Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
MAY 1-7
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 32-34
“Abako-Israyeli Babezabuyela Elizweni Lakibo”
(UJeremiya 32:6-9) UJeremiya wathi, “Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: 7 UHanameli indodana kaShalumi umalumakho uzakuza kuwe athi, ‘Thenga insimu yami e-Anathothi, ngoba njengesihlobo sami segazi kulilungelo lakho lomlandu wakho ukuba uyithenge.’ 8 “Ngakho, njengokutsho kukaJehova, umzawami uHanameli weza kimi egumeni labalindi wathi, ‘Thenga insimu yami e-Anathothi elizweni lakoBhenjamini. Njengoba kulilungelo lakho ukuba uyihlenge ibe ngeyakho, zithengele yona.’ “Ngakwazi ukuthi leli laliyilizwi likaJehova; 9 ngakho ngayithenga insimu ye-Anathothi kumzawami uHanameli, ngamlinganisela amashekeli alitshumi lesikhombisa esiliva.
(UJeremiya 32:15) UJehova uSomandla uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: Izindlu lamasimu lezivini kuzathengwa futhi kulelilizwe.’
it-1-E 105 ¶2
I-Anathothi
UJeremiya wayedabuka e-Anathothi kodwa ‘waba ngumphrofethi ongeladumo’ ebantwini bakubo. Babefuna ukumbulala ngenxa yokuthi wayekhuluma amazwi avela kuJehova. (Jer 1:1; 11:21-23; 29:27) Lokhu kwenza uJehova wazonda, waze watsho lokuthi idolobho lelo lalizabhujiswa. Isiphrofetho leso sagcwaliseka ngesikhathi iBhabhiloni ihlasela idolobho lelo. (Jer 11:21-23) IJerusalema ingakabhujiswa, uJeremiya wathenga insimu yomzawakhe e-Anathothi njengoba wayelelungelo lokwenza njalo. Lolu kwakuluphawu olwalutshengisa ukuthi abako-Israyeli babezakhululwa ekuthunjweni baphinde bakhe kutsha idolobho labo. (Jer 32:7-9) Eqenjini lakuqala elaphuma eBhabhiloni loZerubhabheli, kwakulamadoda e-Anathothi angu-128. Kanti njalo i-Anathothi iqanjwa phakathi kwamadolobho aphinda akhiwa kutsha, lakanye kwagcwaliseka isiphrofetho esakhulunywa nguJeremiya.—Ezr 2:23; Neh 7:27; 11:32.
(UJeremiya 32:10-12) Ngasayina incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthenga ngayinamathisela, yafakazelwa, ngalinganisa isiliva esikalini. 11 Ngathatha incwadi yokuthenga enanyekiweyo eyayilemithetho lezimiso, kanye leyayingananyekwangwa, 12 incwadi yokuthenga le ngayinika uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya, indodana kaMahaseyiya; umzawami ekhona kanye labafakazi ababesayine incwadi yokuthenga lamaJuda wonke ehlezi egumeni labalindi.
w07-ZU 3/15 11 ¶3
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
32:10-15—Yayiyini injongo yokwenza amatayitela amabili esivumelwano esisodwa? Itayitela elalingavaliwe kwakungelokuba kubhekiselwe kulo. Itayitela elivaliwe kwakungelokuqinisekisa ukunemba kwelivuliwe uma kudingeka. UJeremiya usibekela isibonelo ngokusebenzisa izinqubo ezingokomthetho ezinengqondo ngisho noma sisebenzelana nezihlobo kanye namanye amakholwa.
(UJeremiya 33:7, 8) Ngizabuyisa uJuda lo-Israyeli besuka ekuthunjweni njalo ngizabakha futhi njengalokhu ababe yikho kuqala. 8 Ngizabahlambulula kuzo zonke izono abazenza kimi njalo ngizabathethelela zonke izono zabo zokungihlamukela.
jr-ZU 152 ¶22-23
“Kwakungekhona Yini Lokho Ukungazi Mina?”
22 Uma othile ekucasula ngamazwi noma ngezenzo ezibonisa ukungacabangi, ingabe uyolingisa uJehova? Ngokuqondene namaJuda asendulo, uNkulunkulu wathi ‘wayezobahlanza’ labo ayebathethelele. (Funda uJeremiya 33:8.) Uhlanza ngomqondo wokudlulisa isiphambeko sabantu abaphendukayo, abanike isiqalo esisha enkonzweni yaKhe. Kuyavunywa, ukuthola intethelelo kaNkulunkulu akusho ukuthi umuntu usehlanziwe ekungaphelelini akuzuze njengefa kangangokuba manje usephelele, akasenasono. Noma kunjalo, kunesifundo esisithola kulokho uNkulunkulu akusho ngokuhlanza abantu. Singalwela ukudlulisa isiphambeko noma icala lomunye umuntu, okufanekisela ukuhlanza umbono esinawo ngalowo muntu ezinhliziyweni zethu. Kanjani?
23 Ake uzibone ngeso lengqondo uphiwe isitsha esiyigugu esiyifa. Ukube besingangcola noma sibe namabala, ingabe ubuyovele usilahle? Cishe ubungeke. Mhlawumbe ubuyozama ukusihlanza ngokucophelela, ususe noma imaphi amabala noma ukungcola. Ufuna ukubona ubuhle baso, indlela esibenyezela ngayo elangeni. Ngendlela efanayo, ungazikhandla ukuze unqobe noma iyiphi intukuthelo oyifukamele noma ukunengeka ngomfowenu noma udadewenu okucasulile. Yilwa nokuthambekela kokucabanga amazwi noma izenzo ezibuhlungu. Njengoba uphumelela ukuzidlulisa, uhlanza umbono nezinkumbulo onazo enhliziyweni yakho ngalowo osuke usumthethelele. Njengoba usuyihlanzile inhliziyo yakho emicabangweni engafanele ngalowo muntu, usukulungele ukuphinde ube nobungane obuseduze obebubonakala sebulahleke unomphela.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 33:15) “‘Ngalezozinsuku langalesosikhathi ngizahlumisa uGatsha olulungileyo kunzalo kaDavida; uzakwenza okulungileyo lokufaneleyo elizweni.
jr-ZU 173 ¶10
Ungazuza Esivumelwaneni Esisha
10 UJeremiya wachaza Lowo owayeza, uMesiya, ngokuthi “ihlumela” likaDavide. Kuyafaneleka lokho. Ngesikhathi uJeremiya ekhonza njengomprofethi, uhlu lozalo lukaDavide lwanqunywa. Kepha isiqu asifanga. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, uJesu wazalwa ohlwini lweNkosi uDavide. Wayengabizwa ngokuthi “UJehova Ungukulunga Kwethu,” okuqokomisa ukuyikhathalela kukaNkulunkulu okujulile leyo mfanelo. (Funda uJeremiya 23:5, 6.) UJehova wavumela ukuba iNdodana yakhe ezelwe yodwa ihlupheke emhlabeni futhi ife. Ngemva kwalokho—ngokuvumelana nobulungisa—uJehova wayengasebenzisa inani lomhlatshelo wesihlengo ‘wehlumela’ likaDavide njengesisekelo sentethelelo. (Jer. 33:15) Lokhu kwavula indlela yokuba abantu abathile kuthiwe “balungile kube ukuphila” futhi bagcotshwe ngomoya ongcwele, babe nengxenye esivumelwaneni esisha. Ubufakazi obengeziwe bokukhathalela kukaNkulunkulu ukulunga ukuthi nabanye abangahilelekile ngokuqondile kuleso sivumelwano bangazuza futhi bayazuza kuso, njengoba sizofunda.—Roma 5:18.
