Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu

AUGUST 7-​13

AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 28-​31

“UJehova Wanika Isizwe Sabahedeni Umvuzo”

(UHezekheli 29:18) “Ndodana yomuntu, uNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni waqhuba ibutho lakhe ukuyakulwa impi enzima leThire; amakhanda wonke aphuculwa aphuceka lamahlombe wonke aba buhlungu. Ikanti yena lebutho lakhe kabatholanga mvuzo empini ayikhokhela ekuhlaseleni iThire.

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IThire

Ukubhujiswa Kwedolobho. Ngemva kwesikhathi eside uNebhukhadinezari evimbezele iThire, amasotsha akhe “aphuculwa” amakhanda yikuhlala egqoke izingwane zempi njalo amahlombe amasotsha “aba buhlungu” ngenxa yokuthwala amathuluzi ayesetshenziswa ngesikhathi bevimbezela. UJehova wasebenzisa uNebhukhadinezari ukujezisa iThire, kodwa njengoba engatholanga “mvuzo,” uJehova wamthembisa ukuthi wayezamupha inotho yeGibhithe. (Hez 29:17-20) Umlobi wezembali ongumJuda okuthiwa nguJosephus uthi ukuvimbezela lokhu kwathatha iminyaka engu-13 (Against Apion, I, 156 [21]) njalo kwenza abeBhabhiloni balahlekelwa kakhulu. Abaloba ngezembali kabatsho sibisibili ukuthi uNebhukhadinezari wayivimbizela njani iThire kodwa kukhanya kwafa abantu beThire abanengi kakhulu njalo kwatshabalala lezinto ezinengi ababelazo.​—Hez 26:​7-​12.

(UHezekheli 29:19) Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: IGibhithe ngizalinikela kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, njalo uzathumba inotho yalo. Uzaliphundla aliphange ilizwe njengeholo lebutho lakhe.

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IGibhithe, UmGibhithe

Kulombhalo weBhabhiloni owatholakalayo okhuluma ngokuhlaselwa kweGibhithe njalo wabhalwa ngomnyaka wesi-37 (ngo-588 B.C.E.) wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari. Ngeke sitsho ukuthi ukuhlasela lokhu yikuphi kwakhona. Esikwaziyo yikuthi uNebhukhadinezari wathola inotho yeGibhithe njengeholo lakhe elivela kuJehova ngoba wayenqobe iThire eyayithwalise abantu bakaNkulunkulu amagabha avuzayo.​—Eze 29:18-​20; 30:10-​12.

(UHezekheli 29:20) Ngimnike iGibhithe njengomvuzo wemizamo yakhe ngokuba yena lebutho lakhe lokho bakwenzela mina, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi.

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Kumele Kubhadalwe Yonke Imithelo Yini?

Ukuhlola lokho okwenziwa nguMdali kungasinceda siphendule umbuzo lo ngoba wabeka isibonelo esihle lapho ebhadala iBhabhiloni isikwelede ayelaso ngalokho eyayikwenzile. UJehova unguNkulunkulu olungileyo, yikho wakhipha umlayo wokuthi idolobho leThire libhujiswe ngenxa yezenzo zalo ezimbi. Wasebenzisa ibutho leBhabhiloni elalikhokhelwa nguNebhukhadinezari. Lanxa iBhabhiloni lanqoba sibili, kunengi kakhulu okwalilahlekelayo. Yikho uJehova wakubona kufanele ukuthi isizwe lesi sibhadalwe ngenxa yalokho esasikwenzile. Amazwi akhe akuHezekheli 29:18, 19 athi: “Ndodana yomuntu, uNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni waqhuba ibutho lakhe ukuyakulwa impi enzima leThire.  . . Ikanti yena lebutho lakhe kabatholanga mvuzo empini ayikhokhela ekuhlaseleni iThire. Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: IGibhithe ngizalinikela kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, njalo uzathumba inotho yalo. Uzaliphundla aliphange ilizwe njengeholo lebutho lakhe.”

Abantu ababala iBhayibhili bakwazi mhlophe ukuthi uNebhukhadinezari wayengumbusi ongumhedeni ozigqajayo njalo ongelandaba labanye abantu. Abantu beBhabhiloni kanye lamasotsha akhona babesaziwa ngokuhlukuluza izigqili zabo. UJehova wayengakuthandi lokho ababekwenza kodwa lokhu akuzange kumenze esule isikwelede ayelaso esizweni seBhabhiloni. Wabhadala sonke isikwelede.

Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo

(UHezekheli 28:12-​19) “Ndodana yomuntu, khala isililo ngenkosi yaseThire uthi kuyo: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: “‘Wawuyisibonelo sokuphelela ugcwele inhlakanipho lobuhle obupheleleyo. ¹³ Wawuse-Edeni isivande sikaNkulunkulu; waceca ngawo wonke amatshe aligugu: irubhi, lethophazi le-emeralidi, ikhrisolithe, i-onikisi lejaspa, isafire, ithukhwayizi lebherili. Izibonakaliso zakho lezisekelo kwakwenziwe ngegolide; kwalungiswa ngosuku owadalwa ngalo. ¹⁴ Wagcotshwa njengekherubhi elondlayo, ngoba ngakumisela lokho. Wawuphezu kwentaba engcwele kaNkulunkulu; wahamba phakathi kwamatshe avutha umlilo. ¹⁵ Wawungelasici ezindleleni zakho kusukela ngosuku owadalwa ngalo ububi baze bafunyanwa kuwe. ¹⁶ Ngenxa yokuthengisa kwakho ezindaweni ezinengi wagcwala udlakela, wasusona. Ngakho ngakususa uhlazekile entabeni kaNkulunkulu, njalo ngakuxotsha, wena kherubhi elondlayo, phakathi kwamatshe avutha umlilo. ¹⁷ Inhliziyo yakho yazigqaja ngenxa yobuhle bakho, njalo wonakalisa inhlakanipho yakho ngenxa yobucwazicwazi bakho. Ngakho ngakuphosela emhlabeni; ngakwenza umbukiso phambi kwamakhosi. ¹⁸ Ngezono zakho ezinengi lokuthengisa lobuqili usungcolise izindawo zakho ezingcwele. Ngakho ngaphemba umlilo phakathi kwakho wakutshisa wakuqeda, njalo ngakwenza waba ngumlotha emhlabathini phambi kwabo bonke ababekhangele. ¹⁹ Zonke izizwe ezazikwazi zithithibele ngawe; usufike ekucineni okwesabekayo njalo kawuyikuba khona futhi.’”

