1-3. (a) Kuyini okwakungenza u-Esta esabe ukuya kumkakhe? (b) Yiphi imibuzo emayelana lo-Esta esizaxoxa ngayo?

U-ESTA wasondela ngaphakathi kwesigodlo saseSusa uvalo selumbulele. Wazama ukwehlisa amaphaphu kodwa kwakungalula. Loba ngubani owayengangena endaweni le wayengamangala abambe owangaphansi. Phela kwakulenkalakatha zezithombe ezazizinhle okwamagama ziyimibalabala. Imiduli yakhona yayimide iyibucwazicwazi, iceciswe ngemifanekiso yezinkunzi ezilamaphiko, amaqhawe aphethe imitshoko kanye lezilwane. Isigodlo lesi sasakhiwe endaweni ethe wathalala eyayiseduze lezintaba zaseZagros ezazembeswe ngungqwaqwane. Sasikhangelane lomfula uChoaspes owawugeleza amanzi ahlanzekileyo. Nxa wawusithi lungu wawuhle uzibonele ukuthi inkosi ehlala lapha yindoda emadodeni. Yayizibiza ngokuthi “iyinkosi enkulu.” U-Esta wayesiza kuyo njalo yayingumkakhe.

² Kanti wayesweleni aze athathwe yindoda le? Phela akulantombi ethembekileyo engumJuda eyayingafuna ukwendela emuntwini onje!a Inkosi u-Ahasuweru yayinganyatheli sondo linye labantu abanjengo-Abhrahama, indoda eyalalelayo lapho uNkulunkulu eyitshela ukuthi ilalele umkayo uSara. (Gen. 21:12) Mhlawumbe yayingazi lutho ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Esta langoMthetho wakhe kumbe yayisazi okulutshwana nje. Yona yayizazela umthetho wasePhesiya. Okunye okwakusemthethweni lo yikuthi umuntu owayengaphonguthutsha enkosini ingambizanga wayengabulawa. Manje u-Esta yikho ayesezakwenza. Inkosi yayingambizanga, kodwa wayesesiya khona kanye esigodlweni. Wasondela-ke enkundleni engaphakathi kwesigodlo, lapho inkosi eyayingambona khona ethutsha. Mhlawumbe u-Esta wayecabanga ukuthi wayeselanda ukufa ekukhangele.—Bala u-Esta 4:11; 5:1.

³ U-Esta wayesengenwe kuyini esiyahlokoza inyoka emlindini wayo? Indaba yowesifazana lo owayelokholo oluqinileyo ingasifundisani? Ake siqale sibone ukuthi kwenzakala njani ukuthi u-Esta abe yindlovukazi yasePhesiya yena engumJuda nje.

 4. U-Esta wayengubani, njalo kwakutheni aze ayehlala lomzawakhe uModekhayi.

⁴ U-Esta wayeyintandane. Abazali bakhe bamnika ibizo lesiHebheru elithi Hadasha elitsho “imitheli,” isihlahla esihle esilamaluba amhlophe. Kasitshelwa okunengi ngabo, kodwa esikwaziyo yikuthi bathi besifa, isihlobo sika-Esta okwakuthiwa nguModekhayi samzwela usizi, samondla. UModekhayi wayengumzawakhe kodwa wayemdala khatshana kulaye. Wahlala laye emzini wakhe njalo wamphatha njengomntanakhe.—Esta. 2:5-7, 15.

5, 6. (a) UModekhayi wamkhulisa njani u-Esta? (b) UModekhayi lo-Esta babephila impilo enjani eSusa?

⁵ UModekhayi lo-Esta babeyizithunjwa ezingamaJuda ezazihlala eSusa, edolobheni elikhulu lasePhesiya. Kumele ukuthi babebandlululwa ngenxa yokuthi babengakhonzi onkulunkulu basePhesiya njalo babelandela uMthetho kaJehova. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi uModekhayi wafundisa u-Esta ngoJehova uNkulunkulu olesihawu, owayehlenge abantu bakhe ngezikhathi zosizi njalo owayezabahlenga ebunzimeni abasebekubo. (Levi. 26:44, 45) Kufanele ukuthi u-Esta loModekhayi babezwanana kakhulu, bengamathe lolimi.

⁶ Kukhanya angathi uModekhayi wayelesikhundla, esebenza lezinceku zenkosi esangweni lenkosi esigodlweni saseSusa. (Esta. 2:19, 21; 3:3) U-Esta yena wakhula esenzani? Kasingeke sitsho, kodwa kumele ukuthi wayemnanza umzawakhe futhi emenzela lemisebenzi yangekhaya. Kungenzeka ukuthi umuzi kaModekhayi wawusendaweni yabantukazana eyayiphetsheya komfula nxa usuka esigodlweni senkosi. Engxenye u-Esta wayekuthanda ukuya emakethe lapho okwakulabakhandi begolide labesiliva kanye labanye abantu ababethengisa izinto ezitshiyeneyo. U-Esta wayengakwazi ukuthi ngelinye ilanga yonke imicwebecwebe le yayizabe isibuzwa kuye. Wayengakwazi ukuthi elakusasa lalimphatheleni.

 7. Kungani uVashiti wagunyulwa esikhundleni sokuba yindlovukazi, njalo kwaphetha ngani?

⁷ Kwakuyisiphithiphithi eSusa kulamahungahunga okuthi emzini wenkosi kwakungani izinto zasezimi manzonzo. Indaba yayiqalise edilini elikhulu u-Ahasuweru ayelenzele izikhulu zakhe. Kwakungasikudla nje kuyizibiliboco zodwa njalo iwayini laliyithaphutshiye. Indlovukazi uVashithi layo yayizitika labesifazana bebodwa. Besakholisa, inkosi yathuma izithunywa zayo ukuthi zibize indlovukazi yayo eyayiyisiqamulamayezi, kodwa uVashithi wala. Inkosi yezwa angani iwohlozwe amabhetshu, njalo yavutha ngolaka. Yacebisana labeluleki bayo ukuthi uVashithi wayengajeziswa njani. Kwaphetha ngani? Wagunyulwa esikhundleni sokuba yindlovukazi. Inkosi yathuma-ke izinceku zayo ukuthi zibhudule kulo lonke elasePhesiya zidinge izintombi nto ezazingamatshatshazi. Inkosi yayizakhetha indlovukazi entsha phakathi kwazo.—Esta. 1:1–2:4.

