Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Kugwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
NOVEMBER 2-8
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-EKSODUSI 39-40
“UMosi Wakwenza Konke Njengokulaywa Kwakhe”
w11-ZU 9/15 27 ¶13
Ingabe UJehova Uyakwazi?
Ngokuphambene, uMose “wayemnene ukubadlula kude bonke abantu ababesebusweni bomhlaba.” (Num. 12:3) Wabonisa ubumnene nokuthobeka ngokuzimisela kwakhe ukulandela isiqondiso sikaJehova. (Eks. 7:6; 40:16) Akukho okubonisa ukuthi uMose wayevame ukungabaza indlela kaJehova yokwenza izinto noma ukuthi kwakumcasula ukulandela izinqubo ezibekwe uJehova. Ngokwesibonelo, uJehova wanikeza imiyalo ngisho nemininingwane emincane ngokuphathelene nokwakha itabernakele, njengombala wentambo nenani lezihibe okwakufanele zenziwe ezindwangwini zetende. (Eks. 26:1-6) Uma umbonisi ongumuntu enhlanganweni kaNkulunkulu ebengakunikeza iziqondiso ezibonakala zinanemininingwane yezinto ezincane, lokhu bekungakwenza ngezinye izikhathi uzizwe ukhungathekile. Nokho, uJehova ungumbonisi ophelele, ophathisa izinceku zakhe amalungelo athile ngokukhululekile futhi ozethembayo. Lapho enikeza imininingwane eminingi, ukwenza lokho ngesizathu esihle. Nokho, qaphela ukuthi uMose akazange acasuke lapho uJehova emnikeza ngisho naleyo mininingwane emincane, abe nomuzwa wokuthi uJehova umbukela phansi noma umncisha inkululeko noma ithuba lokusebenzisa ikhono lakhe lokusungula. Kunalokho, uMose waqinisekisa ukuthi ababenza lowo msebenzi “benza kanjalo nje” ekulandeleni iziqondiso zikaNkulunkulu. (Eks. 39:32) Yeka inkambo yokuthobeka! UMose waqaphela ukuthi lona kwakungumsebenzi kaJehova futhi yena wayemane eyithuluzi laKhe lokwenza lowo msebenzi.
w05-ZU 7/15 27 ¶3
Ingabe Uthembekile Kuzo Zonke Izinto?
AmaHebheru 3:5 athi: “UMose njengesikhonzi wayethembekile.” Kungani kuthiwa umprofethi uMose wayethembekile? Lapho kwakhiwa futhi kumiswa itabernakele, “uMose wenza ngokuvumelana nakho konke uJehova ayemyale ngakho. Wenza kanjalo nje.” (Eksodusi 40:16) Njengabakhulekeli bakaJehova, sibonisa ukwethembeka ngokumlalela simkhonze. Akungabazeki ukuthi lokhu kuhlanganisa nokuhlala siqotho kuJehova lapho sibhekene novivinyo noma ukulingwa okukhulu. Nokho, ukuphumelela ekubhekaneni novivinyo olukhulu akukhona kuphela okubonisa ukuthi sithembekile. UJesu wathi: “Umuntu othembekile kokuncane kakhulu uthembekile nakokukhulu, nomuntu ongalungile kokuncane kakhulu akalungile nakokukhulu.” (Luka 16:10) Kumelwe sihlale sithembekile ngisho nasezintweni ezibonakala zincane.
it-2-E 884 ¶3
Izikhumba zezinyamazana zaselwandle
How Obtainable by Israelites. If the taʹchash of the Bible does designate a kind of seal, then a question may arise as to how it was possible for the Israelites to obtain sealskins. While seals are generally associated with Arctic and Antarctic regions, some seals favor warmer climates. Today a few monk seals still inhabit part of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as other warmer waters. Over the centuries man has greatly reduced the number of seals, and in Bible times these animals may have been abundant in the Mediterranean and in the Red Sea. As late as 1832 an English edition of Calmet’s Dictionary of the Holy Bible (p. 139) observed: “On many of the small islands of the Red sea, around the peninsula of Sinai, are found seals.”—See also The Tabernacle’s Typical Teaching, by A. J. Pollock, London, p. 47.
w15 7/15 21 ¶1
Does It Matter Who Notices Your Work?
