Incwadi YeBhayibheli Yoku-1—UGenesise — I-ONLINE LIBRARY YeBhayibheli

Incwadi YeBhayibheli Yoku-1—UGenesise

Umlobi: UMose

Yalotshelwa: Ehlane

Ukuloba Kwaphela: 1513 B.C.E.

Isikhathi Esihlanganisiwe: “Ekuqaleni” kuya ku-1657 B.C.E.

1. Iziphi ezinye zezihloko ezibalulekile ezihlanganiswa kuGenesise?

CABANGA nje uthatha incwadi enezahluko ezimfushane ezingu-50 kuphela futhi emakhasini ayo okuqala uthole ukulandisa okuwukuphela kwakho okunembile komlando wokuqala womuntu nomlando ogciniwe obonisa ubuhlobo bomuntu noNkulunkulu, uMdali wakhe, nomhlaba nezigidigidi zezidalwa zawo! Kulawomakhasi ambalwa, uzuza futhi nokuqonda okujulile ngenjongo kaNkulunkulu yokubeka umuntu emhlabeni. Uma uqhubeka kancane ufunda, uthola ukuthi kungani umuntu efa nesizathu sesimo sakhe samanje esinezinkinga, futhi uthola ukukhanyiselwa ngokuqondene nesisekelo sangempela sokholo nethemba, ngisho nangokuqondene nokubona ithuluzi likaNkulunkulu lokukhulula—iMbewu yesithembiso. Incwadi ephawulekayo equkethe zonke lezizinto uGenesise, eyokuqala yezincwadi zeBhayibheli ezingu-66.

2. Lisho ukuthini igama elithi Genesise, futhi uyingxenye yokuqala yani?

² Elithi “Genesise” lisho “Indabuko; Ukuzalwa,” okuyigama elithathwe enguqulweni yalencwadi yeSeptuagint yesiGreki. Emibhalweni yesandla yesiHeberu, lesihloko siyigama lokuqala, elithi Bereʼ·shithʹ, “ekuqaleni” (ngesiGreki, en ar·kheiʹ). UGenesise uyincwadi yokuqala yePentateuch (okuyigama lesiGreki elenziwe isiNgisi elisho “imiqulu emihlanu” noma “umqulu ohlukene kahlanu”). Ngokusobala lena ekuqaleni kwakuyincwadi eyodwa eyayibizwa ngokuthi iTorah (uMthetho) noma ‘incwadi yomthetho kaMose’ kodwa kamuva yahlukaniswa yaba imiqulu emihlanu ukuze iphatheke kalula.—Josh. 23:6; Ezra 6:18.

3. (a) Ubani uMbhali wencwadi kaGenesise, kodwa ubani owayiloba? (b) UMose kungenzeka ukuthi wakuthola kanjani ukwaziswa akufaka encwadini kaGenesise?

³ UJehova uNkulunkulu unguMbhali weBhayibheli, kodwa waphefumlela uMose ukuba alobe incwadi kaGenesise. UMose wakuthathaphi ukwaziswa akuloba encwadini kaGenesise? Okunye kungenzeka wakuthola ngokuqondile ngokwambulelwa kwaphezulu, okunye ngaphansi kokuqondisa komoya ongcwele, ngokuxoxelwa ngomlomo. Kungenzeka futhi ukuthi uMose wayenezincwadi ezazigcinwe oyisemkhulu njengemilando egciniwe eyigugu yendabuko yesintu.a

4. (a) UMose wakuqedela kanjani futhi nini ukuloba kwakhe? (b) UMose kungenzeka ukuthi wakuthola kanjani ukwaziswa akufaka engxenyeni yokugcina yencwadi kaGenesise?

⁴ Ngokunokwenzeka kwakusehlane laseSinayi ngo-1513 B.C.E. lapho uMose, ngaphansi kokuphefumlelwa, aqeda khona ukuloba kwakhe. (2 Thim. 3:16; Joh. 5:39, 46, 47) UMose wakutholaphi ukwaziswa akuloba engxenyeni yokugcina yencwadi kaGenesise? Njengoba ukhokho wakhe uLevi kwakungumfowabo kaJosefa ngomzali oyedwa, lemininingwane kumelwe ukuba yayaziwa ngokuqondile emkhayeni wakubo. Kungenzeka nanokuthi uLevi wayesaphila ngesikhathi sikayise kaMose, uAmramu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, umoya kaJehova wawungaphinda futhi uqinisekise ukulotshwa okuqondile kwalengxenye yemiBhalo.—Eks. 6:16, 18, 20; Num. 26:59.

5. Ibuphi ubufakazi beBhayibheli bangaphakathi obufakazela ukuloba kukaMose?

⁵ Akukho ukungabaza ngokuthi ubani owaloba incwadi kaGenesise. Ukubhekisela ezincwadini ezinhlanu zokuqala zeBhayibheli, uGenesise angenye yazo, ngokuthi “Incwadi yomthetho kaMose” nokunye okufana nakho, kutholakala ngokuvamile kusukela esikhathini somlandeli kaMose, uJoshuwa, kuya phambili. Eqinisweni, kubhekiselwa kuMose izikhathi ezingaba ngu-200 ezincwadini zeBhayibheli zakamuva ezingu-27. Ukuloba kukaMose akukaze kungatshazwe ngamaJuda. ImiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki imphawula kaningana uMose njengomlobi ‘womthetho,’ ubufakazi obuqand’ ikhanda kuyilobo bukaJesu Kristu. UMose wabhala ngokuyala kukaJehova okuqondile nangaphansi kokuphefumlela kwaKhe.—Eks. 17:14; 34:27; Josh. 8:31; Dan. 9:13; Luka 24:27, 44.

