1, 2. Yiziphi izinto ezimangalisayo u-Elija ayeke wazibona, kodwa kuyini okumangalisa kakhulu akubona esebhalwini lwentaba iHorebhi?

U-ELIJA wayeke wabona izinto ezimangalisayo. Wabona amawabayi emphathela ukudla kabili ngelanga ngesikhathi ecatshile. Ngesikhathi kulendlala ifulawa kayizange iphele embizeni enkulu, lamafutha kawazange aphele embizeni encane. Waphinda wabona uNkulunkulu ephendula umthandazo wakhe ngokwenza ukuthi umlilo wehle uvela ezulwini. (1 AmaKhosi, izahluko 17, 18) Kodwa u-Elija wayesazobona okukhulu ukwedlula lokhu.

² Wathi esentubeni yobhalu lwentaba iHorebhi, wabona izimanga. Kwaqala kwavunguza umoya olamandla kwaba lomsindo omkhulu. Kwadabuka izintaba futhi amatshe aqhekeka. Ngemva kwalokho kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba okulamandla, kwasekulavuka umlilo. Kungenzakala ukuthi umlilo lo wathi udlula lapho u-Elija ayekhona wezwa ukutshisa okukhulu.—1 AmaKhosi 19:8-12.

3. Kuyini okwabonwa ngu-Elija okutshengisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulamandla njalo thina singawabona ngaphi amandla akhe?

³ Konke lokhu okwabonwa ngu-Elija kutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu ulamandla amakhulu. Kodwa akudingeki ukuthi size sizibonele ngawethu izimangaliso zakhe ukuze sizwisise ukuthi ulamandla. Kusegcekeni ukuthi ulawo. IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi izinto ezidaliweyo zitshengisa ukuthi uJehova ‘ulamandla angapheliyo lokuthi unguNkulunkulu sibili.’ (KwabaseRoma 1:20) Cabanga ngokuphazima kombane, ukuduma okukhulu kwezulu, impophoma zamanzi kanye lobuhle besibhakabhaka esigcwele izinkanyezi! Konke lokhu kusitshengisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulamandla amakhulu. Kodwa abantu abanengi abakunanzeleli lokhu. Lanxa kunjalo bakhona abawabonayo amandla kaNkulunkulu. Ukuzwisisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulamandla kuyasinceda ukuthi sisondele kuye. Esahlukweni lesi sizafunda okunengi ngamandla kaJehova amakhulu.

UJehova Ulamandla Amangalisayo

4, 5. (a) Ibizo likaJehova liveza njani ukuthi mkhulu futhi ulamandla? (b) Kungani kuqondile ukuthi inkunzi imele amandla kaJehova?

⁴ Kakho olamandla anjengakaJehova. UJeremiya 10:6 uthi: “Kakho onjengawe Jehova, wena umkhulu, lebizo lakho likhulu futhi lilamandla.” Unanzelele yini ukuthi ivesi le ithe ibizo likaJehova likhulu futhi lilamandla? Usakhumbula yini ukuthi ibizo lakhe litshoni? Litsho ukuthi, “Wenza Ukuthi Kube Khona.” UJehova wasebenzisa amandla akhe ngesikhathi edala zonke izinto futhi yiwo awasebenzisayo ukuthi enze loba yini ayifunayo. Akulalutho uJehova angehluleka ukulwenza kumbe olungamvimba ukuthi enze intando yakhe. Ngeke sibuchasise kuhle ubuntu bukaJehova singazange sikhulume ngamandla akhe.

⁵ UJehova usebenzisa imizekeliso ukuze asincede sizwisise ukuthi amandla akhe makhulu kangakanani. Sibonile ukuthi inkunzi imela amandla akhe. (UHezekheli 1:4-10) Lokho kuqondile sibili ngoba inkunzi yisifuyo esilamandla. Endulo isifuyo lesi yiso esasisaziwa silamandla ukwedlula zonke elizweni lePalestine. Kodwa kwakulenkunzi yeganga eyayisesabeka ukwedlula le efuywayo. Khathesi umhlobo wenkunzi leyo kawusekho. (UJobe 39:9-12) UMbusi weRoma uJulius Caesar wathi inkunzi lezo zaziphosa zilingane lendlovu. Wabhala wathi: “Zilamandla amangalisayo futhi zilesiqubu esikhulu.” Cabanga ukuthi ubungazibona umncane kangakanani nxa ubungama eceleni kwenyamazana engako.

6. Kungani uJehova kunguye yedwa obizwa ngokuthi ‘nguSomandla’?

⁶ Sibancane kakhulu nxa siqathaniswa loJehova uNkulunkulu olamandla. Ngitsho lezizwe ezilamandla zinjengothuli olusezikalini. (U-Isaya 40:15) UJehova yena kafanani laloba kuyini akudalayo, ulamandla angapheliyo yikho kunguye yedwa obizwa ngokuthi ‘nguSomandla.’a (ISambulo 15:3) ‘Ulamandla amakhulu futhi amangalisayo.’ (U-Isaya 40:26) Amandla akhe awapheli futhi kadingi kuphiwa amandla ngomunye umuntu ngoba wonke ‘amandla ngawakhe.’ (IHubo 62:11) Manje uwasebenzisa njani amandla akhe?

Indlela UJehova Asebenzisa Ngayo Amandla Akhe

7. Kuyini umoya ongcwele, futhi atshoni amabala esiHebheru lesiGrikhi ahunyutshwe ngokuthi “umoya”?

⁷ Umoya ongcwele ovela kuJehova awupheli. Ungamandla kaNkulunkulu awasebenzisayo. Amabala esiHebheru lesiGrikhi ahunyutshwe ngokuthi “umoya” kwezinye izindawo angahunyutshwa ngokuthi “umoya ovunguzayo” kumbe “umoya esiwuphefumulayo.” Ezinye izikhwicamfundo zithi amabala la esiHebheru lawesiGrikhi angatsho amandla angabonakaliyo. Asingeke sawubona umoya ovunguzayo kodwa lokho okwenzayo siyakubona. Unjalo lomoya kaNkulunkulu, asingeke sawubona kodwa imisebenzi yawo siyayibona.

8. EBhayibhilini umoya kaNkulunkulu ubizwa ngokuthini futhi kungani ubizwa njalo?

⁸ UJehova angasebenzisa umoya wakhe ongcwele ukuthi enze loba yini ayifunayo. Yikho eBhayibhilini umoya kaNkulunkulu ubizwa ngokuthi ‘ngumunwe’ wakhe loba ‘isandla sakhe esilamandla’ kumbe ‘ingalo yakhe eyeluliweyo.’ (ULukha 11:20; UDutheronomi 5:15; IHubo 8:3) Njengoba nje umuntu engasebenzisa izandla zakhe ukwenza imisebenzi etshiyeneyo, loNkulunkulu usebenzisa umoya wakhe ukuze enze loba yini afuna ukuyenza. Ngokwesibonelo wadala into encane njenge-athomu, wehlukanisa amanzi eLwandle Olubomvu njalo wenza amaKhristu akuqala akhuluma izindimi zakwamanye amazwe.

9. Amandla kaJehova okubusa makhulu kangakanani?

⁹ Okunye okutshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla yindlela abusa ngayo. Phela nguye uMbusi wendawo yonke. Ubusa izinceku zakhe ezinengi kakhulu futhi zizimisele ukwenza loba yini ayifunayo. Abantu bakhe abamkhonzayo babizwa ngokuthi balibutho. (IHubo 68:11; 110:3) Kodwa abantu kabalamandla afanana lawezingilosi. Ngokwesibonelo ngesikhathi ibutho lama-Asiriya lihlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu, ingilosi eyodwa nje kuphela yabulala amasotsha angu-185 000 ngobusuku obubodwa! (2 AmaKhosi 19:35) Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi izingilosi zikaNkulunkulu ‘zilamandla amakhulu.’—IHubo 103:19, 20.

10. (a) Kungani uSomandla ebizwa ngokuthi nguJehova wamabutho? (b) Ngubani olamandla ukwedlula konke okwadalwa nguJehova?

¹⁰ Kulezingilosi ezingaki? UDanyeli wabona umbono otshengisa ukuthi zinengi kakhulu. Wabona izingilosi ezedlula 100 miliyoni zimi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova. Kodwa lokhu akutsho ukuthi wabona zonke izingilosi ezisezulwini. (UDanyeli 7:10) Ngakho kungenzakala ukuthi kulezingilosi ezingamakhulu ezigidi. Yikho uNkulunkulu ebizwa ngokuthi nguJehova wamabutho. Ibizo leli lokuhlonipha litshengisa ukuthi zonke izingilosi zingaphansi kwakhe. Izingilosi lezi zilamandla futhi zihlelwe kuhle. Kodwa kulengilosi eyodwa ayibeke ukuthi ikhokhele zonke ezinye. Ingilosi le nguJesu iNdodana yakhe ayithandayo, ‘izibulo kukho konke okwadalwayo.’ (KwabaseKholose 1:15) UJesu ulamandla kulakho konke okwadalwa nguJehova. Uyinduna yazo zonke izingilosi, okugoqela amaserafi lamakherubhi.

11, 12. (a) Kutshoni ukuthi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu lilamandla? (b) Kuyini okwatshiwo nguJesu okutshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla amakhulu?

¹¹ UJehova usebenzisa amandla akhe ngenye futhi indlela. UHebheru 4:12 uthi: “Ilizwi likaNkulunkulu liyaphila njalo lilamandla.” Uyakuzwisisa yini ukuthi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu lilamandla kangakanani? Ilizwi lakhe lingasiqinisa, liqinise lokholo lwethu futhi lisincede sitshintshe indlela esiphila ngayo. Umphostoli uPhawuli waxwayisa labo ayekhonza labo ukuthi bangabi lobudlelwano labantu abaziphatha kubi. Wasesithi: “Kodwa abanye benu babenjalo.” (1 KwabaseKhorinte 6:9-11) “Ilizwi likaNkulunkulu” labanceda batshintsha ngoba lilamandla.

¹² Amandla kaJehova makhulu kakhulu okokuthi akulalutho olungamvimbela ukuthi awasebenzise. UJesu wathi: “KuNkulunkulu zonke izinto ziyenzeka.” (UMathewu 19:26) Yiziphi ezinye izinto uJehova azenzayo esebenzisa amandla akhe?

UJehova Uwasebenzisa Kuhle Amandla Akhe

13, 14. (a) UJehova ungumthombo wamandla nje kuphela yini? Chasisa. (b) UJehova uwasebenzisa njani amandla akhe?

¹³ Umoya kaJehova ulamandla ukwedlula loba yiwaphi amandla emvelo. UJehova ungumthombo wamandla sibili kodwa akutsho ukuthi uphonguwasebenzisa kungelanhloso. Ulemizwa yikho uyacabangisisa engakawasebenzisi. Kodwa uwasebenzisa ukwenzani?

¹⁴ UNkulunkulu usebenzisa amandla akhe ukudala, ukubhubhisa, ukuvikela lokubuyisela izinto kulokho ebeziyikho kuqala. Ngamafitshane singathi uwasebenzisa ukwenza loba yini ayihlosileyo. (U-Isaya 46:10) Ngezinye izikhathi uJehova usebenzisa amandla akhe nxa efuna ukusifundisa ukuthi unguNkulunkulu onjani lokuthi ufuna siphile njani. Kodwa okuqakatheke ukwedlula konke yikuthi uzawasebenzisa ukungcwelisa ibizo lakhe. Lokhu uzakwenza esebenzisa uMbuso kaMesiya futhi kuzatshengisa ukuthi nguye okufanele abuse abantu. Akulalutho olungamvimba ukugcwalisa inhloso yakhe.

15. Yiphi enye indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe futhi isibonelo sika-Elija sikutshengisa njani lokho?

¹⁵ UJehova uphinda asebenzise amandla akhe ukuze ancede umuntu ngamunye. U-2 ImiLando 16:9 uthi: “Amehlo kaJehova ayakuhlolisisa konke okwenzakala emhlabeni, ukuze atshengise amandla akhe ngokunceda labo abazinikele kuye ngenhliziyo yonke.” Lokhu yikho akwenza ku-Elija. Ekuqaliseni kwesahluko lesi sibonile ukuthi uJehova wamtshengisa amandla akhe ngendlela emangalisayo. Wayekwenzelani lokhu? Indlovukazi eyayilesihluku okwakuthiwa nguJezebheli yayifunge ukuthi izabulala u-Elija. Yikho umphrofethi lo wabaleka ukuze angabulawa. Wayesesaba futhi edanile, esebona angathi wayesesele yedwa lokuthi ukusebenza kwakhe nzima kwakungancedanga ngalutho. UJehova waduduza u-Elija ngokumkhumbuza ukuthi unguNkulunkulu olamandla. Wenza kwavunguza umoya olamandla, kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba futhi kwaba lomlilo omkhulu. Lokhu kwenza u-Elija wabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu olamandla wayelaye. Yikho kwakungelasizatho sokuthi esabe uJezebheli.—1 AmaKhosi 19:1-12.b

16. Kungani kusiduduza ukwazi ukuthi uJehova ulamandla amakhulu?

¹⁶ Lamuhla uJehova kazenzi izimangaliso ezifanana lalezi kodwa lokhu akutsho ukuthi usetshintshile. (1 KwabaseKhorinte 13:8) Ulokhu ekuthanda ukusebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze ancede labo abamthandayo. Lanxa ehlala ezulwini kakho khatshana lathi. Siyenelisa ukusondela kuye ngoba angasinika amandla akhe lanxa esezulwini. IBhayibhili lithi “uJehova useduze labantu bonke abambizayo.” (IHubo 145:18) Ngesikhathi umphrofethi uDanyeli ecela ukuthi uJehova amncede, ingilosi yafika engakaqedi ngitsho lokuthandaza! (UDanyeli 9:20-23) Akulalutho olungavimbela uJehova ukuthi ancede futhi aqinise labo abathandayo.—IHubo 118:6.

Amandla KaNkulunkulu Enza Simesabe Yini?

17. Kumele simesabe yini uNkulunkulu? Chasisa.

¹⁷ Kumele amandla kaNkulunkulu asenze simesabe yini? Ye kumele simesabe sibili. Kodwa ukumesaba lokhu ngokokumhlonipha njengoba sibonile esahlukweni esidlulileyo. IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi ukwesaba uJehova “yikuqala kokuhlakanipha.” (IHubo 111:10) Lanxa kunjalo akumelanga amandla kaNkulunkulu asenze sesabe ukusondela kuye.

18. (a) Kungani abantu abanengi bengabathembi abantu abalamandla? (b) Sikwazi njani ukuthi uJehova ngeke awasebenzise kubi amandla akhe?

¹⁸ Ngo-1887 indoda okwakuthiwa nguLord Acton eyayikwezombusazwe eBritain yabhala yathi: “Umuntu angaphiwa amandla ucina esenza izinto ezimbi, angaba lamandla amakhulu ucina esenza okubi kakhulu.” Abantu abanengi bayavumelana lamazwi akhe ngoba bayazibonela ukuthi aliqiniso sibili. Abantu abalesono bandise ukusebenzisa kubi amandla abo. (UmTshumayeli 4:1; 8:9) Lokhu kwenza abantu abanengi bangabathembi abantu abasezikhundleni futhi bangafuni ukuba seduzane labo. Manje njengoba uJehova elamandla ukwedlula loba ngubani, sekusitsho ukuthi uwasebenzisa kubi amandla akhe yini? Ngitsho lakancane! Phela uNkulunkulu ungcwele, yikho ngeke enze loba yini embi. UJehova kafanani labantu abalesono abawasebenzisa kubi amandla abo. Kakaze awasebenzise kubi amandla akhe futhi kasoze enze njalo.

19, 20. (a) Indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe ihlala itshengisani? (b) Yiwuphi umzekeliso ongawusebenzisa otshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyazibamba, futhi kungani lokhu kukwenza ufise ukusondela kuye?

¹⁹ Kunengi esesikufundile ngamandla kaJehova kodwa kusamele sifunde okunye futhi ngobuntu bakhe. Sizafunda ngothando lwakhe, inhlakanipho yakhe kanye lokwahlulela kwakhe okuhle. Kumele sikhumbule ukuthi impawu zikaJehova ziyakhanya kuloba yini ayenzayo. Ezahlukweni ezilandelayo sizabona ukuthi indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe ihlala itshengisa ukuthi ulothando, uhlakaniphile lokuthi wahlulela kuhle. Okunye futhi okwenza ukuthi uJehova angafanani labantu abanengi abasezikhundleni yikuthi yena uyazibamba.

²⁰ Ubungezwa njani nxa ubungahlangana lenkalakatha yendoda eqinileyo? Mhlawumbe ubungaqhuqha ngenxa yokwesaba. Kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ubusunanzelela ukuthi indoda le ibaphatha kuhle abanye. Ihlala inceda futhi ivikela abanye, ikakhulu labo abakhanya bengelamandla. Kayiwasebenzisi kubi amandla ayo. Lanxa abanye abantu bengakhuluma kubi ngayo kayiphindiseli loba ibaphathe ngesihluku, kodwa iqhubeka ilomusa. Uyazibuza ukuthi aluba lawe ubulamandla njengendoda le, ubuzazibamba yini wenelise ukubaphatha kuhle abanye. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi ukubona ubuntu bayo obuhle kuzakwenza ufise ukusondela kuyo. UJehova laye unjalo. Lanxa enguSomandla silezizatho ezinhle kakhulu ezisenza sisondele kuye. Cabanga ngevesi okuthethwe kuyo isihloko sesahluko lesi. Ithi: “UJehova uyaphuza ukuthukuthela njalo ulamandla amakhulu.” (UNahume 1:3) Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyabekezela, umnene futhi ulomusa. Uze abekezelele labantu abenza izinto ezimbi kakhulu. “Uyaphuza ukuthukuthela” lanxa abantu beqhubeka besenza izinto ezimbi.—IHubo 78:37-41.