When the tabernacle was completed, a cloud “began to cover the tent of meeting, and Jehovah’s glory filled the tabernacle.” (Ex. 40:34) What a clear indication of Jehovah’s approval! How do you think Bezalel and Oholiab felt at that moment? Although their names were not engraved on their handiwork, they must have felt satisfaction in knowing that God’s blessing was on all their efforts. (Prov. 10:22) In the years that followed, it surely warmed their hearts to see that their handiwork continued to be used in Jehovah’s service. When they come back to life in the new world, Bezalel and Oholiab will no doubt be thrilled to learn that the tabernacle was used in true worship for some 500 years!
NOVEMBER 9-15
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU ULEVI 1-3
“Yayingeyani Iminikelo?”
it-2-E 525
Iminikelo
Burnt offerings. Burnt offerings were presented in their entirety to God; no part of the animal being retained by the worshiper. (Compare Jg 11:30, 31, 39, 40.) They constituted an appeal to Jehovah to accept, or to signify acceptance of, the sin offering that sometimes accompanied them. As a “burnt offering” Jesus Christ gave himself wholly, fully.
it-2-E 528 ¶4
Iminikelo
Grain offerings. Grain offerings were made along with communion offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings, and also as firstfruits; at other times they were made independently. (Ex 29:40-42; Le 23:10-13, 15-18; Nu 15:8, 9, 22-24; 28:9, 10, 20, 26-28; chap 29) These were in recognition of God’s bounty in supplying blessings and prosperity. They were often accompanied by oil and frankincense. Grain offerings could be in the form of fine flour, roasted grain, or ring-shaped cakes or wafers that were baked, griddle cooked, or from the deep-fat kettle. Some of the grain offering was put on the altar of burnt offering, some was eaten by the priests, and in communion offerings the worshiper partook. (Le 6:14-23; 7:11-13; Nu 18:8-11) None of the grain offerings presented on the altar could contain leaven or “honey” (apparently referring to the syrup of figs or juice of fruits) that might ferment.—Le 2:1-16.
it-2-E 526 ¶1
Iminikelo
Communion offerings (or peace offerings). Communion offerings acceptable to Jehovah denoted peace with him. The worshiper and his household partook (in the courtyard of the tabernacle; according to tradition, booths were set up around the inside of the curtain surrounding the courtyard; in the temple, dining rooms were provided). The officiating priest received a portion, and the priests on duty, another portion. Jehovah, in effect, received the pleasing smoke of the burning fat. The blood, representing the life, was given to God as his. Therefore the priests, the worshipers, and Jehovah were as if together at the meal, signifying peaceful relationships. The person partaking while in a state of uncleanness (any of the uncleannesses mentioned in the Law) or who ate the flesh after it had been kept beyond the prescribed time (in the warm climate it would begin to putrefy) was to be cut off from his people. He defiled or desecrated the meal, because of either being unclean himself or eating that which was foul before Jehovah God, showing disrespect for sacred things.—Le 7:16-21; 19:5-8.
w04-ZU 5/15 22 ¶1
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaLevitikusi
2:13—Kungani usawoti kwakumelwe ulethwe “kanye nayo yonke iminikelo”? Lokhu kwakungenzelwa ukunonga umhlatshelo. Emhlabeni wonke, usawoti usetshenziselwa ukuvimbela ukubola kokudla. Kungenzeka wawulethwa neminikelo ngoba wawumelela ukungonakali nokungaboli.
