Isahluko Sesishiyagalolunye

Thembela KuJehova Lapho Ubhekene Nobunzima

Isaya 7:1–8:18

 1. Kungani amaKristu namuhla ezozuza ngokuhlola u-Isaya isahluko 7 no-8?

IZAHLUKO 7 no-8 zika-Isaya ziyizifundo ezimbili ezingafani. Bobabili u-Isaya no-Ahazi babengabesizwe esizinikezele kuJehova; bobabili benezabelo ezivela kuNkulunkulu, omunye engumprofethi, omunye eyinkosi yakwaJuda; futhi bobabili babhekana nosongo olufanayo—ukuhlaselwa kukaJuda ehlaselwa amabutho esitha anamandla. Kodwa u-Isaya wathembela kuJehova ngaphansi kwalolu songo, kanti u-Ahazi wanqotshwa ukwesaba. Kungani basabela ngezindlela ezingafani? Njengoba nje namaKristu namuhla ehaqwe amabutho anonya, enza kahle ngokuhlola lezi zahluko ezimbili zika-Isaya ukuze athole ukuthi zinaziphi izifundo.

Ukubhekana Nesinqumo

2, 3. Emazwini akhe esethulo, u-Isaya wayifingqa kanjani indaba ayethulayo?

² Njengomdwebi odweba umdwebo ewususa phansi ngokuqale adwebe uhlaka ngemigqa enohlonze, u-Isaya uqala ukulandisa kwakhe ngezinkulumo ezimbalwa ezinohlonze eziphawula isiqalo nesiphetho sezenzakalo asezozilandisa: “Kwathi ezinsukwini zika-Ahazi indodana kaJothamu indodana ka-Uziya, inkosi yakwaJuda, uResini inkosi yaseSiriya noPheka indodana kaRemaliya, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, wakhuphukela eJerusalema ukuba alwe nalo, kodwa akakwazanga ukulwa nalo.”—Isaya 7:1.

³ Yikhulu lesishiyagalombili B.C.E. U-Ahazi ulandele uyise uJothamu waba inkosi yakwaJuda. UResini inkosi yaseSiriya, noPheka inkosi yombuso wasenyakatho wakwa-Israyeli, bahlasela uJuda, futhi amabutho abo ahlasela ngesihluku. Ekugcineni, azolivimbezela iJerusalema. Kodwa lokhu kuvimbezela ngeke kufeze lutho. (2 AmaKhosi 16:5, 6; 2 IziKronike 28:5-8) Ngani? Sizokuzwa kamuva lokho.

 4. Kungani inhliziyo ka-Ahazi neyabantu bakhe igcwele ukwesaba?

⁴ Ekuqaleni kwempi, “kwafika umbiko endlini kaDavide, othi: ‘ISiriya linciké ku-Efrayimi.’ Inhliziyo yakhe nenhliziyo yabantu bakhe yaqala ukuvevezela, njengokuvevezela kwemithi yehlathi ivevezeliswa umoya.” (Isaya 7:2) Yebo, kuyamethusa u-Ahazi nabantu bakhe ukuzwa ukuthi abaseSiriya nama-Israyeli bayalekelelana nokuthi kukhulunywa nje amabutho abo akanise endaweni yakwa-Efrayimi (u-Israyeli). Angamasha izinsuku ezimbili noma ezintathu nje afike eJerusalema!

 5. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu namuhla bamfuze ngayiphi indlela u-Isaya?

⁵ UJehova utshela u-Isaya: “Siza uhambe, uyohlangabeza u-Ahazi, wena noSheyari-jashubi indodana yakho, ekupheleni komsele wechibi elingenhla ngasemgwaqweni omkhulu wensimu yomhlanzi wezingubo.” (Isaya 7:3) Cabanga nje! Ngesikhathi okufanele ngabe inkosi ifuna umprofethi kaJehova icele isiqondiso, ngumprofethi okumelwe ahambe ayofuna inkosi! Noma kunjalo, u-Isaya ulalela uJehova ngaphandle kokuthandabuza. Ngokufanayo, abantu bakaNkulunkulu namuhla baphuma ngokuzimisela bayofuna abantu abesabayo ngenxa yezingcindezi zaleli zwe. (Mathewu 24:6, 14) Yeka indlela okwanelisa ngayo ukuthi unyaka nonyaka amakhulu ezinkulungwane ayakwamukela ukuvakashelwa yilaba bashumayeli bezindaba ezinhle futhi babambe isandla sikaJehova esivikelayo!

 6. (a) Umprofethi udlulisela siphi isigijimi esijabulisayo eNkosini u-Ahazi? (b) Yisiphi isimo esikhona namuhla?

