May

UJefitha wakunanzelela ukuthi kwakumele athole amandla kuNkulunkulu ukuze akhulule ama-Israyeli kuma-Amoni. Ngakho wathembisa uJehova ukuthi nxa wayengamsiza ukuthi anqobe empini, umuntu owayezaphuma kuqala endlini yakhe emhlangabeza wayezamnikela “njengomhlatshelo wokutshiswa.” (Abahlu. 11:30, 31) Wayesitshoni uJefitha? Sonke siyakwazi ukuthi ukwenza umhlatshelo ngomuntu yinto enyanyekayo kuJehova. Ngakho kusegcekeni ukuthi uJefitha wayengakhulumi ngokunikela ngomuntu emlilweni. (Dute. 18:9, 10) UMthetho kaMosi wawusithi wonke umhlatshelo wokutshiswa uphiwa uJehova, ngakho uJefitha wayesitsho ukuthi umuntu ayezanikela ngaye wayezakuyasebenzela uNkulunkulu ethabanikeli okwempilo yakhe yonke. Lakanye uJehova wawamukela umhlatshelo lo futhi wambusisa uJefitha wamsiza ukuthi anqobe izitha zakhe. (Abahlu. 11:32) Lapho uJefitha evela empini wahlangabezwa yindodakazi yakhe eyiyo yodwa futhi ayeyithanda. Manje wayezakuthini? Wayezasigcwalisa yini isithembiso ayesenzile? w16.04 1:11-13

Eminyakeni emilutshwana edlulileyo besifunda ibhuku elithi Sondela kuJehova eSifundweni SeBhayibhili Sebandla. Ukufunda ngoJehova kanye lokuzwa abafowethu labodadewethu betshaya izimpendulo ezimnandi akukwenzanga wamthanda kakhulu yini uBaba wethu osezulwini? Kanti njalo ukulalelisisa izinkulumo, iziboniso kanye lokubalwa kweBhayibhili kwenza silizwisise iLizwi likaNkulunkulu. Imihlangano iyasinceda lokuthi sisebenzise izimiso zeBhayibhili kukho konke esikwenzayo empilweni. (1 Thes. 4:9,10) Ngokwesibonelo iNqabayokulinda efundwayo yenzelwe ukufundisa abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Sikhona yini isihloko owake wasifunda ku-Nqabayokulinda esakwenza wahlela kutsha ofuna ukukwenza empilweni, kumbe esakwenza wathethelela omunye umzalwane owayekuphambanisile loba wenza imithandazo yakho yaba ngeyohlonzi? Imihlangano engenwa phakathi kweviki iyasiqeqetsha ukuthi sibe zingcitshi enkonzweni. Siyafundiswa izindlela zokutshumayela kanye lokusebenzisa iMibhalo ngendlela ephumelelayo.​—Mat. 28:19, 20. w16.04 3:4, 5

IBhayibhili lisitshela ngabantu abanengi abake baxabana. Abanye babo kukhulunywa ngabo ezahlukweni zakuqala kuGenesisi. Ngokwesibonelo sitshelwa ngoKhayini owabulala u-Abela loLameki owabulala ijaha elithile elalimhlasela. Sitshelwa ngokuxabana kwabelusi baka-Abhrahama (u-Abhrama) labakaLothi langoHagari owayesedelela uSara (uSarayi) okwabangela ukuthi uSara angazwanani lo-Abhrahama. Kanti njalo kulandiswa lokuthi u-Ishmayeli wayezaxabana labantu bonke lesandla somuntu wonke sixabane laye. (Gen. 4:3-8, 23; 13:5-7; 16:3-6, 12) Izindaba lezi zalotshelwani eBhayibhilini? Ziyasikhumbuza ukuthi kuqakathekile ukuthi sihlalisane ngokuthula labanye lanxa silesono. Ziyasitshengisa lendlela okumele silungisise ngayo izingxabano. Ukubala izindaba zabantu ababelesono njengathi kuyasinceda sibone lokuthi balwisana njani lezinhlupho ezabehlelayo. Indlela ababesenza ngayo ingasinceda sithole amacebo esingawasebenzisa. Zenza sibone izibonelo ezinhle esingazilingisela lezimbi okungamelanga sizilandele. w16.05 1:1, 2

UJesu labafundi bakhe babezitshumayela njani izindaba ezinhle? Babelanda abantu emakhaya abo lakuzo zonke izindawo lapho ababetholakala khona. Ukutshumayela kwabo kwakugoqela ukuya endlini ngendlu bedinga abantu abalesifiso sokufunda iqiniso. (Mat. 10:11; Luk. 8:1; ImiSeb. 5:42; 20:20) Indlela le yokutshumayela yayitshengisa ukuthi kabakhethi muntu. OFakazi bakaJehova bayawenza umsebenzi wokutshumayela. Yibo bodwa abatshela abantu ukuthi uJesu waba yiNkosi kusukela ngo-1914. Benza khona kanye uJesu abalaya khona ngoba bayakuqakathekisa ukutshumayela. Ibhuku elithi Pillars of Faith​—American Congregations and Their Partners lithi: “OFakazi bakaJehova . . . kabakukhohlwa ukuthi umsebenzi oyiwonawona ngowokutshela abantu amazwi aseBhayibhilini aphathelane lokuphela komhlaba kanye lokusindiswa kwabantu.” OFakazi bakaJehova baqhubeka bewenza umsebenzi lo besebenzisa izindlela ezasetshenziswa nguJesu labafundi bakhe. w16.05 2:10, 12