(UJeremiya 33:23, 24) Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lisithi; 24 “Kawukananzeleli na ukuthi abantu laba bathi, ‘UJehova useyilahlile imibuso emibili ayeyikhethile’? Ngakho bayabeyisa abantu bami njalo kabasabanaki njengesizwe.
w07-ZU 3/15 11 ¶4
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
33:23, 24—Imiphi “imindeni emibili” okukhulunywa ngayo lapha? Owokuqala umndeni wasebukhosini wohlu lozalo lweNkosi uDavide, omunye umndeni wabapristi wozalo luka-Aroni. Lapho kubhujiswa iJerusalema nethempeli likaJehova, kwabonakala sengathi uJehova wayeyilahlile le mindeni emibili futhi wayengeke esaba nombuso emhlabeni noma avuselele ukukhulekelwa kwakhe.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 32:1-12) Leli yilizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova ngomnyaka wetshumi wokubusa kukaZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda, owawungumnyaka wetshumi lasificaminwemibili wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari. 2 Ngalesosikhathi ibutho lenkosi yaseBhabhiloni lalivimbezele iJerusalema, uJeremiya umphrofethi evalelwe egumeni labalindi phakathi kwesigodlo senkosi yakoJuda. 3 UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda wayemvalele lapho esithi, “Kungani uphrofetha njengalokhu okwenzayo? Uthi: ‘UJehova uthi: Sekuseduze ukuthi idolobho leli ngilinikele enkosini yaseBhabhiloni, njalo izalithumba. 4 UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda akayikuphunyuka ezandleni zamaKhaledi, kodwa uzanikelwa impela enkosini yaseBhabhiloni, njalo uzakhuluma layo ubuso ngobuso ayibone ngamehlo akhe. 5 Izathatha uZedekhiya imuse eBhabhiloni, lapho azahlala khona ngize ngibone engingakwenza kuye, kutsho uJehova. Uma usilwa lamaKhaledi, kawuyikuphumelela.’” 6 UJeremiya wathi, “Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: 7 UHanameli indodana kaShalumi umalumakho uzakuza kuwe athi, ‘Thenga insimu yami e-Anathothi, ngoba njengesihlobo sami segazi kulilungelo lakho lomlandu wakho ukuba uyithenge.’ 8 “Ngakho, njengokutsho kukaJehova, umzawami uHanameli weza kimi egumeni labalindi wathi, ‘Thenga insimu yami e-Anathothi elizweni lakoBhenjamini. Njengoba kulilungelo lakho ukuba uyihlenge ibe ngeyakho, zithengele yona.’ “Ngakwazi ukuthi leli laliyilizwi likaJehova; 9 ngakho ngayithenga insimu ye-Anathothi kumzawami uHanameli, ngamlinganisela amashekeli alitshumi lesikhombisa esiliva. 10 Ngasayina incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthenga ngayinamathisela, yafakazelwa, ngalinganisa isiliva esikalini. 11 Ngathatha incwadi yokuthenga enanyekiweyo eyayilemithetho lezimiso, kanye leyayingananyekwangwa, 12 incwadi yokuthenga le ngayinika uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya, indodana kaMahaseyiya; umzawami ekhona kanye labafakazi ababesayine incwadi yokuthenga lamaJuda wonke ehlezi egumeni labalindi.
MAY 8-14
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 35-38
“U-Ebhedi-Meleki Watshengisa Isibindi Lomusa”
(UJeremiya 38:4-6) Izikhulu zasezisithi enkosini, “Umuntu lo kumele abulawe. Wenza amabutho asala kulelidolobho aphelelwe lithemba, kanye labantu bonke, ngenxa yezinto azitshoyo kubo. Umuntu lo kadingi okuhle kwabantu laba, kodwa ukubhujiswa kwabo.” 5 UZedekhiya inkosi waphendula wathi, “Usezandleni zenu. Inkosi ingeke yenze lutho ukuba iliphikise.” 6 Ngakho bamthatha uJeremiya bamfaka emgodini kaMalikhiya, indodana yenkosi, owawusegumeni labalindi. UJeremiya bamehlisela phansi phakathi komgodi ngemichilo; wawungelamanzi, kuludaka kuphela, ngakho uJeremiya watshona edakeni.
it-2-E 1228 ¶3
UZedekhiya
UZedekhiya wayeyinkosi edonswa ngomkhala njengenkomo sibili. Kwathi lapho izikhulu zicela ukuthi uJeremiya abulawe ngenxa yokwenza abantu baphelelwe lithemba ngesikhathi idolobho livinjezelwe ngamabutho eBhabhiloni, uZedekhiya wathi: “Usezandleni zenu. Inkosi ingeke yenze lutho ukuba iliphikise.” Kodwa ngemva kwesikhathi, kwathi u-Ebhedi-Meleki ecela ukuyakhupha uJeremiya emgodini, uZedekhiya wavuma waphinda wamtshela lokuthi athathe amadoda angu-30 ayezamncedisa. Kanti njalo uZedekhiya waphinda wabiza umphrofethi uJeremiya ukuze baxoxe bebodwa. Wamthembisa ukuthi wayengasoze ambulale loba amnikele kulabo ababefuna ukumbulala. Kodwa uZedekhiya wayesesaba ukwenziwa into yamehlo ngamaJuda ayesehlamukele amaKhaledi, yikho kazange alalele amazwi kaJehova awatshelwa nguJeremiya. Kazange avume ukuzinikela ezikhulwini zeBhabhiloni. Inkosi le yaphinda yatshengisa ukuthi iligwala ngokucela uJeremiya ukuthi angatsheli izikhulu lokho ababexoxa ngakho.—Jer 38:1-28.
(UJeremiya 38:7-10) Kodwa u-Ebhedi-Meleki, umKhushi, isikhulu endlini yobukhosi, wezwa ukuthi basebefake uJeremiya emgodini. Kwathi-ke inkosi ihlezi eSangweni lakoBhenjamini, 8 u-Ebhedi-Meleki waphuma esigodlweni wathi kuyo, 9 “Nkosi yami, abantu laba benze ububi kukho konke abakwenze kuJeremiya umphrofethi. Sebemphosele emgodini lapho azalamba khona aze afe kungaselakudla edolobheni.” 10 Ngakho inkosi yalaya u-Ebhedi-Meleki umKhushi yathi, “Thatha amadoda angamatshumi amathathu lapha likhuphe uJeremiya umphrofethi emgodini engakafi.”
w12-ZU 5/1 31 ¶2-3
Umvuzi Wabo Bonke Abamkhonzayo
Wayengubani u-Ebhedi-meleki? Kusobala ukuthi wayeyisikhulu segceke leNkosi uZedekiya yakwaJuda. U-Ebhedi-meleki wayephila ngezinsuku zikaJeremiya, owathunywa uNkulunkulu ukuba axwayise uJuda ongathembekile ngembubhiso eyayisondela. Nakuba ayephakathi kwezikhulu ezingamesabi uNkulunkulu, u-Ebhedi-meleki wayemesaba uNkulunkulu futhi wayemhlonipha kakhulu uJeremiya. Izimfanelo zokwesaba uNkulunkulu zika-Ebhedi-meleki zavivinywa ngesikhathi izikhulu ezonakele zibheca uJeremiya ngecala zithi uvukela umbuso futhi zimphonsa emthonjeni ukuze afele khona. (Jeremiya 38:4-6) Wayezokwenzenjani u-Ebhedi-meleki?