⁶ U-Isaya uthola u-Ahazi engaphandle kwezindonga zeJerusalema, lapho inkosi ihlola khona ukuthi amanzi omuzi angakanani, ilungiselela ukuvinjezelwa okuzayo. U-Isaya umtshela isigijimi esivela kuJehova: “Zilinde futhi uhlale ungaphazamisekile. Ungesabi, futhi ungayivumeli inhliziyo yakho ibe novalo ngenxa yezidunu ezimbili zalezi zikhuni ezivuthayo, ngenxa yentukuthelo evuthayo kaResini neSiriya nendodana kaRemaliya.” (Isaya 7:4) Ngesikhathi abahlaseli bebhuqabhuqa uJuda esikhathini esingaphambili, intukuthelo yabo yayivutha njengamalangabi. Manje bamane nje ‘bayizidunu ezimbili zezikhuni ezivuthayo.’ U-Ahazi akudingeki ayesabe inkosi yaseSiriya uResini noma inkosi yakwa-Israyeli uPheka, indodana kaRemaliya. Nanamuhla kunjalo. Sekungamakhulu eminyaka abaholi beLobukholwa beshushisa amaKristu eqiniso ngoshushiso olunjengomlilo. Kodwa manje eLobukholwa selifana nesikhuni esishayo esesizophela. Selidumela emasumpeni.

 7. Kungani igama lika-Isaya nelendodana yakhe linikeza isizathu sethemba?

⁷ Ngosuku luka-Ahazi, akuwona umyalezo ka-Isaya kuphela onikeza ithemba kulabo abathemba uJehova, kodwa nencazelo yegama lakhe nelendodana yakhe. Yiqiniso, uJuda usengozini, kodwa igama elithi Isaya, elisho ukuthi “Insindiso KaJehova,” libonisa ukuthi uJehova uyomkhulula. UJehova utshela u-Isaya ukuthi makahambe nendodana yakhe uSheyari-jashubi, egama layo lisho ukuthi “Insali Engatheni Iyobuya.” Ngisho nalapho umbuso wakwaJuda uwa ekugcineni, uNkulunkulu uyoyibuyisela ngesihe insali ezweni layo.

Kungaphezu Kwempi Phakathi Kwezizwe

 8. Kungani ukuhlaselwa kweJerusalema kungaphezu kokuba impi phakathi kwezizwe?

⁸ Ngo-Isaya, uJehova wembula isu lezitha zikaJuda. Nakhu ezikuhlelayo: “Masikhuphuke simelane nelakwaJuda futhi silidwengule sizithathele lona ngokulifohla; masenze ukuba kubuse enye inkosi phakathi kwalo, indodana kaThabeyeli.” (Isaya 7:5, 6) Lo mfelandawonye weSiriya no-Israyeli uceba ukunqoba uJuda bese ubeka umuntu othandwa yiwona esikhundleni sika-Ahazi, indodana kaDavide. Ngokusobala, ukuhlaselwa kweJerusalema sekungaphezu kokuba yimpi phakathi kwezizwe. Sekuwumshuduliswano phakathi kukaSathane noJehova. Ngani? Ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza isivumelwano neNkosi uDavide, ngaleyo ndlela eqinisekisa ukuthi amadodana ayo ayobusa phezu kwabantu bakaJehova. (2 Samuweli 7:11, 16) Yeka ukunqoba kukaSathane uma engabeka olunye uhlu lwamakhosi ohlanga esihlalweni sobukhosi saseJerusalema! Angase abhuntshise nenjongo kaJehova yokuba uhlu lukaDavide luveze indlalifa yaphakade, “iSikhulu Sokuthula.”—Isaya 9:6, 7.

Iziqinisekiso ZikaJehova Zothando

 9. Yiziphi iziqinisekiso okufanele zimqunge isibindi u-Ahazi namaKristu anamuhla?

⁹ Ingabe icebo leSiriya no-Israyeli lizophumelela? Cha. UJehova uthi: “Ngeke kume, futhi ngeke kwenzeke.” (Isaya 7:7) Ngo-Isaya, uJehova akasho nje kuphela ukuthi ukuvinjezelwa kweJerusalema ngeke kufeze lutho, kodwa uthi “ngeminyaka engamashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu nje kuphela u-Efrayimi uyophihlizwa abe yizicucu ukuze angabe esaba yisizwe.” (Isaya 7:8) Yebo, phakathi neminyaka engu-65 uyobe engasekho u-Israyeli njengesizwe.a Lesi siqinisekiso, nesikhathi esiqondile esiyogcwaliseka ngaso, kufanele simqunge isibindi u-Ahazi. Ngendlela efanayo, abantu bakaNkulunkulu namuhla baqiniswa ukwazi ukuthi siyaphela isikhathi esisalele izwe likaSathane.

10. (a) AmaKristu eqiniso namuhla angamlingisa kanjani uJehova? (b) UJehova umnika liphi ithuba u-Ahazi?

