Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
NOVEMBA 7-13
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 5-6
“Baningi Abanathi Kunabanabo”
it-1-E 716 ¶4
U-Elisha
U-Israyeli wakhululwa kwabaseSiriya. Ngesikhathi kubusa iNkosi uJehoramu yakwa-Israyeli, abaseSiriya baceba ukuhlasela u-Israyeli ngokungazelelwe. Izikhathi eziningi izinceku zikaBheni-hadadi zikhungathekiswa u-Elisha, otshela iNkosi uJehoramu wonke amacebo okuhlasela kwabaseSiriya. UBheni-hadadi II uqale acabange ukuthi kukhona imbuka ekamu lakhe. Kodwa lapho ethola ukuthi ubani obangela le nkinga, uthumela ibutho lempi eDothani, elizungeza ngamahhashi nangezinqola zempi ukuze abambe u-Elisha. (ISITHOMBE, Vol. 1, k. 950) Isikhonzi sika-Elisha sifikelwa ukwesaba kodwa u-Elisha uthandaza kuNkulunkulu acele ukuba avule amehlo esikhonzi sakhe ‘futhi bheka! ezintabeni kugcwele amahhashi nezinqola zempi zomlilo nxazonke zika-Elisha.’ Manje, njengoba abaseSiriya besondela u-Elisha uthandazela okuhlukile, “Ngicela ushaye lesi sizwe ngobumpumputhe.” U-Elisha uthi kwabaseSiriya, “Ngilandeleni,” kodwa akudingeki ukuba ababambe ngesandla, okubonisa ukuthi baphazamiseke engqondweni kunokuba izimpumputhe. Abasaboni ukuthi u-Elisha abebezomlanda futhi abazi nokuthi ubayisaphi.—2Kh 6:8-19.
U-Elisha Wabona Izinqola Zomlilo—Ingabe Nawe Uyazibona?
Nakuba ayezungezwe izitha eDothani, u-Elisha waqhubeka ezolile. Kungani? Ngoba wayenokholo oluqinile kuJehova. Nathi kudingeka sibe nokholo olunjalo. Ngakho-ke, masicele ukuba uNkulunkulu asinike umoya wakhe ukuze sibonise ukholo nezinye izimfanelo ezivezwa umoya.—Luka 11:13; Galathiya 5:22, 23.
it-1-E 343 ¶1
Ubumpumputhe
Ngokwamazwi ka-Eliya, kusobala ukuthi ubumpumputhe obehlela ibutho lempi laseSiriya kwakuwukuphazamiseka kwengqondo. Uma lonke ibutho lalishawe ngobumpumputhe bamehlo, kwakuzofanele babanjwe ngesandla baholwe. Kodwa ukulandisa kumane kuthi u-Eliya wathi kubo: “Akuyona indlela le, futhi akulona idolobha enilifunayo leli. Ngilandeleni.” UWilliam James encwadini yakhe ethi Principles of Psychology (yango-1981, Vol. 1, k. 59) usho lokhu: “Kuyamangaza ukuthi ukuthinteka kwe-cortical ebuchosheni kuwukuphazamiseka kwengqondo. Lokhu akuhlanganisi nje kuphela izinzwa zokubona, okusho ukuqonda okubonayo. Ngokwesayensi yokusebenza kwengqondo, lokhu kuchazwa ngokuthi ukungaxhumani kahle kwezinzwa zokubona nalokho ezizama ukukuveza; nanoma ikuphi ukuphazamiseka okusenhlamvini yeso okuletha ukukhanya nezinye izinzwa ezidlulisela imicabango.” Cishe lolu hlobo lobumpumputhe basuswa nguJehova ngesikhathi ibutho laseSiriya lifika eSamariya. (2 Kh 6:18-20) Kungenzeka namadoda aseSodoma aphazamiseka ngokwengqondo ngendlela efanayo, njengoba ukulandisa kubonisa, esikhundleni sokuba la madoda akhathazeke ngokungaboni, aqhubeka ezama ukuthola umnyango wendlu kaLoti.—Ge 19:11.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YamaKhosi Esibili
5:15, 16—Kungani u-Elisha engasamukelanga isipho sikaNahamani? U-Elisha wasenqaba lesi sipho ngoba wayazi ukuthi isimangaliso sokuphulukiswa kukaNahamani sasingenziwanga ngamandla akhe, kodwa ngamandla kaJehova. Wayengenakulokotha azizuzise ngalo msebenzi ayewunikwe uNkulunkulu. Abakhulekeli beqiniso namuhla abasebenzisi inkonzo kaJehova ukuze kuzuze bona. Balalela umyalo kaJesu: “Namukele ngesihle, yiphani ngesihle.”—Mathewu 10:8.