U-Ebhedi-meleki wabonisa isibindi futhi wanganqikaza, engakwesabi nakancane ukuziphindiselela kwalezi zikhulu. Waya kuZedekiya obala futhi waphikisana nokuphathwa kabi kukaJeremiya. Mhlawumbe ebakhomba laba benzi bokubi, watshela inkosi: “La madoda enzé okubi. . . kuJeremiya.” (Jeremiya 38:9) U-Ebhedi-meleki waphumelela, futhi uZedekiya wayala ukuba athathe amadoda angu-30 ahambe ayokhipha uJeremiya.
(UJeremiya 38:11-13) Ngakho u-Ebhedi-Meleki wathatha amadoda lawo waya lawo endlini engaphansi kwendlu yengcebo esigodlweni. Wathatha amanikiniki amadala lezigqoko ezigugileyo khonapho wakwehlisela phansi kuJeremiya emgodini ngemichilo. 12 U-Ebhedi-Meleki umKhushi wathi kuJeremiya, “Faka amanikiniki la amadala lezigqoko lezi ezigugileyo emakhwapheni akho ukuze imichilo ingakulimazi.” UJeremiya wenza njalo, 13 basebemdonsela phezulu ngemichilo, bamkhupha emgodini. UJeremiya wahlala egumeni labalindi.
w12-ZU 5/1 31 ¶4
Umvuzi Wabo Bonke Abamkhonzayo
U-Ebhedi-meleki wabuye wabonisa enye imfanelo enhle: umusa. Wathatha “izidwedwe ezigugile namanikiniki bakwehlisela kuJeremiya. . . ngezindophi.” Wayekwenzelani lokhu? Ukuze uJeremiya akufake emakhwapheni, angalimali lapho bemdonsa emthonjeni onodaka.—Jeremiya 38:11-13.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 35:19) Ngakho uJehova uSomandla, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: ‘UJonadabi indodana kaRekhabi kayikuswela umuntu wokungikhonza.’”
it-2-E 759
AmaRekhabi
UJehova wathokoza kakhulu ngendlela abatshengisa ngayo ukuthi bayahlonipha njalo bayalalela. Bagcina umlayo kakhokho wabo ngenhliziyo yonke, kabazange benze njengamaJuda wona ehluleka ukulalela uMdali wabo. (Jer 35:12-16) UNkulunkulu wathembisa amaRekhabi ukuthi: “UJonadabi indodana kaRekhabi kayikuswela umuntu wokungikhonza.”—Jer 35:19.
(UJeremiya 37:21) UZedekhiya inkosi waselaya ukuba uJeremiya afakwe egumeni labalindi aphiwe isinkwa esivela emgwaqweni wabapheki bezinkwa usuku ngalunye izinkwa zonke zize ziphele edolobheni. Ngakho uJeremiya wahlala egumeni labalindi.
w98-ZU 1/15 18 ¶16-17
Qhubeka Uhamba NoNkulunkulu
16 Ngothando, uJehova usitshela ngempumuzo eyotholakala ngaphansi koMbuso wobuMesiya. (IHubo 72:1-4, 16; Isaya 25:7, 8) Futhi usisiza ukuba sibhekane nezingcindezi zokuphila manje ngokusinika iseluleko sokuthi singawugcina kanjani umbono oqondile wezinto eziza kuqala. (Mathewu 4:4; 6:25-34) Ngomlando wendlela asiza ngayo izinceku zakhe ezikhathini ezidlule, uJehova uyasiqinisekisa. (Jeremiya 37:21; Jakobe 5:11) Uyasiqinisa ngolwazi lokuthi, kungakhathaliseki usizi olusifikelayo, uthando lwakhe ngezinceku zakhe ezithembekile aluguquki. (Roma 8:35-39) Kulabo abathembela kuJehova, uthi: “Angisoze ngakushiya noma ngakulahla nganoma iyiphi indlela.”—Heberu 13:5.
17 Eqiniswe yilolu lwazi, amaKristu eqiniso aqhubeka ehamba noNkulunkulu kunokuba aphambukele ezindleleni zezwe. Inkolelo yezwe evamile kwabampofu emazweni amaningi eyokuthi ukuthatha into yomuntu onokuningi ukuze wondle umkhaya wakho akukhona ukweba. Kodwa labo abahamba ngokholo bayawenqaba lowo mbono. Bazisa ukwamukelwa uNkulunkulu ngaphezu kwakho konke okunye futhi babheke kuye ukuba avuze ukuziphatha kwabo okuqotho. (IzAga 30:8, 9; 1 Korinte 10:13; Heberu 13:18) Umfelokazi othile eNdiya wathola ukuthi ukuzimisela ukusebenza, okuhambisana nokucabanga izinto ezintsha, kwamsiza ukuba abhekane nesimo. Kunokuba athukutheliswe isimo sokuphila kwakhe, wayeqaphela ukuthi, uma ebeka uMbuso kaNkulunkulu nokulunga kwakhe kuqala ekuphileni kwakhe, uJehova wayeyoyibusisa imizamo yakhe yokuzitholela yena nendodana yakhe izinto eziyizidingo. (Mathewu 6:33, 34) Izinkulungwane eziningi emhlabeni wonke zibonisa ukuthi uJehova uyisiphephelo nenqaba yazo, kungakhathaliseki usizi ezingase zibhekane nalo. (IHubo 91:2) Ingabe kunjalo ngawe?
w95-ZU 8/1 5 ¶5-6
Kuza Izikhathi Ezingcono
Kamuva, lapho inkosi yaseBabiloni ivimbezela iJerusalema elihlubukayo, kwadingeka ukuba abantu “badle isinkwa ngesilinganiso ngokwesaba.” (Hezekeli 4:16) Isimo saba bucayi kangangokuthi abanye besifazane badla inyama yezingane zabo uqobo. (IsiLilo 2:20) Nokho, nakuba umprofethi uJeremiya ayeboshiwe ngenxa yokushumayela kwakhe, uJehova waqiniseka ukuthi “[uJeremiya] bamnika imihla ngemihla iqebelengwane lesinkwa livela esiTaladini sabaPhekizinkwa, kwaze kwaphela isinkwa sonke emzini.”—Jeremiya 37:21.