¹⁰ Mhlawumbe ubuso buka-Ahazi bubhalwe ukungakholwa, ngoba ngo-Isaya, uJehova uthi: “Ngaphandle kokuba nibe nokholo, ngeke nihlale isikhathi eside.” Ngesineke sakhe, uJehova “waqhubeka wakhuluma ngokwengeziwe no-Ahazi.” (Isaya 7:9, 10) Yeka isibonelo esihle! Namuhla, nakuba abaningi bengasamukeli ngokushesha isigijimi soMbuso, siyobe senza kahle ngokulingisa uJehova ‘ngokukhuluma ngokwengeziwe’ nabo lapho sibahambela siphindelela. UJehova ube esetshela u-Ahazi: “Zicelele isibonakaliso kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, usenze sijule njengeShiyoli noma usenze siphakame njengezindawo ezingenhla.” (Isaya 7:11) U-Ahazi angacela isibonakaliso, futhi uJehova amenzele sona njengesiqinisekiso sokuthi uzoyivikela indlu kaDavide.

11. Yisiphi isiqinisekiso esitholakala enkulumweni kaJehova ethi “uNkulunkulu wakho”?

¹¹ Phawula ukuthi uJehova uthi: ‘Cela isibonakaliso kuNkulunkulu wakho.’ UJehova unomusa ngempela. Kakade kuthiwa u-Ahazi ukhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga, enze nemikhuba enyanyekayo yamaqaba. (2 AmaKhosi 16:3, 4) Naphezu kwalokho, futhi nakuba u-Ahazi enesimo sengqondo sokwesaba, uJehova usazibiza ngokuthi unguNkulunkulu ka-Ahazi. Lokhu kusiqinisekisa ukuthi uJehova akabadikili abantu ngamawala. Uzimisele ukubanikeza usizo labo abonayo noma abalukholo lwabo selube buthaka. Ingabe lesi siqinisekiso sothando lukaNkulunkulu sizomshukumisa u-Ahazi ukuba amukele usizo lukaJehova?

Ukusuka Ekungaqinisekini Kuya Ekungalalelini

12. (a) U-Ahazi ubonisa siphi isimo sokuqhosha? (b) Esikhundleni sokuphendukela kuJehova, u-Ahazi uya kubani ukuze athole usizo?

¹² U-Ahazi uphendula ngokweyisa: “Ngeke ngisicele, futhi ngeke ngimvivinye uJehova.” (Isaya 7:12) Akukhona ukuthi u-Ahazi ulalela amazwi omthetho othi: “Akumelwe nimvivinye uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.” (Duteronomi 6:16) Emakhulwini eminyaka kamuva, uJesu ucaphuna wona lo mthetho lapho uSathane emlinga. (Mathewu 4:7) Nokho, endabeni ka-Ahazi, uJehova umcela ukuba abuyele ekukhulekeleni kweqiniso futhi uthi uzoqinisa ukholo lwakhe ngokwenza isibonakaliso. Kodwa u-Ahazi uncamela ukufuna isivikelo kwenye indawo. Kungenzeka ukuthi manje inkosi ithumela isizumbulu semali e-Asiriya, ifuna usizo lokumelana nezitha zayo zasenyakatho. (2 AmaKhosi 16:7, 8) Phakathi naleso sikhathi, lifika qathatha ibutho laseSiriya nelakwa-Israyeli livimbezele iJerusalema.

13. Siphawula luphi ushintsho evesini 13, okubonisani?

¹³ Ecabanga ngokuntula ukholo kwenkosi, u-Isaya uthi: “Siza ulalele, O yindlu kaDavide. Ingabe kuyinto encane kini ukuba nenze abantu bakhathale, nize nenze noNkulunkulu wami akhathale?” (Isaya 7:13) Yebo, uJehova kungamkhathaza ukwedelelwa mlibe. Qaphela nokuthi manje umprofethi usethi “uNkulunkulu wami,” akasasho ukuthi “uNkulunkulu wakho.” Ushintsho olwesabekayo! Lapho u-Ahazi elahla uJehova ephendukela e-Asiriya, ulahlekelwa ithuba elihle lokulungisa ubuhlobo bakhe noNkulunkulu. Kwangathi singelokothe sidele ubuhlobo bethu noNkulunkulu ngokuyekethisa izinkolelo zethu ezingokomBhalo ukuze sithole izinzuzo zesikhashana.