 8. (a) Kuyini okwakungabe kukhathaza uModekhayi ngesikhathi u-Esta ekhula? (b) Wena ubona angathi singakusebenzisa njani lokho iBhayibhili elikutshoyo ngobuhle? (Khangela leZaga 31:30.)

⁸ Akumcabange uModekhayi emthapha ngamehlo umzawakhe u-Esta, eziqhenya ngokuthi intombi le yayisikhule yabanhle salanga liphuma kodwa aphinde akhathazeke. ‘Intombazana le, yayibukeka kakhulu inhle.’ (Esta. 2:7) Manje kuyini okwakungabe kukhathaza uModekhayi? IBhayibhili lisitshengisa ukuthi akulanto embi ngobuhle. Kodwa okuqakatheke kakhulu yikuthi umuntu ahlakaniphe futhi azithobe. Nxa engayekela ukwenza njalo, angacina esezigqaja futhi engaselasimilo. (Bala iZaga 11:22.) Wena uyake ukunanzelele yini lokhu? Pho ubuhle buka-Esta babuzamenza amile impiko yini kumbe abe ngumuntu ongcono? Kwakuzakhanya ngokuya kwesikhathi.

 9. (a) Izinceku zenkosi zenzani sezibone u-Esta, njalo kungani kwakungabe kubuhlungu kakhulu ukwehlukana kwakhe loModekhayi? (b) Kungani uModekhayi wayekela u-Esta etshada lomhedeni? (Khangela lebhokisi.)

⁹ Izinceku zenkosi zabona u-Esta ngesikhathi zidinga izintombi. Zamthatha kuModekhayi zamusa ngale komfula esigodlweni senkosi esasiyibucwazicwazi. (Esta. 2:8) Kumele ukuthi kwaba buhlungu kakhulu ukwehlukana kwabo ngenxa yokuthi uModekhayi wayesengani nguyise ka-Esta. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi wayengafuni ukuthi umzawakhe lo owaseyindodakazi yakhe atshade lomuntu ongamaziyo uNkulunkulu lanxa wayeyinkosi. Kodwa lokhu kwakuphezu kwamandla akhe.b Kumele ukuthi u-Esta engakahambi esigodlweni saseSusa, walalelisisa ngesikhathi uModekhayi emlaya. Esesendleleni wayehamba ezibuza lokhu lalokhuya. Pho impilo yakhe yayizakuba njani?

10, 11. (a) Indawo u-Esta ayesephila kuyo yayingenza ukuthi abe ngumuntu onjani? (b) UModekhayi watshengisa njani ukuthi wayemkhathalela u-Esta?

¹⁰ Impilo ka-Esta yayisintshintshe kakhulu. Wayengomunye ‘wamantombazana amanengi’ ayetholakele kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso wasePhesiya. Mhlawumbe ulimi lwabantu laba, indlela ababecabanga ngayo kanye lamasiko abo kwakutshiyene kakhulu lokwakhe. Izintombi lezi zazikhangelwa nguHegayi owayelonda indawo yabesifazana. Kwakumele zingene ohlelweni olwaluzathatha umnyaka wonke lapho imizimba yazo eyayizabe igcotshwa ngamafutha, ilungilungiswa futhi iqholwa ngamakha. (Esta. 2:8, 12) Ukuphila impilo enje kwakungenza ukuthi zizikhukhumeze futhi zitshone sezincintisana ngokuthi ngubani omuhle kakhulu phakathi kwazo. U-Esta yena wayezakuba njalo yini?

¹¹ Kufanele ukuthi uModekhayi wayelala engalele ekhathazeka ngo-Esta. IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi nsuku zonke wayehamba eduzane leguma lendlu yabesifazana ukuze azwe ukuthi u-Esta uqhuba njani. (Esta. 2:11) Engxenye ezinye izinceku ezazisebenza endaweni le yizo ezazimncweba indlebe. Kumele ukuthi nxa wayesizwa ngo-Esta kwakusithi azitshaye isifuba njengobaba ogwaba ngomntanakhe. Ngenxa yani?

12, 13. (a) Abantu babesithini ngo-Esta? (b) Kungani kwakungabe kumthokozisa uModekhayi ukuzwa ukuthi u-Esta wayengakuvezanga ukuthi ungumJuda?

¹² UHegayi wamthakazelela kakhulu u-Esta wamphatha saqanda. Wamupha amantombazana ayisikhombisa okumsebenzela, wamfaka endaweni eyayinhle kulazo zonke endlini yabesifazana. Phela iBhayibhili lize lithi: “U-Esta wathakazelelwa yibo bonke abambonayo.” (Esta. 2:9, 15) Kambe ubuhle bakhe yibo bodwa obabusenza ukuthi bamthande kangaka? Hatshi, okunye ababemthandela khona yikuthi wayelobuntu.

¹³ Ngokwesibonelo “u-Esta wayengawuvezanga umhlobo adabuka kuwo lemuli yakwabo, ngoba uModekhayi wayemenqabele ukukwenza lokho.” (Esta. 2:10) Wayemtshele ukuthi angavezi ukuthi wayengumhlobo bani ngenxa yokuthi wayesazi ukuthi esigodlweni kwakulabanye ababewabandlulula amaJuda. Ubona angathi uModekhayi wayesizwa njani nxa ethola ukuthi u-Esta wayelokhu emlalela lanxa babengasahlali bonke? Kumele ukuthi umoya wakhe wawuchelesa!

14. Abasakhulayo bangamlingisela njani u-Esta?

¹⁴ Lamuhla abasakhulayo bona bangabathokozisa njani abazali babo kumbe labo ababondlayo? Ngokuhlala belandela izimiso zikaNkulunkulu lanxa abazali babo bengababoni, kungelani lokuthi baphakathi kwabantu abagangileyo, abangaziphathanga loba abalodlakela. Nxa bangenza njalo, bayabe belingisela u-Esta futhi bethokozisa uBaba wethu osezulwini.—Bala iZaga 27:11.

