Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo LenkonzoYamaKhristu
JUNE 5-11
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UJEREMIYA 51-52
“ILizwi LikaJehova Aliweli Phansi”
(UJeremiya 51:11) “Lolani imitshoko; thathani amahawu! UJehova usevuse amakhosi amaMede ngoba inhloso yakhe yikuchitha iBhabhiloni. UJehova uzaphindisela, aphindisele ngenxa yethempeli lakhe.
(UJeremiya 51:28) Lungisani izizwe ukuba zilwe layo—amakhosi amaMede, ababusi bawo lezikhulu zawo, kanye lamazwe wonke awabusayo.
it-2-E 360 ¶2-3
AmaMede, IMediya
AmaMede lamaPhesiya anqoba iBhabhiloni. Kusasele iminyaka engaba ngu-700 ukuthi uJesu abuye emhlabeni, umphrofethi u-Isaya wayephrofethile ukuthi uJehova wayezakwenza amaMede ahlasele iBhabhiloni. Isiphrofetho leso sathi: “Ngizabavusela amaMede angelandaba lesiliva, njalo engalijabuleli legolide. Imitshoko yawo izabulala izinsizwa.” (Isay 13:17-19; 21:2) Evesini le, ibala elithi “amaMede” lingabe ligoqela lamaPhesiya. AmaGiriki endulo ayebona ngezembali ayejayele ukulisebenzisa esitsho kokubili amaMede lamaPhesiya. Njengoba abantu laba babengelandaba lesiliva legolide, inhloso yabo enkulu yokuhlasela iBhabhiloni yayingeyokulinqoba hatshi ukulithathela inotho. Yikho akulalutho iBhabhiloni eyayingalupha amaMede incenga ukuthi ingahlaselwa. NjengamaPhesiya, isikhali esasisetshenziswa kakhulu ngamaMede kwakulidandili. Amadandili la ayesenziwa ngezigodo, njalo kwezinye izikhathi ayefakwa ithusi loba insimbi (qathanisa leHu 18:34). Kungenzeka yiwo ayephosa ngawo imitshoko ‘eyabulala izinsizwa zeBhabhiloni.’ Umtshoko ngamunye wawulolwa okuzwayo ukuze ungene utshone enyameni yesitha.—Jer 51:11.
Nxa ekhuluma ngalabo ababezahlasela iBhabhiloni, uJeremiya (51:11, 28) uqamba “amakhosi amaMede” lamanye ehlukeneyo. Kungenzeka ukuthi okwenza wakhuluma ngamakhosi la esebunengini yikuthi ngitsho langesikhathi sekubusa uKhurosi, amaMede aqhubeka esiba lenkosi yawo engumMede eyodwa loba amanengi ayebusa ngaphansi kukaKhurosi. Lokhu kwakuyinto eyayingenziwa endulo. (Qathanisa loJer 25:25.) Yikho ngesikhathi iBhabhiloni inqotshwa ngamaMede lamaPhesiya lama-Elami kanye lezinye izizwe ezaziseduzane, kwabekwa umMede okuthiwa nguDariyu ukuthi abe yinkosi loba “umbusi phezu kombuso waseBhabhiloni” njalo kungenzeka wabekwa yiNkosi uKhurosi umPhesiya.—Da 5:31; 9:1; khangela isihloko esithi DARIUS No. 1.
(UJeremiya 51:30) Amabutho aseBhabhiloni aseyekele ukulwa; ahlezi ezinqabeni zawo. Amandla awo asephelile. Asebe njengabesifazana. Izindawo zayo zokuhlala zithungelwe ngomlilo; imigoqo lamasango kwephukile.
it-2-E 459 ¶4
UNabonidus
Ilitshe okuthiwa yiNabonidus Chronicle lilamazwi alandisa ngokwenzakala ngobusuku iBhabhiloni eyanqotshwa ngabo. Amazwi akhona athi: “Ibutho likaKhurosi langena eBhabhiloni ngaphandle kokulwa.” Lokhu kungabe kusitsho ukuthi kalizange lilwe ukuze lingene edolobheni lelo njalo lokhu kuvumelana lesiphrofetho esakhulunywa nguJeremiya esithi ‘amabutho aseBhabhiloni aseyekele ukulwa.’—Jer 51:30.
(UJeremiya 51:37) IBhabhiloni izakuba yinqumbi yonxiwa, isikhundla samakhanka, into yokwesatshwa lokuklolodelwa, indawo engahlali muntu.
(UJeremiya 51:62) Ube ususithi, ‘Awu Jehova, wathi indawo le uzayichitha ukuze kungabi lamuntu kumbe inyamazana ezahlala kuyo; izaphundleka kuze kube nininini.’