Isibonakaliso Sika-Imanuweli

14. UJehova ukubonisa kanjani ukwethembeka esivumelwaneni sakhe noDavide?

¹⁴ UJehova ulokhu ethembekile esivumelwaneni sakhe noDavide. Uthembisé isibonakaliso, uzosinikeza! U-Isaya uyaqhubeka: “UJehova ngokwakhe uyoninika isibonakaliso: Bheka! Intombazane empeleni izokhulelwa, futhi ibelethe indodana, ngokuqinisekile iyoyiqamba ngokuthi u-Imanuweli. Iyokudla ibhotela noju ngesikhathi isikwazi ukwala okubi ikhethe okuhle. Ngoba ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukwala okubi akhethe okuhle, umhlabathi wamakhosi amabili ozwa ingebhe ecanuzelisayo ngawo uyoshiywa ngokuphelele.”—Isaya 7:14-16.

15. Yimiphi imibuzo emibili ephendulwa isiprofetho esimayelana no-Imanuweli?

¹⁵ Nazi izindaba ezimnandi kunoma ubani osaba ukuthi abahlaseli bazovala ngehlahla ohlwini lwamakhosi kaDavide. Elithi “Imanuweli” lisho ukuthi “Unathi UNkulunkulu.” UNkulunkulu unoJuda futhi ngeke avumele ukuba isivumelwano sakhe noDavide sichithwe. Ngaphezu kwalokho, u-Ahazi nabantu bakhe abatshelwa nje kuphela lokho uJehova azokwenza kodwa nokuthi uzokwenza nini. Ngaphambi kokuba umfana akhule ngokwanele ukuba akwazi ukuhlukanisa okuhle nokubi, izizwe eziyisitha ziyobe zibhujisiwe. Futhi kuba njalo!

16. Cishe uJehova wayekelani ukuchaza u-Imanuweli wosuku luka-Ahazi?

¹⁶ IBhayibheli alembuli ukuthi u-Imanuweli uyingane kabani. Kodwa njengoba lo Imanuweli omncane ezoba njengesibonakaliso, futhi kamuva u-Isaya ethi u-Imanuweli nezingane zakhe ‘banjengezibonakaliso,’ kungenzeka ukuthi u-Imanuweli uyindodana yomprofethi. (Isaya 8:18) Mhlawumbe uJehova akamchazi u-Imanuweli wosuku luka-Ahazi ukuze izizukulwane zakamuva zingamdidi no-Imanuweli Omkhulu. Ubani lowo?

17. (a) Ngubani u-Imanuweli Omkhulu, futhi ukuzalwa kwakhe kwaba isibonakaliso sani? (b) Kungani namuhla abantu bakaNkulunkulu bengamemeza bathi, “Unathi uNkulunkulu”?

¹⁷ Ngalé kwasencwadini ka-Isaya, igama lika-Imanuweli livela kanye kuphela eBhayibhelini, kuMathewu 1:23. UJehova waphefumulela uMathewu ukuba asebenzise isiprofetho sokuzalwa kuka-Imanuweli ekuzalweni kukaJesu, iNdlalifa esemthethweni yesihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavide. (Mathewu 1:18-23) Ukuzalwa kuka-Imanuweli wokuqala kwakuyisibonakaliso sokuthi uNkulunkulu wayengayishiyile indlu kaDavide. Ngokufanayo, ukuzalwa kukaJesu, u-Imanuweli Omkhulu, kwakuyisibonakaliso sokuthi uNkulunkulu wayengasishiyile isintu noma isivumelwano sakhe soMbuso asenza nendlu kaDavide. (Luka 1:31-33) Njengoba ummeleli kaJehova oyinhloko manje ephakathi kwesintu, uMathewu wayengasho kugcwale umlomo ukuthi, ‘Unathi uNkulunkulu.’ Namuhla, uJesu ubusa njengeNkosi yasezulwini futhi unebandla lakhe emhlabeni. (Mathewu 28:20) Ngokuqinisekile, abantu bakaNkulunkulu banesinye isizathu sokumemeza ngesibindi, bathi: “Unathi uNkulunkulu!”

Eminye Imiphumela Yokungathembeki

18. (a) Kungani amazwi alandelayo ka-Isaya ezethusa izilaleli zakhe? (b) Yiziphi izinguquko ezizokwenzeka maduze nje?

¹⁸ Nakuba amazwi asanda kuwasho eduduza, inkulumo elandelayo ka-Isaya iyazethusa izilaleli zakhe: “UJehova uyolethela wena nabantu bakini kanye nendlu kayihlo izinsuku ezingakaze zibe khona ezinjengazo kusukela osukwini lokuphambuka kuka-Efrayimi ekuhambisaneni noJuda, okungukuthi, inkosi yase-Asiriya.” (Isaya 7:17) Yebo, kuza inhlekelele, futhi iza ngenkosi yase-Asiriya. Umcabango wokubuswa abase-Asiriya abadume ngokuba nonya kumelwe ukuba umenza angabuthi quthu u-Ahazi nabantu bakhe. U-Ahazi ucabange ukuthi ukuzimatanisa ne-Asiriya kuzomkhulula ku-Israyeli neSiriya. Ngempela, inkosi yase-Asiriya izosabela esicelweni sika-Ahazi ngokuba ekugcineni ihlasele u-Israyeli neSiriya. (2 AmaKhosi 16:9) Cishe yingakho uPheka noResini beyophoqeleka ukuba bayeke ukuvimbezela iJerusalema. Ngaleyo ndlela, umfelandawonye owakhiwe iSiriya no-Israyeli uyohluleka ukunqoba iJerusalema. (Isaya 7:1) Kodwa manje u-Isaya utshela izilaleli zakhe ezishaqekile ukuthi i-Asiriya, umvikeli wazo ezimethembile, lizoba umcindezeli wazo!—Qhathanisa nezAga 29:25.