it-1-E 813
Amahwahwa
Reason for the law. Under the Law covenant, both the blood and fat were looked upon as exclusively Jehovah’s. The blood contains the life, which only Jehovah can give; therefore it belongs to him. (Le 17:11, 14) The fat was viewed as the richest part of the flesh of the animal. The offering of the fat of the animal would evidently be in recognition of the fact that the best parts belong to Jehovah, who provides abundantly, and it would demonstrate the desire of the worshiper to offer the best to God. Because it was symbolic of the Israelites’ devotion of their best to Jehovah, it was said to smoke upon the altar as “food” and for “a restful odor” to him. (Le 3:11, 16) To eat fat, therefore, was an illegal appropriation of what was sanctified to God, an invasion of the rights of Jehovah. Eating fat would incur the death penalty. Unlike blood, however, fat could be used for other purposes, at least in the case of an animal that died of itself or was killed by another beast.—Le 7:23-25.
w04-ZU 5/15 22 ¶2
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaLevitikusi
3:17. Njengoba amanoni ayebhekwa njengengxenye engcono kakhulu noma ecebe kakhulu, kusobala ukuthi ukunqatshelwa kokudliwa kwawo kwagcizelela kuma-Israyeli ukuthi ingxenye engcono kakhulu ingekaJehova. (Genesise 45:18) Lokhu kusikhumbuza ukuthi kufanele uJehova simnike okungcono kakhulu.—IzAga 3:9, 10; Kolose 3:23, 24
NOVEMBER 16-22
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU ULEVI 4-5
“Nika UJehova Okungcono Kakhulu”
it-2-E 527 ¶9
Iminikelo
Guilt offerings. Guilt offerings were also offerings because of sin, for guilt of any sort involves sin. They were for special sins by which a person had contracted guilt, and they differed slightly from other sin offerings in that they appear to have been to satisfy or restore a right. Either a right of Jehovah or a right of his holy nation had been violated. The guilt offering was to satisfy Jehovah on the right that had been violated, or to restore or recover certain covenant rights for the repentant wrongdoer and to get relief from the penalty for his sin.—Compare Isa 53:10.
w09-ZU 6/1 26 ¶3
Uyakuqonda Ukulinganiselwa Kwethu
UMthetho wabonisa ukuthi uJehova unesisa futhi uyacabangela. Wathi: ‘Nokho, uma engenawo amandla anele emvu, khona-ke kumelwe alethe kuJehova amahobhe amabili noma amaphuphu amabili amajuba.’ (Ivesi 7) Amazwi athi ‘uma engenawo amandla anele’ angase asho ukuthi ‘uma ehluleka.’ Uma umIsrayeli ayempofu kakhulu futhi ehluleka ukuthenga imvu, khona-ke uNkulunkulu wayamukela noma yini ayengakwazi ukunikela ngayo—amahobhe amabili noma amaphuphu amabili.
w09-ZU 6/1 26 ¶4
Uyakuqonda Ukulinganiselwa Kwethu
Kwakwenziwani uma umuntu engenawo ngisho namandla okuthenga izinyoni ezimbili? UMthetho wawuthi: ‘Kumelwe alethe njengomnikelo wawo wesono okweshumi kwe-efa likafulawa ocolekileyo [izinkomishi ezingu-8 noma ezingu-9 zikafulawa] kube umnikelo wesono.’ (Ivesi 11) UJehova wakhetha ukuthambisa umthetho kulabo ababempofu kakhulu, wabavumela ukuba banikele ngenye into ngaphandle kwesilwane. Kwa-Israyeli, ukuthi umuntu wayempofu kwakungamncishi isibusiso sokuthethelelwa izono noma ilungelo lokubuyisana noNkulunkulu.