NOVEMBA 14-20
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 7-8
“UJehova Wenza Okungalindelekile Kwenzeka”
it-1-E 716-717
U-Elisha
Nokho, kamuva, uBheni-hadadi II uyahlasela, hhayi ngokuthi afike aphinde ahambe kodwa ungena ngodli futhi alivimbezele iSamariya. Ukuvinjezelwa kwalo kuba kubi kakhulu kangangokuba kuba nesenzakalo esisodwa lapho kubikelwa inkosi ukuthi owesifazane udla indodana yakhe. Njengoyinzalo ka-Ahabi, “indodana yombulali,” iNkosi uJehoramu ifunga ukuthi izombulala u-Elisha. Kodwa igcina ingakwenzanga lokho. Lapho ifika endlini yomprofethi ihamba nesekela lomlawuli wayo wempi, uJehoramu ubatshela ukuthi akasenalo nhlobo ithemba lokuthi uJehova uzobasiza. U-Elisha uqinisekisa inkosi ngokuthi ukudla kuzoba kuningi ngakusasa. Isekela lomlawuli wempi lenkosi lidelela lokho okushiwo u-Elisha, okwenza u-Elisha alitshele ukuthi: “Uzozibonela ngawakho amehlo, kodwa ngeke udle kukho.” UJehova ubangela ukuba ikamu laseSiriya lizwe umsindo omkhulu, obenza bakholelwe ukuthi kuza ibutho elikhulu lezizwe ezimbili elizobahlasela, bayabaleka futhi bashiye ikamu linjengoba linjalo nakho konke ukudla. Lapho inkosi izwa ngokubaleka kwabaseSiriya, iyala isekela lomlawuli wempi ukuba liqaphe isango laseSamariya, futhi bayalinyathela lize life lapho isixuku sama-Israyeli esilambile siphuma siphuthuma ukuyophanga ekamu. Liyakubona ukudla kodwa alidli kukho.—2Kh 6:24–7:20.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-2-E 195 ¶7
Isibani
Amakhosi oHlu lozalo lukaDavide. UJehova uNkulunkulu wabeka iNkosi uDavide esihlalweni sobukhosi kwa-Israyeli, uDavide wazibonakalisa engumholi nomqondisi ohlakaniphile wesizwe, eqondiswa nguNkulunkulu. Yingakho abizwa ngokuthi “isibani sika-Israyeli.” (2Sa 21:17) Esivumelwaneni sombuso asenza noDavide, uJehova wathembisa: “Isihlalo sakho sobukhosi siyoma siqine kuze kube phakade.” (2Sa 7:11-16) Ohlwini lozalo lwamakhosi, kusukela kuDavide kuya endodaneni yakhe uSolomoni “babenjengesibani” kwa-Israyeli kube kufanele.—1Kh 11:36; 15:4; 2Kh 8:19; 2Kr 21:7.
NOVEMBA 21-27
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU| 2 AMAKHOSI 9-10
“Wabonisa Isibindi, Wazimisela Enentshiseko”
UJehu Ulwela Ukukhulekela Okuhlanzekile
UJehu wathola isabelo ngesikhathi isizwe sakwa-Israyeli sisesimweni esibi. Izwe lalingaphansi kwethonya elibi likaJezebeli, owayengumfelokazi ka-Ahabi nonina kaJehoramu, inkosi eyayibusa ngaleso sikhathi. UJezebeli wakhuthaza ukukhulekela uBhali kunokukhulekela uJehova, wabulala abaprofethi bakaNkulunkulu futhi wonakalisa abantu ‘ngobufebe nangobuthakathi’ bakhe. (2 Kh 9:22; 1 Kh 18:4, 13) UJehova wakhipha umyalo wokuba kubhujiswe yonke indlu ka-Ahabi, kuhlanganise uJehoramu noJezebeli. UJehu owayezohola ekuthatheni leso sinyathelo.
UJehu Ulwela Ukukhulekela Okuhlanzekile
Ngemva kokwenqaba ukuphendula izithunywa ezimbili ezathunyelwa kuye, uJehu wahlangana neNkosi uJehoramu ihamba nomngane wayo, u-Ahaziya, inkosi yakwaJuda, ngayinye isenqoleni yayo. Kwathi lapho uJehoramu ebuza, ethi “Ingabe uze ngokuthula, Jehu?” impendulo ayithola yathi: “Kuthula kuni okungaba khona uma kusekhona ubufebe bukaJezebeli unyoko nobuthakathi bakhe obuningi?” Ethuswe yile mpendulo, uJehoramu waphenduka efuna ukubaleka. Kodwa wayesephuzile! UJehu wansala umnsalo, wamcibishela enhliziyweni, futhi le nkosi yawela enqoleni yayo yafela khona lapho. Nakuba u-Ahaziya akwazi ukubaleka, kamuva uJehu wamfuna waze wamthola wambulala naye.—2 Kh 9:22-24, 27.
Indlovukazi ekhohlakele, uJezebeli, yaba ilungu elilandelayo lendlu ka-Ahabi elabulawa. UJehu wayibiza kufanele ngokuthi “lo oqalekisiwe.” Njengoba uJehu engena eJizreyeli, wabona uJezebeli elunguze efasiteleni lesigodlo. Akachithanga sikhathi, wayala izikhulu zasesigodlweni ukuba zimphonse phansi ngefasitela. Wayesemnyathela ngamahhashi akhe lo monakalisi ka-Israyeli wonke. Ngemva kwalokho, uJehu waqhubeka wabulala inqwaba yamanye amalungu endlu ka-Ahabi omubi.—2 Kh 9:30-34; 10:1-14.