19. Le drama engokomlando iwaphathele siphi isixwayiso amaKristu namuhla?

¹⁹ Le ndaba ewumlando neyiqiniso iwaphathele isixwayiso amaKristu namuhla. Lapho sicindezelekile, singase silingeke ukuba sixegise izimiso zobuKristu, ngaleyo ndlela senqabe isivikelo sikaJehova. Lokhu kuwukuba nombono omfushane, kuyabulala nokubulala, njengoba kuvezwa amazwi ka-Isaya aqhubekayo. Umprofethi uqhubeka achaze umphumela wokuhlasela kwe-Asiriya, ezweni nakubantu.

20. Ngobani ‘izimpukane nezinyosi,’ futhi zizokwenzani?

²⁰ U-Isaya uhlukanisa izimemezelo zakhe zibe izigaba ezine, ngasinye sibikezela lokho okuzokwenzeka “ngalolo suku”—ngosuku i-Asiriya eyohlasela ngalo uJuda. “Ngalolo suku uJehova uyobiza ngekhwelo izimpukane ezisemkhawulweni wemiselekazi yaseNayile yaseGibithe nezinyosi ezisezweni lase-Asiriya, ngokuqinisekile zizofika zihlale phansi, zonke, phezu kwezigodi zesifufula ezineziwa naphezu kwemifantu yamadwala naphezu kwawo wonke amahlozi ameva naphezu kwazo zonke izindawo zokunisela.” (Isaya 7:18, 19) Amabutho aseGibithe nase-Asiriya, njengequlu lezimpukane nezinyosi, ayokwenziwa anake iZwe Lesithembiso. Lokhu kuhlasela ngeke kube okwesikhashana. “Izimpukane” “nezinyosi” ziyohlala phansi, zibe uhlupho ezindaweni zonke zezwe.

21. Inkosi yase-Asiriya iyofana nensingo ngayiphi indlela?

²¹ U-Isaya uyaqhubeka: “Ngalolo suku, esebenzisa insingo eqashiwe esifundeni soMfula, yebo esebenzisa inkosi yase-Asiriya, uJehova uyophuca ikhanda neziboya ezisezinyaweni, futhi iyoshanela ngisho nentshebe ngokwayo.” (Isaya 7:20) Manje kukhulunywa nge-Asiriya lodwa, usongo olukhulu. U-Ahazi uqasha inkosi yase-Asiriya ukuba ‘iphuce’ iSiriya no-Israyeli. Nokho, le “nsingo eqashiwe” yasesifundeni sase-Ewufrathe iyophuca “ikhanda” likaJuda libe imbungculu, isuse ngisho nentshebe!

22. U-Isaya usebenzisa ziphi izibonelo ukuze aveze imiphumela yokuhlasela kwe-Asiriya osekuseduze?

²² Uyoba yini umphumela? “Ngalolo suku umuntu uyolonda isithokazi emhlambini wezinkomo nezimvu ezimbili. Futhi ngenxa yokuchichima kokwehliswa kobisi, uyodla ibhotela; ngoba wonke umuntu osele ezweni uyodla ibhotela noju.” (Isaya 7:21, 22) Lapho abase-Asiriya ‘sebephuce’ izwe, kuyobe kusele imithonselana yabantu kangangokuthi kuyodingeka izilwane ezimbalwa ukuze zibe ukudla. Kuyodliwa “ibhotela noju”—kona kuphela, iwayini liyobe lingekho, isinkwa singekho, kungekho nokunye ukudla okusemqoka. Njengokungathi ugcizelela izinga lokuchithwa, kathathu u-Isaya uthi lapho kwakukhona khona izwe eliyigugu, elikhiqizayo, manje sekuzoba nomunga nokhula. Labo abayoqunga baye emaphandleni bayodinga ‘imicibisholo nomnsalo’ ukuze bazivikele ezilwaneni zasendle ezicathama emahlozini. Amasimu ahlahliwe ayoba indawo yokubhudulwa izinkunzi nezimvu. (Isaya 7:23-25) Lesi siprofetho siqala ukugcwaliseka ngalo usuku luka-Ahazi.—2 IziKronike 28:20.

