Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
JULAYI 3-9
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | EZRA 4-6
“Ningawuphazimisi Umsebenzi”
Uyakubona Yini Okwabonwa UZakariya?
13 Umsebenzi wokwakha kabusha ithempeli wawumisiwe. Noma kunjalo, amadoda ayemiswe ukuba ahole—uMpristi Ophakeme uJeshuwa (uJoshuwa) noMbusi uZerubhabhele—“baqala ngaleso sikhathi ukwakha kabusha indlu kaNkulunkulu.” (Ezra 5:1, 2) Leso sinqumo sasingase sibonakale singahlakaniphile kwamanye amaJuda. Umsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli babengeke bakwazi ukuwufihla ezitheni ezazingenza noma yini ukuze ziwuvimbe. Amadoda amabili aholayo, uJoshuwa noZerubhabhele, ayedinga isiqinisekiso sokuthi uJehova uyawasekela. Asithola. Kanjani?
w86 2/1 29, ibhokisi ¶2-3
Iso LikaJehova “Laliphezu Kwamadoda Amadala”
Ngemva kokubuya kwensali engamaJuda eBabiloni kwaba nesikhathi sokungasebenzi esiyiminyaka eyi-16. Abaprofethi uHagayi noZakariya baphumelela ekushukumiseni amaJuda ekudebeseleni kwawo, futhi umsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli likaJehova waphinde waqalwa. Nokho ngokushesha lomsebenzi wabekelwa inselele izikhulu ezingamaPheresiya. Abaphikisi babuza, “Ubani oniyale ukuba nakhe le ndlu nokuba niqedele lesi sakhiwo?”—Ezra 5:1-3.
Impendulo kulombuzo yayiyingozi. Uma abadala bazivumela ukuba besatshiswe, ukubuyiselwa kwethempeli kwakuzokuma ngokuzumayo. Uma abadala baphikisana nalezikhulu, ukuvinjelwa okungazelelwe komsebenzi kwakuzokwenziwa. Ngakho-ke abadala, (ngokungangabazeki ababeholwa nguMbusi uZerubabele nomPristi Omkhulu uJoshuwa) banikeza impendulo yokuhlakanipha kodwa ephumelelayo. Bakhumbuza izikhulu ngomthetho kaKoresi okwase kukudala zawukhohlwa owanikeza amaJuda imvume engokomthetho yokuqhubeka nalomsebenzi. Ngokwazi isimiso samaPheresiya sokungawushintshi neze umthetho omisiwe, lezikhulu ngokuhlakanipha zakhetha ukugwema ukuphikisana nomthetho wenkosi. Kanjalo umsebenzi wavunyelwa ukuba uqhubeke kwaze kwaba yilapho iNkosi uDariyu kamuva inikeza imvume yayo engokomthetho yokuqhubeka!—Ezra 5:11-17; 6:6-12.
Uyakubona Yini Okwabonwa UZakariya?
7 Kunoshintsho olwabanikeza izinga elithile lenkululeko abakhi bethempeli. Yiluphi lolo shintsho? Ngo-520 B.C.E., kwase kubusa inkosi entsha ePheresiya, uDariyu I. Onyakeni wesibili wokubusa kwakhe, wathola ukuthi kwakungekho emthethweni ukumiswa komsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli. UDariyu wabe esegunyaza ukuba umsebenzi uqedelwe. (Ezra 6:1-3) Zabamangaza lezo zindaba—kodwa kwakusekuncane lokho. Inkosi yayala izizwe ezizungezile ukuba ziyeke ukuphazamisa umsebenzi wokwakha kabusha futhi zikhiphe imali nezinto zokuwusekela! (Ezra 6:7-12) Ngenxa yalokho, amaJuda aqeda ukwakha ithempeli ngemva nje kancane kweminyaka emine, ngo-515 B.C.E.—Ezra 6:15.
Uyakubona Yini Okwabonwa UZakariya?
16 Enye indlela uJehova anikeza ngayo isiqondiso ukusebenzisa “inceku ethembekile neqondayo.” (Mat. 24:45) Ngezinye izikhathi, le nceku ingase inikeze isiqondiso esingase singasiqondi kahle. Ngokwesibonelo, singase sithole iziqondiso ezisenza silungele ukusinda enhlekeleleni yemvelo esicabanga ukuthi ingase ingenzeki la sihlala khona. Noma singase sicabange ukuthi le nceku iqapha ngokweqile phakathi nobhubhane. Yini okufanele siyenze uma sicabanga ukuthi iziqondiso esizinikeziwe azihlakaniphile? Singacabanga ngendlela ama-Israyeli azuza ngayo ngokulalela iseluleko asinikezwa uJoshuwa noZerubhabhele. Singacabanga nangezinye izindaba esizifunde eBhayibhelini. Ngezinye izikhathi, abantu bakaNkulunkulu babethola iziqondiso ezazibonakala zingahlakaniphile ngokombono womuntu kodwa kamuva zasindisa ukuphila.—Hlu. 7:7; 8:10.
Amagugu Angokomoya
Ingabe Ungalethemba IBhayibheli?
Loluhlamvu lwemali lwenziwa eTarsu, idolobha elisengxenyeni engaseningizimu-mpumalanga yalokho namuhla okuthiwa iTurkey. Loluhlamvu lwenziwa ngesikhathi sokubusa kombusi wasePheresiya uMazaeus ngekhulu lesine B.C.E. Lumbonakalisa njengombusi wesifunda ‘esingaphesheya koMfula,’ okungukuthi, uMfula i-Ewufrathe.
Kodwa kungani leyonkulumo ithakazelisa? Kungenxa yokuthi uyothola isiqu esifanayo eBhayibhelini lakho. Incwadi ka-Ezra 5:6–6:13 iveza ukuvumelana phakathi kwenkosi yasePheresiya uDariyu nombusi okuthiwa uThathenayi. Impikiswano eyayihilelekile eyokwakha kabusha kwamaJuda ithempeli lawo eJerusalema. U-Ezra wayengumkopishi onekhono woMthetho kaNkulunkulu, futhi ungalindela ukuba ashaye emhloleni, abe ngonembile kulokho akubhala. Uyobona ku-Ezra 5:6 no-6:13 ukuthi wabiza uThathenayi ngokuthi “umbusi waphesheya koMfula.”
