Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
JANUARY 2-8
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-ISAYA 24-28
“UJehova Uyabanakekela Abantu Bakhe”
(U-Isaya 25:4, 5) Ubuyisiphephelo sabayanga, isiphephelo soswelayo osizini lwakhe, isivikelo esivunguzaneni. Ngoba umoya wabalolunya unjengesiphepho sitshayeka emdulini, 5 lanjengokutshisa kwasenkangala. Wena uthulisa umsindo wabezizweni; njengokutshisa kusehliswa ngumthunzi weyezi, ithuliswa kanjalo lengoma yabalolunya.
ip-1-ZU 272 ¶5
Isandla SikaJehova Siyaphakama
5 Nakuba esabeka uma ebukwa yizitha zakhe, uJehova uyisiphephelo kwabamnene nabathobekile abafuna ukumkhonza. Omashiqela bezombangazwe nabenkolo bangase bazame konke ukuze baphule ukholo lwabakhulekeli beqiniso, kodwa bayehluleka ngoba laba bakhulekeli bathembele ngokuphelele kuJehova. Ekugcineni, ubavala umlomo kalula abaphikisi bakhe, njengokungathi umboza ilanga lasehlane elivuthayo ngefu, noma uvimba amandla esiphepho esinemvula ngodonga.—Funda u-Isaya 25:4, 5.
(U-Isaya 25:6) Phezu kwale intaba uJehova uSomandla uzakwenzela abantu bonke idili lokudla okumnandi, idili lewayini elidala–inyama enhle kakhulu lewayini elihle kakhulu.
Uyakubala Yini Konke Esikuphiwa NguJehova?
4 Ezinye izinto ezikhitshwa yinhlanganiso yethu ziyabe zibhalelwe bonke oFakazi bakaJehova. Kodwa ezinye ziyabe ziqondane labantu abathile, kungaba ngabasakhulayo kumbe abazali. Okunengi okudindwayo lokukuwebhusayithi yethu kubhalelwe abantu abangayisibo oFakazi. Zonke izinto lezi zisikhumbuza ukuthi uJehova usigcinile sibili isithembiso sakhe ‘sokwenzela abantu bonke idili lokudla okumnandi.’—Isaya. 25:6.
ip-1-ZU 273 ¶6-7
Isandla SikaJehova Siyaphakama
‘Idili Lazo Zonke Izizwe’
6 Njengobaba onothando, uJehova akazivikeli nje kuphela izingane zakhe kodwa futhi uyazondla, ikakhulukazi ngokomoya. Ngemva kokukhulula abantu bakhe ngo-1919, wabenzela idili lokunqoba, insada yokudla okungokomoya: “UJehova wamabutho ngokuqinisekile uyokwenzela zonke izizwe, kule ntaba, idili lezidlo ezinamafutha akahle, idili lewayini elinenhlese, izidlo ezinamafutha akahle ezigcwele umnkantsha, idili lewayini elinenhlese, elihluziwe.”—Isaya 25:6.
7 Leli dili lenzelwa ‘entabeni’ kaJehova. Iyiphi le ntaba? ‘Yintaba yendlu kaJehova’ zonke izizwe ezigobhozela kuyo “engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku.” ‘Iyintaba engcwele’ kaJehova, lapho abakhulekeli bakhe abathembekile bengeke balimaze khona futhi bangabangeli ncithakalo. (Isaya 2:2; 11:9) Kule ndawo yokukhulekela ephakeme, uJehova wenzela abathembekileyo bakhe isiphihli sedili. Futhi izinto ezinhle ezingokomoya ezikhishwa ngobuningi kangaka zifanekisela izinto ezinhle ezingokwenyama eziyoba khona lapho uMbuso kaNkulunkulu usuwukuphela kukahulumeni wesintu. Ngaleso sikhathi indlala iyobe ingasekho. “Kuyoba khona inala yokusanhlamvu emhlabeni; kuyoba khona ukuchichima esiqongweni sezintaba.”—IHubo 72:8, 16.
(U-Isaya 25:7, 8) Phezu kwale intaba uzadiliza isembeso esimboze abantu bonke, ilembu elembese izizwe zonke; 8 uzakuginya kokuphela ukufa. UJehova Wobukhosi uzakwesula izinyembezi ebusweni babantu bonke; uzasusa ihlazo labantu bakhe emhlabeni wonke. UJehova usekhulumile.
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Isitha Sokucina Esizachithwa
15 Ngemva kweminyaka eyinkulungwane yokubusa koMbuso, abantu abalalelayo bazabe sebekhululiwe ezitheni zonke ezalethwa yikungalaleli kuka-Adamu. IBhayibhili lithi: ‘Njengoba ku-Adamu bonke besifa, ngokunjalo kuKhristu bonke bazaphiliswa. Kodwa yilowo lalowo ngethuba lakhe: UKhristu, oyizithelo zakuqala; muva, labo abangabakhe [abazabusa laye.] Lapho-ke isiphetho sizafika esenikela uMbuso kaNkulunkulu uYise emva kokuba esechithe ukubusa konke, lobukhosi kanye lamandla. Ngoba kumele abuse uNkulunkulu aze azibeke zonke izitha zakhe ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe. Isitha sokucina esizachithwa, yikufa.’ (1 Khor. 15:22-26) Siyabona-ke ukuthi ukufa okwalethwa ngu-Adamu kuzachithwa. “Isembeso” lesi esihlasela abantu bonke siyabe sesiginyiwe kuze kube nininini.—Isaya. 25:7, 8.
ip-1-ZU 273-274 ¶8-9
Isandla SikaJehova Siyaphakama
8 Labo manje abadla kuleli dili elingokomoya elilungiselelwe phezulu banamathemba amahle kakhulu. Lalela amazwi ka-Isaya alandelayo. Eqhathanisa isono nokufa “nokwelukiweyo” noma “isigubuzelo,” uthi: “Kule ntaba ngokuqinisekile [uJehova] uyogwinya ingaphandle lesigubuzelo esigubuzele zonke izizwe, nokulukiweyo okulukwe kwahlanganiswa phezu kwazo zonke izizwe. Empeleni uyokugwinya ukufa kuze kube phakade, iNkosi EnguMbusi uJehova ngokuqinisekile iyosula izinyembezi ebusweni bonke.”—Isaya 25:7, 8a.
9 Yebo, ngeke sisaba khona isono nokufa! (IsAmbulo 21:3, 4) Ngaphezu kwalokho, isihlamba esingamanga izinceku zikaJehova eziye zasibekezelela izinkulungwane zeminyaka naso siyosuswa. “Isihlamba sabantu bayo iyosisusa kuwo wonke umhlaba, ngoba uJehova ngokwakhe ukukhulumile.” (Isaya 25:8b) Kuyokwenzeka kanjani lokhu? UJehova uyosusa umthombo waleso sihlamba, uSathane nenzalo yakhe. (IsAmbulo 20:1-3) Akumangalisi ukuthi abantu bakaNkulunkulu bayoshukunyiselwa ukuba bamemeze bathi: “Bheka! Lo nguNkulunkulu wethu. Sithembele kuye, uyosisindisa. Lo nguJehova. Sithembele kuye. Masijabule sithokoze ngensindiso yakhe.”—Isaya 25:9.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(U-Isaya 26:15) Usandisile isizwe, O Jehova; usandisile isizwe. Uzilethele udumo; uyiqhelisile yonke imikhawulo yelizwe.
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Asiqhubekeni Siqhelisa Ipharadayisi Esikulo
UNGANCEDISA NJANI EMSEBENZINI WOKUQHELISA IPHARADAYISI ESIKULO?
18 Kuyisibusiso ukuthi uJehova uyasivumela ukuthi sincedise emsebenzini wokucecisa ipharadayisi esikulo khathesi. Lokhu sikwenza ngokutshiseka emsebenzini wokutshumayela izindaba zoMbuso lowokuqhubeka sisenza abafundi. Nxa singancedisa umuntu ukuthi athuthuke aze azinikele kuJehova, siyabe siqhelisa imikhawulo yepharadayisi lethu.—Isaya. 26:15; 54:2.
(U-Isaya 26:20) Hambani bantu bami, ngenani ezindlini zenu, lizivalele phakathi; lizifihle okwesikhatshana. ulaka lwakhe luze luphele.
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UJehova Uyindawo Yethu Yokuhlala
“INDAWO YETHU YOKUHLALA YANGEMPELA” NJENGOBA ISIPHELO SISONDELA
15 Njengoba izwe likaSathane lisondela ekupheleni, ‘imihelo yalo yokucindezeleka’ izoba buhlungu nakakhulu. (Math. 24:7, 8) Izinto zizoba zimbi nakakhulu phakathi nosizi olukhulu. Izingqala-sizinda ziyowa futhi abantu bayoba nengebhe ngenxa yokuphila kwabo. (Hab. 3:16, 17) Bezama ukuzisindisa, ‘bayozifihla emihumeni nasemadwaleni asezintabeni.’ (IsAm. 6:15-17) Kodwa imihume yangempela kanye nezinhlangano zezombusazwe nezezentengiselwano ezifana nezintaba ngeke zikwazi ukubavikela.
