Iimbekiselo Zencwadi Yobomi BamaKristu Nomsebenzi Wokushumayela
© 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
MEYI 1-7
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 17-19
“Bajonge Abanye Ngendlela Abajonga Ngayo UYehova”
Ngaba Uza Kuzifaka Entliziyweni Izinto Ezibhaliweyo?
7 Kuthekani ngonyana ka-Asa, uYehoshafati? Wayenobuntu obuthandekayo. Ininzi into awayiphumezayo ngokuthembela kuThixo. Kodwa zikho iindawana awagqwidiza kuzo. Ngokomzekelo, watshatiselana noKumkani uAhabhi ongendawo wobukumkani basemntla kuba egxeleshe intsebenziswano. Ibe nangona wayelunyukisiwe ngumprofeti uMikaya, wahamba noAhabhi baya kuhlasela amaSiriya. UYehoshafati wasinda cebetshu ekubulaweni kwelo dabi. Emva koko wabuyela eYerusalem. (2 Kron. 18:1-32) Ukufika kwakhe, umprofeti uYehu wambuza lo mbuzo: “Ngaba uncedo lumele lunikwe abantu abangendawo, ngaba ufanele ubathande abo bamthiyayo uYehova?”—Funda eyesi-2 yeziKronike 19:1-3.
Camngca Ngothando LukaYehova Oluhlala Luhleli
8 UYehova ufuna sazi ukuba uyasithanda yaye ujonga ngaphaya kokungafezeki kwethu. Ukhangela okulungileyo kuthi. (2 Kronike 16:9) Makhe sibone indlela uYehova awakubona ngayo okulungileyo kuKumkani uYehoshafati wakwaYuda. UYehoshafati wenza isigqibo esingesiso ngokulandela uKumkani uAhabhi wakwaSirayeli ukuze balwe nama-Asiriya eRamoti-giliyadi. Nakuba abaprofeti bobuxoki abayi-400 baxelela uAhabhi ongendawo ukuba uza koyisa edabini, umprofeti wokwenyani kaYehova uMikaya wathi kuYehoshafati nakuAhabhi, ukuba bayile edabini baza koyiswa. Yiloo nto kanye eyenzekayo. UAhabhi wafela edabini, ibe noYehoshafati wasinda cebetshu. Emva kwedabi, uYehova wasebenzisa uYehu ukuba aluleke uYehoshafati ngenxa yempazamo yakhe. Kodwa ke uYehu wamxelela nokuba: “Kukho izinto ezilungileyo ezifunyenweyo kuwe.”—2 Kronike 18:4, 5, 18-22, 33, 34; 19:1-3.
9 Kwiminyaka ngaphambili, uYehoshafati waxelela iinkosana, abaLevi nababingeleli ukuba baye kuzo zonke izixeko zakwaYuda ukuze bafundise abantu uMthetho kaYehova. Baphumelela ekufundiseni kuba nabantu bezinye iintlanga bamazi uYehova. (2 Kronike 17:3-10) Nangona uYehoshafati waye waphambuka, uYehova akazange azilibale izinto ezintle awayezenzile. Loo mzekelo uyasithuthuzela kakhulu, kuba ngamanye amaxesha siyazenza iimpazamo. Noko ke, ukuba siyazimisela ekukhonzeni uYehova, uya kuqhubeka esithanda yaye akasoze azilibale izinto ezintle esizenzileyo.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
Khonza UYehova Ngentliziyo Epheleleyo!
10 UYehoshafati, unyana ka-Asa, “waqhubeka ehamba endleleni kayise uAsa.” (2 Kron. 20:31, 32) Njani? Njengoyise, uYehoshafati wakhuthaza abantu ukuba bamfune uYehova. Wayenza loo nto ngokuthi alungiselele iphulo lokufundisa abantu esebenzisa ‘incwadi yomthetho kaYehova.’ (2 Kron. 17:7-10) Wada waya nakummandla wobukumkani bakwaSirayeli basemntla, kwimimandla yeentaba yakwaEfrayim, ukuze ‘ababuyisele kuYehova.’ (2 Kron. 19:4) UYehoshafati wayengukumkani “owayemfuna uYehova ngentliziyo yakhe yonke.”—2 Kron. 22:9.
11 Nathi sinokuba nenxaxheba kwiphulo lokufundisa uYehova alenze lakho kule mihla. Ngaba uzimisele ukufundisa abantu iLizwi LikaThixo inyanga nenyanga, uzama ukufikelela iintliziyo zabo ukuze bakhonze uThixo? Xa uzinikela ngolo hlobo yaye uThixo ekusikelela, ungaba nesifundo seBhayibhile. Ngaba uyayithandazela loo nto? Ngaba uzimisele ukuyenza le nto, kangangokuba ungancama nexesha lokuphumla? UYehoshafati waya kummandla wakwaEfrayim ukuze ancede abantu babuyele kunqulo lwenene, ibe njengaye nathi sinokunceda abo bapholileyo. Nabadala baya kwabo basusiweyo kubudlelane ekusenokwenzeka ukuba baziyekile izono zabo zangaphambili abakwintsimi yebandla labo ukuze babancede.
