UNkulunkulu Akakhethi

“UNkulunkulu akabheki ubuso bamuntu kodwa ezizweni zonke omesabayo nowenza ukulunga uyamukeleka kuye.”—IZENZO 10:34, 35.

 1. EAthene lasendulo, yimaphi amazwi abalulekile uPawulu awasho ngokuphathelene nohlanga?

“UNKULUNKULU owenza izwe nakho konke okukulo, eyiNkosi yakho kokubili iZulu nomhlaba, akahlali emathempelini enziwe abantu . . . Kukhokho oyedwa wenza zonke izinhlanga zabantu ukuba zihlale ebusweni bomhlaba wonke.” (IzEnzo 17:24-26, Phillips) Ubani owakhuluma lawomazwi? Umphostoli uPawulu ongumKristu, phakathi nentshumayelo yakhe edumile eMars’ Hill, noma eAreyophagu, eseAthene, eGrisi.

 2. Yini esiza ekwenzeni ukuphila kukhange futhi kujabulise, futhi yini eyahlaba esinye isivakashi saseJapane umxhwele eNingizimu Afrika?

² Amazwi kaPawulu ngokufanele angasenza sicabange ngezinhlobonhlobo ezimangalisayo ezikhona endalweni. UJehova uNkulunkulu wadala abantu, izilwane, izinyoni, izinambuzane, nezitshalo zezinhlobo eziningi ezihlukahlukene. Yeka ukuthi ukuphila kwakuyoba isicefe kanjani uma konke kwakufana! Ukwahlukahlukana kwazo kusiza ekwenzeni ukuphila kujabulise futhi kuthakazelise. Ngokwesibonelo, isivakashi esivela eJapane lapho sisemhlanganweni wesigodi woFakazi BakaJehova eNingizimu Afrika sahlatshwa umxhwele ukwahlukahlukana kwezinhlanga nebala esakubona lapho. Saphawula ukuthi kwakuhluke kanjani eJapane, lapho iningi labantu linezici zobuhlanga ezifanayo.

 3. Abanye balibheka kanjani ibala lesikhumba elihlukile, futhi lokhu kudalani?

³ Kodwa ukwahlukahlukana kwebala phakathi kwezinhlanga ngokuvamile kubanga izinkinga ezingathi sína. Abaningi babheka abanebala lesikhumba elihlukile njengabaphansi. Lokhu kudala ukungezwani, ngisho nenzondo kanye nobhadane lobandlululo lwezinhlanga. Ingabe uMdali wethu wayehlose lokhu? Ingabe ezinye izinhlanga ziphakeme kunezinye emehlweni akhe? Ingabe uJehova uyakhetha?

UMdali Wethu—Ingabe Uyakhetha?

 4-6. (a) INkosi uJehoshafati yathini ngokukhetha? (b) Bobabili uMose noPawulu bawaqinisekisa kanjani amazwi kaJehoshafati? (c) Yimiphi imibuzo abanye abangase bayibuze?

⁴ Singathola umqondo othile wombono woMdali wethu ngesintu sonke ngokuhlehlela emuva emlandweni. INkosi uJehoshafati, eyabusa kwaJuda kusukela ngo-936 kuya ku-911 B.C.E., yathuthukisa izinto eziningi futhi yahlelela nokusebenza ngemfanelo kwesimiso sokwahlulela esisekelwe emthethweni waphezulu. Yanikeza leseluleko esihle kubahluleli: “Bhekani enikwenzayo, ngokuba anahluleli umuntu kepha uNkulunkulu . . . Qaphelani nikwenze, ngokuba ukungalungi akukho kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, nokukhetha ubuso.”—2 IziKronike 19:6, 7.

⁵ Emakhulwini eminyaka ngaphambili, umprofethi uMose wayetshele izizwe zakwaIsrayeli: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu unguNkulunkulu . . . ongakhethi-buso bamuntu.” (Duteronomi 10:17) Futhi encwadini yakhe eya kwabaseRoma, uPawulu weluleka: “Kuyoba nenkathazo nosizi kubo bonke abantu abangabenzi bobubi, ngomJuda kuqala nangomGreki futhi . . . Ngokuba uNkulunkulu akakhethi muntu.”—Roma 2:9-11, The New English Bible.