Ingabe uJehova wamkhohlwa uJeremiya lapho isinkwa sesiphelile? Ngokusobala akazange, ngoba lapho umuzi uwela kwabaseBabiloni, uJeremiya wanikezwa ‘umphako nesipho, wavunyelwa ukuba ahambe.’—Jeremiya 40:5, 6; bheka neHubo 37:25.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 36:27–37:2) Inkosi isitshise umqulu owawulamazwi ayebhalwe nguBharukhi ewatshelwa nguJeremiya, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lisithi, 28 “Thatha omunye umqulu ulobe kuwo wonke amazwi abesemqulwini wakuqala, otshiswe nguJehoyakhimi inkosi yakoJuda. 29 Umtshele uJehoyakhimi inkosi yakoJuda uthi, ‘UJehova uthi: Utshise umqulu lowana wathi, “Kungani ulobe kuwo ukuthi inkosi yaseBhabhiloni izakuza ngempela ichithe ilizwe leli, iqothule abantu lezinyamazana kulo na?” 30 Ngakho mayelana loJehoyakhimi inkosi yakoJuda, uJehova uthi: Akayikuba lomuntu ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida; isidumbu sakhe sizaphoselwa phandle sichayeke ekutshiseni kwelanga lakungqoqwane webusuku. 31 Ngizamjezisa labantwana bakhe kanye lezikhonzi zakhe ngenxa yobubi babo. Ngizakwehlisela phezu kwabo laphezu kwalabo abahlala eJerusalema kanye labantu bakoJuda, wonke umonakalo engawumemezela kubo, ngoba kabalalelanga.’”32 Ngakho uJeremiya wathatha omunye umqulu wawunika umbhali uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya, njalo kwathi uJeremiya emtshela uBharukhi waloba kuwo wonke amazwi omqulu owawutshiswe emlilweni nguJehoyakhimi inkosi yakoJuda. Kwengezelelwa ngamanye amazwi amanengi ayefana lalawo.
37 UZedekhiya indodana kaJosiya wabekwa nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni ukuba abe yinkosi yakoJuda; wabusa esikhundleni sikaJehoyakhini indodana kaJehoyakhimi. 2 Yena lezikhonzi zakhe kanye labantu baselizweni kabawanakanga amazwi kaJehova ayewakhulume ngoJeremiya umphrofethi.
MAY 15-21
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 39-43
“UJehova Uzanika Umuntu Wonke Ngokuhambelana Lalokho Akwenzileyo”
(UJeremiya 39:4-7) Kwathi lapho uZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda lamabutho wonke bebabona babaleka. Basuka edolobheni ebusuku ngendlela yasesivandeni senkosi, baphuma ngesango eliphakathi kwemiduli, baqonda e-Arabha. 5 Kodwa ibutho lamaKhaledi laxotshana labo, lafica uZedekhiya emagcekeni aseJerikho. Lamthumba, laselimusa kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni eRibhila, elizweni laseHamathi, lapho amgweba khona. 6 Inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yawabulalela khona eRibhila amadodana kaZedekhiya emehlweni akhe, yabulala lezikhulu zasesikhosini zonke zakoJuda. 7 Emva kwalokho uZedekhiya yamkhupha amehlo yasimbopha ngamaketane ethusi ukuba imuse eBhabhiloni.
it-2-E 1228 ¶4
UZedekhiya
Ukubhujiswa KweJerusalema. Ekucineni (ngo-607 B.C.E.), “ngosuku lwesificamunwemunye lwenyanga yesine, yomnyaka wetshumi lanye kaZedekhiya,” umduli wedolobho leJerusalema wadilizwa. Ebusuku uZedekhiya lawo wonke amabutho babaleka. Amabutho eBhabhiloni axotshana laye aze ayambamba emagcekeni eJerikho, ambopha amusa kuNebhukhadinezari eRibhila. Abulala amadodana kaZedekhiya ekhangele. Ngalesosikhathi uZedekhiya wayeleminyaka engaba ngu-32, yikho kungenzeka amadodana akhe ayesasemancane. UZedekhiya wathi esebone amadodana akhe ebulawa, wakhitshwa amehlo, wabotshwa ngamaketane ethusi bamusa eBhabhiloni.—2Kho 25:2-7; Jer 39:2-7; 44:30; 52:6-11; qathanisa loJer 24:8-10; Hez 12:11-16; 21:25-27.
(UJeremiya 39:15-18) UJeremiya esavalelwe egumeni labalindi, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuye lathi, 16 “Hamba ku-Ebhedi-Melekhi umKhushi uthi kuye, ‘UJehova uSomandla, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: Sekuseduze ukuba ngigcwalise amazwi ami ngedolobho leli ngokulehlisela umonakalo, hatshi ukuphumelela. Ngalesosikhathi azagcwaliseka phambi kwamehlo enu. 17 Kodwa ngizakuhlenga ngalolosuku, kutsho uJehova; kawuyikunikelwa kulabo obesabayo. 18 Ngizakusindisa, kawuyikubulawa ngenkemba kodwa uzaphunyuka lokuphila kwakho, ngoba ungithembile, kutsho uJehova.’”
w12-ZU 5/1 31 ¶5
Umvuzi Wabo Bonke Abamkhonzayo
UJehova wakubona okwenziwa u-Ebhedi-meleki. Ingabe wajabula ngakho? Esebenzisa uJeremiya, uNkulunkulu watshela u-Ebhedi-meleki ukuthi ukubhujiswa kukaJuda kuseduze. Wabe esenikeza u-Ebhedi-meleki lesi siqinisekiso. UJehova wathi: “Ngiyokukhulula. . . Ngeke unikelwe esandleni samadoda. . . Nakanjani ngiyokunika ukuphunyuka. . . Ngeke uwe ngenkemba; ngokuqinisekile umphefumulo wakho uyoba yimpango yakho.” Kungani uJehova athembisa ukusindisa u-Ebhedi-meleki? UJehova wamtshela: “Ngoba uthembele kimi.” (Jeremiya 39:16-18) UJehova wayazi ukuthi u-Ebhedi-meleki wayengamane nje esiza uJeremiya kodwa wayenokholo futhi emethemba uNkulunkulu.
(UJeremiya 40:1-6) Ilizwi lafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova emva kokuba uNebhuzaradani umlawuli wabalindi besikhosini, esemkhulule eRama. Wayefice uJeremiya ebotshwe ngamaketane phakathi kwabo bonke ababethunjwe eJerusalema lakoJuda ababesiwa ekuthunjweni eBhabhiloni. 2 Umlawuli wabalindi esethole uJeremiya wathi kuye, “UJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wamisela indawo le umonakalo lo. 3 Khathesi uJehova usewulethile; usenze ayethe uzakwenza. Konke lokhu kwenzakala ngoba lina bantu lona kuJehova njalo kalimlalelanga. 4 Kodwa lamhla ngiyakukhulula amaketane ezihlakaleni zakho. Hamba lami eBhabhiloni, uma uthanda, ngizakugcina; kodwa uma ungafuni, ungahambi. Khangela, ilizwe lonke liphambi kwakho; yana loba kungaphi lapho ofuna khona.” 5 Kodwa-ke kwathi uJeremiya engakasuki ukuba ahambe, uNebhuzaradani wengeza wathi, “Buyela kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami, indodana kaShafani, osebekwe yinkosi yaseBhabhiloni ukuba abuse amadolobho akoJuda, uhlale laye phakathi kwabantu, kumbe uye loba kungaphi lapho ofuna khona.” Emva kwalokho umlawuli wamnika umphako lesipho wasesithi kahambe. 6 Ngakho uJeremiya waya kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami eMizipha wahlala phakathi kwabantu ababetshiywe elizweni.