MEYI 8-14
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 20-21
“Kholwani KuYehova UThixo Wenu”
Ukumanyana Njengoko Eli Hlabathi Lidala Liphela
8 Ngemihla kaKumkani uYehoshafati, abantu bakaThixo babejongene notshaba olunamandla, “isihlwele esikhulu” esivela kwimimandla ekufuphi. (2 Kron. 20:1, 2) Okuvuyisayo kukuba, abakhonzi bakaThixo abazange bazame ukoyisa olo tshaba ngezigalo zabo. Kunoko, babhenela kuYehova. (Funda eyesi-2 yeziKronike 20:3, 4.) Naxa besenjenjalo, umntu wayengenzi ngayibonayo. IBhayibhile ithi: “Bonke abakwaYuda babemi phambi kukaYehova, kwanabantwana, nabafazi babo noonyana babo.” (2 Kron. 20:13) Ukususela koselula ukuya komdala, babesebenzisana ekulandeleni ulwalathiso lukaYehova, kwaye uYehova wabakhusela kolo tshaba. (2 Kron. 20:20-27) Ngaba ayingomzekelo omhle na lo kubantu bakaThixo xa bejongene neengxaki?
Nina Nisanda Kutshata—Ukusebenzela UYehova Makube Phambili Kubomi Benu
7 UYehova wathetha noYehoshafati esebenzisa uYahaziyeli umLevi. Wathi: “Yimani ngeendawo zenu, nime ngxi, nize niyibone indlela uYehova aza kunisindisa ngayo.” (2 Kron. 20:13-17) Akudli ngokuliwa kanje emfazweni. Kodwa lo myalelo wawungasuki mntwini, wawusuka kuYehova. UYehoshafati wenza le nto ayixelelwayo kuba wayemthembile uYehova. Kunokuba abeke amajoni axhobileyo ngaphambili xa babeyokulwa neentshaba zabo, wabeka iimvumi ezazingaxhobanga. UYehova zange amyekele uYehoshafati. Wamnceda woyisa emfazweni.—2 Kron. 20:18-23.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
it-1-E 1271 ¶1-2
UYehoram
UYehoram zange enze izinto ezilungileyo njengotata wakhe uYehoshafati, esinye isizathu saloo nto kungenxa yempembelelo embi yomfazi wakhe uAtaliya. (2Ku 8:18) UYehoram akazange aphelele nje ekubulaleni abantakwabo abayi-6 nezinye zeenkosana zakwaYuda, kodwa waye wenza uYuda nabahlali baseYerusalem babhekela kuYehova baza bakhonza izithixo. (2Kr 21:1-6, 11-14) Lonke ulawulo lwakhe lwalugcwele ziingxaki ezaziphakathi ezixekweni naziimfazwe ezazisuka ngaphandle. UEdom waqala wajikela uYuda yaza yalandela neLibhena. (2Ku 8:20-22) Kwileta eyayisiya kuYehoram, umprofeti uEliya wamlumkisa wathi: “uYehova uzisa isibetho esikhulu kubantu bakho, koonyana bakho, kubafazi bakho nakuzo zonke izinto zakho.” Akuzuphelela apho wena Kumkani uYehoram, “uza kugula zizifo ezininzi, nesifo samathumbu, ade athi phuhlu ngaphandle yonke imihla, ngenxa yeso sifo.”—2Kr 21:12-15.
Kwenzeka loo nto kanye. UYehova wabangela ama-Arabhu namaFilisti ahlasela ilizwe aza athatha abafazi nabantwana bakaYehoram babathimba. UThixo wavumela ukuba kusinde kuphela oyena nyana mncinci kaYehoram, uYehowahazi (okwabizwa ngokuba nguAhaziya) ukuba asinde. Le nto wayeyenza ngenxa yesivumelwano soBukumkani awasenza noDavide. “Emva kwayo yonke le nto, uYehova wambetha [uYehoram] emathunjini ngesifo esinganyangekiyo.” Emva kweminyaka emibini “amathumbu akhe athi phuhlu ngaphandle ngenxa yesifo sakhe” waze wafa kancinci kancinci. Baphela ngolohlobo ubomi bale ndoda eyenza izinto ezimbi, ibe ‘akukho mntu wakhathazekayo ngokufa kwayo.’ Yangcwatyelwa kwisixeko sikaDavide, “kodwa kungekhona kwindawo yokungcwaba ookumkani.” UAhaziya unyana wakhe waba ngukumkani endaweni yakhe.—2Kr 21:7, 16-20; 22:1; 1Kr 3:10, 11.
MEYI 15-21
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 22-24
“UYehova Uyazisikelela Izenzo Zokubonisa Isibindi”
UYehowashe—Wamshiya UYehova Ngenxa Yabahlobo Abangalunganga
KWAKUNZIMA eYerusalem, isixeko esasinetempile kaThixo. Kwakusandula kubulawa uKumkani uAhaziya. Kunzima ukuyicinga into eyenziwa ngumama ka-Ahaziya, uAtaliya, emva koko. Wabulala oonyana baka-Ahaziya—abazukulwana bakhe! Ngaba uyazi ukuba kwakutheni ukuze ababulale?—Wayefuna ibe nguye olawulayo, kunokuba kulawule omnye wabo.
Noko ke, omnye wabazukulwana baka-Ataliya, uYehowashe, wasindiswa yaye umakhulu wakhe wayengazi. Ngaba ufuna ukwazi ukuba wasinda kanjani?— Kaloku, le nkwenkwe yayinodade boyise owayenegama elinguYehoshebha, owafihla uYehowashe etempileni kaThixo. Wakwazi ukumfihla apho kuba umyeni wakhe uYehoyada wayenguMbingeleli Omkhulu. Ngoko, bobabini bamkhusela uYehowashe.