6. Yini esikisela ukuthi ukubhala kwaqala ekuqaleni komlando wesintu?

⁶ Abanye abagxeki baye babuza, Kodwa uMose nababengaphambi kwakhe babekwazi kanjani ukubhala? Ukubhala akuyona yini into eyavezwa abantu kamuva? Ngokusobala ukubhala kwaqala ekuqaleni kakhulu komlando wesintu, mhlawumbe ngaphambi kukaZamcolo wosuku lukaNowa, owenzeka ngo-2370 B.C.E. Ingabe bukhona ubufakazi bekhono lomuntu lokubhala ekuqaleni? Nakuba kuyiqiniso ukuthi abavubukuli baye bathi amatshe athile obumba abawavubukulile awangaphambi kuka-2370 B.C.E., iminyaka enjalo imane nje iwukuqagela. Nokho, kufanele kuphawulwe ukuthi iBhayibheli libonisa ngokucacile ukuthi ukwakhiwa kwemizi, ukwenziwa kwezinsimbi zomculo, nokwakhiwa kwamathuluzi okusebenza ensimbi kwaqala ngaphambi kukaZamcolo. (Gen. 4:17, 21, 22) Khona-ke, ngokunengqondo umuntu wayengeke abe nobunzima ekusunguleni indlela yokubhala.

7. Kunabuphi ubufakazi bezwe bokuba khona kukazamcolo wembulunga yonke nobezingxenye ezintathu zohlanga lwesintu, njengoba kuchazwe ekulandiseni kweBhayibheli?

⁷ Ngezinye izindlela eziningi, incwadi kaGenesise iye yabonakala ivumelana ngokumangalisayo namaqiniso afakazelwe. Incwadi kaGenesise kuphela enikeza ukulandisa okuyiqiniso ngoZamcolo nabasinda kuwo, nakuba ukulandisa ngozamcolo nokusinda kwabantu (ezikhathini eziningi okwenzeka ngokulondolozwa emkhunjini) kutholakala ezinganekwaneni zezingxenye eziningi zomkhaya wesintu. Ukulandisa kwencwadi kaGenesise kuveza futhi nokuqala kokuhlala kwezingxenye ezihlukahlukene zesintu, ezivela emadodaneni amathathu kaNowa—uShemi, uHamu, uJafete.b UDkt. Melvin G. Kyle, waseKolishi Lobufundisi LaseXenia, eMissouri, eU.S.A., wathi: “Akunakuphikwa ukuthi ukusuka endaweni eyodwa, endaweni ethile eMesopotamia, uhlanga lukaHamu lwathuthela eningizimu-ntshonalanga, uhlanga lukaJafete lwaya enyakatho-ntshonalanga, kwathi uhlanga lukaShemi lwaya ‘empumalanga’ ‘ngasezweni laseShineyari.’”c

8. Iziphi ezinye izinhlobo zobufakazi ezifakazela ubuqiniso bencwadi kaGenesise?

⁸ Ukuba yiqiniso kokuthi incwadi kaGenesise iyingxenye yombhalo waphezulu ogciniwe kuboniswa futhi ukuvumelana okungaphakathi kuyo, nawukuvumelana kwayo okuphelele nayo yonke eminye imiBhalo ephefumlelwe. Ubuqotho bayo bubonisa umlobi owesaba uJehova, othanda iqiniso futhi owaloba ngokungangabazi ngamaphutha akho kokubili isizwe nalabo abavelele kwaIsrayeli. Ngaphezu kwakho konke, ukunemba okungaguquki iziprofetho eziye zagcwaliseka ngakho, njengoba kuzoboniswa ngasekupheleni kwalesahluko, kuphawula incwadi kaGenesise njengesibonelo esivelele sokuloba okuphefumlelwe uJehova uNkulunkulu.—Gen. 9:20-23; 37:18-35; Gal. 3:8, 16.

OKUQUKETHWE INCWADI KAGENESISE

9. (a) Yini okulandiswa ngayo esahlukweni sokuqala sikaGenesise ngokuqondene nokudala kukaNkulunkulu? (b) Imiphi imininingwane eyengeziwe isahluko sesibili esiyinikezayo ngokuqondene nomuntu?

⁹ Ukudalwa kwamazulu nomhlaba, nokulungiselelwa komhlaba ukuba uhlalwe umuntu (1:1–2:25). Ihlehlela emuva ngokusobala esikhathini esiyizigidigidi zeminyaka, incwadi kaGenesise ivula ngobulula obuhlaba umxhwele: “Ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu wadala izulu nomhlaba.” Ngokuphawulekayo, lomusho wokuqala uchaza uNkulunkulu njengoMdali namazulu nomhlaba njengendalo yakhe ebonakalayo. Ngamazwi ahlaba umxhwele, akhethwe kahle, isahluko sokuqala siyaqhubeka sinikeza ukulandisa okuvamile ngomsebenzi wokudala okuphathelene nomhlaba. Lokhu kufezwa ngezinkathi zezikhathi eziyisithupha ezithiwa izinsuku, ngayinye eqala ngokuhlwa, lapho umsebenzi wokudala wangaleyonkathi ungakacaci, futhi iphele ngokukhanya kokusa, njengoba ukukhazimula komsebenzi wokudala kubonakala ngokucacile. ‘Ngezinsuku’ ezilandelayo kuvela ukukhanya; isibhakabhaka; izwe elomile nohlaza; izinkanyiso zokuhlukanisa ubusuku nemini; izinhlanzi nezinyoni; nezilwane zasezweni futhi ekugcineni umuntu. Lapha uNkulunkulu wenza kwaziwe imithetho yakhe ebusa izinhlobo ngokwahlukana kwazo, umgoqo ongenakweqiwa owenza kungenzeki ngolunye uhlobo ukuba luphenduke olunye. Esemenzile umuntu ngomfanekiso waKhe siqu, uNkulunkulu umemezela injongo yaKhe ekathathu ngomuntu emhlabeni: ukuba awugcwalise ngenzalo elungile, ukuba awunqobe, nokuba abuse phezu kwendalo eyizilwane. “Usuku” lwesikhombisa luyabusiswa futhi lubizwa ngokuthi lungcwele nguJehova, manje ‘ophumulayo kuyo yonke imisebenzi abeyenzile.’ Ngokulandelayo ukulandisa kunikeza umbono ocacile, noma okhulisiwe, womsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ngokuqondene nomuntu. Kuchaza insimu yase-Edene nendawo ekuyo, kukhuluma ngomthetho kaNkulunkulu womuthi onqatshelwe, kulandisa ngokuqamba kuka-Adamu izilwane, bese kulandisa ngokulungiselela kukaJehova umshado wokuqala ngokwakha umfazi ngengxenye yomzimba ka-Adamu futhi emyisa kuAdamu.