21. Kungani uJehova engabambi bantu ngamandla ukuthi benze intando yakhe njalo lokhu kusifundisani ngaye?

²¹ Ake sibone ukuzithiba kukaJehova ngenye indlela. Aluba ubulamandla amakhulu, ucabanga ukuthi ngezinye izikhathi ubungalingeka yini ukuthi wenze abantu benze intando yakho? UJehova ulamandla amakhulu kodwa kabambi bantu ngamandla ukuthi bamkhonze. Lanxa ukukhonza uNkulunkulu kuyiyo yodwa indlela engenza sithole ukuphila okungapheliyo, uJehova kasibambi ngamandla ukuthi simkhonze. Kulokwenza njalo, usenza sizizwe silesithunzi ngokusinika inkululeko yokuzikhethela. Uyasixwayisa ngempumela yokwenza izinqumo ezimbi kanye lomvuzo wokwenza izinqumo ezinhle. Kodwa usitshiyele umlandu wokuthi sizenzele izinqumo. (UDutheronomi 30:19, 20) UJehova kakuthandi ukuthi simkhonze ngoba sibanjwe ngamandla loba ngenxa yokuthi sesaba amandla akhe amakhulu. Udinga abazamkhonza ngokuzithandela ngoba bemthanda.—2 KwabaseKhorinte 9:7.

22, 23. (a) Kuyini okutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyakuthanda ukunika abanye amandla? (b) Sizaxoxa ngani esahlukweni esilandelayo?

²² Asiboneni esinye isizatho esenza singesabi ukusondela kuNkulunkulu lanxa enguSomandla. Izikhathi ezinengi abantu abalezikhundla abafuni ukuthi abanye labo babe lezikhundla. Kodwa uJehova kancitshani lamandla akhe. Unike iNdodana yakhe amandla amakhulu. (UMathewu 28:18) Kanti njalo uphinda anike lezinceku zakhe amandla eziwadingayo. IBhayibhili lithi: ‘Awu Jehova, ngobakho ubukhulu lamandla lobuhle lenkazimulo kanye lobukhosi ngoba konke okusemazulwini lokusemhlabeni ngokwakho. Isandla sakho silamandla amakhulu njalo siyenelisa ukwenza ukuthi abantu bonke babe bakhulu futhi babe lamandla.’—1 ImiLando 29:11, 12.

²³ Amazwi la atshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyathokoza nxa enika abanye amandla. Ubapha “amandla amakhulu futhi angajayelekanga” labo abafuna ukumkhonza. (2 KwabaseKhorinte 4:7) Sonke siyafuna sibili ukusondela kuNkulunkulu ngoba indlela asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe itshengisa ukuthi uyasithanda. Esahlukweni esilandelayo sizaxoxa ngendlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe ngesikhathi edala izinto.

1, 2. Ilanga litshengisa njani ukuthi uJehova ulamandla?

SEWAKE wotha umlilo kuqanda kakhulu yini? Nxa usotha umlilo awusondeli kakhulu emlilweni ukuze ungatshi kodwa futhi awuhlaleli khatshana ngoba ungacina ugodola.

² Ilanga singalifanisa lomlilo osikhudumezayo. Liqhelelane lomhlaba ngamakhilomitha angaba yi-150 miliyoni!a Lanxa likhatshana kangaka siyakuzwa ukutshisa kwalo. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi lilamandla kakhulu! Kodwa ibanga eliphakathi komhlaba lelanga lifanele ngoba aluba ilanga belingaba seduze kakhulu, amanzi asemhlabeni abengatsha. Nxa belingaba khatshana kakhulu, amanzi wonke emhlabeni abengaba ngungqwaqwane. Ngakho kokubili ukuba seduze kwelanga lokuba khatshana kakhulu kwalo kungenza izinto ezisemhlabeni zingaphili. Ilanga yilo elenza izinto ezisemhlabeni ziphile. Lisinika ukukhanya kodwa aliwungcolisi umkhathi. Ukukhanya kwalo kwenza sithokoze.—UmTshumayeli 11:7.

3. Ilanga lisifundisani?

³ Abantu abanengi abakwazi ukuqakatheka kwelanga. Abakwazi ukuthi liyabanceda ukuthi baqhubeke bephila. Yikho bengazwisisi ukuthi ilanga lisifundisani ngoJehova. IBhayibhili lithi: “Wenza ukukhanya lelanga.” (IHubo 74:16) Ilanga lidumisa uJehova, “uMenzi wezulu lomhlaba.” (IHubo 19:1; 146:6) Lisifundisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla amakhulu futhi zinengi izinto ezidaliweyo ezisifundisa ngamandla akhe. Ake sihlolisise ezinye zakhona sibone ukuthi zisifundisani ngamandla kaJehova amakhulu.

“Phakamisani Amehlo Enu Likhangele Phezulu”

4, 5. Ilanga lilamandla angakanani futhi likhulu kangakanani, kodwa lingakanani nxa liqathaniswa lezinye inkanyezi?

⁴ Ilanga liyinkanyezi. Likhanya lilikhulu ukwedlula ezinye inkanyezi ngenxa yokuthi lona liseduze. Lilamandla angakanani? Enzikini yalo kutshisa okungaba yi-15 000 000°C. Litshisa kakhulu okokuthi nxa ungahlephula ingxenyana yelanga elingana lekhanda lephini, ubusuyifaka lapha emhlabeni, kuyabe kumele ume khatshana layo okwebanga elingaba ngamakhilomitha angu-140 ukuze ungatshi! Umzuzwana ngamunye ilanga likhipha amandla alingana lokudubuka kwamabhomba e-nuclear angamakhulu amamiliyoni.

⁵ Ilanga likhulu okokuthi kungangena kulo amaplanethi angangomhlaba angu-1 300 000. Kodwa ilanga likhulu ukwedlula zonke inkanyezi yini? Hatshi, abahlola izinkanyezi bathi lincane kakhulu. Umphostoli uPhawuli wabhala wathi: “Inkazimulo yenkanyezi ngayinye itshiyene lenkazimulo yezinye.” (1 KwabaseKhorinte 15:41) Umoya ongcwele yiwo kuphela owawungenza uPhawuli abekwazi lokho. Kulenkanyezi enkulu okokuthi nxa ingabekwa lapho ilanga elikhona, umhlaba wethu uyabe uphakathi kwayo. Besekusiba lenye futhi enkulu okokuthi nxa ingabekwa lapho ilanga elikhona, ingasibekela umhlaba wethu ize iyefika kuplanethi okuthiwa yiSaturn. Iplanethi leyo ikhatshana lomhlaba okokuthi kwathatha iminyaka emine ukuthi umtshina wabezesayensi uyefika khona. Umtshina lo wawugijima ngesiqubu sohlamvu lombhobho siphindwe ka-40!

6. IBhayibhili likuveza njani ukuthi izinkanyezi zinengi?

⁶ Kodwa inani lezinkanyezi limangalisa ukwedlula ubukhulu bazo. IBhayibhili lithi izinkanyezi zinengi kakhulu ‘njengetshebetshebe eselwandle.’ (UJeremiya 33:22) Umutsho lo utshengisa ukuthi izinkanyezi zinengi kakhulu ukwedlula lezo esingazibona sisebenzisa umtshina okuthiwa yi-telescope. Ngakho nxa uJeremiya wayengakhangela esibhakabhakeni ebusuku azame ukubala izinkanyezi ayezibona, wayengabala ezingaba ngu-3 000 kuphela. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi lelo yilo inani abantu abangenelisa ukulibona ngamehlo. Inani lelo lingalingana lenani letshebetshebe esesandleni. Kodwa iqiniso elikhona yikuthi izinkanyezi zinengi njengetshebetshebe eselwandle.b Kambe ngubani ongabala inani elikhulu kangaka?

7. Umthala wethu ulezinkanyezi ezingaki futhi mingaki imithala ekhona?

⁷ U-Isaya 40:26 uthi: “Phakamisani amehlo enu likhangele phezulu. Ngubani odale izinto zonke lezi? Ngulowo okhokhela ibutho lazo, abale yinye ngayinye; azibize zonke ngamabizo azo.” IHubo 147:4 lithi: “Ubala izinkanyezi.” Kanti zingaki “izinkanyezi”? Umbuzo lo awulula. Abahlola izinkanyezi bathi kulezinkanyezi ezingaba ngamabhiliyoni alikhulu emthaleni wethu okuthiwa yi-Milky Way.c Kodwa minengi kakhulu imithala yezinkanyezi futhi eminengi yakhona ilezinkanyezi ezinengi ukwedlula ezisemthaleni wethu. Mingaki imithala ekhona? Abanye abahlola izinkanyezi bathi ingaba ngamabhiliyoni angu-50. Ikanti abanye bathi ingaba ngamabhiliyoni angu-125. Ngakho akulamuntu ongatsho sibisibili ukuthi mingaki imithala lokuthi izinkanyezi ezisemithaleni le zingaki. Kodwa uJehova uyakwazi futhi unika inkanyezi ngayinye ibizo.

8. (a) Ungakanani umthala okuthiwa yi-Milky Way? (b) Imithala lezinkanyezi kuhlelwe njani futhi kungani kunjalo?

⁸ Ubukhulu bemithala labo buyamangalisa. Kucatshangelwa ukuthi umthala okuthiwa yi-Milky Way mkhulu okokuthi ukukhanya kuthatha iminyaka engu-100 000 ukusuka kwelinye icele kusiya kwelinye. Cabanga ngokukhanya okuhamba ngesiqubu samakhilomitha angu-300 000 umzuzwana ngamunye. Ukukhanya lokhu bekuzathatha iminyaka engu-100 000 ukusuka kwelinye icele kusiya kwelinye! Imithala eminengi mikhulu kakhulu ukwedlula umthala wethu. IBhayibhili lithi uJehova welula “amazulu” angathi welula amaseyili etende. (IHubo 104:2) UNkulunkulu nguye owahlela indlela izinkanyezi lemithala okuhamba ngayo. Konke nje okusemkhathini, kusukela kokuncane kakhulu kuze kuyefika emthaleni omkhulu kulayo yonke, kuhamba ngendlela ehlelekileyo ngenxa yokuthi uNkulunkulu nguye owakwenza kwaba njalo. (UJobe 38:31-33) Izazi zesayensi zithi indlela izinto lezi ezihamba ngayo ifanana labantu abagida ngendlela ehlelekileyo. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi lowo owadala izinkanyezi lamaplanethi la ulamandla amangalisayo!

“Wenza Umhlaba Ngamandla Akhe”

9, 10. UJehova uwufake ngaphi umhlaba futhi lokhu kusifundisani ngaye?

⁹ Indlela umhlaba odalwe ngayo itshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla. Wawufaka endaweni efaneleyo. Abezesayensi abanengi bathi aluba umhlaba wethu wawufakwe eduze komunye nje umthala ongaso-Milky Way, bekungasoze kube lolutho olwenelisa ukuphila kuwo. Kanti futhi ingxenye enkulu yomthala wethu kayidalelwanga ukuthi ibe lezinto eziphilayo. Phakathi laphakathi komthala wethu kugcwele izinkanyezi. Kuyatshisa kakhulu futhi kwandile ukuthi izinkanyezi ziphose zithuzane. Emaphethelweni omthala lo akulazinto ezeneleyo ezingenza kube lempilo. Kodwa ilanga, umhlaba lamaplanethi aseduze kwawo kwafakwa endaweni efaneleyo.

¹⁰ Kuleplanethi enkulu futhi ekhatshana okuthiwa yiJupiter evikela umhlaba. Umhlaba ungena izikhathi ezedlula 1 000 kuJupiter futhi iplanethi le ilamandla okudonsela izinto kuyo. Lokhu kunceda ngani? IJupiter idonsa njalo iphambukise amatshe loba ezinye izinto ezingathuza umhlaba. Abezesayensi bathi ngabe iplanethi le ibingekho, amatshe amakhulu awela emhlabeni abezakuba manengi ngokuphindwe ka-10 000 kulalawo akhithika khathesi. Inyanga layo iyawunceda umhlaba njalo yona iseduze kwawo. Kayisikhanyiseli nje kuphela kodwa igcina umhlaba usendaweni yawo. Lokhu kwenza ukuthi umhlaba ube lezigaba zomnyaka ezingatshintshatshintshiyo, futhi lokhu kuyasinceda kakhulu.

11. Umkhathi usivikela njani?

¹¹ Amandla kaJehova akhanya lasendleleni adale ngayo izinto ezisemhlabeni. Cabanga ngomkhathi osivikelayo. Ilanga likhipha imisebe encedayo kanye lelimazayo. Nxa imisebe eyingozi ifika emkhathini, itshintsha i-oxygen ibe yigasi okuthiwa yi-ozone. Igasi le iba angathi yingubo evimba imisebe eyingozi ukuthi ingafiki emhlabeni.

12. Umjikelezo wamanzi utshengisa njani ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okudala?

¹² Umkhathi wenza sithole umoya esiwudingayo ukuze siphile njalo wenza lokunye okunengi okwenza kuphileke emhlabeni. Okunye futhi okumangalisayo ngomkhathi yikujikeleza kwamanzi. Ilanga lenza ukuthi amanzi aselwandle aphakame aye phezulu. Amanzi la manengi okokuthi angagcwala itanka elingamakhilomitha aphose abe ngu-75 ubude, ububanzi kanye lokutshona. Nxa amanzi angatshiswa lilanga ayaphakama aye emkhathini abe ngamayezi, umoya osemkhathini ubususenza ukuthi amayezi lawo agcwale yonke indawo. Amanzi la ayabe esecengekile futhi esehlanzekile. Yiwo athululeka emhlabeni eselizulu kumbe ungqwaqwane agcwalise ulwandle, imifula kanye lamadamu. UmTshumayeli 1:7 uthi: “Zonke izifula zigelezela elwandle kodwa ulwandle alugcwali. Izifula ziyabuyela endaweni ezigelezela kuyo ukuze ziphinde zigeleze.” NguJehova kuphela ongenza kube lomjikelezo wamanzi onjalo.

13. Izimila lomhlabathi kutshengisa njani ukuthi uJehova ulamandla?

¹³ Izinto eziphilayo zitshengisa ukuthi uMdali wethu ulamandla amangalisayo. Amandla kaJehova siyawabona ezintweni ezinkulu lezincane azidalileyo. Ngokwesibonelo, wadala izihlahla ezinde ezedlula amamitha angu-100 lezimila ezinengi ezincane kakhulu esingazibona nge-microscope kuphela. Umoya omnengi esiwuphefumulayo uvela ezimileni lezi. Umhlabathi lawo ugcwele izinto eziphilayo njengamawemusi lezinye izibungwana esingeke sizibone ngamehlo ethu. Izinto lezi zenza izimila zikhule kuhle yikho iBhayibhili lisithi umhlabathi ulamandla.—UGenesisi 4:12, amabala angaphansi.

14. Lanxa i-athomu incane kakhulu ilamandla angakanani?

¹⁴ Kuyacaca ukuthi uJehova “wenza umhlaba ngamandla akhe.” (UJeremiya 10:12) Amandla kaNkulunkulu ayakhanya ngitsho lasezintweni ezincane azidalileyo. Ngokwesibonelo i-athomu yinto encane kakhulu. Lanxa singabuthelela ama-athomu angu-1 miliyoni ngeke abe qatha kulonwele lomuntu. Kodwa inhliziyo ye-athomu (loba i-nucleus) ilamandla okokuthi isetshenziswe ukwenza amabhomba alamandla kakhulu.

“Konke Okuphilayo”

15. Kuyini uJehova akufundisa uJobe esebenzisa inyamazana azidalayo?

¹⁵ Okunye okutshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla amangalisayo zinyamazana ezinengi azidalayo. IHubo 148 liqamba izinto ezinengi ezadalwa nguJehova futhi ezenza simdumise. Ivesi 10 ikhuluma ‘ngezinyamazana zeganga lazo zonke izifuyo.’ Kanti njalo ngesikhathi uJehova ekhuluma loJobe emnceda ukuthi azwisise ukuthi ulamandla amakhulu, wakhuluma ngesilwane, ledube, lenkunzi yeganga, lemvubu kanye loLeviyathani (okungabe kusitsho ingwenya). UJehova wayefuna ukumfundisani uJobe? Wayefuna ukumfundisa ukuthi nxa abantu besesaba inyamazana lezi ezinkulu futhi ezesabekayo, akumelanga yini bamesabe uMdali wazo?—UJobe isahluko 38-41.

16. Kuyini okukumangalisa kakhulu ngezinye inyoni ezidalwe nguJehova?

¹⁶ IHubo 148:10 liphinda likhulume ‘ngezinyoni.’ Kulemihlobo eminengi yenyoni. UJehova watshela uJobe ngentshe, wathi “iyalihleka ibhiza lomgadi walo.” Inyoni le engamamitha angu-2,5 ubude kayiphaphi kodwa iyenelisa ukugijima amakhilomitha angu-65 ngehora. Ifidi layo elilodwa lingamamitha angu-4,5! (UJobe 39:13, 18) Kulenye futhi inyoni okuthiwa yi-albatross. Izikhathi ezinengi iyabe iphapha phezu kolwandle futhi amaphiko ayo nxa evuliwe angaba ngamamitha amathathu. Iyenelisa ukuphapha okwamahora amanengi ingazange itshaye amaphiko. Besekusiba leyinye inyoni okuthiwa yi-hummingbird. Inyoni le incane kulazo zonke futhi ingamasentimitha amahlanu ubude. Ingatshaya amaphiko ayo okwezikhathi ezingu-80 ngomzuzwana nje! Inyoni le inhle njengamatshe aligugu njalo iyenelisa ukuma emoyeni lokuphapha nyovane.