UYehowashe—Wamshiya UYehova Ngenxa Yabahlobo Abangalunganga
UYehowashe wafihlwa etempileni iminyaka emithandathu. Kulapho afundiswa khona ngoYehova uThixo nemithetho yakhe. Kwathi ke xa uYehowashe eneminyaka esixhenxe ubudala uYehoyada wamenza uKumkani. Uyafuna ukwazi ukuba wayenza njani le nto uYehoyada, nento eyenzeka kumakhulu kaYehowashe uKumkanikazi uAtaliya okhohlakeleyo?—
Kaloku uYehoyada wabiza amadoda ayeqhele ukukhusela ookumkani baseYerusalem. Wawachazela indlela yena nenkosikazi yakhe ababemkhusele ngayo unyana kaKumkani uAhaziya. Emva koko wabonisa loo madoda uYehowashe aza wona aqonda ukuba yayinguye owayemele alawule. Latsho lavela ke icebo.
UYehoyada wazisa uYehowashe ebantwini waza wamenza uKumkani. Kwathi ke xa bembona abantu “baqhwaba izandla besithi: ‘Makaphile ukumkani!’” Amadoda akhusela ukumkani amngqonga uYehowashe. Wathi uAtaliya akuyiva le ntswahla, waphuma phandle ebaleka esithi wenzelwe iyelenqe. Kodwa uYehoyada wathi amadoda akhusela ukumkani makambulale uAtaliya.—2 Kumkani 11:1-16.
it-1-E 379 ¶5
Ukungcwaba, Iindawo Zokungcwaba
UMbingeleli Omkhulu uYehoyada olilungisa wanikwa imbeko ngokungcwatywa “kwisiXeko SikaDavide phakathi kookumkani,” nguye kuphela owayengekho kumnombo wookumkani owafumana le nyhweba ikhethekileyo.—2Kr 24:15, 16.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
it-2-E 1223 ¶13
UZekariya
12. UNyana woMbingeleli Omkhulu uYehoyada. Emva kokuba uYehoyada eswelekile, uKumkani uYehowashe wayeka ukukhonza uYehova ibe endaweni yokuba amamele abaprofeti bakaYehova wamamela amacebiso angalunganga. UZekariya umzala kaYehowashe (2Kr 22:11) wabalumkisa kabukhali abantu ngale nto, kodwa kunokuba baguquke baye bambetha ngamatye kwiyadi yetempile. Wathi uZekariya xa wayesele eza kufa: “Kwanga uYehova angakohlwaya ngale nto uyenzileyo.” Le nto yenzeka nyhani kuba amaSiriya zange aphelele nje ekuwoyiseni kakhulu amaYuda, kodwa noYehowashe wabulawa zizicaka zakhe ezimbini “kuba wayephalaze igazi loonyana bakaYehoyada umbingeleli.” ISeptuagint yesiGrike neVulgate yesiLatin zithi uYehowashe wabulawa ukuze kuphindezelwe igazi ‘lonyana’ kaYehoyada. Xa imibhalo yamaMasorete nePeshitta yesiSiriya ithetha ngonyana kaYehoyada uZekariya, ithi “oonyana”. Nangona emnye, mhlawumbi ithi “oonyana” ukuze ibonise indlela awayexabiseke ngayo njengombingeleli nomprofeti.—2Kr 24:17-22, 25.
MEYI 22-28
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 25-27
“UYehova Unako Ukukunika Nangaphezulu”
it-1-E 1266 ¶6
UYehowashe
UYehowashe wabolekisa ngamadoda omkhosi wakhe ayi-100 000 kukumkani wakwaYuda ukuze alwe namaEdom. Kodwa ngenxa yecebiso elalisuka ‘kwindoda yoThixo wokwenene’ kwathiwa mabagoduke ibe nangona babesele bebhatelwe iitalente zesilivere eziyi-100 (R11 770 000), babenomsindo xa kusitshiwo kuba kusenokwenzeka babengafuni ukuphoswa zizinto ezaziza kushiyeka emfazweni. Emva kokuba begodukile baye bahlasela iidolophu zobukumkani basemzantsi ukusuka eSamariya (mhlawumbi apho amajoni ayeqokelelene khona) ukuya kutsho eBhete-horon.—2Kr 25:6-10, 13.
“Ziveleni” Ukuba UYehova Ulungile
16 Yiba nezinto ozincamayo ngenxa kaYehova. Akunyanzelekanga ukuba sincame yonke into esiyithandayo ukuze uYehova asithande. (INtshu. 5:19, 20) Ukuba kunzima ukusebenzela uYehova nangezinye iindlela kuba singafuni ukuncama nto, siza kufana nendoda ekumzekeliso kaYesu eyasebenza nzima ukuze iphile tofotofo, ayamkhathalela uThixo. (Funda uLuka 12:16-21.) Umzalwana ohlala eFransi, uChristian, uthi, “Ndandingenalo ixesha lokusebenzela uYehova nelokuba kunye nentsapho yam.” Yena nomfazi wakhe bagqiba ekubeni babe ngoovulindlela, kodwa kwakuza kufuneka bayeke ukuphangela. Ngoko ukuze baziphilise, bazivulela ishishini lokuklina, bafunda nokwanela yimali encinci ababeyifumana. Ngaba bayazisola? UChristian uthi, “Sonwabe kakhulu entsimini, sivuyiswa nakukubona amabuyelo nabantu esibafundelayo befunda ngoYehova.”
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
Ngaba Unaye Umntu Okucebisayo Kwizinto Zokomoya?