it-1-E 237 ¶1
IBhabhiloni
Kwathi iBhabhiloni isinqotshiwe ngo-539 B.C.E., udumo lwayo lwaqalisa ukuphela kancane kancane. Kabili yahlamukela inkosi yasePhesiya uDariyu I (uHystaspis), njalo yathi isihlamuka okwesibili yonke into eyayisele yadilizwa. Idolobho leli laphinda lavuselelwa kancane kodwa lahlamukela uXerxes I yena walithathela inotho yalo. U-Alekizanda Omkhulu wayehlose ukwenza iBhabhiloni isigodlo sombuso wakhe, kodwa wafa ngo-323 B.C.E. UNicator walinqoba idolobho leli ngo-312 B.C.E. njalo wathatha phose konke okwakusele kulo wakusa ezihlengeni zomfula iThigrisi esenzela ukukusebenzisa ukwakha isigodlo sakhe esitsha okuthiwa yiSelusiya. Ekuqaliseni kwesikhathi samaKhristu idolobho laseBhabhiloni lalilokhu likhona njalo kwakulamanye amaJuda ayehlala khona yikho umphostoli uPhetro wavakatshela khona njengoba lokhu ekuveza encwadini yakhe. (1Phe 5:13) Amazwi abhalwa ematsheni atholakala eBhabhiloni aveza ukuthi ithempeli likaBheli laba khona kwaze kwaba ngu-75 C.E. Ngemva kweminyaka engaba ngu-300 uJesu esukile emhlabeni idolobho leli laselingamanxiwa, alizange liphinde libe khona. Agcwaliseka amazwi athi “iBhabhiloni izakuba yinqumbi yonxiwa.”—Jer 51:37.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UJeremiya 51:25) “Ngimelana lawe, wena ntaba echithayo, wena ochitha umhlaba wonke,” kutsho uJehova. “Ngizakwelulela isandla sami kuwe, ngikugiqe usuka emaweni, ngikwenze ube yintaba eyatshiswayo.
it-2-E 444 ¶9
Intaba
Imela ohulumende. EBhayibhilini, izintaba zingamela imibuso kumbe ohulumende ababusayo. (Da 2:35, 44, 45; qathanisa lo-Isay 41:15; Isam 17:9-11, 18.) IBhabhiloni yatshabalalisa ezinye izizwe ngebutho layo elesabekayo, yikho kuthiwa ‘yintaba echithayo.’ (Jer 51:24, 25) Ihubo elikhuluma ngamandla kaJehova okubhubhisa izitha lithi “uyakhazimula ngokukhanya, ulobukhosi obudlula izintaba ezigcwele izinyamazana.” (Hu 76:4) Amazwi athi “izintaba ezigcwele izinyamazana” angabe esitsho imibuso elodlakela. (Qathanisa loNah 2:11-13.) UDavida wakhuluma ngoJehova wathi: “Wenza intaba yami yagxila qho.” Amazwi la angabe esitsho ukuthi uJehova nguye owaphakamisa umbuso kaDavida wawenza waqina. (Hu 30:7; qathanisa lo-2Sa 5:12.) Ukwazi ukuthi izintaba zingamela imibuso kuyasinceda sizwisise amazwi akuSambulo 8:8 akhuluma ‘ngolutho olwalunjengentaba enkulu, olwalubhebha.’ Intaba le ebhebhayo ingabe imela imibuso elamandla okutshabalalisa njengomlilo.
(UJeremiya 51:42) Ulwandle luzaphakama ngaphezu kweBhabhiloni; amagagasi alo ahlokomayo ayisibekele.
it-2-E 882 ¶3
Ulwandle
Amabutho amanengi kakhulu. UJeremiya wathi ekhuluma ngalabo ababezahlasela iBhabhiloni wathi “bahuba njengolwandle oluhlokomayo.” (Jer 50:42) Yikho lapho ephrofetha ngokuthi “ulwandle” lwaluzaphakama ngaphezu kweBhabhiloni, kungenzeka wayesitsho amabutho amaMede lamaPhesiya ayezahlasela iBhabhiloni alikhukhule.—Jer 51:42; qathanisa loDa 9:26.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UJeremiya 51:1-11) UJehova uthi: “Khangelani, ngizavusela iBhabhiloni labantu beLebhi Khamayi umoya womchithi. 2 Ngizathumela abezizweni eBhabhiloni ukuba bayihlungule njalo batshabalalise lelizwe layo; bazamelana layo enhlangothini zonke ngosuku lwencithakalo yayo. 3 Lingavumeli mtshoki ebopha idandili lakhe loba limyekele egqoka isigqoko sakhe sensimbi. Lingazitshiyi izinsizwa zayo, liliqede du ibutho layo. 4 Bazawela phansi bebulewe eBhabhiloni belinyazwe okokufa emigwaqweni yayo. 5 Ngoba u-Israyeli loJuda kabalahlwanga nguNkulunkulu wabo, uJehova uSomandla, lanxa nje ilizwe labo ligcwele ukona phambi koNgcwele ka-Israyeli. 6 “Balekani eBhabhiloni! Sindisani impilo yenu! Lingabhujiswa ngenxa yezono zayo. Yisikhathi sokuphindisela kukaJehova; uzaphindisela kuyo ngokufaneleyo. 7 IBhabhiloni yayiyinkezo yegolide esandleni sikaJehova; yenza umhlaba wonke wadakwa. Izizwe zanatha iwayini layo; ngakho khathesi sezihlanya. 8 IBhabhiloni izakuwa masinyane idilike. Ilileleni! Idingeleni umuthi wokupholisa ubuhlungu bayo; mhlawumbe ingasila. 9 “‘IBhabhiloni kade singayelapha kodwa kayelapheki; kasiyitshiyeni kuthi lowo lalowo aye elizweni lakibo, ngoba ukwahlulela kufika emikhathini kuqonga kuze kufike emayezini.’ 10 “‘UJehova usebonakalisile ukuthi kasilacala, wozani sibike eZiyoni osekwenziwe nguJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.’ 11 “Lolani imitshoko; thathani amahawu! UJehova usevuse amakhosi amaMede ngoba inhloso yakhe yikuchitha iBhabhiloni. UJehova uzaphindisela, aphindisele ngenxa yethempeli lakhe.