UJehu Ulwela Ukukhulekela Okuhlanzekile
Yiqiniso, uJehu wachitha igazi eliningi. Nokho, imiBhalo imveza njengendoda enesibindi eyakhulula ama-Israyeli ekubuseni okucindezelayo kukaJezebeli nomkhaya wakhe. Ukuze noma imuphi umholi wakwa-Israyeli enze lokhu ngempumelelo, kwakuyodingeka abe yindoda enesibindi, ezimisele neshisekayo. Esinye isichazamazwi seBhayibheli sithi: “Kwakungumsebenzi onzima futhi owenzisiswa ngaphandle kokuyekethisa. Ukube kwasetshenziswa izindlela ezithé ukuthamba kunalokhu, ukukhulekelwa kukaBhali kwakungeke kuqedwe kwa-Israyeli.”
Cishe uyabona ukuthi amaKristu namuhla abhekene nezimo ezidinga ukuba abonise ezinye zezimfanelo zikaJehu. Ngokwesibonelo, kufanele sisabele kanjani uma silingelwa ukuba senze into uJehova ayilahlayo? Kufanele singananazi, sibe nesibindi futhi siyenqabe ngokuqinile. Endabeni yokuzinikela kwethu kuNkulunkulu, asikwazi ukubekezelela noma yini ebangisa uJehova.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
UJehu Ulwela Ukukhulekela Okuhlanzekile
Kungenzeka ukuthi uJehu wayekholelwa ukuthi ukuze kubonakale ukuthi umbuso wakwa-Israyeli uzimele, awukho ngaphansi kowakwaJuda, kwakudingeka uqhube ukukhulekela okuhlukile. Ngakho, njengamanye amakhosi akwa-Israyeli ayemandulele, wazama ukuwugcina uhlukile ngokuqhubekisela phambili ukukhulekelwa kwethole. Kodwa lokhu kungabonisa ukungabi nalukholo kuJehova owayemmise ukuba abe inkosi.
UJehova wamncoma uJehu ngoba ‘wenza kahle ngokwenza okulungile emehlweni kaNkulunkulu.’ Noma kunjalo, uJehu “akazange aqikelele ukuba anamathele eMthethweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakhe.” (2 Kh 10:30, 31) Uma ucabanga ngakho konke uJehu akwenza ekuqaleni, ungase ukuthole lokhu kumangaza futhi kudabukisa. Nokho, kukhona isifundo esisitholayo. Asikwazi ukubuthatha kalula ubuhlobo bethu noJehova. Nsuku zonke, kudingeka sihlakulele ukwethembeka kuNkulunkulu ngokutadisha iZwi lakhe, sizindle ngalo futhi sithandaze ngokusuka enhliziyweni kuBaba wethu osezulwini. Ngakho-ke, masenze konke esingakwenza ukuze siqhubeke sihamba emthethweni kaJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yethu.—1 Ko 10:12
Inkulumo
Lingisa Intshiseko KaJehova NoJesu
3 Ebhekisele kulokho okuyofezwa ukubusa kweNdodana kaNkulunkulu, u-Isaya 9:7 uthi: “Yona kanye intshiseko kaJehova wamabutho iyokwenza lokhu.” La mazwi agcizelela isifiso esikhulu sikaBaba wethu wasezulwini sokusindisa isintu. Isibonelo sentshiseko kaJehova sibonisa ngokucacile ukuthi kudingeka siwushisekele umsebenzi asinike wona njengabamemezeli boMbuso futhi siwusekele ngenhliziyo yethu yonke. Silingisa intshiseko kaJehova ngokuba nesifiso esijulile sokusiza abantu ukuba bamazi. Khona-ke, njengezisebenzi ezikanye noNkulunkulu, ingabe yilowo nalowo kithi uzimisele ukwenza okusemandleni ethu ukuba abe nengxenye egcwele ekumemezeleni izindaba ezinhle?—1 Kor. 3:9.
4 Cabanga nangentshiseko kaJesu. Wabeka isibonelo esihle sokuphikelela ngentshiseko enkonzweni. Naphezu kokuphikiswa, wayilondoloza intshiseko yakhe ngomsebenzi wokushumayela kwaze kwaba sekupheleni okubuhlungu kokuphila kwakhe emhlabeni. (Joh. 18:36, 37) Njengoba isikhathi sokufa kwakhe njengomhlatshelo sasisondela, nokuzimisela kwakhe ukusiza abanye ukuba bazi uJehova kwakhula.
5 Ngokwesibonelo, ekwindla ka-32 C.E., uJesu wenza umfanekiso wendoda eyayinesihlahla somkhiwane esivinini sayo okwase kuphele iminyaka emithathu singatheli. Lapho umgcini-sivini etshelwa ukuba asinqume, wacela isikhathi sokuba aqale asifakele umquba. (Funda uLuka 13:6-9.) Ngaleso sikhathi, babembalwa abafundi okwakungathiwa bayisithelo somsebenzi kaJesu wokushumayela. Kodwa njengoba umfanekiso womgcini-sivini ubonisa, uJesu wasebenzisa isikhathi sakhe esincane esasisele—esingaba izinyanga eziyisithupha—ukuze aqinise umsebenzi wakhe wokushumayela eJudiya nasePhereya. Ezinsukwini ezimbalwa ngaphambi kokuba afe, uJesu walilela abantu bakubo ‘ababezwile bangasabela.’—Math. 13:15; Luka 19:41.