Lingisela Izinceku ZikaJehova Ezaziqotho
Umusa lawo ungasinceda ukuthi senelise ukuba qotho kuNkulunkulu kuqala. Ngokwesibonelo ungabe ukwazi mhlophe ukuthi omunye umzalwane wenze isono. Mhlawumbe ungazizwa ubophekile ukuthi ube qotho kuye ikakhulu nxa engumngane wakho kumbe isihlobo sakho. Kodwa ukufihla isono sakhe kungatshengisa ukuthi kawukho qotho kuNkulunkulu. Phela khumbula ukuthi okumele ube qotho kuye kuqala nguJehova. NjengoNathani kumele ube lomusa kodwa ungakhekhelezi. Mkhuthaze lowomuntu ukuthi ayedinga usizo ebadaleni. Kodwa ungabona insuku zilokhu zitshova engayanga ebadaleni, wena tshengisa ukuthi uqotho kuNkulunkulu ngokuya ebadaleni uyobabikela. Ungenza njalo uyabe uqotho kuJehova futhi uyabe umenzele umusa lowomuntu, ngoba abadala bazambuyisa kakuhle.—Bala uLevi 5:1 loGalathiya 6:1
it-1-E 1130 ¶2
Ubungcwele
Animals and Produce. The firstborn males of cattle, sheep, and goats were counted as holy to Jehovah and were not to be redeemed. They were to be sacrificed, and a portion went to the sanctified priests. (Nu 18:17-19) The firstfruits and the tithe were holy, as were all sacrifices and all gifts sanctified to the service of the sanctuary. (Ex 28:38) All things holy to Jehovah were sacred and could not be considered lightly or used in a common, or profane, way. An example is the law regarding the tithe. If a man set aside the portion to be tithed, say, of his wheat crop, and then he or one of his household unintentionally took some of it for home use, such as cooking, the man was guilty of violating God’s law respecting holy things. The Law required that he make compensation to the sanctuary of an equal amount plus 20 percent, besides offering up a sound ram of the flock as a sacrifice. Thus, great respect was engendered for the holy things belonging to Jehovah.—Le 5:14-16.
NOVEMBER 23-29
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU ULEVI 6-7
“Umnikelo Wokubonga”
Sifundani Ebhukwini LikaLevi?
Isifundo sesibili: Sikhonza uJehova ngoba siyambonga ngalokho asenzele khona. Ake sixoxe ngeminikelo yobudlelwano eyayisenziwa ngama-Israyeli. Ebhukwini likaLevi sifunda ukuthi umuntu wayesenza umnikelo wobudlelwano “njengendlela yokubonga.” (Levi. 7:11-13, 16-18) Wayenganikeli ngoba elandela okwakutshiwo ngumthetho kodwa wayezikhethela ukwenza njalo. Wayesenza umnikelo lo ngoba emthanda uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Umuntu owayenikela wayesidla inyama yomhlatshelo elemuli yakhe kanye labaphristi. Kodwa ezinye izingxenye zenyamazana okwakunikelwe ngayo zazingezikajehova kuphela. Yiziphi lezo zingxenye?
w00-ZU 8/15 15 ¶15
Imihlatshelo Eyamukelekayo KuJehova
Omunye umnikelo wokuzithandela kwakungumnikelo wenhlanganyelo, ochazwe kuLevitikusi isahluko 3. Leli gama lingahunyuswa futhi ngokuthi “umhlatshelo weminikelo yokuthula.” NgesiHeberu, igama elithi “ukuthula” lisho okungaphezulu kakhulu kokungabi nampi noma ukuphazamiseka. “EBhayibhelini, lisho lokhu, kanye nesimo noma ubuhlobo bokuba nokuthula noNkulunkulu, ukuchuma nenjabulo,” kusho incwadi i-Studies in the Mosaic Institutions. Ngakho, imihlatshelo yenhlanganyelo yayinganikelelwa ukwenza ukuthula noNkulunkulu, ukubuyisana naye, kodwa yayinikelelwa ukubonga, noma ukugubha isimo esibusisekile sokuba nokuthula noNkulunkulu esasijatshulelwa yilabo abamukelekayo kuye. Abapristi nomuntu onikelayo babedla emhlatshelweni ngemva kokuba kunikelwe ngegazi namanoni kuJehova. (Levitikusi 3:17; 7:16-21; 19:5-8) Ngendlela enhle nengokomfanekiso, onikelayo, abapristi noJehova uNkulunkulu babehlanganyela isidlo, okufanekisela ubuhlobo obunokuthula obabuphakathi kwabo.