10. Incwadi kaGenesise iyichaza kanjani imvelaphi yesono nokufa, futhi iyiphi injongo ebalulekile okwaziswa ngayo lapha?

¹⁰ Isono nokufa kungena ezweni; kubikezelwa ‘imbewu’ njengomkhululi (3:1–5:5). Owesifazane udla isithelo esinqatshelwe futhi uncenga umyeni wakhe ukuba ahlanganyele naye ekuhlubukeni kwakhe, kanjalo insimu yase-Edene ingcoliswa ukungalaleli. Ngokushesha uNkulunkulu ubonisa indlela injongo yakhe eyofezeka ngayo: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wathi enyokeni [uSathane, umbangeli ongabonakali wokuhlubuka]: . . . Ngizakubeka ubutha phakathi kwakho nowesifazane naphakathi [kwembewu], yakho [nembewu] yakhe. Yona iyakuchoboza ikhanda lakho, wena uyakulimaza isithende sayo.” (3:14, 15, qhathanisa neNW.) Umuntu uyaxoshwa ensimini, ukuba aphile ngobuhlungu nangokusebenza kanzima phakathi kwameva namakhakhasi. Ekugcineni kumelwe afe futhi abuyele emhlabathini abethathwe kuwo. Yinzalo yakhe kuphela engathembela eMbewini ethenjisiwe.

11. Ukonakalisa kwesono kuqhubeka kanjani ngaphandle kwase-Edene?

¹¹ Ukonakalisa kwesono kuyaqhubeka ngaphandle kwase-Edene. UKayini, umntwana wesilisa wokuqala owazalwa, uba umbulali womfowabo uAbela, inceku kaJehova ethembekile. UJehova uxoshela uKayini ezweni lobuHambuma, lapho ezalela khona inzalo kamuva ekhukhulwa uZamcolo. Manje uAdamu unenye indodana, uSeti, oba nguyise kaEnoshe; ngalesikhathi abantu baqala ukubiza egameni likaJehova ngokuzenzisa. UAdamu ufa eneminyaka engu-930 ubudala.

12. Umhlaba wonakaliswa kanjani ngezinsuku zikaNowa?

¹² Abantu ababi nezingelosi ezimbi bonakalisa umhlaba; uNkulunkulu uletha uZamcolo (5:6–11:9). Lapha kunikezwa uhlu lozala lukaSeti. Ovelele phakathi kwalenzalo kaSeti uEnoke, ongcwelisa igama likaJehova ‘ngokuhamba noNkulunkulu.’ (5:22) Indoda elandelayo yokholo oluphawulekayo umzukulu kaEnoke uNowa, owazalwa eminyakeni engu-1 056 ngemva kokudalwa kuka-Adamu. Phakathi nalesikhathi kwenzeka okuthile okwandisa ubudlova emhlabeni. Izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zishiya indawo yazo yokuhlala ezulwini ukuze zishade namadodakazi abantu abukekayo. Lokhu kuhlalisana okungavunyelwe kuveza isizwe esiyingxube seziqhwaga esaziwa ngokuthi amaNefili (okusho ukuthi “Ababulali”), esizakhela sona udumo, hhayi uNkulunkulu. Ngakho uJehova umemezela kuNowa ukuthi uzoshanela abantu nezilwane ngenxa yobubi besintu obuqhubekayo. UNowa kuphela othola umusa kuJehova.

13. UJehova manje ulingcwelisa kanjani igama lakhe?

¹³ UNowa uba nguyise kaShemi, uHamu, uJafete. Njengoba ubudlova nokonakala kuqhubeka emhlabeni, uJehova wambulela uNowa ukuthi usezongcwelisa igama laKhe ngesikhukhula esikhulu, futhi uyala uNowa ukuba akhe umkhumbi wokusindisa, emnikeza ipulani yokwakha enayo yonke imininingwane. UNowa ulalela ngokushesha futhi uqoqa umkhaya wakhe wabantu abayisishiyagalombili, kanye nezilwane nezinyoni; khona-ke, ngonyaka ka-600 wokuphila kwakhe (2370 B.C.E.), uZamcolo uyaqala. Imvula iqhubeka izinsuku ezingu-40, kuze kube yilapho ngisho nezintaba eziphakeme sezimbozwe ngezingalo ezingu-15 (cishe amamitha angu-6,7) amanzi. Ngemva konyaka, lapho uNowa ekugcineni esekwazi ukuhola umkhaya wakhe awukhiphe emkhunjini, isenzo sakhe sokuqala siwukunikela kuJehova umhlatshelo omkhulu wokubonga.

14. Yini uJehova manje ayala ngayo nenza isivumelwano sayo, futhi iziphi izenzakalo ezenzeka ekuphileni kukaNowa?

¹⁴ UJehova manje ubusisa uNowa nomkhaya wakhe futhi ubayala ukuba bagcwalise umhlaba ngenzalo yabo. Isimemezelo sikaNkulunkulu sinikeza imvume yokudla inyama kodwa siyalenqabela igazi, eliwumphefumulo, noma ukuphila, kwenyama, futhi siyala ukuba obulele abulawe. Isivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu sokungaphinde alethe uzamcolo emhlabeni siqinisekiswa ukuvela kothingo emazulwini. Kamuva, uHamu ubonisa indelelo ngomprofethi kaJehova uNowa. Lapho ezwa ngalokhu, uNowa uqalekisa indodana kaHamu uKhanani, kodwa wenezela isibusiso esibonisa ukuthi uShemi uyoboniswa umusa nokuthi uJafete naye uyobusiswa. UNowa ufa eneminyaka engu-950 ubudala.