6 Njengoba sesingene shí esikhathini sokuphela, akubalulekile yini nakakhulu ukuqinisa emizamweni yethu yokushumayela? (Funda uDaniyeli 2:41-45.) Kuyilungelo elimangalisa ngempela ukuba oFakazi BakaJehova! Yithi kuphela emhlabeni esinika abantu ithemba lezixazululo zangempela zezinkinga zesintu. Muva nje umlobeli wephephandaba elithile uwuchaze njengongaphenduleki umbuzo othi, “Kungani abantu abalungile behlelwa izinto ezimbi?” Kuwumsebenzi nelungelo lethu njengamaKristu ukubabonisa izimpendulo eziseBhayibhelini zemibuzo enjengalo labo abavumayo ukulalela. Sinezizathu ezizwakalayo ‘zokuvutha emoyeni’ njengoba sifeza lo msebenzi esiwunikwe uNkulunkulu. (Roma 12:11) Ngesibusiso saKhe, ukushumayela kwethu ngentshiseko kungabasiza abanye ukuba bamazi futhi bamthande.
NOVEMBA 28–DISEMBA 4
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 11-12
“Owesifazane Omubi, Othanda Ukuvelela Akaphunyuki Ekutholeni Isijeziso”
it-1-E 209
U-Athaliya
Njengonina uJezebeli, u-Athaliya wancenga umyeni wakhe, uJehoramu ukuba enze okubi emehlweni kaJehova phakathi nokubusa kwakhe kweminyaka engu-8. (1Kh 21:25; 2Kr 21:4-6) Njengomama wakhe, u-Athaliya wayefuna ukuchitha igazi labangenacala. Lapho indodana yakhe ekhohlakele u-Ahaziya ifa ngemva kokubusa unyaka owodwa, wabulala bonke abasohlwini lozalo lwasebukhosini, ngaphandle kosana uJehowashi owacashiswa umpristi ophakeme nomkakhe, owayengu-anti kaJehowashi. Ngemva kwalokho u-Athaliya wazibeka njengendlovukazi iminyaka eyisithupha, cishe kusukela ngo- 905-899 B.C.E. (2Kr 22:11, 12) Amadodana akhe atshontsha izinto ezingcwele ethempelini likaJehova azinikela kuBhali.—2Kr 24:7.
it-1-E 209
U-Athaliya
Lapho uJehowashi eseneminyaka eyisikhombisa, uMpristi Ophakeme owesaba uNkulunkulu uJehoyada wamkhipha wambeka njengenkosi enelungelo lokubusa, indlalifa. Ezwa umsindo omkhulu, u-Athaliya wagijima waya ethempelini, lapho ebona okwakwenzeka wakhala wathi, “Uzungu! Uzungu!” UMpristi Ophakeme uJehoyada wayala ukuba akhishelwe ngaphandle ethempelini ukuze abulawelwe esangweni lehhashi esigodlweni; cishe wayengowokugcina endlini enyanyekayo ka-Ahabi. (2Ki 11:1-20; 2Ch 22:1–23:21) Yeka ukuthi ubuqiniso bala mazwi babonakala kanjani: “Akukho nelilodwa izwi likaJehova, uJehova alikhuluma ngokumelene nendlu ka-Ahabi elingeke ligcwaliseke”!—2Kh 10:10, 11; 1Kh 21:20-24.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-1-E 1265-1266
UJehowashi
Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, le nkosi esencane uJehowashi yayichuma uma nje uMpristi Ophakeme uJehoyada ayesaphila futhi esangubaba nomeluleki wayo. UJehowashi washada eneminyaka engu-21, wayenabafazi ababili, omunye wabo wayebizwa ngokuthi uJehowadani futhi ngenxa yalokhu uJehowashi waba ngubaba wamadodana namadodakazi. Ngale ndlela, uhlu lozalo lukaDavide oluholela kuMesiya olwase lucishe lwaphazamiseka ngokuphelele, lwaphinde lwenziwa lwaqina.—2Kh12:1-3; 2Kr 24:1-3; 25:1.
DISEMBA 5-11
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 13-15
“Umzamo Esiwenza Ngenhliziyo Yonke Uholela Ezibusisweni Eziningi”
Ingabe Ulandela UKristu Ngokugcwele?