Izibikezelo Ezishaya Emhloleni

23. (a) U-Isaya uyalwa ukuba enzeni manje? (b) Siqinisekiswa kanjani isibonakaliso sesibhebhe?

²³ U-Isaya manje usekhuluma ngesimo sangaleso sikhathi. Ngesikhathi iJerusalema livinjezelwe umfelandawonye weSiriya no-Israyeli, u-Isaya uyabika: “UJehova wathi kimi: ‘Zithathele isibhebhe esikhulu ulobe kuso ngothi lokuloba lomuntu ofayo ukuthi, “Maheri-shalali-hashi-bazi.” Mangizitholele ubufakazi ngofakazi abakholekile, u-Uriya umpristi noZakariya indodana kaJeberekhiya.’” (Isaya 8:1, 2) Igama elithi Maheri-shalali-hashi-bazi lisho ukuthi “Phuthuma, O Mpango! Ufiké Masinyane Empangweni.” U-Isaya ucela amadoda amabili ahlonishwayo emphakathini ukuba afakazele ukubhala kwakhe leli gama esibhebheni esikhulu, ukuze kamuva aqinisekise ukuthi lo mbhalo uyiqiniso. Nokho, lesi sibonakaliso kumelwe sigcizelelwe ngesibonakaliso sesibili.

24. Isibonakaliso sikaMaheri-shalali-hashi-bazi kufanele sibathinte kanjani abantu bakwaJuda?

²⁴ U-Isaya uthi: “Khona-ke ngasondela kumprofethikazi, wakhulelwa ngemva kwesikhathi wabeletha indodana. UJehova manje wathi kimi: ‘Yiqambe ngokuthi uMaheri-shalali-hashi-bazi, ngoba ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukuthi, “Baba!” nokuthi, “Mama!” umuntu uyomuka nomnotho waseDamaseku nempango yaseSamariya phambi kwenkosi yase-Asiriya.’” (Isaya 8:3, 4) Lesi sibhebhe esikhulu nomfana osanda kuzalwa kuzoba izibonakaliso zokuthi maduze nje i-Asiriya lizophanga abacindezeli bakaJuda, iSiriya no-Israyeli. Maduze kangakanani? Ngaphambi kokuba umfana akwazi ukusho amagama okuqala izingane eziningi eziwafundayo—elithi “Baba” nelithi “Mama.” Ukubikezela okuqonde kanjalo kufanele kwakhe ukuthembela kwabantu kuJehova. Noma kungenza abanye bamhleke usulu u-Isaya namadodana akhe. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, amazwi ka-Isaya angokwesiprofetho ayagcwaliseka.—2 AmaKhosi 17:1-6.

25. Yikuphi ukufana okukhona phakathi kwezinsuku zika-Isaya nesikhathi samanje?

²⁵ AmaKristu angafunda ezixwayisweni zika-Isaya eziphindaphindwayo. Umphostoli uPawulu wasembulela ukuthi kule drama engokomlando, u-Isaya wayefanekisela uJesu Kristu, amadodana ka-Isaya efanekisela abafundi bakaJesu abagcotshiwe. (Heberu 2:10-13) Ngabalandeli bakhe abagcotshiwe emhlabeni, uJesu ubelokhu ekhumbuza amaKristu eqiniso ngesidingo ‘sokuhlala ephapheme’ kulezi zikhathi ezibucayi. (Luka 21:34-36) Ngesikhathi esifanayo, abaphikisi abangaphenduki baxwayiswa ngokubhujiswa kwabo okusondelayo, nakuba ngokuvamile izixwayiso ezinjalo zihlekwa usulu. (2 Petru 3:3, 4) Ukugcwaliseka kweziprofetho ezihlobene nesikhathi ngosuku luka-Isaya kuyisiqinisekiso sokuthi uhlelo lukaNkulunkulu lwezikhathi osukwini lwethu nalo ‘luzogcwaliseka nakanjani. Ngeke lwephuze.’—Habakuki 2:3.

“Amanzi” Abhubhisayo

26, 27. (a) Yiziphi izenzakalo ezibikezelwa ngu-Isaya? (b) Amazwi ka-Isaya abonisani ngezinceku zikaJehova namuhla?

²⁶ U-Isaya uyaqhubeka nezixwayiso zakhe: “Ngenxa yokuthi lesi sizwe siye sala amanzi aseShilowa ageleza kahle, futhi sethaba ngoResini nangendodana kaRemaliya; ngalokho-ke, bheka! noJehova ukhuphula ngokumelene naso amanzi anamandla namaningi oMfula, inkosi yase-Asiriya nayo yonke inkazimulo yayo. Futhi ngokuqinisekile iyokhuphukela ngaphezu kwazo zonke iziqu zemifudlana yayo iye ngaphezu kwalo lonke usebe lwayo iqhubekele kwaJuda. Empeleni iyokhukhula idlule. Iyoze ifinyelele entanyeni. Futhi ukweluleka kwamaphiko ayo kumelwe kubugcwalise ububanzi bezwe lakho, O Imanuweli!”—Isaya 8:5-8.