U-Ezra wakubhala lokho cishe ngo-460 B.C.E., eminyakeni engaba yikhulu ngaphambi kokwenziwa kwaloluhlamvu lwemali. Nokho, abanye abantu bangase babe nomuzwa wokuthi isiqu somuntu wasendulo oyisikhulu siyinto encane. Kodwa uma ungathembela kubalobi beBhayibheli ngisho nasezintweni ezincane kanjalo, ingabe lokho akufanele kwandise ukuthembela kwakho kokunye abakubhala?
JULAYI 10-16
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | EZRA 7-8
“Indlela U-Ezra Aziphatha Ngayo Yamdumisa UJehova”
Ukutadisha—Kuyavuza Futhi Kuyajabulisa
8 Yebo, uthando lwethu ngeZwi likaJehova kufanele lusuke enhliziyweni, isizinda semizwelo. Kufanele sikujabulele ukugxila ezindimeni ezithile esisanda kuzifunda. Kufanele sicabange ngemiqondo ejulile engokomoya, sigxile kuyo futhi sizindle ngayo. Lokhu kudinga ukucabangisisa buthule nomthandazo. Njengo-Ezra, kudingeka silungiselele izinhliziyo zethu ukufunda nokutadisha iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Kubhalwé lokhu ngaye: “U-Ezra wayelungise inhliziyo yakhe ukuba ahlole uMthetho kaJehova nokuba awenze nokuba afundise kwa-Israyeli.” (Ezra 7:10) Phawula injongo ekathathu yokulungiselela kuka-Ezra inhliziyo yakhe: ukuze atadishe, akusebenzise kuye akufundile, futhi afundise. Kufanele silandele isibonelo sakhe.
Incwadi YeBhayibheli Ye-13—1 IziKronike
5 Akekho owayekufanelekela kangcono kunoEzra ukuhlanganisa lomlando oyiqiniso nonembile. “U-Ezra wayelungise inhliziyo yakhe ukuba ahlole uMthetho kaJehova nokuba awenze nokuba afundise kwa-Israyeli.” (Ezra 7:10) UJehova wamsiza ngomoya ongcwele. Umbusi wezwe wasePheresiya wakuqaphela ukuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu okwakukuEzra wayesemnika isikhundla esiphakeme esifundeni sakwaJuda. (Ezra 7:12-26) Esehlome kanjalo ngegunya laphezulu nelombuso, uEzra wayengahlanganisa ukulandisa kwakhe ekuthatha ezincwadini ezingcono kakhulu ezazitholakala.
it-1-E 1158 ¶4
Ukuthobeka
Kuyasiza Ekuqondiseni. Umuntu ozithobayo kuNkulunkulu angalindela ukuqondiswa nguye. U-Ezra wayenomthwalo omkhulu wokuhola abantu abangu-1 500 besuka eBhabhiloni beya eJerusalema, okuhlanganisa abapristi, amaNethini, abesifazane nezingane. Ngaphezu kwalokho, babephethe igolide nesiliva eliningi lokuhlobisa ithempeli eJerusalema. Babedinga ukuvikelwa endleleni kodwa u-Ezra wayengafuni ukucela enkosini yasePheresiya amasosha ayezobaphelezela, ngaleyo ndlela engafuni ukuba kubonakale sengathi uthembele emandleni abantu. Njengoba nje ayeshilo enkosini: “Isandla esihle sikaNkulunkulu wethu siphezu kwabo bonke abamfunayo.” Ngakho, watshela abantu ukuba bazile ukudla ukuze bezozithoba phambi kukaJehova. Bacela kuNkulunkulu futhi wabalalela, wabavikela ezitheni ezazingabahlasela endleleni, ngakho bahamba ngokuphepha kulolu hambo oluyingozi. (Ezra 8:1-14, 21-32) Umprofethi uDaniyeli, esekudingisweni eBhabhiloni, uNkulunkulu wambonisa umusa omkhulu ngokuthumela ingelosi ilethe umbono ngenxa yokuthi uDaniyeli wazithoba kuye lapho efuna ukuqonda nesiqondiso sakhe.—Dan 10:12.
Amagugu Angokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Ezra
7:28–8:20—Kungani amaJuda amaningi aseBhabhiloni ayemadolonzima ukukhuphukela eJerusalema no-Ezra? Ngisho noma kwase kudlule iminyaka engaphezu kwengu-60 kusukela iqembu lokuqala lamaJuda labuyela ezweni lawo, eJerusalema kwakusahlala abantu abayingcosana. Ukubuyela eJerusalema kwakusho ukuqala ukuphila okusha ezimweni ezinzima neziyingozi. IJerusalema langaleso sikhathi lalingenazo izinto ezibonakalayo ezikhangayo kumaJuda okungenzeka ayechuma eBhabhiloni. Okungafanele kunganakwa ukuthi uhambo lwaluyingozi. Ababuyela emuva kwakudingeka babe nokholo oluqinile kuJehova, intshiseko ngokukhulekela kweqiniso kanye nesibindi. Ngisho no-Ezra waziqinisa ngokwesandla sikaJehova esasiphezu kwakhe. Ngenxa yesikhuthazo sika-Ezra, kwasabela imikhaya engu-1 500—mhlawumbe abantu abangaba ngu-6 000. Ngemva kokuba u-Ezra enze eminye imizamo, kwasabela amaLevi angu-38 namaNethini angu-220.