16 Nokho, abantu bakaJehova bayoqhubeka bejabulela isivikelo ‘sendawo yabo yokuhlala yangempela,’ uJehova uNkulunkulu. Njengomprofethi uHabakuki, ‘bayokwethaba ngoJehova ngokwakhe.’ ‘Bayojabula ngoNkulunkulu wensindiso yabo.’ (Hab. 3:18) UJehova uyoba ‘yindawo yokuhlala yangempela’ ngaziphi izindlela phakathi naleso sikhathi sosizi? Kuzobonakala ngaleso sikhathi. Kodwa nakhu esingaqiniseka ngakho: Njengama-Israyeli ngesikhathi sokuFuduka, “isixuku esikhulu” siyoqhubeka sihlelekile, siphaphamele isiqondiso saphezulu. (IsAm. 7:9; funda u-Eksodusi 13:18.) Leso siqondiso siyofika ngokwelungiselelo laphezulu, mhlawumbe kusetshenziswa ilungiselelo lebandla. Empeleni, izinkulungwane eziningi zamabandla kuwo wonke umhlaba kubonakala sengathi zihlobene ‘namakamelo angaphakathi’ esivikelo abikezelwa ku-Isaya 26:20. (Funda.) Ingabe uyayazisa imihlangano yebandla? Ingabe usabela ngokushesha esiqondisweni uJehova asikhipha ngelungiselelo lebandla?—Heb. 13:17.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(U-Isaya 28:1-13) Maye kulowomqhele wamaluba, iqhono lezidakwa zako-Efrayimi, kuluba elibunayo, ubuhle obukhazimulayo kubekwe ngaphezulu kwesigodi esivundileyo–kulelodolobho, iqhono lalabo asebelaliswe liwayini phansi! 2 Khangelani, uJehova ulaye olamandla oqinileyo. Njengesiqhotho lomoya odilizayo, njengezulu lesiphepho lesihlambi esilamandla, uzakuphosa phansi ngamandla amakhulu. 3 Umqhele lowo wamaluba, iqhono lezidakwa zako-Efrayimi kuzanyathelwa ngaphansi kwezinyawo. 4 Leliyaluba elibunayo, ubuhle bakhe obukhazimulayo, kuhlanyelwe ngaphezu kwesigodi esivundileyo, lizakuba njengomkhiwa ovuthiweyo kungakavunwa okuthi khonokho nje omunye ewubona awukhe ngesandla sakhe awuginye. 5 Ngalolosuku uJehova uSomandla uzakuba ngumqhele okhazimulayo, umqhele wamaluba omuhle kulabo abayizinsalela zabantu bakhe. 6 Uzakuba ngumoya wokulunga kulowo owahlulelayo, umthombo wamandla kulabo ababuyisela impi emuva isisesangweni. 7 Lalaba bayadiyazela ngenxa yewayini, babhadazele ngenxa yotshwala. Abaphristi labaphrofethi bayadiyazela ngenxa yotshwala, njalo baphambene ngenxa yewayini; bayabhadazela ngenxa yotshwala, bayadiyazela, lapho bebona imibono, bayakhininda lapho besenza izinqumo. 8 Amatafula wonke agcwele amahlanzo njalo akulandawo engelamanyala. 9 “Ngubani lowo ozama ukumfundisa? Umbiko wakhe uwuchazela bani na? Kulabobantwana abaphusiswe ekumunyeni lalabo abasanda kukhutshwa ebeleni na? 10 Ngoba kumi kanje: Yenza lokhu, yenza lokhu, umthetho phezu komthetho, umthetho phezu komthetho; kuthiwe hatsha lapha, hatsha laphayana.” 11 Kungasenani, ngezindebe zabezizweni langolimi olungaziwayo, uNkulunkulu uzakhuluma ebantwini bakhe, 12 atshoyo kubo wathi, “Le yindawo yokuphumula, abadiniweyo kabaphumule;” njalo, “Le yindawo yokucambalala.” kodwa kabalalelanga. 13 Ngakho ilizwi likaJehova kubo lizakuba ngelithi: Yenza kuphela njalo yenza kuphela. Umthetho phezu komthetho, okuncane lapha, lokuncane laphaya–ukuze bahambe bawe nyovane, balimale, bathiywe, bathunjwe.
JANUARY 9-15
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-ISAYA 29-33
“INkosi Izabusa Ngokulunga”
(U-Isaya 32:1) Khangelani, inkosi izabusa ngokulunga lababusi bazabusa ngemfanelo.
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Dumisani UKhristu, INkosi Yenkazimulo!
13 UKhristu ulwela ‘ukulunga.’ Ukulunga okulwelwa yiNkosi ‘yikulunga okuvela kuNkulunkulu’ okutsho izimiso zikaJehova mayelana lokulungileyo lokungalunganga. (Rom. 3:21; Dute. 32:4) Ephrofetha ngeNkosi uJesu Khristu, u-Isaya wathi: “Inkosi izabusa ngokulunga.” (Isaya. 32:1) UJesu esebusa uzaletha “izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha” esawuthenjiswayo ozabe ‘ulikhaya lokulunga.’ (2 Phet. 3:13) Wonke umuntu ozahlala emhlabeni omutsha kuzamele asebenzise izimiso zikaJehova empilweni yakhe.—Isaya. 11:1-5.
(U-Isaya 32:2) Umuntu ngamunye uzakuba njengesihonqo sokuvikela umoya, lesiphephelo sokucatshela isiphepho, njengomthunzi wedwala elikhulu elizweni elomileyo.
ip-1-ZU 332-334 ¶7-8
INkosi Nezikhulu Zayo
7 Esiprofethweni sakhe esithakazelisayo esichaza ‘isiphelo sesimiso sezinto,’ uJesu wathi: “Qaphelani ukuba ningesabi.” (Mathewu 24:3-8) Kungani abalandeli bakaJesu bengenakwesatshiswa yizimo zezwe zanamuhla eziyingozi? Esinye sezizathu ukuthi ‘izikhulu’—kungakhathaliseki ukuthi zigcotshiwe noma ‘zingezinye izimvu’—ziwuvikela ngokwethembeka umhlambi. (Johane 10:16) Zinakekela abafowabo nodadewabo ngesibindi, ngisho nalapho zibhekene nezenzo zonya ezinjengezimpi zobuhlanga nokuqothulwa kohlanga. Ezweni elimpofu ngokomoya, ziyaqikelela ukuthi imiphefumulo ecindezelekile iqatshulwa amaqiniso akhayo eZwi likaNkulunkulu, iBhayibheli.
8 Phakathi neminyaka engu-50 edlule, ‘izikhulu’ ziye zabonakala ngokucacile. ‘Izikhulu’ ezingezinye izimvu ziyaqeqeshwa njengesigaba ‘somphathi’ esikhulayo ukuze ngemva kosizi olukhulu, abafanelekayo phakathi kwazo babe bekulungele ukukhonza ezikhundleni zokuphatha ‘emhlabeni omusha.’ (Hezekeli 44:2, 3; 2 Petru 3:13) Ngokunikeza isiqondiso nokuqabuleka okungokomoya njengoba zihola enkonzweni yoMbuso, zizibonakalisa ‘zinjengomthunzi wedwala elikhulu,’ ziletha impumuzo emhlanjini endaweni yawo yokukhulekela.
(U-Isaya 32:3, 4) Lapho-ke amehlo alabo ababonayo kawasayikuvaleka, lezindlebe zalabo abezwayo zizalalela. 4 Ingqondo yowalazelayo izakwazi, iqedisise, ogagasayo ulimi lwakhe luzatshwaphuluka luzwakale kuhle.
ip-1-ZU 334-335 ¶10-11
INkosi Nezikhulu Zayo
Ukunaka Ngamehlo, Ngezindlebe Nangezinhliziyo
10 Isixuku esikhulu sisabele kanjani elungiselelweni likaJehova elingokwasezulwini? Lesi siprofetho siyaqhubeka: “Amehlo ababonayo ngeke avalwe, nezindlebe zabezwayo ziyolalela.” (Isaya 32:3) Kule minyaka edlule, uJehova wenze ukuba izinceku zakhe eziyigugu zifundiswe futhi zifinyelele ekuvuthweni. ISikole Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini neminye imihlangano eqhutshwa emabandleni oFakazi BakaJehova emhlabeni kabanzi; imihlangano yesigodi, yesifunda neyezizwe kanye nokuqeqeshwa okukhethekile ‘kwezikhulu’ ukuba ziphathe umhlambi ngokunakekela kothando, konke kuye kwaba neqhaza ekwakhiweni kobuzalwane bembulunga yonke obuhlanganisa izigidi zabantu abanobunye. Nomaphi lapho bekhona laba belusi emhlabeni, izindlebe zabo zihlala zicijile ukuze bezwe lapho kulungiswa indlela yokuqonda izwi leqiniso eliqhubekela phambili. Ngonembeza abaqeqeshwe ngeBhayibheli, bahlale bekulungele ukuzwa nokulalela.—IHubo 25:10.
11 Lesi siprofetho sibe sesixwayisa: “Inhliziyo yalabo abanamawala ngokweqile iyocabangela ulwazi, ngisho nolimi lwezingingingi luyoshesha ukukhuluma izinto ezicacile.” (Isaya 32:4) Makungabi bikho muntu ofinyelela eziphethweni ngamawala ngokuthi yini elungile nengalungile. IBhayibheli lithi: “Ingabe umbonile umuntu onamawala ngamazwi akhe? Kukhona ithemba elikhulu ngomuntu oyisiphukuphuku kunangaye.” (IzAga 29:20; UmShumayeli 5:2) Ngaphambi kuka-1919, ngisho nabantu bakaJehova babengcoliswe imibono yeBabiloni. Kodwa kusukela ngalowo nyaka, uJehova ubenze baziqonda ngokucace ngokwengeziwe izinjongo zakhe. Amaqiniso awembulile bawathole engewona amawala, kodwa ecatshangwe kahle futhi manje bakhuluma ngokuqiniseka ngabakukholelwayo, abangingiziswa ukungaqiniseki.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(U-Isaya 30:21) Loba liphambukele kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele lizalizwa ilizwi ngemuva kwenu lisithi, “Le yiyo indlela; hambani ngayo.”
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Hlala Uthiye Indlebe Ukuze Uzwe Ilizwi likaJehova
2 Lamuhla uJehova unika abantu bakhe imilayezo esebenzisa iBhayibhili, umoya wakhe ongcwele kanye lebandla. (ImiSeb. 9:31; 15:28; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Imilayezo asinika yona icacile okokuthi kufanana lokuthi ‘siyalizwa ilizwi ngemuva kwethu lisithi: “Le yiyo indlela; hambani ngayo.”’ (Isaya. 30:21) Kanti njalo uJesu ukhokhela ibandla esebenzisa ‘inceku ethembekileyo lehlakaniphileyo.’ Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi laye uyasetshenziswa ukuthi afikise ilizwi likaJehova kithi. (Mat. 24:45) Kumele sikulalele sibili lokhu esikutshelwayo, ngoba ukulalela yikho okuzakwenza ukuthi siphile kuze kube nini lanini.—Heb. 5:9.
(U-Isaya 33:22) Ngoba uJehova ungumahluleli wethu, uJehova usinika imithetho, uJehova unguJehova wethu; nguye ozasikhulula.