11 Ukuze kukukhanyele ukuthi kubaluleke kangakanani ukushiseka enkonzweni kaNkulunkulu, phawula isenzakalo esithile esenzeka enkosini yakwa-Israyeli uJehowashi. Yaya ku-Elisha ikhala ngoba ikhathazekile ngalokho okwakubonakala sengathi abaseSiriya babezokwenza ku-Israyeli. Umprofethi wayiyala ukuba ime ngasefasiteleni futhi icibishele ibhekise eSiriya, okubonisa ukunqoba uJehova ayezobanika khona lapho belwa naleso sizwe. Ngokuqinisekile lokhu kwakufanele kunike le nkosi umdlandla. Ngokulandelayo, u-Elisha watshela uJehowashi ukuba athathe imicibisholo ayicibe phansi. UJehowashi waciba izikhathi ezintathu. Lokhu kwamthukuthelisa u-Elisha ngoba ukube waciba izikhathi ezinhlanu noma eziyisithupha kwakuyobonisa ukuthi ‘uzolishaya iSiriya aze aliqede.’ Manje uJehowashi wayezonqoba kathathu kuphela kodwa angawaqedi. Ngenxa yokuthi wantula intshiseko, impumelelo kaJehowashi yaba elinganiselwe. (2 AmaKhosi 13:14-19) Isiphi isifundo esingasifunda kulokhu kulandisa? UJehova uyosibusisa kakhulu kuphela uma senza umsebenzi wakhe ngenhliziyo ephelele nangentshiseko.
“Umvuzi Walabo Abamfuna Ngobuqotho”
Obani abavuzwa uJehova? UPawulu uthi: “Yilabo abamfuna ngobuqotho.” Incwadi ethile yabahumushi beBhayibheli ithi igama lesiGreki elisho “ukufuna ngobuqotho” alisho “ukuphuma uyofuna,” kunalokho, lisikisela ukuza kuNkulunkulu ngenhloso “yokumkhulekela.” Enye incwadi ichaza ukuthi lesi senzo sesiGreki sisikisela umzamo ojulile nokuzikhandla. Yebo, uJehova uvuza labo abanokholo olubashukumisela ukuba bamkhulekele ngothando nangentshiseko ngenhliziyo yonke.—Mathewu 22:37.
UJehova ubavuza kanjani abakhulekeli bakhe abathembekile? Uthembisa ukubavuza ngekusasa elingenakuqhathaniswa okubonisa ukujula komoya wokupha nothando lwakhe—ukuphila phakade emhlabeni oyiPharadesi. (IsAmbulo 21:3, 4) Ngisho kwamanje, labo abamfuna ngobuqotho uJehova bajabulela izibusiso ezicebile. Ngosizo lomoya wakhe ongcwele nokuhlakanipha okutholakala eZwini lakhe, bajabulela ukuphila okunenjongo nokwanelisayo.—IHubo 144:15; Mathewu 5:3.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YamaKhosi Esibili
13:20, 21—Ingabe lesi simangaliso sisekela ukuhlonishwa kwezinsalela zezinto izinkolo ezizibheka njengezingcwele? Cha. IBhayibheli alibonisi ukuthi amathambo ka-Elisha ake ahlonishwa. Lesi simangaliso senzeka ngenxa yamandla kaNkulunkulu njengoba kwakunjalo nangazo zonke izimangaliso u-Elisha azenza ngesikhathi esaphila.
Inkulumo
Umsebenzi Oqabulayo
1 Isigijimi seBhayibheli siyabaqabula bonke abasamukelayo futhi basisebenzise ekuphileni kwabo. (IHu. 19:7, 8) Sibasiza ukuba bakhululeke ezimfundisweni zamanga nasemikhubeni elimazayo futhi sibanika ithemba eliqinisekile lekusasa. Nokho, abazuzi bodwa labo abamukela izindaba ezinhle. Labo abatshela abanye amaqiniso eBhayibheli nabo bayaqabuleka.—IzAga 11:25.
2 Inkonzo Ivuselela Amandla: UJesu wathi labo abamukela ijoka lokuba abafundi bakhe, elihlanganisa nomsebenzi wokushumayela nokwenza abafundi, ‘babezotholela imiphefumulo yabo ukuqabuleka.’ (Math. 11:29) Naye ngokwakhe wakuthola kuvuselela amandla ukufakaza kwabanye. Kwakufana nokudla kuye. (Joh. 4:34) Lapho ethuma abafundi abangu-70 ukuba bayoshumayela, bajabula njengoba bebona uJehova esekela imizamo yabo.—Luka 10:17.
3 Ngokufanayo, amaKristu amaningi namuhla kuwavuselela amandla ukuhlanganyela emsebenzini wokushumayela. Omunye udade wathi: “Inkonzo iyaqabula ngoba inginika injongo ekuphileni. Izinkinga zami siqu nezingcindezi zansuku zonke ziphenduka ubala lapho ngisenkonzweni.” Esinye isikhonzi esishisekayo sathi: “Inkonzo . . . yenza uJehova abe ngokoqobo kimi nsuku zonke futhi inginika ukuthula nesilinganiso senjabulo yangaphakathi okungenakutholakala ngenye indlela.” Akuve kuyilungelo ukuba “yizisebenzi ezikanye noNkulunkulu”!—1 Kor. 3:9.
