Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
MARCH 6-12
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 1–4
“Mina Ngilawe Njalo Ngizakuhlenga”
(UJeremiya 1:6) Mina ngathi, “Awu Jehova Somandla; ukukhuluma angikwazi, ngoba ngingumntwana nje.”
w11-ZU 3/15 29 ¶4
Hlale Uphapheme NjengoJeremiya
4 Cishe uJeremiya wayecela eminyakeni engu-25 lapho uJehova emthuma ukuba abe umlindi. (Jer. 1:1, 2) Kodwa wayezibona engumfana nje, engakufanelekeli neze ukukhuluma nabadala besizwe, amadoda ayesekhulile ngeminyaka futhi esezikhundleni ezaziwanika igunya. (Jer. 1:6) Kwakufanele amemezele izahlulelo ezishisayo nezesabekayo ezazilahla ikakhulu abapristi, abaprofethi bamanga, ababusi nalabo ababelandela ‘indlela ethandwayo’ futhi abase ‘benokungathembeki okuhlala njalo.’ (Jer. 6:13; 8:5, 6) Ithempeli elikhazimulayo elakhiwa iNkosi uSolomoni, elalibe yisikhungo sokukhulekela cishe iminyaka engamakhulu amane, lalizobhidlizwa. IJerusalema nelakwaJuda kwakuzoba incithakalo futhi izakhamuzi zakhona zithunjwe. Ngempela, isigijimi uJeremiya okwakufanele asimemezele sasiphuthuma!
(UJeremiya 1:7-10) Kodwa uJehova wathi kimi, “Ungaze wathi, ‘Ngingumntwana nje.’ Kumele uye kubo bonke engikuthuma kubo njalo utsho loba kuyini engikulaya khona. 8 Ungabesabi, ngoba mina ngilawe njalo ngizakuhlenga,” kutsho uJehova. 9 UJehova waseselula isandla sakhe wathinta umlomo wami wathi kimi, “Khathesi, sengifake amazwi ami emlonyeni wakho. 10 Khangela, lamhla ngikubeka phezu kwezizwe lemibuso ukuba usiphune udilize, ubhubhise njalo uchithe; ukuba wakhe njalo uhlanyele.”
(UJeremiya 1:17-19) “Wena zilungiselele! Sukuma ubatshele lokho engizakulaya khona. Ungathuthumeliswa yibo hlezi ngikwenze uthuthumele phambi kwabo. 18 Lamhla sengikwenze waba lidolobho elivikelweyo, insika yensimbi lomduli wethusi ukuba umelane lelizwe lonke-umelane lamakhosi akoJuda, izikhulu zakhona, abaphristi bakhona kanye labantu bakhona. 19 Bazakulwa lawe, kodwa kabayikukwehlula, ngoba ngilawe njalo ngizakuhlenga,” kutsho uJehova.
w05-ZU 12/15 23 ¶18
Wena Ulalela Bani—UNkulunkulu Noma Abantu?
18 UNkulunkulu watshela umprofethi uJeremiya: “Nginawe ukuba ngikukhulule.” (Jeremiya 1:8) UJehova angasikhulula kanjani namuhla lapho sishushiswa? Angase avuse umahluleli onomqondo ovulekile njengoGamaliyeli. Noma angase enze ukuba kungazelelwe isikhundla sesikhulu esithile esikhohlakele noma esiphikisayo sithathwe esinye esinomqondo ovuleke kakhudlwana. Nokho, ngezinye izikhathi uJehova angase akuvumele ukushushiswa kwabantu bakhe kuqhubeke. (2 Thimothewu 3:12) Uma uNkulunkulu evuma ukuba sishushiswe, ngaso sonke isikhathi uyosinika amandla okulukhuthazelela lolo shushiso. (1 Korinte 10:13) Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yini uNkulunkulu ayivumelayo, asingabazi ukuthi siyoba yini isiphetho: Labo abalwa nabantu bakaNkulunkulu balwa noNkulunkulu, futhi abalwa noNkulunkulu ngeke banqobe.
jr-ZU 88 ¶14-15
“Ngiyosuthisa Umphefumulo Okhathele”
INGABE UZOYIQABULA IMIPHEFUMULO EKHATHELE?
14 Kuhle siqaphele indlela uJeremiya akhuthazwa ngayo nendlela akhuthaza ngayo abanye ‘ababeyimiphefumulo ekhathele.’ (Jer. 31:25) Wathola isikhuthazo kuJehova ngokuyinhloko. Cabanga nje ukuthi wawuyokhuthazeka kanjani lapho uzwa uJehova ethi kuwe: “Kodwa mina, bheka ngikwenzé namuhla waba ngumuzi onezivikelo eziqinile. . . Ngokuqinisekile bazolwa nawe, kodwa ngeke bakunqobe, ngoba ‘mina nginawe,’ kusho uJehova, ‘ukuba ngikukhulule.’” (Jer. 1:18, 19) Yingakho uJeremiya athi uJehova ‘ungamandla akhe nesiphephelo sakhe, indawo yakhe yokubalekela ngosuku lokucindezeleka.’—Jer. 16:19.
15 Kuyaphawuleka ukuthi uJehova wathi kuJeremiya: “Mina nginawe.” Uyabona yini ukuthi yini ongayenza lapho umuntu omaziyo edinga isikhuthazo? Kuhle ukubona ukuthi umfowethu noma udade ongumKristu noma mhlawumbe isihlobo sidinga isikhuthazo; kodwa kuhle kakhulu ukwenza okuthile okuwusizo ngakho. Ezikhathini eziningi, okuphumelela kakhulu ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu akwenza kuJeremiya—ukuchitha isikhathi naye. Ngemva kwesikhashana, mkhuthaze, kodwa ungakhulumi undendende. Amazwi ambalwa, uma ekhethwe kahle, cishe ayofeza okukhulu ukuze amqinise futhi amakhe. Akudingeki ube igagu. Yisho amazwi alula abonisa isithakazelo, ukukhathalela nothando lobuKristu. Amazwi anjalo angafeza lukhulu.—Funda izAga 25:11.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 2:13) Abantu bami benze izono ezimbili: Bangidelile, mina mthombo wamanzi okuphila, bagebha eyabo imithombo, imithombo evuzayo engagcini manzi.