JULAYI 17-23
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | EZRA 9-10
“Imiphumela Ebuhlungu Yokungalaleli”
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Ezra
9:1, 2—Kwakuwusongo olungathí sina kangakanani ukuganiselana nabantu bezizwe? Isizwe esibuyiselwe kwakumelwe silondoloze ukukhulekelwa kukaJehova kuze kufike uMesiya. Ukuganiselana nezinye izizwe kwakuwusongo ngempela ekukhulekeleni kweqiniso. Ngenxa yokuthi abanye babeshade nabantu abakhulekela izithombe, ekugcineni sonke isizwe sasingase sixubane nezizwe ezingamaqaba. Ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile kwakungase kuphele ebusweni bomhlaba. Ngakho, uMesiya wayezofikela kobani? Akumangalisi ukuthi kwamshaqisa u-Ezra ukubona okwakwenzeka lapho!
Yini UJehova Ayicela Kithi?
Ukumlalela ngokuzithandela kuyosilethela izibusiso. UMose uyabhala: “Ugcine imiyalo kaJehova nemithetho yakhe engikuyala ngayo namuhla, ukuze kukuhambele kahle.” (Ivesi 13) Yebo, yonke imiyalo kaJehova—konke asicela khona—kuzuzisa thina, futhi kuba njalo ngaso sonke isikhathi. IBhayibheli lithi: “UNkulunkulu uluthando.” (1 Johane 4:8) Yingakho esinikeze imiyalo eyosizuzisa phakade. (Isaya 48:17) Ukwenza konke lokho uJehova asicela ukuba sikwenze kuyosiphephisa ekukhungathekeni okuningi manje futhi kuyosilethela izibusiso ezingapheli lapho sekubusa uMbuso wakhe.
Amagugu Angokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Ezra
10:3, 44—Kungani abantwana balahlwa kanye nabafazi? Ukube abantwana basala, ayengaba maningi amathuba okuba laba bafazi ababexoshiwe babuye ngenxa yabo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngokuvamile abantwana badinga ukunakekelwa onina.
JULAYI 24-30
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 1-2
“Ngaso Leso Sikhathi Ngathandaza”
Gcina UJehova Ephambi Kwakho Njalo
5 Ngezinye izikhathi, kungase kudingeke sithandazele usizo lukaNkulunkulu ngokushesha. Ngesinye isikhathi, inkosi yasePheresiya u-Aritahishashita yaphawula ukuthi umphathindebe wayo, uNehemiya, wayehwaqabele. Inkosi yambuza: “‘Yini ofuna yenziwe?’ Ngaso leso sikhathi [uNehemiya wathandaza] kuNkulunkulu wamazulu.” Kwadingeka enze umthandazo omfushane futhi kusobala ukuthi wathandaza ngenhliziyo. Noma kunjalo, uNkulunkulu wawuphendula ngoba inkosi yamnikeza usizo ukuze ayokwakha kabusha izindonga zaseJerusalema. (Funda uNehemiya 2:1-8.) Yebo, ngisho nomthandazo omfushane, oshiwo ngenhliziyo ungasebenza.
Ukukhuluma Ngamazwi Akho
Lapho ucelwa ukuba uchaze ngezinkolelo zakho ungalungiselelanga kusengaphambili, yini engakusiza ukuba izimpendulo zakho zizwakale? Lingisa uNehemiya owathandaza buthule ngaphambi kokuphendula umbuzo weNkosi u-Aritahishashita. (Neh. 2:4) Ngokushesha yibe sewakha uhlaka engqondweni. Izinyathelo eziyisisekelo zingase zihlelwe ngale ndlela: (1) Khetha iphuzu elilodwa noma amabili okumelwe avele encazelweni (ungase usebenzise amaphuzu atholakala kwethi Ukubonisana NgemiBhalo). (2) Nquma ukuthi imiphi imibhalo oyoyisebenzisa ukuze usekele lawo maphuzu. (3) Hlela ukuthi uyoyiqala kanjani incazelo yakho ngobunyoninco ukuze obuzile azimisele ukulalela. Yibe usukhuluma-ke.
Amagugu Angokomoya
Ukukhulekela Kweqiniso Kuyanqoba
Cha, ngoba incithakalo eyayiseJerusalema kwase kunesikhathi eside uNehemiya eyithandazela “ubusuku nemini.” (1:4, 6) Lapho enikezwa ithuba lokutshela iNkosi uAritahishashita ngesifiso sakhe sokwakha kabusha izindonga zeJerusalema, uNehemiya waphinde wathandaza, ngaleyondlela enza lokho kakade ayekwenza ngokuphindaphindiwe. Impendulo kaJehova yomusa yaphumela ekuthunyweni ukuyokwakha kabusha izindonga zomuzi.
Isifundo esisitholayo: UNehemiya wayebheka kuJehova ngokuqondiswa. Lapho sibhekene nesinqumo esingathi sína, nathi futhi, kumelwe ‘ekukhulekeni siqinisele njalo’ futhi senze ngokuvumelana nokuqondisa kukaJehova.—Roma 12:12.
JULAYI 31–AGASTI 6
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 3-4
“Ingabe Umsebenzi Okhandlayo Uwubona Ungakufanele?”
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaNehemiya
3:5, 27. Akufanele sicabange ukuthi imisebenzi yezandla ethuthukisa ukukhulekela kweqiniso ayisifanele njengoba kwenza “abakhulu” baseThekhowa. Kunalokho, singabalingisa abantu baseThekhowa abavamile abazidela ngokuzithandela emsebenzini.
Yini UJehova Azobangela Ukuba Ube Yiyo?
11 Eminyakeni eminingi kamuva, amadodakazi kaShalumi ayephakathi kwalabo uJehova abasebenzisela ukulungisa izindonga zaseJerusalema. (Neh. 2:20; 3:12) Nakuba uyise ayeyisikhulu, amadodakazi kaShalumi ayezimisele ukwenza lowo msebenzi onzima noyingozi. (Neh. 4:15-18) Ayehluke ngokuphelele kwabakhulu baseThekhowa, ‘awazange azithobe ukuze asebenze’! (Neh. 3:5) Cabanga ngenjabulo amadodakazi kaShalumi aba nayo lapho umsebenzi usuqediwe ngemva nje kwezinsuku ezingu-52! (Neh. 6:15) Namuhla, odade abakhuthele bayakujabulela ukwenza inkonzo engcwele ekhethekile—ukwakhiwa nokulungiswa kwezakhiwo ezinikezelwe kuJehova. Amakhono abo, umoya wabo ovumayo nobuqotho babo buwusizo ekufezeni lo msebenz.
