa Indlela UJehova Alisebenzisa Ngayo Igunya”
it-2-E 21
UJehova Wamabutho
Lapho uJoshuwa ebona othile ofana nengelosi eduze kwaseJeriko wambuza ukuthi wayengasohlangothini luka-Israyeli yini noma lwezitha zabo, ephendula wathi, “Angikona lokho okucabangayo, kodwa ngilapha njengesikhulu sebutho likaJehova.” (Jos 5:13-15) Ngokusobala ebhekisela emadodaneni kaJehova omoya, umprofethi uMikhaya wathi eNkosini u-Ahabi noJehoshafati, “Ngibone uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi, lonke ibutho lasemazulwini limi ngakwesokudla sakhe nangakwesobunxele sakhe.” (1Kh 22:19-21) Kuyafaneleka ukusetshenziswa kwenkulumo esebuningini ethi “uJehova wamabutho,” nakuba amabutho ezingelosi engachazwa kuphela ngokuhlukana kwezigaba zawo okungamakherubi, amaserafi nezingelosi (Isay 6:2, 3; Gen 3:24; IsA 5:11) kodwa aphinde achazwe njengakha amaqembu ahlelekile, okwenza uJesu Kristu athi wayenganikezwa “amalegiyona ezingelosi angaphezu kwangu-12” uma ewabiza. (Mat 26:53) Lapho uHezekiya encenga uJehova ukuba amsize, wambiza ngokuthi “uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ohlezi phezu kwamakherubi,” ngokusobala ebhekisela kumphongolo wesivumelwano nemifanekiso yamakherubi esesembozweni sawo, eyayifanekisela isihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova sasezulwini. (Isay 37:16; qathanisa 1Sa 4:4; 2Sa 6:2.) Isikhonzi sika-Elisha esasigcwele ukwesaba saqiniswa umbono omangalisayo lapho sibona ezintabeni ezizungeze idolobha elalivinjezelwe okwakuhlala kulo u-Elisha “kugcwele amahhashi nezinqola zempi zomlilo,” okuyingxenye yebutho lezingelosi zikaJehova.—2Kh 6:15-17.
“Inhloko Yawo Wonke Amadoda UKristu”
9 Ukuthobeka. UJehova uhlakaniphe kunabo bonke abantu; kodwa uyayilalela imibono yezinceku zakhe. (Gen 18:23, 24, 32) Uye wavumela labo abangaphansi kwegunya lakhe ukuba baveze imibono yabo. (1Kh 22:19-22) UJehova akanasono, kodwa okwamanje, akalindele ukuthi senzise okwabantu abangenasono. Kunalokho, usiza abantu abanesono ukuba bamkhonze ngokuphumelelayo. (Hu 113:6, 7) Empeleni, iBhayibheli lize lichaze uJehova ngokuthi “ungumsizi.” (Hu 27:9; Heb 13:6) INkosi uDavide yavuma ukuthi ukuthobeka kukaJehova kuphela okwayenza yafeza umsebenzi omkhulu eyayiwunikiwe.—2Sa 22:36.
it-2-E 245
Amanga
UJehova uvumela “ithonya elikhohlisayo” ukuba lidukise abantu abathanda inkohliso “ukuze bakholwe amanga” kunokuba bakholwe izindaba ezinhle ngoJesu Kristu. (2Th 2:9-12) Lesi simiso sibonakala kulokho okwenzeka eNkosini engumIsrayeli u-Ahabi emakhulwini eminyaka ngaphambili. Abaprofethi abanamanga baqinisekisa u-Ahabi ngokuthi uzophumelela empini neRamoti-gileyadi, kuyilapho umprofethi kaNkulunkulu uMikhaya ayebikezele inhlekelele. Njengoba kwakwembuliwe embonweni owabonwa uMikhaya, uJehova wavumela ukuba isidalwa somoya “sikhohlise” abaprofethi baka-Ahabi, kuphume amanga emilonyeni yabo. Okusho ukuthi, lesi sidalwa somoya sasebenzisa amandla aso kubo ukuze bakhulume okungelona iqiniso kodwa lokho bona ababefuna ukukusho nalokhu u-Ahabi ayefuna ukukuzwa kubo. Nakuba ayexwayisiwe ngaphambili, u-Ahabi wakhetha ukuwakholwa amanga abo futhi wakhokha ngokuphila kwakhe.—1Kh 22:1-38; 2Kr 18.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Kuyini Ukuphenduka Kwangempela?