17. Inkulu kangakanani insikabayitshiye okuthiwa yi-blue whale futhi lokhu kwenza siphethe ngokuthini?

¹⁷ IHubo 148:7 lithi ‘lezilo zolwandle’ ziyamdumisa uJehova. Ngokwesibonelo kulomhlobo wensikabayitshiye okuthiwa yi-blue whale. Insikabayitshiye le inkulu ukwedlula zonke inyamazana emhlabeni futhi ihlala enzikini yolwandle. Ingaba ngamamitha angu-30 ubude kumbe yedlule lapho. Isisindo sayo singalingana lesendlovu ezingu-30 ezikhulileyo njalo ulimi lwayo lulesisindo esingangesendlovu eyodwa. Inhliziyo yayo ilingana lemota encane futhi itshaya ka-9 kuphela ngomzuzu. Kodwa inhliziyo yenyoni okuthiwa yi-hummingbird yona itshaya ka-1 200 ngomzuzu owodwa. Umthambo wegazi we-blue whale mkhulu okokuthi usane lungakhasa phakathi kwawo. Ukwazi lokhu kwenza sivumelane lamazwi asebhukwini lamaHubo athi: “Konke okuphilayo akudumise uJah!”—IHubo 150:6.

Amandla KaJehova Okudala Asifundisani?

18, 19. Zinengi kangakanani izinto ezidalwe nguJehova futhi zisifundisani ngaye?

¹⁸ Kulemihlobohlobo yezinto ezidaliweyo esithi singazibona sisale sibambe owangaphansi. Omunye umhubi wathi: ‘Minengi imisebenzi yakho Jehova! Umhlaba ugcwele lokho okwenzileyo.’ (IHubo 104:24) Lokhu kuliqiniso sibili ngoba abezesayensi sebethole imihlobo yezinto eziphilayo eyedlula 1 miliyoni kodwa abanye bathi iyedlula lapho. Ngezinye izikhathi umdwebi angaswela ukuthi adwebeni. Kodwa amandla kaJehova okudala izinto wona awapheli. Manje indalo kaJehova isifundisani ngaye?

¹⁹ Amandla kaJehova okudala asifundisa ukuthi nguye okufanele abuse. Ibala elithi “Mdali” litshengisa ukuthi nguye owadala zonke izinto. Kwala yona iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ezelwe yodwa kayibizwa ngokuthi inguMdali lanxa yasebenza laye ngesikhathi edala izinto. (IZaga 8:30; UMathewu 19:4) Ibizwa ngokuthi “ilizibulo kukho konke okwadalwayo.” (KwabaseKholose 1:15) Ngakho uJehova ulelungelo lokuba nguMbusi wendawo yonke ngoba nguye owadala zonke izinto.—KwabaseRoma 1:20; ISambulo 4:11.

20. Kutshoni ukuthi uJehova waphumula ngemva kokudala umhlaba?

²⁰ UJehova ulokhe ewasebenzisa yini amandla akhe ukudala izinto? IBhayibhili lithi uJehova waqeda umsebenzi wakhe wokudala ngelanga lesithupha, ‘wasephumula ngosuku lwesikhombisa kuwo wonke umsebenzi ayewenza.’ (UGenesisi 2:2) Kwathi sekudlule izinkulungwane zeminyaka uJehova eqede umsebenzi wokudala, umphostoli uPhawuli wabhala amazwi atshengisa ukuthi ‘usuku’ lolu lwalulokhu lusaqhubeka. (KumaHebheru 4:3-6) Kodwa ‘ukuphumula’ lokhu sekusitsho yini ukuthi uJehova kasasebenzi ngitsho lakancane? Hatshi, uJehova uhlala esebenza. (IHubo 92:4; UJohane 5:17) Ngakho ukuphumula okukhulunywa ngakho lapha ngokokuma kwakhe ukudala izinto ezisemhlabeni. Kodwa uqhubeka esebenza ukuze agcwalise inhloso yakhe. Ngokwesibonelo waphefumulela abantu ukuthi balobe iMibhalo Engcwele njalo wenze lokuthi kube ‘lendalo entsha’ esizafunda ngayo eSahlukweni 19.—2 KwabaseKhorinte 5:17.

21. Amandla kaJehova okudala azasinceda njani ngesikhathi esizayo?

²¹ Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi nxa usuku lukaJehova lokuphumula seluphelile, konke ayabe ekwenzile kuyabe “kukuhle kakhulu” njengakho konke ayekwenzile ngamalanga ayisithupha okudala. (UGenesisi 1:31) Asikwazi ukuthi uzawasebenzisa njani amandla akhe okudala esikhathini esizayo. Kodwa sileqiniso lokuthi indlela awasebenzisa ngayo izahlala isimangalisa. Sizaqhubeka sifunda okunengi ngoJehova endalweni yakhe kuze kube nini lanini. (UmTshumayeli 3:11) Nxa singaqhubeka sifunda ngoMdali wethu, sizamhlonipha kakhulu njalo sibe ngabangane bakhe.

1-3. (a) Yibuphi ubunzima ama-Israyeli ayesephakathi kwabo? (b) UJehova wabalwela njani abantu bakhe?

AMA-ISRAYELI ayevinjezelwe phakathi kwezintaba ezinde lolwandle olungachaphekiyo. Ibutho laseGibhithe elalilikhulu kakhulu laliwaxotshanisa lifuna ukuwaqeda wonke.a Lanxa kunjalo, uMosi watshela abantu bakaNkulunkulu ukuthi bangalahli ithemba. Wathi: “UJehova yena ngokwakhe uzalilwela.”—U-Eksodusi 14:14.

² UMosi wacela ukuthi uJehova abancedise, uJehova wasemphendula wathi: ‘Kungani ulokhu ukhala kimi? Phakamisela intonga yakho phezu kolwandle ulwehlukanise ukuze abako-Israyeli badabule phakathi kwalo emhlabathini owomileyo.’ (U-Eksodusi 14:15, 16) Kwasekusenzakalani? UJehova wathuma ingilosi yakhe, iyezi laselisuka phambi kwama-Israyeli layakuma ngemva kwawo, laba njengomduli ovalela abaseGibhithe ukuthi bangahlaseli. (U-Eksodusi 14:19, 20; IHubo 105:39) UMosi welula isandla sakhe, kwavunguza umoya olamandla ulwandle lwehlukana phakathi. Amanye amanzi aya kwesokudla amanye aya kwesenxele, kwavuleka indlela enkulu eyayisenela ukuthi isizwe sonke sama-Israyeli sidlule!—U-Eksodusi 14:21; 15:8.

³ Esebone amandla amakhulu kangaka, uFaro kwakumele atshele ibutho lakhe ukuthi liphenduke. Kodwa yena walitshela ukuthi lihlasele ngoba wayezigqaja. (U-Eksodusi 14:23) AbaseGibhithe bazithela elwandle befuna ukuhlasela, kanti sebezithezele olulenkume. Amaviri ezinqola zabo aqalisa ukukhumuka baswela lokuthi benzeni. Ama-Israyeli athe esechaphile ulwandle, uJehova wathi kuMosi: “Yelulela isandla sakho phezu kolwandle ukuze amanzi ambokothe amaGibhithe lezinqola zawo zempi kanye labagadi bawo bamabhiza.” Lakanye amanzi abuyela endaweni yawo, ambokotha uFaro lebutho lakhe!—U-Eksodusi 14:24-28; IHubo 136:15.

4. (a) Lokho uJehova akwenza eLwandle Olubomvu kusifundisani ngaye? (b) Indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe ingenza abanye bazwe njani?

⁴ Indlela uJehova avikela ngayo ama-Israyeli eLwandle Olubomvu isifundisa okunengi ngaye. Kwacaca ukuthi uJehova “uliqhawe elilamandla.” (U-Eksodusi 15:3) Kodwa wena uzwa njani nxa ufunda ukuthi kwezinye izikhathi uJehova uyasebenzisa amandla akhe ukulwa izimpi? Phela izimpi zibangele ukuthi abantu abanengi bahlupheke. Yikho indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe ukuze alwe izimpi ingenza abanye besabe ukusondela kuye.

Umehluko Phakathi Kwezimpi ZikaNkulunkulu Lezabantu

5, 6. (a) Kungani uNkulunkulu ebizwa ngokuthi ‘nguJehova wamabutho’? (b) Izimpi zikaNkulunkulu zehlukene njani lezabantu?

⁵ EBhayibhilini uNkulunkulu ubizwa langokuthi ‘nguJehova wamabutho.’ (1 USamuyeli 1:11) Ibizo leli lokuhlonipha litholakala izikhathi ezingaba yi-260 eMibhalweni yesiHebheru futhi litholakala kabili eMibhalweni yamaKhristu yesiGrikhi. UJehova ulebutho elikhulu lezingilosi ngenxa yokuthi unguMbusi Wendawo Yonke. (UJoshuwa 5:13-15; 1 AmaKhosi 22:19) Ibutho leli lilamandla okubhubhisa izitha zakhe. (U-Isaya 37:36) Lanxa kungathokozisi ukubona abantu bebulawa, kumele sikhumbule ukuthi izimpi zikaNkulunkulu kazifanani lezabantu. Abezombangazwe labakhokheli bamabutho bangathi balezizatho ezinhle zokulwa. Kodwa izikhathi ezinengi izimpi zabo zibangelwa yibuhwaba lokungabi lendaba labanye abantu.

⁶ Izimpi zikaJehova zona azibangelwa yibuhwaba. UDutheronomi 32:4 uthi: “Yena uliDwala, wonke umsebenzi wakhe uphelele, ngenxa yokuthi zonke izindlela zakhe zilungile. UnguNkulunkulu othembekileyo, kakwenzi okungalunganga, ulungile futhi uqotho.” ILizwi likaNkulunkulu lisitshela ukuthi akuqondanga ukuba lolaka, lesihluku kanye lodlakela. (UGenesisi 49:7; IHubo 11:5) Ngakho uJehova kalwi engelasizatho esihle. Amandla akhe okubhubhisa kaphonguwasebenzisa nje, uwasebenzisa nxa kungasela enye indlela yokulungisa uhlupho. Yikho watshela umphrofethi wakhe uHezekheli wathi: “‘Ngiyathokoza yini ngokufa komuntu owenza okubi?’ kutsho iNkosi Enkulu uJehova. ‘Mina engikufunayo yikuthi umuntu omubi atshiye konke okubi akwenzayo aqhubeke ephila.’”—UHezekheli 18:23.

7, 8. (a) UJobe wayecabanga ukuthi ukuhlupheka kwakhe kubangelwa ngubani? (b) U-Elihu wamncedisa njani uJobe? (c) Okwenzakala kuJobe kusifundisani?

⁷ Manje kungani uJehova esebenzisa amandla akhe ukuthi abhubhise? Singakaphenduli umbuzo lo asikhulumeni ngendoda elungileyo okwakuthiwa nguJobe. USathane wathi uJobe labo bonke abantu ngeke bahlale beqotho nxa belingwa. Yikho uJehova wavumela uSathane ukuthi alinge uJobe ukuze abone ukuthi uqotho yini. USathane wenza uJobe walahlekelwa yinotho yakhe yonke, wafelwa ngabantwana futhi wagula. (UJobe 1:1–2:8) UJobe wayengakwazi okwakubangela inhlupho zonke lezo ezazimehlela, yikho wacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayemjezisa lanxa yena wayengonanga lutho. Wabuza uNkulunkulu ukuthi kungani ‘wayekhethe ukuhlasela yena’ lokumphatha “njengesitha” sakhe.—UJobe 7:20; 13:24.

⁸ Ijaha okwakuthiwa ngu-Elihu lanceda uJobe wabona ukuthi ayekucabanga kwakungayisikho. Lathi kuye: “Ubona angathi uqondile sibili ukuthi usungaze uthi, ‘Ngilungile ukwedlula uNkulunkulu’?” (UJobe 35:2) Amazwi ka-Elihu atshengisa ukuthi akuqondanga ukuzitshela ukuthi sazi ngcono kuloNkulunkulu kumbe ukucabanga ukuthi okwenziwe nguNkulunkulu akulunganga. U-Elihu wathi: “UNkulunkulu weqiniso ngeke enze okubi, uSomandla kakwenzi okungalunganga!” Waphinda wathi: “Ngeke senelise ukuzwisisa konke ngoSomandla. Ulamandla amakhulu, uhlala esahlulela kuhle futhi esenza okulungileyo.” (UJobe 34:10; 36:22, 23; 37:23) Ngakho singaba leqiniso lokuthi nxa uNkulunkulu ebhubhisa abantu, uyabe elesizatho esihle sokwenza njalo. Khathesi kasikhangeleni izizatho ezenza uJehova alwe izimpi lanxa enguNkulunkulu olokuthula.—1 KwabaseKhorinte 14:33.

Okwenza UNkulunkulu Wokuthula Alwe

9. Kungani uNkulunkulu ongcwele esilwa izimpi?

⁹ UMosi wadumisa uJehova wathi “uliqhawe elilamandla.” Ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Awu Jehova, ngubani onjengawe phakathi kwabonkulunkulu? Kambe ngubani onjengawe, otshengisa ukuthi ulobungcwele obumangalisayo?” (U-Eksodusi 15:11) Umphrofethi uHabakhukhi laye wabhala wathi: “Amehlo akho ahlanzeke kakhulu, ngeke akhangele okubi. Ngeke ubekezelele izinto ezimbi.” (UHabakhukhi 1:13) UJehova uNkulunkulu ulothando, ungcwele, ulungile futhi wahlulela kuhle. Lokhu yikho okwenza ukuthi kwezinye izikhathi asebenzise amandla akhe ukubhubhisa izitha zakhe. (U-Isaya 59:15-19; ULukha 18:7) Ukulwa kwakhe izimpi akutsho ukuthi kakho ngcwele, yikho okutshengisa ukuthi ungcwele.—U-Eksodusi 39:30.

10. Ukuzondana okukhulunywa ngakho kuGenesisi 3:15 kuzaphetha ngani futhi lokhu kuzabanceda njani abantu abalungileyo?

¹⁰ U-Adamu lo-Eva bahlamukela uNkulunkulu ensimini ye-Edeni. (UGenesisi 3:1-6) Lokhu kwatshengisa ukuthi ababuhloniphi ubukhosi bakhe. Yikho kwasekumele abajezise ngenxa yokuthi yena unguMbusi Wendawo Yonke. Njengoba enguNkulunkulu owahlulela kuhle, wabagwebela ukufa. (KwabaseRoma 6:23) Esiphrofethweni sokuqala esiseBhayibhilini, uJehova wathi kwakuzakuba lokuzondana phakathi kwezikhonzi zakhe labalandeli ‘benyoka,’ okutsho uSathane. (ISambulo 12:9; UGenesisi 3:15) Labo abasekela uSathane babezaqhubeka behlasela abantu bakaNkulunkulu befuna ukubayekelisa ukumkhonza. Lokhu yikho okwenza ukuthi kwezinye izikhathi uJehova alwe ngoba uyabe efuna ukuvikela abantu bakhe. UJehova uyakwazi ukuthi ukubhubhisa uSathane yikho okuzaqeda uhlupho lolu. (KwabaseRoma 16:20) Nxa uSathane esesusiwe, abantu abalungileyo bazathola izibusiso ezinengi futhi umhlaba wonke uzakuba lipharadayisi.—UMathewu 19:28.

UNkulunkulu Ubhubhisa Abantu Abenza Okubi

11. Kungani uNkulunkulu waletha uZamcolo emhlabeni?

¹¹ Ngesikhathi sikaNowa uNkulunkulu wasebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze alwele abantu bakhe. UGenesisi 6:11, 12 uthi: “Umhlaba wawusuwonakele emehlweni kaNkulunkulu weqiniso njalo wawusugcwele udlakela. UNkulunkulu wakhangela umhlaba wabona ukuthi wawusuwonakele sibili; bonke abantu emhlabeni basebesenza izinto ezimbi kakhulu.” UNkulunkulu kazange avumele ukuthi abantu ababi batshabalalise abalutshwana ababelungile. Waletha uZamcolo ukuze abhubhise labo ababelodlakela futhi ababeziphethe kubi.

12. (a) Kuyini uJehova ayekutshele u-Abrahama mayelana lenzalo yakhe? (b) Kungani kwakumele ama-Amori abhujiswe?

¹² Abanye uJehova ababhubhisayo ngenxa yokuthi babesenza okubi ngabantu beKhenani. UJehova wayetshele u-Abrahama ukuthi wayezabusisa zonke izizwe esebenzisa inzalo yakhe. Ngakho wathembisa ukuthi wayezanika izizukulwane zika-Abrahama ilizwe laseKhenani. Elizweni leli kwakuhlala abantu okwakuthiwa ngama-Amori. Manje kwakuqondile yini ukuthi uNkulunkulu asuse abantu labo elizweni labo? UJehova wayetshilo ukuthi ama-Amori ayengasoze asuswe elizweni lawo kuze kudlule iminyaka engu-400 ngenxa yokuthi ‘isikhathi sokuthi ajeziselwe isono sawo sasiyabe singakafiki.’b (UGenesisi 12:1-3; 13:14, 15; 15:13, 16; 22:18) Phakathi leminyaka leyo, ama-Amori aqhubeka eziphatha kubi kakhulu. Ayekhonza izithombe, ebulala abantu futhi efeba. (U-Eksodusi 23:24; 34:12, 13; AmaNani 33:52) Ayeze atshise labantwana emlilweni esenza imihlatshelo. Kambe uNkulunkulu wayezavuma yini ukuthi abantu bakhe bahlale labantu abenza izinto ezimbi kangaka? Hatshi wayengasoze avume ngoba yena ungcwele. Wathi: ‘Ilizwe lingcolile njalo ngizalijezisa ngenxa yecala lalo futhi lizabahlanza abahlala kulo.’ (ULevi 18:21-25) Kodwa uJehova kazange abulale wonke umuntu. Ngokwesibonelo uRahabi labantu baseGibhiyoni basinda ngenxa yokuthi babemthanda uNkulunkulu.—UJoshuwa 6:25; 9:3-27.

Ulwela Ibizo Lakhe

13, 14. (a) Kungani kwakumele uJehova angcwelise ibizo lakhe? (b) UJehova walingcwelisa njani ibizo lakhe?