ESELITYENDYANA elineminyaka eli-16 ubudala, u-Uziya waba ngukumkani wobukumkani obusemazantsi bakwaYuda. Walawula iminyaka engaphezu kwama-50, ukususela ekupheleni kwenkulungwane yesithoba ukusa ekuqaleni kweyesibhozo ngaphambi kweXesha Eliqhelekileyo. Ukususela ebuntwaneni, u-Uziya “waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo emehlweni kaYehova.” Yintoni eyamncedayo wenza okulungileyo? Imbali ithi: “[U-Uziya] waqhubeka ethambekele ekufuneni uThixo ngemihla kaZekariya, umyaleli wokoyika uThixo oyinyaniso; yaye, ngemihla yokufuna kwakhe uYehova, uThixo oyinyaniso wamenza waphumelela.”—2 Kronike 26:1, 4, 5.
IBhayibhile ayithethi nto kangako ngoZekariya, umcebisi kakumkani, ngaphandle nje kwale ngxelo. Sekunjalo, ‘njengomyaleli wokoyika uThixo oyinyaniso,’ uZekariya wanceda lo mlawuli uselula ukuba enze okulungileyo. IThe Expositor’s Bible ithi ngokucacileyo uZekariya “wayeyindoda eyayizazi kakuhle iZibhalo, ezele ngamava kwizinto zokomoya neyayingalunkonyi ulwazi eyayinalo.” Ethetha ngoZekariya, omnye umphengululi weBhayibhile waqukumbela ngala mazwi: “Wayeqhelene kakuhle nesiprofeto yaye . . . wayeyindoda ekrelekrele, ezinikeleyo, nelungileyo; kanti kuyabonakala ukuba yayinefuthe kakhulu ku-Uziya.”
MEYI 29–JUNI 4
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 28-29
“Ungamkhonza UYehova Nokuba Abazali Bakho Abamkhonzi”
Yiba Njengabahlobo BakaYehova Abasondeleyo
8 UHezekiya wayahluke kakhulu kuRute. Wayengowohlanga lwakwaSirayeli olwaluzahlulele kuThixo. Kodwa ayingawo onke amaSirayeli awahlala ethembekile. Utata kaHezekiya, uKumkani uAhazi, wayengumntu ongendawo. Wayeyidelela itempile kaThixo, ekhuthaza nabantu ukuba banqule oothixo bobuxoki. Wada watshisa abanye boonyana bakhe bephila, ebingelela ngabo kuthixo wobuxoki. UHezekiya wakhula kabuhlungu nyhani!—2 Kumkani 16:2-4, 10-17; 2 Kronike 28:1-3.
Yiba Njengabahlobo BakaYehova Abasondeleyo
9 Lo mzekelo mbi ka-Ahazi wawunokubangela uHezekiya amqumbele uYehova. Namhlanje, abanye bakhule ngendlela engcono lee kunoHezekiya, kodwa bavakalelwa kukuba bayathetheleleka ‘ngokuba nomsindo nxamnye noYehova’ nentlangano yakhe. (IMizekeliso 19:3) Bakho nabo bacinga ukuba indlela embi abakhuliswe ngayo inokubangela bangaphili bomi buphucukileyo, okanye ibangele benze iimpazamo ezenziwa ngabazali babo. (Hezekile 18:2, 3) Kodwa ngaba ichanile le ndlela bacinga ngayo?
10 Izenzo zikaHezekiya zibonisa ukuba akunjalo. Soze sibekho nanini na isizathu sokuqumbela uYehova. Akabangeli abantu behlelwe zizinto ezimbi. (Yobhi 34:10) Kuyinyaniso kona ukuba abazali banako ukubafundisa abantwana babo ukuba benze okulungileyo okanye okubi. (IMizekeliso 22:6; Kolose 3:21) Kodwa oku akuthethi ukuba ubuntu bethu bunokubunjwa yindlela esikhuliswe ngayo. Ngoba? Kuba uYehova usiphe inkululeko yokuzikhethela phakathi kokwenza okuhle nokubi. (Duteronomi 30:19) UHezekiya wasisebenzisa njani eso sipho sixabisekileyo?
11 UHezekiya waba ngomnye wabona kumkani babalaseleyo kwaYuda, nangona uyise wayengomnye wabona bangendawo. (Funda eyesi-2 yooKumkani 18:5, 6.) Wakhetha ukungahambi ekhondweni elibi likayise. Endaweni yoko, wakhetha ukuphulaphula ngenyameko abaprofeti bakaYehova abanjengoIsaya, uMika noHoseya. Wazamkela iziluleko namacebiso abo. Oku kwamenza waba nesibindi sokulungisa umonakalo omkhulu owabangelwa nguyise. Wacoca itempile, wathandazela ukuba uThixo axolele izono zabantu, waza watshabalalisa nezithixo ezazizalise ilizwe. (2 Kronike 29:1-11, 18-24; 31:1) Kamva, xa ukumkani uSenaribhe waseAsiriya wagrogrisa ngokuhlasela iYerusalem, uHezekiya wabonisa inkalipho nokholo olukhulu. Wayenethemba lokuba uYehova uza kubakhusela, waza wabomeleza abantu. (2 Kronike 32:7, 8) Ngaxa lithile uHezekiya waba nekratshi, kodwa xa uYehova wamlulekayo, wazithoba. (2 Kronike 32:24-26) Kucacile ukuba, uHezekiya ungumzekelo omhle kuthi. Akazange avumele imeko yakowabo yonakalise ubomi bakhe. Kunoko, wabonisa ukuba ungumhlobo kaYehova.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
UNatan—Ummeli Othembekileyo Wonqulo Olunyulu
Njengomnquli othembekileyo kaYehova, uNatan wayixhasa ngokuzimisela iplani kaDavide yokwakha isazulu sokuqala esisisigxina sonqulo olunyulu emhlabeni. Noko ke, kuyabonakala ukuba ngeso sihlandlo uNatan wayechaza indlela yena avakalelwa ngayo kunokuba abe wayethetha egameni likaYehova. Ngobo busuku, uThixo wayalela umprofeti wakhe ukuba ase isigidimi esahlukileyo kukumkani: uDavide wayengazi kumakhela itempile uThixo. Loo msebenzi wawuza kwenziwa ngomnye unyana kaDavide. Kodwa uNatan wavakalisa ukuba uThixo wayesenza umnqophiso noDavide owawuqinisekisa ukuba itrone yakhe iya “kumiselwa ngokuqinileyo ukusa kwixesha elingenammiselo.”—2 Sam. 7:4-16.