Ukuhlakulela Umbono OnjengokaKristu Ngobukhulu
16 Wonke amaKristu, amancane namadala, kufanele afune ukuhlakulela umbono onjengokaKristu ngobukhulu. Miningi imisebenzi okumelwe yenziwe ebandleni. Ungalokothi ucasuke uma ucelwa ukuba wenze izinto ezingase zibonakale ziphansi. (1 Samuweli 25:41; 2 AmaKhosi 3:11) Bazali, niyazikhuthaza na izingane zenu ezincane nesezikhulile ukuba zisenze ngentokozo noma isiphi isabelo ezinikwa sona, kungaba seHholo LoMbuso, enkundleni yomhlangano omncane noma omkhulu? Ziyanibona yini nina nenza imisebenzi ephansi? Omunye umzalwane, manje okhonza endlunkulu yomhlaba wonke yoFakazi BakaJehova, usikhumbula kahle isibonelo sabazali bakhe. Wathi: “Indlela ababewenza ngayo umsebenzi wokuhlanza iHholo LoMbuso noma inkundla yomhlangano omkhulu yangitshela ukuthi babewubheka njengobalulekile. Babevame ukuvolontiyela ukwenza imisebenzi eyayizozuzisa ibandla noma abazalwane, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yayingase ibonakale ideleleke kangakanani. Leso simo sengqondo singisizile ekwamukeleni noma isiphi isabelo somsebenzi ngenhliziyo emhlophe lapha eBethel.”
Amagugu Angokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaNehemiya
4:17, 18—Umsebenzi wokwakha kabusha udonga wawungenziwa kanjani ngesandla esisodwa? Lokhu kwakungeke kube inkinga kubathwali bemithwalo. Lapho nje imithwalo isisemakhanda noma emahlombe abo, babengakwazi ukuyisekela kalula ngesinye isandla bebe ‘bephethe isikhali ngesinye.’ Abakhi ababezidinga zombili izandla ukuze benze umsebenzi wabo “ngamunye wayebhince inkemba yakhe okhalweni kuyilapho akha.” Babekulungele ukulwa uma kwenzeka isitha sihlasela.
Inkulumo
Bona Okuhle Ngomsebenzi Wakho Onzima
1 Umuntu wadalwa ngendlela yokuba ‘athole injabulo ngenxa yomsebenzi wakhe onzima.’ (Shu. 2:24) Nokho, lapho singayiboni imiphumela emihle enkonzweni yethu, ukudangala kungasiphuca injabulo futhi kunciphise intshiseko yethu. Yini engasisiza sihlale sinombono ofanele?
2 Ungalindeli Okukhulu: Khumbula ukuthi nakuba bembalwa abasabela kuJesu, akungabazeki ukuthi inkonzo yakhe yaba impumelelo. (Joh. 17:4) Emfanekisweni wakhe womhlwanyeli, uJesu wabikezela ukuthi izinhliziyo eziningi zaziyogcina zingasamukelanga isigijimi soMbuso esinjengembewu. (Mat. 13:3-8, 18-22) Noma kunjalo, imizamo yethu yokuzikhandla isafeza lukhulu.
3 Indlela Esithela Ngayo Izithelo Eziningi: Ngokomfanekiso kaJesu, labo abamukela isigijimi ‘babeyothela.’ (Mat. 13:23) Ngemva kokuba isiqu sikakolo sihlumile futhi sakhula, asitheli iziqu zikakolo ezincane, kodwa sithela imbewu entsha. Ngakho izithelo ezithelwa amaKristu aphumelelayo azibona ngempela abafundi abasha, kodwa ziyimbewu yoMbuso ephindwe kaningi—ukukhuluma kwethu ngoMbuso. Lokhu kuphumela ‘ebuhleni’ obukhulu obusilethela ukwaneliseka, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi abantu bayasabela yini noma cha. Siba nesandla ekungcwelisweni kwegama likaJehova. (Isaya 43:10-12; Mat. 6:9) Siba nelungelo lokuba izisebenzi ezikanye noNkulunkulu. (1 Ko 3:9) “Amazwi aphuma emilonyeni yethu” ayamjabulisa uJehova.—Heb. 13:15, 16.
4 Ngaphezu kwalokho, kungenzeka singayiboni imiphumela yokuzikhandla kwethu. Kungenzeka ukuthi abanye abezwa uJesu eshumayela abazange babe abafundi bakhe kwaze kwaba ngemva kokuba eqede inkonzo yakhe yasemhlabeni. Ngokufanayo, imbewu yoMbuso esiyihlwanyela enhliziyweni yomuntu ingase ihlume futhi ikhule ngesinye isikhathi, futhi kungenzeka lowo muntu agcine elamukele iqiniso singazi. Ngempela, inkonzo yethu ifeza ubuhle obukhulu kakhulu. Ngakho-ke, kwangathi ‘singaqhubeka sithela izithelo eziningi’ futhi sizibonakalise singabafundi bakaJesu.—Joh. 15:8.
AGASTI 7-13
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 5-7
“UNehemiya Wayefuna Ukukhonza, Hhayi Ukukhonzwa”
Abasekeli Bokukhulekela Kweqiniso—Endulo Nanamuhla
UNehemiya wanikela ngokungaphezu kwesikhathi namakhono akhe okuhlela. Wasebenzisa nezimpahla zakhe ukuze asekele ukukhulekela kweqiniso. Wasebenzisa imali yakhe ukuze athenge abafowabo abangamaJuda ebugqilini. Wayebolekisa ngemali engafuni nzalo. Akazange ‘awathwese’ amaJuda ngokufuna iholo njengombusi, into ayenelungelo lokuyithola. Kunalokho, ikhaya lakhe lalihlala livuliwe ukuze kudle “abantu abangu-150, . . . kanye nalabo ababeza kithi bevela ezizweni.” Usuku ngalunye izivakashi zakhe wayezihlabela “inkunzi eyodwa, izimvu eziyisithupha zekhethelo nezinyoni.” Ngaphezu kwalokho, kanye ngemva kwezinsuku eziyishumi wayezihlinzeka ‘ngewayini eliningi lazo zonke izinhlobo.’—Nehemiya 5:8, 10, 14-18.