Nxa ungavumela imicabango kaJehova iqondise indlela okhetha ngayo, kuzakuba lula ukuthi usondele kuye. (Jak. 4:8) Kanti njalo uJehova uzathokoza futhi akubusise. Lokhu kuzaluqinisa ukholo lwakho. Ngakho-ke kasizimiseleni ukulalela imithetho lezimiso zikaJehova ngoba ukwenza njalo kuyasinceda ukuthi sizwisise imicabango kaNkulunkulu ezindabeni ezitshiyeneyo. Phela kunengi okutsha esisazokufunda ngoJehova. (Jobe. 26:14) Kodwa nxa singazama ngamandla ukufunda ngoJehova khathesi, sizathola ukuhlakanipha, ulwazi kanye lokuqedisisa okuzasisiza ukuthi senze izinqumo ezinhle. (Zaga. 2:1-5) Imicabango yabantu lamacebo abo kufanana lezulu eliduma ledlule, kodwa umhubi wathi: “Amacebo kaJehova ami aqinile nini lanini, izinhloso zenhliziyo yakhe kuzo zonke izizukulwane.” (Hubo. 33:11) Sekucaca-ke ukuthi singenelisa ukwenza izinqumo ezinhle nxa indlela esicabanga ngayo kanye lesenza ngayo ihambelana lendlela uNkulunkulu wethu uJehova acabanga ngayo. w16.05 3:17

Ukwazi ukuthi uJehova uyenelisa ukuhlola izinhliziyo lokuthi ukhetha loba ngubani amfunayo, kuzasenza singahluleli esikhonza labo kumbe labo esibatshumayezayo. (Joh. 6:44) Nxa singavuma ukuthi uJehova abe ngumbumbi wethu sizabaphatha kuhle esikhonza labo. (Isaya. 64:8) Uyakubona yini ukuthi abafowethu labodadewethu lokhu belesono, futhi balokhu bephakathi kokubunjwa nguJehova? UJehova uyenelisa ukubona okusezinhliziyweni zethu kanye lokuthi singaba ngabantu abanjani njengoba eqhubeka esibumba. Ngakho kakhangeli amaphutha esiwenzayo kodwa ukhangela okuhle. (Hubo. 130:3) Lathi singamlingisela ngokukhangela okuhle kwabanye. Kanti njalo singabambisana laye umbumbi wethu ngokusekela abafowethu labodadewethu ukuze bathuthuke ekukhonzeni. (1 Thes. 5:14, 15) Abadala ebandleni kumele babe yisibonelo esihle endabeni le ngoba ‘bayizipho ebantwini.’​—Efe. 4:8, 11-13. w16.06 1:4-6

Ukutshela abanye izindaba ezinhle kungasinceda ukuthi sithobeke njalo silwele ukuba lezinye izithelo zomoya ongcwele kaNkulunkulu. (Gal. 5:22, 23) Nxa silingisela uKhristu enkonzweni, abantu bangawamukela umlayezo esibatshela wona njalo bangantshintsha lendlela abasibona ngayo. Ngokwesibonelo omunye umama ohlala e-Australia wazonda kakhulu lapho oFakazi ababili bexoxa laye futhi wabaphendula kubi. Kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wazisola ngalokho ayekwenzile njalo wabhalela igatsha exolisa. Encwadini yakhe wathi: “Ngiyaxolisa kakhulu ngendlela engaphatha ngayo abantu labana ababili ababekhanya bebekezela futhi bethobekile. Ngiyisithutha sibili ngoba nganinela khatshana abantu ababetshumayela iLizwi likaNkulunkulu.” Kambe umuntu lo wayengakutsho lokhu yini aluba abamemezeli laba bamzondela? Hatshi. Siyabona-ke ukuthi inkonzo yethu ilusizo kulabo esibatshumayezayo njalo iyasinceda lokuthi sibe lobuntu obuhle. w16.06 2:12, 13

Sonke sizalwa silesono. (Rom. 5:12, 19) Ngakho ngezinye izikhathi abanye esikhonza labo bangenza loba bakhulume izinto ezingasizwisa ubuhlungu. Uzakwenzani nxa kungenzakala kuwe lokhu? Uzaqhubeka umthanda yini uJehova? Uzahlala uqotho yini kuye lasebantwini bakhe? Ngokwesibonelo uMphristi oMkhulu u-Eli wayelamadodana amabili ayengawulandeli umthetho kaJehova. IBhayibhili lithi: “Amadodana ka-Eli ayengabantu abaxhwalileyo, ayengamnanzi uJehova.” (1 Sam. 2:12) Lanxa u-Eli wayekhuthaze abantu ukuthi bakhonze uJehova, amadodana akhe ayexhwalile okumangalisayo. U-Eli wayekwazi mhlophe ababekwenza futhi kwakumele abathathele inyathelo eliqinileyo kodwa yena kazange akwenze lokhu. Isiphetho saba yikuthi uNkulunkulu wayahlulela indlu ka-Eli. (1 Sam. 3:10-14) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi izizukulwane zakhe kazizange zisavunyelwa ukuba ngabaphristi abakhulu. Aluba wawuphila ngesikhathi sika-Eli, wawuzakwenzani nxa umbona ebayekelela abantwabakhe besenza ukuganga? Wawuzakhubeka yini uze ucine uyekela ukukhonza uJehova? w16.06 4:5, 6