⁶ Kodwa abanye bangabuza: ‘Kuthiwani ngamaIsrayeli? Ayengebona yini abantu bakaNkulunkulu abakhethiwe? Ingabe wayengabakhethi? Akashongo yini uMose kuwo wonke amaIsrayeli: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ukukhethile ukuba ube-yisizwe senzuzo yakhe phezu kwezizwe zonke”?’—Duteronomi 7:6.

 7. (a) Waba yini umphumela lapho amaJuda enqaba uMesiya? (b) Obani, namuhla abangajabulela izibusiso ezimangalisayo ezivela kuNkulunkulu, futhi kanjani?

⁷ Cha, uNkulunkulu wayengakhethi lapho esebenzisa amaIsrayeli ngenjongo ekhethekile. Lapho ekhetha abantu ayezoveza ngabo uMesiya, uJehova wakhetha izizukulwane zezinzalamizi zamaHeberu ezithembekile. Kodwa lapho amaJuda enqaba uMesiya, uJesu Kristu, futhi enza ukuba abulawe, alahlekelwa umusa kaNkulunkulu. Nokho, namuhla, labo banoma yiluphi uhlanga noma isizwe ababa nokholo kuJesu bangajabulela izibusiso ezimangalisayo futhi babe nethemba lokuphila okuphakade. (Johane 3:16; 17:3) Ngokuqinisekile, lokhu kubonisa ukuthi akukho ukukhetha ngakuNkulunkulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova wayala amaIsrayeli ukuba ‘athande umfokazi’ futhi ‘angamhluphi,’ kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ungowaluphi uhlanga noma isizwe. (Duteronomi 10:19; Levitiku 19:33, 34) Khona-ke, ngokuqinisekile, uBaba wethu wasezulwini onothando akakhethi.

 8. (a) Yini ebonisa ukuthi uJehova akazange abonise ukukhetha kumaIsrayeli? (b) UJehova wamsebenzisa kanjani uIsrayeli?

⁸ Kuyiqiniso ukuthi amaIsrayeli ajabulela amalungelo akhethekile. Kodwa futhi ayenomthwalo wemfanelo onzima. Ayengaphansi kwesibopho sokuba agcine imithetho kaJehova, futhi lawo ayehluleka ukuyilalela ayeqalekiswa. (Duteronomi 27:26) Eqinisweni, amaIsrayeli kwakudingeka ajeziswe ngokuphindaphindiwe ngokungalaleli uMthetho kaNkulunkulu. Ngakho, uJehova akazange awaphathe ngendlela yokukhetha. Kunalokho, wawasebenzisa ukuze anikeze izibonelo ezingokwesiprofetho nokuba anikeze izibonelo ezixwayisayo. Ngokujabulisayo, uNkulunkulu waletha uMhlengi, uJesu Kristu, ngoIsrayeli ukuze kubusiswe sonke isintu.—Galathiya 3:14; qhathanisa noGenesise 22:15-18.

Ingabe UJesu Wayekhetha?

 9. (a) UJehova noJesu bafana kanjani? (b) Yimiphi imibuzo ephakamayo ngokuphathelene noJesu?

⁹ Njengoba kungekho ukukhetha ngoJehova, ingabe uJesu angaba okhethayo? Nokho, cabanga ngalokhu: UJesu wake wathi: “Ngokuba ngingafuni eyami intando kepha intando yongithumileyo.” (Johane 5:30) Kunobunye obuphelele phakathi kukaJehova neNdodana yakhe ethandekayo, futhi uJesu wenza intando kaYise kuzo zonke izici. Eqinisweni, bafana kakhulu ngombono nangenjongo kangangokuba uJesu wayengathi: “Ongibonile mina ubonile uBaba.” (Johane 14:9) Iminyaka engaphezu kwengama-33, uJesu waba nokuhlangenwe nakho okungokoqobo ephila njengomuntu emhlabeni, futhi iBhayibheli lembula indlela ayephatha ngayo abantu ayehlala nabo. Sasiyini isimo sakhe sengqondo ngakubantu bezinye izinhlanga? Ingabe wayenobandlululo noma wayekhetha? Ingabe uJesu wayengumshisekeli wobuhlanga?

10. (a) UJesu wasiphendula kanjani isicelo sosizo sowesifazane waseFenike? (b) Ngokubhekisela kwabeZizwe ‘njengezinjana,’ ingabe uJesu wayebonisa ubandlululo? (c) Owesifazane wakunqoba kanjani ukuphikiswa, futhi kwaba namuphi umphumela?