“Kwangathi Izandla Zakho Zingeyethe”
16 Ngosizo lukaJehova, uNehemiya nalabo ayenabo baqinisa izandla zabo ukuze basebenze. Yingakho bakwazi ukuqeda izindonga zaseJerusalema ngezinsuku ezingu-52 nje kuphela! (Neh. 2:18; 6:15, 16) UNehemiya akagcinanga nje ngokukhipha iziqondiso. Kodwa naye wahlanganyela ngokoqobo ekwakhiweni kabusha kwezindonga zaseJerusalema. (Neh. 5:16) Ngokufanayo, abadala abaningi abanothando baye balingisa uNehemiya ngokusiza ekwakhiweni kwezakhiwo ezingokwasezulwini noma ngokuhlanza nangokunakekela iHholo labo loMbuso. Ngokusebenza nabamemezeli enkonzweni yasensimini nangokwenza ukuhambela kokwalusa, baqinisa izandla eziyethile zalabo abakhathazekile.—Funda u-Isaya 35:3, 4.
UJehova Uzokukhumbula Kanjani?
Ngokungaguquguquki, iBhayibheli libonisa ukuthi kuNkulunkulu, ‘ukunaka’ kusho ukuthatha isinyathelo esiqinisekile. Ngokwesibonelo, ngemva kokuba sekuyizinsuku ezingu-150 umhlaba uphuphuma amanzi, “uNkulunkulu wamnaka uNowa, . . . uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba kuvunguze umoya emhlabeni, amanzi aqala ukubohla.” (Genesise 8:1) Ngemva kwamakhulu athile eminyaka, uSamsoni, owayenziwe waba yimpumputhe futhi waboshwa amaFilisti, wathandaza: “Jehova, ngicela ungikhumbule, ungiqinise, ngiyacela, kulokhu nje kuphela.” UJehova wamkhumbula uSamsoni ngokumnika amandla angaphezu kwavamile ukuze akwazi ukuziphindiselela ezitheni zikaNkulunkulu. (AbaHluleli 16:28-30) UJehova wawubusisa umzamo kaNehemiya, futhi ukukhulekela kweqiniso kwabuyiselwa eJerusalema.
Amagugu Angokomoya
“Qhubeka Unqoba Okubi Ngokuhle”
15 Okwesithathu, izitha zikaNehemiya zasebenzisa umkhapheli, uShemaya ongumIsrayeli, ukuba azame ukwenza uNehemiya ukuba aphule uMthetho kaNkulunkulu. UShemaya wathi kuNehemiya: “Masibeke isikhathi esizohlangana ngaso endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, ngaphakathi ethempelini, sivale iminyango yethempeli, ngoba bayeza bazokubulala.” UShemaya wathi uNehemiya wayesezobulawa kodwa wayengasindisa ukuphila kwakhe ngokucasha ethempelini. Nokho, uNehemiya wayengeyena umpristi. Wayeyobe wenza isono ngokucasha endlini kaNkulunkulu. Ingabe wayeyowuphula uMthetho kaNkulunkulu ukuze azame ukusindisa ukuphila kwakhe? UNehemiya waphendula: “Umuntu onjengami angangena yini ethempelini futhi aqhubeke ephila? Ngeke ngingene!” Yini eyenza uNehemiya angaweli esicuphweni ayesibekelwe? Ukwazi ukuthi nakuba uShemaya ayengumIsrayeli njengaye, “wayengathunywanga uNkulunkulu.” Phela umprofethi weqiniso akasoze ameluleka ngokuthi aphule uMthetho kaNkulunkulu. Nakulokhu, uNehemiya akazange azivumele ukuba anqotshwe abaphikisi ababi. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho wakwazi ukwenza lo mbiko: “Ekugcineni udonga lwaphela ngomhla ka-25 ku-Eluli, ngemva kwezinsuku ezingu-52.”—Nehemiya 6:10-15; Numeri 1:51; 18:7.
Inkulumo
Abavangeli Abaphumelelayo Bayasizana
17 UJesu wabathuma ngababili abafundi bakhe ukuba bayoshumayela. (Marku 6:7; Luka 10:1) Kamuva, umphostoli uPawulu wakhuluma ‘ngezisebenzi ayekanye nazo,’ ezaziye ‘zazabalaza kanye naye ezindabeni ezinhle.’ (Fil. 4:3) Ngokuvumelana naleso sandulela esingokomBhalo, ngo-1953, abamemezeli boMbuso baqala isimiso sokuqeqesha abanye enkonzweni.
18 Lapho uhamba nothile enkonzweni yobuKristu, ningakwazi kanjani ukusebenza ngokubambisana? (Funda eyoku-1 Korinte 3:6-9.) Yivule nawe imiBhalo ayifundayo. Mbheke umata wakho nomninikhaya lapho bekhuluma. Yilalelisise ingxoxo ukuze usize uma kwenzeka kuba nempikiswano. (Shu. 4:12) Kodwa nakhu esifuna ukukuqaphela: Melana nesifiso sokumngena emlonyeni umuntu ohamba naye lapho esayichaza kahle indaba. Ukungazibambi kwakho kungase kumqede amandla umata wakho noma kukhungathekise umninikhaya. Ngezinye izikhathi kungase kufaneleke ukuba uhlanganyele engxoxweni. Kodwa uma ukhetha ukusho okuthile, qinisekisa ukuthi uphawula kafushane kube kanye noma kabili. Yibe usuvumela umata wakho aqhubeke ehola ingxoxo.