4 Ijoka LikaKristu Ngelomusa: Nakuba amaKristu eyalwa ukuba ‘azikhandle ngamandla,’ uJesu akafuni okungaphezu kwalokho esikwazi ukukwenza. (Luka 13:24) Ngempela, usimema ngothando ukuba ‘singene ejokeni lakhe kanye naye.’ (Math. 11:29, umbhalo waphansi we-Ref. bi.) Labo ababhekene nezimo ezinzima bangaqiniseka ukuthi inkonzo yabo yomphefumulo wonke, ngisho noma ilinganiselwe, iyamjabulisa uNkulunkulu.—Marku 14:6-8; Kol. 3:23.
5 Yeka ukuthi kujabulisa kanjani ukukhonza uNkulunkulu owazisa noma ngabe yini esiyenza ngenxa yegama lakhe! (Heb. 6:10) Kwangathi njalo singalwela ukumenzela okungcono kakhulu.
DISEMBA 12-18
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 16-17
“Ukubekezela KukaJehova Kunomkhawulo”
it-2-E 908 ¶5
UShalimaneseri
Ukubuswa kuka-Israyeli. Phakathi nesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi uHosheya kwa-Israyeli (cishe kusukela ngo-758-740 B.C.E.), uShalimaneseri V wathatha nePhalestina walibusa futhi wabeka uHosheya ukuba abe inceku yakhe waqala ukukhokha intela kuye. (2Kh 17:1-3) Nokho, kamuva uHosheya wahluleka ukukhokha intela futhi kwatholakala ukuthi wenza uzungu neNkosi yaseGibhithe uSo. (Bheka elithi SO.) Ngenxa yalokho, uShalimaneseri wabopha uHosheya futhi kamuva wavimbezela iSamariya iminyaka emithathu, ekugcineni idolobha elalivikelwe kahle lawa, nama-Israyeli ayiswa ekudingisweni.—2Kh 17:4-6; 18:9-12; qhathanisa noHos 7:11; Hez 23:4-10.
it-1-E 414-415
Ukuthunjwa
Izizathu ezaholela ekuthunjweni kombuso wezizwe eziyishumi oseNyakatho kwa-Israyeli nombuso wezizwe ezimbili oseNingizimu kwaJuda—zazifana. Bamlahla uJehova nokukhulekela kweqiniso ukuze bakhulekele onkulunkulu bamanga. (Dut 28:15, 62-68; 2Kh 17:7-18; 21:10-15) UJehova wayelokhu ebaxwayisa, ngokuthumela abaprofethi bakhe kuyo yomibili imibuso kodwa abazange balalele. (2Kh 17:13) Akukho neyodwa inkosi eyabusa ezizweni eziyishumi zombuso wakwa-Israyeli eyakwazi ukuzisusa ngokuphelele zonke izindawo zokukhulekela kwamanga ezazakhiwe inkosi yokuqala uJerobowamu. UJuda, udadewabo—ongumbuso oseningizimu—wehluleka ukulalela izixwayiso ezivela kuJehova nokufunda esibonelweni sendlela u-Israyeli awela ngayo ekuthunjweni. (Jer 3:6-10) Ekugcineni, abantu ababehlala kuyo yomibili le mibuso bayiswa ekudingisweni, isizwe ngasinye sadingiswa izikhathi esingaphezu kwesisodwa.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-2-E 847
UmSamariya
Igama elithi “amaSamariya” laqala ukuvela emBhalweni ngemva kokunqotshwa kombuso wezizwe eziyishumi waseSamariya ngo-740 B.C.E.; lalisetshenziswa kulabo ababephila embusweni osenyakatho ngaphambi kokunqotshwa, ukuze kuhlukaniswe izifiki ezalethwa kamuva zisuka ezingxenyeni zoMbuso wase-Asiriya. (2Kh 17:29) Kubonakala sengathi ama-Asiriya awazange awasuse wonke ama-Israyeli ayeyizakhamuzi ngoba indaba etholakala kweyesi-2 IziKronike 34:6-9 (qhathanisa 2Kh 23:19, 20) ibonisa ukuthi ngesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi uJosiya ayesakhona ama-Israyeli ezweni. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi elithi, “amaSamariya” lasho inzalo yalabo abasala eSamariya nalabo abalethwa ama-Asiriya. Ngokungangabazeki, abanye babeyizingane zemishado yezizwe ezingafani. Kamuva, leli gama lase linomqondo ophathelene nenkolo kakhulu kunokuba lichaze uhlanga noma ubuzwe. “UmSamariya” wayebhekisela kumuntu owayeseqenjini elithile lenkolo elidumile endaweni yaseShekemi naseSamariya yasendulo futhi owayephila ngezimfundiso ezihlukile kwezobuJuda.—Joh 4:9.
DISEMBA 19-25
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 18-19
“Indlela Abantu Abasiphikisayo Abazama Ngayo Ukusifaka Amanzi Emadolweni”
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YamaKhosi Esibili
18:19-21, 25—Ingabe uHezekiya wayenze isivumelwano neGibhithe? Cha. Amazwi kaRabishake ayengelona iqiniso, njengoba nje ayengakhulumi iqiniso nalapho ethi ‘ngithole imvume kuJehova.’ Inkosi ethembekile uHezekiya yayithembele kuJehova kuphela.