¹³ Ibizo likaNkulunkulu lingcwele ngenxa yokuthi yena ungcwele. (ULevi 22:32) UJesu wafundisa abafundi bakhe ukuthi bathandaze bathi: “Kalingcweliswe ibizo lakho.” (UMathewu 6:9) Phela uSathane walingcolisa ibizo likaNkulunkulu. Wakhuluma amanga ngoJehova wenza kwakhanya angathi ubusa kubi, futhi u-Adamu lo-Eva bamkholwa basebehlamukela uJehova. UJehova wayengeke abayekele bengcolisa ibizo lakhe yikho kwasekumele alingcwelise.—U-Isaya 48:11.

¹⁴ Langesikhathi sama-Israyeli uJehova walingcwelisa ibizo lakhe. Wayethembise u-Abrahama ukuthi zonke izimuli ezisemhlabeni zazizabusiswa ngenzalo yakhe. Kodwa lokhu kwakungasoze kwenzakale ama-Israyeli eyizigqili eGibhithe. Ngakho uJehova wawakhulula wawenza aba yisizwe sakhe. Lokhu kwalingcwelisa ibizo lakhe. Yikho umphrofethi uDanyeli wathandaza wathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, wena owakhipha abantu bakho elizweni laseGibhithe ngesandla sakho esilamandla, wenza ukuthi ibizo lakho laziwe.”—UDanyeli 9:15.

15. Kungani uJehova wakhulula amaJuda eBhabhiloni?

¹⁵ UDanyeli wakhuluma amazwi la ngesikhathi amaJuda ethunjiwe eBhabhiloni. Idolobho lawo elikhulu iJerusalema laselilunxiwa. UJehova kwasekumele aphinde angcwelise ibizo lakhe. UDanyeli wayekwazi ukuthi ukubuyiselwa kwamaJuda elizweni lawo kwakuzadumisa ibizo likaJehova. Ngakho wakhuleka wathi: “Awu Jehova ngicela usithethelele. Awu Jehova ngicela ulalelisise, usincede. Ungaphuzi ngoba lokhu ukwenzela wena Nkulunkulu wami, idolobho lakho labantu bakho kubizwa ngebizo lakho.”—UDanyeli 9:18, 19.

Ulwela Abantu Bakhe

16. Ukulwela kukaJehova ibizo lakhe kutsho ukuthi kalandaba labantu yini? Chasisa.

¹⁶ Sesibonile ukuthi uJehova uyalilwela ibizo lakhe. Kodwa lokhu kutsho ukuthi ulendaba lebizo lakhe kuphela yini? Hatshi, labantu ulendaba labo. Nxa engcwelisa ibizo lakhe futhi esahlulela abenza okubi uyabe evikela abantu bakhe. Ngokwesibonelo, kuGenesisi isahluko 14 sitshelwa ngamakhosi amane athumba uLothi lemuli yakhe. ULothi wayezalwa ngumfowabo ka-Abrahama. U-Abrahama wawanqoba amakhosi la lanxa ayelamandla kulaye ngoba wayencediswa nguNkulunkulu. Kungenzakala ukuthi indaba le yaba ngeyokuqala ukubhalwa ‘ebhukwini lezimpi zikaJehova’ futhi kukhanya ibhuku leli lalilezinye izindaba zempi ezingazange zibhalwe eBhayibhilini. (AmaNani 21:14) Zinengi ezinye izimpi ezanqotshwa ngabantu bakaJehova.

17. Yiziphi izibonelo ezitshengisa ukuthi uJehova wayewalwela ama-Israyeli elizweni leKhenani?

¹⁷ Kwathi ama-Israyeli esezangena elizweni leKhenani, uMosi wawatshela wathi: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzahamba phambi kwenu njalo uzalilwela njengoba nje wenza eGibhithe lizibonela ngawenu.” (UDutheronomi 1:30; 20:1) UJehova wabalwela sibili abantu bakhe ngesikhathi uJoshuwa engumkhokheli wabo langesikhathi sabahluleli kanye lesamakhosi athembekileyo akoJuda.—UJoshuwa 10:1-14; ABahluleli 4:12-17; 2 USamuyeli 5:17-21.

18. (a) Kungani kuthokozisa ukuthi uJehova katshintshanga? (b) Isiphrofetho esikuGenesisi 3:15 sizagcwaliseka njani ngesikhathi esizayo?

¹⁸ UJehova katshintshanga, ulokhu ehlose ukwenza umhlaba lo ube lipharadayisi elilokuthula. (UGenesisi 1:27, 28) Kanti njalo ulokhu ekuzonda okubi. Sekuseduze ukuthi alwele abantu bakhe ngoba uyabathanda kakhulu. (IHubo 11:7) Isiphrofetho esikuGenesisi 3:15 sizagcwaliseka ngendlela emangalisayo. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu bazahlaselwa ngendlela abangakaze bahlaselwe ngayo. Ngalesosikhathi uJehova uzaphinda atshengise ukuthi “uliqhawe elilamandla” ngokuvikela abantu bakhe langokungcwelisa ibizo lakhe!—UZakhariya 14:3; ISambulo 16:14, 16.

19. (a) Yiwuphi umzekeliso ongasinceda sizwisise ukuthi amandla kaJehova okubhubhisa kumele asenze sisondele kuye? (b) Ukuzimisela kukaNkulunkulu ukusilwela kumele kusifuqe ukuthi senzeni?

¹⁹ Ukwazi ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okubhubhisa kumele kusenze sesabe ukusondela kuye yini? Hatshi. Cabanga ngomzekeliso lo. Ake sithi imuli ethile ihlaselwa yinyamazana eyingozi kakhulu, uyise wabantwana abesesilwa layo ayibulale. Umkakhe labantwabakhe bazamesaba yini ngenxa yokuthi bambone ebulala inyamazana leyo? Hatshi kabasoze bamesabe kodwa bazambonga ngoba utshengise ukuthi uyabathanda kakhulu. Lathi akumelanga simesabe uNkulunkulu nxa etshengisa ukuthi ulamandla okubhubhisa. Kumele simthande kakhulu futhi simhloniphe ngoba uzimisele ukusilwela. Singenza njalo ‘sizakwenzela uNkulunkulu inkonzo engcwele ngokumesaba langenhlonipho enkulu.’—KumaHebheru 12:28.

Sondela KuNkulunkulu Wethu ‘Oliqhawe Elilamandla’

20. Kumele senzeni nxa kulendaba esingayizwisisiyo eBhayibhilini futhi lokhu kuzasinceda njani?

²⁰ Kwezinye izikhathi iBhayibhili kalisichasiseli ukuthi kungani uJehova ekhetha ukusebenzisa amandla akhe okubhubhisa. Kodwa esingaqiniseka ngakho yikuthi uJehova kasebenzisi amandla akhe ngendlela engaqondanga kumbe elesihluku. Izikhathi ezinengi okungasinceda yikubala indaba yakhona yonke ukuze sizwisise ukuthi kungani uJehova wakhetha ukusebenzisa amandla akhe ngaleyondlela. (IZaga 18:13) Nxa silokhu singazwisisi, okungasinceda yikufunda okunengi ngoJehova lokucabangisisa ngobuntu bakhe obuhle. Lokhu kuzakwenza simthembe ngenhliziyo yonke uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.—UJobe 34:12.

21. Lanxa kwezinye izikhathi uJehova esiba ‘liqhawe elilamandla,’ ulobuntu obunjani?

²¹ Lanxa kwezinye izikhathi uJehova esiba ‘liqhawe elilamandla,’ akutsho ukuthi uthanda izimpi. UHezekheli wabona umbono wenqola yasezulwini owawutshengisa uJehova elungele ukulwa lezitha zakhe. Kodwa okunye uHezekheli akubonayo ngumchilowamakhosikazi owawugombolozele uNkulunkulu. Umchilowamakhosikazi umela ukuthula. (UGenesisi 9:13; UHezekheli 1:28; ISambulo 4:3) Kuyacaca-ke ukuthi uJehova nguNkulunkulu olokuthula. Umphostoli uJohane wathi, “uNkulunkulu uluthando.” (1 UJohane 4:8) UJehova usebenzisa amandla akhe ngendlela evumelana lobuntu bakhe obuhle. Kuyisibusiso esikhulu sibili ukuba ngabangane bakaNkulunkulu olamandla futhi osithandayo!

1, 2. Abako-Israyeli babekuyiphi ingozi ngesikhathi besiya eLizweni Lesithembiso ngo-1513 B.C.E., futhi uJehova wabaqinisa njani?

ABAKO-ISRAYELI babesengozini enkulu ngesikhathi besiya eLizweni Lesithembiso ngo-1513 B.C.E. Kwakumele badabule phakathi ‘kwenkangala enkulu njalo eyesabekayo, elezinyoka eziyingozi lenkume.’ (UDutheronomi 8:15) Babesengozini yokuhlaselwa yizitha endleleni. UJehova nguye owayethe abantu bakhe bahambe ngendlela leyo. Wayezakwenelisa yini ukubavikela njengoba wayenguNkulunkulu wabo?

² UJehova wabaqinisa wathi: “Lizibonele ngawenu lokho engikwenze kumaGibhithe ukuze ngiliphakamise ngamaphiko ezinkozi [loba ezingqungqulu] ngililethe kimi.” (U-Eksodusi 19:4) Amazwi la akhumbuza abantu bakhe ukuthi wayebakhulule ebantwini baseGibhithe, kwaba angathi uthume ingqungqulu ukuthi zibathwale zibase endaweni evikelekileyo. Kodwa kulezinye izizatho ezenza ukuvikela kukaNkulunkulu kufaniswe ‘lamaphiko’ engqungqulu.

3. Kungani indlela uNkulunkulu avikela ngayo ifaniswa ‘lamaphiko’ engqungqulu?

³ Ingqungqulu ilamandla futhi ilamaphiko amakhulu. Amaphiko ayo angedlula amamitha amabili nxa iwelulile. Nxa ilanga litshisa, iyawavikela amaphuphu ayo ukuze angatshiswa lilanga. Ngezinye izikhathi ingqungqulu iyafaka amaphuphu ayo ngaphansi kwamaphiko ukuze iwavikele emoyeni oqandayo. UJehova laye wavikela isizwe sako-Israyeli njengengqungqulu evikela amaphuphu ayo. Lasenkangala wayezaqhubeka ebavikela ngamaphiko akhe alamandla nxa babezahlala bethembekile. (UDutheronomi 32:9-11; IHubo 36:7) Kodwa uNkulunkulu uyasivikela yini lalamuhla?

UJehova Uthembisa Ukuthi Uzasivikela

4, 5. Kungani singathemba ukuthi uJehova uzasivikela?

⁴ Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uJehova uyenelisa ukuvikela izinceku zakhe. ‘UnguNkulunkulu uSomandla’ okutsho ukuthi ulamandla amakhulu kakhulu. (UGenesisi 17:1) Akulamuntu ongavimba uJehova ukuthi asebenzise amandla akhe njengoba nje kungelamuntu ongavimba amagagasi olwandle. Uyenelisa ukwenza loba yini ayifunayo. Kodwa uJehova uyafuna yini ukusebenzisa amandla akhe ukuthi avikele abantu bakhe?

⁵ Ye uyafuna sibili. UJehova uyasiqinisekisa ukuthi uzabavikela abantu bakhe. IHubo 46:1 lithi: “UNkulunkulu ungamandla ethu lendawo yethu yokucatsha, uyaphangisa ukusinceda nxa sisebunzimeni.” Singamthemba uJehova ukuthi uzasivikela ngenxa yokuthi ‘ngeke aqambe amanga.’ (KuThithusi 1:2) Asixoxeni ngeminye imizekeliso esetshenziswa nguJehova ukuze achaze indlela asivikela ngayo.

6, 7. (a) Umelusi wayezivikela njani izimvu zakhe? (b) Kuyini okutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uzimisele ukusivikela?

⁶ UJehova unguMelusi futhi thina “singabantu bakhe lezimvu ezisemadlelweni akhe.” (IHubo 23:1; 100:3) Izimvu yizifuyo ezingenelisi ukuzivikela. Endulo umelusi kwakumele abe lesibindi ukuze enelise ukuvikela izimvu zakhe ukuthi zingadliwa yizilwane, lempisi lamabhere lokuthi zingatshontshwa ngamasela. (1 USamuyeli 17:34, 35; UJohane 10:12, 13) Kodwa kwakulezikhathi lapho okwakumele abe lozwelo nxa evikela izimvu zakhe. Kwakusithi imvu ingazalela khatshana lesibaya, umelusi wayeyilinda ukuze ingahlaselwa zinyamazana, abesethwala izinyane layo alise esibayeni.

⁷ UJehova uzifanisa lomelusi ngoba ufuna sizwisise ukuthi uzimisele ukusivikela. (UHezekheli 34:11-16) ESahlukweni 2 sebhuku leli sixoxe ngo-Isaya 40:11 othi: “Uzakwelusa umhlambi wakhe njengomelusi, aqoqe imvana, azithwale esifubeni sakhe.” Izinyane lemvu lifika njani “esifubeni” sikamelusi? Izinyane lingaya kumelusi, mhlawumbe lifike lithinte kancane unyawo lwakhe, umelusi abesekhothama aliphakamise alifake esifubeni sakhe. Lokho kutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uMelusi wethu omkhulu uzimisele ukusivikela.

8. (a) Ngobani abavikelwa nguJehova futhi sikubona njani lokhu Zaga 18:10? (b) Kumele senzeni ukuze ibizo likaJehova lisivikele?

⁸ UNkulunkulu kathembisi ukuthi uzavikela loba ngubani, kodwa uvikela labo abasondela kuye. IZaga 18:10 zithi: “Ibizo likaJehova liyinqaba eqinileyo. Olungileyo ugijimela kulo avikelwe.” Endulo inqaba zazisakhiwa enkangala ukuze zibe zindawo ezivikelekileyo zokucatsha. Kodwa umuntu wayengeke avikeleke nxa engabalekelanga kuzo. Manje kumele senzeni ukuze ibizo likaJehova lisivikele? Kumele sifunde ngaye, simazi njalo simthembe siphinde silandele lemilayo yakhe. Ibizo likaNkulunkulu ngeke lisivikele ngendlela eyisimangaliso. Yikho ukuphongulibiza nje akusoze kusincede. UJehova uyasithanda sibili yikho ethembisa ukuthi nxa singathembela kuye uzasivikela, kube angathi siphakathi kwenqaba evikelekileyo!

‘UNkulunkulu Wethu Ngeke Ehluleke Ukusikhulula’

9. UJehova watshengisa njani ukuthi kapheleli ekuthembiseni abantu bakhe ukuthi uzabavikela?

⁹ UJehova uyabavikela abantu bakhe, kapheleli ekubathembiseni nje kuphela. IBhayibhili lisitshela ngezinye indlela eziyisimangaliso avikela ngazo abantu bakhe. Wavikela ama-Israyeli ezitheni zawo ‘ngesandla’ sakhe esilamandla. (U-Eksodusi 7:4) Waphinda wasebenzisa amandla akhe ukuthi avikele ezinye izinceku zakhe.

10, 11. Yiziphi izibonelo eziseBhayibhilini ezitshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvikela umuntu ngamunye?

¹⁰ AmaHebheru amathathu okwakuthiwa nguShadrekhi, loMishekhi, lo-Abhedinikho ayala ukukhothamela isithombe segolide esasenziwe nguNebhukhadinezari, inkosi eyayilamandla kulawo wonke amakhosi emhlabeni. UNebhukhadinezari wazonda kakhulu wathi baphoselwe esithandweni somlilo esivuthayo. Weyisa uNkulunkulu esithi: “Libona angani ukhona yini unkulunkulu ongalikhulula esandleni sami?” (UDanyeli 3:15) Lanxa uNkulunkulu engazange awatshele amajaha la ukuthi uzawavikela, ayengathandabuzi ukuthi ulawo amandla okuwasindisa esithandweni somlilo. Ngakho aphendula uNebhukhadinezari athi: “Nxa singaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo uNkulunkulu wethu esimkhonzayo ngeke ehluleke ukusikhulula.” (UDanyeli 3:17) Isithando somlilo leso sasikhwezelwe satshisa okuphindwe kasikhombisa, kodwa uNkulunkulu wabavikela ngoba yena unguSomandla. Inkosi yacina ivuma yodwa yathi: “Kakho omunye unkulunkulu owenelisa ukuhlenga njengaye.”—UDanyeli 3:29.

¹¹ UJehova waphinda watshengisa ukuthi ulamandla amangalisayo ngokuthatha ukuphila kweNdodana yakhe elizibulo ezulwini wakufaka esiswini sentombi engumJuda okuthiwa nguMariya. Ingilosi yatshela uMariya ukuthi ‘wayezazithwala abelethe indodana.’ Yachasisa yathi: “Umoya ongcwele uzakwehlela phezu kwakho, amandla oPhezukonke akugubuzele.” (ULukha 1:31, 35) Manje uJehova wayezayivikela njani iNdodana yakhe? Isono sikaMariya sasizakwenza ukuthi umntwana lo azalwe elesici yini? USathane wayezakwenelisa yini ukubulala kumbe ukulimaza umntwana lo engakazalwa? Wayengeke enelise! Kusukela uMariya esanda kuzithwala, uJehova wamvikela ukuze kungabi lalutho olwalungalimaza umntwana lo owayesesiswini sakhe. Waba leqiniso lokuthi uyamvikela ukuze azalwe engelasono njalo angabulawa. UJehova waqhubeka emvikela uJesu langesikhathi ekhula. (UMathewu 2:1-15) Wamvikela kwaze kwafika isikhathi sokuthi anikele ngokuphila kwakhe.

12. Kungani uJehova wayevikela abanye abantu okukhulunywa ngabo eBhayibhilini?

¹² Kungani kwezinye izikhathi uJehova wayevikela izinceku zakhe? Wayevikela abanye abantu ukuze lokho akuhlosileyo kugcwaliseke. Phela ukugcwaliseka kwenhloso yakhe kuqakatheke ukwedlula loba yini. Ngokwesibonelo okwenza uJehova wavikela uJesu yikuthi wayefuna injongo yakhe yokuthi abantu baphile phakade igcwaliseke. Zinengi izindaba eziseBhayibhilini ezitshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvikela abantu bakhe. Izindaba lezi “zabhalelwa ukuthi kufundiswe thina. Lokho kwenza sibe lethemba ngoba iMibhalo le isinceda ukuthi siqinisele njalo iyasiduduza.” (KwabaseRoma 15:4) Izibonelo lezi zenza sibe lokholo oluqinileyo kuNkulunkulu wethu uSomandla. Kodwa yiziphi indlela uNkulunkulu angasivikela ngazo lamuhla?