19 Wena nalowo ohamba naye ensimini ningasizana kanjani lapho nisaya kwenye indlu? Kungaba njani nisebenzise leso sikhathi nixoxe ngendlela eningathuthukisa ngayo izintshumayelo zenu? Qikelelani ukuba ningakhulumi izinto ezidumazayo ngabantu abahlala ensimini yenu. Gwemani nogibe lokukhuluma ngemikhuba eningayithandi kubavangeli esikanye nabo. (IzAga 18:24) Siyokwenza kahle nangokukhumbula ukuthi siyizitsha zobumba. UJehova usibonise umusa omkhulu kakhulu ngokusiphathisa ingcebo yenkonzo yezindaba ezinhle. (Funda eyesi-2 Korinte 4:1, 7.) Ngakho, kwangathi sonke singabonisa ukuyazisa leyo ngcebo ngokwenza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuba sifeze indima yethu njengabavangeli.
AGASTI 14-20
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 8-9
“Injabulo KaJehova Iyisiphephelo Senu”
Izifundo Esizithola Emthandazweni Olungiselelwe Kahle
2 AmaJuda ayeqede ukwakha kabusha izindonga zaseJerusalema esikhathini esiyinyanga ngaphambi kwalo mhlangano oshiwo ngenhla. (Neh. 6:15) Abantu bakaNkulunkulu babenze lowo msebenzi ngezinsuku ezingaba ngu-52 kuphela, babe sebenaka ngokukhethekile izidingo zabo ezingokomoya. Ngakho, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga entsha kaThishri, babuthana ndawonye esigcawini ukuze balalele lapho u-Ezra namanye amaLevi befunda uMthetho kaNkulunkulu ngokuzwakalayo futhi bewuchaza. (Isithombe 1) Wonke amalungu emikhaya, okuhlanganisa “bonke ababekwazi ukuqonda,” ama alalela “kusukela ekuntweleni kokusa kwaze kwaba semini bebade.” Yeka ukuthi basibekela isibonelo esihle kanjani thina sonke namuhla esiba khona emihlanganweni yebandla emaHholo OMbuso athokomele! Noma kunjalo, ingabe ngalezo zikhathi uye uthole ukuthi ingqondo yakho iyazula futhi uqale ukucabanga ngezinto ezingathi shu? Uma kunjalo, phinde ucabange ngesibonelo salawo ma-Israyeli asendulo angagcinanga nje ngokulalela, kodwa afaka ezinhliziyweni zawo lokho ayekuzwa kangangokuthi aqala ukukhala lapho eqaphela ukuthi ayehlulekile njengesizwe ukulalela uMthetho kaNkulunkulu.—Neh. 8:1-9.
Ingabe ‘Uyoqhubeka Uhamba Ngomoya’?
9 Injabulo iyisimo sentokozo enkulu. UJehova ‘unguNkulunkulu ojabulayo.’ (1 Thimothewu 1:11; IHubo 104:31) INdodana iyakujabulela ukwenza intando kaYise. (IHubo 40:8; Hebheru 10:7-9) Futhi “injabulo kaJehova iyisiphephelo [sethu].”—Nehemiya 8:10.
10 Injabulo evela kuNkulunkulu isenza saneliseke ngokujulile lapho senza intando yakhe ngisho nalapho sisebunzimeni, sisosizini, noma sishushiswa. Yeka injabulo esiyithola ngokuba ‘nolwazi ngoNkulunkulu’! (IzAga 2:1-5) Ubuhlobo obujabulisayo esinabo noNkulunkulu busekelwe olwazini olunembile, nasokholweni esinalo kuye nasemhlatshelweni kaJesu wesihlengo. (1 Johane 2:1, 2) Okunye okusinika injabulo ukuba yingxenye yobuzalwane beqiniso obungukuphela kwabo obuhlanganisa izizwe ezihlukahlukene. (Zefaniya 3:9; Hagayi 2:7) Ithemba lethu loMbuso nelungelo elikhulu lokumemezela izindaba ezinhle kusenza sijabule. (Mathewu 6:9, 10; 24:14) Kunjalo nangethemba lokuphila phakade. (Johane 17:3) Njengoba sinethemba elihle kangaka, kufanele ‘sijabule nje kuphela.’—Duteronomi 16:15.
Amagugu Angokomoya
it-1-E 145 ¶2
Isi-Aramu
Ngemva kweminyaka eminingi amaJuda ebuyile ekudingisweni eBhabhiloni, umpristi u-Ezra wawafundela uMthetho amaJuda ayehlangene eJerusalema futhi amaLevi awuchazela abantu, uNehemiya 8:8 uthi: “Baqhubeka beyifunda ngokuzwakalayo incwadi, uMthetho kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, bewuchaza kahle futhi bewucacisa; ngaleyo ndlela babasiza abantu ukuba bakuqonde lokho okwakufundwa.” Lokhu kuchazwa koMthetho noma ukuhunyushwa kwawo kungase kuhlanganise ukudlulisela emazwi esiHebheru ngesi-Aramu, okungenzeka ukuthi amaHebheru asifunda ngenkathi eseBhabhiloni. Akungabazeki ukuthi uMthetho wachazwa ngendlela ecacile, ngisho noma amaJuda ayesiqonda isiHebheru akwazi ukuqonda ukuthi kwakusho ukuthini lokho okwakufundwa.