“Ungesabi. Ngizokusiza Mina Mathupha”
URabishake wasebenzisa ubuqili ukuze azame ukutshala ukungabaza. Wathi: “Akuyena yini [uJehova] ozindawo zakhe eziphakeme nama-altare akhe uHezekiya akususile? . . . UJehova ngokwakhe uthé kimi, ‘Hamba uyolwa naleli zwe, ulibhubhise.’” (2 Kh 18:22, 25) Ngakho, uRabishake wagomela ngokuthi uJehova wayengeke abalwele abantu baKhe ngoba wayengajabule ngabo. Kodwa lokho kwakungamanga aluhlaza cwe. UJehova wayejabule ngoHezekiya namaJuda ayephendukele ekukhulekeleni kweqiniso.—2 Kh 18:3-7.
Lokho Okushiwo Abelusi Abayisikhombisa Nezikhulu Eziphakeme Eziyisishiyagalombili Kithi Namuhla
14 Inkosi yase-Asiriya yakanisa eLakishi, eningizimu-ntshonalanga yeJerusalema. Yabe isithumela izithunywa ezintathu, ukuba ziyotshela abaseJerusalema ukuba bazinikele kuyo. Umkhulumeli wayo, owayewuRabishake ngokwesikhundla sakhe, wasebenzisa amasu ahlukahlukene. Ekhuluma ngesiHebheru, wagqugquzela abantu ukuba bakhaphele inkosi futhi bazinikele kwabase-Asiriya, ebakhohlisa ngokuthi uzobasusa abayise ezweni abazophila ngokunethezeka kulo. (Funda eyesi-2 AmaKhosi 18:31, 32.) URabishake wabe esegomela ngokuthi njengoba nje onkulunkulu bezizwe babengakwazanga ukuvikela abakhulekeli babo, noJehova wayengeke akwazi ukukhulula amaJuda ezandleni zabase-Asiriya. Abantu benza ngokuhlakanipha, abazange bazame ukuyiphendula leyo nkulumo-ze enyundelayo, okuyinto nanamuhla evame ukwenziwa izinceku zikaJehova.—Funda eyesi-2 AmaKhosi 18:35, 36.
yb74 177 ¶1
Ingxenye 2—IJalimane
Kuyamangaza ukuthi ama-SS, ayevame ukusebenzisa amaqhinga ukuze enze umuntu asayine iphepha lokuthi uyayeka ukuba uFakazi KaJehova, ngokuvamile ayemjikela lowo osayinile bese emhlukumeza kakhulu kunangaphambili. UKarl Kirscht uyavuma: “OFakazi BakaJehova babeyizisulu zokukhohliswa kunanoma ubani omunye emakamu okuhlushwa. Kwakucatshangwa ukuthi ngale ndlela babengathonyelwa ukuba basayine. Izikhathi eziningi sasicelwa ukuba sisayine. Abanye basayina kodwa ngokuvamile kwakufanele balinde isikhathi esingaphezu konyaka ngaphambi kokuba bakhululwe. Ngaleso sikhathi, ama-SS ayebahlambalaza obala njengabazenzisi namagwala futhi babephoqwa ukuba benze lokho okwakubizwa ngokuthi i-‘honor walk’, bahamba hambe phambi kwabafowabo ngaphambi kokuba bakhululwe ekamu.”
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-1-E 155 ¶4
Imivubukulo
Ngokwesibonelo, iBhayibheli liveza ukuthi iNkosi yase-Asiriya uSaneheribi yabulawa amadodana ayo amabili, u-Adirameleki noSharezeri futhi esikhundleni sayo kwabusa enye yamadodana ayo, u-Esari-hadoni. (2Kh 19:36, 37) Nokho, isazi-mlando saseBhabhiloni sabonisa ukuthi uSaneheribi wabulawa yindodana yakhe eyayivukela ngosuku luka-20 enyangeni ka-Thebeti. UBerossus, umpristi waseBhabhiloni wekhulu lesithathu B.C.E., noNabonidus, inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yekhulu lesithupha B.C.E., basho into efanayo, ukuthi uSaneheribi wabulawa eyodwa yamadodana akhe. Noma kunjalo, ezincezwaneni ze-Prism ezitholakale kamuva zika-Esari-hadoni—indodana eyabusa esikhundleni sikaSaneheribi—ukusho ngokucacile ukuthi abafowabo (ebuningini) bavukela futhi babulala uyise ngemva kwalokho babaleka. Ephawula ngalokhu encwadini yakhe i-Universal Jewish History (1948, Vol. I, k. 27), uPhilip Biberfeld uthi: “Izazi-mlando zaseBhabhiloni, uNabonid noBerossus zazinephutha; ukulandisa kweBhayibheli kuphela okubonakala kuyiqiniso. Kwafakazelwa yiyo yonke imininingwane emincane esemibhalweni ka-Esari-hadoni futhi kubonakala kuyikho okunembe kakhudlwana ngokuphathelene nalesi senzakalo somlando weBhabhiloni ne-Asiriya kunemithombo yabantu baseBhabhiloni. Leli yiqiniso elibaluleke kakhulu lokuba kuhlolwe ngisho nemithombo yakamuva engavumelani namasiko aseBhayibhelini.”