it-2-E 482
UNebhuzaradani
UNebhukhadinezari walaya uNebhuzaradani ukuthi akhulule uJeremiya, lakanye uNebhuzaradani wakwenza lokho. Wakhuluma loJeremiya ngomusa, wamtshela ukuthi akhethe ayefuna ukukwenza, wamthembisa lokuthi wayezamphatha kuhle futhi amuphe lokho ayekuswela. Kanti njalo inkosi yeBhabhiloni yathuma uNebhuzaradani ukuthi abeke uGedaliya ukuba abuse abantu ababesele koJuda. (2Kho 25:22; Jer 39:11-14; 40:1-7; 41:10) Ngemva kweminyaka engaba mihlanu, ngo-602 B.C.E., uNebhuzaradani wathatha amanye amaJuda wawasa ekuthunjweni. Kungenzeka amaJuda la ayebaleke asabalala eqonda ezindaweni ezitshiyeneyo ezaziseduze leJerusalema.—Jer 52:30.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 42:1-3) Zonke izikhulu zebutho, kanye loJohanani indodana kaKhareya loJezaniya indodana kaHoshayiya, labantu bonke kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu baya 2 kuJeremiya umphrofethi bathi kuye, “Ake uzwe isicelo sethu ubakhulekele bonke laba abaseleyo kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. Ngoba njengoba lawe uzibonela khathesi, lanxa sake saba banengi khathesi kusele abalutshwana kuphela. 3 Khuleka ukuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho asitshele lapho okumele siye khona lalokho okumele sikwenze.”
(UJeremiya 43:2) U-Azariya indodana kaHoshayiya, loJohanani indodana kaKhareya labo bonke abantu abazigqajayo bathi kuJeremiya, “Uqamba amanga! UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu kakuthumanga ukuba uthi, ‘Akumelanga liye eGibhithe ukuyahlala khona.’
(UJeremiya 43:4) Ngakho uJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izikhulu zebutho kanye labantu bonke kabalilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova lokuthi bahlale elizweni lakoJuda.
w03-ZU 5/1 10 ¶10
Ingabe Uyabuza Uthi, “Uphi UJehova?”
10 Ngemva kokuba iJerusalema libhujisiwe futhi amabutho aseBhabhiloni esehambe nezithunjwa ezingamaJuda, uJohanani walungiselela ukuthatha iqembu elincane lamaJuda ayesele kwaJuda aliyise eGibhithe. Bahlela baqeda, kodwa ngaphambi kokuba bahambe bacela uJeremiya ukuba abathandazele afune isiqondiso sikaJehova. Nokho, lapho bengayitholi impendulo ababeyifuna, baqhubeka benza njengoba babehlelile. (Jeremiya 41:16–43:7) Ingabe kulezi zenzakalo uyazibona izifundo ezingakuzuzisa ukuze kuthi lapho ufuna ubuso bukaJehova, avume ukuba umthole?
(UJeremiya 43:6, 7) Bathatha lamadoda wonke, labesifazana bonke kanye labantwana bonke, lamadodakazi enkosi lawo uNebhuzaradani umlawuli wabalindi ayewatshiye loGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami, indodana kaShafani, loJeremiya umphrofethi kanye loBharukhi indodana kaNeriya. 7 Ngakho bangena eGibhithe bedelela uJehova, bahamba baze bayafika eThahiphanihesi.
it-1-E 463 ¶4
Ukulandelana Kwezenzakalo
Idolobho leJerusalema lavinjezelwa okokucina ngomnyaka wesi-9 wokubusa kukaZedekhiya (ngo-609 B.C.E.), ladilizwa ngomnyaka wetshumi lanye wokubusa kwakhe (ngo-607 B.C.E.). Umnyaka lo uqondana lomnyaka wesi-19 wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari (sibala kusukela ngomnyaka ka-625 B.C.E. lapho eqalisa ukubusa). (2Kho 25:1-8) Ngenyanga yesihlanu ngalowo mnyaka (inyanga ka-Ab, eqondana phose lo-July lo-August) idolobho lathungelwa ngomlilo, lemiduli yadilizwa njalo inengi labantu lathunjwa. “Abayanga abavele bengalalutho elizweni” bavunyelwa ukusala. Bahlala baze babaleka sebeqonda eGibhithe sokubulewe uGedaliya uSibalukhulu owayebekwe nguNebhukhadinezari. Ilizwe lakoJuda lasala liyincithakalo. (2Kho 25:9-12, 22-26) Lokhu kwenzakala ngenyanga yesikhombisa okuthiwa ngu-Ethamini (kumbe u-Tishri, eqondana phose lo-September lo-October). Yikho iminyaka engu-70 iJerusalema iyincithakalo yaqalisa phose ngo-October 1, 607 B.C.E., yaze yaphela ngo-537 B.C.E. Ngenyanga yesikhombisa ngomnyaka ka-537 B.C.E., abaqala ukukhululwa ekuthunjweni bafika koJuda ngemva kweminyaka engu-70 ilizwe liyincithakalo.—2Lan 36:21-23; Ezr 3:1.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 40:11–41:3) Kwathi bonke abaJuda baseMowabi, e-Amoni le-Edomi lawo wonke amanye amazwe sebezwe ukuthi inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yayitshiye insalela koJuda njalo ibeke uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami indodana kaShafani, ukuba ngumbusi wabo, 12 bonke babuyela elizweni lakoJuda, kuGedaliya eMizipha, bevela kuwo wonke amazwe ababehlakazekele kuwo. Bavuna iwayini elinengi lezithelo zasehlobo. 13 UJohanani indodana kaKhareya lezikhulu zonke zebutho ezazilokhu zisegangeni, baya kuGedaliya eMizipha 14 bathi kuye, “Kawazi na ukuthi uBhahalisi inkosi yama-Amoni usethume u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya ukuba akubulale? Kodwa uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami kakukholwanga lokho.15 UJohanani indodana kaKhareya wasekhuluma ngasese loGedaliya eMizipha esithi, “Yekela ngihambe ngiyebulala u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya, kakho ozakwazi lokho. Kungani kumele akubulale enze ukuba abakoJuda bonke ababuthene kuwe bahlakazeke, lensalela yakoJuda ibhubhe na?” 16 Kodwa uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami wathi kuJohanani indodana kaKhareya, “Ungenzi into enjalo. Lokhu okutshoyo ngo-Ishmayeli akusiqiniso.”
41 Ngenyanga yesikhombisa u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya, indodana ka-Elishama, owayeyinzalo yesikhosini, njalo owayengomunye wezikhulu zenkosi, waya kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami eMizipha 2 lamadodana kaNethaniya lamadoda alitshumi ayelaye basukuma bamgwaza ngenkemba uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhami, indodana kaShafani, bambulala lowo owayebekwe yinkosi yaseBhabhiloni ukuba ngumbusi welizwe. 3 U-Ishmayeli wabulala lamaJuda wonke ayeloGedaliya eMizipha kanye lamabutho amaKhaledi ayelapho.