UNkulunkulu Uyasivikela Kuzo Zonke Izinto Ezimbi Yini?

13. UJehova kumele asenzele izimangaliso yini? Chasisa.

¹³ Lanxa uNkulunkulu ethembisa ukusivikela, akutsho ukuthi usezahlala esenzela izimangaliso. UNkulunkulu wethu kasithembisi ukuthi asisoze sehlelwe zinhlupho esikhathini lesi esiphila kuso. Izinceku zikaJehova zehlelwa zinhlupho ezitshiyeneyo ezigoqela ubuyanga, izimpi, ukugula lokufa. UJesu watshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi babengabulawa ngenxa yokholo lwabo. Yikho wagcizelela ukuthi kumele umuntu aqinisele kuze kube sekucineni. (UMathewu 24:9, 13) Nxa uJehova ubengasebenzisa amandla akhe ukuthi avikele abantu bakhe kuzo zonke izinto ezimbi, uSathane ubezakuthi asimthandi uJehova kodwa simkhonza ngenxa yokuthi uyasivikela.—UJobe 1:9, 10.

14. UNkulunkulu uvikela izinceku zakhe ngendlela efananayo yini?

¹⁴ IBhayibhili lisitshela ngabanye abantu uJehova angazange abavikele ukuthi bangabulawa. Ngokwesibonelo, umphostoli uJakhobe wabulawa nguHerodi phose ngo-44 C.E., kodwa ngemva nje kwalokhu uJehova wathuma ingilosi yakhe ukuthi ikhulule uPhetro “esandleni sikaHerodi.” (ImiSebenzi 12:1-11) UJohane umnewabo kaJakhobe yena waphila isikhathi eside kuloPhetro loJakhobe. Kuyacaca-ke ukuthi ngeke sikhangelele ukuthi uNkulunkulu wethu avikele zonke izinceku zakhe ngendlela efananayo. Kanti njalo bonke abantu “bafikelwa yisikhathi lezehlakalo ezibajuma belibele.” (UmTshumayeli 9:11) Pho uJehova usivikela njani lamuhla?

UJehova Uzivikela Njani Izinceku Zakhe?

15, 16. (a) Yibuphi ubufakazi obutshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyabavikela abantu bakhe beliqembu? (b) Kungani singaba leqiniso lokuthi uJehova uzazivikela izinceku zakhe khathesi ‘lasekuhluphekeni okukhulu’?

¹⁵ UJehova uyenelisa ukuvikela izinceku zakhe. Kasoze avumele ukuthi zonke izinceku zakhe zitshabalaliswe. USathane “umbusi womhlaba” lo kafuni kube loyedwa nje umuntu okhonza uJehova. (UJohane 12:31; ISambulo 12:17) Ngakho aluba uJehova ubengasivikeli, uSathane ubezasiqeda sonke. Abanye ohulumende abalamandla ukwedlula bonke emhlabeni sebeke bazama ukuvimba umsebenzi wethu wokutshumayela lokutshabalalisa abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Lanxa kunjalo, abantu bakaJehova baqhubeka beqinile futhi betshumayela! Kuyini okwenze izizwe lezi ezilamandla zehluleka ukumisa umsebenzi wokutshumayela lanxa usenziwa liqembu lamaKhristu elikhanya lilincane futhi lingelamandla? Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova usivikele ngamaphiko akhe alamandla kakhulu!—IHubo 17:7, 8.

¹⁶ Kodwa uJehova uzasivikela yini ngesikhathi ‘sokuhlupheka okukhulu’? IBhayibhili lithi: “UJehova uyakwazi ukubahlenga ekulingweni abantu abazinikele kuye lokugcinela abantu abangalunganga ukubhujiswa ngosuku lokwahlulela.” (ISambulo 7:14; 2 UPhetro 2:9) Yikho akumelanga sesabe ukuthi kuzakwenzakalani kithi nxa uJehova esesahlulela ababi. Esingaqiniseka ngakho yikuthi uJehova kasoze avumele ukuthi izinceku zakhe ezithembekileyo zitshabalaliswe lokuthi uzazinika umvuzo wokuphila okungapheliyo emhlabeni omutsha olokulunga. Lanxa abanye bengabulawa, uJehova uzabakhumbula abavuse.—UJohane 5:28, 29.

17. UJehova usivikela njani esebenzisa iLizwi lakhe?

¹⁷ UJehova uphinda asivikele esebenzisa “ilizwi” lakhe eliphilayo futhi elilamandla. Liyasinceda ukuthi sitshintshe impilo zethu njalo sithokoze. (KumaHebheru 4:12) Nxa singasebenzisa izimiso zalo, kasisoze senze izinto ezingasilimaza. U-Isaya 48:17 uthi: ‘Mina Jehova nginguNkulunkulu wakho okufundisayo ukuze uncedakale.’ Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi ukulalela okutshiwo liLizwi likaNkulunkulu kungenza sibe lempilakahle futhi siphile isikhathi eside. Ngokwesibonelo, iBhayibhili lithi sibalekele ubufebe njalo sizihlambulule ezintweni zonke. Nxa singalandela lokho elikutshoyo, asisoze senze izinto ezingcolileyo futhi ezilimazayo ezenziwa ngabantu abanengi abangakhonzi uNkulunkulu. (ImiSebenzi 15:29; 2 KwabaseKhorinte 7:1) Siyambonga kakhulu uNkulunkulu ngendlela asivikela ngayo esebenzisa iLizwi lakhe!

UJehova Usivikela Njani Ekukhonzeni?

18. UJehova usivikela njani ekukhonzeni?

¹⁸ Okuqakatheke ukwedlula konke yikuthi uJehova uyasivikela ukuze singawi ekukhonzeni. UNkulunkulu wethu osithandayo uyasincedisa ukuthi senelise ukubekezelela izilingo futhi sihlale singabangane bakhe. Lokhu akusincedi khathesi kuphela kodwa kuzakwenza ukuthi sithole impilo engapheliyo esikhathini esizayo. Yiziphi ezinye izinto uJehova asinike zona ukuze sihlale singabangane bakhe?

19. Umoya kaJehova ungasincedisa njani?

¹⁹ UJehova ‘uyayilalela imithandazo’ yethu. (IHubo 65:2) Nxa inhlupho esilazo sezisikhulela, ukuthululela uJehova isifuba kuzakwenza sihlaliseke. (KwabaseFiliphi 4:6, 7) Lanxa engazisusanga inhlupho zethu, angaphendula imithandazo yethu ngokusipha inhlakanipho esinceda ukuthi senelise ukulwisana lazo. (UJakhobe 1:5, 6) Enye indlela uJehova asincedisa ngayo yikusinika umoya ongcwele nxa singawucela. (ULukha 11:13) Umoya lo uzakwenza sibe ‘lamandla amakhulu futhi angajayelekanga.’ Lokhu kuzakwenza senelise ukubekezelela inhlupho esiyabe siphakathi kwazo kuze kube yilapho uJehova ezikhipha zonke emhlabeni omutsha.—2 KwabaseKhorinte 4:7.

20. UJehova usivikela njani esebenzisa abazalwane?

²⁰ Kwezinye izikhathi uJehova angasebenzisa abafowethu esikhonza labo ukuthi asivikele. Sonke sadonswa nguJehova wasiletha enhlanganisweni yakhe saba ‘ngabazalwane.’ (1 UPhetro 2:17; UJohane 6:44) UJehova usipha umoya wakhe ongcwele osisiza ukuthi sibe lothando lomusa futhi senzele abanye okuhle. (KwabaseGalathiya 5:22, 23) Ngakho kumele sibonge uJehova nxa omunye esikhonza laye angaseluleka kumbe asikhuthaze nxa siphakathi kwenhlupho.

21. (a) UJehova usinakekela njani esebenzisa “inceku ethembekileyo lehlakaniphileyo”? (b) Wena kukuncede njani lokho uJehova asinika khona ukuze siqhubeke singabangane bakhe?

²¹ UJehova uphinda asivikele ngokusifundisa izinto ezenza sihlale silokholo oluqinileyo. Unike “inceku ethembekileyo lehlakaniphileyo” umsebenzi wokusincedisa ukuthi sizwisise iLizwi lakhe. Inceku le isipha ‘ukudla ngesikhathi esifaneleyo’ isebenzisa amabhuku labomagazini okuthiwa yi-Nqabayokulinda le-Vukani! futhi isilungisele iwebhusayithi okuthiwa yi-jw.org. Iphinda ihlele lokuthi kube lemihlangano yebandla leyesiqinti kanye leyesabelo. (UMathewu 24:45) Kukhona yini owake wakuzwa emihlanganweni yebandla okwakuqinisayo futhi kwakukhuthaza? Mhlawumbe kwakuyimpendulo, inkulumo loba umthandazo. UJehova wakunika amandla ngaso kanye isikhathi owawuwadinga ngaso. Sewake wancedwa ngokunye owakubala emabhukwini ethu yini? Khumbula ukuthi izipho zonke lezi siziphiwa nguJehova ukuze siqhubeke singabangane bakhe.

22. UJehova uwasebenzisa njani amandla akhe okuvikela futhi lokhu kuzasinceda njani?

²² UJehova “ulihawu labo bonke abaphephela kuye.” (IHubo 18:30) Siyakuzwisisa ukuthi khathesi kasivikeli kuzo zonke izinto ezimbi ezingasehlela. Kodwa usebenzisa amandla akhe okuvikela ukuze agcwalise inhloso yakhe. Lokhu kuzakwenza abantu bakhe bathole impilo engapheliyo esikhathini esizayo. Nxa singasondela kuJehova futhi sihlale sisethandweni lwakhe, sizakholisa impilo emhlabeni omutsha. Ukucabanga ngethemba lelo kuzakwenza sihlale sikhumbula ukuthi inhlupho esilazo khathesi ‘ngezesikhatshana futhi kazitsho lutho.’”—2 KwabaseKhorinte 4:17.

1, 2. Kuyini okungasilahlekela futhi lokhu kungasiphatha njani?

UYAKE unanzelele yini ukuthi umntwana wenzani nxa angaqamula loba alahlekelwe yithoyi yakhe? Uyakhala aze azigiqe phansi. Kodwa nxa umzali wakhe angayithola kumbe ayilungise uyathaba. Kungakhanya kuyinto engatsho lutho kumzali ukulungisa ithoyi leyo kodwa umntwana yena kuyammangalisa. Uyambona esethabile ngoba ubecabanga ukuthi ithoyi yakhe ayisoze iphinde itholakale kumbe ilungiseke.

² UBaba wethu uJehova ulamandla okulungisa lokho abantwabakhe abasemhlabeni abangabona angani ngeke kuphinde kulungiseke. Kodwa lapha asikhulumi ngamathoyi. ‘Ensukwini lezi zokucina okunzima ukuphila kuzo’ silahlekelwa yizinto eziqakatheke ukwedlula amathoyi. (2 KuThimothi 3:1-5) Singalahlekelwa ngumsebenzi, yimizi yethu, zimpahla zethu futhi singagula. Okunye okungasidanisa yikubona abantu bengcolisa umhlaba wethu njalo betshabalalisa imihlobo etshiyeneyo yezinyamazana lezihlahla. Kodwa okusizwisa ubuhlungu ukwedlula loba yini yikufelwa ngumuntu esimthandayo. Singaphelelwa ngamandla siswele lokuthi senzeni.—2 USamuyeli 18:33.

3. Yiliphi ithemba eliduduzayo elikumiSebenzi 3:21 futhi uJehova uzakwenza njani okutshiwo yivesi le?

³ Kuyasiduduza kakhulu ukufunda ngokuthi uJehova ulamandla okulungisa zonke inhlupho zethu. Esihlokweni lesi sizafunda ngezinto ezisilahlekeleyo ezizabuyiselwa nguNkulunkulu. IBhayibhili lithi uJehova uhlose ‘ukubuyisela zonke izinto.’ (ImiSebenzi 3:21) Lokhu uzakwenza esebenzisa uMbuso weNdodana yakhe enguMesiya, uJesu Khristu. Okwenzakala ngo-1914 kutshengisa ukuthi uMbuso lo waqalisa ukubusa ngalowomnyaka.a (UMathewu 24:3-14) Khathesi asixoxeni ngezinye izinto uJehova azazibuyisela. Okunye kwakhona siyakubona khathesi kodwa okunengi kwakhona kuzakwenzakala esikhathini esizayo.

Ukubuyiselwa Kokukhonza Okuhlanzekileyo

4, 5. Kuyini okwenzakala ebantwini bakaNkulunkulu ngo-607 B.C.E., njalo uJehova wabathembisani?

⁴ Enye into uJehova aseyibuyisele yikukhonza okuhlanzekileyo. Ukuze sizwisise ukuthi lokhu kutshoni, asihloleni ngamafitshane imbali yombuso wakoJuda. Ukwenza njalo kuzasinceda sizwisise ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okubuyisela obekulahlekile.—KwabaseRoma 15:4.

⁵ Ubona angani amaJuda ayethembekile ezwa njani iJerusalema ibhidlizwa ngo-607 B.C.E? Abona idolobho lawo ayelithanda litshabalaliswa, imiduli yalo idilizelwa phansi. Okubi kakhulu yikuthi lethempeli elalilihle okwamagama elalakhiwe nguSolomoni labhidlizwa. Ithempeli leli kwakuyiyo yodwa indawo emhlabeni okwakukhonzwa khona uJehova ngendlela eqondileyo. (IHubo 79:1) Ababesindile bathunjwa bahanjiswa eBhabhiloni, imizi yabo yasala ihlala inyamazana zeganga. (UJeremiya 9:11) Babengabona angani akulathemba lokuthi bangaphenduka elizweni labo. (IHubo 137:1) Kodwa uJehova wabathembisa ukuthi uzababuyisela elizweni labo ngoba nguye owayevele ekhulume ngokutshabalaliswa lokhu.

6-8. (a) Abaphrofethi abanengi babhala mayelana lani futhi abakubhalayo kwagcwaliseka njani? (b) Iziphrofetho lezo zigcwaliseke njani esikhathini esiphila kuso?

⁶ Banengi abaphrofethi ababhala ngesithembiso sikaJehova sokubuyisela abantu bakhe elizweni labo.b UJehova wathi abako-Israyeli bazaphinda bakhe elizweni labo babe banengi, batshaye inala futhi bahlale bechelesile kungelanyamazana loba izitha ezibahlaselayo. Wathi ilizwe labo lalizakuba lihle angathi lipharadayisi! (U-Isaya 65:25; UHezekheli 34:25; 36:35) Kodwa okuhle kakhulu yikuthi babezaphinda bakhonze uJehova ngendlela eqondileyo. (UMikha 4:1-5) Iziphrofetho lezi zenza amaJuda ayethunjiwe aba lethemba futhi zawanceda ukuthi abekezele okweminyaka engu-70 ethunjiwe eBhabhiloni.

⁷ Safika isikhathi sokuthi uJehova abuyisele ama-Israyeli elizweni lawo. AmaJuda akhululwa eBhabhiloni asebuyela eJerusalema ayakwakha kutsha ithempeli likaJehova. (U-Ezra 1:1, 2) UJehova wayebabusisa abantu bakhe nxa bemkhonza ngendlela eqondileyo. Kwakusithi nxa bangalima bayitshaye inala njalo konke kwakubahambela kuhle. Wayebavikela ezitheni zabo lasezinyamazaneni zeganga ezasezigcwele elizweni labo njengoba laselihlale iminyaka engu-70 lingamanxiwa. Kufanele ukuthi kwabajabulisa kakhulu ukubona uJehova esebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze ababuyisele elizweni labo. Kodwa lokhu kwakuyikugcwaliseka kokuqala kwezithembiso zikaJehova. Izithembiso lezi zazizaphinda zigcwaliseke ‘ensukwini zokucina’ sekubusa uJesu, indlalifa yeNkosi uDavida. Insuku lezo zokucina yizo esiphila kuzo khathesi.—U-Isaya 2:2-4; 9:6, 7.

⁸ UJesu wathi esanda kuqalisa ukubusa ezulwini ngo-1914, waqalisa ukuncedisa abantu bakaNkulunkulu emhlabeni ukuthi bakhonze uNkulunkulu ngendlela ayamukelayo. Njengoba nje inkosi yePhesiya uKhoresi wakhulula amaJuda eBhabhiloni ngo-537 B.C.E., uJesu laye wakhulula abalandeli bakhe enkolweni yamanga ebizwa ngokuthi ‘yiBhabhiloni Enkulu.’ (ISambulo 18:1-5; KwabaseRoma 2:29) Kusukela ngo-1919 amaKhristu eqiniso aqalisa ukukhonza uJehova ngendlela eqondileyo. (UMalakhi 3:1-5) Amkhonza esethempelini lakhe elihlanjululiweyo elimela ukukhonza okuhlanzekileyo. Kungani ukukhonza lokhu kuqakathekile kithi?

Okwenza Ukubuyiselwa Kokukhonza Okuhlanzekileyo Kuqakatheke

9. Kwenzakalani abaphostoli sebefile, kodwa uJehova wenzeni esikhathini sethu?

⁹ AmaKhristu okuqala ayekhonza uJehova ngendlela eqondileyo. Kodwa uJesu labaphostoli bakhe bakhuluma ngokuthi abantu babezatshiya ukukhonza uJehova ngendlela ayifunayo. (UMathewu 13:24-30; ImiSebenzi 20:29, 30) Kwathi abaphostoli sebefile amaKhristu amanga aqalisa ukwanda. Abakhokheli bamasonto babefundisa izimfundiso zamanga futhi belandela imikhuba yabantu abangayisiwo maKhristu. Kulokuthi bancedise abantu ukuthi basondele kuNkulunkulu bona babafundisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu mthathu emunye futhi kazwisiseki. Baphinda babafundisa ukuthi bavume izono zabo kubaphristi ukuze bathethelelwe lokuthi bakhuleke kuMariya lakulabo abababiza ngokuthi ngabangcwele kulokuthi bakhuleke kuJehova. Sekuleminyaka eminengi lokhu kusenzakala. Lalamuhla abantu bafundiswa amanga futhi sekulabantu abanengi abenza izinto ezimbi ukwedlula kudala. Lanxa kunjalo uJehova usebenzise amandla akhe amakhulu ukuthi abuyisele ukukhonza kweqiniso.