w00-ZU 8/15 19 ¶8
Imihlatshelo Eyamukelekayo KuJehova
Kuthiwani ngomuntu owenza umnikelo? UMthetho wawuthi noma ubani oza phambi kukaJehova kwakudingeka abe ohlanzekile, ongangcolile. Umuntu owayebe ngongcolile nganoma yisiphi isizathu kwakudingeka aqale enze umnikelo wesono noma wecala ukuze aphinde abe ohlanzekile phambi kukaJehova ukuze umnikelo wakhe wokushiswa noma umhlatshelo wakhe wenhlanganyelo wamukeleke kuYe. (Levitikusi 5:1-6, 15, 17) Ngakho-ke, ingabe siyakubona ukubaluleka kokulondoloza ukuma okuhlanzekile njalo phambi kukaJehova? Uma sifuna ukukhulekela kwethu kwamukeleke kuNkulunkulu, kumelwe sisheshe ukulungisa noma yikuphi ukwephulwa kwemithetho kaNkulunkulu. Kufanele sisheshe ukucela usizo ngendlela uNkulunkulu ayilungiselele—“amadoda amadala ebandla” ‘nomhlatshelo oyisihlawulelo wezono zethu,’ uJesu Kristu.—Jakobe 5:14; 1 Johane 2:1, 2.
it-1-E 833 ¶1
Umlilo
As relates to the tabernacle and the temple. Fire figured in the worship carried on at the tabernacle and then later at the temple. Each morning and between the two evenings, the high priest was to burn incense on the altar of incense. (Ex 30:7, 8) God’s law required that the fire on the altar of burnt offering be kept burning continually. (Le 6:12, 13) The traditional Jewish view that the altar fire was originally kindled miraculously by God, though widely accepted, is not actually supported by the Scriptures. According to Jehovah’s initial instructions to Moses, the sons of Aaron were to “put fire on the altar and set wood in order on the fire” before placing the sacrifice on the altar. (Le 1:7, 8) It was after the installation of the Aaronic priesthood, and therefore after the installation sacrifices had been offered, that fire from Jehovah, probably proceeding from the cloud over the tabernacle, consumed the offering then upon the altar. In view of this, the miraculous fire manifested itself, not in kindling the wood on the altar, but in “consuming the burnt offering and the fatty pieces upon the altar.” The fire that then continued to burn on the altar, of course, was likely a result of the mixture of the fire from God and the fire already on the altar. (Le 8:14–9:24) Likewise, miraculous fire from Jehovah consumed the sacrifices right after Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple.—2Ch 7:1; see also Jg 6:21; 1Ki 18:21-39; 1Ch 21:26 for other examples of Jehovah’s use of miraculous fire when accepting the offerings of his servants.
si 27-ZU ¶15
Incwadi YeBhayibheli Yesi-3—ULevitikusi
(3) Umnikelo wesono ufuneka ngenxa yezono ezingenziwanga ngamabomu, noma izono ezenziwe ngephutha. Uhlobo lwesilwane esinikelwayo luxhomeke ekutheni isono sikabani esihlangulwayo—esompristi, esabo bonke abantu, esenduna, noma esomuntukazana. Ngokungafani neminikelo yokushiswa yokuzithandela neyokuthula eyenzelwa abantu ngabanye, umnikelo wesono wawuyisibopho—4:1-35; 6:24-30.
NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 6
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU ULEVI 8-9
“UJehova Wabamukela”
it-1-E 1207
Ukubekwa kwabaphristi
Moses washed Aaron and Aaron’s sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (or, he commanded them to wash themselves) at the copper basin in the courtyard and put upon Aaron the glorious garments of the high priest. (Nu 3:2, 3) Now clothed in beautiful apparel, Aaron was invested with the garments representing the qualities and responsibilities of his office. Moses then anointed the tabernacle, all its furnishings and utensils, and the altar of burnt offering, as well as the basin and the utensils used in connection with them. This sanctified them, set them aside for the exclusive use and service of God for which they would now be employed. Finally Moses anointed Aaron by pouring the oil upon his head.—Le 8: 6-12; Ex 30:22-33; Ps 133:2.