JUNE 12-18
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IZILILO 1-5
“Ukulinda Kuyasinceda Ukuthi Sibekezele”
(IZililo 3:20, 21) Konke ngikukhumbula kamhlophe, umoya wami wephukile. 21 Kodwa lokhu kuyafika engqondweni ngakho ngilalo ithemba:
(IZililo 3:24) Ngiyazitshela ngithi, “UJehova uyisabelo sami; ngakho ngizalindela yena.”
w12-ZU 6/1 14 ¶3-4
‘Umphefumulo Wakho Uyokhothamela Phezu Kwami’
Nakuba abantu abaningi besebunzimeni, uJeremiya unethemba. Ukhala kuJehova: “Nakanjani umphefumulo wakho [uJehova uqobo] uyokhumbula ukhothamele phezu kwami.” (Ivesi 20) UJeremiya akangabazi. Uyazi ukuthi uJehova ngeke amkhohlwe—noma labo abaphendukile kubantu baKhe. Uzokwenzani-ke uNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke?—IsAmbulo 15:3.
UJeremiya uyaqiniseka ngokuthi uJehova ‘uyokhothamela’ labo abaphenduka ngeqiniso. Enye inguqulo ithi: “O khumbula, bese wehlela kimi.” Lawo mazwi asisiza sibone ukuthi uJehova unomusa. UJehova, ‘ongoPhezukonke emhlabeni wonke,’ uyokwehla, ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, futhi aphakamise abakhulekeli bakhe ehlazweni labo futhi abaphe umusa wakhe. (IHubo 83:18) Ngaleli themba, uJeremiya uthola induduzo yangempela. Lo mprofethi othembekile wayezimisele ukulinda ngesineke kuze kube isikhathi sikaJehova esimisiwe sokukhulula abantu baKhe abathembekile.—Ivesi 21.
w11-ZU 9/15 8 ¶8
UJehova Uyisabelo Sami
8 AmaLevi njengesizwe kwakufanele abheke uJehova njengesabelo sawo. Nokho, kuyaphawuleka ukuthi amaLevi ngamanye asebenzisa inkulumo ethi, “uJehova uyisabelo sami” lapho echaza ukuzinikela nokwethembela kwawo kuye. (IsiL. 3:24) Omunye walawo maLevi wayengumhlabeleli nomqambi wezingoma. Sizombiza ngokuthi u-Asafa, nakuba kungenzeka ukuthi wayeyilungu lendlu ka-Asafa, umLevi owahola abahlabeleli ezinsukwini zeNkosi uDavide. (1 IziKr. 6:31-43) KumaHubo 73 sifunda ukuthi u-Asafa (noma othile wozalo lwakhe) wakhungatheka. Waba nomona ngabantu ababi ababechuma, waze wathi: “Impela inhliziyo yami ngiyihlanzé ngeze nezandla zami ngizigezelé ize ngobumsulwa.” Kusobala ukuthi umbono wakhe ngelungelo lenkonzo ayenalo wafiphala; wehluleka ukuqaphela ukuthi uJehova wayeyisabelo sakhe. Wakhathazeka ngokomoya “kwaze kwaba yilapho [engena] endlini engcwele enkulu kaNkulunkulu.”—IHu. 73:2, 3, 12, 13, 17.
(IZililo 3:26, 27) kuhle ukulinda ngokuthula, ukulindela insindiso kaJehova. 27 Kuhle ukuthi umuntu alithwale ijogwe ngesikhathi esesemutsha.
w07-ZU 6/1 11 ¶4-5
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YesiLilo
3:21-26, 28-33. Singakukhuthazelela kanjani ngisho nokuhlupheka okukhulu? UJeremiya usitshela ukuthi akufanele sikhohlwe ukuthi uJehova uchichima umusa wothando futhi unesihe esikhulu. Kufanele sikhumbule nokuthi ukuphila nje kwethu kuyisizathu esikhulu sokungaphelelwa ithemba nokuthi kudingeka sibekezele futhi silinde ngokuthula insindiso kaJehova ngaphandle kokukhononda. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kufanele ‘sibeke umlomo wethu othulini,’ okungukuthi, sizithobe uma silingwa, siqaphela ukuthi lokho uNkulunkulu akuvumela ukuba kwenzeke ukuvumela ngesizathu esihle.
3:27. Ukuvivinywa kokholo lapho usemusha kungase kusho ukukhuthazelela ubunzima nokuhlekwa usulu. Kodwa “kuhle ngendoda enamandla ukuba ithwale ijoka ebusheni bayo.” Ngani? Ngoba lapho umuntu efunda ukuthwala ijoka lokuhlupheka lapho esemusha kwenza akulungele ukubhekana nezinselele lapho esekhulile.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(IZililo 2:17) UJehova usekwenzile ayekuhlosile; useligcwalisile ilizwi lakhe, alazisayo kudala. Ukuwisile engakuzweli usizi, uvumele isitha santela phezu kwakho, uluphakamisile uphondo lwezitha zakho.
w07-ZU 6/1 9 ¶4
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YesiLilo
2:17—Yiliphi “izwi” uJehova alifeza mayelana neJerusalema? Elithi “izwi” lapha kubonakala libhekisele kuLevitikusi 26:17, othi: “Ngiyomelana impela nani, futhi nakanjani niyohlulwa yizitha zenu; abanizondayo bayomane baninyathele, nibaleke impela kube kungekho muntu onixoshayo.”