(UJeremiya 2:18) Khathesi kungani usiya eGibhithe ukuba unathe amanzi eShihori na? Njalo kungani usiya e-Asiriya ukuba unathe amanzi eYufrathe na?
w07-ZU 3/15 9 ¶8
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
2:13, 18. Ama-Israyeli angathembekile enza izinto ezimbili ezimbi. Ashiya uJehova, umthombo ongashi wesibusiso, isiqondiso nesivikelo. Futhi azimbela imithombo yawo engokomfanekiso ngokufuna ukwenza imifela-ndawonye neGibhithe ne-Asiriya. Namuhla, ukushiya uNkulunkulu weqiniso sikhethe amafilosofi nemibono yabantu nezombusazwe zezwe kuwukushiya ‘umthombo wamanzi aphilayo’ sizigubhele “imithombo eqhekekile.”
(UJeremiya 4:10) Lapho-ke mina ngathi, “Awu, Jehova Wobukhosi, ubakhohlisile sibili abantu laba kanye leJerusalema ngokuthi, ‘Lizakuba lokuthula,’ inkemba yona isemiphinjeni yethu.
w07-ZU 3/15 9 ¶4
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
4:10; 15:18—UJehova wabakhohlisa ngamuphi umqondo abantu bakhe abahlubukayo? Ngosuku lukaJeremiya, kwakunabaprofethi ‘ababeprofetha amanga.’ (Jeremiya 5:31; 20:6; 23:16, 17, 25-28, 32) UJehova akazange abavimbe ukuba bangayimemezeli imiyalezo edukisayo.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 4:1-10) “Nxa uphenduka, we Israyeli, buyela kimi,” kutsho uJehova. “Ungazisusa phambi kwami izithombe zakho ezenyanyekayo ungabe usaphambuka futhi, 2 njalo uma uzafunga ngobuqotho, ngokulunga langokuqonda, uthi, ‘Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uJehova ekhona, ngakho izizwe uzazibusisa ziziqhenye ngaye.” 3 Ebantwini bakoJuda labeJerusalema uJehova uthi, “Limani izingqatho zenu, lingahlanyeli emeveni. 4 Zisokeleni kuJehova, lisoke izinhliziyo zenu, lina bantu bakoJuda lani bantu baseJerusalema, hlezi ulaka lwami luvuke luvuthe njengomlilo ngenxa yobubi elibenzileyo–lutshise kungekho muntu ongalucitsha. 5 “Bikani koJuda limemezele laseJerusalema lithi: ‘Tshayani icilongo elizweni lonke!’ Klabalalani lithi: ‘Buthanani ndawonye! Kasibalekeleni emadolobheni avikelweyo!’ 6 Phakamisani uphawu lokuya eZiyoni! Balekelani ekusileni ngokuphangisa! Ngoba ngiletha umonakalo ovela enyakatho, lencithakalo embi kakhulu.” 7 Isilwane sesiphumile esikhundleni saso, umchithi wezizwe usephumile. Usesukile endaweni yakhe ukuba achithe ilizwe lenu. Amadolobho enu azakuba ngamanxiwa angelamuntu ohlala kuwo. 8 Ngakho gqokani amasaka, khalani lilile, ngoba ulaka lukaJehova olwesabekayo kalususwanga kithi. 9 UJehova uthi, “Ngalolosuku inkosi lezikhulu bazaphelelwa lithemba, abaphristi bazathuthumela, abaphrofethi bazakwesaba.” 10 Lapho-ke mina ngathi, “Awu, Jehova Wobukhosi, ubakhohlisile sibili abantu laba kanye leJerusalema ngokuthi, ‘Lizakuba lokuthula,’ inkemba yona isemiphinjeni yethu.
MARCH 13-19
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 5-7
“Bayekela Ukwenza Intando KaNkulunkulu”
(UJeremiya 6:13-15) “Kusukela kwabancane kusiya kwabakhulu, bonke bayizihwaba ezifuna inzuzo; banjalo labaphrofethi kanye labaphristi, bonke benza inkohliso. 14 Babopha inxeba labantu bami kungathi kalilibi kakhulu. Bathi, “Ukuthula, ukuthula.” khona ukuthula kungekho. 15 Bayayangeka na ngokuziphatha kwabo okwenyanyekayo? Hatshi, bavele kabalazo izinhloni lokuyangeka kabakwazi. Ngakho bazawela phakathi kwabawileyo; bazakwehliselwa phansi lapho sengibajezisa,” kutsho uJehova.
w88-ZU 4/1 11-12 ¶7-8
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
7 UJehova waxwayisa: “Bayakulwa nawe, kepha abayikukwahlula.” (Jeremiya 1:19) Manje, kungani amaJuda nababusi bawo babeyofuna ukulwa nalomprofethi? Ngoba isigijimi sakhe sasihlasela ukunganaki kwabo nendlela yabo yokukhulekela eyayingeyokugcina umthetho nje. UJeremiya akazange agwegwese: “Bheka, izwi likaNkulunkulu seliyihlazo kubo, abathokozi ngalo. Ngokuba kusukela kwabancane babo kuya kwabakhulu babo bayaphanga impango bonke, nabaprofethi nabapristi bonke [labo kanye okwakumelwe babe abavikeli bezindinganiso zokuziphatha okuhle nezingokomoya] baqamba amanga.”—Jeremiya 6:10, 13.