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Lizakuba “Ngumbuso Wabaphristi”
4 Isivumelwano soMthetho saqala ukusebenza eNtabeni yeSinayi ngo-1513 B.C.E. UNkulunkulu wasebenzisa isivumelwano lesi ukuze isizwe sako-Israyeli wasendulo sibe ngabantu bakhe abakhethiweyo. UJehova ‘wayesengumahluleli wabo, esebanika imithetho’ njalo eseyiNkosi yabo. (Isaya. 33:22) Lamuhla nxa sibala izindaba ezimayelana lo-Israyeli wasendulo siyabona ukuthi kuyini okwenzakalayo nxa abantu belalela izimiso zikaNkulunkulu lokuthi kwenzakalani nxa bengazilaleli. UMthetho wawusithi abako-Israyeli bangathathi abahedeni njalo bangendiselani labo, kanye lokuthi bangalandeli inkolo yamanga. Yikho-ke wawunceda ngokuthi wawuvikela usendo luka-Abhrahama ukuthi lungangcoliswa.—Eks. 20:4-6; 34:12-16.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(U-Isaya 30:22-33) Lapho-ke lizangcolisa izithombe zenu ezihuqwe ngesiliva lezifanekiso zenu ezinanyekwe ngegolide. Lizazilahlela khatshana njengelembu lowesifazana obesesikhathini, lithi kuzo, “Sukani lapha!” 23 UJehova uzalehlisela izulu lenhlanyelo yenu eliyihlanyele emhlabathini, lamabele azavela emhlabathini azakuba mahle njalo emanengi. Ngalolosuku izinkomo zenu zizakudla emadlelweni abanzi. 24 Izinkabi labobabhemi elilima ngakho umhlabathi kuzakudla utshani lamabele achaywe ngefologwe langefotsholo. 25 Ngosuku lokubulawa okukhulu, lapho imiphotshongo isiwa, izifula zamanzi zizageleza kuzo zonke izintaba ezinde lakuwo wonke amaqaqa adephileyo. 26 Inyanga izakhanya njengelanga, ukukhanya kwelanga kukhanye ngokuphindwe kakhombisa, njengokukhanya kwezinsuku eziyisikhombisa ezigcweleyo, lapho uJehova esebopha amanxeba abantu bakhe, epholisa lezilonda ezabangwa nguye. 27 Khangelani, ibizo likaJehova livela khatshana, lolaka oluvuthayo kanye lokuthunqa kwentuthu enkulu; izindebe zakhe zigcwele intukuthelo, ulimi lwakhe lungumlilo ohangulayo. 28 Umoya awuphefumulayo unjengesifula esigcweleyo esilamanzi afika entanyeni. Uhlungula izizwe ngesefa yokubhubhisa; ufaka emihlathini yabantu amatomu abasa ekulahlekeni. 29 Lizahlabela njengasebusuku bokujabulela umkhosi ongcwele; izinhliziyo zenu zizathokoza njengalapho abantu besiya entabeni kaJehova, eDwaleni lika-Israyeli, belemihubhe. 30 UJehova uzakwenza abantu balizwe ilizwi lakhe lobukhosi, njalo uzakwenza bayibone ingalo yakhe isehla ngokuthukuthela okukhulu langomlilo oqothulayo, langesihlambo esikhulu, lomdumo kanye lesiqhotho. 31 Ilizwi likaJehova lizayichitha i-Asiriya; abatshaye ngenduku yakhe yobukhosi. 32 Umvimbo ngamunye uJehova abatshaya wona ngentonga yakhe yokujezisa, uzakuba ukanye lokutshaywa kwamagedla lemihubhe, lapho esilwa labo impi ngezidutshulo zengalo yakhe. 33 IThofethi sekukade yalungiswa, seyenziwa yalungela uJehova. Igodi layo lomlilo selenziwa latshona njalo laba banzi, ngomlilo langenkuni ezinengi umphefumulo kaJehova ulilumathisa njengokugeleza komlilo wesolufa.
JANUARY 16-22
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-ISAYA 34-37
“UHezekhiya Wabusiswa Ngenxa Yokholo Lwakhe”
(U-Isaya 36:1) Ngomnyaka wetshumi lane wokubusa kwenkosi uHezekhiya, uSenakheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya wahlasela wonke amadolobho avikelweyo akoJuda wawathumba.
(U-Isaya 36:4-10) Umlawuli webutho wathi kubo, “Tshelani uHezekhiya lithi, “‘Nanku okutshiwo yinkosi enkulu, inkosi yase-Asiriya ukuthi: Isibindi sakho lesi usithatha ngaphi na? 5 Uthi ulamaqhinga lamandla ebutho–kodwa ukhuluma amazwi ayize. Uthembe bani uze ungihlamukele nje?6 Khangela, uthembe iGibhithe, umhlanga ovavukileyo wodondolo lowana ohlaba isandla somuntu umlimaze uma eweyamile. Unjalo uFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe kubo bonke abathembe yena. 7 Njalo uma lisithi kimi, “Thina sithembe uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu”–kasuye yini uHezekhiya asusa izindawo zakhe eziphakemeyo lama-alithare akhe, esithi kwabakoJuda leJerusalema, “Kumele likhonzele phambi kwaleli i-alithare”? 8 “‘Khathesi-ke wozani lenze isivumewano lenkosi yami, inkosi yase-Asiriya: Ngizalinika amabhiza ayizinkulungwane ezimbili uma bekhona abazawagada! 9 Pho ungayehlula kanjani induna eyodwa yezikhulu ezincane zenkosi yami, lanxa uthembe iGibhithe ekutholeni izinqola zempi labagadi bamabhiza na? 10 Phezu kwalokho, kanti ngizehlasela lokuzochitha ilizwe leli kungatshongo uJehova na? UJehova uqobo nguye othe ngizohlasela ilizwe leli ngilichithe.’”
(U-Isaya 36:15) Lingamvumeli uHezekhiya elincenga ukuba lithembe uJehova esithi ‘Ngempela uJehova uzasikhulula; idolobho leli kaliyikuphiwa inkosi yase-Asiriya.’
(U-Isaya 36:18-20) “Lingavumi ukuba uHezekhiya alikhohlise esithi, ‘UJehova uzasikhulula.’ Kulonkulunkulu wesinye isizwe osewake wakhulula ilizwe lakhe esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya na? 19 Bangaphi onkulunkulu baseHamathi le-Aphadi na? Bangaphi onkulunkulu baseSefavayimi na? Bayihlenga iSamariya esandleni sami na? 20 Nguwuphi kubonkulunkulu bonke bamazwe la oke wanelisa ukukhulula ilizwe lakhe kimi na? Pho uJehova angalikhulula njani iJerusalema esandleni sami na?”
ip-1-ZU 386-388 ¶7-14
Ukholo LweNkosi Luyavuzwa
URabishake Ubeka Udaba Lwakhe
7 USaneheribi uthuma uRabishake (isiqu sezempi, akulona igama lakhe) kanye nezinye izikhulu ezimbili eJerusalema ukuba zitshele lo muzi ukuba uzinikele kuye. (2 AmaKhosi 18:17) Bahlangatshezwa ngaphandle kodonga lomuzi abameleli bakaHezekiya abathathu, u-Eliyakimi owayengamele indlu kaHezekiya, uShebina unobhala noJowa indodana ka-Asafa umgcini-mibhalo.—Isaya 36:2, 3.
8 Inhloso kaRabishake ilula—iwukwenza iJerusalema lizinikele lingalwanga. Ekhuluma ngesiHeberu, uqale ampongoloze athi: “Liyini leli themba enithembele kulo?. . . Ngubani lona enithembele kuye, ukuba ningadlubulunda kimi?” (Isaya 36:4, 5) URabishake ube esebhuqa la maJuda asethukile, ewakhumbuza ukuthi awavikelekile neze. Azophendukela kubani ukuze athole ukusekelwa? ‘Emhlangeni ofohlokile’ oyiGibithe? (Isaya 36:6) Okwamanje iGibithe liyafana nomhlanga ofohlokile; eqinisweni lo mbuso wezwe wangaphambili usanqotshwe iTopiya okwesikhashana, futhi iNkosi uTirhakah, enguFaro waseGibithe manje, ayiyena umGibithe kodwa ingumTopiya. Futhi akusekude linqotshwe i-Asiriya. (2 AmaKhosi 19:8, 9) Njengoba iGibithe lingenakuzisindisa lona ngokwalo, ngeke limsize ngalutho uJuda.
9 URabishake manje uthi uJehova ngeke abalwele abantu baKhe ngoba ubacasukele. URabishake uthi: “Uma nithi kimi, ‘Sithembele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu,’ akuyena yini ozindawo zakhe eziphakeme futhi oma-altare akhe uHezekiya akususile?” (Isaya 36:7) Yebo, ukudiliza izindawo eziphakeme nama-altare akuleli zwe akusho neze ukuthi amaJuda alahle uJehova, kunalokho kubonisa ukuthi empeleni abuyele kuye.
10 URabishake uphinde akhumbuze amaJuda ukuthi awalutho kwezempi. Uphonsa le nselele yokuziphakamisa: “Mangininike amahhashi ayizinkulungwane ezimbili ukuze ngibone ukuthi nizokwazi yini ukubeka abagibeli phezu kwawo.” (Isaya 36:8) Kodwa eqinisweni kunendaba yini ukuthi abakhwele amahhashi abaqeqeshiwe bakwaJuda baningi noma bambalwa? Cha, ngoba insindiso kaJuda ayincikile emandleni ezempi amakhulu. IzAga 21:31 zichaza le ndaba kanje: “Ihhashi yinto elungiselelwa usuku lwempi, kodwa insindiso ingekaJehova.” URabishake ube esegomela ngokuthi isibusiso sikaJehova sikwabase-Asiriya hhayi kumaJuda. Uthi ukube bekungenjalo abase-Asiriya bebengeke bakwazi ukungena kangaka ezweni lakwaJuda.—Isaya 36:9, 10.
11 Abameleli bakaHezekiya bakhathazekile ngomphumela izinkulumo zikaRabishake ezingaba nawo kubantu abamuzwayo abaphezulu odongeni lomuzi. Lezi zikhulu ezingamaJuda ziyacela: “Sicela ukhulume nezinceku zakho ngesiSiriya, ngoba siyasizwa; ungakhulumi nathi ngesiJuda ezindlebeni zabantu abaphezu kodonga.” (Isaya 36:11) Kodwa uRabishake akazimisele ukukhuluma ngesiSiriya. Ufuna ukufaka umoya wokungabaza nokwesaba kumaJuda ukuze azinikele futhi iJerusalema linqotshwe lingazange lilwe! (Isaya 36:12) Ngakho lomAsiriya uphinde akhulume “ngesiJuda.” Uxwayisa izakhamuzi zaseJerusalema: “Ningavumeli uHezekiya anikhohlise, ngoba akakwazi ukunikhulula.” Ngemva kwalokho, uzama ukuyenga labo abalalele ngokuchaza ukuthi ukuphila kwamaJuda kungaba njani uma ebuswa yi-Asiriya: “Yenzani ukuthula nami, niphumele kimi nidle, kube yilowo nalowo emvinini wakhe, kube yilowo nalowo emkhiwaneni wakhe, niphuze, kube yilowo nalowo amanzi omthombo wakhe ngize ngifike nginiyise ezweni elinjengezwe lakini, izwe lamabele newayini, izwe lesinkwa nezivini.”—Isaya 36:13-17.