(IZililo 5:7) Okhokho benza isono kodwa kabasekho, thina yithi esesijeziswa.
w07-ZU 6/1 11 ¶1
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YesiLilo
5:7—Ingabe uJehova ujezisa abantu ngamaphutha okhokho babo? Cha, uJehova akabajezisi ngokuqondile abantu ngezono zokhokho babo. IBhayibheli lithi: “Ngamunye wethu uyozilandisela kuNkulunkulu.” (Roma 14:12) Nokho, imiphumela yezono ingahlala ize itholwe nayizizukulwane zamuva. Ngokwesibonelo, ukuphendukela kuka-Israyeli wasendulo ekukhulekeleni izithombe kwenza kwaba nzima ngisho nangama-Israyeli athembekile amuva ukuba anamathele enkambweni yokulunga.—Eksodusi 20:5.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(IZililo 2:20-3:12) “Ake ukhangele, O Jehova, ube lozwelo: Ngubani osewake wamphatha kanje? Abesifazana badle inzalo yabo yini, abantwana ababondlileyo na? Umphristi lomphrofethi babulawe yini endlini engcwele kaJehova? 21 “Abatsha labadala badandalazile ndawonye ebhuqwini, emigwaqweni; izinsizwa zami lezintombi ziwile ngenkemba. Ubabulele ngosuku lokuthukuthela kwakho; awaze waba lesihawu lapho ubabulala. 22 “Njengokunxusela ilanga lomkhosi, wanginxusela izitha inxa zonke. Ngosuku lolaka lukaJehova kakho owaphunyukayo loba owasilayo; labo engangibanakekela engabondlayo isitha sami sibabulele.”
3 Yimi umuntu olubonileyo usizi ngenxa yoswazi lokuthukuthela kwakhe. 2 Ungixotshile wangiphumputhekisa emnyameni hatshi ekukhanyeni; 3 ngempela usengiphendulele isandla sakhe waphindaphinda ilanga lonke. 4 Usenze ijwabu lami laluphala, wangephula amathambo. 5 Ungihanqile wangihonqolozela ngosizi langobunzima. 6 Ungenze ngahlala emnyameni njengalabo abafa kudala. 7 Ungihonqolozele ngenqaba ukuze ngingaphunyuki; ungibophe nko ngamaketane. 8 Kuthi lanxa ngimemeza loba ngidinga usizo awuvalele phandle umkhuleko wami. 9 Uvale indlela yami ngamatshe; wazombelezisa izindlela zami. 10 Njengebhere licathamile, njengesilwane sicatshile, 11 wangihudulela eceleni kwendlela wangifohloza wangitshiya ngingelamsizi. 12 Wanweba idandila lakhe ngaba yikudla kwemitshoko yakhe.
JUNE 19-25
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 1-5
“UHezekheli Wayekuthanda Ukwenza Lokho UJehova Ayemthuma Khona”
(UHezekheli 2:9-3:2) Ngakhangela ngabona isandla esaselulelwe kimi. Phakathi kwaso kwakulomqulu, 10 awutshombulula phambi kwami. Emaceleni awo womabili kwakubhalwe amazwi okukhala lokulila kanye losizi.
3 Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, dlana okuphambi kwakho, dlana umqulu lo; ube ususiyakhuluma kuyo indlu ka-Israyeli.” 2 Ngakho ngavula umlomo wami, wasengipha umqulu ukuba ngiwudle.
w08-ZU 7/15 8 ¶6-7
Ukubhekana Nezingqinamba Zenkonzo Yendlu Ngendlu
6 Incwadi kaHezekeli yembula okunye futhi okungasisiza ukuba sishumayele ngesibindi. Embonweni, uJehova wanika uHezekeli umqulu obhalwe ngapha nangapha “izingoma zokulila nokugquma nokubangalasa,” futhi wamtshela ukuba awudle, wathi: “Ndodana yomuntu, kufanele ubangele isisu sakho ukuba sidle, ukuze ugcwalise amathumbu akho ngalo mqulu engikunika wona.” Wawusho ukuthini lo mbono? UHezekeli kwakumelwe asiqonde ngokugcwele isigijimi ayezosishumayela. Ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, kwakumelwe sibe ingxenye yakhe, sishukumise imizwa yakhe esekujuleni. Lo mprofethi uyaqhubeka elandisa: “Ngawudla, futhi emlonyeni wami waba mnandi njengoju lwezinyosi.” UHezekeli wayekujabulela ukumemezela isigijimi sikaNkulunkulu—kufana nokudla uju. Kwakuyilungelo elikhulu kuye ukumelela uJehova nokufeza lesi sabelo ayemnike sona, ngisho noma lokho kwakusho ukumemezela isigijimi esinamandla kubantu ababengasamukeli.—Funda uHezekeli 2:8–3:4, 7-9.
7 Lo mbono unesifundo esibalulekile ezincekwini zikaNkulunkulu namuhla. Nathi sinesigijimi esinamandla okumelwe sisishumayele kubantu abangayazisi njalo imizamo yethu. Ukuze siqhubeke sibheka inkonzo yobuKristu njengelungelo esilinikwe uNkulunkulu, kumelwe sihlale sondlekile ngokomoya. Ukutadisha okukha phezulu nokuqabukelayo ngeke kusenze siliqonde ngokugcwele iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Ungalithuthukisa yini izinga lakho lokufunda nokutadisha iBhayibheli futhi ulwele ukukwenza njalo? Ungazindla yini njalo ngalokho okufundayo?—IHu. 1:2, 3.
it-1-E 1214
Amathumbu
Ukudla esikudlayo kugaywa emathunjini besekusiya emzimbeni. Lokhu kuyasinceda sizwisise umbono uJehova awupha uHezekheli. Embonweni lo watshelwa ukuthi adle umqulu agcwalise isisu kumbe amathumbu (ngesiHebheru, me·ʽimʹ) akhe ngawo. Lapha kwakutshiwo ukuthi afunde amazwi ayebhalwe emqulwini, acabangisise ngawo njalo awagcine engqondweni yakhe. Lokhu kwakuzamupha amandla okwenza umsebenzi ayewuphiwe nguNkulunkulu. UJehova wamupha ukudla okwakuzamnceda sibili, lamazwi ayezawakhuluma.—Hez 3:1-6; qathanisa lo-Isam 10:8-10.