Kungani uJesu watsho amazwi asembhalweni walamuhla? Nansi isizatho: “UYihlo wasezulwini uyakwazi ukuthi liyaziswela.” UJehova uyakwazi ukuthi ngamunye wethu udingani; kungaba yikudla, izigqoko loba indawo yokuhlala. Okumangalisayo yikuthi uyabe esekwazi lanxa thina singakananzeleli ukuthi siyakudinga. (Flp. 4:19) Uyakwazi ukuthi yisiphi isigqoko sakho esesizadabuka. Uyakwazi lokudla okudingayo lokuthi ngengakanani indawo yokuhlala engakwenela wena lemuli yakho. UJehova uzakuba leqiniso lokuthi uyazithola izinto eziqakathekileyo ozidingayo. Yikho kasithandabuzi ukuthi nxa singazimisela ukuqakathekisa ukumkhonza ukwedlula loba yini ekuphileni kwethu, uJehova kasoze ayekele ukusinika esikudingayo. ‘Ukulalela uNkulunkulu’ kumele kusenze sisuthiseke ‘ngokudla lezigqoko,’ kanye lendawo yokuhlala.​—1 Tim. 6:6-8. w16.07 1:17, 18

Ukubuyiselwa lokhu kwenza senelise ukuba lobuhlobo obuhle loJehova. UPhawuli waphinda wachasisa ukuthi lokhu kuhambelana njani lomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu. Watshela abagcotshiweyo wathi: “Njengoba silungisiwe ngokukholwa, silokuthula kuNkulunkulu ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, esithole ngaye ukufinyelela ngokukholwa kulo umusa esimi kuwo khathesi.” (Rom. 5:1, 2) Lesi yisibusiso sibili! Sonke sizalwa singabantu abangalunganga. Kodwa uDanyeli waphrofetha ukuthi ngezinsuku zokucina “abahlakaniphileyo,” okutsho abagcotshiweyo, ‘bazaholela abanengi ekulungeni.’ (Dan. 12:3) Umsebenzi wabo wokutshumayela lowokufundisa wenze benelisa ukuholela izigidi ‘zezinye izimvu’ ekulungeni. (Joh. 10:16) Kodwa umusa omkhulu kaJehova yiwo owenza bafanele ukubizwa ngokuthi balungile.​—Rom. 3:23, 24. w16.07 3:10, 11

Lapho izingilosi lezi ezasezintshintshile zaba lemizimba yabantu zilala labesifazana, kwazalwa abantwana ababebakhulu kakhulu, belodlakela futhi bebizwa ngokuthi ngamaNefilimi. Ngalesosikhathi ‘ukuxhwala kwabantu kwasekukukhulu emhlabeni.’ (Gen. 6:1-5) UJehova kazange agoqe izandla kodwa waletha uZamcolo wabakhucula bonke labobantu ababi. Ngalesosikhathi abantu babezikholisela impilo yansuku zonke nje bethatha njalo besendisa, abazange babe lendaba lalokho “uNowa, umtshumayeli wokulunga” ayebatshela khona ngokubhujiswa okwakusondela. (2 Phet. 2:5) UJesu wathi okwenzakala ngezinsuku zikaNowa yikho kanye okuzakwenzakala lasezinsukwini zokucina. (Mat. 24:37-39) Lamuhla izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ziyatshunyayelwa emhlabeni wonke ukuze kube yibufakazi kubo bonke abantu. Kodwa abantu abanengi kabalandaba lazo. Manje kuyini esikufundayo kulokho okwenzakala ngesikhathi sikaNowa? Sifunda ukuthi akumelanga sivumele izinto ezinjengokutshada lokukhulisa abantwana zisiphambanise size sikhohlwe ukuthi usuku lukaJehova seluseduze. w16.08 1:8, 9

Sesikomlindi uyacina futhi siphakathi ‘kwezikhathi ezinzima.’ (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Yikho-ke ukuhlala silokholo oluqinileyo kuzasinceda ukuthi simelane lezinto ezimbi ezisemhlabeni lo. Emazwini asembhalweni walamuhla, uPhawuli wayengatsho ukuthi abatshadileyo bangabi lendaba labanye babo. Kodwa wayebakhuthaza ukuthi bafake uMbuso kuqala njengoba isihuba sakutsha. (Mat. 6:33) Lanxa siphila ezikhathini ezinzima futhi imitshado eminengi ichitheka kungenzakala ukuthi eyethu imitshado iphumelele. AmaKhristu atshadileyo angenelisa ukungehlukanisi “lokho uNkulunkulu asekuhlanganisile” nxa angahlala eseduze labantu bakaJehova, esebenzisa izimiso eziseMibhalweni njalo evumela ukuthi umoya wakhe ongcwele uwaqondise.​—Mak. 10:9. w16.08 2:17, 18