4 Ekugcineni, uJehova wayeka ukubabekezelela. Wathumela u-Eliya ukuba ayobikezela isahlulelo ku-Ahabi noJezebeli. Wawuzobulawa wonke umndeni wabo. Amazwi ka-Eliya amphatha kabi kakhulu u-Ahabi! Ngokumangalisayo, leyo ndoda eqhoshayo ‘yazithoba.’—1 Kh 21:19-29.
5 Nakuba u-Ahabi azithoba ngaleso sikhathi, ukuziphatha kwakhe ngemva kwalokho kwabonisa ukuthi wayengaphendukile ngempela. Akazange azame ukuqeda ukukhulekelwa kukaBhali embusweni wakhe. Akazange akukhuthaze ukukhulekela uJehova. U-Ahabi wabonisa ukungaphenduki nangezinye izindlela.
6 Kamuva, lapho u-Ahabi emema inkosi elungile yakwaJuda uJehoshafati ukuba bayolwa nabaseSiriya, uJehoshafati wathi abaqale bakhulume nomprofethi kaJehova. U-Ahabi waqale wenqaba, wathi: “Kusekhona oyedwa osele esingabuza uJehova ngaye; kodwa mina ngiyamzonda ngoba akwenzeki aprofethe okuhle ngami kodwa uprofetha okubi kuphela.” Noma kunjalo, bakhuluma nomprofethi uMikhaya. Nangempela, lo mprofethi kaNkulunkulu wabikezela izindaba ezimbi ngo-Ahabi! Kunokuba aphenduke, acele intethelelo kuJehova, u-Ahabi okhohlakele wathi akafakwe ejele umprofethi. (1Kh 22:7-9, 23, 27) Nakuba inkosi yakwazi ukubopha umprofethi kaJehova, yayingeke ikwazi ukuvimba ukugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho. U-Ahabi wabulawa kuleyo mpi.—1Kh 22:34-38.
w15 3/15 6-7 10-12
“Sifundani Esibonelweni SikaNabhoti Sokubaqotho?”
10 Njengoba iminyaka ihamba, uJehova uye wayisiza “inceku ethembekileyo neqondayo” ukuba ibe enokuqonda noma eqaphe ngokwengeziwe. Kanjani? Manje inceku ethembekile iyaqikelela ukuba ithi indaba eseBhayibhelini imelela okuthile okukhulu kuphela lapho kunesizathu esicacile esingokomBhalo sokusho kanjalo. Ezinye zezincazelo zakudala ngokuphathelene nezinto ezifuziselayo nezifuziselwayo kwakunzima ukuziqonda, ukuzikhumbula nokuzisebenzisa. Okubaluleke nakakhulu ukuthi lapho kugxilwa kakhulu encazelweni enkulu okungenzeka lezo zindaba zinayo, esikufunda kuzo kwakungacaci. Ngakho, namuhla izincwadi zethu zigxila kakhulu ezifundweni ezilula, ezisebenzisekayo mayelana nokholo, ukukhuthazela, ukuzinikela kokuhlonipha uNkulunkulu nezinye izimfanelo ezibalulekile esingazifunda ezindabeni eziseBhayibhelini. *—Bheka umbhalo waphansi.
11 Manje indlela esiqonda ngayo indaba kaNabhoti icacile futhi ilula kakhudlwana. UNabhoti akafanga ngoba emelela uJesu noma abagcotshiweyo. Kunalokho, wafa ngoba ezimisele ukuhlala ethembekile kuNkulunkulu. Waqhubeka elalela uMthetho kaJehova naphezu kokushushiswa kanzima umbusi owayenamandla. (Numeri 36:7; 1 AmaKhosi 21:3) Yeka isibonelo esihle asibekela zonke izinceku zikaNkulunkulu namuhla ezingase zibhekane noshushiso oluthi alufane! (Funda eyesi-2 Thimothewu 3:12.) Wonke amaKristu angasiqonda, asikhumbule futhi asisebenzise leso sifundo, kanjalo aqinise ukholo lwawo.