²⁷ “Lesi sizwe,” umbuso wakwa-Israyeli osenyakatho, silahla isivumelwano sikaJehova noDavide. (2 AmaKhosi 17:16-18) Kusona, lesi sivumelwano sibonakala silula njengamanzi agelezayo aseShilowa, lapho kusuka khona amanzi aseJerusalema. Siyakujabulela ukulwa noJuda. Kodwa siyojeziswa nakanjani ngalokhu kwedelela. UJehova uyovumela abase-Asiriya ukuba ‘bakhukhule,’ noma bahlule iSiriya no-Israyeli, njengoba nje maduze uJehova ezovumela isigaba sezwe sezombangazwe samanje ukuba sikhukhule inkolo yamanga. (IsAmbulo 17:16; qhathanisa noDaniyeli 9:26.) Ngokulandelayo, u-Isaya uthi, la mathantala “amanzi” ‘ayoqhubekela kwaJuda,’ aze afinyelele “entanyeni,” afinyelele eJerusalema, lapho kubusa khona inhloko (inkosi) yakwaJuda.b Esikhathini sethu, abantu bezombangazwe abazobhubhisa inkolo yamanga nabo ngokufanayo bazothelekela izinceku zikaJehova, bazikake ‘kuze kufinyelele entanyeni.’ (Hezekeli 38:2, 10-16) Uyoba yini umphumela? Kwenzekani ngesikhathi sika-Isaya? Ingabe abase-Asiriya bacaca izindonga zomuzi bangene bese becoboshisa abantu bakaNkulunkulu? Cha. UNkulunkulu unabo.

Ningesabi—“UNkulunkulu Unathi!”

28. Naphezu kwemizamo yokuzikhandla yezitha zakhe, uJehova umqinisekisa ngani uJuda?

²⁸ U-Isaya uyaxwayisa: “Hlosani okulimazayo, nina zizwe [enimelene nabantu besivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu], niphihlizwe nibe yizicucwana; bekani indlebe, nonke nina enisemajukujukwini omhlaba! Bhincani, niphihlizwe nibe yizicucwana! Bhincani, niphihlizwe nibe yizicucwana! Cebani icebo, liyohlakazwa! Khulumani noma yiliphi izwi, ngeke lime, ngoba uNkulunkulu unathi!” (Isaya 8:9, 10) Eminyakeni ethile kamuva, phakathi nokubusa kwendodana ka-Ahazi ethembekile uHezekiya, la mazwi agcwaliseka. Lapho abase-Asiriya besongela iJerusalema, ingelosi kaJehova ibulala abangu-185 000. Kusobala ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyabasekela abantu bakhe nohlu lozalo lwasebukhosini bukaDavide. (Isaya 37:33-37) Phakathi nempi ezayo ye-Armagedoni, uJehova ngokufanayo uyothuma u-Imanuweli Omkhulu ukuba aphihlize izitha zaKhe zibe izicucu futhi asindise bonke abamethembayo.—IHubo 2:2, 9, 12.

29. (a) AmaJuda osuku luka-Ahazi ahluke kanjani kwawosuku lukaHezekiya? (b) Kungani izinceku zikaJehova namuhla zenqaba ukwakha imifelandawonye yenkolo neyezombangazwe?

²⁹ Ngokungafani namaJuda esikhathi sikaHezekiya, abantu besikhathi sika-Ahazi abanalo ukholo esivikelweni sikaJehova. Bakhetha ukwakha umbimbi, noma “uzungu,” nabase-Asiriya ukuze lube isivikelo kulo mfelandawonye weSiriya no-Israyeli. Nokho, “isandla” sikaJehova siqhweba u-Isaya ukuba akhulume ngokumelene ‘nendlela yalesi sizwe,’ noma ukuthambekela okuvamile. Uyaxwayisa: “Into esiyesabayo nina akumelwe niyesabe, futhi akumelwe inithuthumelise. UJehova wamabutho—nguYe okufanele nimphathe njengoNgcwele, futhi kufanele nesabe Yena, futhi nguYe okufanele abangele ukuba nithuthumele.” (Isaya 8:11-13) Zinalokhu engqondweni, izinceku zikaJehova namuhla ziyakuxwaya ukubopha uzungu nemikhandlu yezenkolo nezinhlangano zombangazwe noma ukuthembela kuzo. Izinceku zikaJehova zithembele ngokugcwele emandleni kaNkulunkulu avikelayo. Phela, uma ‘uJehova engasohlangothini lwethu, umuntu wasemhlabeni angasenzani na?’—IHubo 118:6.