15. Abantu bazama kanjani ukuzenzela igama lodumo, futhi uJehova uyishafisa kanjani injongo yabo?

¹⁵ Amadodana kaNowa amathathu afeza umyalo kaNkulunkulu wokuba ande, ezala imindeni engu-70, abaqalisi bohlanga lwesintu olukhona manje. UNimrode, umzukulu kaHamu, akabalwa, ngokusobala ngenxa yokuthi uba “iphisi elinamandla . . . ebusweni bukaJehova.” (10:9) Umisa umbuso futhi uqalisa ukwakha imizi. Ngalesikhathi wonke umhlaba unolimi olulodwa. Esikhundleni sokuhlakazekela emhlabeni ukuze bahlale kuwo futhi bawulime, abantu banquma ukwakha umuzi nombhoshongo onesiqongo esifinyelela ezulwini ukuze bazenzele igama lodumo. Nokho, uJehova uyayishafisa injongo yabo ngokudida ulimi lwabo, futhi kanjalo uyabahlakaza. Lomuzi ubizwa ngokuthi iBabele (okusho ukuthi “Ukusangana”).

16. (a) Kungani uhlu lozalo lukaShemi lubalulekile? (b) Kwenzeka kanjani ukuba uAbrama abizwe ngokuthi ‘ungumhlobo kaNkulunkulu,’ futhi wamukela ziphi izibusiso?

¹⁶ Ukusebenzelana kukaNkulunkulu noAbrahama (11:10–25:26). Kulandelelwa uhlu lozalo olubalulekile olusuka kuShemi luya endodaneni kaThera uAbrama, futhi kunikezwa ukuxhumana ngokwezikhathi. Esikhundleni sokuzifunela udumo, uAbrama ubonisa ukholo kuNkulunkulu. Ushiya umuzi wamaKaledi waseUri ngomyalo kaNkulunkulu, futhi lapho eseneminyaka engu-75 ubudala, uwela iEwufrathe esendleleni elibangise eKhanani, ebiza egameni likaJehova. Ngenxa yokholo nokulalela kwakhe, ubizwa ngokuthi “umhlobo [othandiweyo] kaNkulunkulu,” futhi uNkulunkulu umisa isivumelwano sakhe naye. (Jak. 2:23; 2 IziKr. 20:7; Isaya 41:8) UNkulunkulu uvikela uAbrama nomkakhe lapho behleli isikhashana eGibithe. Sebebuyele eKhanani, uAbrama ubonisa ukuphana nokuba kwakhe nokuthula ngokuvumela umshana wakhe nomkhulekeli okanye naye, uLoti, ukuba akhethe ingxenye engcono kakhulu yezwe. Kamuva, usindisa uLoti emakhosini amane amthumbile. Khona-ke, lapho ebuya ekulweni, uAbrama uhlangana noMelkisedeki, inkosi yaseSalema, obusisa uAbrama njengoba engumpristi kaNkulunkulu, futhi uAbrama akhokha kuye okweshumi.

17. UNkulunkulu usandisa kanjani isivumelwano sakhe, futhi yini eyembulwayo ngokuqondene nembewu ka-Abrama?

¹⁷ Kamuva uNkulunkulu ubonakala kuAbrama, ememezela ukuthi uyisihlangu sika-Abrama futhi andisa isithembiso sesivumelwano ngokwembula ukuthi imbewu ka-Abrama iyoba ningi ngangezinkanyezi zezulu. UAbrama utshelwa ukuthi imbewu yakhe iyohlupheka iminyaka engu-400 kodwa iyokophulwa uNkulunkulu, eletha isahlulelo kulesosizwe esihluphayo. Lapho uAbrama eseneminyaka engu-85 ubudala, uSarayi umkakhe, osalokhu engenabantwana, umnika incekukazi yakhe engumGibithe uHagari ukuba imzalele umntwana. Kuzalwa uIshmayeli futhi ubhekwa njengongase abe yindlalifa. Nokho, uJehova unenjongo ehlukile. Lapho uAbrama eneminyaka engu-99 ubudala, uJehova uyalishintsha igama lakhe liba nguAbrahama, ushintsha elikaSarayi liba nguSara, futhi uthembisa ukuthi uSara uzozala indodana. UAbrahama unikezwa isivumelwano sokusoka, futhi ngokushesha usoka abendlu yakhe.

18. Iziphi izenzakalo eziphawulekayo eziba umvuthwandaba ekuphileni kukaLoti?

¹⁸ UNkulunkulu manje umemezela kumhlobo waKhe uAbrahama isinqumo saKhe sokubhubhisa iSodoma neGomora ngenxa yesono sayo esinzima. Izingelosi zikaJehova zixwayisa uLoti futhi zimsiza ukuba abaleke eSodoma nomkakhe namadodakazi akhe amabili. Nokho, umkakhe, esalibala ukubheka izinto ezingemuva, uphenduka insika kasawoti. Ukuze avuselele inzalo, amadodakazi kaLoti adakisa uyise ngewayini, futhi ngokuba nobuhlobo bobulili naye, azala amadodana amabili, aba oyise besizwe sakwaMowabi nesakwa-Amoni.

19. Iluphi uvivinyo uAbrahama abhekana nalo ngokuphumelelayo ngokuqondene neMbewu, futhi yini uJehova ayembulayo ngokuqhubekayo ekuqinisekiseni isithembiso saKhe?

¹⁹ UNkulunkulu uvikela uSara ekungcolisweni uAbimeleki wesizwe samaFilisti. Indlalifa ethenjisiwe, uIsaka, izalwa lapho uAbrahama eneminyaka engu-100 ubudala futhi uSara esecishe abe nengu-90. Eminyakeni emihlanu ngemva kwalokhu, uIshmayeli oneminyaka engu-19 ubudala ugcona uIsaka, indlalifa, okubangela ukuxoshwa kukaHagari noIshmayeli, ngemvume kaNkulunkulu. Eminyakeni ethile kamuva, uNkulunkulu uvivinya uAbrahama ngokumyala ukuba anikele ngendodana yakhe uIsaka kwenye yezintaba zaseMoriya. Ukholo olukhulu luka-Abrahama kuJehova aluzamazami. Uyalinga ukunikela ngendodana nendlalifa yakhe kodwa uvinjwa uJehova, olungiselela inqama ezoba umhlatshelo esikhundleni sendodana yakhe. UJehova uyaphinda uqinisekisa isithembiso saKhe kuAbrahama, ethi uyoyandisa imbewu yakhe ibe ngangezinkanyezi zezulu nesihlabathi esisogwini lolwandle. Ubonisa ukuthi lembewu iyonqoba isango lezitha zayo nokuthi izizwe zomhlaba ziyozibusisa ngaleMbewu.