12 Ingabe kufanele siphethe ngokuthi izindaba eziseBhayibhelini zinezifundo ezisebenzisekayo kuphela, azinayo enye incazelo? Cha. Kodwa kunokuba zichaze izindaba ezithile eziseBhayibhelini njengezifuziselayo nezifuziselwayo, izincwadi zethu manje zigxila ngokwengeziwe endleleni indaba ethile eseBhayibhelini ehlobana ngayo nenye. Ngokwesibonelo, ubuqotho bukaNabhoti lapho ebhekene nokushushiswa nokubulawa busikhumbuza ubuqotho bukaKristu nobabagcotshiweyo. Nokho, busikhumbuza nobuqotho babaningi ‘bezinye izimvu.’ Sibona ngokucacile ukuthi uJehova usifundisa ngendlela elula. *—Bheka umbhalo waphansi.
OKTHOBA 24-30
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 1-2
“Isibonelo Esihle Sokuqeqesha Abanye”
Indlela Abadala Abaqeqesha Ngayo Abanye Ukuze Bafaneleke
15 Indaba ka-Elisha ibonisa nokuthi kubalulekile ukuba abazalwane namuhla babahloniphe labo asebeneminyaka bekhonza njengabadala. Ngemva kokuba u-Eliya no-Elisha bevakashele iqembu elithile labaprofethi eJeriko, la madoda amabili afika eMfuleni iJordani. “U-Eliya wathatha isembatho sakhe esikhethekile wasisonga washaya ngaso amanzi, ahlukana phakathi aya ngapha nangapha.” Bawela emhlabathini owomile, futhi “babehamba bexoxa.” U-Elisha wakulalelisisa konke umfundisi wakhe ayekusho futhi waqhubeka efunda kuye. Akazange abe nomuzwa wokuthi wazi yonke into. U-Eliya wabe esethathwa ngesivunguvungu, futhi u-Elisha wabuyela eMfuleni iJordani. Wafike washaya amanzi ngesembatho sika-Eliya sabaprofethi wathi: “Uphi uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Eliya?” Amanzi omfula aphinde ahlukana.—2Kh 2:8-14.
Indlela Abadala Abaqeqesha Ngayo Abanye Ukuze Bafaneleke
16 Uphawulile yini ukuthi isimangaliso sika-Elisha sokuqala sasifana ncamashi nesika-Eliya sokugcina? Kusifundisani lokhu? U-Elisha akazange abe nomuzwa wokuthi ngenxa yokuthi sekuphethe yena, kudingeka enze izinto ngendlela ehlukile kweka-Eliya. Kunalokho, ukwenza kwakhe ngendlela ka-Eliya kwabonisa ukuthi wayemhlonipha umfundisi wakhe, futhi lokho kwasiza abanye abaprofethi ukuba bamethembe u-Elisha. (2 Kh 2:15) U-Elisha wakhonza njengomprofethi iminyaka engu-60, futhi uJehova wamnika amandla okwenza izimangaliso eziningi kunezika-Eliya. Abafundi bangafundani kulokhu namuhla?
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YamaKhosi Esibili
2:11—Ayini amazulu ‘u-Eliya enyukela kuwo ngesivunguvungu’? U-Eliya akayanga kwenye iplanethi, futhi akenyukelanga endaweni engokomoya lapho kuhlala khona uNkulunkulu namadodana akhe ayizingelosi. (Duteronomi 4:19; IHubo 11:4; Mathewu 6:9; 18:10) ‘Amazulu’ u-Eliya enyukela kuwo kwakuwumkhathi ozungeze umhlaba wethu. (IHubo 78:26; Mathewu 6:26) Njengoba inqola evuthayo yayihamba ngejubane elikhulu emkhathini womhlaba, kusobala ukuthi yamukisa u-Eliya kwenye indawo, lapho ahlala khona isikhathi esithile. Empeleni, eminyakeni eminingi kamuva, u-Eliya wabhalela uJehoramu, inkosi yakwaJuda incwadi.—2 IziKronike 21:1, 12-15
OKTHOBA 31–NOVEMBA 6
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 3-4
“Thatha Indodana Yakho”
“Ngiyazi Ukuthi Uyovuka”
7 Uvuko lwesibili olubhalwe eBhayibhelini yilolo olwenziwa u-Elisha owaba umprofethi ngemva kuka-Eliya. Owesifazane ovelele ongumIsrayeli eShunemi wamukela u-Elisha ngemfudumalo. Ngalo mprofethi uNkulunkulu wabusisa lona wesifazane nomyeni wakhe owayesekhulile ngendodana. Ngemva kweminyaka ethile, umfana washona. Cabanga nje indlela okumelwe ukuba lona wesifazane wayelusizi ngayo. Ngemvume yomyeni wakhe, wahamba ibanga elingaba amakhilomitha angu-30 waya ku-Elisha eNtabeni iKarmeli. Lo mprofethi watshela isikhonzi sakhe uGehazi ukuba sibuyele eShunemi, bona bazosilandela ngemuva. UGehazi wayengakwazi ukuvusa umfana. Unina womfana oshonile wabe esefika no-Elisha.—2Kh 4:8-31.