MAY 22-28
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 44-48
“Yekela ‘Ukuzifunela Izinto Ezinkulu’”
(UJeremiya 45:2, 3) “UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi kuwe, Bharukhi: 3 Wena wathi, ‘Maye mina! UJehova usengezelele usizi ebuhlungwini bami; sengikhathele ngokububula njalo kangikutholi ukuphumula,’”
jr-ZU 104-105 ¶4-6
Gwema ‘Ukuzifunela Izinto Ezinkulu’
4 Kungenzeka ukuthi enye yezinto ezazikhathaza uBharuki yayiphathelene nodumo nokuqashelwa. Nakuba uBharuki ayengunobhala kaJeremiya, kungenzeka ukuthi wayengeyena nje unobhala kaJeremiya kuphela. UJeremiya 36:32 usikisela ukuthi wayenesikhundla esiphakeme, ‘engunobhala.’ Ubufakazi babavubukuli nabo busikisela ukuthi wayenesikhundla sokuba yisikhulu esiphakeme ebukhosini. Empeleni, sona lesi siqu kubizwa ngaso “u-Elishama unobhala,” owayebalwa phakathi kwezikhulu zakwaJuda. Lokhu kusikisela ukuthi noBharuki wayengena “ekamelweni lokudlela likanobhala” “endlini yenkosi” njengomunye wozakwabo baka-Elishama. (Jer. 36:11, 12, 14) Ngakho-ke kumelwe ukuba uBharuki wayeyisikhulu esifundile emndenini wasebukhosini. Umfowabo uSeraya wayeyisikhulu sezindawo zokuphumula zeNkosi uZedekiya futhi wahamba nenkosi ohambweni olubalulekile lwaseBhabhiloni. (Funda uJeremiya 51:59.) Njengesikhulu sezindawo zokuphumula, cishe uSeraya uyena owayengamela izimpahla nendawo yokuhlala yenkosi lapho isohambweni, isikhundla esiphakeme impela.
5 Ungaqonda ukuthi umuntu ojwayele ukuba isitatanyiswa kungamdina ukulokhu ebhalana nezigijimi ezilahla uJuda. Eqinisweni, ukusekela umprofethi kaNkulunkulu kwakungenza uBharuki aphunyukwe isikhundla nomsebenzi wakhe. Cabanga nangomphumela uma uJehova ediliza ayekwakhile, njengoba sifunda kuJeremiya 45:4. “Izinto ezinkulu” ayecabanga ngazo uBharuki—kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwakuwukuthola udumo olwengeziwe egcekeni lasebukhosini noma ukuchuma ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo—zazingase zingamsizi. Uma uBharuki ayefuna isikhundla esasizomlonda kuleso simiso samaJuda esasizobhujiswa, uNkulunkulu wayenesizathu esihle sokumnqanda.
6 Ngakolunye uhlangothi, “izinto ezinkulu” zikaBharuki kungenzeka zazihlanganisa ukuchuma ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo. Izizwe ezazizungeze uJuda zazithembele kakhulu ezintweni ezazinazo nasengcebweni. UMowabi wayethembele ‘emisebenzini yakhe nasengcebweni.’ U-Amoni naye wayenjalo. Futhi uJehova waphefumulela uJeremiya ukuba achaze iBhabhiloni ngokuthi ‘linengcebo eningi.’ (Jer. 48:1, 7; 49:1, 4; 51:1, 13) Kodwa iqiniso liwukuthi uNkulunkulu wazilahla lezo zizwe.
(UJeremiya 45:4, 5) “UJehova wathi, “Yitsho lokhu kuye uthi: “UJehova uthi: Ngizadiliza esengikwakhile ngisiphune esengikuhlanyele elizweni lonke. 5 Laphoke uzazifunela izinto ezinkulu na? Ungazidingi, ngoba ngizaletha umonakalo ebantwini bonke, kutsho uJehova, kodwa wena loba kungaphi oya khona ngizakwenza uphephe lokuphila kwakho.
jr-ZU 103 ¶2
Gwema ‘Ukuzifunela Izinto Ezinkulu’
2 “Maye, manje, kimi,” kubalisa uBharuki, “ngoba uJehova unezele usizi ebuhlungwini bami! Ngidiniwe ngenxa yokububula kwami.” Cishe nawe uke ube nezikhathi osho ngazo amazwi okudinwa, noma ngabe uwasho kuzwakale noma uwasho ngenhliziyo. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi uBharuki wawasho kanjani, uJehova wayelalele. UMhloli wezinhliziyo zabantu wayazi ukuthi yini eyayibangela ukuba uBharuki akhathazeke kangaka, futhi ngoJeremiya, uNkulunkulu wamlungisa ngomusa. (Funda uJeremiya 45:1-5.) Nokho, ungase uzibuze ukuthi yini le eyayenza uBharuki adinwe kangaka. Ingabe yisabelo ayesitholile noma mhlawumbe yizimo ayezosenzela kuzo? Cha, inkinga yayisenhliziyweni yakhe. Phela uBharuki ‘wayefuna izinto ezinkulu.’ Kwakuyizinto zini? UJehova wamqinisekisa ngani uma esamukela iseluleko nesiqondiso saKhe? Futhi singafundani kokwehlela uBharuki?
(UJeremiya 45:5) Laphoke uzazifunela izinto ezinkulu na? Ungazidingi, ngoba ngizaletha umonakalo ebantwini bonke, kutsho uJehova, kodwa wena loba kungaphi oya khona ngizakwenza uphephe lokuphila kwakho.
Funani UMbuso Hatshi Izinto Zomhlaba
6 Khumbula okwenzakala kuBharukhi indoda eyayingumabhalani kaJeremiya. Lanxa kwasekuseduze ukuthi iJerusalema ibhujiswe, uBharukhi waqalisa ‘ukuzifunela izinto ezinkulu.’ UJehova wayemthembise ukuthi ‘wayezamenza aphephe lokuphila kwakhe.’ Lokhu yikho kuphela okwakumele afake ithemba lakhe kukho hatshi ezintweni ezazizaphelela emoyeni. (Jer. 45:1-5) UNkulunkulu wayengasoze alondoloze loba yini umuntu ayelayo lapho lelodolobho libhujiswa. (Jer. 20:5) Ukuphela komhlaba lo sekuseduze, ngakho lesi kayisiso sikhathi sokuthi sibe silokhu sibuthelela inotho. Akumelanga sikhohlwe ukuthi izinto esilazo kasisoze sidlule lazo ekuhluphekeni okukhulu lanxa singabe sizithanda kangakanani loba sizibona zilugugu kakhulu.—Zaga. 11:4; Mat. 24:21, 22; Luk. 12:15.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 48:13) Lapho-ke iMowabi izayangeka ngoKhemoshi njengokuyangeka kwendlu ka-Israyeli lapho babethembe iBhetheli.
it-1-E 430
UKhemoshi
Umphrofethi uJeremiya wathi ekhuluma ngendlela amaMowabi ayezajeziswa ngayo waveza ukuthi unkulunkulu wabo uKhemoshi ababemthembile wayezakuya ekuthunjweni kanye labaphristi bakhe lezikhulu zakhe. AmaMowabi ayezayangeka ngonkulunkulu wabo ongelamandla njengokuyangeka kwezizwe ezilitshumi zako-Israyeli ezazithembe iBhetheli mhlawumbe ngenxa yokuthi yikho lapho ezazikhonza khona isithombe esilithole.—Jer 48:7, 13, 46.