15, 16. (a) Kungani inkosi yathanda u-Esta? (b) Kungani kwakungaba nzima ukuthi u-Esta ayijayele impilo entsha ayesezayiphila?

¹⁵ Lafika ilanga lokuthi u-Esta aye enkosini. Watshelwa ukuthi azikhethele loba kuyini ayekufuna, mhlawumbe ayengazicombacomba ngakho ukuze abe muhle kakhulu. Kodwa yena wazithoba, kacelanga lutho ngaphandle kwalokho okwakukhulunywe nguHegayi. (Esta. 2:15) Engxenye wakunanzelela ukuthi ukuba muhle nje kuphela kwakungeke kwenze ukuthi inkosi imthande. Wabona ukuthi okwakuqakathekile yikuthi azithobe, angazikhukhumezi njengabanengi ababesesigodlweni. Lokhu kwamnceda yini?

¹⁶ IBhayibhili lithi: “Inkosi yakhangwa ngu-Esta kakhulukazi okwedlula abanye bonke abesifazana, njalo yamthakazelela yathokoza ngaye okwedlula zonke ezinye izintombi ezigcweleyo. Ngakho yamethwesa umqhele wobukhosi yamenza waba yindlovukazi endaweni kaVashithi.” (Esta. 2:17) Kufanele ukuthi kwakunzima ukuthi intombi le engumJuda eyayizithoba ijayele impilo le entsha. Phela wayeseyindlovukazi yenkosi eyayilamandla ukwedlula wonke amakhosi angalesosikhathi! Loba kunjalo, kazange azikhukhumeze.

17. (a) U-Esta watshengisa njani ukuthi wayelokhu emlalela uModekhayi? (b) Kungani kuqakathekile ukuthi silingisele u-Esta?

¹⁷ U-Esta waqhubeka emlalela umzawakhe uModekhayi owayengathi nguyise. Kazange ayithi vu eyokuthi yena wayedabuka koJuda. Ngelinye ilanga uModekhayi watshela u-Esta ukuthi kwakulabantu ababesakha icebo lokubulala u-Ahasuweru. Lakanye u-Esta walalela wayixwayisa inkosi, icebo labo lafadalala. (Esta. 2:20-23) Wayezithoba njalo wayelalela sibili. Lokhu kwakutshengisa ukuthi wayelokholo kuNkulunkulu wakhe. Lamuhla abantu abanengi kabasalaleli, bayiziqholo futhi bazenzela umathanda. Yikho kuqakathekile ukuthi silalele njengo-Esta. Lokhu kuzatshengisa ukuthi silokholo oluqinileyo.

18. (a) Kuyini okwakungabe kusenza ukuthi uModekhayi ale ukukhothamela uHamani? (Khangela lamabala angaphansi.) (b) Lamuhla amadoda labesifazana abalokholo bamlingisela njani uModekhayi?

¹⁸ Kwakulendoda okwakuthiwa nguHamani eyaphiwa isikhundla esiphezulu esigodlweni sika-Ahasuweru. Yayisilesikhundla esilandela inkosi embusweni njalo yayisiyinduna enkulu yenkosi lomeluleki wayo omkhulu. Inkosi yaze yakhipha umthetho wokuthi loba ngubani owayebona induna le kwakumele ayikhothamele. (Esta. 3:1-4) Kodwa umthetho lo wawulukhunyana kuModekhayi. Wayeyilalela sibili inkosi kodwa wayengeke adanise uNkulunkulu. UHamani wayengum-Agagi. Lokhu kungabe kusitsho ukuthi wayengowosendo luka-Agagi, inkosi yama-Amaleki eyabulawa ngumphrofethi uSamuyeli ethunywe nguNkulunkulu. (1 Sam. 15:33) Ama-Amaleki ayexhwale kakhulu okokuthi acina eseyizitha zikaJehova lama-Israyeli. UNkulunkulu wayethe isizwe lesi sitshabalaliswe.c (Dute. 25:19) AkulamJuda othembekileyo owayengakhothamela um-Amaleki. Yikho uModekhayi laye wala wajeka intaba. Lalamuhla kulamadoda labesifazana ababhejela ukufa kulokuthi bephule isimiso lesi esithi: “Simele silalele uNkulunkulu kulokulalela abantu!”—ImiSeb. 5:29.

19. UHamani wayefuna ukwenzani, njalo wenzani ukuze athole imvumo enkosini?

¹⁹ UHamani wazonda waphuphuma! Kodwa nxa wayengabulala uModekhayi kuphela, kuye kwakuyafanana lokuthi wayeyabe engenzanga lutho. Yikho wakubona kufanele ukuthi atshabalalise wonke amaJuda! UHamani wanyundisela abantu laba enkosini. Kazange atsho ukuthi babengobani sibisibili, kodwa wakhuluma egudlisela ukuthi babengabantu abangasizi lutho. Wathi ngabantu “abahlakazeke basabalala phakathi kwabantu.” Wakhwezela esithi babengayilaleli imithetho yenkosi njalo babengamavukelambuso ayingozi. Waze watshela inkosi ukuthi wayezakhipha amagqibhagqibha emali ukuze kubhadalwe izindleko zokubulala wonke amaJuda ayesembusweni.d U-Ahasuweru wanika uHamani indandatho yakhe ukuze ibe yisidindo sokuthi wayengenza lokho ayekuhlosile.—Esta. 3:5-10.

20, 21. (a) UModekhayi lawo wonke amaJuda ayeseMbusweni wasePhesiya bazizwa njani sebezwe isimemezelo sikaHamani? (b) UModekhayi wacela ukuthi u-Esta enzeni?