“Ngiyazi Ukuthi Uyovuka”
8 EShunemi, u-Eliya wathandaza eseduze komzimba womfana. Ngokuyisimangaliso, umfana wavuka futhi wabuyela kunina owayesegcwele injabulo! (Funda eyesi-2 AmaKhosi 4:32-37.) Kungenzeka ukuthi lona wesifazane wakhumbula umthandazo kaHana owayekade eyinyumba ngesikhathi ehambisa uSamuweli etabernakele: “UJehova . . . okwehlisela eThuneni, nawokuvusa umuntu ekufeni.” (1Sa 2:6) Ngokusobala, uNkulunkulu wamvusa ngokoqobo umfana ohlala eShunemi, ebonisa amandla aKhe okuvusa.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-2-E 697 ¶2
Umprofethi
“Amadodana abaprofethi.” I-Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar ichaza (i-Oxford, ka-1952, k. 418), igama lesiHebheru elithi ben (indodana ka) noma elithi benehʹ (amadodana ka) okungase kusho “ilungu leqembu noma umphakathi (noma isizwe, noma yisiphi isigaba sabantu).” (Qathanisa noNeh 3:8, lapho “omunye wabathaki bamafutha okugcoba” “eyindodana” yangempela “yabathaki bamafutha okugcoba.”) Amazwi athi “amadodana abaprofethi” angase asho iqembu eliqeqesha labo ababebizelwe lo msebenzi noma angase asho nje inhlangano yabaprofethi enobunye. La maqembu abaprofethi kukhulunywa ngawo njengayevela eBethele, eJeriko naseGiligali. (2Kh 2:3, 5; 4:38; qathanisa 1Sa 10:5, 10.) USamuweli walihola iqembu eRama (1Sa 19:19, 20), kubonakala sengathi no-Elisha naye wenza okufanayo ezinsukwini zakhe. (2Kh 4:38; 6:1-3; qathanisa 1Kh 18:13.) Ukulandisa kubonisa ukuthi bazakhela izindlu zabo zokuhlala besebenzisa ithuluzi elalibolekiwe, okwakungase kusho ukuthi babephila ukuphila okulula. Nakuba isikhathi esiningi babehlala futhi bedla ndawonye, ngamunye wayengase athole isabelo esihlukile sokuprofetha.—1Kh 20:35-42; 2Kh 4:1, 2, 39; 6:1-7; 9:1, 2.
“Ungase Usilingise Kanjani Isibonelo Sika-Elisha Sokuthobeka Enkonzweni Engcwele?”
Inkosi yaseSiriya yayimfuna la u-Elisha, umprofethi kaNkulunkulu, futhi yamfuna yaze yathola ukuthi usemzini waseDothani owawusegqumeni, obiyelwe ngezindonga. Ebusuku, umbusi waseSiriya wathumela amahhashi, izinqola zempi namabutho eDothani. Kwathi kusa ibutho lempi lase liwuzungezile umuzi.—2 Kh. 6:13, 14.