Ukuthanda kukaThixo kwakungavumelani nendlela uNatan awayezibona ngayo izinto ngokuphathelele ukwakhiwa kwetempile. Noko ke, ngaphandle kokumbombozela lo mprofeti uthobekileyo wenza ngokuvumelana nenjongo kaYehova. Ngumzekelo obalasele ngokwenene esimele siwuxelise xa uThixo esilungisa ngandlela ithile! Imisebenzi awayenzayo uNatan emva koko njengomprofeti ibonisa ukuba akazange aphulukane nenkoliseko kaThixo. Enyanisweni, kuyabonakala ukuba uYehova waphefumlela uNatan kunye noGadi imboni ukuba balathise uDavide ekugayeni iimvumi ezingama-4000 ukuze zenze inkonzo yasetempileni.—1 Kron. 23:1-5; 2 Kron. 29:25.
JUNI 5-11
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 30-31
“Ukudibana Kunye Kuyasinceda”
it-1-E 1103 ¶2
UHezekiya
Wayeluthanda Unqulo Lokwenyaniso. UHezekiya waqalisa ukulawula xa wayeneminyaka eyi-25, ibe into yokuqala awayenzayo yabonisa indlela awayekuthanda ngayo ukukhonza uYehova. Waqala ngokuphinda ayivule aze ayilungise itempile. Xa wabiza ababingeleli nabaLevi wathi kubo: “Ngoku ke entliziyweni yam ndinomnqweno wokwenza isivumelwano noYehova uThixo kaSirayeli.” Esi sivumelwano sasibonisa ukuthembeka, ibe yayingathi uMthetho umiselwa kwakhona kwaYuda, kuba nangona wawusele ukhona abantu abaninzi babesele bengawuhoyanga. Esebenza nzima, waye wabiza abaLevi ukuba benze imisebenzi yabo waze waphinda walungisa nezixhobo zokucula neengoma zokudumisa. YayinguNisan inyanga ekwakubhiyozelwa ngayo iPasika, kodwa itempile, ababingeleli nabaLevi babengacocekanga. Ngosuku lwe-16 ngoNisan, itempile yayigqityiwe ukuklinwa nezinto zayo zibuyiselwe kuyo. Emva koko kwafuneka ukuba wonke uSirayeli ahlawulelwe. Iinkosana zaqala zanikela, zaza zeza neminikelo yesono yasebukhosini, yendawo engcwele, neyabantu, kwaze kwalandela abantu neminikelo etshiswayo emininzi.—2Kr 29:1-36.
it-1-E 1103 ¶3
UHezekiya
Ngenxa yokuba abantu babengacocekanga, babengakwazi ukubhiyozela iPasika ngexesha layo eliqhelekileyo. Kodwa uHezekiya wasebenzisa umthetho owawubavumela abantu abangacocekanga ukuba bayibhiyozele emva kwenyanga. Wathi abathunywa mabathumele iileta kwaYuda nakwaSirayeli ukusuka eBher-shebha ukuya kwaDan. Aba bathunywa babethukwa ngabantu abaninzi, kodwa bazithoba abantu bakwa-Ashere, kwaManase, kwaZebhulon, kwaEfrayim, nakwaIsakare baze baya ePasikeni. Kanti nabanye ababengengawo amaSirayeli, kodwa ababekhonza uYehova, baya ePasikeni. Imele ukuba yayingekho lula loo nto kwabo bakhonzi bakaYehova. Nabo, njengaba bathunywa, bathukwa ngamaYuda awayemlahlile uThixo, baphathwa kakubi nangama-Asiriya akhohlakeleyo.—2Kr 30:1-20; Num 9:10-13.
it-1-E 1103 ¶4-5
UHezekiya
Emva kwePasika kwabakho iTheko Lezonka Ezingenagwele kangangeentsuku eziyi-7. Kwaba mnandi kakhulu, ibe wonke umntu wagqiba ekubeni kongezwe ezinye iintsuku eziyi-7. Nangona yayilixesha elinzima uYehova wabasikelela abantu bakhe. “Kwakuvuywa nyhani eYerusalem. Kaloku into enjengale yagqibela ukubakho eYerusalem ngemihla kaSolomon, unyana kaDavide, ukumkani wakwaSirayeli.”—2Kr 30:21-27.