(UHezekheli 3:3) Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, dlana umqulu lo engikunika wona ugcwalise isisu sakho ngawo.” Ngakho ngawudla, njalo emlonyeni wami wawuzwakala umnandi njengoluju.
w07-ZU 7/1 12 ¶3
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli—INgxenye I
2:9–3:3—Kungani umqulu wezingoma zokulila waba mnandi kuHezekeli? Okwenza lo mqulu waba mnandi kuHezekeli isimo sakhe sengqondo ngomsebenzi ayethunywe ukuba awenze. UHezekeli wayekwazisa ukukhonza uJehova njengomprofethi.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UHezekheli 1:20, 21) Loba kungaphi lapho umoya owaya khona lazo zaya khona, njalo lamavili ayephakama lazo, ngoba umoya wezidalwa eziphilayo wawusemavilini. 21 Kwakusithi izidalwa zingahamba lawo ahambe, kuthi izidalwa zingema lawo ame; njalo kuthi lapho izidalwa ziphakama emhlabathini lawo aphakame lazo, ngoba umoya wezidalwa eziphilayo wawusemavilini.
(UHezekheli 1:26-28) Ngaphezu komkhathi phezu kwamakhanda azo kwakulokwakungani yisihlalo sobukhosi esenziwe ngesafire, njalo ngaphezulu esihlalweni sobukhosi kwakulolutho olwalufana lomuntu. 27 Lokho ngakubona kokwakungathi lukhalo lwakhe kusiya phezulu ekhanya angathi yinsimbi evuthayo, kungathi kugcwele umlilo, njalo kusukela lapho kusiya phansi wayengathi ngumlilo, njalo ehonqolozelwe yikukhanya okucazimulayo. 28 Ukukhanya okucazimulayo okwakumzungezile kwakunjengomchilo wamakhosikazi emayezini ngosuku lokuna kwezulu. Lokhu kwakuyisimo sesifanekiso senkazimulo kaJehova. Ngathi ngikubona ngawela phansi ngobuso, ngasengisizwa ilizwi lalowo owayekhuluma.
w07-ZU 7/1 11 ¶6
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli—INgxenye I
1:4-28—Inqola yasezulwini ifanekiselani? Inqola imelela ingxenye esezulwini yenhlangano kaJehova eyakhiwa izidalwa zomoya ezithembekile. Ithola amandla emoyeni ongcwele kaJehova. UMgibeli wenqola, omelela uJehova, ukhazimula ngendlela engenakuchazeka. Ukuzola kwakhe kuboniswa uthingo oluhle.
(UHezekheli 4:1-7) “Khathesi-ke, ndodana yomuntu, thatha umcephe webumba uwubeke phambi kwakho, udwebe kuwo idolobho laseJerusalema. 2 Dweba ukuvinjezelwa kwalo: Misa izindawo zokuvinjezelwa kwalo, yakha umthezuko ngaphezu kwalo, misa izinkamba zokulihlasela uphinde ulihonqolozele ngezigodo zokubhidliza. 3 Emva kwalokho thatha umganu wensimbi, uwubeke unjengomduli wensimbi phakathi kwakho ledolobho ube usuphendulela ubuso bakho kulo. Lizakuba yisibonakaliso endlini ka-Israyeli. 4 “Emva kwalokho lala ngomhlubulo wenxele, ubeke isono sendlu ka-Israyeli phezu kwakho. Kumele uthwale isono sabo okwalezozinsuku ulele ngomhlubulo wakho. 5 Sengikumisele inani linye lezinsuku njengeminyaka yezono zabo. Ngakho izono zendlu ka-Israyeli uzazithwala okwezinsuku ezingamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi afica munwe munye. 6 “Emva kokuba usuqede lokhu, lala phansi futhi, khathesi kube ngomhlubulo wakho wokunene, uthwale isono sendlu kaJuda. Ngikumisele izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane, usuku olulodwa lumele umnyaka munye ngamunye. 7 Phendulela ubuso bakho ekuvinjezelweni kweJerusalema kuthi izingalo zakho zingembeswanga uphrofethe kubi ngeJerusalema.