Kudingakala abelusi abanengi njengoba sibona amabandla elokhu esanda kangaka, yikho abazalwane abazakuba ngabelusi kumele baqhubeke beqeqetshwa. UPhawuli watshela uThimothi amazwi la: “Izinto owangizwa ngizitsho phambi kwabofakazi abanengi ziphathise abantu abathembekileyo abazafanela ukuba labo bafundise abanye.” (2 Tim. 2:1, 2) UThimothi wafunda okunengi ngesikhathi ehamba lomphostoli uPhawuli indoda eyayingumdala webandla. Lokho akufundayo kwamnceda kuyo yonke imisebenzi yenkonzo. (2 Tim. 3:10-12) UPhawuli kazange agoqe izandla athi uThimothi uzazifundela yedwa, kodwa wacela ijaha leli ukuthi lihambe laye ukuze aliqeqetshe kuhle. (ImiSeb. 16:1-5) Kwezinye izikhathi abadala labo bangalingisela uPhawuli ngokuhamba lezinceku ezikhonzayo nxa besiyakwelusa izimvu zikaNkulunkulu. Ukuhamba labazalwane laba kuzabanceda ukuthi bazibonele ngawabo ukuqakatheka kokuthi umdala webandla enelise ukufundisa kuhle, abe lokholo oluqinileyo, abekezele futhi abathande abanye. Kuzabasiza lokuthi labo kusasa babe ngabelusi abahle “bomhlambi kaNkulunkulu.” w16.08 4:16, 17

Ngezinye izikhathi iBhayibhili likhuluma ngokuyekethisa izandla loba ukwenza izandla zibe buthakathaka nxa lichaza ukuphela amandla loba ukungabi lethemba. (2 ImiLan. 15:7; Heb. 12:12) Umuntu onjalo wandise ukukhalala masinyane. Phela siphila emhlabeni obuswa nguSathane njalo sihlangana lezinto ezinengi ezingabangela ukuthi sihlale sidanile futhi siphele amandla. Ukukhathazeka ngalindlela kuyamcakisa umuntu ehluleke ukwenza loba yini. (Zaga. 12:25) Zinengi izinto ezingabangela ukuthi umuntu akhathazeke. Kungaba yikufelwa, ukuhlaselwa ngumkhuhlane, ubunzima bokondla imuli kulezi zinsuku zokucina kumbe ukuphikiswa ngenxa yokuthi unguFakazi kaJehova. Ukukhathazeka ngakho konke lokhu kungakuqeda amandla. Kungabangela lokuthi uhlale ungachelesanga. Lanxa kunjalo kumele ube leqiniso lokuthi uNkulunkulu uzimisele ukukuncedisa.​—Isaya. 41:10, 13. w16.09 1:2, 4

Isono esilaso sibangela ukuthi silukhuthe ugatsha kwezinye izikhathi. Ngokwesibonelo abanye bethu balwisana lomkhuba othile ongalunganga ikanti abanye bayazama ukwenza okuthile ukuze bakuthande ukutshumayela. Mhlawumbe abanye babekezelela ukungaphili kuhle emzimbeni loba ukuba lesizungu. Kanti njalo abanye bayalwisa ngezindlela zonke ukuthi bathethelele othile obaphambanisileyo kumbe obakhubileyo. Kungelani lokuthi sileminyaka emingaki sikhonza uJehova, sonke kumele siqhubeke silwisana lezinto ezingaphambanisa indlela esimkhonza ngayo uBaba wethu olothando. Nxa kuyikuthi lokhu yikho okwenzakala kuwe, khuleka kuJehova ucele umoya wakhe ongcwele. Ungenza njalo uzathola amandla okuqhubeka usebenza nzima ukuze wenze okuqondileyo futhi uthole isibusiso sikaJehova. Phila ngendlela ehambelana lemithandazo yakho. Zama lokubala nsuku zonke iBhayibhili, utaditshe uwedwa njalo ube loKukhonza Kwemuli maviki wonke.​—Hubo. 119:32. w16.09 2:10, 11

Abantu abanengi bathi bayakukholwa ukuthi izinto zaphonguzivelela nje ngenxa yokuthi izingcitshi zesayensi ziyakusekela lokhu. Bathi kunzima ukukholwa kuNkulunkulu ngoba akulamuntu osewake wambona. Ye, kuliqiniso sibili ukuthi kakho owake wambona uNkulunkulu kumbe wabona into ethile idalwa. (Joh. 1:18) Kodwa phela lalabo abathi izinto zazenzakalela bakholwa entweni abangakaze bayibone. Ngokwesibonelo ayikho ingcitshi yezesayensi kumbe omunye umuntu nje owake wabona indwangu intshintsha isiba ngumuntu. (Jobe. 38:1, 4) Yikho-ke okungasinceda sonke yikuhlola ubufakazi balokho esikukholwayo lokusebenzisa amandla ethu okucabanga ukuze sithole ukuthi okuliqiniso yikuphi. Umphostoli uPhawuli wabhala mayelana lezinto ezidaliweyo wathi: “Ngoba kusukela ekudalweni komhlaba isimo sikaNkulunkulu esingabonakaliyo—amandla akhe angapheliyo kanye lobuNkulunkulu bakhe—sekubonakale ngokusobala, kuzwisiseka ngokwenziweyo, ukuze abantu bangabi lasizatho sokuzigeza.”​—Rom. 1:20. w16.09 4:4