20. Ikuphi ukunakekela uAbrahama akubonisayo ekutholeleni uIsaka umfazi, futhi uIsaka wenziwa kanjani indlalifa okuwukuphela kwayo?

²⁰ USara ufa eneminyaka egu-127 futhi ungcwatshwa ensimini uAbrahama ayithenga emadodaneni kaHeti. Manje uAbrahama uthuma inceku yakhe eyinhloko ukuba iyotholela uIsaka umfazi ezweni lezihlobo zakhe. UJehova uholela lenceku emkhayeni wendodana kaNahori uBethuweli, futhi kwenziwa amalungiselelo okuba uRebeka abuyele emuva nayo. URebeka uhamba ngokuzithandela, ebusiswe umkhaya wakubo, futhi uba umakoti kaIsaka. UAbrahama, ngakolunye uhlangothi, uthatha omunye umfazi, uKetura, omzalela amadodana ayisithupha. Nokho, lawa uwapha izipho awamukise futhi wenza uIsaka ukuphela kwendlalifa yakhe. Khona-ke, lapho eseneminyaka engu-175, uAbrahama uyafa.

21. UIsaka noRebeka baba kanjani namadodana angamawele?

²¹ Njengoba uJehova ayebikezele, uIshmayeli, umfowabo kaIsaka ngomzali oyedwa uba inhloko yesizwe esikhulu, esisekelwe emadodaneni akhe angu-12 ayizinduna. Iminyaka engu-20 uRebeka uhlala eyinyumba, kodwa uIsaka ulokhu enxusa uJehova, futhi uzala amawele, oEsawu noJakobe, uJehova amtshela ngawo ukuthi omdala uyokhonza omncane. UIsaka manje useneminyaka engu-60 ubudala.

22. OEsawu noJakobe basibheka kanjani isivumelwano esenziwa noAbrahama, futhi iba yini imiphumela?

²² UJakobe namadodana akhe angu-12 (25:27–37:1). UEsawu uthanda ukuzingela. Ehluleka ukwazisa isivumelwano esenziwa noAbrahama, ngelinye ilanga ubuya ekuzingeleni futhi uthengisela uJakobe ilungelo lakhe lobuzibulo ngesidlo nje sesitshulu. Ushada futhi nabesifazane bamaHeti (kamuva nowakwaIshmayeli), ababa umthombo wokukhathazeka kubazali bakhe. Esizwa unina, uJakobe uzenza uEsawu ukuze athole isibusiso sezibulo. UEsawu, owayengamazisanga uIsaka ukuthi ulithengisile ilungelo lobuzibulo, manje uceba ukumbulala uJakobe lapho ezwa ngalokho uJakobe akwenzile, ngakho uRebeka weluleka uJakobe ukuba abalekele eHarana kumfowabo uLabani. Ngaphambi kokuba uJakobe ahambe, uIsaka uyaphinda uyambusisa abese emyala ukuba angathathi umfazi oyiqaba, kodwa othile wasendlini yakubo kanina. EBethele, esendleleni eya eHarana, ubona uJehova ephusheni, omqinisekisayo futhi agcizelele isithembiso sesivumelwano kuye.

23. (a) UJakobe uba kanjani namadodana angu-12? (b) URubeni ulahlekelwa kanjani ilungelo lakhe lobuzibulo?

²³ EHarana, uJakobe usebenzela uLabani, ushada namadodakazi akhe amabili, uLeya noRaheli. Nakuba lomshado oyisithembu wenzeka ngenxa yeqhinga likaLabani, uNkulunkulu uyawubusisa ngokunika uJakobe amadodana angu-12 nendodakazi ngalabafazi nezincekukazi zabo, oZilipa noBiliha. UNkulunkulu uyaqikelela ukuthi imihlambi kaJakobe yanda kakhulu abese emyala ukuba aphindele ezweni loyisemkhulu. Ulandelwa uLabani, kodwa benza isivumelwano endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi iGaledi nangokuthi iNqabayokulindad (ngesiHeberu, ham·Mits·pahʹ). Eqhubeka nohambo, uJakobe uqinisekiswa izingelosi futhi ebusuku ubambana nengelosi, ekugcineni emqinisekisayo futhi ishintshe igama lakhe ekubeni uJakobe libe uIsrayeli. UJakobe ulungiselela ngokuthula ukuhlangana noEsawu abese eqhubekela eShekemi. Lapha indodakazi yakhe, uDina, yoniwa indodana yenduna engumHivi. Abafowabo uSimeyoni noLevi baziphindiselela ngokubulala amadoda aseShekemi. Lokhu akumthokozisi uJakobe ngoba, njengommeleli kaJehova, kumnikeza igama elibi ezweni. UNkulunkulu umtshela ukuba aye eBethele ayokwenza ialtare khona. Ohambweni kusukwa eBethele, uRaheli uyafa lapho ebeletha indodana kaJakobe ye-12, uBenjamini. URubeni wona incekukazi kaRaheli, uBiliha, unina wamadodana amabili kaJakobe, futhi ngenxa yalokhu ulahlekelwa ilungelo lobuzibulo. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokhu uIsaka uyafa, eseneminyaka engu-180 ubudala, futhi uEsawu noJakobe bayamngcwaba.

24. Kungani uEsawu nabendlu yakhe bethuthela endaweni yaseSeyiri enezintaba?

²⁴ UEsawu nabendlu yakhe bathuthela endaweni enezintaba yaseSeyiri, njengoba ingcebo oEsawu noJakobe abase beyiqongelele yayisinkulu kakhulu ukuba bahlale ndawonye. Kunikezwa uhlu lwenzalo kaEsawu kanye namakhosi nezinduna zakwaEdomi. UJakobe uyaqhubeka ehlala eKhanani.