w07-ZU 7/1 12 ¶4
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHezekeli—INgxenye I
4:1-17—Ingabe uHezekeli wasilingisa ngempela isigcawu sokuvinjezelwa kweJerusalema okwakuza? Ukucela kukaHezekeli ukuba abase ngokunye ukuze abhake nokuvuma kukaJehova kubonisa ukuthi lo mprofethi wakulingisa ngempela lokhu. Ukulala kwakhe ngohlangothi lwesobunxele kwakumelela isiphambeko sombuso wezizwe eziyishumi seminyaka engu-390—kusukela ngo-997 B.C.E. kuya ekubhujisweni kweJerusalema ngo-607 B.C.E. Ukulala ngohlangothi lwesokudla kwakumelela ukona kukaJuda iminyaka engu-40, kusukela ngenkathi uJeremiya amiswa ngayo njengomprofethi ngo-647 B.C.E. kuya ku-607 B.C.E. UHezekeli wadla inkeshezana yokudla waphuza namanzi angengakanani izinsuku ezingu-430, eprofetha ukuthi kuzoba nendlala phakathi nokuvinjezelwa kweJerusalema.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UHezekheli 1:1-14) Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu, ngenyanga yesine ngosuku lwesihlanu, lapho ngangiphakathi kwabathunjwayo, eduze komfula uKhebhari, amazulu avuleka ngabona umbono kaNkulunkulu. 2 Ngosuku lwesihlanu lwenyanga—ngomnyaka wesihlanu wokuthunjwa kwenkosi uJehoyakhini 3 ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuHezekheli umphristi, indodana kaBuzi, phansi komfula uKhebhari elizweni lamaBhabhiloni. Khonapho isandla sikaJehova sasiphezu kwakhe. 4 Ngakhangela, ngabona isiphepho sisiza sivela enyakatho—kuliyezi elikhulukazi lokuphazima kombane njalo lizungezwe yikukhanya okubenyezelayo. Phakathi laphakathi komlilo kwakungathi yinsimbi evuthayo, 5 njalo phakathi komlilo kwakulokwakungathi yizidalwa ezine eziphilayo. Ngokukhangeleka isimo sazo sasingesomuntu, 6 kodwa ngasinye sazo sasilobuso obune lezimpiko ezine. 7 Imilenze yazo yayiqondile; izinyawo zazo zinjengezethole njalo zinkanyazela njengethusi elilolongiweyo. 8 Ngaphansi kwezimpiko zazo emaceleni azo amane zazilezandla zomuntu. Zonke zone zazilobuso lezimpiko, 9 njalo izimpiko zazo zazithintana. Esinye lesinye sazo saya phambili; kaziphendukanga ekuhambeni kwazo. 10 Ubuso bazo babukhangeleka kanje: Esinye lesinye sazo sasilobuso bomuntu, njalo eceleni langakwesokudla esinye lesinye sasilobuso besilwane, ngakwesenxele silobuso benkabi; njalo ngasinye sasilobuso bengqungqulu. 11 Babunjalo ubuso bazo. Izimpiko zazo zazichayekele phezulu; ngasinye silezimpiko ezimbili olunye luthinta uphiko lwesinye isidalwa emaceleni womabili, lezimpiko ezimbili zigubuzele umzimba waso. 12 Esinye lesinye saya phambili. Loba kungaphi lapho umoya owaya khona lazo zaya khona zingaphenduki ekuhambeni kwazo. 13 Isimo sezidalwa eziphilayo sasinjengamalahle avuthayo omlilo loba njengezibane. Umlilo wahamba usiya phambili lasemuva phakathi kwezidalwa; wawukhazimula, njalo umbane uphazima uphuma kuwo. 14 Izidalwa zagijima zisiya emuva laphambili njengokuphazima kombane.
JUNE 26–JULY 2
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UHEZEKHELI 6-10
“Uzafakwa Yini Uphawu Ukuze Usindiswe?”
(UHezekheli 9:1, 2) Lapho-ke ngamuzwa ememeza ngelizwi elikhulu esithi, “Letha abalindi bedolobho lapha, omunye lomunye elesikhali esandleni sakhe.” 2 Ngasengibona amadoda ayisithupha evelela malungana lesango langaphezulu, elikhangele enyakatho, ngamunye ephethe izikhali ezibulalayo ezandleni zakhe. Ayelenye indoda eyayigqoke ilineni eyayilezinto zokubhala emhlubulweni wayo. Angena ema phansi kwe-alithare lethusi.
Imibuzo Ebuzwa Ngabafundi
Embonweni kaHezekheli, imelani indoda ethwele uphondo lweyinki yombhali kanye lamadoda ayisithupha athwele izikhali zokuphahlaza?
▪ Wonke amadoda la amela amabutho asezulwini ayezahlanganyela ekubhujisweni kweJerusalema futhi azahlanganyela lapho sekubhujiswa umhlaba lo obuswa nguSathane ngesikhathi se-Amagedoni. Kungani ingcazelo le entsha iqondile?
Kungakafiki umnyaka ka-607 B.C.E. uJehova wanika uHezekheli umbono walokho okwakuzakwenzakala iJerusalema ingakabhujiswa. Wabona amadoda ayisithupha ethwele izikhali zokuphahlaza. Waphinda wabona indoda “eyayigqoke ilineni” njalo ‘ilezinto zokubhala’ loba uphondo lweyinki yombhali. (Hez. 8:6-12; 9:2, 3) Indoda le yatshelwa ukuthi: “Yana ezindaweni zonke zedolobho, . . . ubeke uphawu emabunzini alabo ababubulayo bekhala ngenxa yezinto zonke ezenyanyekayo ezenziwa kulo.” Amadoda ayethwele izikhali zokuphahlaza atshelwa ukuthi abulale bonke abantu edolobheni ababengelalo uphawu emabunzini abo. (Hez. 9:4-7) Umbono lo usifundisani njalo ingubani indoda ethwele uphondo lweyinki yombhali?
Isiphrofetho lesi sakhulunywa ngo-612 B.C.E. njalo sagcwaliseka okokuqala lapho iJerusalema ibhujiswa ngamabutho aseBhabhiloni ngo-607 B.C.E. UJehova wavumela ibutho laseBhabhiloni ukuthi libhubhise iJerusalema. Lokhu kwakungenxa yokuthi abantu bakhe basebemhlamukele. (Jer. 25:9, 15-18) Kodwa akuzange kubhujiswe bonke abantu. Abalungileyo kwakungamelanga babhujiswe ndawonye lababi. UJehova wayezakuba leqiniso lokuthi uyabasindisa abantu bakhe abangazange bazibhixe ezintweni ezenyanyekayo ezazisenzakala eJerusalema.