UJehova waba leqiniso lokuthi wenza izinhlelo ezazizatshengisa ukuthi uyabathanda abantu bezinye izizwe ababehlala ko-Israyeli. Ngokwesibonelo wabanika ilungelo lokudobha okuyabe kusele emasimini ngesikhathi sokuvuna. (Levi. 19:9, 10) UJehova kazange aphongutshela abako-Israyeli ukuthi bahloniphe abezizweni kodwa wabakhumbuza ukuthi labo babeke baba ngabezizweni eGibhithe. (Eks. 23:9) Babekwazi ukuthi “kunjani ukuba ngabezizweni.” Langesikhathi bengakabi yizigqila khonale eGibhithe, abako-Israyeli babebandlululwa ngenxa yokuthi babetshiyene labaseGibhithe. (Gen. 43:32; 46:34; Eks. 1:11-14) Abako-Israyeli babephakathi kwelitshe lembokodo eGibhithe, loba kunjalo uJehova wayekhangelele ukuthi bona babaphathe kuhle abezizweni ababephakathi kwabo, babaphathe ‘njengabozalo’ lwabo. (Levi. 19:33, 34) Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uJehova ulokhu elendaba labantu abavela kwamanye amazwe esingena labo emabandleni ethu. (Dute. 10:17-19; Mal. 3:5, 6) Ukucabangisisa ngezinhlupho abahlangana lazo ezinjengokubandlululwa loba ubunzima bokufunda ulimi kuzasinceda ukuthi sibatshengise umusa kanye lozwelo.​—1 Phet. 3:8. w16.10 1:3-5

UJakhobe wachaza ukuthi ukholo lweqiniso lukhanya ngemisebenzi, kayisiyo ndaba yokuphongukhuluma nje ukuthi ulalo. Wabhala wathi: “Ngitshengisa ukukholwa kwakho kungelazenzo, njalo mina ngizakutshengisa ukukholwa kwami ngalokho engikwenzayo.” (Jak. 2:18) Waphinda wachaza umehluko okhona phakathi komuntu othi ulokholo lalowo otshengisa ukholo lwakhe ngemisebenzi. Waveza ukuthi lamadimoni ayakholwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona, kodwa kawamkhonzi njalo enza izinto eziphikisana lenjongo yakhe. (Jak. 2:19, 20) Ngemva kwalokho wakhuluma ngendoda yasendulo eyatshengisa ngemisebenzi ukuthi ilokholo. Wathi: “Kanje ukhokho wethu u-Abhrahama kabalwanga njengolungileyo ngenxa yalokhu akwenzayo lapho anikela indodana yakhe u-Isaka e-alithareni na? Liyabona ukuthi ukukholwa kwakhe lezenzo zakhe kwakusebenza ndawonye, njalo ukukholwa kwakhe kwapheleliswa yilokho akwenzayo.” (Jak. 2:21-23) Ukuze atshengise ukuthi ukholo lukhanya ngemisebenzi waphetha ngokutsho amazwi asembhalweni walamuhla. w16.10 4:8

Lunengi ulwazi olukhitshwe ngabesayensi mayelana lezinto ezinengi ezidaliweyo futhi lokhu kulethe impucuko ebantwini. Kodwa kulemibuzo eminengi abesayensi abehlulekayo ukuyiphendula. Ngokwesibonelo kabenelisi ukusitshela ukuthi amaplanethi lezinye izinto ezisemkhathini kwaba khona njani kumbe ukuthi kungani umhlaba utshiyene lamanye amaplanethi futhi usenelisa ukuba lezinto eziphilayo. Kanti njalo abantu abanengi bayehluleka ukuchaza ukuthi kungani umuntu elesifiso sokuphila phakade. Kungani kulemibuzo eminengi kangaka elokhu ibaphica abantu? Okwenza kube njalo yikuthi abesayensi kanye labanye bafundisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu kakho njalo bathi izinto kazidalwanga zatshaya umazivelela. Kodwa eBhayibhilini siyazithola izimpendulo zemibuzo le. UJehova wadala imithetho eminengi eqondisa imvelo futhi imithetho le kayintshintshi. Abantu abalungisa amagetsi, amaphayiphi, omanjinela, abatshayela izindizamtshina, odokotela kanye labanye bayayilandela imithetho le nxa besenza imisebenzi yabo. w16.11 2:4, 5