²⁰ Ngesikhatshana nje izithunywa ezazihamba ngamabhiza zathi tsaha embusweni wonke zatshela abantu ukuthi amaJuda wonke kwakufanele abulawe. Zawusakaza umbiko lo waze wayafika laseJerusalema lapho okwakulamaJuda ayevela eBhabhiloni ayesakha idolobho leli elalingelamiduli yokulivikela. Akucabange ukuthi amaJuda athini ewuzwa umbiko lo. Engxenye uModekhayi wawacabanga amaJuda la ngesikhathi ezizwa izindaba lezi ezimbi, wanakana langezihlobo kanye labangane bakhe ababeseSusa. Wakhathazeka kakhulu wadabula izigqoko zakhe, wagqoka amasaka okulila, wazithela ngomlotha ekhanda futhi wadabula phakathi kwedolobho esiqhinqa isililo. Kodwa uHamani yena wayezinathela lenkosi engagqize qhakala ngesililo lesi ayesilethele wonke amaJuda labangane bawo ababeseSusa.—Bala u-Esta 3:12–4:1.

²¹ UModekhayi wayekwazi ukuthi kwakungafanelanga ahlalele izandla. Manje wayengenzani enguModekhayi nje? U-Esta wezwa ukuthi umzawakhe wayephakathi kosizi wasemthumela izigqoko, kodwa yena wala ukududuzwa. Mhlawumbe kwasekulesikhathi eside ezibuza ukuthi kungani uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wayevumele ukuthi intandokazi yakhe u-Esta yehlukane laye iyekuba yindlovukazi yenkosi engumhedeni. Khathesi-ke kwasekusithi dlwe, esesibona isizatho. Yikho-ke walayezela inceku yendlovukazi u-Esta ukuthi iyemcela ukuthi abakhulumele lenkosi ukuze “abantu bakibo” basinde.—Esta. 4:4-8.

22. Kuyini okwakusenza ukuthi u-Esta esabe ukuya enkosini lanxa yayingumkakhe? (Khangela lamabala angaphansi.)

²² Lapho u-Esta ekuzwa lokhu, kumele ukuthi kwabila ekhanda kwangathi ubuchopho bubaselwe ilangabi. Lesi kwakuyisilingo esikhulu esasizatshengisa ukuthi wayelokholo. Wayesesaba njalo wakuveza lokhu ngesikhathi ephendula uModekhayi. Wamkhumbuza ngomthetho wenkosi owawusithi nxa umuntu wayengayazithela enkosini ingambizanga, wayengagwetshelwa ukufa. Wayengasila kuphela nxa inkosi ingelula intonga yayo yegolide. U-Esta yena wayelaso yini isizatho sokucabanga ukuthi wayengasila njengoba wayezibonele lokho inkosi eyayikwenze kuVashithi lapho esala ngesikhathi imbiza? Wamtshela uModekhayi ukuthi kwasekulamalanga angu-30 inkosi ingazange imbize. Engxenye lokhu kwenza ukuthi u-Esta azitshele ukuthi inkosi le eyayiphenduphenduka njengonwabu yayingasamthandi.e—Esta. 4:9-11.

23. (a) UModekhayi wathini ukuze aqinise ukholo luka-Esta? (b) Kungani kumele simlingisele uModekhayi?

²³ UModekhayi waphendula engakhekhelezi ukuze aqinise ukholo luka-Esta. Wamtshela ukuthi nxa wayengazihlalela angenzi lutho, amaJuda ayezathola usizo kwenye indawo. Waphinda wathi u-Esta laye wayengeke asile nxa abakibo sebebulawa. Lapha uModekhayi waveza ukuthi wayelokholo kuJehova, uNkulunkulu owayengeke avumele ukuthi abantu bakhe batshabalaliswe loba ukuthi izithembiso zakhe ziphelele emoyeni. (Josh. 23:14) Wabuza u-Esta wathi: “Kwazi bani, ukuthi uze kulesi sikhundla sobukhosi ngenxa yesikhathi esinjengalesi na?” (Esta. 4:12-14) Kufanele simlingisele sibili uModekhayi. Wayemthemba ngenhliziyo yonke uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Wena uyamthemba yini?—Zaga. 3:5, 6.

24. U-Esta watshengisa njani ukuthi wayelokholo lesibindi?

²⁴ U-Esta kwasekumele akhethe ukuthi uzakwenzani. Watshela uModekhayi ukuthi acele abantu bakibo ukuthi bazile okwamalanga amathathu njengaye. Waphetha ngokuthi: “Nxa ngibhubha, ngiyabe ngibhubhile.” (Esta. 4:15-17) Nxa siwabala amazwi la, siyazibonela ukuthi wayelokholo kanye lesibindi. Kufanele ukuthi okwamalanga la amathathu wathandaza ngendlela ayengakaze enze ngayo. Lafika elingaliyo. Waceca ngezigqoko zakhe ezinhle zasesikhosini, esenza konke ayengakwenza ukuze abukeke enkosini, wasesiya kuyo.

25. Chaza ukuthi kwenzakalani lapho u-Esta esiya kumkakhe.

²⁵ U-Esta waya esigodlweni senkosi njengoba kuchaziwe ekuqaliseni kwesahluko. Akucabange ukuthi wayekhathazeke njani, mhlawumbe eselokhu ethandaza encenga ngenhliziyo yonke. Wafika wangena esigodlweni senkosi, engxenye wambona nanguya u-Ahasuweru ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. Nxa kuyikuthi kwathiwa aqale ame kancane, kuye kwakuyabe sekungani kade walinda. Kungenzeka ukuthi wayikhangela ebusweni inkosi efuna ukubona ukuthi yayithabile kumbe izondile. Ekucineni yambona futhi kufanele ukuthi yamangala, kodwa kayizange ihwaqe. Yelula intonga yayo yegolide yamkhomba ngayo.—Esta. 5:1, 2.