UHezekheli kazange ahlanganyele emsebenzini wokubeka uphawu kanye lowokubhubhisa iJerusalema. Kodwa umsebenzi wokubhubhisa iJerusalema wawuzaqondiswa yizingilosi. Nxa sibala isiphrofetho lesi kuba angani siyalunguza ezulwini sibone okwenzakalayo. UJehova wanika izingilosi zakhe umsebenzi wokuqondisa ukubhujiswa kwabantu ababi lowokwehlukanisa abalungileyo ukuze basindiswe.
Isiphrofetho lesi sizagcwaliseka futhi esikhathini esizayo. Besandise ukuthi indoda ethwele uphondo lweyinki imela abagcotshiweyo abasesemhlabeni. Sasicabanga lokuthi abantu abalalela izindaba ezinhle sebebekwe uphawu lokusinda. Kodwa khathesi sekumele sintshintshe ingcazelo yesiphrofetho lesi. Ngenxa yani? Ngoba ngokwalokho okutshiwo kuMathewu 25:31-33 uJesu nguye ophiwe ilungelo lokwahlulela abantu. Uzakwenza lokhu ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka okukhulu futhi uzakwahlukanisa abanjengezimvu ezimbuzini. Abayizimvu bazasindiswa kodwa abayizimbuzi bazaphiwa isahlulelo sokubhujiswa.
Manje sifundani embonweni kaHezekheli? Nanzi izinto ezinhlanu esizifundayo:
(1) IJerusalema ingakabhujiswa, uHezekheli loJeremiya babengabalindi edolobheni lelo, bexwayisa abantu ngalokho okwakuzakwenzakala. Benza lokho okwakwenziwe ngu-Isaya. Lamuhla uJehova usebenzisa iqembu elincane labagcotshiweyo ukuze anike abantu bakhe ukudla njalo axwayise labanye ukuhlupheka okukhulu kungakafiki. Kanti njalo izisebenzi zalapha ekhaya lazo ziyancedisa emsebenzini lo wokumemezela isixwayiso.—Mat. 24:45-47.
(2) UHezekheli kazange ahlanganyele emsebenzini wokubeka uphawu kulabo abazasinda. Labantu bakaNkulunkulu lamuhla kabakwenzi lokhu. Abakwenzayo yikutshumayeza abantu lokubaxwayisa ngalokho okuzakwenzakala esikhathini esizayo. Umsebenzi lo bawenza beqondiswa yizingilosi.—Isam. 14:6.
(3) Kabakho ababekwa uphawu emabunzini abo ngokuqondileyo ngesikhathi sikaHezekheli. Lalamuhla kabakho ababekwa uphawu emabunzini abo ngokuqondileyo. Kulokuthile okumele bakwenze ukuze basinde ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka okukhulu. Kumele balalele izindaba ezinhle, bantshintshe ubuntu babo, bazinikele kuJehova njalo basekele abazalwane bakaKhristu ngobuqotho. (Mat.25:35-40) Abazakwenza lokhu bazabekwa uphawu okutsho ukuthi bazasinda ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka okukhulu.
(4) Indoda ethwele uphondo lweyinki imela uJesu Khristu ngoba nguye ophathiswe umsebenzi wokubeka uphawu. Ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka okukhulu, labo ababumba ixuku elikhulu bazabekwa uphawu lapho besahlulelwa ukuthi bayizimvu. Lokhu kuzakwenza ukuthi bathole isipho sokuphila okungapheliyo emhlabeni.—Mat. 25:34, 46.
(5) Amadoda ayisithupha athwele izikhali zokuphahlaza amela amabutho asezulwini futhi akhokhelwa nguJesu. Sekuseduze ukuthi baphahlaze izizwe zonke njalo basuse bonke ububi emhlabeni.—Hez. 9:2, 6, 7; Isam. 19:11-21.
Ukuzwisisa umbono kaHezekhiya kusenza sibe lethemba lokuthi uJehova ngeke abhubhise abantu abalungileyo ndawonye lababi. (2 Phet. 2:9; 3:9) Kanti njalo kusenza sibone lokuthi umsebenzi wokutshumayela esiwenzayo lamuhla uqakathekile. Umuntu wonke kufanele azwe isixwayiso ukuphela kungakafiki.—Mat. 24:14.
(UHezekheli 9:3, 4) Khathesi inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli yaya phezulu isuka ngaphezu kwamakherubhi, lapho eyayikade ikhona, yasudukela emnyango wethempeli. Lapho-ke uJehova wabiza indoda eyayigqoke ilineni ilezinto zokubhala emhlubulweni wayo 4 wathi kuyo, “Yana ezindaweni zonke zedolobho laseJerusalema ubeke uphawu emabunzini alabo ababubulayo bekhala ngenxa yezinto zonke ezenyanyekayo ezenziwa kulo.”