Lapho isikhonzi sika-Elisha sivuka futhi siphumela ngaphandle, sawabona la mabutho ayezobamba lo mprofethi. Sakhala: “Maye nkosi yami! Sizokwenzenjani?” U-Elisha wathi: “Ungesabi, ngoba baningi abanathi kunabanabo.” Umprofethi wabe esethandaza: “O Jehova, ngicela uvule amehlo akhe, ukuze abone.” Ukulandisa kuqhubeka kuthi: “Masinyane uJehova wawavula amehlo alesi sikhonzi, sabona; bheka! ezintabeni kwakugcwele amahhashi nezinqola zempi zomlilo nxazonke zika-Elisha.” (2 Kh. 6:15-17) Yini esingayifunda kulesi senzakalo nakwezinye ezenzeka ekuphileni kuka-Elisha?
U-Elisha waqhubeka ezolile nalapho evinjezelwe abaseSiriya ngoba wayethembele kuJehova futhi wawabona amandla kaNkulunkulu emvikela. Asilindele zimangaliso namuhla, kodwa siyaqaphela ukuthi uJehova uyabavikela abantu bakhe njengeqembu. Ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, nathi sizungezwe amahhashi nezinqola zomlilo. Uma ‘sizibona’ ngamehlo ethu okholo futhi sincika kuNkulunkulu ngaso sonke isikhathi, ‘sizohlala ngokulondeka’ futhi uJehova uyosibusisa. (IHu. 4:8) Ake sihlole indlela esingazuza ngayo kwezinye izenzakalo ezenzeka ekuphileni kuka-Elisha.
U-Elisha Uqala Ukukhonza U-Eliya
Ngolunye usuku, u-Elisha wayelima lapho kufika umprofethi u-Eliya futhi emphonsela isembatho sakhe sabaprofethi. U-Elisha wayazi ukuthi kusho ukuthini lokho. Wenza idili, wavalelisa uyise nonina, wabe esehamba ekhaya eyoba isikhonzi sika-Eliya. (1 Kh. 19:16, 19-21) Ngenxa yokuthi u-Elisha akazange anqikaze ukukhonza uNkulunkulu ngokugcwele ngangokunokwenzeka, uJehova wamsebenzisa futhi wagcina esekhonza njengomprofethi ngemva kuka-Eliya.
Mhlawumbe u-Elisha waba isikhonzi sika-Eliya iminyaka eyisithupha. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, u-Elisha “owayevame ukuthela amanzi ezandleni zika-Eliya.” (2 Kh. 3:11, mbhw) Ngalezo zinsuku, abantu babedla ngezandla, kungekho zimfoloko namimese, noma ezinye izinto okudliwa ngazo. Ngemva kokudla, inceku yayithelela inkosi yayo amanzi ezandleni ukuze izigeze. Ngakho eminye yemisebenzi ka-Elisha yayiphansi. Noma kunjalo, wayekubheka njengelungelo ukuba isikhonzi sika-Eliya.
Nanamuhla amaKristu amaningi angenela imikhakha ehlukahlukene yenkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele. Ukholo lwawo nesifiso anaso kuwashukumisela ukuba asebenzise amandla awo ngokugcwele ngangokunokwenzeka ekukhonzeni uJehova. Ezinye zezabelo zidinga ukuba ashiye amakhaya ayosebenza—eBethel, emisebenzini yokwakha nakweminye—abaningi abangase bayibheke njengephansi. Akekho umKristu okufanele abheke inkonzo enjalo njengengabalulekile noma elulazayo, ngoba uJehova uyazisa kakhulu.—Heb. 6:10.
U-Elisha Wanamathela Esabelweni Sakhe
Ngaphambi kokuba uNkulunkulu ‘anyusele u-Eliya esibhakabhakeni ngesivunguvungu,’ wathuma lo mprofethi ukuba aye eBethele esuka eGiligali. U-Eliya wacela umngane wakhe ukuba asale, kodwa u-Elisha wathi: “Ngeke ngikushiye.” Njengoba beqhubeka nohambo, u-Eliya wamncenga kabili u-Elisha ukuba asale kodwa kwaba nhlanga zimuka nomoya. (2 Kh. 2:1-6) U-Elisha wanamathela ku-Eliya, njengoba nje noRuthe anamathela kuNawomi. (Ruthe 1:8, 16, 17) Kungani? Kusobala ukuthi kungenxa yokuthi u-Elisha wayelazisa ilungelo lakhe ayelinikwe uNkulunkulu lokukhonza u-Eliya.