8 Yiqiniso, babehola isizwe ekwenzeni imihlatshelo. Babegcina icala nje mayelana nokukhulekela kweqiniso, izinhliziyo zabo zazingekho kukho. Ukugcina isiko kwakusho okukhulu kakhulu kubo kunokuziphatha okufanele. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, abaholi benkolo bamaJuda babekhohlisa isizwe ukuze sibe nomuzwa wokuthi silondekile, bethi, “Ngukuthula, ngukuthula” lapho kungekho ukuthula. (Jeremiya 6:14; 8:11) Yebo, babekhohlisa abantu ukuba bacabange ukuthi babenokuthula noNkulunkulu. Babenomuzwa wokuthi akukho okwakumelwe bakhathazeke ngakho, ngoba babengabantu abasindisiwe bakaJehova, ababenomuzi ongcwele nethempeli lawo. Kodwa ingabe leyo indlela uJehova ayebheka ngayo isimo?
(UJeremiya 7:1-7) Leli yilizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova lisithi: 2 “Mana esangweni lendlu kaJehova umemezele ilizwi leli ukhonapho uthi: “‘Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova, lonke lina bantu bakoJuda abangena ngala amasango ukuzakhonza uJehova. 3 UJehova uSomandla, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: Lungisani izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu, ukuze ngilivumele ukuba lihlale kule indawo. 4 Lingathembi amazwi akhohlisayo lithi, “Leli lithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova!” 5 Lingalungisa izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu sibili liphathane ngokulunga, 6 uma lingancindezeli owezizweni, izintandane loba umfelokazi njalo lingachithi gazi elingelacala kule indawo, njalo uma lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu okuzalilimaza, 7ngizalivumela ukuba lihlale kule indawo, elizweni engalinika okhokho benu ukuba libe ngelabo kuze kube nini lanini.
w88-ZU 4/1 12 ¶9-10
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
9 UJehova wayala uJeremiya ukuba ame obala ngasesangweni lethempeli futhi anikeze isigijimi saKhe kubakhulekeli ababengena lapho. Kwakumelwe abatshele ukuthi: “Ningethembi emazwini amanga, lapho kuthiwa: Nanti ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova. . . . Bhekani, niyethemba emazwini amanga angenakusiza.” AmaJuda ayehamba ngokubona hhayi ngokukholwa, njengoba ayeqhosha ngethempeli lawo. Ayesewakhohliwe kakade amazwi kaJehova okuxwayisa: “Izulu liyisihlalo sami sobukhosi, umhlaba uyisenabelo sezinyawo zami, iphi leyondlu ebeniyakungakhela yona?” UJehova, iNkosi enguMbusi yalendawo enkulu, ngokuqinisekile wayengavalelekile phakathi kwethempeli lawo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi lalikhazimula kanjani!—Jeremiya 7:1-8; Isaya 66:1.
10 UJeremiya waqhubeka namazwi akhe ahlabayo okusola obala: “Niyakweba yini, nibulale, niphinge, nifunge amanga, nimshisele uBali impepho, nilandele abanye onkulunkulu eningabazanga,. . . nithi: Sophuliwe—nize nenze zonke lezizinengiso, na?” AmaJuda, ‘njengabantu’ bakaNkulunkulu ‘abakhethiwe,’ ayecabanga ukuthi wayezovumela ukuziphatha kwanoma yiluphi uhlobo kuphela nje uma eletha imihlatshelo yawo ethempelini. Nokho, uma ayemcabangela njengoyise onozwela otetemisa umntwana ototoswayo okuwukuphela kwakhe, khona ayelinde amathonsi abanzi.—Jeremiya 7:9, 10; Eksodusi 19:5, 6.
(UJeremiya 7:8-15) Kodwa khangelani, lina lithemba amazwi akhohlisayo angasizi lutho. 9 “‘Kambe lizantshontsha njalo libulale, lifebe, lifunge amanga, litshisele uBhali impepha njalo lilandele abanye onkulunkulu elingakaze libazi, 10 beselisizakuma phambi kwami kuyonale indlu, eleBizo lami, lithi, “Sivikelekile”–livikeleka ukuba lenze zonke lezizinto ezenyanyekayo na? 11 Indlu le, eleBizo lami, seyaba lubhalu lwabaphangi na? Kodwa kade ngikhangele! kutsho uJehova. 12 “‘Hambani khathesi endaweni yami eShilo lapho engenza khona kuqala indawo yokuhlala iBizo lami, libone engakwenza kuyo ngenxa yobubi babantu bami bako-Israyeli. 13 UJehova uthi, kwathi lapho lisenza lezizinto, mina ngakhuluma lani futhifuthi, kodwa kalingilalelanga; ngalibiza, kalaze lasabela. 14 Ngakho-ke, lokho engakwenza eShilo khathesi ngizakwenza kule indlu eleBizo lami, ithempeli elilithembileyo, indawo engalinika yona lina kanye labokhokho benu. 15 Ngizalixotsha phambi kwami, njengalokho engakwenza abafowenu bonke, abantu bako-Efrayimi.