10, 11. (a) Ipharadayisi esiphakathi kwalo lamuhla lilaziphi izingxenye ezimbili eziqakathekileyo njalo kumele wenzeni nxa ufuna ukungena epharadayisi leli? (b) UJehova uqoqe abantu abanjani ukuthi babe sepharadayisi leli futhi bazathola ziphi izibusiso?

¹⁰ Lalamuhla uJehova ufake amaKhristu eqiniso epharadayisi ngokuwapha konke okungawanceda ukuthi amkhonze ngendlela ayamukelayo. Ipharadayisi leli liqhubeka lisiba lihle futhi lilengxenye ezimbili eziqakathekileyo. Eyokuqala yikukhonza uNkulunkulu weqiniso ngendlela ehlanzekileyo. UJehova usifundise iqiniso ukuze singakhohliswa ngamanga afundiswa emasontweni. Uyasinceda ukuthi sifunde okunengi ngaye, simthokozise njalo sisondele kuye. Lokhu kusinceda ukuthi sifunde ngoBaba wethu osezulwini ukuze simthokozise futhi sisondele kuye. (UJohane 4:24) Ingxenye yesibili yikuthula okusebantwini bakaNkulunkulu. U-Isaya waphrofetha ukuthi “ngezinsuku zokucina” uJehova uzafundisa abantu bakhe ukuhlalisana ngokuthula. UJehova usifundise ukuthi akumelanga silwe izimpi njalo wasinceda ukuthi sigqoke ‘ubuntu obutsha’ lanxa silesono. Usipha lomoya wakhe ongcwele osenza sibe lezithelo zomoya. (Kwabase-Efesu 4:22-24; KwabaseGalathiya 5:22, 23) Nxa ufuna ukungena epharadayisi leli kumele uvume ukuqondiswa ngumoya kaNkulunkulu.

¹¹ UJehova uqoqe abantu abathandayo wabafaka epharadayisi leli. Abantu laba ngabamthandayo, abathanda ukuthula njalo “abakunanzelelayo ukuthi bayamdinga uNkulunkulu.” (UMathewu 5:3) Bazazibonela ngawabo izibusiso ezimangalisayo uJehova azazinika abantu emhlabeni omutsha.

“Ngenza Izinto Zonke Zibe Zintsha”

12, 13. (a) Sazi njani ukuthi uJehova uzaphinda azigcwalise ngenye indlela izithembiso zakhe? (b) UJehova uhloseni ngomhlaba njalo kungani lokhu kusinika ithemba?

¹² Sesibonile ukuthi uJehova wathembisa ukuthi uzabuyisela ukukhonza kweqiniso. Kodwa uJehova uzaphinda azigcwalise ngenye indlela izithembiso zakhe. U-Isaya wabhala ukuthi abagulayo, labaqhulayo, labayiziphofu lezacuthe bazasiliswa kanye lokuthi ukufa kuzaqedwa. (U-Isaya 25:8; 35:1-7) Lokhu akuzange kwenzakale ko-Israyeli. Esikhathini sethu uJehova uvule amehlo eziphofu ngokusifundisa ukuthi singamkhonza njani ngendlela eqondileyo. Kodwa izithembiso lezi kusamele zigcwaliseke ngokoqobo emhlabeni wonke. Sikwazi njani lokhu?

¹³ Ensimini yase-Edeni uJehova wacacisa ukuthi wayehloseni ngomhlaba. Wayefuna emhlabeni kuhlale abantu abathokozayo, abalempilakahle njalo abamanyeneyo. Kwakumele abantu banakekele umhlaba lezidalwa zonke ezikuwo, benze umhlaba wonke ube lipharadayisi. (UGenesisi 1:28) Kodwa lokhu ayisikho okwenzakalayo khathesi. Lanxa kunjalo, akulalutho olungenza uJehova ehluleke ukugcwalisa akuhlosileyo. (U-Isaya 55:10, 11) UJehova uzasebenzisa uJesu ukuthi atshintshe umhlaba wonke ube lipharadayisi.—ULukha 23:43.

14, 15. (a) Kuyini uJehova azakwenza ukuze “izinto zonke zibe zintsha”? (b) Izabe injani impilo ePharadayisi njalo kuyini olindele ukukubona kusenzakala?

¹⁴ Ake ucabange ukuthi uzakuzwa njani nxa umhlaba wonke usulipharadayisi! UJehova uthi ngesikhathi leso ‘uzakwenza izinto zonke zibe zintsha.’ (ISambulo 21:5) UJehova uzakwenza njani lokhu? Uzabhubhisa abantu abenza okubi besekusala ‘amazulu amatsha lomhlaba omutsha.’ Amazulu amatsha nguhulumende omutsha ozabe ubusa usezulwini. Umhlaba omutsha ngabantu abathanda uJehova njalo abenza intando yakhe abazabe belapha emhlabeni. (2 UPhetro 3:13) USathane lamadimoni akhe bayabe bengaselamandla okudukisa abantu. (ISambulo 20:3) Abantu bayabe sebekhululekile ezitheni lezi ezibangele ukuthi kube lokuzondana okweminyaka leminyaka lapha emhlabeni. Lokhu kuzasithokozisa kakhulu.

¹⁵ Siyabe sesisenelisa ukunakekela umhlaba lo omuhle ngendlela uJehova ayevele efuna siwunakekele ngayo. Umhlaba udalwe ngendlela emangalisayo. Ulwandle lemifula kuyenelisa ukuzihlambulula nxa abantu bangayekela ukuphosela ingcekeza. Nxa izimpi zingaphela, izindawo ezilomonakalo obangelwe yizimpi zingaphinda zibe zinhle. Sizajabula kakhulu sesisebenza ndawonye ukuthi senze umhlaba uphinde ube lipharadayisi elilezinyamazana lezihlahla kanye lamaluba ayimihlobo etshiyeneyo! Abantu abasoze batshabalalise izinyamazana kumbe baphongugamula nje izihlahla. Kuzaba lokuthula phakathi kwabantu lezidalwa zonke ezikhona emhlabeni. Abantwana bayabe bengasazesabi inyamazana zeganga.—U-Isaya 9:6, 7; 11:1-9.

16. Kuyini uJehova azakwenzela khona ePharadayisi?

¹⁶ Zikhona ezinye izinto uJehova azazenzela umuntu munye ngamunye. I-Amagedoni isiphelile, abayabe besindile bazasiliswa. UJesu uzakwenza lokho ayekwenza elapha emhlabeni. Uzasilisa abagulayo, enze iziphofu zibone, izacuthe zizwe, labagogekileyo bahambe. (UMathewu 15:30) Abagugileyo bazakuba batsha baqine saka. (UJobe 33:25) Ijwabu labo lizakuba butshelezi futhi ngeke besakhathazwa zinyawo lamadolo. Bonke abantu bazabona impumela yesono iphela kancane kancane ebantwini baze bacine bengaselasono. Sizambonga kakhulu uJehova uNkulunkulu ngokusebenzisa amandla akhe ukuthi enze zonke izinto zibe zintsha! Khathesi sizaxoxa ngesithembiso esithinta inhliziyo esizagcwaliseka nxa uJehova esesenza zonke izinto zibe zintsha.

Ukuvuswa Kwabantu Abafileyo

17, 18. (a) Kungani uJesu wakhuza abaSadusi? (b) Landisa ukuthi kwahamba njani indodana yomfelokazi waseZarefathi ize ife.

¹⁷ Ngesikhathi uJesu esemhlabeni, abanye abakhokheli benkolo okuthiwa ngabaSadusi babengakholwa ukuthi abafileyo bazavuswa. UJesu wabakhuza wathi: “Lilahlekile ngoba aliyazi iMibhalo futhi aliwazi amandla kaNkulunkulu.” (UMathewu 22:29) Ngakho iMibhalo itshengisa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvusa abantu abafileyo. Asixoxeni ngabanye abavuswayo.

¹⁸ Owokuqala yindodana yomfelokazi waseZarefathi. Umphrofethi u-Elija wayeselesikhathi evakatshele umfelokazi lo futhi wayeke wanceda indodana yakhe ukuthi ingabulawa yindlala. Kungenzakala ukuthi u-Elija wayesemthanda umfana lo. Kodwa ngelinye ilanga wafa futhi unina wezwa ubuhlungu kakhulu ngoba nguye yedwa ayesesele laye ngemva kokufa komkakhe. Mhlawumbe wayelethemba lokuthi indodana yakhe izamgcina nxa esegugile. Kumele ukuthi u-Elija wethuka ebona umfelokazi lo ephethe umntanakhe owayesefile. Umfelokazi lo wadana waze wacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayemjezisa ngenxa yesono ayeke wasenza. Lokhu kwamzwisa ubuhlungu u-Elija. Yikho wathatha isidumbu somfana waqansa laso waya endlini ephezulu ayehlala kuyo, wasecela uJehova uNkulunkulu ukuthi amvuse.—1 AmaKhosi 17:8-21.

19, 20. (a) U-Abrahama watshengisa njani ukuthi uyakholwa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvusa abafileyo futhi kuyini okwamenza waba lokholo olunjalo? (b) UJehova wambusisa njani u-Elija?

¹⁹ U-Elija wayengasuye wokuqala ukukholwa ukuthi abafileyo bazavuswa. U-Abrahama waphila kusasele iminyaka eminengi ukuthi u-Elija azalwe futhi wayekholwa ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvusa abantu abafileyo. Kuyini okwakumenza akukholwe lokho? Wayebone isimangaliso uJehova ayesenzele yena lomkakhe uSara. Lanxa u-Abrahama wayeseleminyaka engu-100 uSara elengu-90, uJehova wenza uSara wenelisa ukuzithwala futhi wabeletha indodana okuthiwa ngu-Isaka. (UGenesisi 17:17; 21:2, 3) Kwathi indodana yabo isikhulile, uJehova wacela u-Abrahama ukuthi anikele ngayo. U-Abrahama watshengisa ukuthi ulokholo futhi wathemba ukuthi uJehova uzayivusa indodana yakhe. (KumaHebheru 11:17-19) Yikho engakakhweli entabeni ukuthi ayenikela ngendodana yakhe, watshela izisebenzi zakhe ukuthi yena lo-Isaka babezaphenduka bonke.—UGenesisi 22:5.

²⁰ UJehova wathi u-Abrahama angasambulali u-Isaka, ngakho kwakungelasidingo sokuthi amvuse. Kodwa endabeni ka-Elija, indodana yomfelokazi yayivele isifile. UJehova wayivusa indodana yomfelokazi ngenxa yokuthi u-Elija wayelokholo. Ngemva kwalokho u-Elija waqhubela umfelokazi indodana yakhe, wasesithi: “Khangela indodana yakho iyaphila.”—1 AmaKhosi 17:22-24.

21, 22. (a) Kungani iBhayibhili lisitshela ngezindaba zokuvuswa kwabantu abafileyo? (b) EPharadayisi kuzavuswa abantu abanengi kangakanani njalo lokhu kuzakwenziwa ngubani?

²¹ Indaba le ngeyokuqala eBhayibhilini lapho esibona khona uJehova esebenzisa amandla akhe okuvusa abafileyo. UJehova wanika u-Elisha, loJesu, loPhawuli, loPhetro amandla okuvusa abafileyo. Kodwa bonke abavuswayo baphinda bafa. Lanxa kunjalo, izindaba lezo zisitshengisa khona kanye okuzakwenzakala ngesikhathi esizayo.

²² UJesu wathi: “Ngiyikuvuka kwabafileyo lokuphila.” (UJohane 11:25) Ngakho ePharadayisi uzavusa izigidi lezigidi zabantu abafileyo abanike ithuba lokuphila phakade emhlabeni. (UJohane 5:28, 29) Ake ucabange ukuthi sizajabula njani sesibona izihlobo labangane bethu abafayo! Sizagonana kube yintokozo yodwa! Bonke abantu bazadumisa uJehova ngenxa yamandla akhe okubuyisela.

23. Yiphi indlela eyedlula zonke uJehova atshengisa ngayo ukuthi ulamandla futhi lokhu kuliqinisa njani ithemba lethu ngekusasa?

²³ UJehova usinika ubufakazi obenza singathandabuzi ngitsho lakancane ukuthi uyenelisa ukuvusa abantu abafileyo. Wavusa iNdodana yakhe uJesu iyingilosi elamandla futhi wayinika isikhundla esilandela esakhe. Le yindlela eyedlula zonke uJehova atshengisa ngayo amandla akhe. UJesu esevusiwe wabonwa ngabantu abanengi kakhulu. (1 KwabaseKhorinte 15:5, 6) Kambe ukhona yini ongathandabuza ukuthi uJehova ulamandla okuvusa abantu abafileyo?

24. Kungani singaba leqiniso lokuthi uJehova uzabavusa abantu abafileyo futhi yiliphi ithemba esilalo?

²⁴ UJehova ulamandla okuvusa abantu abafileyo futhi uyafisa ukukwenza lokho. UJobe wathi uJehova uyafisa ukuvusa abantu abafileyo. (UJobe 14:15) Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi okwenza uJehova asebenzise amandla akhe okubuyisela yikuthi uyasithanda. Wena awufisi yini ukusondela kuNkulunkulu osithanda kangaka? Njengoba sibonile, kulezindlela ezinengi uJehova asebenzisa ngazo amandla akhe okubuyisela futhi ukuvuswa kwabantu abafileyo ngenye yazo. Yikho qhubeka usondela kuJehova, uliqakathekise ithemba lokuyaphila ePharadayisi lapho ozazibonela khona ngawakho uJehova esenza “izinto zonke zibe zintsha!”—ISambulo 21:5.

1-3. (a) Kuyini okwethusa abafundi bakaJesu eLwandle lwaseGalile njalo uJesu wenzani? (b) Kungani kuqondile ukuthi “uKhristu ungamandla kaNkulunkulu”?

ABAFUNDI bathi besahamba ngesikepe bechapha uLwandle lwaseGalile, kwaphonguqalisa isiphepho. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi babeke babona iziphepho elwandle lolu ngoba vele abanye babo babengabagoli benhlanzi.a (UMathewu 4:18, 19) Kodwa lesi ‘sasisikhulu futhi silolaka.’ “Amagagasi ayelokhu etshaya isikepe” lamanzi ekhaphakela phakathi kwaze kwasala kancane ukuthi isikepe sicwile. Amadoda la asebenza nzima ezama ukuqondisa isikepe kodwa isiphepho sasilokhu sisiba lamandla. Kusenzakala lokhu uJesu wayelele ngemuva esikepeni. Wayetshone efundisa abantu yikho wayedinwe efile. Abafundi bamvusa ngenxa yokuthi babesesaba ukuthi sebezaphelela elwandle, bamncenga besithi: “Nkosi, sisindise sesisifa!”—UMakho 4:35-38; UMathewu 8:23-25.

² Kodwa uJesu yena wayengesabi. Wakhuluma ngesibindi wakhuza umoya lolwandle wathi: “Thula! Thula zwi!” Umoya lolwandle kwahle ‘kwathula cwaka,’ isiphepho saphela lamagagasi anyamalala. Abafundi bakhe besaba bathuthumela, baqalisa ukunyenyezelana besithi: “Ngubani sibili yenalo?” Kwakubamangalisa ukuthi kambe kulomuntu ongakhuza umoya lolwandle angathi ukhuza umntwana?—UMakho 4:39-41; UMathewu 8:26, 27.

³ Kodwa uJesu wayengasimuntu nje ofanana labanye. UJehova wanika uJesu amandla okwenza izimangaliso. Ngakho umphostoli uPhawuli wayeqondile lapho esithi “uKhristu ungamandla kaNkulunkulu.” (1 KwabaseKhorinte 1:24) Siwabona njani amandla kaNkulunkulu kuJesu? Indlela uJesu asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe isinceda njani?

Amandla ENdodana KaNkulunkulu Ezelwe Yodwa

4, 5. (a) UJehova wanika iNdodana yakhe amandla okwenzani? (b) UJehova wayinikani iNdodana yakhe ukuze isebenze laye ukudala izinto?

⁴ Cabanga ngamandla uJesu ayelawo engakabuyi emhlabeni. UJehova wasebenzisa ‘amandla akhe angapheliyo’ ngesikhathi edala iNdodana yakhe eyiyo yodwa, eyacina isaziwa ngokuthi nguJesu Khristu. (KwabaseRoma 1:20; KwabaseKholose 1:15) UJehova wanika iNdodana yakhe amandla amakhulu ukuze isebenze laye ngesikhathi edala izinto. IBhayibhili lithi: “Zonke izinto zaba khona [ngoJesu] futhi akukho ngitsho lokukodwa okukhona okungazange kwenziwe ngaye.”—UJohane 1:3.

⁵ Kunzima ukuthi thina sizwisise ukuthi umsebenzi lo wawungakanani. Ubona angathi kwakudingakala amandla angakanani ukuze kudalwe amamiliyoni ezingilosi ezilamandla, lamabhiliyoni emithala lamaplanethi atshiyeneyo kanye lomhlaba lezinto eziphila kuwo? UJehova wanika iNdodana yakhe umoya ongcwele ukuze ibe lamandla okwenza konke lokhu. Yayiyisisebenzi esiyingcitshi futhi yayithokoza ngesikhathi isebenza loYise.—IZaga 8:22-31.

6. Ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe uJesu wanikwa amandla okwenzani?