30. Siyoba yini isiphetho salabo abangamethembi uJehova?

³⁰ U-Isaya uyaqhubeka egcizelela ukuthi uJehova uyoba ‘indawo engcwele,’ isivikelo, salabo abamethembayo. Ngokuphambene, labo abamlahlayo “ngokuqinisekile bayokhubeka bawe futhi baphuke, babekelwe ugibe futhi babanjwe”—izenzo eziyisihlanu ezicacile ezingashiyi kungabaza ngesiphetho salabo abangathembeli kuJehova. (Isaya 8:14, 15) Ekhulwini lokuqala, labo abalahla uJesu nabo bakhubeka bawa. (Luka 20:17, 18) Balindelwe okufanayo namuhla labo abahlulekayo ukuzinikezela eNkosini yasezulwini esesihlalweni sobukhosi, uJesu.—IHubo 2:5-9.

31. AmaKristu eqiniso namuhla angasilandela kanjani isibonelo sika-Isaya nesalabo abalalela ukufundisa kwakhe?

³¹ Ngosuku luka-Isaya, akubona bonke abakhubekayo. U-Isaya uthi: “Busongeni ubufakazi, nibeke uphawu emthethweni phakathi kwabafundi bami! Ngizohlale ngilindele uJehova, ofihla ubuso bakhe endlini kaJakobe, ngizothemba yena.” (Isaya 8:16, 17) U-Isaya nalabo abalalela ukufundisa kwakhe ngeke bawushiye uMthetho kaNkulunkulu. Bayaqhubeka bethembela kuJehova, nakuba abantu bakubo abangamahlongandlebe benqaba, futhi ngenxa yalokho benza uJehova abafihlele ubuso bakhe. Kwangathi singalandela isibonelo salabo abathemba uJehova futhi sizimisele ngendlela efanayo ukunamathela ekukhulekeleni okumsulwa!—Daniyeli 12:4, 9; Mathewu 24:45; qhathanisa neyamaHeberu 6:11, 12.

‘Izibonakaliso Nezimangaliso’

32. (a) Ngobani namuhla abakhonza ‘njengezibonakaliso nanjengezimangaliso’? (b) Kungani amaKristu kumelwe ahluke ezweni?

³² U-Isaya manje uthi: “Bheka! Mina nabantwana uJehova angiphe bona sinjengezibonakaliso nanjengezimangaliso kwa-Israyeli ezivela kuJehova wamabutho, ohlala eNtabeni iZiyoni.” (Isaya 8:18) Yebo, u-Isaya, uSheyari-jashubi noMaheri-shalali-hashi-bazi bayizibonakaliso zezinjongo zikaJehova ngoJuda. Ngendlela efanayo namuhla, uJesu nabafowabo abagcotshiwe bakhonza njengezibonakaliso. (Heberu 2:11-13) Futhi “isixuku esikhulu” ‘sezinye izimvu’ sihlanganyela nabo emsebenzini wabo. (IsAmbulo 7:9, 14; Johane 10:16) Yebo, isibonakaliso siba usizo kuphela uma sigqamile lapho sikhona. Ngokufanayo, amaKristu afeza ukuthunywa kwawo njengezibonakaliso kuphela uma ebonakala ehlukile kuleli zwe, ethembela ngokugcwele kuJehova futhi ememezela izinjongo zakhe ngesibindi.

33. (a) AmaKristu eqiniso azimisele ukwenzani? (b) Kungani amaKristu eqiniso eyokwazi ukuma aqine?

³³ Khona-ke, sonke masilonde izindinganiso zikaNkulunkulu, hhayi zaleli zwe. Qhubekani ngesibindi ningabavelele—njengezibonakaliso—niqhubekela phambili nokuthunywa okwanikezwa ngu-Isaya Omkhulu, uJesu Kristu: ‘Shumayelani unyaka owamukelekayo nosuku lwempindiselo kaNkulunkulu wethu.’ (Isaya 61:1, 2; Luka 4:17-21) Ngempela, lapho isikhukhula sase-Asiriya sisibekela umhlaba—ngisho noma singafinyelela ezintanyeni zethu—amaKristu eqiniso ngeke akhukhulwe. Siyoma siqine ngoba “uNkulunkulu unathi.”

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

[Isithombe ekhasini 103]

U-Isaya wahamba noSheyari-jashubi ngesikhathi ehambisa umyalezo kaJehova ku-Ahazi

[Isithombe ekhasini 111]

Kungani u-Isaya abhala ukuthi “Maheri-shalali-hashi-bazi” esibhebheni esikhulu?