jr-ZU 21 ¶12
Ukukhonza “Engxenyeni Yokugcina Yezinsuku”
12 Ekuqaleni kokubusa kukaJehoyakimi, uJehova watshela uJeremiya ukuba aye ethempelini ayodalula ububi babantu baseJudiya. Babebheka ithempeli likaJehova njengeliyinto ezobavikela. Kepha uma babengakuyeki “ukweba, ukubulala nokuphinga nokufunga amanga nokushunqisela uBhali umusi womhlatshelo nokulandela abanye onkulunkulu,” uJehova wayeyolishiya ithempeli lakhe. Wayengeke abayeke nabazenzisi ababekhulekela kulo, njengoba nje alishiya netabernakele eShilo ngezinsuku zomPristi Omkhulu u-Eli. Izwe lakwaJuda ‘laliyoba indawo ebhuqiwe nje kuphela.’ (Jer. 7:1-15, 34; 26:1-6) Cabanga ngesibindi uJeremiya ayesidinga ukuze amemezele leso sigijimi! Cishe wasimemezela obala kubantu abayizicukuthwane nabanegama. Abanye abafowethu nodadewethu namuhla nabo baye baba nomuzwa wokuthi badinga isibindi ukuze bahlanganyele emsebenzini wasemgwaqweni noma ukuze bashumayeze izigwili nezicukuthwane. Nokho, nakhu esingaqiniseka ngakho: UNkulunkulu uyosisekela nakanjani njengoba nje asekela uJeremiya.—Heb. 10:39; 13:6.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 6:16) UJehova uthi: “Manini emahlanganweni emigwaqo likhangele; libuze izindledlana ezindala, libuze lapho okulendlela enhle khona, lihambe ngayo, lizathola ukuphumula kwemiphefumulo yenu. Kodwa lina lithe, ‘Kasiyikuhamba ngayo.’”
w05-ZU 11/1 23 ¶11
Ingabe Uzohamba NoNkulunkulu?
11 Ingabe siyalivumela ngempela iZwi likaNkulunkulu ukuba lisiqondise ezicini zonke? Kuyazuzisa ukuhlaba ikhefu ngezinye izikhathi sizihlole ngokwethembeka. Cabanga ngevesi eliyosisiza ukuba senze kanjalo: “Yilokhu uJehova akushilo: ‘Yimani ezindleleni, nibone, nibuze ngemendo yakudala, ukuthi iphi manje indlela enhle; nihambe ngayo, nitholele imiphefumulo yenu impumuzo.’” (Jeremiya 6:16) La mazwi angase asikhumbuze umhambi omi empambana-mgwaqo ukuze abuze. Ngomqondo ongokomoya, abantu bakaJehova abavukelayo kwa-Israyeli kwakudingeka benze okufanayo. Kwakudingeka bathole indlela ebuyela ‘emendweni yakudala.’ Leyo “ndlela enhle” kwakuyindlela okhokho babo abathembekile ababehambe ngayo, indlela isizwe esase sinhlanhlathile kuyo ngobuwula. Ngokudabukisayo, u-Israyeli akazange asamukele lesi sikhumbuzo sothando esivela kuJehova. Lona leli vesi liyaqhubeka: “Kodwa babelokhu bethi: ‘Ngeke sihambe.’” Nokho, ezikhathini zanamuhla abantu bakaNkulunkulu baye basabela ngendlela ehlukile basilalela iseluleko.
(UJeremiya 6:22, 23) UJehova uthi: “Khangelani, ibutho liyeza livela elizweni lasenyakatho; isizwe esikhulu siyanyakaziswa sivela emikhawulweni yomhlaba. 23 Bahlome ngamadandili langemikhonto; balesihluku kabalaso isihawu. Bezwakala njengokuhlokoma kolwandle lapho begade amabhiza abo; beza njengabantu abalungele impi ukuba bakuhlasele, wena Ndodakazi yaseZiyoni.”
w88-ZU 4/1 13 ¶15
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
UJuda Uyakhokha
15 Cishe ngo-632 B.C.E., iAsiriya lase liwele kumaKaledi namaMede, futhi iGibithe lancishiswa laba umbuso omncane ngaseningizimu yakwaJuda. Usongo lwangempela kwaJuda lwaluyokuza ngomzila wokuhlasela ngasenyakatho. Ngakho, kwakumelwe uJeremiya anikeze amaJuda akubo izindaba ezimbi! “Bheka, kuvela abantu ezweni elisenyakatho. . . banonya, abanamusa,. . . behlelelwe ukulwa nawe-ndodakazi yaseSiyoni.” Umbuso wezwe owawuthola amandla ngalesosikhathi kwakuyiBabiloni. Lona wawuzokuba ithuluzi likaJehova lokujezisa uJuda ongenalukholo.—Jeremiya 6:22, 23; 25:8, 9.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 5:26–6:5) “Phakathi kwabantu bami kulabantu ababi abacathama njengabantu abathiya izinyoni, lanjengalabo abathiya imijibila yokubamba abantu. 27 Njengezitsha ezigcwele izinyoni, izindlu zabo zigcwele inkohliso; sebenothile njalo sebelamandla 28 sebezimukile njalo babancwaba. Izenzo zabo ezimbi kazilamkhawulo; izintandane kabazikhulumeli ukuba zinqobe, amalungelo abayanga kabawavikeli. 29 Akumelanga ngibajezisele lokhu na?” kutsho uJehova. “Akumelanga ngiphindisele esizweni esinjengalesi na? 30 Into eyesabekayo leyethusayo isiyenzakele kulelilizwe: 31 Abaphrofethi baphrofetha amanga, abaphristi babusa ngamandla abo, labantu bami bakuthanda kunjalo. Kodwa lizakwenzani ekucineni?
6 “Balekani ukuze liphephe, bantu bakoBhenjamini! Balekani eJerusalema! Tshayani icilongo eThekowa! Phakamisani uphawu phezu kweBethi Hakheremi. Ngoba umonakalo uyabonakala ngasenyakatho, kanye lencithakalo eyesabekayo. 2 Indodakazi yaseZiyoni enhle kangaka lebucayi ngizayibhubhisa. 3 Abelusi lemihlambi yabo bazakuza bamelane layo; bazamisa amathente abo eyihanqile, lowo lalowo elinde indawo yakhe.” 4 “Lungelani ukulwa layo! Vukani, kasihlaseleni emini! Kodwa, habe, ukukhanya sekufiphala, lamathunzi okuhlwa asesiba made. 5 Ngakho vukani, kasihlaseleni ebusuku sidilize izinqaba zayo!”