⁶ UJehova wayengamnika yini uJesu amanye amandla adlula lawa ayemnike wona? Ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe uJesu wathi: “Sengiphiwe amandla wonke ezulwini lasemhlabeni.” (UMathewu 28:18) Ivesi le itshengisa ukuthi uJesu waphiwa amandla okubusa konke okudaliweyo. Njengoba ‘enguMbusi wababusi leNkosi yamakhosi’ unikwe amandla okuthi ‘atshabalalise bonke ohulumende kanye lalabo abalamandla’ abaphikisana loYise, kungelani lokuthi basezulwini kumbe emhlabeni. (ISambulo 19:16; 1 KwabaseKhorinte 15:24-26) Akulalutho uNkulunkulu ‘angalubekanga ngaphansi’ kukaJesu. UNkulunkulu nguye yedwa ongekho ngaphansi kukaJesu.—KumaHebheru 2:8; 1 KwabaseKhorinte 15:27.

7. Kungani singaba leqiniso lokuthi uJesu kasoze awasebenzise kubi amandla awaphiwe nguJehova?

⁷ Kumele sikhathazeke yini ngokuthi uJesu angawasebenzisa kubi amandla akhe? Hatshi! UJesu uyamthanda kakhulu uYise njalo ngeke enze loba yini engamdanisa. (UJohane 8:29; 14:31) Ukwazi mhlophe ukuthi uJehova kakaze awasebenzise kubi amandla akhe amakhulu. Uzibonele ngawakhe ukuthi uJehova udinga amathuba ‘okutshengisa amandla akhe ngokunceda labo abazinikele kuye ngenhliziyo yonke.’ (2 ImiLando 16:9) Uyabathanda abantu ngendlela uYise abathanda ngayo, ngakho singamthemba ukuthi uzahlala ewasebenzisa kuhle amandla akhe. (UJohane 13:1) UJesu kakaze awasebenzise kubi amandla akhe. Kasiboneni ukuthi wawasebenzisa njani amandla akhe ngesikhathi esesemhlabeni lokuthi kuyini okwakumenza awasebenzise.

Amazwi Akhe Ayelamandla

8. Ngemva kokugcotshwa kwakhe, uJesu waphiwa amandla okwenzani njalo wawasebenzisa njani?

⁸ Akula lapho iBhayibhili elisitshela khona ukuthi uJesu wenza izimangaliso ngesikhathi esakhula. Kodwa lokhu kwatshintsha ngesikhathi ebhabhathizwa ngo-29 C.E., eleminyaka engaba ngu-30. (ULukha 3:21-23) IBhayibhili lithi: ‘Wagcotshwa nguNkulunkulu ngomoya ongcwele langamandla, wahamba esenza okuhle kulo lonke ilizwe futhi esilisa bonke ababecindezelwe nguDeveli.’ (ImiSebenzi 10:38) Amazwi athi “esenza okuhle” atshengisa ukuthi wawasebenzisa kuhle amandla akhe. Wathi esegcotshiwe ‘watshengisa ngezenzo langamazwi phambi kukaNkulunkulu labantu bonke ukuthi ungumphrofethi olamandla.’—ULukha 24:19.

9-11. (a) UJesu wayejayele ukufundisela ngaphi njalo kungani kwakungaba nzima ukuthi abantu bamlalele? (b) Kungani abantu bamangaliswa yindlela uJesu ayefundisa ngayo?

⁹ Sikwazi njani ukuthi amazwi kaJesu ayelamandla? Wayejayele ukufundisela ezindaweni ezisegcekeni, njengasekhunjini lolwandle, eceleni kwentaba lasezindaweni zokuthengisela. (UMakho 6:53-56; ULukha 5:1-3; 13:26) Ababemlalele babengazihambela aluba amazwi akhe ayengakhangi. Kwakumele bagcine amazwi akhe ezingqondweni lasezinhliziyweni ngenxa yokuthi ngalesosikhathi kwakungelamabhuku. Ngakho uJesu kwakumele afundise ngendlela ekhangayo, ezwisisekayo futhi ezakwenza kube lula ukuthi abantu bakhumbule ababekufundisiwe. UJesu wayesenelisa ukufundisa ngendlela enjalo. Siyakubona lokho eNtshumayelweni yakhe yaseNtabeni.

¹⁰ Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni ngo-31 C.E., ixuku labantu labuthana eceleni kwentaba eseduze loLwandle lwaseGalile. Abanye abantu babevela eJudiya, abanye bevela eJerusalema okwakungaba ngamakhilomitha angu-100 kusiya kwangu-110. Abanye bona babevela eThire leSidoni. Abanengi ababegula basondela kuJesu ukuze bamthinte njalo wabasilisa bonke. Wathi esebelaphe bonke, waqalisa ukubafundisa. (ULukha 6:17-19) Bonke abantu ababemlalele efundisa bamangaliswa yilokho ababekuzwa. Kungani?

¹¹ Ngemva kweminyaka ethile omunye owayezwe intshumayelo leyo wathi: “Abantu basala bebambe owangaphansi bemangaliswa yindlela ayefundisa ngayo ngoba wayefundisa njengomuntu olamandla.” (UMathewu 7:28, 29) UJesu wafundisa ngendlela ethinta inhliziyo. Wayekhuluma lokho ayekuthunywe nguNkulunkulu njalo konke ayekufundisa wayekuthatha eLizwini likaNkulunkulu. (UJohane 7:16) Wayefundisa ngendlela elula eyayisenza abantu bafise ukwenza lokho ayebatshela khona futhi akulamuntu owayengamphikisa. Wayebanceda bazwisise ukuthi inhlupho zidalwa kuyini njalo bazihlole ukuthi bangabantu abanjani. Wabafundisa indlela yokuthola intokozo leyokuthandaza kanye lokuthi bangenzani ukuze baqakathekise uMbuso kaNkulunkulu futhi babe lekusasa elihle. (UMathewu 5:3–7:27) Amazwi akhe ayesenza labo abalenhliziyo ezilambele iqiniso bafise ukwenza okulungileyo. Babezimisele ngitsho ‘lokuzidela’ balahle konke ukuze bamlandele. (UMathewu 16:24; ULukha 5:10, 11) Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi amazwi kaJesu ayelamandla.

‘Watshengisa Ngezenzo Ukuthi Ulamandla’

12, 13. UJesu watshengisa njani ukuthi ulamandla njalo yiwuphi umehluko owawukhona ezimangalisweni ayezenza?

¹² UJesu waphinda ‘watshengisa langezenzo ukuthi ulamandla.’ (ULukha 24:19) AmaVangeli asitshela ngezimangaliso ezingu-30 ezenziwa nguJesu esebenzisa ‘amandla ayewanikwe nguJehova.’b (ULukha 5:17) Izimangaliso ezenziwa nguJesu zanceda izinkulungwane zabantu. Ngokwesibonelo wanika abantu abanengi ukudla. Ixuku lokuqala lalilamadoda angu-5 000 njalo elesibili lilamadoda angu-4 000, singasabali abantwana labesifazana.—UMathewu 14:13-21; 15:32-38.

¹³ UJesu wenza izimangaliso ezitshiyeneyo. Wayesenelisa ukukhipha amadimoni lula nje. (ULukha 9:37-43) Wayelamandla phezu kwemvelo yikho wenelisa ukutshintsha amanzi aba liwayini. (UJohane 2:1-11) Ngelinye ilanga abafundi bamangala ‘bembona ehamba phezu kolwandle’ lanxa kwakulesiphepho. (UJohane 6:18, 19) Wayelamandla okusilisa abagogekileyo lawokwelapha imikhuhlane engelaphekiyo. (UMakho 3:1-5; UJohane 4:46-54) Welapha abantu ngezindlela ezitshiyeneyo. Abanye wabelapha ekhatshana ikanti abanye wayebelapha ngokubathinta. (UMathewu 8:2, 3, 5-13) Abanye babehle basile masinyane kodwa abanye babesila kancane kancane.—UMakho 8:22-25; ULukha 8:43, 44.

14. UJesu watshengisa njani ukuthi ulamandla okuvusa abafileyo?

¹⁴ Okunye okumangalisayo yikuthi uJesu wayelamandla okuvusa abantu abafileyo. IBhayibhili lisitshela ngabantu abathathu abavusayo. Wavusa intombazana eleminyaka engu-12 wayibuyisela kubazali bayo, wavusa lendodana yomunye umfelokazi eyayiyiyo yodwa kunina. Waphinda wavusa loLazaro. (ULukha 7:11-15; 8:49-56; UJohane 11:38-44) Akulalutho olwalunzima kuJesu. Intombazana eleminyaka engu-12 wayivusa isanda kufa, kwathi indodana yomfelokazi wayivusa isisiyangcwatshwa. Kukhanya indodana le yavuswa ngelanga eyafa ngalo. ULazaro yena wavuswa eselamalanga amane engcwatshiwe.

Wasebenzisa Amandla Akhe Ukuze Ancede Abanye

15, 16. Kuyini okutshengisa ukuthi uJesu kazange asebenzise amandla akhe ukuthi enze okunceda yena kuphela?

¹⁵ Ubona angani kungenzakalani nxa amandla kaJesu engaphiwa umbusi olesono? Angasetshenziswa kubi. Phela izikhathi ezinengi ababusi abalandaba labanye, bayazigqaja futhi balobuhwaba. Yikho besebenzisa amandla abo ngendlela elimaza abanye. Kodwa uJesu kanjalo ngoba kalasono.—U-1 Phetro 2:22.

¹⁶ UJesu wasebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze ancede abanye, hatshi ukuthi enze izinto ezifunwa nguye. Ngesikhathi elambile wala ukutshintsha amatshe abe yisinkwa. (UMathewu 4:1-4) Wayengelampahla enengi futhi lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi kazange asebenzise amandla akhe ukuthi athole inotho. (UMathewu 8:20) Kulokunye futhi okutshengisa ukuthi uJesu kazange asebenzise amandla akhe ukuthi enze okunceda yena kuphela. Ngesikhathi eselapha abagulayo wayesizwa amandla ephuma kuye, ngitsho lalapho eselapha umuntu oyedwa kuphela. (UMakho 5:25-34) Lanxa kunjalo wavumela ukuthi abantu abanengi bamthinte ukuze basile. (ULukha 6:19) Lokhu kwakutshengisa ukuthi ulendaba labanye!

17. UJesu watshengisa njani ukuthi uwasebenzisa kuhle amandla akhe?

¹⁷ UJesu wayewasebenzisa kuhle amandla akhe. Kazange enze izimangaliso esenzela ukubukwa ngabantu. (UMathewu 4:5-7) Ngokwesibonelo wala ngitsho lokwenza izimangaliso ukuze athokozise uHerodi. (ULukha 23:8, 9) Kulokuthi abukise ngamandla akhe, uJesu wayejayele ukutshela labo ayebelapha ukuthi bangatsheli muntu. (UMakho 5:43; 7:36) Wayengafuni ukuthi abantu bakholwe ukuthi unguMesiya ngenxa nje yokuthi bazwe abanye bekhuluma ngezimangaliso ayezenza.—UMathewu 12:15-19.

18-20. (a) Kuyini okwenza uJesu wasebenzisa amandla akhe ukunceda abanye? (b) Indlela uJesu elapha ngayo indoda eyayiyisacuthe ikufundisani?

¹⁸ UJesu wayengafanani lababusi abangabazweliyo abantu abahluphekayo. Yena wayelendaba labantu. Wayesizwa ubuhlungu nxa ebona behlupheka futhi lokhu kwakusenza abancede. (UMathewu 14:14) Wayelendaba lokuthi bezwa njani lokuthi kuyini abakuswelayo, yikho wasebenzisa amandla akhe ukuze abancede. Lokho siyakubona kuMakho 7:31-37.

¹⁹ Emavesini la ixuku labantu lathi libona uJesu laletha abantu abanengi ababegula, uJesu wasebelapha bonke. (UMathewu 15:29, 30) Kodwa wananzelela ukuthi kulenye indoda eyayiyisacuthe futhi ingenelisi ukukhuluma. Kungenzakala ukuthi uJesu wananzelela ukuthi indoda le yayilenhloni futhi ingakhululeki ukuba phakathi kwabantu. Ngakho wayithatha indoda le wayisusa ebantwini ukuze ayelaphe bebodwa, wasesebenzisa izandla ukuthi ayichasisele lokho ayesezakwenza. “Wafaka iminwe yakhe endlebeni zayo, wasekhafula wathinta ulimi lwayo.”c (UMakho 7:33) Esenze njalo uJesu wakhangela ezulwini wehlisa iphika. Lokhu kwenza indoda le yabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu nguye owayephe uJesu amandla okwelapha. Ngemva kwalokho uJesu wathi: “Vuleka.” (UMakho 7:34) Indlebe zayo zahle zavuleka yaqalisa ukuzwa lokukhuluma kuhle.

²⁰ Kuyasithokozisa ukubona indlela uJesu asebenzisa ngayo amandla ayewaphiwe nguNkulunkulu. Ukubona ukuthi uJesu wayelendaba labantu ayebelapha kwenza singathandabuzi ukuthi uzakuba nguMbusi olomusa futhi olothando. Phela uJehova ukhethe yena ukuthi abe yiNkosi yoMbuso wakhe.

Izimangaliso ZikaJesu Zisitshengisa Azakwenza Ngesikhathi Esizayo

21, 22. (a) Izimangaliso zikaJesu zazitshengisani? (b) UJesu uzakwenzani nxa esebusa?

²¹ Izimangaliso uJesu azenza esesemhlabeni zaziyinzwisa yalokho azakwenza ngesikhathi esebusa umhlaba. EPharadayisi uzaphinda enze izimangaliso kodwa uzabe esezenza emhlabeni wonke. Yiziphi ezinye izinto ezizakwenziwa nguJesu?

²² UJesu uzalungisa wonke umonakalo odalwe ngabantu emhlabeni. Khumbula ukuthi wake wathulisa isiphepho elwandle. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi ulamandla phezu kwemvelo. Ngakho nxa esebusa, abantu abasoze bahlaselwe yiziphepho loba kube lokuzamazama komhlaba kumbe ezinye ingozi zemvelo. Njengoba uJesu wasebenza loJehova ngesikhathi edala umhlaba, ukuzwisisa kuhle ukuthi umhlaba wenziwe njani. Uyakwazi ukuthi angazisebenzisa njani izinto zemvelo ezisemhlabeni. Uzatshintsha umhlaba wonke ube liPharadayisi.—ULukha 23:43.

23. UJesu uzakwenelisa yini ukunakekela abantu nxa eseyiNkosi?

²³ UJesu uzakwenelisa yini ukunika abantu ukudla lezinye izinto abazidingayo empilweni? Ye uzakwenelisa. Phela esesemhlabeni wake wathatha ukudla okulutshwana nje wapha abantu abanengi badla basutha. Isimangaliso lesi senza sibe leqiniso lokuthi uzayiqeda indlala. Bonke abantu bazathola ukudla okweneleyo. (IHubo 72:16) Kanti njalo uJesu wayeselapha abagulayo okutshengisa ukuthi uzaqeda yonke imikhuhlane. Uzasilisa iziphofu lezacuthe kanye labagogekileyo. (U-Isaya 33:24; 35:5, 6) Khumbula lokuthi uJesu wavusa labafileyo. Ngakho siyaqiniseka ukuthi uzavusa abantu abanengi kakhulu abafayo.—UJohane 5:28, 29.

24. Kuyini okumele sikukhumbule nxa sifunda ngamandla kaJesu futhi kungani?

²⁴ Sesibonile ukuthi uJesu ulamandla amangalisayo. Kodwa khumbula ukuthi ulingisela uYise ngokupheleleyo. (UJohane 14:9) Indlela uJesu asebenzisa ngayo amandla yenza sizwisise ukuthi uJehova uwasebenzisa njani amandla akhe. Ngokwesibonelo, uJesu wathi esilisa indoda eyayilobulephero watshengisa ukuthi uyayizwela. Wayithinta wathi: “Ngiyafuna, hlambuluka.” (UMakho 1:40-42) Ngakho nxa sibala izindaba ezinjengalezi, kuba angathi uJehova usitshengisa indlela awasebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe. Siyambonga kakhulu uNkulunkulu wethu olamandla ngokuthi usebenzisa amandla akhe ngendlela elothando!

1. Kujayele ukwenzakalani nxa umuntu elamandla?

ENYE imbongi eyaphila eminyakeni yabo-1800 yathi: “Nxa umuntu elamandla, uba sengozini.” Imbongi le yayisithi nxa umuntu angaphiwa amandla ucina ewasebenzisa kubi. Okudanisayo yikuthi izikhathi ezinengi abantu bawasebenzisa kubi amandla abo. Sekuleminyaka eminengi ababusi behlukuluza abantu. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi “nxa umuntu ebuswa ngomunye umuntu uyalimala.” (UmTshumayeli 8:9) Banengi abantu abathwele nzima ngenxa yokuthi babuswa ngabantu abangelathando.

2, 3. (a) Indlela uJehova asebenzisa ngayo amandla itshiyene njani lendlela abantu abasebenzisa ngayo amandla abo? (b) Yiwaphi amandla esilawo futhi kumele siwasebenzise njani?

² UJehova uNkulunkulu kafanani labantu. Ulamandla amakhulu kodwa kakaze awasebenzise kubi. Njengoba sibonile ezahlukweni ezidlulileyo uJehova uhlala esebenzisa amandla akhe ukwenza izinto ezinhle, kungaba yikudala, ukubhubhisa abenza okubi, ukuvikela kumbe ukulungisa okonakeleyo. Indlela asebenzisa ngayo amandla akhe yenza sifune ukusondela kuye. Yenza sifuna ‘lokulingisela uNkulunkulu’ endleleni esisebenzisa ngayo amandla. (Kwabase-Efesu 5:1) Kodwa thina yiwaphi amandla esilawo njengoba sibancane kakhulu nxa siqathaniswa loNkulunkulu?