Into eyenzeka emva kweli Theko yabonisa ukuba kwakungamnandanga nje okwexeshana, kodwa lwaye lwavuselelwa nyhani unqulo lokwenyaniso. Ngaphambi kokuba bagoduke baye baqhekeza iintsika ezingcwele, badiliza iindawo eziphakamileyo nezibingelelo, baze bagawula iipali ezingcwele kulo lonke elakwaYuda nakwaBhenjamin nakwaEfrayim nakwaManase. (2Kr 31:1) UHezekiya wamisela umzekelo ngokuqhekeza inyoka yekopolo eyayenziwe nguMoses kuba abantu babeyinqula, beqhumisela nemibingelelo kuyo. (2Ku 18:4) Emva kweli theko likhulu uHezekiya waqiniseka ukuba abantu baqhubeka bekhonza uYehova ngendlela efanelekileyo kuba walungiselela ukuba kubekho ababingeleli kuze kuxhaswe imisebenzi eyenziwa etempileni. Wakhuthaza ukuba kuthotyelwe uMthetho wokunikela ngezishumi nesivuno sokuqala kubaLevi nakubabingeleli kwaye banikela ngentliziyo evumayo.—2Kr 31:2-12.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
“Ninoyolo Ukuba Nithi Nizenze Ezi Zinto”
14 Enye indlela esinokubonisa ngayo ukuba sithobekile kukubamamela abantu. UYakobi 1:19 uthi: “Umntu umele akhawuleze ukuva.” Simele siyifunde kuYehova le nto, kuba akekho umntu omogqithayo. (Gen. 18:32; Yosh. 10:14) Ngokomzekelo ungayibona loo nto kwiEksodus 32:11-14. (Yifunde.) Nangona uYehova wayenganyanzelekanga ukuba ammamele uMoses, kodwa wammamela. Akakho umntu onokumamela aze enze into ethethwa ngumntu othetha izinto ezibhek’ ecaleni. Kodwa uYehova uye abe nomonde aze abamamele abantu abanokholo kuye.
15 Umntu ngamnye umele azibuze: ‘Ukuba uYehova uthobeke kangangokuba akwazi ukumamela abantu, njengokuba wamamela uAbraham, uRakeli, uMoses, uYoshuwa, uManowa, uEliya, uHezekiya, kutheni mna ndingenakukwazi ukuzithoba ndibamamele abazalwana bam, ndize ndizenze izinto abandicebisa zona? Ngaba ukhona umntu ebandleni okanye entsatsheni ekufuneka ndimmamele? Ndimele ndenze ntoni? Ndiza kwenza ntoni?’—Gen. 30:6; ABagwe. 13:9; 1 Kum. 17:22; 2 Kron. 30:20.
JUNI 12-18
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 32-33
“Yomeleza Abazalwana Bakho Xa Kunzima”
it-1-E 204 ¶5
IAsiriya
USenaribhe. USenaribhe, unyana kaSargon II wahlasela uYuda ngonyaka we-14 wokulawula kukaHezekiya (732 B.C.E.). (2Ku 18:13; Isa 36:1) UHezekiya zange avume ukukhonza ukumkani waseAsiriya, nangona wayekhonzwa ngenxa yento eyenziwa ngutata wakhe uAhazi. (2Ku 18:7) Ngenxa yaloo nto uSenaribhe wahlasela zonke izixeko zakwaYuda ibe wathimba neziyi-46. (thelekisa uIsa 6:1, 2) Xa wayekwinkampu yakhe eLakishe wafuna ukuba uHezekiya anikele ngeetalente zegolide eziyi-30 (malunga ne-R205,965,700) nezesilivere eziyi-300 (malunga ne-R35,313,500). (2Ku 18:14-16; 2Kr 32:1; thelekisa uIsa 8:5-8.) Nangona le mali yayibhatelwe, uSenaribhe wathumela amagosa akhe ukuba athi iYerusalem mayizinikele kuye ngokupheleleyo. (2Ku 18:17–19:34; 2Kr 32:2-20) Nangona lo kumkani waseAsiriya wayeqhayisa, uYehova wabangela ukuba kubulawe amadoda ayi-185 000 akwinkampu yakhe ngobusuku nje obunye. Ngenxa yaloo nto, warhoxa waza wabuyela eNineve. (2Ku 19:35, 36) Waye wabulawa ngoonyana bakhe ababini waze omnye woonyana bakhe uEsar-hadon waba ngukumkani endaweni yakhe. (2Ku 19:37; 2Kr 32:21, 22; Isa 37:36-38) Kumacwecwe kaSenaribhe nakaEsar-hadon ibhaliwe yonke le nto, ngaphandle kwengxelo yokutshatyalaliswa kweenkampu zama-Asiriya.—PICTURES, Vol. 1, p. 957.
Abalusi Abasixhenxe Neendwalutho Ezisibhozo—Oko Sikufundayo Ngabo
12 UYehova usoloko ekulungele ukusinceda kwizinto ezingaphaya kwamandla ethu, kodwa ulindele ukuba nathi senze konke okusemandleni. UHezekiya wangqubanisa iintloko “neenkosana zakhe namadoda akhe anamandla,” bagqiba kwelokuba ‘bavingce imithombo yamanzi eyayingaphandle kwesixeko. Ngaphezu koko, uHezekiya waba nesibindi waza walwakha lonke udonga olwaludiliziwe waza waphakamisa iinqaba phezu kwalo, nangaphandle kolunye udonga, wenza imijukujelwa emininzi namakhaka.’ (2 Kron. 32:3-5) Ukuze akhusele aze aluse abantu bakhe ngelo xesha, uYehova wasebenzisa amadoda akhaliphileyo—uHezekiya, iinkosana zakhe nabaprofeti abanokholo.