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Ukuphelela

Isoni sakuqala lenkosi yaseThire. Amazwi kaJesu akuJohane 8:44 lendaba ekuGenesisi isahluko 3 iveza ukuthi isidalwa esasisezulwini yiso esabangela ukuthi kube lesono ebantwini lokungapheleli. Ingoma yokulila eyabhalelwa ‘inkosi yaseThire’ kuHezekheli 28:12-19, ikuveza kuhle lokho okwenziwa yingilosi eyaqala ukwenza isono. ‘Inkosi yaseThire’ yayizigqaja njalo izenza ‘unkulunkulu.’ IBhayibhili libiza inkosi le ngokuthi ‘likherubhi’ njalo lithi ‘yayise-Edeni isivande sikaNkulunkulu.’ Konke lokhu kufanana xathu lalokho okutshiwo yiLizwi likaNkulunkulu nxa likhuluma ngoSathane uDeveli. Wakhulelwa yikuzigqaja njalo nguye owasebenzisa inyoka e-Edeni futhi ubizwa ngokuthi ‘ngunkulunkulu walesisikhathi.’​—1Tim 3:6; Ge 3:1-5, 14, 15; Isam 12:9; 2Khor 4:4.

Inkosi yaseThire engaqanjwanga ngebizo yayihlala edolobheni eyayisithi ‘liphelele ngobuhle.’ Inkosi le ‘yayigcwele inhlakanipho lobuhle obupheleleyo [isichasiso esihambelana lebala lesiHebheru elithi ka·lalʹ],’ njalo ‘yayingelasici [ngesiHebheru, ta·mimʹ]’ ezindleleni zayo kusukela ngosuku eyadalwa ngalo, ububi baze bafunyanwa kuyo. (Hez 27:3; 28:12, 15) Kungenzeka ukuthi ngesikhathi ingoma yokulila ekuHezekheli ibhalwa, kwakungakhulunywa ngenkosi yaseThire eyodwa nje kuphela kodwa wonke amakhosi aseThire. (Qathanisa lesiphrofetho esibhalwe ku-Isay 14:4-20 esikhuluma ‘ngenkosi yaseBhabhiloni’ engaqanjwanga ngebizo.) Yikho kungenzeka ukuthi amavesi la akhuluma ngobungane lokubambisana okwakukhona phakathi kwamakhosi aseThire lesizwe sako-Israyeli ngesikhathi kubusa iNkosi uDavida loSolomoni. Ngalesosikhathi iThire yaze yaphathisa ama-Israyeli ngomsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli likaJehova eNtabeni yaseMoriya. Kuyazikhanyela ukuthi ekuqaleni, iThire yayingelasici endleleni eyayiphila ngayo labantu bakaJehova okutsho isizwe sako-Israyeli. (1Kho 5:1-18; 9:10, 11, 14; 2Lan 2:3-16) Kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, amakhosi aseThire aphambuka endleleni le ‘engelasici’ ayehamba kuyo yikho abaphrofethi bakaNkulunkulu baze baveza lokho okwakuzawehlela iThire. Abaphrofethi laba kwakunguJoweli lo-Amosi kanye loHezekheli. (Jow 3:4-8; Amo 1:9, 10) Isiphrofetho sikaHezekheli siveza ukuhambelana okukhona phakathi ‘kwenkosi yaseThire’ loSathane uDeveli. Siphinda siveze lokuthi ibala elithi ‘ukuphelela’ lelithi ‘ukungabilesici’ kungatshoni.

(UHezekheli 30:13, 14) “‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: “‘Ngizachitha izithombe ngiqede izifanekiso eMemfisi. Akusayikuba khona inkosana eGibhithe, njalo ngizaletha ukwesaba kulo lonke ilizwe. ¹⁴ Ngizachitha iGibhithe elingaPhezulu ngithungele iZowani ngomlilo besengiletha isijeziso phezu kweThebesi.

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Zashonaphi?

IGAMA elithi Nofi nelithi No amagama aseBhayibhelini ezinhloko-dolobha zaseGibhithe zakudala ezazidumile iMemphis neThebes. INofi (Memphis) yayisebangeni elingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-23 eningizimu yeCairo, entshonalanga yoMfula iNayile. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi iMemphis ayibange isaba inhloko-dolobha yaseGibhithe. Ekuqaleni kwekhulu le-15 B.C.E., iGibhithe yayisinenhloko-dolobha entsha, iNo (Thebes), eyayisebangeni elingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-500 eningizimu yeMemphis. Elinye lamanxiwa amaningi amathempeli aseThebes yinxiwa lethempeli laseKarnak, okuthiwa liyisakhiwo esikhulu kunazo zonke ezake zakhiwa ngezinsika. IThebes nethempeli lakhona laseKarnak kwakunikezelwe ekukhulekeleni u-Amoni, unkulunkulu oyinhloko wamaGibhithe.

Sabikezelani isiprofetho seBhayibheli ngeMemphis neThebes? Kwakhishwa isahlulelo ngoFaro waseGibhithe nangonkulunkulu balo, ikakhulukazi unkulunkulu oyinhloko, “u-Amoni ukusuka eNo.” (Jeremiya 46:25, 26) Izixuku ezazibuthana khona zizokhulekela ‘zaziyoqedwa.’ (Hezekeli 30:14, 15) Kwaba njalo nangempela. Okusele ngokuphathelene nokukhulekelwa kuka-Amoni amanxiwa ethempeli kuphela. Idolobha lanamuhla laseLuxor lisengxenyeni yendawo okwakukhona kuyo iThebes yasendulo, bese kuba khona amadolobhana amancane phakathi kwamanxiwa ayo.

Ngokuqondene neMemphis, kuncane okusele ngaphandle kwamathuna akhona. Isazi seBhayibheli uLouis Golding sithi: “Emakhulwini amaningi eminyaka abanqobi beGibhithe abangama-Arabhu basebenzisa amanxiwa amakhulu aseMemphis njengenkwali yokwakha inhloko-dolobha yabo [iCairo] ngaphesheya komfula. Abakhi abangama-Arabhu kanye neNayile benza umsebenzi ophelele kangangokuthi amakhilomitha ngamakhilomitha ayo yonke indawo yedolobha lasendulo akukho ngisho netshe elilunguzile kulowo mhlabathi omnyama.” Ngempela, njengoba kwabikezelwa iBhayibheli, iMemphis laba ‘yinto eshaqisayo nje . . . langaba nowakhile kulo.’​—Jeremiya 46:19.

Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili

(UHezekheli 29:​1-​12) Ngomnyaka wetshumi, ngenyanga yetshumi ngosuku lwetshumi lambili, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: ² “Ndodana yomuntu, khangelisa ubuso bakho kuFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe uphrofethe okubi ngaye langelizwe lonke laseGibhithe. ³ Khuluma laye uthi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: “‘Ngimelane lawe, Faro nkosi yaseGibhithe, wena silo esikhulu esilele phakathi kwezifula zaso. Uthi, “INayili ngeyami; ngazenzela yona.” ⁴ Kodwa ngizafaka iwuka emihlathini yakho nginamathisele izinhlanzi zezifula zakho, emaxolweni akho. Ngizakukhuphela ngaphandle kwezifula zakho, lezinhlanzi zonke zinamathele emaxolweni akho. ⁵ Ngizakutshiya enkangala, wena kanye lezinhlanzi zonke zasezifuleni zakho. Uzawela egcekeni egangeni njalo ungabuthwa loba udojwe. Ngizakunikela njengokudla ezinyamazaneni zomhlaba lezinyoni zasemoyeni. ⁶ Lapho-ke bonke abahlala eGibhithe bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova. “‘Ube uludondolo lomhlanga lwendlu ka-Israyeli. ⁷ Kwathi bekubamba ngezandla zabo, wacezuka waqhaqha amahlombe abo; kwathi lapho beseyama kuwe wephuka lamaqolo abo aqhuzuka. ⁸ “‘Ngakho-ke nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngizaletha inkemba imelane lawe ngibulale abantu bakho kanye lezifuyo zabo. ⁹ IGibhithe izakuba yinkangala echithekileyo. Lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova. “‘Ngokuba wathi, “INayili ngeyami; yimi engayenzayo,” ¹⁰ ngakho ngimelana lawe kanye lezifula zakho, njalo ngizakwenza ilizwe laseGibhithe libe lunxiwa logwadule oluphundlekileyo kusukela eMigidoli kusiya e-Aswani, kuze kuyefika emngceleni weKhushi. ¹¹ Akulanyawo lomuntu loba olwenyamazana oluzadabula phakathi kwalo; akulamuntu ozahlala khona okweminyaka engamatshumi amane. ¹² Ngizakwenza ilizwe laseGibhithe libe ngeliphundlekileyo phakathi kwamazwe achithekileyo, njalo amadolobho alo azaphundleka okweminyaka engamatshumi amane phakathi kwamadolobho angamanxiwa. AmaGibhithe ngizawachithela phakathi kwezizwe ngiwahlakazele emazweni.

AUGUST 14-​20

AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 32-​34

“Umlindi Ulomlandu Omkhulu”

(UHezekheli 33:7) “Ndodana yomuntu, sengikwenze umlindi wendlu ka-Israyeli; ngakho zwana ilizwi engilikhulumayo ubanike isixwayiso esivela kimi.

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Umlindi

Abanye Ababesenza Umsebenzi Ohambelana Lowabalindi. UJehova wabeka abaphrofethi bakhe ukuba benze umsebenzi ohambelana lalowo owawusenziwa ngabalindi bako-Israyeli (Jer 6:17). Kwezinye izikhathi abaphrofethi laba babekhuluma ngabalindi ukuze bafundise abantu izifundo ezithile. (Isay 21:6, 8; 52:8; 62:6; Hos 9:8) Abaphrofethi babelomsebenzi ohambelana lowabalindi ngoba kwakumele baxwayise abantu ababesenza izinto ezimbi ngembhubhiso eyayisiza. Abaphrofethi ababengawenzi umsebenzi wabo babesiba lecala. Labo ababexwayiswa kodwa beqinisa amakhanda, babefela izono zabo. (Hez 3:17-21; 33:1-9) Umphrofethi ongathembekanga wayengelancedo njengomlindi oyisiphofu kumbe inja eyisimungulu engakhonkothiyo.​—Isay 56:10.

(UHezekheli 33:​8, 9) “Lapho ngisithi komubi, ‘Wena muntu omubi, uzakufa impela,’ njalo wena ungabe usakhuluma ukuba umyekelise izindlela zakhe, lowomuntu omubi uzafela izono zakhe, njalo mina ngikubeka umlandu wegazi lakhe. ⁹ Kodwa uma umxwayisa umuntu omubi ukuba aphenduke ezindleleni zakhe kodwa angenzi njalo, uzafela izono zakhe, kodwa wena uzakuba uzisindisile.

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Qhubekani Nishumayela UMbuso

Ukugwema Icala Legazi

¹³ Umthwalo wemfanelo woFakazi BakaJehova abazinikezele wokuxwayisa abantu ngesahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu esizayo ungaqhathaniswa nalowo kaHezekeli ngesikhathi sakhe. Wayemiswe ukuba abe umlindi wendlu kaIsrayeli. Isabelo sakhe sasiwukuxwayisa amaIsrayeli ukuthi ayezokwehlelwa yimbubhiso uma engaphenduki ezindleleni zawo ezimbi. Ukuba yena njengomlindi wahluleka ukuzwakalisa isixwayiso, imbubhiso yayisayokuza phezu kwabantu ababi, kodwa igazi labo laliyokuba phezu kwekhanda lomlindi oyekelelayo. Kulokhu uJehova ubonisa isimo sakhe mayelana nokukhipha isahlulelo: “Angithokozi ngokufa komubi, kuphela ngokubuya komubi endleleni yakhe aze aphile. Buyani, buyani ezindleleni zenu ezimbi; niyakufelani nina-ndlu yakwaIsrayeli na?”​—Hezekeli 33:1-11.

(UHezekheli 33:11) Tshono kubo uthi, ‘Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi, kangithokozi ngokufa kwababi, kodwa ukuba baphenduke ezindleleni zabo baphile. Phendukani! Phendukani ezindleleni zenu ezimbi! Kungani umele ufe, wena ndlu ka-Israyeli?’