26. Kungani kumele amaKhristu abe lesibindi esinjengesika-Esta, njalo wayesewuqedile yini umsebenzi wakhe?

²⁶ Inkosi yathiya indlebe yamlalela u-Esta. Indlovukazi le yayitshengise ukuthi ithembekile kuNkulunkulu njalo yayifake ukuphila kwayo engozini izama ukuvikela isizwe sakibo. AmaKhristu eqiniso ayakuqakathekisa kakhulu okwenziwa ngu-Esta kanye labanye ababelokholo. UJesu wathi abalandeli bakhe beqiniso babezakhanya ngokuthanda abanye, bazidele ngenxa yabo. (Bala uJohane 13:34, 35.) Kumele sibe lesibindi esinjengesika-Esta nxa sifuna ukuba lothando olunje. Wayesethethe inyathelo lokuqala ukuze avikele abantu bakaNkulunkulu kodwa kunengi okwakusamele akwenze. Wayezathini enkosini ukuze inanzelele ukuthi uHamani umeluleki wayo eyayimfake ekhwapheni wayelimenemene? Wayezakwenzani ukuze abantu bakibo bangabulawa? Imibuzo le izaphendulwa esihlokweni esilandelayo.

1-3. (a) Kwakulula yini ukuthi u-Esta alande umkakhe esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi? Chaza. (b) Inkosi yamemukela njani u-Esta?

U-ESTA wasondela esihlalweni sobukhosi, uvalo selumvavatha kungathi luzamlahla phansi. Mhlawumbe endlini le enkulu yesikhosini eyayingaphakathi kwesigodlo saseSusa ePhesiya kwakuthule cwaka okokuthi nxa u-Esta wayehamba wayezizwa izisinde zakhe kanye lomsindo wezigqoko zakhe zasesikhosini. Kwakulemiduli emihle okwamagama kanye lophahla olubabazekayo olwaluceciswe ngamapulanka omsedari ayevela khonale eLebhanoni. Kodwa lesi kwakungayisiso sikhathi sokubukana lezinto lezi. Amehlo akhe wawathi nhlo enkosini eyayihlezi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi. Phela yiyo eyayiphethe ukuphila kwakhe.

² Layo yamkhangela imuthe nzo u-Esta, yasiselulela kuye intonga yayo yegolide. Isenzo lesi sasingakhanya singatsho lutho kodwa sasindisa ukuphila kwakhe. Inkosi yayisitsho ukuthi ayisoze imgwebele icala lokufika kuyo ingambizanga. Wasondela-ke u-Esta esihlalweni sobukhosi, wathinta isihloko sentonga. Kumele ukuthi wayeyibonga inkosi enhliziyweni yakhe.—Esta. 5:1, 2.

³ Kwakuzikhanyela ukuthi iNkosi u-Ahasuweru yayilamandla amakhulu njalo iyisipatsha. Amakhosi ePhesiya ayegqoka impahla zesikhosini ezazingabiza amakhulu amamiliyoni amadola ngemali yalamuhla. U-Esta wayikhangela inkosi wazibonela ukuthi yayimthanda. Yathi: “Kutheni Ndlovukazi Esta? Kuyini okucelayo na? Uzanikwa loba yini, okungafika kungxenye yombuso.”—Esta. 5:3.

 4. U-Esta kwasekumele enzeni?

⁴ U-Esta wayesevele ekuvezile ukuthi wayelokholo oluqinileyo kanye lesibindi. Wayelande inkosi esiyakhulumela isizwe sakibo ukuze singathanyelwa siqedwe. Izinto zaya ngasifudlana kodwa kwakulomunye umsebenzi onzima okwasekumele awenze. Kwakumele atshele inkosi le eyayizikhukhumeza ukuthi umeluleki wayo eyayimthembile wayeyiqilile yacina ikhipha isigwebo sokuthi abantu bakibo ka-Esta babulawe. Pho wayezalubeka njani udaba lwakhe ukuze inkosi imkholwe? Kanti njalo indaba yowesifazana lo owayelokholo ingasifundisani?

5, 6. (a) U-Esta wasisebenzisa njani isimiso esikumTshumayeli 3:1, 7? (b) U-Esta watshengisa njani ukuthi wayehlakaniphile ngesikhathi ekhuluma lomkakhe?

⁵ Kwakuqondile yini ukuthi u-Esta aluhlinzele ebandla udaba lwakhe, phambi kwabo bonke ababesesigodlweni? Nxa wayengaluchaya enkundleni, mhlawumbe inkosi yayingayangeka njalo uHamani umeluleki wayo wayeyahle athole itshoba lokuziphungela. Manje wenzani u-Esta? Endulo iNkosi uSolomoni eyayihlakaniphile yaphefumulelwa ukuthi ibhale amazwi athi: ‘Zonke izinto zilesikhathi sazo. Isikhathi sokuthula lesikhathi sokukhuluma.’ (UmTshu. 3:1, 7) Kumele ukuthi uModekhayi wayemfundisile u-Esta izimiso ezinjengalezi njengoba wayeyindoda ethembekileyo futhi kunguye owamkhulisayo. U-Esta wayekwazi ukuthi kuqakatheke kakhulu ukukhetha ‘isikhathi sokukhuluma’ esifaneleyo.

⁶ Yikho-ke wathi: “Nxa inkosi ithokoza ngalokhu, bengicela ukuthi inkosi, kanye loHamani beze lamhla edilini engililungisele yona.” (Esta. 5:4) Inkosi yavuma yasisithi uHamani abizwe. Amazwi ka-Esta atshengisa ukuthi wayehlakaniphile sibili. Wamnika isithunzi umkakhe futhi wahlela ukuthi bakhulumele endaweni efaneleyo, ngesikhathi esifaneleyo.—Bala iZaga 10:19.

7, 8. Kwakunjani edilini lika-Esta lokuqala, njalo kungani engazange ahle atshele inkosi udaba lwakhe?

⁷ Uyambona yini u-Esta elungiselela idili futhi esiba leqiniso lokuthi kuba lokudla okukhwabithekayo okuthandwa ngumkakhe? Edilini leli kwakulewayini elimnandi elalizakwenza ukuthi abantu bathokoze. (Hubo. 104:15) U-Ahasuweru wakholisa waze wambuza futhi u-Esta ukuthi ulesikhalazo bani. Sasesifikile yini isikhathi sokuthi akhulume?