12 AmaJuda ngeke athole sivuno kulo nyaka—ukuhlasela kwe-Asiriya kuwavimbele ukuba atshale. Ithemba lokudla amagilebhisi amnandi nokuphuza amanzi amtoti kumelwe ukuba liwakhanga kakhulu amadoda alalele esodongeni. Kodwa uRabishake akakaqedi ukuzama ukuwathena amandla amaJuda.
13 Kulezi zinkulumo zakhe eziningi, uRabishake uhosha esinye isikhali samazwi. Uxwayisa amaJuda ukuba angamkholwa uHezekiya uma engase athi: “UJehova uzosikhulula.” URabishake ukhumbuza amaJuda ukuthi onkulunkulu baseSamariya behluleka ukuvikela izizwe eziyishumi ekunqotshweni abase-Asiriya. Futhi kuthiwani ngonkulunkulu bezinye izizwe ezanqotshwa i-Asiriya? Uthi: “Baphi onkulunkulu baseHamati nabase-Aripadi? Baphi onkulunkulu baseSefarivayimi? Balikhululile yini iSamariya esandleni sami na?”—Isaya 36:18-20.
14 Yiqiniso, uRabishake, njengoba engumkhulekeli wonkulunkulu bamanga, akaqondi ukuthi kunomehluko omkhulu phakathi kweSamariya eliyisihlubuki neJerusalema elibuswa uHezekiya. Onkulunkulu bamanga baseSamariya babengenamandla okophula lo mbuso wezizwe eziyishumi. (2 AmaKhosi 17:7, 17, 18) Ngakolunye uhlangothi, iJerusalema elibuswa uHezekiya libashiyile onkulunkulu bamanga, labuyela ekukhonzeni uJehova. Nokho, laba bameleli bamaJuda abathathu abazami ukumchazela lokhu uRabishake. “Baqhubeka bethule abazange bamphendule ngazwi, ngoba umyalo wenkosi wawuthé: ‘Ningamphenduli.’” (Isaya 36:21) U-Eliyakimi, uShebina noJowa babuyela kuHezekiya bamnikeza umbiko walokho okushiwo uRabishake.—Isaya 36:22.
(U-Isaya 37:1, 2) Kwathi lapho uHezekhiya, inkosi, esezwe lokhu, wadabula izigqoko zakhe wagqoka amasaka, wasesiya ethempelini likaJehova. 2 Wathuma u-Eliyakhimu umgcini wesigodlo laku-Shebhina umabhalane labakhokheli babaphristi, ku-Isaya indodana ka-Amozi; bonke babegqoke amasaka.
(U-Isaya 37:14-20) UHezekhiya wayamukela incwadi eyeza lezithunywa wayibala. Emva kwalokho waya ethempelini likaJehova, wayichaya phambi kukaJehova. 15 UHezekhiya wakhuleka kuJehova esithi: 16 “Awu, Jehova Somandla, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli osebukhosini phakathi kwamaKherubhi, wena kuphela nguwe onguNkulunkulu wemibuso yonke yasemhlabeni. Nguwe owenza izulu lomhlaba. 17 Lalela, O Jehova uzwe; vula amehlo akho Jehova, ubone. Lalela uwezwe wonke amazwi uSenakheribi awathumele ukuzathuka uNkulunkulu ophilayo. 18 “Kuliqiniso, Jehova, ukuthi amakhosi ase-Asiriya abatshabalalisa bonke lababantu kanye lamazwe abo. 19 Aphosela onkulunkulu bawo emlilweni, abatshabalalisa ngoba babengasibo onkulunkulu kodwa kuyizigodo lamatshe, kubazwe ngabantu. 20 Khathesi-ke, awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, ake usikhulule esandleni sakhe, ukuze imibuso yonke emhlabeni ikwazi ukuthi wena wedwa, Jehova, unguNkulunkulu.”
ip-1-ZU 389-391 ¶15-17
Ukholo LweNkosi Luyavuzwa
UHezekiya Wenza Isinqumo
15 INkosi uHezekiya kufanele yenze isinqumo manje. Ingabe iJerusalema lizozinikela kwabase-Asiriya? lizosizana neGibithe? noma lizoshaya phansi ngonyawo lizilwele? UHezekiya ungaphansi kokucindezeleka okukhulu. Uya ethempelini likaJehova, ngesikhathi esifanayo uthuma u-Eliyakimi noShebina kanye namanye amadoda amadala angabapristi ukuba bayobuza kuJehova ngomprofethi u-Isaya. (Isaya 37:1, 2) Egqoke indwangu yesaka, amanxusa enkosi aya ku-Isaya, afike athi: “Lolu suku luwusuku lokucindezeleka nolokusolwa nolokweyiswa ngokuklolodelwa. . . Mhlawumbe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho uzowezwa amazwi kaRabishake, lowo inkosi yase-Asiriya inkosi yakhe emthumile ukuba aklolodele uNkulunkulu ophilayo, futhi empeleni amenze ukuba alandise ngala mazwi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho awezwile.” (Isaya 37:3-5) Yebo, abase-Asiriya baphonsela uNkulunkulu ophilayo inselele! Ingabe uJehova uzokuzwa ukukloloda kwabo? Ngo-Isaya, uJehova uqinisekisa amaJuda: “Ungesabi ngenxa yamazwi owezwile izikhonzi zenkosi yase-Asiriya eziwakhulume ngokuchaphayo ngami. Bheka ngifaka umoya kuyo, izokuzwa umbiko ibuyele ezweni layo; futhi ngokuqinisekile ngizoyenza ukuba iwe ngenkemba ezweni layo.”—Isaya 37:6, 7.
16 Phakathi naleso sikhathi, uRabishake uyabizwa ukuba ayosiza iNkosi uSaneheribi ngesikhathi ilwa eLibina. USaneheribi uzobuye alibone iJerusalema. (Isaya 37:8) Nokho, ukuhamba kukaRabishake akukudambisi ukucindezeleka kukaHezekiya. USaneheribi uthumela izincwadi ezinezinsongo ezichaza izinto okumelwe izakhamuzi zaseJerusalema zizilindele uma zenqaba ukuzinikela: “Wena ngokwakho uzizwele lokho amakhosi ase-Asiriya akwenzile kuwo wonke amazwe ngokuwanikela ekubhujisweni, ingabe-ke wena uzokhululwa? Ingabe onkulunkulu bezizwe okhokho bami abazichitha bazikhululile?. . . Iphi inkosi yaseHamati nenkosi yase-Aripadi nenkosi yomuzi waseSefarivayimi—yaseHena neyase-Iva na?” (Isaya 37:9-13) Ngokuyinhloko, lomAsiriya uthi akunangqondo ukudaza inkani—ukudaza inkani kuzoletha izinkathazo ezengeziwe!
17 Ekhathazeke kakhulu ngemiphumela yesinqumo okumelwe asenze, uHezekiya uchaya izincwadi zikaSaneheribi phambi kukaJehova ethempelini. (Isaya 37:14) Ngomthandazo osuka enhliziyweni uncenga uJehova ukuba alalele izinsongo ze-Asiriya, abese ephetha umthandazo wakhe ngala mazwi: “Manje, Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, sisindise esandleni sakhe, ukuze yonke imibuso yomhlaba yazi ukuthi wena, Jehova, unguNkulunkulu wena wedwa.” (Isaya 37:15-20) Kulo mthandazo kusobala ukuthi uHezekiya akakhathaleli ukukhululwa kwakhe siqu, kodwa ngokuyinhloko ukhathazeke ngenxa yesihlamba esizothelwa egameni likaJehova uma i-Asiriya linqoba iJerusalema.
(U-Isaya 37:33-38) “‘Ngakho-ke mayelana lenkosi yase-Asiriya uJehova uthi: “Kasoze angene kulelidolobho loba atshoke umtshoko lapha; kasoze eze kulo elehawu kumbe akhe umduli wokulivimbezela. 34 Uzabuyela ngendlela eza ngayo; kasoze angene kulelidolobho,” kutsho uJehova. 35 “Idolobho leli ngizalivikela ngilihlenge, ngenxa yami langenxa kaDavida inceku yami!” 36 Lapho-ke ingilosi kaJehova yasuka yayabulala abantu abalikhulu elilamatshumi aficaminwemibili lanhlanu lezinkulungwane ezihonqweni zama-Asiriya. Kwathi lapho abantu bevuka ekuseni kwakhona bonke kwasekuyizidumbu kuphela! 37 Ngakho uSenakheribi inkosi yama-Asiriya wasuka ezihonqweni wahamba. Wabuyela eNineve wahlala khona. 38 Kwathi ngolunye usuku ekhonza ethempelini likaNisirokhi unkulunkulu wakhe, amadodana akhe u-Adrameleki loSharezeri ambulala ngenkemba asebalekela elizweni lase-Ararathi. U-Esahadoni indodana yakhe yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.
ip-1-ZU 391-394 ¶18-22
Ukholo LweNkosi Luyavuzwa
18 Impendulo kaJehova yomthandazo kaHezekiya ifika ngo-Isaya. IJerusalema malingazinikeli e-Asiriya; kumelwe liqine. Njengokungathi ukhuluma noSaneheribi, u-Isaya utshela lomAsiriya isigijimi sikaJehova ngesibindi: “Indodakazi eyintombi yaseZiyoni ikudelelile, ikuhleke usulu. Indodakazi yaseJerusalema inikine ikhanda [sakukuklolodela] ngemva kwakho.” (Isaya 37:21, 22) UJehova ube esenezela: ‘Ungubani wena ukuba ungaklolodela oNgcwele ka-Israyeli? Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho. Uyakuthanda ukuvelela; awuve uqhosha. Uye wathembela emandleni akho ezempi futhi wanqoba amazwe amaningi. Kodwa akusho ukuthi awunakunqotshwa. Ngizowabhuntshisa amacebo akho. Ngizokuhlula. Ngiyobe sengikwenza lokhu okwenze kwabanye. Ngiyofaka ingwegwe ekhaleni lakho ngikuhole ngikubuyisele e-Asiriya!’—Isaya 37:23-29.