³ Khumbula ukuthi umuntu wadalwa “ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu.” (UGenesisi 1:26, 27) Ngakho lathi silawo amandla. Ngokwesibonelo singaba lamandla okwenza imisebenzi ethile kumbe awokukhokhela abanye loba awokubaphambanisa. Umuntu oqinileyo emzimbeni loba onothileyo laye kungathiwa ulamandla. Umhubi wathi uJehova “nguye osinika ukuphila.” (IHubo 36:9) Ngakho-ke wonke amandla esingaba lawo siwaphiwa nguJehova. Yikho sifuna ukuwasebenzisa ngendlela emthokozisayo. Singakwenza njani lokhu?

Kumele Sibe Lothando

4, 5. (a) Kuyini okungasinceda ukuthi sisebenzise kuhle amandla ethu futhi uNkulunkulu yena uwasebenzisa njani awakhe? (b) Uthando lungasinceda njani ukuthi sisebenzise kuhle amandla ethu?

⁴ Nxa sifuna ukusebenzisa kuhle amandla kumele sibe lothando. UNkulunkulu uyisibonelo esihle salokho. Khumbula ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu esixoxe ngabo eSahlukweni 1. Sifunde ngokuthi ulamandla, wahlulela kuhle, ulenhlakanipho futhi ulothando. Kodwa yibuphi ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu obuqakatheke kakhulu? Luthando. U-1 Johane 4:8 uthi: “UNkulunkulu uluthando.” Lokho kutsho ukuthi konke akwenzayo ukwenza ngenxa yokuthi ulothando. Yikho lamandla akhe uwasebenzisa kuhle ngenxa yokuthi ulothando futhi ufuna ukusinceda.

⁵ Lathi uthando lungasinceda ukuthi sisebenzise kuhle amandla ethu. IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi uthando “lulomusa” futhi “aluzifuneli okwalo.” (1 KwabaseKhorinte 13:4, 5) Ngakho nxa silothando kasisoze sibaphathe kubi labo esibakhokhelayo. Kulokuthi senze njalo sizabahlonipha abanye futhi siqakathekise lokho abakufunayo.—KwabaseFiliphi 2:3, 4.

6, 7. (a) Kutshoni ukwesaba uNkulunkulu futhi kungasinceda njani ukuthi singasebenzisi kubi amandla? (b) Yiwuphi umzekeliso otshengisa ukuthi ukuthanda uJehova kungenza simhloniphe?

⁶ Kulenye indlela uthando olungasinceda ngayo ukuthi sisebenzise kuhle amandla ethu. Uthando lwenza simesabe uJehova. Manje ukwesaba uJehova khona kusinceda njani? UZaga 16:6 uthi: “Ukwesaba uJehova kwenza umuntu abalekele okubi.” Yikho nxa simesaba uJehova asisoze sisebenzise kubi amandla ethu. Asisoze sibaphathe kubi labo esilamandla phezu kwabo ngoba siyakwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyayibona indlela esibaphatha ngayo njalo sizalandisa kuye. (UNehemiya 5:1-7, 15) Kodwa kulesizatho esiqakatheke kakhulu esenza sibaphathe kuhle abanye. Emavesini amanengi eBhayibhilini ibala elihunyutshwe ngokuthi “ukwesaba” litsho ukuhlonipha uNkulunkulu ngendlela ejulileyo. Ngakho ukuthanda uJehova kungasinceda ukuthi simhloniphe kakhulu. (UDutheronomi 10:12, 13) Nxa simhlonipha uNkulunkulu sizazama ukuthi singenzi loba yini ezamdanisa. Okwenza simhloniphe yikuthi siyamthanda hatshi ukuthi sesaba ukujeziswa.

⁷ Nanku umzekeliso ongasisiza sikuzwisise lokhu: Okwenza umntwana athande uyise yikuthi uyabe ebona ukuthi laye uyamthanda. Kodwa uyabe ekwazi lalokho uyise afuna akwenze lokuthi uzamjezisa nxa engaphambanisa. Kodwa lokhu akwenzi umntwana ahlale etshotshobele ngokwesaba. Uzazimisela ukwenza izinto ezizakwenza uyise ahlale ethokoza ngoba uyamthanda. Kunjalo lokwesaba uNkulunkulu. Okwenza simlalele uBaba wethu osezulwini yikuthi siyamthanda futhi kasifuni ukwenza loba yini engenza ‘inhliziyo yakhe ibe buhlungu.’ (UGenesisi 6:6) Sifuna ukuhlala simthokozisa. (IZaga 27:11) Yikho kumele sisebenzise kuhle amandla ethu. Kasihloleni ukuthi singakwenza njani lokhu.

Singawasebenzisa Njani Amandla Emulini?

8. (a) Amadoda alawaphi amandla emulini futhi kumele awasebenzise njani? (b) Indoda ingatshengisa njani ukuthi iyamhlonipha umkayo?

⁸ Ku-Efesu 5:23 iBhayibhili lithi: “Indoda iyinhloko yomkayo.” Manje indoda kumele iwasebenzise njani amandla la ewaphiwe nguNkulunkulu? IBhayibhili litshela amadoda ukuthi ahlale labomkawo “ngokwazi” njalo ‘abaqakathekise njengezitsha ezibuthakathaka.’ (1 UPhetro 3:7) Ibala lesiGrikhi elihunyutshwe ngokuthi ‘abaqakathekise’ litsho ‘ukuhlonipha.’ Lihambelana lamanye ahunyutshwa ngokuthi “izipho” loba ‘igugu.’ (ImiSebenzi 28:10; 1 UPhetro 2:7) Indoda ehlonipha umkayo ngeke imtshaye loba imehlise isithunzi kumbe imeyise asale ezizwa engasimuntu walutho. Iyananzelela ukuthi umkayo uqakathekile futhi imphatha ngenhlonipho. Itshengisa ngamazwi langezenzo ukuthi umkayo uligugu kuyo, kungelani lokuthi baphakathi kwabantu kumbe babodwa. (IZaga 31:28) Nxa indoda ingenza njalo umkayo uzayithanda futhi ayihloniphe. Kodwa okuqakatheke kakhulu yikuthi izathandwa nguNkulunkulu.

9. (a) UJehova unika abesifazana amandla okwenzani? (b) Kuyini okunganceda owesifazana ukuthi asekele umkakhe futhi lokhu kumnceda ngani?

⁹ Abesifazana labo balamandla abawaphiwe nguJehova. IBhayibhili lisitshela ngabesifazana ababekhonza uNkulunkulu abacebisa omkabo babanceda ukuthi benze okuqondileyo. Kodwa lokhu bakwenza ngokuthobeka. (UGenesisi 21:9-12; 27:46–28:2) Owesifazana angabe ekhaliphile ukwedlula umkakhe kumbe esenelisa ukwenza ezinye izinto umkakhe angenelisi ukuzenza. Lanxa kunjalo kumele ‘amhloniphe kakhulu’ umkakhe futhi ‘azehlise’ kuye “ngendlela azehlisa ngayo eNkosini.” (Kwabase-Efesu 5:22, 33) Nxa owesifazana emthanda uJehova futhi efuna ukumthokozisa, uzamsekela umkakhe kulokuthi ameyise kumbe azame ukumbusa. Owesifazana onjalo ‘uhlakaniphile’ ngoba uyabambisana lomkakhe ukuze imuli yabo ihlale ithokoza. Lokhu kumenza ahlale elokuthula loNkulunkulu.—IZaga 14:1.

10. (a) UJehova unike abazali amandla okwenzani? (b) Litshoni ibala elithi ‘ukulaya’ futhi kumele kwenziwe njani? (Khangela lamabala angaphansi.)

¹⁰ Labazali balamandla abawaphiwe nguNkulunkulu. IBhayibhili liyaxwayisa: “Bobaba lingabazondisi abantwabenu kodwa qhubekani libakhulisa ngokulaya langokuxwayisa okuvela kuJehova.” (Kwabase-Efesu 6:4) EBhayibhilini ibala elithi ‘ukulaya’ lingatsho “ukuqondisa, ukuqeqetsha, lokufundisa.” Abantwana kumele balaywe ngoba bakhula kuhle nxa befundiswa ukuthi kuyini okumele bakwenze lokungamelanga bakwenze. IBhayibhili lithi kufanele balaywe ngendlela elothando. (IZaga 13:24) Nxa abazali belaya abantwababo akumelanga babahlukuluze.a (IZaga 22:15; 29:15) Bayabe bewasebenzisa kubi amandla abo nxa bekhahlameza abantwana futhi bebalaya ngendlela engelamusa. Lokhu kungenza umntwana adane kakhulu. (KwabaseKholose 3:21) Kodwa nxa bangabalaya ngendlela efaneleyo abantwana bazabona ukuthi abazali babo bayabathanda lokuthi bafisa ukuthi baphumelele empilweni.

11. Abantwana bangawasebenzisa njani amandla abo?

¹¹ Abantwana bona-ke? Bangawasebenzisa njani amandla abo? UZaga 20:29 uthi: “Udumo lwabasakhulayo ngamandla abo.” Indlela engcono kakhulu abasakhulayo abangasebenzisa ngayo amandla abo yikukhonza ‘uMdali wethu omkhulu.’ (UmTshumayeli 12:1) Kuqakathekile ukuthi abasakhulayo bakhumbule ukuthi abakwenzayo kungabathokozisa abazali babo kumbe kubadanise. (IZaga 23:24, 25) Nxa abantwana belalela abazali babo futhi besenza okuqondileyo, abazali bazathokoza. (Kwabase-Efesu 6:1) Lokhu “kuyayithokozisa iNkosi.”—KwabaseKholose 3:20.

Singawasebenzisa Njani Amandla Ebandleni?

12, 13. (a) Abadala kumele bawasebenzise njani amandla abawaphiwe nguNkulunkulu? (b) Abadala kumele bawuphathe njani umhlambi? Nika umzekeliso.

¹² UJehova ubeke abadala ukuthi bakhokhele ebandleni. (KumaHebheru 13:17) Amadoda la kumele asebenzise amandla awo awaphiwe nguNkulunkulu ukuthi ancede futhi anakekele umhlambi. Kodwa balelungelo lokubusa abakhonza labo yini? Hatshi! Abadala kumele bathobeke futhi benze umsebenzi wabo ngendlela uJehova afuna bawenze ngayo. (1 UPhetro 5:2, 3) IBhayibhili litshela ababonisi ukuthi ‘beluse ibandla likaNkulunkulu alithenga ngegazi leNdodana yakhe.’ (ImiSebenzi 20:28) Yikho kumele baphathe wonke umuntu ebandleni ngomusa langothando.

¹³ Nanku umzekeliso ongenza umcijo lo ucace. Ake sithi umngane wakho ukucela ukuthi umkhangelele impahla yakhe eqakathekileyo. Ubuzayiphatha kuhle ngenxa yokuthi uyakwazi ukuthi uyithenge ngemali enengi. UNkulunkulu laye unike abadala umsebenzi wokunakekela impahla yakhe eqakatheke kakhulu. Impahla leyo libandla. IBhayibhili lifanisa abantu abasebandleni lezimvu. (UJohane 21:16, 17) UJehova uzithanda kakhulu izimvu zakhe, yikho wazithenga ngegazi eliligugu leNdodana yakhe ezelwe yodwa. UJehova wathenga izimvu zakhe ngentengo ephezulu kakhulu. Nxa abadala bangahlala bekukhumbula lokho bazaziphatha kuhle izimvu zikaJehova.

Ulimi Lulamandla

14. Ulimi lulamandla okwenzani?

¹⁴ IBhayibhili lithi: “Ukufa lokuphila kusemandleni olimi.” (IZaga 18:21) Kuliqiniso sibili ukuthi esikukhulumayo kungabalimaza abanye. Ngubani kithi ongakaze azwe ubuhlungu bamazwi aphongukhulunywa ngumuntu engacabanganga kumbe amazwi okweyisa? Kodwa ulimi luphinda lube lamandla okwelapha. UZaga 12:18 uthi: “Ulimi lwabahlakaniphileyo luyelapha.” Amazwi akhayo futhi amahle angafanana lomuthi othoba ubuhlungu. Yiwaphi amanye amavesi esingacabanga ngawo?

15, 16. Singabakhuthaza njani abanye?

¹⁵ U-1 Thesalonika 5:14 usikhuthaza ukuthi ‘siduduze abahlulukelweyo.’ Izinceku zikaJehova ezithembekileyo lazo zingahlulukelwa kwezinye izikhathi. Pho singabanceda njani? Bancome ukuze babone ukuthi baqakathekile kuJehova. Batshele ngamavesi atshengisa ukuthi uJehova uyabathanda kakhulu “abalenhliziyo ezidabukileyo” futhi “abadanileyo.” (IHubo 34:18) Nxa siduduza abanye siyabe silingisela uNkulunkulu wethu olesihawu, “oduduza abalenhliziyo ezidabukileyo.”—2 KwabaseKhorinte 7:6.

¹⁶ Okunye okuqakathekileyo okumele sikwenze yikukhuthaza abanye. Ngobani esingabakhuthaza? Ukhona yini okhonza laye ofelweyo? Ungamduduza ngamazwi atshengisa ukuthi uyamthanda futhi uyamzwela. Kulodadewethu loba umfowethu osegugile ozibona angathi kaselancedo yini? Mtshele amazwi azamnceda abone ukuthi uqakathekile futhi uyathandwa. Ukhona yini olomkhuhlane ongelaphekiyo? Ungamfonela, umbhalele imeseji kumbe umvakatshele uxoxe laye ngendlela elomusa ezamnceda azwe ngcono. UMdali wethu uyathokoza kakhulu nxa singakhetha amazwi amahle futhi akhayo!—Kwabase-Efesu 4:29.

17. Yiphi indlela eqakatheke ukwedlula zonke esingasebenzisa ngayo ulimi lwethu futhi kungani kumele senze njalo?

¹⁷ Indlela eqakatheke ukwedlula zonke esingasebenzisa ngayo ulimi lwethu yikutshela abanye izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. KuZaga 3:27 iBhayibhili lithi: “Ungayekeli ukubenzela okuhle labo okumele ubancede, nxa kusemandleni akho ukuthi ubancede.” Silomlandu wokutshela abanye izindaba ezinhle zensindiso. Kungaba yinto embi ukuthi singabatsheli umlayezo uJehova asinike wona. (1 KwabaseKhorinte 9:16, 22) Kodwa uJehova ufuna siwenze njani umsebenzi lo?

Khonza UJehova ‘Ngamandla Wonke’

18. UJehova ukhangeleleni kithi?

¹⁸ Sifuna ukwenza konke esingakwenza enkonzweni ngenxa yokuthi siyamthanda uJehova. UJehova yena ukhangeleleni kithi? Ukhangelele ukuthi senze konke esingenelisa ukukwenza kungelani lokuthi sikusiphi isimo. IBhayibhili lithi: “Loba kuyini elikwenzayo kwenzeni ngomphefumulo wonke, angathi lisebenzela uJehova hatshi abantu.” (KwabaseKholose 3:23) UJesu laye wathi umlayo omkhulu ukwedlula yonke ‘yikuthanda uJehova uNkulunkulu ngenhliziyo yonke, langomphefumulo wonke, langengqondo yonke, langamandla wonke.’ (UMakho 12:30) UJehova ukhangelele ukuthi ngamunye wethu amthande futhi amkhonze ngomphefumulo wonke.

19, 20. (a) Kungani kuMakho 12:30 uJesu waqamba inhliziyo lengqondo lamandla kulokuthi akhulume ngomphefumulo kuphela? (b) Kutshoni ukukhonza uJehova ngomphefumulo wonke?

¹⁹ Kutshoni ukukhonza uNkulunkulu ngomphefumulo wonke? Umphefumulo utsho konke umuntu ayikho, okugoqela inhliziyo lengqondo lamandla. Manje yindaba kuMakho 12:30 uJesu eqamba inhliziyo lengqondo lamandla kulokuthi akhulume ngomphefumulo kuphela? Cabanga ngomzekeliso olandelayo. Kudala umuntu wayengazithengisa abe yisigqili. Ngamanye amazwi uyabe ethengise umphefumulo wakhe. Kodwa kungenzakala ukuthi isigqili singasebenzeli inkosi yaso ngenhliziyo yonke langamandla wonke langengqondo yonke. (KwabaseKholose 3:22) Yikho-ke uJesu waqamba konke lokhu ukuze agcizelele ukuthi kumele sikhonze uNkulunkulu ngakho konke esiyikho.

²⁰ Kodwa ukukhonza ngomphefumulo wonke kutsho yini ukuthi kumele sonke senze okufananayo enkonzweni? Lokho ngeke kwenzakale ngenxa yokuthi izimo zabantu lalokho abenelisa ukukwenza kuyatshiyana. Ngokwesibonelo, osakhulayo angenelisa ukutshumayela isikhathi esinengi ukwedlula umuntu osekhulile ongaselamandla kangako. Umuntu ongatshadanga futhi ongelamuli ayinakekelayo angenelisa ukuba lesikhathi esinengi ekutshumayeleni kulomuntu otshadileyo futhi olemuli. Kumele simbonge uJehova nxa siseselamandla njalo izimo zethu zisivumela ukwenza okunengi enkonzweni. Kodwa akumelanga seyise abanye kumbe siziqathanise labo. (KwabaseRoma 14:10-12) Kumele senze konke okusemandleni ethu ukuthi sikhuthaze abanye.

21. Yiphi indlela engcono futhi eqakatheke kakhulu ongasebenzisa ngayo amandla akho?

²¹ UJehova uwasebenzisa kuhle amandla akhe. Sifuna ukumlingisela lanxa singabantu abalesono. Singasebenzisa kuhle amandla ethu ngokuphatha kuhle abanye. Kanti njalo kufanele siwenze ngenhliziyo yonke umsebenzi wokutshumayela esiwunikwe nguJehova. (KwabaseRoma 10:13, 14) Khumbula ukuthi uJehova uyathokoza kakhulu nxa umkhonza ngomphefumulo wonke. Sileqiniso lokuthi uyafuna ukwenza konke ongakwenza ukuze umthokozise uNkulunkulu wethu ozwisisayo futhi olothando! Le yindlela engcono kakhulu ongasebenzisa ngayo amandla akho.