MARCH 20-26
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 8-11
“Abantu Bangaphumelela Kuphela Nxa Bekhokhelwa NguJehova”
(UJeremiya 10:2-5) UJehova uthi: “Lingazifundi izindlela zezizwe loba lethuswe yizibonakaliso zasemkhathini, lanxa nje izizwe zisethuswa yizo. 3 Ngoba imikhuba yabantu iyize; bagamula isihlahla ehlathini, ingcwethi isibaze ngetshizela yayo. 4 Bayasicecisa ngesiliva langegolide; basibethele ngesando langezipikili ukuze singanyikinyeki. 5 Njengezinto zokwethusa endimeni yamakhabe, izithombe zabo azikhulumi; kumele zithwalwe ngoba azingeke zihambe. Lingazesabi; azingeke zenze okubi; lokuhle azingeke zikwenze.”
(UJeremiya 10:14, 15) Umuntu wonke kalangqondo njalo kalalwazi; wonke umkhandi wensimbi uyangiswa yizithombe zakhe. Izithombe zakhe ziyinkohliso; kazilamphefumulo phakathi kwazo. 15 Ziyize, izinto zenhlekisa nje; lapho ukwahlulelwa kwazo sekufikile, zizabhubha.
it-1-E 555
Ikhukhamba
Kanti njalo emasimini alinyiweyo kwakufakwa izigodo ezinde kanye lezinye izinto ezehlukeneyo ukuze zethuse izinyamazana. Umphrofethi uJeremiya wathi izithombe ezikhonzwa ngabantu bezizwe zifanana lezinto lezi ‘ezifakwa emasimini alinywa [“ikhukhamba,” NW] ukuze zethuse izinyamazana,’ nanko phela kazikhulumi njalo kaziphili.—Jer 10:5.
(UJeremiya 10:6, 7) Kakho ofana lawe, wena Jehova; wena umkhulu, lebizo lakho lilamandla amakhulu. 7 Ngubani ongeke akwesabe, wena Jehova wezizwe? Lokhu kukufanele. Phakathi kwabantu bonke abahlakaniphileyo bezizwe lakuyo yonke imibuso yabo, kakho onjengawe.
(UJeremiya 10:10-13) Kodwa uJehova unguNkulunkulu oqotho; unguNkulunkulu ophilayo, iNkosi yanininini. Lapho ethukuthele, umhlaba uyagedezela; izizwe azingeke zimelane lolaka lwakhe. 11 “Batshele lokhu uthi: Onkulunkulu laba, abangawenzanga amazulu lomhlaba, bazabhubha emhlabeni langaphansi kwamazulu.’” 12 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wenza umhlaba ngamandla akhe; wawumisa umhlaba ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe njalo wanweba amazulu ngokuqedisisa kwakhe. 13 Lapho eqaqamba, amanzi asemazulwini ayahlokoma; wenza amayezi aphakame evela emikhawulweni yomhlaba. Uthumela umbane ulezulu njalo akhuphe umoya eziphaleni zakhe.
w04-ZU 10/1 11 ¶10
Obani Abakhazimulisa UNkulunkulu Namuhla?
10 Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ubuka amazulu phezulu noma ugqolozela indalo ekhona la emhlabeni, bucacile ubufakazi bokuthi uMdali ukhona. (Jeremiya 10:12) Kufanele sivumelane ngokuphelele nezidalwa zasezulwini ezimemeza zithi: “Uyakufanelekela, Jehova, yebo Nkulunkulu wethu, ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla, ngoba wadala zonke izinto.” (IsAmbulo 4:11) Noma kunjalo, ososayensi abaningi bayehluleka ukubona lobu bufakazi ‘ngamehlo enhliziyo yabo’ yize ingase ibamangalise imiklamo yezinto abazibona ngamehlo abo enyama. (Efesu 1:18) Singakufanekisa kanje: Ukuncoma ubuhle nomklamo wendalo bese uphika ukuthi ukhona uMklami Omkhulu akunangqondo njengokuncoma umdwebo omuhle kakhulu ngesikhathi esifanayo uphike ukuthi ukhona umdwebi owathatha indwangu engenalutho wayenza umdwebo wobuciko. Akumangazi ukuthi labo abangafuni ukukholelwa kuNkulunkulu kuthiwa “abanazaba”!
(UJeremiya 10:21-23) Abelusi kabalangqondo njalo kabambuzi uJehova; ngakho kabaphumeleli, njalo lemihlambi yabo yonke ihlakazekile. 22 Lalelani! Umbiko uyeza–ukuxokozela okukhulu okuvela elizweni lenyakatho! Kuzakwenza amadolobho akoJuda achitheke, abe yizikhundla zamakhanka. 23 Ngiyazi, O Jehova, ukuthi ukuphila komuntu akusikho kwakhe; umuntu akusikho kwakhe ukuthi aqondise izinyathelo zakhe.
w15-ZU 9/1 15 ¶1
Ingabe Usola UNkulunkulu?
Izimo ezidabukisayo ezisemhlabeni namuhla ziwubufakazi obusobala bokuthi ukubusa kwabantu kuhlulekile. Akukhona nje ukuthi imibuso yabantu ihlulekile ukuletha ukuthula, ukulondeka nenjabulo, kodwa iye yonakalisa umhlaba ngendlela edabukisayo. Lokhu kuqinisekisa iqiniso elibalulekile eliseBhayibhelini: “Akukona okomuntu ohambayo ngisho nokuqondisa isinyathelo sakhe.” (Jeremiya 10:23) Indlela kaNkulunkulu yokubusa kuphela engasiqinisekisa ngokuthula okuhlala njalo, injabulo nokuthokoza kwesintu sonke ngenxa yokuthi leyo yinjongo kaNkulunkulu—Isaya 45:18.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 9:24) “Kodwa lowo ozincomayo kazincome ngalokhu: ukuthi uyaqedisisa njalo uyangazi, ukuthi mina nginguJehova, osebenzisa umusa, imfanelo lokulunga emhlabeni, ngoba lezizinto ziyangithokozisa,” kutsho uJehova.