“Yilokhu Okuyokuba Yisibonakaliso Kuwe”
19 UHezekiya unasiqiniseko sini sokuthi isiprofetho sika-Isaya sizogcwaliseka? UJehova uyaphendula: “Yilokhu okuyokuba yisibonakaliso kuwe: Kulo nyaka kuzodliwa amakhikhizela amile ezinhlamvwini ezichithekile, ngonyaka wesibili kube ngokusanhlamvu okuzimilelayo; kodwa ngonyaka wesithathu nihlwanyele imbewu, nivune, nitshale izivini nidle izithelo zazo.” (Isaya 37:30) UJehova uzowanikeza ukudla amaJuda avalelekile. Nakuba engakwazi ukutshala ngenxa yokuvinjezelwa i-Asiriya, ayokwazi ukuthola ukudla uma ekhothoza isivuno sonyaka owandulele. Ngonyaka olandelayo, unyaka wesabatha, kumelwe angawalimi amasimu awo, naphezu kwesimo esinzima abhekene naso. (Eksodusi 23:11) UJehova uthembisa ukuthi uma abantu belalela izwi lakhe, kuyomila ukudla okwanele emasimini okuyobagcina bephila. Kuyokuthi ngonyaka olandelayo, abantu batshale imbewu ngendlela evamile futhi bajabulele izithelo zomsebenzi wabo.
20 UJehova manje uqhathanisa abantu bakhe nesitshalo esingasiphuleki kalula: “Abaphunyukayo bendlu kaJuda. . . ngokuqinisekile bayokuba nezimpande ngaphansi futhi baveze izithelo ngaphezulu.” (Isaya 37:31, 32) Yebo labo abathembela kuJehova akudingeki besabe. Bona nenzalo yabo ngeke bathi nyaka ezweni.
21 Kuthiwani ngokusongela kwe-Asiriya iJerusalema? UJehova uyaphendula: ‘Ngeke lingene kulo muzi, futhi ngeke licibishele umcibisholo lapho, noma liwuhlasele ngesihlangu, noma lakhe igoqo lokuwuvimbezela. Liyophindela emuva ngendlela elize ngayo, futhi ngeke lingene kulo muzi.’ (Isaya 37:33, 34) Ngeke ibe khona impi phakathi kwe-Asiriya neJerusalema. Kuyamangalisa ukuthi ngabase-Asiriya abanqotshwa ngaphandle kokulwa, hhayi amaJuda.
22 Ngokuvumelana nakushilo, uJehova uthuma ingelosi ukuba ibulale ikhethelo lamabutho kaSaneheribi—amadoda angu-185 000. Cishe lokhu kwenzeka eLibina, futhi lapho uSaneheribi evuka uthola abaholi bempi yakhe, izinduna namashoshozela empi yakhe befile. Edumele, uphindela eNineve, kodwa naphezu kokuhlulwa kwakhe okukhulu, uqhubeka ngenkani ezinikele kunkulunkulu wakhe wamanga uNisiroki. Ngemva kweminyaka ethile, lapho ekhulekela ethempelini likaNisiroki, uSaneheribi ubulawa amadodana akhe amabili. UNisiroki ongaphili uphinde azibonise engenamandla okumsindisa.—Isaya 37:35-38.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(U-Isaya 35:8) Njalo kuzakuba lomgwaqo omkhulu: uzathiwa yiNdlela yobuNgcwele. Abangcolileyo kabayikuhamba kuwo; uzakuba ngowalabo abahamba kuleyoNdlela lezithutha ezonayo kaziyikuhambahamba kuwo.
w08-ZU 5/15 26 ¶4
Phishekela “Ubungcwele Ngokwesaba UNkulunkulu”
‘Kuyoba Khona INdlela Yobungcwele’
UJehova wabikezela ukuthi abantu bakhe ababesekudingisweni eBhabhiloni babeyobuyiselwa ezweni labo. Isiprofetho sokubuyiselwa sasinalesi siqinisekiso: “Ngokuqinisekile kuyoba khona umgwaqo omkhulu lapho, yebo indlela; iyobizwa ngokuthi iNdlela Yobungcwele.” (Isaya 35:8a) La mazwi abonisa ukuthi uJehova akagcinanga nje ngokuvulela amaJuda indlela yokubuyela ekhaya, kodwa futhi wawaqinisekisa ukuthi uyowavikela endleleni.
w08-ZU 5/15 27 ¶1
Phishekela “Ubungcwele Ngokwesaba UNkulunkulu”
“Ongahlanzekile Ngeke Adlule Kuyo”
AmaJuda ayebuya ekudingisweni ngo-537 B.C.E., kwadingeka ahlangabezane nemfuneko ebalulekile. Ngokuphathelene nalabo ababekufanelekela ukuhamba ‘eNdleleni Yobungcwele,’ u-Isaya 35:8b uthi: “Ongahlanzekile ngeke adlule kuyo. Iyoba eyalowo ohamba kule ndlela, abekho abayiziwula abayozulazula kuyo.” Njengoba injongo yokubuyela kwamaJuda eJerusalema kwakuwukuba avuselele ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile, yayingeke ibe khona indawo yalabo abanezisusa zobugovu, abadelela izinto ezingcwele noma abangcolile ngokomoya. Ababuya ekudingisweni kwakudingeka balondoloze izindinganiso zikaJehova zokuziphatha eziphakeme. Labo abafisa umusa kaNkulunkulu namuhla kudingeka bahlangabezane nemfuneko efanayo. Kumelwe baphishekele “ubungcwele ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu.” (2 Kor. 7:1) Khona-ke, imiphi imikhuba engcolile okudingeka siyigweme?
(U-Isaya 36:2, 3) Emva kwalokho inkosi yase-Asiriya yathuma umlawuli wayo lebutho elikhulu lisuka eLakhishi lisiya enkosini u-Hezekhiya eJerusalema. Kwathi umlawuli webutho esemi emgelweni weSiziba Esingaphezulu, emgwaqweni oya eNsimini yoMgezisi, 3 u-Eliyakhimu indodana kaHilikhiya umgcini wesigodlo, loShebhina umabhalane kanye loJowa indodana ka-Asafi umbhali, baya kuye.
(U-Isaya 36:22) U-Eliyakhimu indodana kaHilikhiya umgcini wesigodlo loShebhina umabhalane loJowa indodana ka-Asafi umbhali, baya kuHezekhiya izigqoko zabo zidatshuliwe bamtshela okwakutshiwo ngumlawuli webutho.
w07-ZU 1/15 8 ¶6
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi Ka-Isaya—Ingxenye II
Izifundo Esizitholayo:
36:2, 3, 22. Nakuba asuswa esikhundleni sokuba umphathi, uShebina wavunyelwa ukuba aqhubeke ekhonza inkosi njengonobhala womphathi omusha. (Isaya 22:15, 19) Uma ngasizathu simbe sigudluzwa esikhundleni esithile somthwalo wemfanelo enhlanganweni kaJehova, akufanele yini siqhubeke sikhonza uNkulunkulu kunoma isiphi isici asivumela ukuba sikhonze kuso?
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(U-Isaya 36:1-12) Ngomnyaka wetshumi lane wokubusa kwenkosi uHezekhiya, uSenakheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya wahlasela wonke amadolobho avikelweyo akoJuda wawathumba. 2 Emva kwalokho inkosi yase-Asiriya yathuma umlawuli wayo lebutho elikhulu lisuka eLakhishi lisiya enkosini u-Hezekhiya eJerusalema. Kwathi umlawuli webutho esemi emgelweni weSiziba Esingaphezulu, emgwaqweni oya eNsimini yoMgezisi, 3 u-Eliyakhimu indodana kaHilikhiya umgcini wesigodlo, loShebhina umabhalane kanye loJowa indodana ka-Asafi umbhali, baya kuye. 4 Umlawuli webutho wathi kubo, “Tshelani uHezekhiya lithi, “‘Nanku okutshiwo yinkosi enkulu, inkosi yase-Asiriya ukuthi: Isibindi sakho lesi usithatha ngaphi na? 5 Uthi ulamaqhinga lamandla ebutho–kodwa ukhuluma amazwi ayize. Uthembe bani uze ungihlamukele nje? 6 Khangela, uthembe iGibhithe, umhlanga ovavukileyo wodondolo lowana ohlaba isandla somuntu umlimaze uma eweyamile. Unjalo uFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe kubo bonke abathembe yena. 7 Njalo uma lisithi kimi, “Thina sithembe uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu”–kasuye yini uHezekhiya asusa izindawo zakhe eziphakemeyo lama-alithare akhe, esithi kwabakoJuda leJerusalema, “Kumele likhonzele phambi kwaleli i-alithare”? 8 “‘Khathesi-ke wozani lenze isivumewano lenkosi yami, inkosi yase-Asiriya: Ngizalinika amabhiza ayizinkulungwane ezimbili uma bekhona abazawagada! 9 Pho ungayehlula kanjani induna eyodwa yezikhulu ezincane zenkosi yami, lanxa uthembe iGibhithe ekutholeni izinqola zempi labagadi bamabhiza na? 10 Phezu kwalokho, kanti ngizehlasela lokuzochitha ilizwe leli kungatshongo uJehova na? UJehova uqobo nguye othe ngizohlasela ilizwe leli ngilichithe.’” 11 Lapho-ke u-Eliyakhimu loShebhina loJowa bathi kumlawuli webutho, “Ake ukhulume ezincekwini zakho ngesi-Aramayikhi ngoba siyasizwa. Ungasikhulumisi ngesiHebheru labantu abasemdulini besizwa.” 12 Kodwa umlawuli webutho wathi kubo, “Inkosi yami ingithume ukuba izinto lezi ngizitsho kuphela enkosini yenu lakini, hatshi ebantwini abahlezi emdulini–okuzakuthi labo, njengani badle ubulongwe babo banathe lomchamo wabo na?”
JANUARY 23-29
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-ISAYA 38-42
“UJehova Uyabapha Amandla Abakhatheleyo”
(U-Isaya 40:25, 26) “Ngubani elizangilinganisa laye na? Loba ngubani olingana lami na?” kutsho yena oNgcwele. 26 Phakamisani amehlo enu likhangele phezulu. Ngubani owadala konke lokhu na? Yena okhupha amaxuku ezinkanyezi ngalinye ngalinye, awabize ngalinye ngamabizo awo. Ngenxa yamandla akhe amakhulu lokuqina okulamandla akukho lalinye elingekho.
ip-1-ZU 409-410 ¶23-25
“Duduzani Abantu Bami”
“Ubani Odale Lezi Zinto?”