(UHezekheli 33:14-​16) Njalo uma ngisithi emuntwini omubi, ‘Impela uzakufa,’ kodwa aphenduke ezonweni zakhe enze okufaneleyo lokulungileyo— ¹⁵ lapho ebuyisela lokho akuthatha kuyisibambiso salokho akwebolekisayo, abuyisele akwebayo, alandele izimiso ezinika ukuphila, angenzi okubi, uzaphila impela; kasoze afe. ¹⁶ Akukho lasinye sezono azenzayo esizakhunjulwa ngaye. Usenze okufaneleyo lokulungileyo; uzaphila impela.

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Hlale Unomuzwa Wokuphuthuma

KUNGANI UKUSHUMAYELA KWETHU KUPHUTHUMA?

³ Lapho ucabanga ngalokho esizokuzuza noma okuzolahleka ngokushumayela kwethu, cishe uyaqaphela ukuthi kunesidingo esiphuthumayo sokukhuluma nabanye ngezindaba ezinhle. (Roma 10:13, 14) IZwi likaNkulunkulu lithi: “Lapho ngithi komubi: ‘Uzokufa nokufa,’ futhi empeleni abuye esonweni sakhe enze ubulungisa nokulunga, . . . nakanjani uyoqhubeka ephila. Ngeke afe. Akukho nesisodwa ezonweni zakhe one ngazo esiyokhunjulwa ngokumelene naye.” (Hez. 33:14-16) Ngempela, iBhayibheli lithi kulabo abafundisa abanye isigijimi soMbuso: “Uyozisindisa wena nabakulalelayo.”​—1 Thim. 4:16; Hez. 3:17-21.

Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo

(UHezekheli 33:32, 33) Ngempela, kubo wena kawusulutho olungedlula umuntu ohlabela izingoma zothando ngelizwi elihle njalo esitshaya kuhle isiginci, ngoba amazwi akho bayawezwa, kodwa akutshoyo kabakwenzi. ³³ “Nxa konke lokhu sekugcwalisekile—njalo impela kuzakwenzakala—lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi umphrofethi ubekhona phakathi kwabantu.”

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Hambisana Nenqola KaJehova Yasezulwini

Ukungadunyazwa Ukuzithela Ngabandayo

¹⁶ UHezekeli wabeka futhi isibonelo esihle ngokuba olalelayo nangokungazivumeli ukuba adunyazwe ukuzithela ngabandayo noma ukuhlekwa usulu. Ngokufanayo, ngokuhambisana nokuthuthuka kolimi oluhlanzekile, silethwa ekuvumelaneni nohlangothi oluthathwa uMgibeli weNqola wasebukhosini. Ngaleyondlela sihlonyiselwa ukuba sisabele emiyalweni yakhe, siqiniselwa ukuba singadunyazwa ukuzithela ngabandayo noma ukuhleka usulu kwalabo esikhuluma kubo isigijimi sesahlulelo sikaJehova. NjengoHezekeli, uNkulunkulu uye wasixwayisa kusengaphambili ngokuthi abanye abantu babeyophikisa ngentshiseko, benebunzi elilukhuni nenhliziyo enqala. Abanye babengeke bezwe ngoba bengafuni ukulalela uJehova. (Hezekeli 3:7-9) Futhi abanye babeyoba abazenzisi, njengoba uHezekeli 33:31, 32 esho: “Bafika kuwe njengokufika kwabantu, bahlala phambi kwakho njengabantu bami, bezwa amazwi akho, abawenzi kodwa, ngokuba ngomlomo wabo babonakalisa uthando olukhulu, kepha inhliziyo yabo ilandela inzuzo yabo. Bheka, uyisihlabelelo esithandekayo sonephimbo elimnandi kubo, obetha kahle ngogubhu, ngokuba bezwa amazwi akho, abawenzi kodwa.”

¹⁷ Wawuyoba yini umphumela? Ivesi 33 liyanezela: “Lapho lokhu kufika—bheka, kuyeza!—bayakwazi ukuthi kwakukhona umprofethi phakathi kwabo.” Lawomazwi embula ukuthi uHezekeli akazange ayeke ngenxa yokungasabeli. Ukuzithela ngabandayo kwabanye akuzange kumenze azithele ngabandayo. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi abantu babelalela noma cha, walalela uNkulunkulu futhi wafeza ukuthunywa kwakhe.

(UHezekheli 34:23) Phezu kwazo ngizabeka umelusi oyedwa, inceku yami uDavida, uzazelusa; uzazelusa abe ngumalusi wazo.

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Ukuzithoba Ngentobeko Kubelusi Abanothando

³ Isiprofetho sika-Isaya 40:10, 11 sigcizelela isisa uJehova abelusa ngaso abantu bakhe. (IHubo 23:1-6) Phakathi nenkonzo yakhe yasemhlabeni, noJesu wabonisa ukubakhathalela ngesisa abafundi bakhe nabantu bebonke. (Mathewu 11:28-30; Marku 6:34) Bobabili uJehova noJesu basizonda isihluku sabelusi, noma abaholi, bakwa-Israyeli, ababengenandaba nemihlambi yabo futhi beyixhaphaza bengenamahloni. (Hezekeli 34:2-10; Mathewu 23:3, 4, 15) UJehova wathembisa: “Ngiyozisindisa izimvu zami, ngeke zisaba yinto yokuphangwa; futhi ngiyokwahlulela phakathi kwemvu nemvu. Ngiyovusa phezu kwazo umalusi oyedwa, uyozondla, yebo inceku yami uDavide. Yena uyoziklabisa, futhi uyoba umalusi wazo.” (Hezekeli 34:22, 23) Kulesi sikhathi sokuphela, uJesu Kristu, uDavide Omkhulu, nguye “umalusi oyedwa” uJehova ammise phezu kwazo zonke izinceku zaKhe emhlabeni, ezihlanganisa amaKristu agcotshwe ngomoya “nezinye izimvu.”​—Johane 10:16.

Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili

(UHezekheli 32:​1-​16) Ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili, ngenyanga yetshumi lambili ngosuku lokuqala, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: ² “Ndodana yomuntu, khala isililo ngoFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe uthi kuye: “‘Wena unjengesilwane phakathi kwezizwe; unjengesilo phakathi kwezilwandle uvubavuba amanzi ezifuleni zakho, uchaphaze amanzi ngezinyawo zakho ungcolisa lezifula ngodaka. ³ “‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: “‘Ngoquqaba olukhulu lwabantu ngizaphosela imbule lami phezu kwakho njalo bazakudonsela phezulu ngembule lami. ⁴ Ngizakuphosela emhlabathini ngikudonsele egcekeni egangeni. Ngizakwenza zonke izinyoni zasemoyeni zihlale phezu kwakho lezinyamazana zonke zasemhlabeni zizitike kuwe. ⁵ Ngizachaya inyama yakho phezu kwezintaba njalo ngigcwalise izigodi ngezidumbu zakho. ⁶ Ngizathambisa ilizwe ngegazi lakho eligeleza indawo yonke kusiya ezintabeni, lezindonga zizagcwala inyama yakho. ⁷ Lapho sengikucitsha, ngizakwembesa amazulu ngenze izinkanyezi zawo zibe mnyama; ngizakwembesa ilanga ngeyezi, lenyanga ingabe isakhanyisa. ⁸ Zonke izibane ezikhanyisa emazulwini ngizazenza zibe mnyama elizweni lakho, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi. ⁹ Ngizakhathaza izinhliziyo zabantu abanengi lapho sengiletha ukuchithwa kwakho phakathi kwezizwe, phakathi kwamazwe ongazange uwazi. ¹⁰ Ngizakwenza abantu abanengi bamangale ngawe, lamakhosi abo azathuthumela ngokwesaba ngenxa yakho lapho nginyikinya inkemba yami phambi kwawo. Ngosuku lokuwa kwakho lowo lalowo wabo uzaqhaqhazela isikhathi sonke sokuphila kwakhe. ¹¹ “‘Ngoba nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: “‘Inkemba yenkosi yaseBhabhiloni izamelana lawe. ¹² Ngizakwenza amaxuku akho abulawe ngezinkemba zamadoda alamandla alesihluku kakhulu phakathi kwezizwe zonke. Azachoboza ukuziqhenya kweGibhithe, njalo wonke amaxuku alo azanqotshwa. ¹³ Ngizabulala zonke izinkomo zabo ngaseduzane lamanzi amanengi angaphindi adungwe lunyawo lomuntu futhi kumbe angcoliswe ngamasondo ezinkomo ngodaka. ¹⁴ Lapho-ke ngizakwenza amanzi alo azinze lezifula zalo zigeleze njengamafutha, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi. ¹⁵ Lapho iGibhithe sengilichitha ngiphundla ilizwe lakho konke okukulo, lapho sengibacakazela phansi bonke abahlala khona, lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’ ¹⁶ “Lesi yisililo esizaculelwa iGibhithe. Amadodakazi ezizwe azasicula: azasiculela iGibhithe kanye lamaxuku alo wonke, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi.”

AUGUST 21-​27

AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 35-​38

“Sekuseduze Ukuthi UGogi WaseMagogi Atshabalaliswe”

(UHezekheli 38:2) “Ndodana yomuntu, khangelisa ubuso bakho bumelane loGogi, owaselizweni laseMagogi, inkosana enkulu yaseMesheki kanye laseThubhali; phrofetha kubi ngaye.

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Imibuzo Ebuzwa Ngabafundi

Manje ngubani uGogi waseMagogi? Umbuzo lo singawuphendula ngokuchwayisisa iMibhalo ukuze sibone ukuthi ngubani ohlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu. IBhayibhili likhuluma ngokuhlasela ‘kukaGogi waseMagogi,’ kanye lokuhlasela ‘kwenkosi yaseNyakatho,’ liphinde likhulume langokuhlasela ‘kwamakhosi asemhlabeni.’ (Hez. 38:2, 10-13; Dan. 11:40, 44, 45; Isam. 17:14; 19:19) Ukuhlasela lokhu kwehlukene yini? Akungeke kube kwehlukene. Kukhanya iBhayibhili lisebenzisa amabizo atshiyeneyo kodwa lisitsho ukuhlasela okukodwa. Kuyini okungenza sitsho njalo? Yikuthi iMibhalo isitshela ukuthi ekuhlaseleni kokucina okuzavusa impi ye-Amagedoni, izizwe zonke zomhlaba lazo zizahlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu.​—Isam. 16:14, 16.

Nxa sikhangele yonke iMibhalo le ekhuluma ngokuhlaselwa kokucina kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu, kuyacaca ukuthi ibizo elithi uGogi waseMagogi alitsho uSathane kodwa litsho izizwe ezizabe zilenhloso yinye yokuhlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Izizwe lezi zizabe zikhokhelwa ‘yiNkosi yaseNyakatho’ okukhulunywa ngayo esiphrofethweni yini? Asingeke sitsho. Kodwa umcijo lo ukhanya uhambelana lalokho uJehova akutshoyo mayelana loGogi. Wathi: “Uzakuza uvela endaweni yakho khatshana le enyakatho, wena kanye lezizwe ezinengi ezilawe, zonke zigade amabhiza, ixuku elikhulukazi, ibutho elilamandla.”​—Hez. 38:6, 15.

(UHezekheli 38:14-​16) “Ngakho, ndodana yomuntu, phrofetha uthi kuGogi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngalolosuku, lapho abantu bami u-Israyeli sebehlala ekuvikelweni, kawuyikukubona na? ¹⁵ Uzakuza uvela endaweni yakho khatshana le enyakatho, wena kanye lezizwe ezinengi ezilawe, zonke zigade amabhiza, ixuku elikhulukazi, ibutho elilamandla. ¹⁶ Uzaqhubeka umelana labantu bami u-Israyeli njengeyezi elisibekele ilizwe. Ezinsukwini ezizayo, wena Gogi, ngizakwenza umelane lelizwe lami, ukuze izizwe zingazi lapho sengizibonakalisa ngingcwele ngawe phambi kwazo.

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Indlela Leli Zwe Eliyophela Ngayo

⁸ Ngemva kokuba inkolo yamanga ibhujisiwe, izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ziyobe zisekhona ‘zihleli zilondekile’ futhi ‘zingenaludonga.’ (Hez. 38:11, 14) Kuyokwenzekani kuleli qembu labantu elibonakala lingavikelekile eliqhubeka likhulekela uJehova? Kubonakala sengathi liyoba izisulu zokuhlasela okuwukhukhulela-ngoqo ‘kwezizwe eziningi.’ IZwi likaNkulunkulu lichaza lokho kuhlasela njengokuvela ‘kuGogi wezwe lakwaMagogi.’ (Funda uHezekeli 38:2, 15, 16.) Kufanele sikubheke kanjani lokho kuhlasela?