⁸ U-Esta wakubona kungcono ukuthi angaphangi umdaka izulu lingakani. Ngakho-ke wanxusa inkosi loHamani ukuthi babuye kwelinye idili ngelanga elilandelayo. (Esta. 5:7, 8) Kanti kungani engazange ahle akhulume? Khumbula ukuthi abakibo ka-Esta basebezabulawa ngoba uHamani wayethole imvumo enkosini yokubulala wonke amaJuda. Yikho-ke u-Esta kwakumele akhethe isikhathi sokukhuluma esifaneleyo ngoba nxa wayengawalazela kwakungafa abantu abanengi. Walinda ukuze athole elinye ithuba lokutshengisa umkakhe ukuthi wayemhlonipha kakhulu.

 9. Ukubekezela kuqakatheke ngani, njalo singamlingisela njani u-Esta endabeni le?

⁹ Lamuhla balutshwana kakhulu abantu ababekezelayo kodwa ukubekezela kuqakatheke kakhulu. U-Esta walinda saze safika isikhathi esifaneleyo lanxa wayekhathazekile kusithi alibhoboze ithumba leli elalimfuthela. Lathi singafunda okunengi kuye ngoba phose sonke siyake sibone okuthile okunxele esiyabe sifisa ukuthi kuqondiswe. Nxa kulomuntu osesikhundleni esifuna ukuthi asixakululele udaba olusihluphayo, kungaba kuhle ukuthi sibekezele njengo-Esta. IZaga 25:15 zithi: “Ngokubekezela inkosi ingancengwa ize ivume, lolimi oluthambileyo lungalephula ithambo.” Nxa singabekezela njalo sikhulume ngolimi oluthambileyo njengo-Esta, lomuntu olukhuni njengethambo angacina evumelana lesikutshoyo. Sesibonile ukuthi u-Esta wahlakanipha waphinda wabekezela. Manje uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wambusisa yini?

10, 11. Kuyini okwacaphula uHamani evela edilini lenkosi, njalo umkakhe labangane bakhe bamtshela ukuthi enzeni?

¹⁰ Ukubekezela kuka-Esta kwanceda ngoba kunengi okwenzakala ngesikhathi esalindile. UHamani wathi esuka edilini ‘wayethabe kakhulukazi’ inhliziyo idlala lephaphu ngoba inkosi kanye lendlovukazi babekhethe ukubiza yena yedwa edilini labo. Kodwa uthe esedlula esangweni lenkosi wadibana loModekhayi umJuda owayesala ukumkhothamela. Esihlokweni esidlulileyo sibonile ukuthi kwakungayisikho ukuthi uModekhayi wayedelela kodwa wayengafuni ukonela uJehova uNkulunkulu. Lanxa kunjalo, uHamani “wagcwalelana ngokumthukuthelela.”—Esta. 5:9.

¹¹ Wathi esefikile endlini watshela umkakhe labangane bakhe ukuthi uModekhayi wayemkhangelela emanzini. Bamtshela ukuthi enze isigodo sokulengisa abantu esedlula amamitha angu-22 ubude, abesesiya enkosini acele imvumo yokumlengisa kuso. Lokhu kwamthokozisa uHamani wahle wathi lothu, wanika umlayo wokuthi isigodo leso senziwe.—Esta. 5:12-14.

12. Kwakutheni inkosi ize icele ukubalelwa ugwalo lwemilando olwalulemibhalo yombuso wayo, njalo yatholani kulo?

¹² Inkosi layo yathwala nzima ebusuku. IBhayibhili lisitshela ukuthi “inkosi yaswela ubuthongo.” Ngakho yathi kakubalwe ugwalo lwemilando olwalulemibhalo yombuso wayo. Yathola ukuthi kulabantu ababenze icebo lokuyibulala. Kwathi qhwi engqondweni yayo yakhumbula ukuthi izigangi lezo zabanjwa zabulawa. Yasibuza ukuthi uModekhayi wayephiwe dumo bani njengoba kunguye owayevumbulule iqhinga lababefuna ukuyibulala? Yatshelwa ukuthi akulamvuzo ayewutholile.—Bala u-Esta 6:1-3.

13, 14. (a) Izinto zamntshintshela njani uHamani? (b) UmkaHamani kanye labangane bakhe bamtshelani?

¹³ Inkosi yayingasahlalisekanga, yikho yabuza ukuthi yiziphi izikhulu zayo ezazikhona esigodlweni ezazingayincedisa ukulungisa impazamo le. Kwatholakala ukuthi owayekhona nguHamani. Kukhanya angani wayevuke kusesele, watshaya amazolo esiza esigodlweni ngoba kwasekumphuzele ukucela imvumo yokubulala uModekhayi. Kodwa engakasitsho isikhalazo sakhe, inkosi yambuza ukuthi kuyini engakwenzela umuntu eyayifuna ukumupha udumo. UHamani wahle wazitshela ukuthi inkosi yayisitsho yena. Wazama ukungena ngenxeba njengempethu wathi umuntu lo kalethelwe isambatho sobukhosi, abesekhokhelwa edabula phakathi kwedolobho egade ibhiza lenkosi futhi kumenyezwe phambi kwakhe ukuthi inkosi imupha udumo. Kodwa watshelwa ukuthi indoda okwakumele iphiwe udumo kwakunguModekhayi. Kumele ukuthi ubuso bukaHamani babuna esizwa lokhu. Okwababuhlungu kakhulu yikuthi inkosi yathuma yena ukuthi ahambe ememeza phambi kukaModekhayi.—Esta. 6:4-10.

¹⁴ UHamani wakwenza ngenhliziyo ebuhlungu lokhu ngoba kwakumyangisa. Wathi eqeda lapho wahle wagijimela endlini yakhe emboze ikhanda elila. Umkakhe kanye labangane bakhe bamtshela ukuthi lapho kwasekwephuke izikeyi lokuthi wayengeke abe esaphumelela empini le ayeyilwa loModekhayi umJuda.—Esta. 6:12, 13.

15. (a) Ukubekezela kuka-Esta kwanceda ngani? (b) Kungani kuyikuhlakanipha ukuthi ‘silindele’ uNkulunkulu?