w13-ZU 1/15 20 ¶16
Qhubeka Usondela KuJehova
16 Ukuqhosha ngezinto ezifanele kungaba into enhle. Ngokwesibonelo, kufanele ngaso sonke isikhathi siziqhenye ngokuthi singoFakazi BakaJehova. (Jer. 9:24) Ukuzihlonipha ngezinga elinempilo kusisiza ukuba senze izinqumo ezinhle futhi sigweme ukwehlisa izindinganiso zethu zokuziphatha. Kodwa ukubheka isikhundla sethu noma imibono yethu njengephakeme kakhulu kungasidedisela kude noJehova.—IHu. 138:6; Roma 12:3.
(UJeremiya 11:10) Sebebuyele ezonweni zabokhokho babo, abalayo ukulalela amazwi ami. Balandele abanye onkulunkulu ukuba babakhonze. Indlu ka-Israyeli lendlu kaJuda zombili zisephule isivumelwano engasenza labokhokho babo.
w07-ZU 3/15 9 ¶2
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
3:11-22; 11:10-12, 17—Kungani uJeremiya amemezela nangombuso wasenyakatho wezizwe eziyishumi, ngisho noma iSamariya lase libhujisiwe ngo-740 B.C.E.? Lokhu kwakungenxa yokuthi ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema ngo-607 B.C.E. kwakuwukubonakaliswa kokukhishwa kwesahlulelo sikaJehova kuso sonke isizwe sakwa-Israyeli, hhayi isizwe sakwaJuda kuphela. (Hezekeli 9:9, 10) Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngemva kokuba umbuso wezizwe eziyishumi usuwile waqhubeka umelelwa iJerusalema, ngoba izigijimi zabaprofethi bakaNkulunkulu zaqhubeka zihlanganisa nama-Israyeli.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 11:6-16) UJehova uSomandla uthi: “Gamulani izihlahla liziwise lakhe imiduli yokuvimbezela iJerusalema. Idolobho leli kumele lijeziswe; ligcwele ukucindezela. 7 Njengomthombo ugobhoza amanzi awo, ngokunjalo lalo ligobhoza ububi balo. Udlakela lokubhubhisa kuyezwakala phakathi kwalo; umkhuhlane walo lamanxeba ngihlezi ngikukhangele. 8 Xwayiseka, we Jerusalema, hlezi ngikutshiye, lelizwe lakho ngilichithe, kungabi lomuntu ohlala kulo.” 9 UJehova uSomandla uthi: “Kababuthe izinsalela zako-Israyeli ngokupheleleyo njengevini; dlulisa isandla sakho phezu kwezingatsha futhi, njengomuntu ovuna amavini.” 10 Ngubani engingakhuluma laye ngimxwayise na? Ngubani ozangilalela na? Izindlebe zabo zivalekile ngakho bangeke bezwe. Ilizwi likaJehova liyisinengiso kubo. Kabafumani ntokozo kulo. 11 Kodwa mina ngiyafuthelana ngolaka lukaJehova, ngingeke ngibe ngisalugodla ngaphakathi. “Lwehlisele phezu kwabantwana emgwaqweni laphezu kwamajaha abuthene ndawonye; bobabili indoda lomkayo luzabehlela, kanye labadala, labo abakhulelwa yiminyaka. 12 Izindlu zabo zizanikwa abanye, konke lamasimu abo kanye labafazi babo, lapho ngiselula isandla sami ngimelana lalabo abahlala elizweni,” kutsho uJehova. 13 “Kusukela kwabancane kusiya kwabakhulu, bonke bayizihwaba ezifuna inzuzo; banjalo labaphrofethi kanye labaphristi, bonke benza inkohliso. 14 Babopha inxeba labantu bami kungathi kalilibi kakhulu. Bathi, “Ukuthula, ukuthula.” khona ukuthula kungekho. 15 Bayayangeka na ngokuziphatha kwabo okwenyanyekayo? Hatshi, bavele kabalazo izinhloni lokuyangeka kabakwazi. Ngakho bazawela phakathi kwabawileyo; bazakwehliselwa phansi lapho sengibajezisa,” kutsho uJehova. 16 UJehova uthi: “Manini emahlanganweni emigwaqo likhangele; libuze izindledlana ezindala, libuze lapho okulendlela enhle khona, lihambe ngayo, lizathola ukuphumula kwemiphefumulo yenu. Kodwa lina lithe, ‘Kasiyikuhamba ngayo.’
MARCH 27–APRIL 2
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 12-16
“Ama-Israyeli Amkhohlwa UJehova
(UJeremiya 13:1-5) UJehova wathi kimi: “Hamba uyethenga ibhanti lelineni ubophe ukhalo lwakho ngalo, kodwa lingathinti amanzi.” 2 Ngakho ngathenga ibhanti, njengokulaya kukaJehova, ngabopha ukhalo lwami ngalo. 3 Ilizwi likaJehova labuya lafika kimi ngokwesibili lathi: 4 “Thatha ibhanti olithengileyo obophe ngalo ukhalo lwakho, uye ePherathi, khathesi nje ulifihle khona empankeni wamatshe.” 5 Ngakho ngahamba ngayalifihla ePherathi, njengokutsho kukaJehova kimi.
jr-ZU 51 ¶17
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
17 Isabelo sikaJeremiya sasihilela nokulalela isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu. Ukube wawunguJeremiya, wawuyozilalela yini iziqondiso ezinjalo? UJehova wake watshela uJeremiya ukuba athathe ibhande lelineni aligqoke. Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wamyala ukuba aye e-Ewufrathe. Bheka ibalazwe, uzobona ukuthi leli banga lalingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-500. Uma efika khona, uJeremiya kwakufanele alifihle emfantwini wedwala abese ehamba yonke leyo ndlela abuyele eJerusalema. Kamuva uNkulunkulu wathi akaphindele emuva ayolilanda lelo bhande. (Funda uJeremiya 13:1-9.) Kumelwe ukuba uJeremiya wahamba ibanga elingaba amakhilomitha angu-1 900 sekukonke. Abagxeki beBhayibheli abakholwa neze ukuthi wayengahamba ibanga elide kangaka, ehamba izinyanga. (Ezra 7:9) Noma kunjalo, yilokho uNkulunkulu akusho futhi yilokho uJeremiya akwenza.