⁹ Ukwazi kusengaphambili ngalokhu kuhlaselwa kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu akusenzi sikhathazeke ngokweqile. Kunalokho, into eyinhloko esikhathazeka ngayo, akuyona insindiso yethu, kodwa ukungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova nokulwelwa kobukhosi bakhe. Eqinisweni, uJehova washo izikhathi ezingaphezu kuka-60 ukuthi: “Niyokwazi ukuthi nginguJehova.” (Hez. 6:7) Yingakho sikulindele ngokukhulu ukulangazela ukugcwaliseka kwaleso sici esiphawulekayo sesiprofetho sikaHezekeli, sinethemba lokuthi “uJehova uyayazi indlela yokukhulula ekulingweni abantu abanokuzinikela kokuhlonipha uNkulunkulu.” (2 Pet. 2:9) Ngesikhathi esifanayo, sifuna ukusebenzisa wonke amathuba okuqinisa ukholo lwethu ukuze sikwazi ukugcina ubuqotho bethu kuJehova kungakhathaliseki uvivinyo esingase sibhekane nalo. Yini okufanele siyenze? Kufanele sithandaze, sitadishe iZwi likaNkulunkulu, sizindle ngalo futhi sikhulume nabanye ngesigijimi soMbuso. Ngokwenza kanjalo, sigcina ithemba lethu lokuphila okuphakade liqinile, “njengehange.”​—Heb. 6:19; IHu. 25:21.

(UHezekheli 38:21-​23) Ngizalaya inkemba imelane loGogi kuzo zonke izintaba zami, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi. Inkemba yomuntu ngamunye izamelana lomfowabo. ²² Ngizamahlulela ngesifo langokuchithwa kwegazi; ngizathululela phansi izihlambi zezulu, isiqhotho lesolufa etshisayo phezu kwakhe laphezu kwamabutho akhe kanye laphezu kwezizwe ezinengi ezilaye. ²³ Ngalokho ngizabonakalisa ubukhulu bami lobungcwele bami, njalo ngizakwenza ngazakale phambi kwezizwe ezinengi. Lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’

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“Selingabantu bakaNkulunkulu”

¹⁶ Ngemva kokubhujiswa kweBhabhiloni eNkulu, uGogi uzabasusela amanqe abantu bakaJehova njalo ngalesosikhathi kuzasinceda ukwamukela loba kuyini uJehova azakwenza ukuze avikele izinceku zakhe. UJehova yena ngokwakhe nguye ozakwenza ukuthi izinto zenzakale ngesikhathi sakhe ngoba ukuhlaselwa lokhu yikho okuzaletha ingxenye yokucina ‘yokuhlupheka okukhulu.’ (Mat. 24:21; Hez. 38:2-4) Ngalesosikhathi, uGogi uzahlasela ‘abantu abaqoqwa ezizweni,’ okutsho abantu bakaJehova. (Hez. 38:10-12) Ukuhlasela lokhu kuzakwenza ukuthi uJehova alwe loGogi kanye lamaxuku akhe. UJehova uzatshengisa ukuthi ubukhosi bakhe bukhulu njalo angcwelise ibizo lakhe ngoba uthi: “Ngizakwenza ngazakale phambi kwezizwe ezinengi. Lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.”​—Hez. 38:18-​23.

Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo

(UHezekheli 36:20, 21) Loba ngaphi abaya khona phakathi kwezizwe balingcolisa ibizo lami elingcwele, ngoba kwathiwa ngabo, ‘Laba ngabantu bakaJehova, kodwa basuswa elizweni’ ²¹ Nganqinekela ibizo lami elingcwele, elangcoliswa yindlu ka-Israyeli phakathi kwezizwe abaya kuzo.

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Funda Futhi Ufundise Ukuziphatha KobuKristu

¹² Umphostoli wagcizelela isizathu esiyinhloko sokufunda bese usebenzisa izimiso zokuziphatha ozithola eBhayibhelini? Ukuziphatha kabi kwamaJuda kwakummelela kabi uJehova: “Wena, oziqhenya ngomthetho, ingabe ngokweqa kwakho uMthetho uhlaza uNkulunkulu? Ngoba ‘igama likaNkulunkulu liyahlanjalazwa ngenxa yenu phakathi kwezizwe.’” (Roma 2:​23, 24) Kuyiqiniso ngokufanayo nanamuhla ukuthi uma singakunaki ukuziphatha kobuKristu sihlaza uMthombo wako. Kodwa futhi uma sibambelela siqinisa ezindinganisweni zikaNkulunkulu, kummelela kahle, kumdumise. (Isaya 52:5; Hezekeli 36:20) Ukukuqaphela kwakho lokhu kungakwenza uzimisele nakakhulu uma ubhekana nezilingo noma izimo lapho ukungakunaki ukuziphatha kobuKristu kungase kubonakale kulula. Amazwi kaPawulu asifundisa nokunye futhi. Ngaphezu kokuqaphela ngokwakho ukuthi ukuziphatha kwakho kumelela uNkulunkulu, njengoba ufundisa abanye, basize nabo babone ukuthi ukusebenzisa kwabo izindinganiso abazifundayo kuyommelela uJehova. Ukuziphatha kobuKristu akugcini nje ngokuletha ukwaneliseka nokuvikela impilo yomuntu. Kumelela naLowo owasungula futhi okhuthaza lokho kuziphatha.​—IHubo 74:10; Jakobe 3:17.

(UHezekheli 36:33-​36) “‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngosuku engizakuhlambulula ngalo ezonweni zakho zonke, ngizahlalisa abantu emadolobheni akho, njalo lamanxiwa azavuselelwa. ³⁴ Ilizwe eliphundlekileyo lizalinywa kulokuthi lihlale liphundlekile emehlweni abo bonke abadabula phakathi kwalo. ³⁵ Bazakuthi, “Ilizwe leli elaselenziwe laba lugwadule selibe njengesivande sase-Edeni; amadolobho ayesengamanxiwa, ephundlekile njalo echithekile, khathesi asevikelwe ngezinqaba njalo sekuhlala abantu kuwo.” ³⁶ Lapho-ke izizwe ezilihanqileyo eziseleyo zizakwazi ukuthi mina uJehova sengikwakhe kutsha okwakudiliziwe njalo sengikuhlanyele kutsha okwakuphundlekile. Mina uJehova sengikhulumile njalo ngizakwenza lokhu.’