Zinengi izizatho ezenza simbonge uJehova. Okokuqala nguye owasinika ukuphila, kungayisuye ngabe kasikho. Okwesibili usinike isipho esihle, iLizwi lakhe iBhayibhili. Siyalamukela njengelizwi lakhe sibili hatshi njengelizwi labantu. (1 Thes. 2:13) ILizwi likaNkulunkulu lisisize ukuthi sisondele kuye futhi sibe ngabangane bakhe. (Jak. 4:8) UBaba wethu osezulwini usibusisile ngokusivumela ukuthi sibe phakathi kwenhlanganiso yakhe. Siyambonga ngakho konke lokhu okuhle asenzele khona. Umhubi wahlabela wathi: “Bongani uJehova, ngokuba ulungile. Uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.” (Hubo. 136:1) Amazwi athi “uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade” atholakala izikhathi ezingu-26 kusahluko 136 ebhukwini lamaHubo. Nxa singahlala siqotho kuJehova lasenhlanganisweni yakhe sizakubona ukugcwaliseka kwamazwi la ngoba sizaphila kuze kube nini lanini! w16.11 3:18, 19

Ivesi le itholakala kanengi ebhukwini elithi IBhayibhili Lifundisani Sibili? Kumele ukuthi uyake uyibale nxa ufunda ibhuku leli labantwabakho loba abanye abantu nje. Ngokwesibonelo iyatholakala kusahluko 3 lapho okukhulunywa khona ngenjongo kaNkulunkulu ngomhlaba lakusahluko 5 lapho okukhulunywa khona ngenhlawulo lakusahluko 6 okukhulunywa khona ngesimo sabafileyo. Kodwa ukucabangisisa ngevesi le kungakunceda ukuthi uhlole ubuhlobo bakho loJehova, indlela ophila ngayo kanye lethemba olalo ngekusasa. Kasingeke silibalekele iqiniso lokuthi sonke siyizoni njalo siyaphambanisa ukusa kwamalanga. Lanxa kunjalo iBhayibhili lisikhumbuza ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyakwazi ukuba sibunjwe ngothuli lokuthi uzimisele ukuba lesihawu kithi. (Hubo. 103:13, 14) UJesu wasifundisa ukuthi sithandaze kuNkulunkulu sicela ukuthi ‘asithethelele izono zethu.’ (Luk. 11:2-4) Yikho nxa uNkulunkulu angasithethelela izono esizenzileyo, akumelanga siqhubeke sizihlupha ngazo. w16.12 1:1-3

AmaKhristu aseRoma kwakumele azihlole abone ukuthi kuyini ayekuqakathekisa ezimpilweni zawo. Kambe izingqondo zawo zasezigxile ‘kulokho okufiswa yimvelo yesono’ yini? Lathi kumele sizihlole endabeni le. Kuyini esikuqakathekisayo empilweni njalo esikukhulumayo kutshengisani ngathi? Kuyini esikugijimisayo nsuku zonke? Mhlawumbe abanye bethu sebetshona bezama imihlobo etshiyeneyo yamawayini, belungilungisa imizi yabo, bedinga izitayila ezintsha zokugqoka, beqhuba amabhizimusi, behlela inhambo zokuyazilibazisa lokunye okunenginengi. Kayisikho ukuthi ukwenza izinto lezi kubi. Ngokwesibonelo uJesu laye wake wenza iwayini njalo uPhawuli watshela uThimothi ukuthi anathe ‘iwayini elincane.’ (1 Tim. 5:23; Joh. 2:3-11) Lanxa kunjalo uJesu loPhawuli kabazange baqakathekise kakhulu iwayini ezimpilweni zabo. Thina ke? Kuyini esikuqakathekisayo ezimpilweni zethu? w16.12 2:5, 10, 11

Isithembiso lesi senza singakuthandabuzi ukuthi nxa singafuna uMbuso kuqala lokulunga kukaNkulunkulu sizabusiswa. (Mat. 6:33) Ngelinye ilanga umphostoli uPhetro wabuza uJesu wathi: “Sesitshiye konke ukuze sikulandele! Pho sizazuzani na?” (Mat. 19:27) UJesu kazange amsole uPhetro ngokubuza umbuzo lo kodwa wahle watshela bonke abafundi bakhe ukuthi bazatholani ngokuzinikela kwabo. Wabatshela ukuthi nxa bangathembeka bazathola umvuzo wokubusa kanye laye ezulwini. Kodwa lakhathesi zinengi izibusiso esizitholayo. UJesu wathi: “Bonke labo abatshiye izindlu zabo, loba abafowabo, loba odadewabo kumbe uyise loba unina kumbe abantwana loba amasimu ngenxa yami bazakwamukeliswa okwandiswe ngekhulu njalo bazakudla ilifa lokuphila kwaphakade.” (Mat. 19:29) Yikho bonke abalandeli bakaJesu bazathola izibusiso ezinengi ezedlula loba yikuphi ukuzinikela abangabe bekwenzile. Ukuthola obaba, omama, abafowethu, odadewethu, labantwana ebandleni lobuKhristu lamuhla yisibusiso esedlula zonke izinto esazitshiyayo ukuze sikhonze uJehova. w16.12 4:4, 5