¹⁵ Sibonile ukuthi indlovukazi u-Esta kayizange ihle itshele inkosi isicelo sayo kodwa yabekezela. Ngesikhathi isalindile, uHamani wayesenza izinto ezazizamthela emanyaleni. Mhlawumbe uJehova uNkulunkulu nguye owayebangele ukuthi inkosi iswele ubuthongo. (Zaga. 21:1) Nxa lathi singalindela uNkulunkulu sizabona ukuthi indlela alungisa ngayo izinhlupho zethu ingcono khatshana kulalokho ebesingazenzela khona. Yikho iLizwi lakhe lisikhuthaza ukuthi ‘simlindele.’—Bala uMikha 7:7.

16, 17. (a) Safika nini isikhathi sokuthi u-Esta akhulume? (b) U-Esta wayetshiyene njani loVashithi owayeke waba yindlovukazi yenkosi?

¹⁶ U-Esta wayengafuni ukuthi inkosi icine iphelelwa yisineke. Edilini lakhe lesibili kwasekumele isiziba sidungwe, ayitshele konke. Kodwa wayezaqalisela ngaphi? Okuhle yikuthi inkosi yaphinda yamnika elinye ithuba, yambuza ukuthi wayekhala ngani. (Esta. 7:2) Sasesifikile-ke ‘isikhathi sokukhuluma.’

¹⁷ Engxenye u-Esta waqala wathandazela enhliziyweni, wasesithi: ‘Nxa ngifumene umusa kuwe nkosi, njalo nxa inkosi kuyithokozisa, bengicela ukuphila, yisicelo sami lesi.’ (Esta. 7:3) Nanzelela ukuthi waqinisekisa inkosi ukuthi wayeyithemba ukuthi yahlulela kuhle. Wayengafanani ngitsho lakancane lendlovukazi yakuqala, uVashithi, eyayangisa inkosi phakathi kwabantu. (Esta. 1:10-12) Kanti njalo indlovukazi u-Esta kayizange ichothoze inkosi ithi yayenze ubuwula ngokuthemba uHamani. Kodwa yayincenga inkosi iyicela ukuthi iyivikele ukuze ingabulawa.

18. U-Esta waluveza njani uhlupho lwakhe enkosini?

¹⁸ Kumele ukuthi inkosi yaphelelwa, yazibuza ukuthi kambe ngubani owayengaba lesibindi sokuzama ukubulala indlovukazi yayo. U-Esta waqhubeka wathi: “Mina kanye labantu bakithi sithengisiwe ukuze sichithwe njalo sibulawe ukuze singabikhona emhlabeni. Ngabe besimane sathengiswa njengezigqili ezesilisa lesifazana, bengizazithulela, ngoba akulahlupho olunje olungabangela ukuthi inkosi iphanjaniswe.” (Esta. 7:4) U-Esta kazange akhekheleze kodwa wahle wayithi bhadla indaba yakhe. Waphinda wathi wayezazithulela aluba kwakuyindaba yokuthengiswa ukuthi babeyizigqili nje. Kodwa nxa abantu bonke laba babengabulawa, inkosi layo yayiyabe ilahlekelwe kakhulu.

19. Singamlingisela njani u-Esta ukuze esikutshoyo kuthophele ezinhliziyweni zabanye?

¹⁹ Okwenziwa ngu-Esta kusifundisa lokho okumele sikwenze ukuze esikutshoyo kuthophele ezinhliziyweni zabanye. Nxa kuyikuthi kulodaba olukhulu okumele ulutshele otshade laye, isihlobo, umngane kumbe umuntu olesikhundla, kuqakatheke kakhulu ukuthi ubekezele, ube lenhlonipho futhi ukhulume kucace.—Zaga. 16:21, 23.

20, 21. (a) U-Esta wamchaya njani uHamani, futhi inkosi yenzani isizwe izigigaba zakhe? (b) UHamani wenzani sekuvezwe egcekeni ukuthi wayelimenemene eliligwala?

²⁰ U-Ahasuweru wabuza wathi: “Ngubani lowo? Ungaphi umuntu obelesibindi sokwenza into enje?” Akumbone u-Esta emkhomba ngomunwe wakhe esithi: “Isitha lomuntu ololunya nguyenalo uHamani olomona.” Wasesithini-ke uHamani? Wethuka amadolo atshayana. Akuyicabange inkosi le eyayingaphuzi ukuzonda ihwaqa amehlo esebomvu gebhu, isinanzelele ukuthi umuntu lo ebimthemba wayeyibambe amehlo wayisayinisa umlayo owawuzabulalisa lendlovukazi yayo eyayiyithanda. Yaphuma ihaluzela isiya esivandeni isithi ike iyekwehlisa umoya.—Esta. 7:5-7.

²¹ UHamani wayesechaywe egcekeni kwakhanya ukuthi wayelimenemene eliligwala. Waziphosa ezinyaweni zika-Esta eqhaqhazela. Inkosi ithe ingena endlini, yathi qaqabu yabona uHamani esethe sece ku-Esta emncenga. Yazonda yadla amahabula isithi kambe uHamani angazama ukubamba indlovukazi yayo iganyavu yona ikhona. Kwahle kwamcacela uHamani ukuthi kwasekuphelile ngaye. Wasuswa endlini sebemgubuzele ubuso. Esinye isisebenzi satshela inkosi ukuthi kwakulesigodo sokulengisa abantu uHamani ayesenzele uModekhayi. U-Ahasuweru wahle wathi uHamani kalengiswe kuso.—Esta. 7:8-10.

22. Okwenziwa ngu-Esta kungasinceda njani ukuthi singakhalali kumbe siphelelwe lukholo nxa izinto zingahambi kuhle?

²² Emhlabeni lo omubi kulula ukuthi nxa kungaba lokunye okungahambi kuhle sicabange ukuthi akusoze kwafa kwalunga. Uyake ucabange njalo yini? Nxa kunjalo kumele ulingisele u-Esta. Kazange akhalale acabange ukuthi izinto zazingeke zalunga njalo kazange aphelelwe lukholo. Isikhathi esifaneleyo sathi sesifikile waqunga isibindi, wakhuluma okwakumele kulungiswe, wasetshiyela okunengi kuJehova ngoba wayemthemba. UJehova kantshintshi. Wabamba uHamani ngomjibila ayezilungisele wona. Lalamuhla akulalutho olungamehlula ukuthi enze njalo ebantwini abangamamenemene.—Bala iHubo 7:11-16.