AGASTI 21-27
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 10-11
“Bazidela Ngenxa KaJehova”
IJerusalema Elivumelana Negama Lalo
13 “Isivumelwano esiqinisileyo” esenziwa osukwini lukaNehemiya salungiselela abantu bakaNkulunkulu basendulo usuku lokunikezelwa kogange lwaseJerusalema. Kodwa kwakusenolunye udaba oluphuthumayo olwaludinga ukunakekelwa. Njengoba manje lase libiyelwe ngogangekazi olunamasango angu-12, iJerusalema lalidinga izakhamuzi ezengeziwe. Nakuba kwakunama-Israyeli athile ayehlala kuwo, “idolobha lalibanzi futhi lilikhulu, kunabantu abambalwa kulo.” (Nehemiya 7:4) Ukuze kuxazululwe le nkinga, abantu “benza inkatho ukuze bakhethe umndeni owodwa kweyishumi ukuba uhlale eJerusalema idolobha elingcwele.” Ukusabela ngokuzimisela kuleli lungiselelo kwashukumisela abantu ukuba babusise “wonke amadoda azinikela ngokuzithandela ukuba ahlale eJerusalema.” (Nehemiya 11:1, 2) Yeka isibonelo esihle kubakhulekeli beqiniso namuhla abazimo zabo ziyabavumela ukuba bathuthele lapho kunesidingo esikhudlwana khona sosizo lwamaKristu avuthiwe!
Ukukhulekela Kweqiniso Kuyanqoba
Ukushiya ifa nokuthuthela eJerusalema kwakungaphumela ezindlekweni ezithile nasekulahlekelweni okuthile. Labo abahlala kulowomuzi nabo kwakungenzeka bahlangabezane nezingozi ezihlukahlukene. Ngaphansi kwezimo ezinjalo, abanye babebheka izisebenzi zokuzithandela njengezitusekayo futhi ngokungangabazeki bathandaza ukuba uJehova azibusise.
Ukwethembeka Kuholela Ekwamukelweni UNkulunkulu
15 Lapho sinikezela ukuphila kwethu kuJehova, samthembisa ukuthi sizokwenza intando yakhe kumnyama kubomvu. Sasazi ukuthi ngeke kube lula ngaso sonke isikhathi ukugcina leso sithembiso. Kodwa sisabela kanjani lapho sicelwa ukuba senze okuthile esingakuthandi? Uma singayivumeli imizwa yethu futhi silalela uNkulunkulu wethu ngokuzithandela, sinikeza ubufakazi bokuthi sithembekile kulokho esikuthembisile. Singase sibhekane nobunzima lapho sizidela, kodwa ngaso sonke isikhathi izibusiso zikaJehova zikudlula kude lokho kuzidela. (Mal. 3:10) Kodwa kuthiwani ngendodakazi kaJefta? Yasabela kanjani esithembisweni esasenziwe uyise?
Amagugu Angokomoya
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaNehemiya
10:34—Kungani kwakudingeka ukuba abantu balethe izinkuni? Iminikelo yezinkuni yayingekho eMthethweni KaMose. Imfuneko yayo yaba khona ngenxa yesidingo. Kwakudingeka izinkuni eziningi ukuze kushiswe iminikelo e-altare. Kusobala ukuthi ayengemaningi ngokwanele amaNethini ayekhonza ethempelini njengezigqila ezingewona ama-Israyeli. Ngakho, kwenziwa inkatho ukuze kuqinisekiswe ukuthi kuhlale kunezinkuni.
Inkulumo
Imihlatshelo Eyamukelwa UNkulunkulu
12 Encwadini ayibhalela abaseRoma, umphostoli uPawulu wathi: “[Nikelani] imizimba yenu ibe umhlatshelo ophilayo, ongcwele, owamukelekayo kuNkulunkulu, inkonzo engcwele ngamandla enu okucabanga.” (Roma 12:1) Ukuze umuntu amukelwe uNkulunkulu kudingeka agcine umzimba wakhe wamukeleka kuYe. Uma engase azingcolise ngogwayi, i-betel nut, izidakamizwa ezingemthetho noma ngokusebenzisa kabi utshwala, lowo mnikelo wawuyoba ize. (2 Ko 7:1) Ngaphezu kwalokho, njengoba umuntu ‘oziphatha kabi ngokocansi ona owakhe umzimba,’ ukuziphatha okubi kwanoma iluphi uhlobo kwenza umhlatshelo wakhe unengeke kuJehova. (1 Ko 6:18) Ukuze ajabulise uNkulunkulu, umuntu kumelwe ‘abe ngcwele kukho konke ukuziphatha kwakhe.’—1Pe 1:14-16.
13 Omunye umhlatshelo uJehova awujabulelayo uphathelene nendlela esisebenzisa ngayo ulimi lwethu. Labo abathanda uJehova ngaso sonke isikhathi bakhuluma kahle ngaye obala nalapho bebodwa emizini yabo. (Funda iHubo 34:1-3.) Funda amaHubo 148-150, uphawule indlela womathathu asikhuthaza kaningi ngayo ukuba sidumise uJehova. Ngempela, “kuyafaneleka ukuba abaqotho bamdumise.” (IHu. 33:1) UJesu Kristu, iSibonelo sethu, naye wagcizelela ukubaluleka kokudumisa uNkulunkulu ngokushumayela izindaba ezinhle.—Luka 4:18, 43, 44.
14 Ngokushumayela ngentshiseko, sinikeza ubufakazi bokuthi siyamthanda uJehova futhi sifisa ukwamukelwa nguye. Ngokwesibonelo, cabangela indlela umprofethi uHoseya anxusa ngayo ama-Israyeli ayeseqhuba ukukhulekela kwamanga futhi eselahlekelwe umusa kaNkulunkulu. (Hos. 13:1-3) UHoseya wawatshela ukuba ancenge uJehova ngala mazwi: “Kwangathi ungaxolela isiphambeko sethu; wamukele okuhle, sizonikela ngokudumisa kwezindebe zethu ngendlela ebesinganikela ngayo ngezinkunzi zezinkomo ezisencane.”—Hos. 14:1, 2.
15 Inkunzi yayiyisilwane esibiza kakhulu umIsrayeli ayengasinikela kuJehova. Ngakho, ‘ukudumisa ngezindebe zethu ngendlela ebesinganikela ngayo ngezinkunzi zezinkomo’ kwakubhekisela emazwini aqotho, acatshangelwe kahle okudumisa uNkulunkulu weqiniso. UJehova wasabela kanjani kulabo abenza leyo mihlatshelo? Wathi: “Ngizobathanda ngokuzithandela.” (Hos. 14:4) Labo abanikela leyo mihlatshelo yokudumisa, uJehova wabathethelela, wabamukela futhi wabenza abangane bakhe.