25. Iziphi izenzakalo eziholela ekubeni kukaJosefa isigqila eGibithe?

²⁵ Ukuya eGibithe ukuze kulondolozwe ukuphila (37:2–50:26). Ngenxa yomusa kaJehova namaphupho athile uJehova abangela ukuba uJosefa abe nawo, abafowabo abadala bayamzonda uJosefa. Baceba ukumbulala kodwa kunalokho bamthengisa kubathengisi abathile bakwaIshmayeli ababedlula. Ngemva kokucwilisa ingubo kaJosefa enemishu egazini lembuzi, bayibonisa uJakobe njengobufakazi bokuthi lelibhungu elineminyaka engu-17 libulawe isilo sasendle. UJosefa uyiswa eGibithe futhi uthengiswa kuPotifari, induna yabaqaphi bakaFaro.

26. Kungani ukulandisa kokuzalwa kukaPheresi kubalulekile?

²⁶ Isahluko 38 siyaphambuka okwesikhashana ukuze silandise ngokuzalwa kukaPheresi nguTamari, okwathi ngamaqhinga, wabangela ukuba uJuda uyisezala amshade njengoba kwakufanele ukuba ashadwe indodana yakhe. Lokhu kulandisa kuphinda kugcizelele ukucophelela okukhulu imiBhalo egcina ngakho isenzakalo ngasinye esiholela ekuvezweni kweMbewu yesithembiso. Indodana kaJuda uPheresi iba omunye wokhokho bakaJesu.—Luka 3:23, 33.

27. UJosefa uba kanjani undunankulu waseGibithe?

²⁷ Phakathi nalesikhathi, uJehova ubusisa uJosefa eGibithe, futhi uJosefa uba mkhulu endlini kaPotifari. Nokho, ulandelwa ubunzima lapho ala ukuletha isihlamba egameni likaNkulunkulu ngokufeba nomkaPotifari, ngakho umangalelwa ngamanga futhi uphonswa etilongweni. Lapho usetshenziswa uJehova ekuchazeni amaphupho eziboshwa ezimbili ayenazo, umphathizitsha kaFaro nombhakizinkwa. Kamuva, lapho uFaro ephupha iphupho elimkhathaza kakhulu, utshelwa ngekhono likaJosefa, kangangokuthi ngokushesha uyakhishwa etilongweni futhi ulethwa kuFaro. Edumisa uNkulunkulu ngekhono lakhe, uJosefa uchaza iphupho njengelibikezela iminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala, eyayizolandelwa iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala. UFaro uyawuqaphela ‘umoya kaNkulunkulu’ ophezu kukaJosefa futhi ummisa abe undunankulu ozonakekela lesosimo. (Gen. 41:38) Manje eseneminyaka engu-30 ubudala, uJosefa uwenza ngokuhlakanipha umsebenzi wakhe wokuqondisa ngokugcina ukudla phakathi neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala. Khona-ke ngesikhathi sendlala yomhlaba wonke eyalandela, uthengisa ukudla okusanhlamvu kubantu baseGibithe nabakwezinye izizwe abeza eGibithe ukuzofuna ukudla.

28. Iziphi izenzakalo eziphathelene nokuthuthela kwabendlu kaJakobe eGibithe?

²⁸ Ekugcineni uJakobe uthumela eGibithe amadodana akhe amadala ayishumi ukuba ayofuna ukudla okusanhlamvu. UJosefa uyababona, kodwa bona abamboni. Ebamba uSimeyoni njengesithunjwa, ufuna ukuba beze nomfowabo omncane lapho bezofuna ukudla okusanhlamvu okwesibili. Lapho amadodana ayisishiyagalolunye ebuya noBenjamini, uJosefa uyaziveza, uyabathethelela laba abayishumi abanecala, futhi ubayala ukuba balande uJakobe futhi bathuthele eGibithe ukuze balondeke phakathi nesikhathi sendlala. Nangempela, uJakobe, ekanye nabangu-66 benzalo yakhe, wehlela eGibithe. UFaro ubanika indawo engcono kunazo zonke ezweni, izwe laseGosheni, ukuba bahlale kuyo.

29. Iluphi uchungechunge olubalulekile lweziprofetho uJakobe alushoyo lapho esokhukhweni lokufa?

²⁹ Njengoba uJakobe esondela ekufeni, ubusisa oEfrayimi noManase, amadodana kaJosefa, abese ebiza amadodana akhe siqu angu-12 ukuze awatshele okuyokwenzeka “ezinsukwini ezizayo.” (49:1) Manje usho uchungechunge lweziprofetho ngokuningiliziwe, zonke eziye zagcwaliseka ngokuphawulekayo kusukela ngalesosikhathi.e Lapha ubikezela ukuthi intonga yobukhosi ngeke isuke esizweni sakwaJuda kuze kufike uShilo (okusho “Lowo Okungokwakhe; Lowo Ongumnikazi Wakho”), iMbewu ethenjisiwe. Ngemva kokuzibusisa kanjalo izinhloko zezizwe ezingu-12 nokunikeza iziyalezo ngokuqondene nokungcwatshwa kwakhe esikhathini esizayo eZweni Lesithembiso, uJakobe uyafa eneminyaka engu-147 ubudala. UJosefa uyaqhubeka enakekela abafowabo nezindlu zabo kuze kube sekufeni kwakhe eseneminyaka engu-110 ubudala, okuyisikhathi azwakalisa ngaso ukholo lwakhe lokuthi uNkulunkulu uyophinde ayise uIsrayeli ezweni lakhe futhi acela ngaso ukuba amathambo akhe ayiswe kuleloZwe Lesithembiso.

ISIZATHU SOKUBA IBE NENZUZO

30. (a) Incwadi kaGenesise inikeza siphi isisekelo sokuqonda izincwadi zeBhayibheli zakamuva? (b) Iyiphi injongo efanele uGenesise akhomba kuyo?