23 Kunesinye futhi isizathu sokuba amaJuda athunjiwe ame isibindi. Lowo othembisa ukuwakhulula unguMdali wezinto zonke noMthombo wamandla. Ukuze agcizelele ikhono lakhe elimangalisayo, uJehova ubhekisela ukunakekela emandleni akhe abonakala endalweni: “‘Kodwa ningangifanisa nobani ukuze ngilinganiswe naye?’ kusho oNgcwele. ‘Phakamiselani amehlo enu phezulu nibone. Ngubani odale lezi zinto na? YiLowo okhipha ibutho lazo ngisho nangesibalo, zonke azibize ngisho nangamagama. Ngenxa yobuningi bamandla ashukumisayo, kwazise futhi uyingqabavu, ayikho neyodwa kuzo esilelayo.’”—Isaya 40:25, 26.
24 ONgcwele ka-Israyeli uyazikhulumela. Ukuze abonise ukuthi akalingani namuntu, uJehova ubhekisa ukunakekela ezinkanyezini zasemazulwini. Njengomkhuzi wamabutho okwazi ukulawula kahle amabutho akhe, uJehova uyazilawula izinkanyezi. Ukube ubengaziqoqela ndawonye zonke, bekungeke ‘kube khona neyodwa kuzo esilelayo.’ Nakuba sisikhulu isibalo sezinkanyezi, ngayinye uyibiza ngegama, kungaba igama layo noma kube isiqu esithile esisagama. Njengamasosha alalelayo, zihlala ezindaweni zazo futhi zilondoloze ukuhleleka, ngoba uMholi wazo ‘unamandla amaningi ashukumisayo’ futhi ‘uyingqabavu.’ Ngakho, amaJuda athunjiwe anesizathu sokuba nethemba. UMdali olawula izinkanyezi, unamandla okusekela izinceku zakhe.
25 Ubani kithina ongasenqaba isimemo saphezulu esiku-Isaya 40:26, esithi: “Phakamiselani amehlo enu phezulu nibone”? Okutholwe izazi zezinkanyezi namuhla kubonisa ukuthi amazulu agcwele izinkanyezi ethusa nakakhulu kunangesikhathi sika-Isaya. Izazi zezinkanyezi ezibuka emazulwini ngezibonakude zazo ezinamandla, zilinganisela ukuthi amazulu anemithala eyizigidi eziyizinkulungwane ezingu-125. Phela kulinganiselwa ukuthi owodwa nje—i-Milky Way—unezinkanyezi ezingaphezu kwezigidi eziyizinkulungwane eziyikhulu! Lolo lwazi kufanele lusenze simesabe uMdali ezinhliziyweni zethu futhi silethembe ngokuphelele izwi lakhe lesithembiso.
(U-Isaya 40:27, 28) Kungani usithi, we Jakhobe, usole usithi, we Israyeli, “Indlela yami ifihlakele kuJehova; ilungelo lami kalinanzwa nguNkulunkulu wami na?” 28 Kalazi yini? Kalizwanga na? UJehova unguNkulunkulu waphakade, UMdali wemikhawulo yomhlaba. Kayikudinwa kumbe akhathale, ukuqedisisa kwakhe kakho ongakulinganisa.
ip-1-ZU 413 ¶27
“Duduzani Abantu Bami”
27 U-Isaya uloba amazwi kaJehova achaza imizwa yabantu abathunjelwe eBabiloni, eliqhelile impela ezweni lakubo. Abanye bacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wabo akayiboni noma akayazi “indlela” yabo—inkambo yabo yokuphila okunzima. Bacabanga ukuthi uJehova akanandaba nempatho ebuhlungu abayitholayo. Bakhunjuzwa izinto okufanele bazazi, uma bengenakuzazi ngezenzakalo abahlangabezana nazo, okungenani-ke bangazazi ngokutshelwa abanye. UJehova uyakwazi futhi uzimisele ukukhulula abantu bakhe. UnguNkulunkulu ongunaphakade noMdali womhlaba wonke. Ngakho usenawo amandla awabonisa lapho edala, futhi angafika naseBabiloni elinamandla. UNkulunkulu onjalo akanakukhathala noma abenzele phansi abantu bakhe. Akufanele balindele ukuziqonda ngokugcwele izenzo zikaJehova, ngoba indlela yakhe yokuqonda ayinakuqondakala.
(U-Isaya 40:29-31) Abakhatheleyo uyabanika amandla, andise amandla ababuthakathaka. 30 Labatsha baphelelwa ngamandla bakhathale, lamajaha ayakhubeka awe, 31 kodwa labo abathemba uJehova bazawavuselela amandla abo. Bazaqonga ngezimpiko njengezinkozi, bazagijima kodwa bangadinwa, bazahamba kodwa bangapheli amandla.
ip-1-ZU 413-415 ¶29-31
“Duduzani Abantu Bami”
29 Lapho ekhuluma ngesidingo sokunikeza okhatheleyo amandla, kungenzeka ukuthi uJehova ucabanga ngohambo olukhathazayo oluyothathwa yizithunjwa lapho ziphindela ekhaya. UJehova ukhumbuza abantu bakhe ukuthi kuyisici sobuntu bakhe ukusiza abakhatheleyo ababheka kuye ukuze basekelwe. Ngisho nabantu abayizingqabavu kunabo bonke—‘abafana nezinsizwa’—bangase bakhathale futhi bawe ngenxa yokukhandleka kakhulu. Nokho, uJehova uthembisa ukubanikeza amandla labo abamethembayo—amandla angapheli ukuze bagijime futhi bahambe. Ukundiza kamnandi kokhozi, inyoni enamandla ekwazi ukuntweza amahora amaningi, kusetshenziselwa ukufanekisa indlela uJehova anikeza ngayo izinceku zakhe amandla. Enalawo mathemba okusekelwa kwaphezulu, amaJuda athunjiwe awanasizathu sokuphelelwa yithemba.
30 La mavesi okugcina ka-Isaya isahluko 40 awaphathele amazwi enduduzo amaKristu eqiniso aphila ezinsukwini zokugcina zalesi simiso esibi. Njengoba kunezingcindezi nezinkinga eziningi kangaka ezisiqeda amandla, kuqinisa idolo ukwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wethu uyabubona ubunzima esibukhuthazelelayo nezenzo ezingenabulungisa esihlushwa ngazo. Singaqiniseka ukuthi uMdali wezinto zonke, Lowo ‘okuqonda kwakhe akulandiseki,’ uyozilungisa zonke izenzo ezingenabulungisa ngesikhathi sakhe nangendlela yakhe. (IHubo 147:5, 6) Okwamanje, akudingeki sikhuthazele ngamandla ethu siqu. UJehova, omandla akhe awapheli, anganikeza izinceku zakhe amandla ngezikhathi zovivinyo—ngisho ‘namandla angaphezu kwavamile.’—2 Korinte 4:7.
31 Cabanga ngalawo maJuda ayizithunjwa eBabiloni ekhulwini lesithupha B.C.E. Kude lé, iJerusalema lawo alithandayo liyincithakalo, ithempeli lalo lingamanxiwa. Isiprofetho sika-Isaya sasiwaphathele isithembiso esiduduzayo sokukhanya nethemba—uJehova wayeyowabuyisela ezweni lawo! Ngo-537 B.C.E., uJehova wahola abantu bakhe wababuyisela ekhaya, efakazela ukuthi unguMfezi wezithembiso. Nathi singathembela ngokuphelele kuJehova. Izithembiso zakhe zoMbuso, ezichazwe kamnandi kangaka esiprofethweni sika-Isaya, ziyogcwaliseka. Yizindaba ezinhle ngempela lezo—isigijimi sokukhanya kuso sonke isintu!
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(U-Isaya 38:17) Ngeqiniso kwaba lusizo kimi ukuzwa ubuhlungu obungaka. Ngothando lwakho wangivikela emgodini wokutshabalaliswa; izono zami zonke uzibeke ngemuva kwakho.
w03-ZU 7/1 17 ¶17
“UNkulunkulu Uluthando”
17 Engomeni yokubonga ethinta inhliziyo uHezekiya ayiqamba ngemva kokululama esifweni esibulalayo, wathi kuJehova: “[Uziphonsé] ngemva kwakho zonke izono zami.” (Isaya 38:17) UJehova lapha uchazwa ngokuthi uthatha izono zomenzi wobubi ophendukayo aziphonse ngemva kwaKhe lapho engeke aphinde azibone khona noma aziqaphele. Ngokusho kwenye incwadi, nanku umqondo odluliselwayo: “Wenzé [izono zami] kwaba sengathi azikaze zibe khona.” Akusiduduzi yini lokho?
(U-Isaya 42:3) Umhlanga ohluzukileyo akayikuwuquma, lentambo yesibane etsha kancane akayikuyicima. Ngokwethembeka uzaletha ukulunga.