23. (a) Inkosi yamnikani uModekhayi futhi yamuphani u-Esta? (b) Sagcwaliseka njani isiphrofetho esasimayelana loBhenjamini? (Khangela ibhokisi elithi “Kwagcwaliseka Isiphrofetho.”)

²³ U-Ahasuweru wacina esekwazi ukuthi indoda le okwakuthiwa nguModekhayi eyayitshengise ukuthi iqotho kuye ngokumvikela ebantwini ababefuna ukumbulala yiyo eyayikhulise u-Esta. Wayinika isikhundla sokuba yindunankulu waphinda wapha u-Esta indlu kaHamani kanye lenotho yakhe. U-Esta wathi uModekhayi kube nguye ophatha impahla kaHamani.—Esta. 8:1, 2.

24, 25. (a) Kungani u-Esta engazange ahlale achelese lanxa wayeselivezile icebo likaHamani? (b) U-Esta waphinda wenzani okwakungambulalisa?

²⁴ U-Esta wazihlalela wachelesa yini njengoba izinto zasezimhambela kuhle yena loModekhayi? Kazange akwenze lokhu ngoba wayelendaba labanye. Ngalesosikhathi umlayo kaHamani wokubulala amaJuda wawulokhu usabalala kuzo zonke izindawo embusweni. UHamani wayesebenzise inkatho okuthiwa yiPhuri, njalo kukhanya lokhu kwakuyisidimoni. Wayefuna ukubona ukuthi yisiphi isikhathi okwakufanele aqothule ngaso abantu laba. (Esta. 9:24-26) Kwakusasele izinyanga ukuthi ilanga lokuthi babulawe lifike, kodwa amalanga ayelokhu esondela. Manje u-Esta wenzani ukuze amaJuda angabulawa?

²⁵ Wazinikela, wahamba enkosini engabizwanga lanxa lokhu kwakungambulalisa. Wafika wakhala izinyembezi encenga umkakhe ukuthi esule umlayo lo owawuzabatshabalalisa. Kodwa uhlupho olwalukhona yikuthi imithetho eyayibhalwa ebizweni lenkosi yePhesiya yayingeke yesulwe. (Dan. 6:12, 15) Yikho-ke inkosi yanika u-Esta loModekhayi ilungelo lokuthi bafake umthetho omutsha owawuzavumela ukuthi amaJuda azivikele. Kwathunyelwa isimemezelo sesibili njalo izithunywa ezazihamba ngamabhiza zasabalala embusweni zitshela amaJuda umbiko lo owawumuhle. Athi ekuzwa lokhu aba lenhlansi yethemba. (Esta. 8:3-16) Kungasimthetho lo omutsha, amaJuda ayengeke azivikele. Akuwabone ngelihlo lengqondo sehlome aphelela elungele ukulwa. Kambe uJehova “uNkulunkulu wamabutho” wayezabasekela yini abantu bakhe?—1 Sam. 17:45.

26, 27. (a) UJehova wabasiza na abantu ukuthi banqobe izitha zabo? Chaza. (b) Yisiphi isiphrofetho esagcwalisekayo lapho kubulawa amadodana kaHamani?

²⁶ Ilanga elalikhethiwe lafika abantu bakaNkulunkulu sebevele belindile. Leziphathamandla zePhesiya zasezibasekela ngoba zasezizwile ukuthi kwasekulendunankulu entsha eyayingumJuda okuthiwa nguModekhayi. UJehova wabancedisa abantu bakhe bazitshaya bazibhuqa izitha zabo. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi wabavikela ezitheni lezi ezazifuna ukubaqeda, baziqothula zaphela du.a—Esta. 9:1-6.

²⁷ Amadodana kaHamani alitshumi lawo abulawa ngoba uModekhayi wayengeke akhululeke ukuba ngumphathi wempahla kaHamani wona esaphila. (Esta. 9:7-10) Lokhu kwagcwalisa isiphrofetho esiseBhayibhilini uNkulunkulu ayesikhulumile esasiphathelane lokuthi ama-Amaleki ayezabhujiswa ngoba ayeyizitha zabantu bakhe. (Dute. 25:17-19) Kungenzakala ukuthi ukubulawa kwamadodana kaHamani kwaba yikuphela kwesizwe lesi.

28, 29. (a) Kungani kwakuyintando kaJehova ukuthi u-Esta labantu besizwe sakibo balwe impi? (b) Indaba ka-Esta isinceda ngani?

²⁸ U-Esta wayekhuluma lenkosi ngezindaba eziphathelane lemithetho yesizwe kanye lempi. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi lokhu kwakunzima sibili. Loba kunjalo, uJehova wayefuna ukuthi abantu bakhe bavikelwe bangatshabalali. Phela wayethembise ukuthi kwakuzakuba loMesiya owayezavela esizweni sako-Israyeli asindise uluntu. (Gen. 22:18) Lamuhla kuyazithokozisa izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ukuthi uMesiya wafundisa abalandeli bakhe ukuthi bangathwali izikhali besilwa labanye.—Mat. 26:52.

²⁹ Lanxa kunjalo, kulenye impi amaKhristu ayilwayo. Alwa loSathane okufuna ngabomvu ukubhidliza ukholo lwawo, awehlukanise loJehova uNkulunkulu. (Bala u-2 Khorinte 10:3, 4.) Sibusisiwe sibili ngoba kulokunengi esingakufunda endabeni ka-Esta. Kungaba kuhle nxa singaba lesibindi, sizinikele ngenxa yabanye, sihlakaniphe, sibekezele njalo sikhulume ngendlela ezakwenza ukuthi esikutshoyo kuthophele ezinhliziyweni zabanye. Konke lokhu kuzatshengisa ukuthi silokholo.