(UHezekheli 9:5-7) Ngisalalele, wathi kwabanye, “Mlandeleni kulo lonke idolobho libulale, kungekho sihawu kumbe uzwelo. 6 Qothulani amaxhegu, amajaha lezintombi, amanina labantwana, kodwa lingathinti loba ngubani olophawu. Qalisani endlini yami engcwele.” Ngakho baqalisa ngabadala ababephambi kwethempeli. 7 Wasesithi kubo, “Ngcolisani ithempeli ligcwalise amaguma ngababuleweyo. Hambani!” Ngakho bahamba baqalisa ukubulala edolobheni lonke.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UHezekheli 7:19) Bazalahlela isiliva sabo emigwaqweni, legolide labo lizakuba njengento engcolileyo. Isiliva sabo legolide labo akuyikwanelisa ukubakhulula ngosuku lolaka lukaJehova. Bangeke baqede ukulamba kwabo kumbe bagcwalise izisu zabo ngakho, ngoba sekubenze bakhubeka esonweni.
w09-ZU 9/15 23 ¶10
Inzuzo Ezedlula Zonke Yemfundo Yaphezulu
10 NguJehova kuphela osesimweni sokusisiza silungiselele ikusasa ngoba uyazi ukuthi lisiphatheleni. Uyena onqumayo ukuthi ikusasa lesintu liyoba njani. (Isaya 46:9, 10) Isiprofetho seBhayibheli sembula ukuthi “usuku olukhulu lukaJehova luseduze.” (Zef. 1:14) Mayelana nalolo suku, amazwi ezAga 11:4 ayogcwaliseka: “Izinto zenani elikhulu ngeke zibe nanzuzo ngosuku lolaka, kodwa ukulunga kuyokhulula ekufeni.” Lapho kufika isikhathi sokuba uJehova akhiphe isahlulelo ezweni likaSathane, ukuma okuhle noNkulunkulu yikona okuyobe kusemqoka. Imali ngeke isize. Empeleni, uHezekeli 7:19 uthi: “Isiliva labo bayoliphonsa ezitaladini, igolide labo liyoba yinto enyanyekayo.” Ukwazi lokhu kungasisiza ukuba senze ngokuhlakanipha manje.
(UHezekheli 8:12) Wathi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, ukubonile yini okwenziwa ngabadala bendlu ka-Israyeli emnyameni, omunye lomunye esendaweni yokukhonzela isithombe sakhe? Bathi, ‘UJehova kasiboni; uJehova uselilahlile ilizwe.’”
w11-ZU 4/15 26 ¶14
Ingabe Uyawuvumela Umoya KaNkulunkulu Ukuba Ukuhole?
14 Ngokuyinhloko, ukholo lusho ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu ungokoqobo kithi. Uma singambheki uNkulunkulu njengomuntu ongokoqobo, kuyoba lula ukuba sihileleke ekwenzeni okubi. Cabanga ngalokho okwenzeka mandulo kubantu bakaNkulunkulu. UJehova wembulela umprofethi uHezekeli ukuthi babenza izinto ezinengekayo ngasese, wathi: “Ukubonile yini, ndodana yomuntu, lokho abakwenzayo abadala bendlu ka-Israyeli ebumnyameni, ngamunye emakamelweni akhe angaphakathi ombukiso? Ngoba bathi, ‘UJehova akasiboni. UJehova ulishiyile izwe.’” (Hez. 8:12) Ingabe uqaphelile ukuthi yini eyabangela le nkinga? Babengakholelwa ukuthi uJehova wayekubona lokho ababekwenza. Babengambheki uJehova njengomuntu ongokoqobo.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UHezekheli 8:1-12) Ngomnyaka wesithupha, ngenyanga yesithupha ngosuku lwesihlanu, lapho ngangihlezi endlini yami labadala bakoJuda behlezi phambi kwami, isandla sikaJehova Wobukhosi sehlela phezu kwami khonapho. 2 Ngakhangela, ngabona ulutho olwalulesimo somuntu. Kusukela kokwakungathi lukhalo lwakhe kusiya phansi wayenjengomlilo, njalo kusukela lapho kusiya phezulu ukubonakala kwakhe kwakhazimula njengensimbi evuthayo. 3 Welula okwakukhanya angathi yisandla wangibamba ngenwele zekhanda lami. UMoya wangiphakamisela phezulu phakathi komhlaba lezulu, kwathi ngemibono kaNkulunkulu wangisa eJerusalema, ekungeneni kwesango langasenyakatho yeguma langaphakathi, lapho okwakumi khona isithombe esibangela ubukhwele. 4 Njalo khonapho phambili kwami kwakulenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, njengasembonweni engawubona egcekeni. 5 Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, khangela ngasenyakatho.” Ngakho ngakhangela, kwathi entubeni esenyakatho kwesango lealithare ngabona lesisithombe sobukhwele. 6 Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, uyakubona yini abakwenzayo—izinto ezenyanyekayo kakhulu indlu ka-Israyeli ezenzayo lapha, izinto ezizangixotshela khatshana lendawo yami engcwele? Kodwa wena uzabona izinto ezenyanyekayo kakhulukazi kulalezi.” 7 Emva kwalokho wangisa entubeni yeguma. Ngakhangela, ngabona imbobo emdulini. 8 Wasesithi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, khathesi gubha umduli.” Ngakho ngawugubha umduli ngasengibona umnyango khona. 9 Wasesithi kimi, “Ngena ubone izinto ezimbi lezenyanyekayo abazenzayo lapha.” 10 Ngakho ngangena phakathi ngakhangela, ngabona indawo yonke emidulini kufanekiswe izinhlobo zezinto zonke ezihuquzelayo lezinyamazana ezenyanyekayo kanye lezithombe zonke zasendlini ka-Israyeli. 11 Phambi kwazo kwakumi abadala bendlu ka-Israyeli abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa, loJahazaniya indodana kaShafani emi phakathi kwabo. Omunye lomunye wayephethe udengezi lokutshisela impepha ngesandla, luthunqa intuthu elephunga elimnandi elempepha. 12 Wathi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, ukubonile yini okwenziwa ngabadala bendlu ka-Israyeli emnyameni, omunye lomunye esendaweni yokukhonzela isithombe sakhe? Bathi, ‘UJehova kasiboni; uJehova uselilahlile ilizwe.’”