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‘Bayokwazi Ukuthi NginguJehova’

¹¹ Ngemva kokuba insali ibuyele kwaJuda, lelozwe elalenziwe incithakalo laguqulwa laba “insimu yase-Edene” ethelayo. (Funda uHezekeli 36:33-36.) Ngokufanayo, kusukela ngo-1919 uJehova uye waguqula izwe elake laba yincithakalo lensali egcotshiwe laba ipharadesi elingokomoya elithelayo, manje elihlanganyelwa ‘nesixuku esikhulu.’ Njengoba lelipharadesi elingokomoya liye lakhiwa abantu abangcwele, sengathi umKristu ngamunye ozinikezele angasebenzela ukuligcina lihlanzekile.​—Hezekeli 36:37, 38.

Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili

(UHezekheli 35:1-​15) Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: ² “Ndodana yomuntu, khangelisa ubuso bakho eNtabeni iSeyiri; uphrofethe okubi ngayo ³ uthi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngimelane lawe, Ntaba Seyiri, njalo ngizakwelula isandla sami ukumelana lawe ngikwenze ube lugwadule oluphundlekileyo. ⁴ Ngizakwenza amadolobho akho abe ngamanxiwa lawe uzachithwa. Lapho-ke uzakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova. ⁵ “‘Ngoba wagcina inzondo yasendulo wanikela ama-Israyeli enkembeni ngesikhathi sosizi lwawo, lapho isijeziso sawo sasesifike ekucineni, ⁶ ngakho-ke ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi, ngizakunikela ekuchithekeni kwegazi njalo kuzakulandela. ⁷ Ngizakwenza iNtaba iSeyiri ibe lugwadule oluphundlekileyo, njalo ngiqede kuyo bonke abafika bahambe. ⁸ Ngizagcwalisa izintaba zakho ngababuleweyo; labo ababulawe ngenkemba bazawela phezu kwamaqaqa akho lasezigodini zakho kanye lasezindongeni zakho zonke. ⁹ Ngizakwenza uchitheke okwanininini; amadolobho akho kawayikuhlalwa muntu. Lapho-ke uzakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova. ¹⁰ “Ngoba wena uthe, “Izizwe lezi ezimbili lamazwe la amabili kuzakuba ngokwethu njalo sizakuthatha,” lanxa mina uJehova ngangikhonapho. ¹¹ Ngakho-ke ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi, ngizakuphatha ngokufanele ukuthukuthela lobukhwele owakubonakalisayo ekubazondeni kwakho njalo ngizakwenza mina ngazakale phakathi kwabo lapho sengikwahlulela. ¹² Lapho-ke uzakwazi ukuthi mina uJehova sengizizwile zonke izinto ezenyanyekayo owazitshoyo ngezintaba zako-Israyeli. Wathi, “Sezichithiwe njalo sezinikelwe kithi ukuba sizitshwabadele.” ¹³ Wazikhukhumeza kubi ngami njalo wakhuluma kubi ngami kungekho kuzibamba, njalo ngakuzwa lokho. ¹⁴ Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Kuzakuthi umhlaba wonke uthokoze, mina ngizakwenza uphundleke. ¹⁵ Ngokuba wena wathokoza lapho ilifa lendlu ka-Israyeli lichitheka, leyo yiyo indlela engizakuphatha ngayo. Uzaphundleka, wena Ntaba yeSeyiri, wena kanye le-Edomi yonke. Lapho-ke bazakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’”

AUGUST 28–SEPTEMBER 3

AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 39-​41

“Umbono Wethempeli Owabonwa NguHezekheli Usifundisani?”

(UHezekheli 40:2) Ngemibono kaNkulunkulu wangisa elizweni lako-Israyeli wangibeka phezu kwentaba ende kakhulu, eceleni langaseningizimu kwayo kulezindlu ezazingathi lidolobho.

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‘Beka Inhliziyo Yakho’ Ethempelini LikaNkulunkulu!

¹⁶ Ukuze sithole impendulo, ake siphindele kuwo umbono. UHezekeli wabhala: “Ngemibono kaNkulunkulu wangiyisa ezweni lakwa-Israyeli, wangibeka entabeni ephakeme kakhulu, okwakuphezu kwayo kungathi isakhiwo somuzi ngaseningizimu.” (Hezekeli 40:2) Indawo lo mbono owenzeka kuyo, ‘intaba ephakeme kakhulu,’ isikhumbuza uMika 4:1: “Kepha kuyakuthi ngezinsuku ezizayo [engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku, NW] intaba yendlu kaJehova iqiniswe esiqongweni sezintaba, iphakame kunamagquma, nabantu bayakugobhozela khona.” Sigcwaliseka nini lesi siprofetho? UMika 4:5 ubonisa ukuthi lokhu kuqala izizwe zisakhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga. Eqinisweni, kuye kwaba sesikhathini sethu uqobo, “engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku,” lapho ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile kuye kwaphakanyiswa khona, kwabuyiselwa endaweni yako efanele ekuphileni kwezinceku zikaNkulunkulu.

(UHezekheli 40:3) Wangisa khonapho, ngasengibona umuntu owayengathi lithusi, wayemi esangweni esandleni ephethe intambo yelineni loluthi lokulinganisa.

(UHezekheli 40:5) Ngabona umduli uzingeleze ithempeli ngokupheleleyo. Ubude boluthi lokulinganisa olwaluphethwe ngumuntu lowo babuzingalo eziyisithupha, eyodwa kuyingalo lobubanzi besandla. Walinganisa umduli; ubuqatha bawo babululuthi lokulinganisa olulodwa lobude bululuthi olulodwa.

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Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli​—INgxenye II

40:3–​43:17​—Kusho ukuthini ukulinganiswa kwethempeli? Ukulinganiswa kwethempeli kuwuphawu lokuthi injongo kaJehova mayelana nokukhulekela okumsulwa iyogcwaliseka nakanjani.

(UHezekheli 40:10) Ngaphakathi kwesango langasempumalanga kwakulezindlwana ezintathu icele ngalinye; zontathu izilinganiso zazo zazifanana, lobuso bemiduli eyayiphumele phambili izilinganiso zabo amacele wonke zazifanana.

(UHezekheli 40:14) Walinganisa elandela ubuso bemiduli ephumele phandle konke langaphakathi kwesango—izingalo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha. Ukulinganisa kwakufike engenelweni elikhangele iguma.

(UHezekheli 40:16) Phezu kwezindlwana lemiduli ephumele phandle ngaphakathi kwesango kwakulezikhadlanyana indawo yonke emdulini omncane, lalinjalo lengenelo; izikhadlanyana indawana yonke zazikhangele ngaphakathi. Ubuso bemiduli ephumele phandle babuceciswe ngezihlahla zelala.