(UJeremiya 13:6, 7) Sekudlule izinsuku ezinengi uJehova wathi kimi, “Hamba khathesi ePherathi uyethatha ibhanti engathi lifihle khona.” 7 Ngakho ngaya ePherathi ngagebha lapho engangifihle khona ibhanti, kodwa laselonakele impela lingaselasizo.
jr-ZU 52 ¶18
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
18 Mbone ngeso lengqondo lo mprofethi eqombola izintaba zaseJudiya aze ayonqamula ehlane elingase-Ewufrathe, kuye ngokuthi ukhetha ukuhamba ngakuphi. Uyofihla ibhande lelineni njalo belu! Kumelwe ukuba omakhelwane bakhe babezibuza ukuthi kazi uyephi njengoba ayehambe isikhathi eside. Wabuya engasaligqokile ibhande lelineni. UNkulunkulu wayesethi makaphinde ahambe lonke lelo banga elide ayolanda lelo bhande, manje elase libolile futhi ‘lingasafanelekele lutho.’ Cabanga ukuthi kwakungaba lula kanjani ngaye ukuba athi: ‘Ngeke ngilunge. Kuzongisiza ngani lokhu.’ Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayebunjwe uNkulunkulu, akashongo kanjalo. Kunokuba akhononde, wenza njengoba ayethunyiwe!
(UJeremiya 13:8-11) Lapho-ke kwafika ilizwi likaJehova kimi lisithi: 9 “UJehova uthi: ‘Ngendlela efanayo ngizakuchitha ukuzigqaja kukaJuda lokuzigqaja okukhulu kweJerusalema. 10 Lababantu abangalunganga, abalayo ukulalela amazwi ami, abalandela ubulukhuni bezinhliziyo zabo badinge abanye onkulunkulu ukuba babasebenzele njalo babakhonze, bazakuba njengebhanti lel–bengelasizo loluncane! 11 Ngoba njengebhanti libopha ukhalo lomuntu, ngayibophela kanjalo kimi yonke indlu ka-Israyeli layo yonke indlu kaJuda, kutsho uJehova, ukuba babe ngabantu bami ngenxa yodumo lwami, ukubongwa lokudunyiswa. Kodwa kabalalelanga.’”
jr-ZU 52 ¶19-20
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
19 Kwaba ngemva kohambo lwesibili lapho uNkulunkulu akuchaza khona konke lokhu. Lokho uJeremiya akwenza kwamenza walungela ukumemezela isigijimi esinamandla: “Lesi sizwe esibi esenqaba ukulalela amazwi ami, esihamba enkanini yenhliziyo yaso futhi esiqhubeka silandela abanye onkulunkulu ukuze sibakhonze futhi sibakhothamele, naso siyoba njengaleli bhande elingasafanelekele lutho.” (Jer. 13:10) Yeka indlela ehlaba umxhwele uJehova afundisa ngayo abantu bakhe! Ukulalela kukaJeremiya uJehova ngokusuka enhliziyweni, entweni eyayibonakala iwubala, kwafeza indima ebalulekile emizamweni yaKhe yokufinyelela izinhliziyo zabantu.—Jer. 13:11.
20 AmaKristu namuhla awacelwa ukuba ahambe amakhilomitha amaningi ukuze uNkulunkulu awafundise isifundo esithile. Nokho, kungenzeka yini ukuthi inkambo yobuKristu oyilandelayo ingenza omakhelwane noma abantu obajwayele badideke noma baze bakugxeke? Kungase kube yinto ephathelene nokugqoka nokuzilungisa kwakho, uhlobo lwemfundo oyikhethayo, umsebenzi okhetha ukuwenza, noma ngisho umbono wakho ngophuzo oludakayo. Ingabe uyozimisela ukulandela isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu njengoJeremiya? Izinqumo ozenza ngenxa yokuvumela inhliziyo yakho ukuba ibunjwe uNkulunkulu zingase ziholele ekubeni unikeze ubufakazi obuhle. Noma kungabanga njalo, ukulalela isiqondiso sikaJehova esiseZwini lakhe nokwamukela isiyalo esisinikezwa isigaba senceku ethembekile kuhloselwe ukuba kukusize phakade. Kunokuba ulawulwe inhliziyo ekhohlisayo, ungaba njengoJeremiya. Ngakho-ke, zimisele ukuvumela uNkulunkulu akubumbe; mvumele akwenze ube isitsha esinodumo azosisebenzisa njalo.
it-1-E 1121 ¶2
Izinqulu
UJehova wafanisa abako-Israyeli kanye labakoJuda lebhanti ayelibophe ekhalweni [“ezinqulwini, NW]. Babenamathele kuJehova, bemkhonza njalo bemdumisa. (Jer 13:11) Isiphrofetho esiphathelane lokubusa kukaJesu Khristu sithi ukulunga kuzakuba libhanti lokubopha izinqulu zakhe, ukwethembeka kube libhanti lokubopha ukhalo lwakhe. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi uJesu uzakuba yiNkosi elungileyo lethembekileyo. UJehova wakhetha uJesu ukuthi abe nguMahluleli. Njengoba izinkalo zikaJesu zibotshwe ngokulunga, akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uzimisele ukwenza umsebenzi lo ngendlela ezathokozisa uYise.—Isay 11:1, 5.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 12:1, 2) Wena ulungile izikhathi zonke, O Jehova, lapho ngiletha indaba kuwe. Ikanti ngingakhuluma lawe ngokulunga kwakho: Kungani indlela yababi iphumelela na? Kungani abangathembekanga behlezi kuhle na? 2 Ubahlanyele, njalo sebemilile; bayakhula bathele izithelo. Bahlezi bekhuluma ngawe, kodwa ezinhliziyweni zabo ukhatshana.