(UJeremiya 48:42) IMowabi izachithwa ingabe isaba yisizwe ngoba yadelela uJehova.
it-2-E 422 ¶2
IMowabi
Iziphrofetho ezimayelana leMowabi zagcwaliseka zonke, njalo kulobufakazi obunengi balokho. Eminyakeni engamakhulu eyadlulayo, iMowabi yachithwa futhi ayizange iphinde ibe yisizwe. (Jer 48:42) Sikhuluma nje, amadolobho okucatshangelwa ukuthi ayengaweMowabi angamanxiwa. Amadolobho la agoqela iNebho, leHeshibhoni, le-Aroweri, leBhethi Gamuli, leBhawali Meyoni ikanti ezinye izindawo azisaziwa.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 47:1-7) Leli yilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya umphrofethi mayelana lamaFilisti uFaro engakahlaseli iGaza: 2 UJehova uthi: “Khangela ukuphakama kwamanzi enyakatho; azakuba ngumfula okhukhulayo. Azakhukhula ilizwe lakho konke okukulo, amadolobho lalabo abahlala kuwo. Abantu bazakhala, bonke abahlala elizweni bazalila 3 ekuzweni umsindo wamasondo amabhiza agijimayo, lekuzweni umsindo wezinqola zesitha lomdumo wamasondo azo. Oyise kabayikuphenduka ukuba basize abantwababo; izandla zabo zizalenga zingelamandla. 4 Ngoba usuku selufikile ukuba abhujiswe wonke amaFilisti, lokuqeda bonke abasilayo abangasiza iThire leSidoni. Sekuseduze ukuba uJehova abhubhise amaFilisti, insalela emakhunjini eKhafitori. 5 IGaza izaphuca ikhanda layo ilila; i-Ashikheloni izathuliswa. Lina nsalela esemagcekeni, lizazisika kuze kube nini na? 6 “‘Awu, nkemba kaJehova,’ likhala kanjalo, ‘koba nini ukuze uphumule? Buyela emgodleni wakho; khawuka ungathi nyiki.’ 7 Kodwa ingaphumula njani yona ilaywe nguJehova, yona ithunywe nguye ukuba ihlasele i-Ashikheloni lokhumbi lolwandle na?”
MAY 29–JUNE 4
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 49-50
“UJehova Uyababusisa Abathobekileyo Aphinde Ajezise Abazikhukhumezayo”
(UJeremiya 50:4-7) “Ngalezozinsuku, ngalesosikhathi,” kutsho uJehova, “abantu bako-Israyeli ndawonye labantu bakoJuda bazahamba bekhala bedinga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. 5 Bazabuza indlela eya eZiyoni bakhangelise ubuso babo kuyo. Bazakuza bazibophele kuJehova ngesivumelwano esingapheliyo esingayikukhohlakala. 6 “Abantu bami bebeyizimvu ezilahlekileyo, abelusi babo babebadukisile babenza bazulazula phezu kwezintaba. Bantula phezu kwezintaba laphezu kwamaqaqa bakhohlwa indawo yabo yokuphumula. 7 Loba ngubani owabatholayo wabadla; izitha zabo zathi, ‘Kasilacala, ngoba benza okubi kuJehova, idlelo labo eliqotho, uJehova, ithemba laboyise.’
(UJeremiya 50:29-32) “Bizani abemitshoko bahlasele iBhabhiloni, bonke labo abaphatha amadandili. Ihanqeni inxa zonke; kungabi khona ophunyukayo. Iphindiseleni izenzo zayo; yenzani kuyo njengekwenzileyo. Ngoba idelele uJehova, oNgcwele ka-Israyeli. 30 Ngakho izinsizwa zayo zizakuwa emigwaqweni; ngalolosuku wonke amabutho ayo azabulawa,” kutsho uJehova. 31 “Khangela, ngimelane lawe, wena oyisiqholo,” kutsho uJehova, uJehova uSomandla, ‘ngoba usuku lwakho selufikile, isikhathi sokujeziswa kwakho. 32 Oyisiqholo uzakhubeka awe, njalo kakho ozamsiza amvuse. Ngizabasa umlilo emadolobheni akhe ozaqothula bonke abakhelene laye.”
it-1-E 54
ISitha
UNkulunkulu wavumela ukuthi izitha zihlasele abantu bakhe njalo zibathathele konke ababelakho ngenxa yokuthi behluleka ukuthembeka kuye. (Hu 89:42; La 1:5, 7, 10, 17; 2:17; 4:12) Kodwa izitha lezi zazitshaya izifuba ngokunqoba kwazo, zadumisa onkulunkulu bazo zicabanga ukuthi yibo ababapha amandla. Zazicabanga ukuthi zazingasoze zijeziswe ngendlela ezaphatha ngayo abantu bakaJehova. (Dut 32:27; Jer 50:7) Yikho uJehova kwasekumele azijezise izitha lezi ezaziziphakamisa kangaka (Isay 1:24; 26:11; 59:18; Nah 1:2); lakanye lokhu wakwenza ukuze enze ibizo lakhe elingcwele lidunyiswe.—Isay 64:2; Hez 36:21-24.
(UJeremiya 50:38, 39) Kuzakuba lokoma kwamanzi ayo! Azacitsha. Ngoba yilizwe lezithombe, izithombe ezizahlanya ngenxa yokwesaba. 39 “Ngakho izidalwa zasenkangala lezimpisi zizahlala khona, lesikhova sizahlala khona. Akusayikwakhiwa kuyo lanini kumbe kuhlalwe kuyo kusukela kusizukulwane kusiya kusizukulwane.
jr-ZU 161 ¶15
“UJehova Wenzé Lokho Ayekucabanga”
15 UJeremiya waprofetha nangokuketulwa komnqobi weGibhithe, iBhabhiloni. Eminyakeni eyikhulu ngaphambi kokuba iBhabhiloni linqotshwe, uJeremiya wakubikezela ngokunembile ukuwa kwalo. Lalizowa kanjani? Lo mprofethi kaNkulunkulu wabikezela ukuthi amanzi alo alivikelayo ‘ayeyokoma,’ futhi amaqhawe alo ayengeke alwe. (Jer. 50:38; 51:30) Lezi ziprofetho zagcwaliseka njengoba zazibikezelwe lapho amaMede namaPheresiya ephambukisa uMfula i-Ewufrathe, enqamula kuwo futhi engena emzini, efika ehlasela abaseBhabhiloni bengalindele. Cishe sizokuthakazelisa ngendlela efanayo isimemezelo sokuthi lo muzi wawuzoba incithakalo. (Jer. 50:39; 51:26) Kuze kube namuhla, amanxiwa eBhabhiloni elake laba umbuso onamandla afakazela ukunemba kwesiprofetho saphezulu.