Abalusi Abasixhenxe Neendwalutho Ezisibhozo—Oko Sikufundayo Ngabo
13 Into eyenziwa nguHezekiya emva koko yayibaluleke ngakumbi kunokuvingca imithombo yamanzi nokwandisa iindonga. Ekubeni wayengumalusi oxhalabileyo, uHezekiya wahlanganisa abantu waza wabakhuthaza ngala mazwi: “Musani ukoyika okanye ninkwantye ngenxa kakumkani waseAsiriya . . . , kuba esinabo baninzi kakhulu kunabo bakunye naye. Abakunye naye yingalo yenyama, kodwa thina sinoYehova uThixo wethu ukuba asincede asilwele amadabi ethu.” Ukuva ukuba uYehova wayeza kubalwela, kwalomeleza gqitha ukholo lwabantu bakhe! AmaYuda atsho ‘axhathisa ngenxa yamazwi kaHezekiya ukumkani wakwaYuda.’ Phawula ukuba ‘ngamazwi kaHezekiya’ awabangela ukuba abantu babe nesibindi. Ekunye neenkosana namadoda anamandla, kuquka abaprofeti uMika noIsaya, baba ngabalusi bokwenene, kanye njengokuba wayetshilo kumprofeti wakhe.—2 Kron. 32:7, 8; funda uMika 5:5, 6.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
Ubonakala Njani Umntu Oguquke Nyhani?
11 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, uYehova wayiphendula imithandazo kaManase. Ngenxa yezinto awayezithandazela, wambona ukuba uguquke nyhani. Wamxolela, waza waphinda wamenza ukumkani. UManase wasebenza ngamandla akhe onke ukuze abonise ukuba uguquke nyhani. Wenza into angazange akwazi ukuyenza uAhabhi, wayeka ukwenza izinto ezingafunwayo nguYehova. Wasusa yonke into enokwenza nokukhonzwa kwezithixo, waza wakhuthaza abantu ukuba bakhonze uYehova. (Funda izi-2 Kronike 33:15, 16.) Ukuze akwazi ukwenza ezi zinto, kwafuneka abe nesibindi nokholo. Kaloku iminyaka emininzi ngaphambi kokuba aguquke, wayekhuthaza intsapho yakhe, izikhulu ezazisebenza naye nabanye abantu ukuba benze izinto ezazicatshukelwa nguYehova. Ngoku mdala, uzama ukulungisa ezinye zeengxaki awazenzayo. Kusenokwenzeka ukuba umzukulwana wakhe omncinci uYosiya owaba ngukumkani olungileyo, wafunda kuye ukwenza izinto ezilungileyo.—2 Kum. 22:1, 2.
12 Sifunda ntoni kuManase? Wazithoba, kodwa zange aphelele apho. Wathandaza ecela uYehova amxolele. Wayeka ukwenza izinto ezimbi. Wasebenza ngamandla elungisa iingxaki awayezenzile, wazimisela ukukhonza uYehova, ekhuthaza nabanye ukuba benze njengaye. Into eyenziwa neyenzeka kuManase ibenza babe nethemba nabantu abenze ezona zinto zakhe zambi. Isibonisa ukuba uYehova uThixo ‘ulungile futhi usoloko efuna ukuxolela.’ (INdu. 86:5) UYehova uza kubaxolela abantu abaguquka nyhani.
JUNI 19-25
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | 2 KRONIKE 34-36
“Ngaba Liyakunceda Ngokupheleleyo ILizwi LikaThixo?”
it-1-E 1157 ¶4
UHulida
UYosiya wava into eyafundwa ‘kwincwadi yoMthetho’ eyafunyanwa nguHilekiya umbingeleli omkhulu xa kwakulungiswa itempile. Emva koko wathi makuyobuzwa kuYehova ukuba ithetha ukuthini. Baya kuHulida owabachazela ukuba ilizwi likaYehova lalibonisa ukuba zonke iintlekele ezibangelwa kukungathobeli, ezibhaliweyo ‘encwadini’, zaziza kubehlela abantu. Kodwa uHulida wathi yena uYosiya wayengazokwehlelwa yile ntlekele kuba waye wazithoba kuYehova, ngoko wayeza kuhlanganiselwa kookhokho bakhe aze asiwe engcwabeni lakhe ngoxolo.—2Ku 22:8-20; 2Kr 34:14-28.
Yiba Nenzondelelo Ngendlu KaYehova!
20 Xa kwakusenziwa umsebenzi wokuhlaziya owawulungiselelwe nguKumkani uYosiya, uHilekiya, owayenguMbingeleli Omkhulu “wafumana incwadi yomthetho kaYehova ngesandla sikaMoses.” Wayinika uShafan owayengunobhala, waza uShafan wayifundela uYosiya. (Funda eyesi-2 yeziKronike 34:14-18.) Waba yintoni umphumo? Ngoko nangoko ukumkani wazikrazula izambatho zakhe ebuhlungu waza wayalela amadoda ukuba abuzise kuYehova. Esebenzisa umprofetikazi uHulida, uThixo wazigxeka ezinye zezithethe zonqulo ezazisenziwa kwaYuda. UYehova wayiphawula imigudu eyenziwa nguYosiya yokushenxisa izithixo waza wakholiswa nguye nakuba olo hlanga lwaluza kwehlelwa yintlekele. (2 Kron. 34:19-28) Yintoni esiyifundayo kule ngxelo? Ngokuqinisekileyo nathi sinomnqweno ofana nokaYosiya. Sifanele siluthobele ngokukhawuleza ulwalathiso lukaYehova size sicinge ngoko kunokwenzeka xa sinokuvumela impembelelo yabawexuki nabantu abangathembekanga ukuba baphazamise unqulo lwethu. Sinokuqiniseka ukuba uYehova uya kukholiswa kukuzondelela kwethu unqulo lwenyaniso njengoko wenzayo kuYosiya.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
Ngaba Uza Kuzifaka Entliziyweni Izinto Ezibhaliweyo?