Inkulumo
Thandazela Labo Abashushiswayo—Kanjani?
14 Yini esingayenza? Imithandazo yethu ‘singayenzela amakhosi nabo bonke abasezikhundleni eziphakeme’ lapho kudingeka benze izinqumo eziyothinta indlela esikhonza ngayo uJehova kanye nenkonzo yethu. (1 Thim. 2:1, 2, ftn.; Neh. 1:11) Njengoba kwenza amaKristu angekhulu lokuqala, nathi sibathandazela kakhulu kuNkulunkulu abafowethu nodadewethu abasemajele. (Funda izEnzo 12:5; Heb. 13:3) Ngaphezu kwalokho, singathandazela namaphoyisa agade abafowethu nodadewethu emajele. Singanxusa uJehova ukuba athonye indlela acabanga ngayo ukuze enze njengoJuliyu futhi abaphathe “ngomusa” abafowethu nodadewethu ababoshiwe.
DISEMBA 26–JANUWARI 1
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 AMAKHOSI 20-21
“Umthandazo Wenza UJehova Wangenelela”
Ukholo LweNkosi Luyavuzwa
23 Ngesikhathi uSaneheribi ehlasela uJuda okokuqala, uHezekiya uhlatshwa ukugula okubi. U-Isaya umtshela ukuthi uzokufa. (Isaya 38:1) Le nkosi eneminyaka engu-39 ikhungathekile. Ayikhathazekele nje inhlalakahle yayo kuphela kodwa nekusasa lesizwe. IJerusalema noJuda kusengozini yokuhlaselwa abase-Asiriya. Uma uHezekiya efa, ubani ozohola impi? Okwamanje, uHezekiya akanayo indodana engathatha izintambo. Ngomthandazo oqotho, uHezekiya uncenga uJehova ukuba ambonise isihe.—Isaya 38:2, 3.
Khonza UJehova Ngenhliziyo Ephelele!
16 Kamuva uHezekiya wagulela ukufa. Wanxusa uJehova ukuba akhumbule indlela ahambe ngayo phambi kwaKhe. (Funda eyesi-2 AmaKhosi 20:1-3.) Siyazi ukuthi ngokwemiBhalo, esikhathini esiphila kuso ngeke sikwazi ukucela uNkulunkulu ukuba asiphulukise ngokuyisimangaliso noma andise izinsuku zokuphila kwethu. Noma kunjalo, ngamunye wethu angalingisa uHezekiya emthandazweni wakhe, athi kuJehova: ‘Ngihambe phambi kwakho ngokwethembeka nangenhliziyo ephelele.’ Ingabe uyakholelwa ukuthi uJehova angakwazi futhi uzimisele ukukusindisa ngisho nalapho ugula?—Hu 41:3.
Ungangisiza Kanjani Umthandazo?
Ezikhathini zeBhayibheli amanye amadoda okholo athola izimpendulo eziqondile—ngisho nangendlela eyisimangaliso—zemithandazo yawo. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho iNkosi uHezekiya izwa ukuthi inesifo esibulalayo, yanxusa uJehova ukuba ayikhulule. UNkulunkulu waphendula: “Ngiwuzwile umthandazo wakho. Ngizibonile izinyembezi zakho. Ngizokwelapha ekuguleni kwakho.” (2 Kh 20:1-6) Abanye besilisa nabesifazane abesaba uNkulunkulu nabo babona ukungenela kukaNkulunkulu ezindabeni zabo.—1 Samuweli 1:1-20; Daniyeli 10:2-12; IzEnzo 4:24-31; 10:1-7.
Ingcebo Engokomoya
it-2-E 240 ¶1
Ithuluzi Lokuqondisa
Ithuluzi lokuqondisa lingasetshenziswa ukuze isakhiwo sakhiwe kahle noma kuhlolwe ukuthi singahlala isikhathi esingakanani. UJehova wabikezela ukuthi uyokwelulela phezu kweJerusalema elinenkani “intambo yokukala eyasetshenziswa eSamariya nethuluzi lokuqondisa elasetshenziswa endlini ka-Ahabi.” UNkulunkulu walikala iSamariya nendlu yeNkosi u-Ahabi wathola ukuthi babeziphethe kabi futhi benobuqili, okwaholela ekubhujisweni kwabo. Ngendlela efanayo, uNkulunkulu wayezolahlulela iJerusalema nababusi balo, adalule ububi babo futhi abhubhise lelo dolobha. Lezi zenzakalo zenzeka ngo-607 B.C.E. (2Kh 21:10-13; 10:11) Abantu ababi nabaqoshayo nababusi babantu eJerusalema bashaqeka ngencithakalo eyayizobehlela nesahlulelo sikaJehova, esabikezelwa ngo-Isaya: “Ubulungisa ngizobenza bube yintambo yokukala ukulunga kube yithuluzi lokuqondisa.” Izinga lobulungisa nokulunga kwangempela lalizodalula ukuthi obani abayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu nalabo ababengezona, okwakungaholela ekusindisweni noma ekubhujisweni kwabo.—Isay 28:14-19.