Kungelani lokuthi singabeqembu labagcotshiweyo kumbe ‘abezinye izimvu’ sikulindele ukubona uJehova uNkulunkulu egcwalisa ayekuhlosile ekuqaleni njalo engcwelisa lebizo lakhe. (Joh. 10:16; Mat. 6:9, 10) Leli lithemba elihle okumangalisayo okumele wonke amaKhristu eqiniso aliqakathekise ukwedlula loba yini. Kanti njalo sikulindele ngabomvu ukuthola umvuzo wokuphila okuphakade kungelani lokuthi singamalunga ‘ezulu elitsha’ loba ‘awomhlaba omutsha.’ (2 Phet. 3:13) Okwakhathesi sikhangelele ukubona indlela uJehova azaqhubeka esiqondisa njalo esisekela ngayo kulezi zinsuku zokucina esikuzo. Labantu bomhlaba lo obuswa nguSathane balezinto ababeka ithemba labo kuzo. Lanxa kunjalo kabalaqiniso lokuthi abakulindeleyo bazafa bakuthola. Ngokwesibonelo izigidi zabantu abathanda ukubheja bangabe belethemba lokuthi kwelinye ilanga bazathola inkalakatha yemali kodwa kabalaqiniso lokuthi bazayithola yini loba hatshi. Kodwa ukuba lokholo lweqiniso khona “yikuba leqiniso lalokhu esikulindeleyo.” w16.10 3:1, 2

Ngenxa yomusa wakhe omkhulu, uJehova unike ngamunye wethu izipho kanye leziphiwo ezitshiyeneyo esingazisebenzisa ukumdumisa lokunceda abanye. (Rom. 12:4-8) Ngeqiniso uJehova usenze saba lesithunzi, watshengisa ukuthi uyasithemba njalo wasiphathisa umsebenzi oqakathekileyo. Lanxa silemisebenzi esiyiphathisiweyo khathesi kumele sikhumbule ukuthi ingantshintsha loba nini. Lokhu kwenzakala lakuJesu. Ekuqaliseni wayehlala loYise kuphela ezulwini. (Zaga. 8:22) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wancedisana loYise ukudala izingilosi, lezinye izinto esizibonayo kwasekucinwa ngokudala abantu. (Kol. 1:16) Kodwa izinto zantshintsha ngokuya kwesikhathi. UJesu wathunywa emhlabeni njalo waqalisa elusana nje wakhula waze waba yindoda endala. (Flp. 2:7) Ngemva kokufela abantu wabuyela ezulwini njalo wabekwa ukuba yiNkosi yoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ngo-1914. (Heb. 2:9) Sekudlule iminyaka eyinkulungwane ebusa emhlabeni uJesu uzabuyisela uMbuso kuYise ukuze “uNkulunkulu abe yikho konke kukho konke.”​—1 Khor. 15:28. w17.01 3:11, 12

Kwathi sekumele enze isinqumo ngendaba ethile, omunye umama wathi kumngane wakhe: “Wena ngitshela okumele ngikwenze, angifuni kuthwala nzima ngokucabanga. Kungaba lula ungangitshela ukuthi ngenzeni.” Umama lo wayekubona kungcono ukuthi atshelwe ukuthi enzeni kulokuthi asebenzise isipho esiligugu asiphiwe nguMdali wakhe. Isipho lesi yinkululeko yokuzikhethela. Wena ke? Uyakuthanda yini ukuzikhethela ofuna ukukwenza kumbe ubona kungcono ukuthi abanye bakutshele ukuthi wenzeni? Uthini ngayo indaba yenkululeko yokuzikhethela? Isiminengi iminyaka abantu bephikisana ngayo indaba le. Abanye bathi vele kayikho into okuthiwa yinkululeko yokuzikhethela ngoba uNkulunkulu wakuhlela kudala konke okwenzakalayo kithi. Abanye njalo bathi inkululeko yokuzikhethela ibakhona nxa umuntu evunyelwa ukuzenzela akuthandayo kungelamithetho okumele ayilandele. Kodwa ukuze sithole iqiniso ngendaba le kumele sihlole iLizwi likaNkulunkulu ukuze lisicacisele kuhle. Ngenxa yokuthi lisitshela ukuthi uJehova wathi esidala wasinika inkululeko yokukhetha. w17.01 2:1, 2

UDavida wayengacabanga ukuthi uSolomoni ngeke enelise ukukhokhela umsebenzi omkhulu wokwakhiwa kwendlu kaNkulunkulu. Phela ithempeli lelo kwakumele ‘libe yindlu ebukekayo kakhulu’ futhi ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni ‘wayesesengumntwana njalo engakabi lolwazi.’ Loba kunjalo uDavida wayekwazi mhlophe ukuthi uJehova wayezayisiza indodana yakhe ukuthi yenelise ukuphatha lumsebenzi. Ngakho uDavida wamncedisa ngalokho ayekwenelisa ukuze lowomsebenzi uphumelele. Yikho abazalwane asebekhulile akumelanga bazwe ubuhlungu nxa sokumele batshiyele amadoda asaqinileyo imisebenzi abayenzayo. Phela ukuqeqetsha amadoda la kwenza umsebenzi kaJehova uqhubekele phambili. Kanti njalo abazalwane asebekhulile kufanele bathokoze nxa bebona labo ababaqeqetshileyo sebesenza imisebenzi etshiyeneyo. w17.01 5:8, 9