U-Elisha wasishiyela isibonelo esihle. Uma sithola ilungelo elithile le nkonzo enhlanganweni kaNkulunkulu, siyolazisa kakhulu uma sihlale sikhumbula ukuthi sikhonza uJehova. Alikho ilungelo elidlula lelo.—IHu. 65:4; 84:10.
“Cela Lokho Ongathanda Ngikuphe Kona”
Njengoba la madoda amabili ehamba, u-Eliya wathi ku-Elisha: “Cela ofuna ngikwenzele kona ngaphambi kokuba uNkulunkulu angithathe.” Isicelo sika-Elisha sabonisa ukuvuthwa ngokomoya, njengoba sasinjalo nesikaSolomoni ayesenze eminyakeni eminingi ngaphambili. Wacela ‘ukuba izingxenye ezimbili zomoya wakhe zize kuye.’ (1 Kh. 3:5, 9; 2 Kh. 2:9) Kwa-Israyeli, izibulo kwakumelwe linikwe izingxenye ezimbili zefa. (Dut. 21:15-17) Empeleni, u-Elisha wayecela ukuba abhekwe njengendlalifa ka-Eliya engokomoya. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kusobala ukuthi u-Elisha wayefuna ukuba nesibindi esifana nesika-Eliya, ‘owayeshisekela uJehova.’—1 Kh. 19:13, 14.
U-Eliya wasabela kanjani esicelweni sesikhonzi sakhe? Lo mprofethi wathi: “Ucele into enzima. Uma ungibona lapho ngithathwa, kuzokwenzeka kuwe ngaleyo ndlela; kodwa uma ungangiboni, ngeke kwenzeke.” (2 Kh. 2:10) Cishe impendulo ka-Eliya yayiqukethe amaphuzu amabili. Elokuqala, ukuthi uNkulunkulu kuphela owayenganquma ukuthi u-Elisha uzokuthola yini lokho ayekucelile. Elesibili, ukuthi ukuze u-Elisha akuthole, kwakudingeka anamathele esinqumweni sakhe sokungamshiyi u-Eliya, kumnyama kubomvu.
Lokho U-Elisha Akubona
UNkulunkulu wasibheka kanjani isicelo sika-Elisha sokunikwa izingxenye ezimbili zomoya ka-Eliya? Ukulandisa kuthi: “Njengoba babehamba bexoxa, kungazelelwe inqola evuthayo namahhashi avuthayo kwabahlukanisa phakathi, u-Eliya wenyukela esibhakabhakeni ngesivunguvungu. Njengoba u-Elisha ayebukele.” UJehova wasiphendula ngaleyo ndlela isicelo sika-Elisha. U-Elisha wambona u-Eliya lapho esuswa kuye, wamukela izingxenye ezimbili zomoya ka-Eliya futhi waba indlalifa yalo mprofethi engokomoya.—2 Kh. 2:11-14.
U-Elisha wacosha isembatho sabaprofethi esasiwe ku-Eliya wasigqoka. Leso sembatho sasibonakalisa ukuthi u-Elisha usengumprofethi kaNkulunkulu. Ubufakazi obengeziwe bokumiswa kwakhe baba sobala lapho kamuva enza isimangaliso sokuhlukanisa amanzi oMfula iJordani.
Akungabazeki ukuthi lokho u-Elisha akubona lapho u-Eliya ekhuphuka ngesivunguvungu kwaba nethonya elikhulu kuye. Phela kwakuyisimanga ukubona inqola yempi evuthayo namahhashi avuthayo! Kwaba ubufakazi bokuthi uJehova usamukele isicelo sika-Elisha. Lapho uNkulunkulu ephendula imithandazo yethu, akasibonisi umbono wenqola yempi yomlilo namahhashi avuthayo. Kodwa singaqaphela ukuthi uNkulunkulu usebenzisa amandla amakhulu ukuqinisekisa ukuthi intando yakhe iyenziwa. Lapho siqaphela nokuthi uJehova uyayibusisa ingxenye esemhlabeni yenhlangano yakhe, empeleni ‘sibona’ inqola yakhe yasezulwini isempini.—Hez. 10:9-13.