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Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli​—INgxenye II

UHezekheli 40:14, 16, 22, 26. Imidwebo esodongeni yemithi yesundu esezindleleni ezingena ethempelini ibonisa ukuthi ngabaqotho kuphela abavunyelwe ukungena kulo. (IHubo 92:12) Lokhu kusifundisa ukuthi ukukhulekela kwethu uJehova kwamukeleka kuphela uma siqotho.

Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo

(UHezekheli 39:7) “‘Ngizakwenza ibizo lami elingcwele lazakale phakathi kwabantu bami u-Israyeli. Kangisayikuyekela ibizo lami elingcwele lingcoliswa futhi, lezizwe zizakwazi ukuthi mina uJehova ngingoNgcwele ka-Israyeli.

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“Izizwe Ziyokwazi Ukuthi NginguJehova”

UJehova uthi: “Ngeke ngisavuma ukuba igama lami elingcwele lingcoliswe.” Lapho abantu bemsola ngokungabi khona kobulungisa, basuke bengcolisa igama lakhe. Kanjani? EBhayibhelini igama elithi “igama” libhekisela edumeleni. Enye incwadi ithi igama likaNkulunkulu libhekisela “kulokho okwaziwayo ngaye—lokho akwambulile ngaye; liphinde limelele udumo lwakhe nokuhlonipheka kwakhe.” Igama likaJehova lihlanganisa nedumela lakhe. Yini eyaziwayo ngoJehova uma kuziwa ekungabini khona kobulungisa? Uyakuzonda! Uyazizwela nezisulu zako. (Eksodusi 22:22-24) Lapho abantu bethi uNkulunkulu wenza zona kanye izinto azizondayo, basuke bengcolisa idumela lakhe. ‘Baphatha igama lakhe ngendelelo.’​—IHubo 74:10.

(UHezekheli 39:9) “‘Lapho-ke labo abahlala emadolobheni ako-Israyeli bazaphuma basebenzise izikhali njengenkuni bazibase zitshe​—amahawu amancane lamakhulu, amadandili lemitshoko, izagila zempi kanye lemikhonto. Bazazisebenzisa ekubaseni umlilo iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

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Ukuvula Indlela Ephindela EPharadesi

²⁰ Kodwa kuthiwani ngazo zonke izinto ezisetshenziselwa impi eziyoshiywa izizwe? Uma kubhekwa isibonakaliso esingokomfanekiso sobude besikhathi ukubhujiswa kwezingxenye zazo ezingavutha okuyosithatha, ziyoba ziningi kakhulu. (Hezekeli 39:8-10) Abasinde eArmagedoni bangase bakwazi ukusebenzisa izinto zezizwe ezisele empini ezinjongweni ezinenzuzo.​—Isaya 2:2-4.

Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili

(UHezekheli 40:32-​47) Wabuya wangisa egumeni langaphakathi, eceleni lasempumalanga, waselinganisa isango; ubude lobubanzi balo babulingana lobamanye. ³³ Izindlwana zalo, imiduli yalo ephumele phambili kanye lengenelo lalo, ubude lobubanzi bakho babulingana lobokunye. Isango lengenelo lalo kwakulezikhala indawo yonke. Lalizingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu ubude balo lezingalo ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ububanzi balo. ³⁴ Ingenelo lalo lalikhangele iguma langaphandle; izihlahla zelala zazicecise izinsika zalo amacele womabili, njalo amanyathelo aficamibili ayesiya kulo. ³⁵ Wabuya wangisa esangweni lasenyakatho walilinganisa. Ubude lobubanzi balo babulingana lobamanye, ³⁶ zinjalo lezindlwana zalo, imiduli yalo ephumele phambili kanye lengenelo lalo, njalo lalilezikhala indawo yonke. Lalizingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu ubude balo lezingalo ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ububanzi balo. ³⁷ Ingenelo lalo lalikhangele iguma langaphandle; izihlahla zelala zazicecise izinsika zalo amacele womabili, njalo amanyathelo aficamibili ayesiya kulo. ³⁸ Indlu eyayilomnyango yayiseduze lengenelo kulelo lalelo isango langaphakathi, lapho iminikelo yokutshiswa eyayigeziselwa khona. ³⁹ Engenelweni lesango kwakulamatafula amabili icele ngalinye, lapho okwakuhlatshelwa khona iminikelo yokutshiswa, iminikelo yesono kanye leminikelo yecala. ⁴⁰ Phansi komduli wangaphandle owengenelo lesango, eduze kwamanyathelo ekungeneni kwesango lasenyakatho kwakulamatafula amabili. ⁴¹ Ngakho kwakulamatafula amane kwelinye icele lesango lamane njalo kwelinye—amatafula aficamunye esewonke—okwakuhlatshelwa phezu kwawo imihlatshelo. ⁴² Kwakulamatafula amane futhi awamatshe abaziweyo awomnikelo wokutshiswa, lilinye liyingalo eyodwa lengxenye ubude, ingalo eyodwa lengxenye ububanzi kanye lengalo eyodwa ukuphakama kwalo. Izinto zokuhlaba umnikelo wokutshiswa leminye imihlatshelo zazibekwa phezu kwawo. ⁴³ Njalo kwakulezingwegwe ezimbaxambili, enye lenye ingangobubanzi besandla ubude bayo, ezazigxiliswe emdulini indawo yonke. Amatafula ayengawenyama yeminikelo. ⁴⁴ Ngaphandle kwesango langaphakathi, phakathi kweguma langaphakathi, kwakulezindlu ezimbili, enye iseceleni lesango lenyakatho njalo ikhangele eningizimu, enye njalo iseceleni lesango langaseningizimu njalo ikhangele enyakatho. ⁴⁵ Wathi kimi, “Indlu ekhangele eningizimu ngeyabaphristi abaphethe ithempeli, ⁴⁶ njalo indlu ekhangele enyakatho ngeyabaphristi abaphethe i-alithare. Laba bangamadodana kaZadoki abayibona baLevi kuphela abangasondela phansi kukaJehova ukuba bamkhonze.”⁴⁷ Emva kwalokho walinganisa iguma: Lalilingana inxa zone—izingalo ezilikhulu ubude lezingalo ezilikhulu ububanzi. I-alithare laliphansi kwethempeli.