UJesu oyiNkosi yoMbuso kaNkulunkulu, uzacobodisa ikhanda lenyoka njalo asuse zonke inhlupho ezibangelwe nguSathane. Ngesikhathi uJesu esemhlabeni wanceda abalandeli bakhe ukuthi baqakathekise uMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Esanda kubhabhathizwa, waqalisa ukutshumayela “izindaba ezinhle” zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ezindaweni ezitshiyeneyo. (Luk. 4:43) Wathi esebuyela ezulwini watshela abalandeli bakhe ukuthi batshumayele “lasemikhawulweni yomhlaba.” (ImiSeb. 1:6-8) Yikho umsebenzi wokutshumayela owenziwa emhlabeni wonke jikelele uyabanceda abantu abanengi ukuthi bafunde ngenhlawulo njalo babe ngaphansi koMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Kasitshengiseni ukuthi siyawusekela uMbuso lo ngokubambisana labazalwane bakaKhristu emsebenzini wokutshumayela izindaba ezinhle.​—Mat. 24:14; 25:40. w17.02 2:7, 8

Lanxa iqula elibusayo laliqondisa ibandla lobuKhristu ngesikhathi sabaphostoli, lalikwazi ukuthi uJesu Khristu nguye okhokhelayo. Umphostoli uPhawuli wabhala wathi: “Sizakhula ezintweni zonke kuye yena oyiNhloko, lowo nguKhristu.” (Efe. 4:15) “Abafundi baqalisa ukubizwa ngokuthi ngamaKhristu” kabazange bafune ukubizwa ngebizo lomphostoli othile. (ImiSeb. 11:26) UPhawuli wayekwazi ukuthi kuqakathe kakhulu ‘ukubambelela ezimfundisweni’ zabaphostoli lamadoda amadala. Lanxa kunjalo wathi: “Ngifuna ukuba likwazi ukuthi inhloko yamadoda wonke [okugoqela ilunga ngalinye lequla elibusayo] nguKhristu; . . . lenhloko kaKhristu nguNkulunkulu.” (1 Khor. 11:2, 3) Kuyakhanya sibili ukuthi uKhristu nguye owayekhokhela ibandla eqondiswa nguJehova uNkulunkulu. w17.02 4:7

Ukuhlonipha abanye kuyasinceda singakhathaleli okufunwa yithi kuphela kanye lokuthi singakhukhumali nxa abanye besincoma. Kwenza lokuthi sihambisane lenhlanganiso kaJehova ngoba kayikhuthazi ukuthi siqakathekise loba ngubani. Kuyasisiza lokuthi singakhubeki nxa lowomuntu ebesimhlonipha kakhulu esethe waphambuka ekukhonzeni. UNkulunkulu uyathokoza kakhulu nxa ebona sihlonipha abanye. Phela ukhangelele ukuthi sikwenze lokhu futhi kuyasinceda ukuthi sihlale siqotho kuye. Nxa singenza njalo siyabe sitshengisa ukuthi uSathane wayeqamba amanga lapho esithi akulamuntu ongahlala ethembekile kuJehova. (Zaga. 27:11) Abantu abanengi emhlabeni lo badlulisa amalawulo endabeni yokuhlonipha ngoba bahlonipha umuntu baze bamkhonze. Thina siyathokoza ngoba uJehova uyasifundisa indlela okufanele sikwenze ngayo lokhu. w17.03 1:13, 20, 21

UJehoshafathi wenza njengoyise u-Asa, wakhuthaza abantu ukuthi bamdinge uJehova. Wahlela ukuthi kube lamadoda ayezabhoda ezindaweni ezitshiyeneyo efundela abantu “uGwalo lweMithetho kaJehova.” (2 ImiLan. 17:7-10) Waze waya laselizweni lako-Efrayimi elalisembusweni wasenyakatho ukuze ayencedisa abantu bakuleyondawo ukuthi babuyele ‘kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo.’ (2 ImiLan. 19:4) Lamuhla uJehova ufuna abantu emhlabeni wonke bafundiswe ngaye njalo sonke singancedisa emsebenzini lo. Wena uyabafundisa yini abanye iLizwi likaNkulunkulu nyanga zonke ukuze labo bamkhonze? UJehova uzakunceda ukuthi wenelise ukuthola isifundo seBhayibhili nxa ungakhuthala emsebenzini wokutshumayela. Nxa ungelaso isifundo thandaza kuJehova umcele ukuthi akuncedise. Phela kwezinye izikhathi kungafuneka usebenzise isikhathi sakho sokuphumula ukuze wenelise ukuqhuba isifundo seBhayibhili. Njengoba uJehoshafathi wanceda abanye ukuthi babuyele kuJehova, lathi singasiza labo abangasafezi inkonzo ukuthi baphinde babuyele ebandleni. w17.03 3:10, 11