(UJeremiya 12:14) UJehova uthi: “Bonke omakhelwane bami ababi abathumba ilifa engalinika abantu bami bako-Israyeli, ngizabasusa emazweni abo ngisuse lendlu kaJuda phakathi kwabo.
jr-ZU 118 ¶11
Ingabe Ubuza Nsuku Zonke Ukuthi, “Uphi UJehova?”
11 UJeremiya wayekhathazeka lapho ebona ababi bephumelela. (Funda uJeremiya 12:1, 3.) Nakuba ayengakungabazi nhlobo ukulunga kukaJehova, wafuna impendulo ‘yesikhalo’ sakhe. Ukungagunci kwakhe kwenza kwacaca ukuthi wayenobuhlobo obuqinile noNkulunkulu, njengalobo bengane noyise emthandayo. Wayemane engasiqondi isizathu sokuba amaJuda amaningi aphumelele nakuba emabi. Ingabe uJeremiya wayithola impendulo egculisayo? UJehova wamqinisekisa ngokuthi wayezobasiphula ababi. (Jer. 12:14) Njengoba uJeremiya abona isiphetho sezinto ayezikhulekela kuNkulunkulu, kumelwe ukuba ukubethemba kwakhe ubulungisa baphezulu kwajula. Ngenxa yalokho, kumelwe ukuba uJeremiya wakhuleka njalo kuNkulunkulu, eveza imizwa yakhe kuYise.
(UJeremiya 15:17) Kangizange ngihlale enhlanganisweni yabazithokozisayo, kumbe ngijabule labo; ngahlala ngedwa ngoba isandla sakho sasiphezu kwami njalo wawungenze ngagcwala intukuthelo.
w04-ZU 5/1 12 ¶16
Yiba Nesibindi NjengoJeremiya
Masiqaphele Ukuthi Sizihlanganisa Nobani
16 UJeremiya ubika enye into eyamsiza waba nesibindi. Wathi: “Angizange ngihlale phansi eqenjini elisondelene lalabo abantelayo futhi ngiqale ukwethaba. Ngenxa yesandla sakho ngihlalé ngedwa, ngoba ungigcwalisé ngamazwi okulahla.” (Jeremiya 15:17) UJeremiya wayekhetha ukuba yedwa kunokuba onakaliswe abangane ababi. Nanamuhla sizibheka ngendlela efanayo izinto. Asisikhohlwa isixwayiso somphostoli uPawulu esithi “ukuzihlanganisa nababi konakalisa imikhuba emihle,” ngisho nemikhuba emihle osekuyiminyaka eminingi sinayo.—1 Korinte 15:33.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 13:15-27) Zwanini lilalele, lingazigqaji, ngoba uJehova usekhulumile. 16 Dumisani uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu engakalethi umnyama, izinyawo zenu zingakakhubeki emaqaqeni asesembeswa ngumnyama. Lilindele ukukhanya, kodwa yena uzakwenza kube ngumnyama olohlonzi, akuphendule kube ngumnyama omkhulu. 17 Kodwa uma lingalaleli, ngizakhalela ensitha ngenxa yokuzigqaja kwenu; amehlo ami azalila kabuhlungu, ageleze izinyembezi, ngoba umhlambi kaJehova uzathunjwa. 18 Tshono enkosini laseNdlovukazini uthi, “Yehlani ezihlalweni zenu zobukhosi lize phansi, ngoba imiqhele yenu emihle kakhulu izakuwa emakhanda enu.” 19 Amadolobho aseNegebi azavalwa, njalo akuyikuba khona ozawavula. UJuda wonke uzathathwa asiwe ekuthunjweni, uzasiwa ekuthunjweni ngokupheleleyo. 20 Phakamisani amehlo enu libone labo abavela enyakatho. Ungaphi umhlambi ababewugcinisiwe, izimvu elalizazisa ngazo na? 21 Lizakuthini lapho uJehova esebabeka phezu kwenu labo elabenza baba ngabangane benu abaqakathekileyo na? Kaliyikubanjwa yibuhlungu obufana lobowesifazana ehelelwa na? 22 Njalo uma uzibuza usithi, “Kungani lokhu kwenzakele kimi na?–kungenxa yezono zakho ezinengi ukuthi izidwaba zakho zidatshulwe lomzimba wakho waphathwa kubi. 23 UmTopiya angaliguqula yini ijwabu lakhe loba ingwe iguqule amabala ayo na? Lani lingeke lenze okuhle lina selajwayela ukwenza okubi. 24 “Ngizalihlakaza njengamakhoba ephetshulwa ngumoya wasenkangala. 25 Lokhu yikho okungokwenu, isabelo engilimisele sona,” kutsho uJehova, “ngoba lingikhohliwe lathemba onkulunkulu bamanga. 26 Ngizaphekulela izidwaba zakho ebusweni bakho ukuba kubonakale ihlazo lakho–27 ubufebe bakho lokububuliswa yisigwebo, ukuwula kwakho ungelanhloni! Ngizibonile izenzo zakho ezenyanyekayo phezu kwamaqaqa lasegangeni. Maye kuwe, wena Jerusalema! Koze kube nini ungahlambulukanga na?”