w98-ZU 4/1 20 ¶20
Incwadi Evela KuNkulunkulu
20 U-Isaya wafa engalibonanga iBabiloni liba indawo engahlalwa muntu. Kodwa njengoba isiprofetho sasishilo, ekugcineni iBabiloni laba “yizinqwaba” nje zamatshe. (Jeremiya 51:37) Ngokwesazi esingumHeberu uJerome (owazalwa ngekhulu lesine C.E.), ngesikhathi sakhe iBabiloni laliyindawo yokuzingela lapho kwakuzulazula khona “izilwane zazo zonke izinhlobo,” futhi liseyincithakalo nanamuhla. Noma ikuphi ukuvuselelwa kweBabiloni njengendawo yokuvakashelwa kungase kuzihehe izivakashi, kodwa ‘izizukulwana’ zaseBabiloni zahamba unomphela, njengoba u-Isaya abikezela.—Isaya 14:22.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 49:1, 2) Mayelana lama-Amoni: Nanku akutshoyo uJehova: “U-Israyeli kalamadodana na? Kalazindlalifa na? Pho kungani uMoleki esethumbe iGadi na? Kungani abantu bakhe behlala emadolobheni alo na? 2 “Kodwa izinsuku ziyeza,” kutsho uJehova, “lapho engizahlaba khona umkhosi wempi wokumelana leRabha yama-Amoni: izakuba yindunduma yonxiwa; lemizi eseduze layo izathungelwa ngomlilo. Ngakho u-Israyeli uzabaxotsha labo ababemxotshele phandle,” kutsho uJehova.
it-1-E 94 ¶6
Ama-Amoni
Kukhanya ngemva kokuba uTigilathi Phileseri Wesithathu kanye lalowo owamlandela ukuba yinkosi yase-Asiriya sebethumbe ama-Israyeli ayehlala embusweni osenyakatho (2Kho 15:29; 17:6), ama-Amoni aqalisa ukuhlala endaweni yesizwe sakoGadi. Indawo le ayeke ayibangisa uJefitha kodwa ehluleka ukuyithatha. (Qathanisa leHu 83:4-8.) Yikho isiphrofetho esakhulunywa nguJehova esebenzisa uJeremiya siveza ukuthi ama-Amoni ayephambanise kakhulu lokuthi wona kanye lonkulunkulu wawo uMoleki babezulelwa ngamanqe. (Jer 49:1-5) Umbuso wakoJuda usuzachitheka, ngezinsuku zokubusa kukaJehoyakhimi, ama-Amoni aphinda athuma abahlaseli ukuthi bayehlukuluza isizwe sakoJuda.—2Kho 24:2, 3.
(UJeremiya 49:17, 18) “I-Edomi izakuba yinto yokwesatshwa, bonke abadlula khona bazathuthumela baklolode ngenxa yamanxeba ayo wonke. 18 Njengokuchitheka kweSodoma leGomora, kanye lamadolobho awo ayeseduze,” kutsho uJehova, “ngakho kakho ozahlala kuyo.
jr-ZU 163 ¶18
“UJehova Wenzé Lokho Ayekucabanga”
18 Kwagcwaliseka nesinye isiprofetho ekhulwini lokuqala C.E. UNkulunkulu wabikezela ngoJeremiya ukuthi u-Edomi wayephakathi kwezizwe ezaziyohlaselwa abaseBhabhiloni. (Jer. 25:15-17, 21; 27:1-7) Kodwa uNkulunkulu washo nokunye. Wathi i-Edomi lalizoba njengeSodoma neGomora. Uyazi nawe ukuthi kwakusho ukuthini lokho—lalingeke lihlalwe muntu, lingaphinde libe khona. (Jer. 49:7-10, 17, 18) Yilokho kanye okwenzeka. Ucabanga ukuthi singalitholaphi namuhla igama elithi Edomi nelithi abakwa-Edomi? Emabalazweni? Cha. Atholakala ikakhulu ezincwadini zomlando wasendulo noweBhayibheli noma emabalazweni asendulo. UFlavius Josephus usitshela ukuthi abakwa-Edomi baphoqwa ukuba bamukele inkolo yobuJuda ekhulwini lesibili B.C.E. Ngemva kwalokho, lapho iJerusalema libhujiswa ngo-70 C.E., lesi sizwe saphela nya.
ip-2-ZU 351 ¶6
UJehova Uzenzela Igama Elihle
6 UJehova ubeyolwelani kwa-Edomi? Sekuyisikhathi eside abakwa-Edomi, ababhebhezeli benzondo eyaqala ngokhokho wabo u-Esawu, beyizitha zabantu bakaNkulunkulu besivumelwano. (Genesise 25:24-34; Numeri 20:14-21) Ukujula kwenzondo ka-Edomi ngoJuda kwabonakala kahle ngesikhathi sokuchithwa kweJerusalema lapho abakwa-Edomi bebongela amasosha aseBabiloni. (IHubo 137:7) UJehova ubheka inzondo enjalo njengebhekiswe kuye uqobo. Yingakho anquma ukuhoshela u-Edomi inkemba yempindiselo!—Isaya 34:5-15; Jeremiya 49:7-22.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 50:1-10) Leli yilizwi uJehova alikhuluma ngoJeremiya umphrofethi mayelana leBhabhiloni lelizwe lamaKhaledi: 2 “Memezelani libike phakathi kwezizwe, phakamisani uphawu lilubike; lingafihli lutho, kodwa lithi, ‘IBhabhiloni izathunjwa, iBheli izayangiswa, iMariduki ibe lokwesaba. Izifanekiso zayo zizayangiswa, izithombe zayo zibe lokwesaba. 3 Isizwe esivela enyakatho sizayihlasela sitshabalalise ilizwe layo. Kakho ozahlala kuyo; abantu lezinyamazana kuzasuka kubaleke. 4 “Ngalezozinsuku, ngalesosikhathi,” kutsho uJehova, “abantu bako-Israyeli ndawonye labantu bakoJuda bazahamba bekhala bedinga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. 5 Bazabuza indlela eya eZiyoni bakhangelise ubuso babo kuyo. Bazakuza bazibophele kuJehova ngesivumelwano esingapheliyo esingayikukhohlakala. 6 “Abantu bami bebeyizimvu ezilahlekileyo, abelusi babo babebadukisile babenza bazulazula phezu kwezintaba. Bantula phezu kwezintaba laphezu kwamaqaqa bakhohlwa indawo yabo yokuphumula. 7 Loba ngubani owabatholayo wabadla; izitha zabo zathi, ‘Kasilacala, ngoba benza okubi kuJehova, idlelo labo eliqotho, uJehova, ithemba laboyise.’ 8 “Balekelani ngaphandle kweBhabhiloni; sukani elizweni lamaKhaledi, libe njengezimbuzi ezikhokhela umhlambi. 9 Ngoba iBhabhiloni ngizayivusela umanyano lwezizwe ezinkulu ezivela elizweni lasenyakatho. Bazaviva ezindaweni zabo bamelane layo. Njalo izathunjwa kuvelelwa enyakatho. Imitshoko yabo izakuba njengamabutho alolwazi angaphenduki engelalutho. 10 Ngakho iBhabhiloni izaphangwa, bonke abayiphangayo bazasuthiseka,” kutsho uJehova.