Woba Lesihawu Njalo Uthobeke NjengoJesu
13 Indlela ayekhuluma ngayo. Ukuthi uJesu ulesihawu kwakukhanya lasendleleni ayekhuluma ngayo labantu, ikakhulu ababecindezelwa. Lapho uMathewu ekhuluma ngoJesu wasebenzisa amazwi abhalwa ngu-Isaya athi: “Umhlanga ohluzukileyo akayikuwuquma, lentambo yesibane etsha kancane akayikuyicima.” (Isaya. 42:3; Mat. 12:20) UJesu wayekhuluma izinto ezazisenza ukuthi abantu basale bezizwa ngcono ikakhulu labo ababefaniswa lomhlanga ohluzukileyo kumbe intambo yesibane esizacima. Watshumayela umlayezo wethemba ukuze ‘abophe izinhliziyo ezidabukileyo.’ (Isaya. 61:1) Wakhuthaza ‘ababekhathele lababesindwa’ ukuthi baze kuye ebathembisa ukuthi ‘babezazuza ukuphumula.’ (Mat. 11:28-30) Wabenza baba leqiniso lokuthi uNkulunkulu uyabakhathalela bonke abamkhonzayo okugoqela ‘labancinyane,’ okutsho bonke abakhangelelwa phansi.—Mat. 18:12-14; Luk. 12:6, 7.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(U-Isaya 40:6-17) Ilizwi lithi, “Memeza!” Mina ngathi, “Ngimemeze ngisithini na?” “Abantu bonke banjengotshani, bonke ubukhosi babo bunjengamaluba eganga. 7 Utshani buyabuna amaluba ayakhithika, ngoba umoya kaJehova uyakuphephetha. Ngempela abantu babutshani. 8 Utshani buyabuna, amaluba ayakhithika, kodwa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu limi kuze kube nininini. 9 Wena oletha izindaba ezinhle eZiyoni, khwela entabeni ende. Wena oletha izindaba ezinhle eJerusalema, phakamisa ilizwi lakho ngokuklabalala; liphakamise, ungesabi, yitsho emadolobheni akoJuda uthi: “Nangu uNkulunkulu wenu!” 10 Khangelani, uJehova uNkulunkulu uza elamandla, isandla sakhe sizabusa. Khangelani, umvuzo wakhe ulawo, Lenhlawulo yakhe uhamba elayo. 11 Welusa umhlambi wakhe njengomalusi: ubuthelela amawundlu ezingalweni zakhe awathwale eseduzane lenhliziyo yakhe; awakhokhele kuhle lawo alamazinyane. 12 Ngubani olinganise amanzi entendeni yesandla sakhe, loba walinganisa amazulu ngobubanzi besandla sakhe na? Ngubani owaphatha uthuli lomhlabathi ngesitsha loba walinganisa izintaba ezilinganisweni lamaqaqa esikalini na? 13 Ngubani osewazwisisa imicabango kaJehova, kumbe wamfundisa njengomeluleki wakhe na? 14 Ngubani owake wabuzwa nguJehova ukuba amqondise, njalo ngubani owamfundisa indlela elungileyo na? Ngubani lowo owamfundisa ukwazi, loba owamtshengisa indlela yokuqedisisa na? 15 Ngeqiniso izizwe zinjengethonsi emgqonyeni; zibalwa njengothuli ezilinganisweni uJehova ulinganisa izihlenge angathi ziluthuli olucolekileyo. 16 ILebhanoni kalaneli imililo ye-alithare, lezinyamazana zalo kazaneli iminikelo yokutshiswa. 17 Phambi kwakhe zonke izizwe zinjengeze; yena uzikhangela njengezingasilutho njalo zingaphansi kweze.
JANUARY 30–FEBRUARY 5
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU U-ISAYA 43-46
“UJehova Uyazigcwalisa Iziphrofetho”
(U-Isaya 44:26-28) Ofeza amazwi ezinceku zakhe aphelelise amacebo ezithunywa zakhe, athi kulo iJerusalema, ‘Kuzahlalwa kulo,’ ngamadolobho akoJuda athi, ‘Azakwakhiwa.’ Ngamanxiwa awo uthi, ‘Ngizawavusa,’ 27 athi enzikini yamanzi, ‘Tshana, ngizakomisa izifula zakho.’ 28 athi ngoKhurosi, ‘Ungumalusi wami, uzafeza konke engikufunayo; uzakuthi ngeJerusalema, “Kalakhiwe futhi,” ngethempeli athi, “Izisekelo zalo kazakhiwe.”’
ip-2-ZU 71-72 ¶22-23
UNkulunkulu Weqiniso Ubikezela Ukukhululwa
22 Ababhuli abangaphefumulelwe ngokuvamile abalokothi basho imininingwane eminingi lapho bebikezela, besaba ukuthi ukuhamba kwesikhathi kuzosuke kubaveze ukuthi banamanga. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, uJehova, ngo-Isaya usho igama lomuntu ayomsebenzisela ukukhulula abantu bakhe ekuthunjweni ukuze baphindele ekhaya futhi bakhe kabusha iJerusalema nethempeli. Igama lakhe uKoresi, futhi waziwa ngokuthi uKoresi Omkhulu WasePheresiya. UJehova unikeza nemininingwane yeqhinga uKoresi ayolisebenzisa ukuze akwazi ukufohla ezivikelweni zeBabiloni ezinkulu neziyinkimbinkimbi. IBabiloni liyobe livikelwe izindonga eziphakeme nemisele yamanzi edabula futhi izungeze lo muzi. UKoresi uyosebenzisa isivikelo esiyinhloko—uMfula i-Ewufrathe—ukuze izinto zimhambele kahle. Ngokwezazi-mlando zasendulo uHerodotus noXenophon, enhla nomfula uma usuka eBabiloni, uKoresi waphambukisa amanzi e-Ewufrathe kwaze kwaba yilapho lo mfula usubohle ngokwanele ukuba amasosha akhe agxambuze awele. Ngokuphathelene nekhono layo lokuvikela iBabiloni, i-Ewufrathe enamandla iyasha.
23 Kuthiwani ngesithembiso sokuthi uKoresi uyokhulula abantu bakaNkulunkulu nokuthi uyoqikelela ukuthi iJerusalema nethempeli kwakhiwa kabusha? UKoresi uqobo lwakhe, ngesimemezelo esisemthethweni esilondolozwe eBhayibhelini, uthi: “Yilokhu uKoresi inkosi yasePheresiya akushilo, ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wamazulu uyiniké mina yonke imibuso yomhlaba futhi yena ngokwakhe ungithumé ukuba ngimakhele indlu eJerusalema, elikwaJuda. Noma ubani phakathi kwenu kubo bonke abantu bakubo, kwangathi uNkulunkulu wakhe angaba naye. Ngakho makakhuphukele eJerusalema, elikwaJuda, futhi akhe kabusha indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli—unguNkulunkulu weqiniso—eyayiseJerusalema.’” (Ezra 1:2, 3) Izwi likaJehova ngo-Isaya ligcwaliseka ngayo yonke imininingwane!
(U-Isaya 45:1, 2) “Nanku akutshoyo uJehova kogcotshiweyo wakhe, uKhurosi, engibamba isandla sakhe sokudla ukuba nginqobe izizwe eziphambi kwakhe, ngithathele amakhosi izihlangu zawo, ngivule iminyango phambi kwakhe ukuze amasango angavaleki: 2 Ngizahamba phambi kwakho ngenze izintaba zendlaleke. Ngizadiliza amasango ethusi, ngifohle emigoqweni yensimbi.
ip-2-ZU 77-78 ¶4-6
UJehova—“UNkulunkulu Olungile NoMsindisi”
4 Ngo-Isaya, uJehova ukhuluma noKoresi njengokungathi usekhona, nakuba uKoresi engakazalwa ngosuku luka-Isaya. (Roma 4:17) Njengoba uJehova emisa uKoresi kusengaphambili ukuba afeze umsebenzi othile, kungashiwo ukuthi uKoresi ‘ungogcotshiweyo’ kaNkulunkulu. Eholwa uNkulunkulu, uyozinqoba izizwe, enze amakhosi angabi namandla futhi angakwazi ukumelana naye. Kuyothi lapho uKoresi ehlasela iBabiloni, uJehova aqikelele ukuthi izicabha zomuzi zishiywa zivuliwe, zingabi nalusizo kuhle kwamasango abhodloziwe. Uyohamba phambi kukaKoresi, asuse zonke izithiyo. Ekugcineni, amabutho kaKoresi ayowunqoba umuzi, athathe ‘imicebo yawo efihliwe,’ ingcebo yawo egcinwe ezindaweni ezimnyama zokugcina izimpahla. Yilokhu okubikezelwa u-Isaya. Ingabe amazwi akhe ayagcwaliseka?
5 Ngonyaka ka-539 B.C.E.—ngemva kweminyaka engaba ngu-200 u-Isaya elobe lesi siprofetho— uKoresi uyafika ngempela ezindongeni zaseBabiloni ezohlasela umuzi. (Jeremiya 51:11, 12) AbaseBabiloni abanandaba kodwa. Banomuzwa wokuthi umuzi wabo awunakunqotshwa. Izindonga zawo ezinde zizinze phezu kwemiselekazi ejulile egcwele amanzi avela eMfuleni i-Ewufrathe, oyingxenye yesimiso sokuzivikela salo muzi. Sekuphele iminyaka engaphezu kwekhulu kungekho sitha esiye salidlisela ogageni iBabiloni! Eqinisweni, umbusi waseBabiloni uBelishasari, uzizwa elondeke kangangokuba uyazitika namalungu esigodlo sakhe. (Daniyeli 5:1) Ngalobo busuku—ubusuku buka-October 5/6—uKoresi uphothula iqhinga lezempi elibonisa ukukhalipha okukhulu.
6 Enhla nomfula eBabiloni, onjiniyela bakaKoresi sebegubhe usebe loMfula i-Ewufrathe, baphambukisa amanzi awo ukuze angabe esehlela eningizimu ngakulo muzi. Kungakabiphi, amanzi omfula aphakathi eBabiloni nalizungezile abohla kangangokuthi amabutho kaKoresi ayakwazi ukugxambuza emfuleni angene phakathi emzini. (Isaya 44:27; Jeremiya 50:38) Kuyamangalisa ukuthi njengoba nje u-Isaya abikezela, amasango angasemfuleni avuliwe. Amabutho kaKoresi atheleka phakathi eBabiloni, athatha isigodlo abese ebulala iNkosi uBelishasari. (Daniyeli 5:30) Ngobusuku obubodwa nje selinqotshiwe. IBabiloni seliwile, isiprofetho sigcwaliseka ngokuphelele.
(U-Isaya 45:3-6) Ngizakupha inotho yobumnyama, lenotho egcinwe ezindaweni ezifihlakeleyo ukuze wazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, okubiza ngebizo. 4 Ngenxa kaJakhobe inceku yami, lo-Israyeli okhethiweyo wami, ngikubiza ngebizo ngikunike ibizo lokuhlonipha, lanxa wena unganginakanga. 5 Mina nginguJehova, njalo kakho omunye; ngaphandle kwami akulankulunkulu. Ngizakuqinisa, lanxa wena unganginakanga, 6 ukuze kuthi kusukela empumalanga kusiya entshonalanga, abantu bakwazi ukuthi kakho omunye ngaphandle kwami. Mina nginguJehova, njalo kakho omunye.
ip-2-ZU 79-80 ¶8-10
UJehova—“UNkulunkulu Olungile NoMsindisi”
Okwenza UJehova Asebenzise UKoresi
8 Ngemva kokusho ukuthi ubani oyonqoba iBabiloni nokuthi uyolinqoba kanjani, uJehova ube esechaza isizathu sokuqala sokwenza uKoresi anqobe. Ekhuluma noKoresi ngokwesiprofetho, uJehova uthi “ukuze wazi ukuthi nginguJehova, Lowo okubiza ngegama lakho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.” (Isaya 45:3b) Kuyafaneleka ukuba umbusi wombuso wezwe wesine womlando weBhayibheli aqaphele ukuthi ukunqoba kwakhe okukhulu kunakho konke kungenxa yokusekelwa umuntu omkhulu kunaye—uJehova, uMbusi Wendawo Yonke. UKoresi kufanele aqaphele ukuthi ubizwa noma uthunywa uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Umlando weBhayibheli ubonisa ukuthi uKoresi wavuma ngempela ukuthi ukunqoba kwakhe okukhulu kwakuvela kuJehova.—Ezra 1:2, 3.