it-1-E 1208 ¶8
Ukubekwa kwabaphristi
On the eighth day, fully equipped and installed in office, the priesthood officiated (without Moses’ assistance) for the first time, performing an atonement service for the nation of Israel, especially in need of cleansing not only because of their natural sinfulness but also because of their recent disobedience in connection with the golden calf, which had brought Jehovah’s displeasure. (Le 9:1-7; Ex 32:1-10) At the conclusion of this first service by the newly installed priesthood, Jehovah manifested his approval and confirmation of them in office by sending miraculous fire, doubtless from the pillar of cloud above the tabernacle, devouring the remainder of the sacrifice on the altar.—Le 9:23, 24.
Sifundani Ebhukwini LikaLevi?
Isifundo sesine: UJehova uyayibusisa ingxenye esemhlabeni yenhlanganiso yakhe. Akucabange ngalokho okwenzakala ngomnyaka ka-1512 B.C.E., ngesikhathi kumiswa ithabanikeli phansi kweNtaba iSinayi. (Eks. 40:17) UMosi wakhokhela embuthanweni wokubekwa kuka-Aroni lamadodana akhe ukuthi babe ngabaphristi. Isizwe sako-Israyeli sabuthana ukuze sibone abaphristi laba beqala ngqa ukunikela imihlatshelo ngezinyamazana. (Levi. 9:1-5) UJehova watshengisa njani ukuthi uyabamukela abaphristi ababesanda kubekwa? Kwathi uMosi lo-Aroni besabusisa abantu, kwehla umlilo uvela kuJehova watshisa umnikelo owawusele e-alithareni.—Bala uLevi 9:23, 24.
w14 11/15 9 ¶6
Kungani Kumele Sibengcwele?
Umcijo wokuthi abaphristi bako-Israyeli kwakumele bahlanzeke uqakatheke kakhulu ebantwini bakaJehova lamuhla. Abantu esifunda labo iBhayibhili bajayele ukubona ukuthi lapho esikhonzela khona kuhlala kuhlanzekile lokuthi lathi sihlala sihlanzekile futhi sigqoke kuhle. Kanti njalo ukuthi abaphristi kwakumele bahlanzeke kwenza sinanzelele ukuthi wonke umuntu oqansa intaba kaJehova ephakemeyo, okutsho ukuthi wonke umuntu ofuna ukumkhonza, kumele abe “lenhliziyo emhlophe.” (Bala iHubo 24:3, 4; Isaya. 2:2, 3.) Izingqondo zethu, lezinhliziyo kanye lemizimba yethu, konke kumele kube ngokuhlanzekileyo nxa sisenzela uNkulunkulu inkonzo engcwele. Lokhu kutsho ukuthi ukuze sibengcwele, kumele sihlale sizihlola, besesilungisisa nxa kuyikuthi kulokuthile esikuphambanisayo. (2 Khor. 13:5) Ngokwesibonelo, umuntu obhaphathiziweyo olomkhuba wokubukela iphonogirafi kumele azibuze umbuzo othi, ‘Ngiyabe ngingcwele yini nxa ngisenza lokhu?’ Ngemva kwalokho, kuyabe sekumele acele usizo ukuze atshiyane lomkhuba lo omubi.—Jak. 5:14.
it-2-E 437 ¶3
UMosi
God constituted Moses mediator of the Law covenant with Israel, an intimate position such as no man has ever held before God except Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant. With the blood of animal sacrifices Moses sprinkled the book of the covenant, representing Jehovah as one “party,” and the people (no doubt the representative older men) as the other “party.” He read the book of the covenant to the people, who replied, “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do and be obedient.” (Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:19) In his office of mediator, Moses was privileged to oversee the building of the tabernacle and the making of its utensils, the pattern of which God gave to him, and to install the priesthood in office, anointing the tabernacle and Aaron the high priest with the oil of special composition. Then he took oversight of the first official services of the newly consecrated priesthood.—Ex chaps 25-29; Le chaps 8,9.