³⁰ Njengesiqalo seZwi likaNkulunkulu eliphefumlelwe, incwadi kaGenesise inenzuzo engenakulinganiswa ekwethuleni izinjongo zikaJehova uNkulunkulu. Yeka isisekelo esinikezayo sokuqonda izincwadi zakamuva zeBhayibheli! Phakathi kokuningi ekuhlanganisayo, ichaza ukuqala nokuphela kwezwe lokulunga e-Edene, ukuvela nokubhujiswa okuyinhlekelele kwezwe lokuqala labantu abangamesabi uNkulunkulu, nokuvela kwezwe lamanje elibi. Ngendlela evelele, iqalisa isihloko salo lonke iBhayibheli, okungukuthi, ukulwelwa kukaJehova ngoMbuso obuswa “imbewu” ethenjisiwe. Ibonisa isizathu sokuba umuntu afe. Kusukela kuGenesise 3:15 kuya phambili—futhi ikakhulukazi emlandweni wokusebenzelana kukaNkulunkulu noAbrahama, noIsaka, noJakobe—ibeka ithemba lokuphila ezweni elisha ngaphansi koMbuso weMbewu. Iyazuzisa ekuvezeni injongo efanele ngaso sonke isintu—ukuba sibe abagcini bobuqotho nabangcwelisi begama likaJehova.—Roma 5:12, 18; Heb. 11:3-22, 39, 40; 12:1; Math. 22:31, 32.

31. Ngokubhekisela eshadini elihambisana nalesahluko, bonisa ukuthi incwadi kaGenesise iqukethe (a) iziprofetho ezibalulekile (b) nezimiso eziwusizo.

³¹ ImiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki ibhekisela kuzo zonke izenzakalo nabantu abavelele okulotshwe encwadini kaGenesise. Ngaphezu kwalokho, njengoba kuboniswe kuyo yonke imiBhalo, iziprofetho ezilotshwe kuGenesise ziye zagcwaliseka ngokungenaphutha. Esinye salezi, ukuhlushwa “iminyaka engamakhulu amane” kwembewu ka-Abrahama, saqala lapho uIshmayeli egcona uIsaka ngo-1913 B.C.E. futhi saphela ngokukhululwa eGibithe ngo-1513 B.C.E.f (Gen. 15:13) Izibonelo zezinye iziprofetho ezibalulekile nokugcwaliseka kwazo ziboniswe eshadini elihambisana nalesahluko. Okunye futhi okunenzuzo enkulu ekwakheni ukholo nokuqonda yizimiso zaphezulu ezishiwo okokuqala kuGenesise. Abaprofethi bakudala, kanye noJesu nabafundi bakhe, babevamile ukubhekisela ezindinyaneni ezisencwadini kaGenesise futhi bazisebenzise. Siyobe senza kahle ukulandela isibonelo sabo, futhi ukutadisha ishadi elihambisana nalesahluko kufanele kusize kulokhu.

32. Ikuphi ukwaziswa okubalulekile incwadi kaGenesise ekuqukethe ngomshado, ngohlu lozalo, nangokubala izikhathi?

³² Incwadi kaGenesise iyiveza ngokucacile intando nenjongo kaNkulunkulu ngokuqondene nomshado, ubuhlobo obufanele bendoda nomfazi, nezimiso zobunhloko nokuqeqesha emkhayeni. UJesu ngokwakhe wakusebenzisa lokhu kwaziswa, ecaphuna kuzo zombili izahluko zikaGenesise esokuqala nesesibili enkulumweni yakhe eyodwa: “Anifundanga yini ukuthi owadala ekuqaleni wabenza owesilisa nowesifazane, wathi: Ngenxa yalokho umuntu uyakushiya uyise nonina, anamathele kumkakhe; labo ababili bayakuba-nyamanye, na?” (Math. 19:4, 5; Gen. 1:27; 2:24) Umlando kaGenesise ubalulekile ekunikezeni uhlu lozalo lomkhaya wesintu nasekubaleni isikhathi umuntu asesihlalile kulomhlaba.—Gen., izahl. 5, 7, 10, 11.

33. Yisho izimiso ezithile nemikhuba yomphakathi wezinzalamizi okubalulekile ekuqondeni iBhayibheli.

³³ Okunye futhi okuyinzuzo yangempela kumfundi wemiBhalo isifundo esiphathelene nomphakathi wezinzalamizi incwadi kaGenesise esinikezayo. Umphakathi wezinzalamizi wawuwuhlobo lomphakathi onohulumeni womkhaya owawusebenza phakathi kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu kusukela ngosuku lukaNowa kuze kube ilapho kunikezwa uMthetho eNtabeni iSinayi. Eminingi yemininingwane efakwe esivumelwaneni soMthetho yayigcinwa kakade emphakathini wezinzalamizi. Izimiso ezinjengokuzuza umusa ngenxa yomphakathi (18:32), ukuhlanganyela icala lomphakathi (19:15), ukuthola isigwebo sokufa kanye nobungcwele begazi nokuphila (9:4-6), nokuzonda kukaNkulunkulu ukukhazimulisa abantu (11:4-8) ziye zathinta abantu kuwo wonke umlando. Imikhuba namagama amaningi asetshenziswa kwezomthetho kukhanyisa izenzakalo zakamuva, kuze kuyofika ngisho nasosukwini lukaJesu. Umthetho wezinzalamizi obusa ukugcinwa kwabantu nempahla (Gen. 31:38, 39; 37:29-33; Joh. 10:11, 15; 17:12; 18:9) nendlela yokudlulisela impahla (Gen. 23:3-18), kanye nomthetho obusa ukuzuza ifa kwalowo owamukele ilungelo lezibulo (48:22), kumelwe kwaziwe ukuze sibe nolwazi oluyisisekelo oludingekayo ukuze siliqonde ngokucacile iBhayibheli. Eminye imikhuba yomphakathi wezinzalamizi eyafakwa eMthethweni kwakuyimihlatshelo, ukusoka (umyalo okwayalwa ngawo uAbrahama kuqala), ukwenziwa kwezivumelwano, ukungena umkamfowenu (38:8, 11, 26), nokusetshenziswa kwezifungo ukuze kuqinisekiswe udaba.—22:16; 24:3.g