9 UJehova uchaza isizathu sesibili esimenza enze uKoresi anqobe iBabiloni: “Ngenxa yenceku yami uJakobe nangenxa ka-Israyeli okhethiweyo wami, mina ngakubiza ngisho nangegama lakho; ngakunika igama lodumo, nakuba wawungangazi.” (Isaya 45:4) Ukunqoba kukaKoresi iBabiloni kuzamazamisa umhlaba. Kuwuphawu lokuwa kombuso wezwe nolokudlondlobala komunye, futhi izizukulwane ezilandelayo aziwulibali umphumela wako emlandweni. Nokho, izizwe ezingomakhelwane ezibuka lezi zenzakalo ngesithakazelo cishe ziyomangala uma zizwa ukuthi konke lokhu kwenzeka ngenxa yezithunjwa ‘ezingabalulekile’ eziyizinkulungwane ezimbalwa eziseBabiloni—amaJuda, inzalo kaJakobe. Kodwa kuJehova laba abaseleyo besizwe sakwa-Israyeli wasendulo ababona neze abangabalulekile. ‘Bayinceku’ yakhe. Kuzo zonke izizwe zomhlaba, yibona ‘abangabakhethiweyo’ bakhe. Nakuba uKoresi ayengamazi uJehova, usetshenziswa uJehova njengogcotshiweyo waKhe ukuze agumbuqele umuzi owawungafuni ukudedela izithunjwa zawo. Akuyona injongo kaNkulunkulu ukuba abantu bakhe abakhethiwe bahlale bedangele unomphela kwelinye izwe.
10 Kunesizathu sesithathu nesibaluleke nakakhulu esenza uJehova asebenzise uKoresi ukuba agumbuqele iBabiloni. UJehova uthi: “NginguJehova, akekho omunye. Ngaphandle kwami akekho uNkulunkulu. Ngizokubhincisa ngikuqinise, nakuba ungakangazi, ukuze abantu bazi kusukela empumalanga kuye entshonalanga ukuthi akekho omunye ngaphandle kwami. NginguJehova, akekho omunye.” (Isaya 45:5, 6) Yebo, ukuwa koMbuso Wezwe WaseBabiloni kubonisa ukuthi uJehova unguNkulunkulu futhi kuwubufakazi kubo bonke abantu bokuthi uyena kuphela okufanele akhulekelwe. Ngenxa yokukhululwa kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu, abantu bezizwe eziningi—kusukela empumalanga kuya entshonalanga—bayovuma ukuthi uJehova ungukuphela kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso.—Malaki 1:11.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(U-Isaya 43:10-12) “Lina lingofakazi bami,” kutsho uJehova, “lenceku yami engiyikhethileyo, ukuze lazi, likholwe kimi, njalo lizwisise ukuthi mina nginguye. Ngaphambi kwami kakho unkulunkulu owake waba khona, njalo kakho ozakuba khona emva kwami. 11 Mina, mina uqobo, nginguJehova, ngaphandle kwami kakho omunye umsindisi. 12 Ngivezile ngasindisa, ngamemezela mina ngokwami, hatshi unkulunkulu wezizweni ophakathi kwenu. Lingofakazi bami,” kutsho uJehova, “ekuthini mina yimi uNkulunkulu.
“Abantu oNkulunkulu Wabo nguJehova”
ISIZWE ESINGOFAKAZI
14 Abako-Israyeli babekhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, kodwa ezinye izizwe zona zazikhonza onkulunkulu bazo. Ngesikhathi somphrofethi u-Isaya, uJehova waqathanisa okwakusenzakala emhlabeni ngalesosikhathi lecala elisemthethwandaba. Wayefuna iqiniso liphume egcekeni, yikho watshela onkulunkulu bezizweni ukuthi baphe ubufakazi obabuzatshengisa ukuthi bangonkulunkulu beqiniso yini. Wathi: “Izizwe zonke kaziqoqane ndawonye labantu babuthane. Nguwuphi [unkulunkulu] wabo owaphrofetha lokhu wamemezela kithi ngezinto zendulo? Kabalethe ofakazi babo babonakalise ukuthi baqinisile, ukuze abanye bezwe, batsho bathi, ‘Kuqotho.’”—Isaya. 43:9.
15 Onkulunkulu bezizweni behluleka ukupha lobufakazi obubodwa nje obabuzatshengisa ukuthi bangonkulunkulu beqiniso yini. Babeyizithombe ezingakhulumiyo njalo ezazingeke zisuke lapho ezikhona nxa zingaphakanyiswanga. (Isaya. 46:5-7) Kodwa uJehova watshela abantu bakhe bako-Israyeli wathi: ‘Lina lingofakazi bami, lenceku yami engiyikhethileyo, ukuze lazi, likholwe kimi, njalo lizwisise ukuthi mina nginguye. Ngaphambi kwami kakho uNkulunkulu owake waba khona, njalo kakho ozakuba khona emva kwami. Mina, mina uqobo, nginguJehova, ngaphandle kwami kakho omunye umsindisi. Lingofakazi bami, kutsho uJehova, ekuthini mina yimi uNkulunkulu.’—Isaya. 43:10-12.
16 Endabeni le ephathelane lokuthi “Ngubani uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke?,” efaniswe lecala elisemthethwandaba omkhulu, abantu bakaJehova abakhethiweyo kwakumele bavungame ngelizwi elicacileyo batsho ukuthi uJehova nguye yedwa uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Wababiza ngokuthi ‘ngabantu azenzela bona ukuba bamdumise.’ (Isaya. 43:21) Kwakungabantu ababebizwa ngebizo lakhe. Babekhululwe nguJehova eGibhithe njalo wayekhangelele ukuthi babe ngabokuqala ukusekela ubukhosi bakhe ukwedlula bonke abantu emhlabeni. Kwakumele benze lokho umphrofethi uMikha akukhuluma mayelana lokwakuzakwenziwa ngabantu bakaNkulunkulu esikhathini sethu lapho esithi: “Zonke izizwe zingahamba ebizweni labonkulunkulu bazo; thina sizahamba ebizweni likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu kuze kube laphakade.”—Mik. 4:5.
(U-Isaya 43:25) “Mina, mina uqobo, nginguye owesula iziphambeko zakho ngenxa yami, ngingabe ngisazikhumbula futhi izono zakho.
ip-2-ZU 60 ¶24
“Ningofakazi Bami”!
24 Nokho, phawula ukuthi isihe saphezulu esiyoba umphumela siyobe singengenxa yokuzisola kuka-Israyeli nje kuphela; siyoba nangenxa kaJehova ngokwakhe. Yebo, igama lakhe lihilelekile. Ukube ubengashiya u-Israyeli ethunjwe unomphela, izibukeli beziyolihlambalaza igama lakhe. (IHubo 79:9; Hezekeli 20:8-10) Nanamuhla, ukungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova nokulwelwa kobukhosi bakhe kuza kuqala kunokusindiswa kwabantu. Noma kunjalo, uJehova uyabathanda labo abamukela iseluleko sakhe ngenhliziyo ephelele nabamkhulekela ngomoya nangeqiniso. Ubonisa uthando analo ngalaba—kungakhathaliseki ukuthi bagcotshiwe noma abezinye izimvu—ngokusula iziphambeko zabo ngesisekelo somhlatshelo kaJesu Kristu.—Johane 3:16; 4:23, 24.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(U-Isaya 46:1-13) UBheli uyakhothama, uNebo uyaguqa; izithombe zabo zithwelwe yizifuyo zokuthwala. Izifanekiso ezithwelweyo ziyasinda, umthwalo osindayo kodiniweyo. 2 Bayakhothama baguqe ndawonye; benganelisi ukuhlenga umthwalo, labo uqobo baya khona ekuthunjweni. 3 “Ngilalela wena ndlu kaJakhobe, lonke lina eliseleyo abendlu ka-Israyeli, lina engalisekelayo selokhu lemulwayo, ngalithwala selokhu lazalwayo. 4 Lasebudaleni benu, izinwele zenu sezimhlophe, mina nginguye, nginguye ozaliqinisa. Sengilenzile njalo ngizalithwala; ngizaliqinisa ngilihlenge. 5 “Ngubani elingangilinganisa laye kumbe limbale njengolingana lami na? Ngubani elingangifananisa laye ukuba siqathaniswe na? 6 Abanye bathulula igolide emasakeni abo balinganise isiliva ezikalini; baqatshe abakhandi begolide ukuba benze unkulunkulu ngalo, bakhothame, bamkhonze. 7 Bayamphakamisela emahlombe abo bamthwale; bayambeka endaweni yakhe, ame khonapho. Angeke asuke kuleyondawo. Lanxa umuntu emmemeza, kaphenduli; angeke amsize ekuhluphekeni kwakhe. 8 “Khumbulani lokhu, likufake ezingqondweni zenu, kukhumbuleni lina bahlamuki. 9 Khumbulani izinto zakuqala ezendulo. Mina nginguNkulunkulu, kakho omunye; Mina nginguNkulunkulu, kakho onjengami. 10 Mina ngenza isiphetho sazakale kusukela ekuqaleni; lokuzakwenzakala kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo. Ngithi: Injongo yami izakuma kokuphela, njalo ngizakwenza konke engikufunayo. 11 Empumalanga ngibiza inyoni edla ezinye; elizweni elikhatshana ngibiza umuntu ukuba afeze injongo yami. Lokho engikutshiloyo ngizakufeza; lokho engikucebileyo ngizakwenza.12 Ngilalelani lina elilezinhliziyo ezilukhuni, lina elikhatshana lokulunga. 13 Ngiletha ukulunga kwami eduzane, akukho khatshana; lokusindisa kwami akuyikuphuziswa. IZiyoni ngizayinika ukusindiswa, u-Israyeli inkazimulo yami.