AGASTI 28–SEPTHEMBA 3
INGCEBO ESEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | NEHEMIYA 12-13
“Yiba Qotho KuJehova Lapho Ukhetha Abangani”
it-1-E 95 ¶5
Ama-Amoni
Njengoba uThobiya axoshwa emagcekeni ethempeli, umthetho kaNkulunkulu okuDuteronomi 23:3-6 onqabela ama-Amoni nabakwaMowabi ukuba bangene ebandleni lakwa-Israyeli wafundwa futhi wasetshenziswa. (Neh 13:1-3) Lo mthetho, wamiswa eminyakeni ecishe ibe ngu-1 000 ngaphambili ngenxa yokuthi ama-Amoni nabakwaMowabi benqaba ukusiza ama-Israyeli ngenkathi esezofika eZweni Lesithembiso, lokhu kwakusho ukuthi laba bantu babengeke bazihlanganise nesizwe sakwa-Israyeli ngokomthetho futhi bengeke bazithole zonke izinto ezazitholwa isizwe. Lokhu akusho ukuthi umAmoni nomMowabi babengeke bahlangane noma bahlale nama-Israyeli futhi bazuze ezibusisweni ezazitholwa abantu bakaNkulunkulu, lokhu sikubona kahle endabeni kaZeleki, okukhulunywe ngaye ekuqaleni, owayeyiqhawe ebuthweni likaDavide, kuphinde bonakale nasemlandweni ophathelene noRuthe umMowabikazi.—Rut 1:4, 16-18.
Niye Nangcweliswa
5 Funda uNehemiya 13:4-9. Sizungezwe amathonya angcolile, ngakho akulula ngathi ukuhlale singcwele. Cabanga ngo-Eliyashibi noThobiya. U-Eliyashibi wayengumpristi ophakeme, uThobiya engumAmoni okungenzeka ukuthi wayengesinye sezikhudlwana embusweni wasePheresiya ezibekwe phezu kwelaseJudiya. UThobiya nabangane bakhe babeye bamelana nemizamo kaNehemiya yokwakha kabusha izindonga zaseJerusalema. (Neh. 2:10) Ama-Amoni ayenqatshelwe ukungena emagcekeni ethempeli. (Dut. 23:3) Pho kungani umpristi ophakeme anika umuntu onjengoThobiya indawo egumbini lokudlela ethempelini?
6 UThobiya wayesengumngane omkhulu ka-Eliyashibi. UThobiya nendodana yakhe uJehohanani babeshade nabesifazane abangamaJuda, futhi amaJuda amaningi ayekhuluma kahle ngoThobiya. (Neh. 6:17-19) Omunye wabazukulu baka-Eliyashibi wayeshade nendodakazi kaSanibhalati, umbusi waseSamariya owayengomunye wabangane abakhulu bakaThobiya. (Neh. 13:28) Lobu buhlobo busenza sibone ukuthi kungani umPristi Ophakeme u-Eliyashibi avumela umuntu ongakholwa nongumphikisi ukuba amthonye. Kodwa uNehemiya wabonisa ubuqotho kuJehova, wayijikijela ngaphandle kwegumbi lokudlela yonke impahla kaThobiya.
Ukubhekana Nenselele Yokwethembeka
6 Uma sithembekile kuJehova uNkulunkulu, siyogwema ukuba abangane babo bonke abayizitha zakhe. Kungakho umfundi uJakobe abhala: “Ziphingi, anazi yini ukuthi ubungane nezwe bungubutha noNkulunkulu? Ngakho-ke, noma ubani ofuna ukuba umngane wezwe uzenza isitha sikaNkulunkulu.” (Jakobe 4:4) Sifuna ukuba nokwethembeka iNkosi uDavide eyakubonisa lapho ithi: “Angibazondi yini labo abakuzondayo, Jehova, angibenyanyi yini abakuvukelayo? Ngibazonda ngokuphelele; Sebeyizitha zami zangempela.” (IHu 139:21, 22) Asifuni ukudlelana nezoni zangabomu, ngoba asihlobene ngalutho nazo. Ingabe ukwethembeka kuNkulunkulu ngeke kusivimbele ukuba sibe nobudlelwane nezitha zikaJehova ezinjalo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ngokuqondile noma ngethelevishini?
Amagugu Angokomoya
it-2-E 452 ¶9
Umculo
Umculo wawubalulekile ngenxa yokuthi wawukhona nasethempelini. Lokhu kubonakala emiBhalweni eminingi ekhuluma ngabaculi, ephinde ikhulume ngokuthi ‘babekhululwa kweminye imisebenzi’ eyayenziwa amanye amaLevi ukuze bagxile emsebenzini wabo wokucula. (1Kr 9:33) Ukuqhubeka kwabo beyiqembu elikhethekile lamaLevi kugcizelelwa ngokuthi babizwa ngamagama ngokungefani nalabo ababuya nabo eBhabhiloni. (Ezr 2:40, 41) Ngisho nenkosi yasePheresiya u-Aritahishashita (Longimanus) yavumelana nomthetho owawubavuna ukuba bakhululwe, bona namanye amaqembu akhethekile ukuba bangayikhokhi ‘intela, inkokhiso nemali yomgwaqo.’ (Ezr 7:24) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi inkosi yayala ukuba “abaculi balungiselelwe okuthile ngokwesidingo sosuku ngalunye.” Nakuba u-Aritahishashita awuvumela lo myalo, cishe wawukhishwe u-Ezra esebenzisa igunya ayelinikwe u-Aritahishashita. (Neh 11:23; Ezr 7:18-26) Ngakho kuyaqondakala ukuthi nakuba bonke abaculi babengamaLevi, iBhayibheli libabiza ngeqembu elikhethekile, ngokuthi lithi ‘abaculi namaLevi.’—Neh 7:1; 13:10.