34. Iziphi izifundo, ezibalulekile kumaKristu, ezingafundwa ngokutadisha incwadi kaGenesise?

³⁴ UGenesise, incwadi yokuqala yeBhayibheli, unikeza izifundo eziningi ngokuphathelene nobuqotho, ukholo, ukwethembeka, ukulalela, ukuhlonipha, imikhuba emihle, nesibindi. Nazi izibonelo ezimbalwa: Ukholo nesibindi sikaEnoke ekuhambeni noNkulunkulu ebhekene nezitha ezinobudlova; ukulunga, ukungabi nacala, nokulalela okuphelele kukaNowa; ukholo luka-Abrahama, ukuzimisela kwakhe, ukukhuthazela kwakhe, ukuba kwakhe nomuzwa womthwalo wemfanelo njengenhloko yomkhaya nomfundisi wemiyalo kaNkulunkulu kubantwana bakhe, ukuphana kwakhe, nothando lwakhe; ukuthobeka kukaSara enhlokweni eyindoda yakhe nokukhuthala kwakhe; ukuba mnene kukaJakobe nokukhathalela kwakhe isithembiso sikaNkulunkulu; ukulalela kukaJosefa uyise, ubuqotho bakhe bokuziphatha, isibindi sakhe, ukuziphatha kwakhe okuhle etilongweni, inhlonipho yakhe ngabakhulu kunaye, ukuzithoba kwakhe ekunikeni uNkulunkulu udumo, ukuthethelela kwakhe abafowabo ngomusa; isifiso esivuthayo sawo wonke lamadoda sokungcwelisa igama likaJehova. Lezizici eziyizibonelo zivelele ekuphileni kwalabo abahamba noNkulunkulu phakathi nenkathi eyiminyaka engu-2 369 esukela ekudalweni kuka-Adamu kuya ekufeni kukaJosefa, njengoba ihlanganiswa incwadi kaGenesise.

35. Ekwakheni ukholo, yini incwadi kaGenesise ekhomba phambili kuyo?

³⁵ Ngempela, ukulandisa kwencwadi kaGenesise kunenzuzo ekwakheni ukholo, njengoba inikeza izibonelo ezinhle ngokukhethekile zokholo, lolohlobo lokholo oluvivinyiwe olufinyelela umuzi owakhiwe wadalwa uNkulunkulu, uhulumeni wakhe woMbuso aqala kudala kakhulu ukuwulungiselela ngeMbewu yakhe yesithembiso, umngcwelisi ophambili wegama likaJehova elikhulu.—Heb. 11:8, 10, 16.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

a Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, amakhasi 919-20; Umq. 2, ikhasi 1212.

b Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, amakhasi 328-9.

c Biblical History in the Light of Archaeological Discovery, 1934, D. E. Hart-Davies, ikhasi 5.

d EBhayibhelini lesiZulu, “Mispa.”

e INqabayokulinda yesiNgisi ka-1962, amakhasi 360-74, 392-408.

f Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, amakhasi 460-1, 776.

g INqabayokulinda yesiNgisi ka-1952, amakhasi 432-45.

[Ishadi ekhasini 18]

INCWADI KAGENESISE—IPHEFUMLELWE FUTHI INENZUZO

Imibhalo Isimiso Izikhombo Zabanye

KaGenesise Abalobi

1:27; 2:24 Ubungcwele, ukuhlala njalo

kwesibopho somshado Math. 19:4, 5

2:7 Umuntu ungumphefumulo 1 Kor. 15:45

2:22, 23 Ubunhloko 1 Thim. 2:13;

1 Kor. 11:8

9:4 Ubungcwele begazi IzE. 15:20, 29

20:3 Ukuphinga akulungile 1 Kor. 6:9

24:3; 28:1-8 Shada nokholwayo kuphela 1 Kor. 7:39

28:7 Ukulalela abazali Efe. 6:1

Iziprofetho Ezagcwaliseka Nemifuziselo Engokwesiprofetho

12:1-3; Ukuchazwa kweMbewu

22:15-18 ka-Abrahama Gal. 3:16, 29

14:18 UMelkisedeki ufanekisela uKristu Heb. 7:13-15

16:1-4, 15 Incazelo engokomfanekiso kaSara,

uHagari, uIshmayeli, uIsaka Gal. 4:21-31

17:11 Incazelo engokomfanekiso yokusoka Roma 2:29

49:1-28 Isibusiso sikaJakobe ezizweni ezingu-12 Josh. 14:1–21:45

49:9 Ingonyama yesizwe sakwaJuda IsAm. 5:5

Eminye Imibhalo Eyasetshenziswa Abaprofethi, UJesu, Nangabafundi—Ekufanekiseleni, Ekusebenziseni, Noma Njengesibonelo—Okubonisa Ngokwengeziwe Ubuqiniso Bencwadi KaGenesise

1:1 UNkulunkulu wadala izulu nomhlaba Isaya 45:18; IsAm. 10:6

1:26 Umuntu wenziwa ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu 1 Kor. 11:7

1:27 Umuntu wenziwa, kwaba owesilisa nowesifazane Math. 19:4; Marku 10:6

2:2 UNkulunkulu waphumula ngosuku lwesikhombisa Heb. 4:4

3:1-6 Inyoka yakhohlisa uEva 2 Kor. 11:3

3:20 Sonke isintu sivela embhangqwaneni wokuqala IzE. 17:26

4:8 UKayini wabulala uAbela Juda 11; 1 Joh. 3:12

4:9, 10 Igazi lika-Abela Math. 23:35

IzaHl. 5, 10, 11 Uhlu lozalo Luka, isahl. 3

5:21 UEnoke Juda 14

5:29 UNowa Hez. 14:14; Math. 24:37

6:13, 17-20 UZamcolo Isaya 54:9; 2 Pet. 2:5