15 Okokugqibela, sisiphi isilumkiso esisifumanayo xa sifunda oko kwenzeka kuKumkani uYosiya? Makhe sijonge into eyabangela ukuba oyiswe aze abulawe. (Funda eyesi-2 yeziKronike 35:20-22.) UYosiya “waphuma . . . ukuya kuqubisana” noKumkani uNeko waseYiputa, nangona lo kumkani wayemxelele ukuba yena akaxabenanga naye. IBhayibhile ithi amazwi kaNeko ‘ayevela emlonyeni kaThixo.’ Wayengenwe yintoni ke uYosiya ukuze afune ukuziva amandla kuye? IBhayibhile ayisichazeli.
16 Kodwa ke, uYosiya wayeza kuyazelaphi into yokuba amazwi kaNeko ayesuka kuYehova? Ilula loo nto, ngewayebuze uYeremiya, omnye wabaprofeti ababethembekile. (2 Kron. 35:23, 25) Kodwa ayikho into ebonisa ukuba wambuza. Enye into, uNeko yena wayeziyela eKarkemishe. Wayeye kulwa “nenye indlu,” engezanga eYerusalem. Ukongezelela koko, igama likaThixo lalingabandakanyekanga, kuba uNeko akazange agculele Yehova, engazange agculele nabantu bakhe. Yayingenangqondo tu into yokuba uYosiya aleqeke emva koNeko. Ngaba siyayibona into esinokuyifunda kule nto? Xa sinengxaki, kuya kusinceda ukufuna ukuqonda ukuba uYehova angathanda ilungiswe njani.
17 Xa sinengxaki, simele sijonge imigaqo yeBhayibhile ebandakanyekayo size siyisebenzise kakuhle. Kwezinye iimeko, kusenokufuneka sithethe nabadala. Kusenokwenzeka ukuba sikhe sayihlafunisisa nathi loo nto, saza saphanda nakwiincwadi zethu. Kodwa mhlawumbi ikho eminye imigaqo yeBhayibhile efuna ukuqwalaselwa anokusinceda ngayo umdala. Ngokomzekelo, oodade bayazi ukuba banembopheleleko yokushumayela iindaba ezilungileyo. (IZe. 4:20) Kodwa, masithi udade uzimisele ukuya entsimini ngosuku oluthile, kodwa umyeni wakhe ongakholwayo uthi makabe sekhaya. Uthi abakhange bachithe xesha kunye mvanje, kwaye angathanda ukuba bakhe benze izinto kunye. Udade unokujonga iivesi zeBhayibhile ezisebenzayo, ezinjengethi simele sithobele uThixo, nethetha ngomyalelo wokwenza abafundi. (Mat. 28:19, 20; IZe. 5:29) Kodwa kukwafuneka acinge nangento yokuba kufuneka azithobe njengenkosikazi, kwaye azicingisise izinto. (Efe. 5:22-24; Fil. 4:5) Ngaba umyeni akafuni kwaphela ukuba aye entsimini, okanye ngaba umcela nje ngaloo mini ukuba enze enye into? Kufuneka sisebenzise ingqondo kaloku xa sisenza ukuthanda kukaThixo kwaye sizame ukuba nezazela ezikhululekileyo.
JUNI 26–JULAYI 2
UBUTYEBI OBUPHUMA ELIZWINI LIKATHIXO | EZRA 1-3
“Vumela UYehova Akusebenzise”
Uyayibona Le Nto Yabonwa NguZekariya?
KWAKUMNANDI kakhulu kumaYuda. UYehova uThixo “wenza ukuba uKumkani uKoreshi wasePersi” akhulule amaSirayeli awayethinjwe iminyaka emininzi eBhabhiloni. Lo kumkani wathi amaYuda makabuyele kwilizwe lawo “ayokuphinda akhe indlu kaYehova uThixo kaSirayeli.” (Ezra 1:1, 3) Le nto yawavuyisa nyhani amaYuda. Kaloku ayeza kuphinda amkhonze ngendlela ayifunayo uThixo wokwenene kwilizwe awayewanike lona.
Iinqwelo Zokulwa Nesithsaba Ziya Kukukhusela
2 UZekariya wayesazi ukuba amaYuda awayefudukele eYerusalem ayengabanquli bakaYehova. Yayisengala maYuda ayekhuthazwe nguThixo ukuba ashiye amakhaya namashishini awo. (Ezra 1:2, 3, 5) Ashiya ilizwe aliqhelileyo aza aya kwindawo uninzi lwawo olwalungazange luyibone ngaphambili. Ukuba kwakungabalulekanga kuwo ukwakha itempile kaYehova, ngengazange ahambe iikhilomitha eziyi-1600 enqumla intlango.
Ubuncwane ObuseBhayibhileni
Iimbalasane Zencwadi KaEzra
1:3-6. Njengamanye amaSirayeli awasala eBhabhiloni, amaNgqina kaYehova amaninzi akakwazi ukungenela inkonzo yexesha elizeleyo okanye ukukhonza apho kukho imfuneko enkulu khona. Sekunjalo, ayabaxhasa aze abakhuthaze abo bakwaziyo ukwenjenjalo, yaye akhupha iminikelo yokuzithandela yokuxhasa umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoBukumkani nowokwenza abafundi.