¹⁰ UJesu wachitha isikhathi esiningi sokuphila kwakhe kwasemhlabeni enabantu abangamaJuda. Kodwa ngolunye usuku kweza kuye owesifazane waseFenike, oweZizwe, owamcela ukuba elaphe indodakazi yakhe. Esabela kulokho uJesu wathi: “Angithunyelwanga kwabanye, kuphela ezimvini ezilahlekileyo zendlu yakwaIsrayeli.” Nokho, owesifazane wancenga: “Nkosi, ngisize.” Kulokho, uJesu wanezela: “Akukuhle ukuthatha isinkwa sabantwana, usiphonse ezinjaneni.” KumaJuda, izinja zaziyizilwane ezingcolile. Ngakho ngokubhekisela kwabeZizwe ‘njengezinjana,’ ingabe uJesu wayebonisa ubandlululo? Cha, ngoba wayesanda kuphawula ngokuthunywa kwakhe okukhethekile okuvela kuNkulunkulu kokuba anakekele ‘izimvu ezilahlekileyo zakwaIsrayeli.’ Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngokufanisa abangemaJuda ‘nezinjana,’ hhayi amankentshane, uJesu wasithambisa lesiqhathaniso. Yiqiniso, lokho akusho kwakumvivinya owesifazane. Ngokuthobeka, nakuba ezimisele ukukunqoba lokhu kuphikisa, owesifazane waphendula ngokuhlakanipha: “Yebo, Nkosi; kepha nezinjana zidla imvuthuluka ewa etafuleni labaninizo.” Ehlatshwe umxhwele ukholo lowesifazane, uJesu wayiphulukisa ngokushesha indodakazi yakhe.—Mathewu 15:22-28.

11. Njengoba kuboniswa isenzakalo esihilela uJesu, yisiphi isimo amaJuda namaSamariya ayenaso komunye nomunye?

¹¹ Cabanga, futhi, ngokuhlangenwe nakho kukaJesu namaSamariya athile. Kwakunobutha obujulile phakathi kwamaJuda namaSamariya. Ngesinye isikhathi, uJesu wathuma izithunywa ukuba ziyomlungiselela emuzaneni othile waseSamariya. Kodwa lawomaSamariya “awamamukelanga, ngokuba ubuso bakhe babubheké eJerusalema.” Lokhu kwabacasula oJakobe noJohane kangangokuba bafuna ukubiza umlilo wehle ezulwini futhi uwabhubhise. Kodwa uJesu wabakhuza labobafundi ababili, futhi bonke baya komunye umuzana.”—Luka 9:51-56.

12. Kungani owesifazane othile ongumSamariya amangazwa isicelo sikaJesu?

¹² Ingabe uJesu wahlanganyela umuzwa wokungezwani owawuphakathi kwamaJuda namaSamariya? Nokho, phawula lokho okwenzeka ngesinye isikhathi. UJesu nabafundi bakhe babesohambweni beya eGalile bevela eJudiya futhi kwakudingeka badabule eSamariya. Ekhathele kulolohambo, uJesu wahlala phansi eceleni komthombo kaJakobe ukuze aphumule ngesikhathi abafundi bakhe beye emzini waseSikhari ukuyothenga ukudla. Kusenjalo, kwafika owesifazane ongumSamariya ezokukha amanzi. Manje, uJesu ngokwakhe ngesinye isikhathi waqaphela amaSamariya ‘njengabantu bolunye uhlanga.’ (Luka 17:16-18, The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures) Kodwa wathi kuye: “Ngiphuzise.” Njengoba amaJuda namaSamariya ayengadlelani, owesifazane omangele waphendula: “Yini ukuba wena ongumJuda ucele ukuphuziswa yimi engingowesifazane waseSamariya na?”—Johane 4:1-9.

13. (a) UJesu wasabela kanjani ekwenqabeni kowesifazane ongumSamariya, futhi wasabela kanjani owesifazane? (b) Waba yini umphumela?

¹³ Kodwa uJesu wakuthalalisa ukuphikisa kowesifazane. Esikhundleni salokho, wasebenzisa lelothuba ukuba amnikeze ubufakazi, evuma ngisho nanokuthi wayenguMesiya! (Johane 4:10-26) Owesifazane omangele washiya imbiza yakhe yamanzi emthonjeni, wabuyela emzini ngejubane, futhi waqala ukutshela abanye ngalokho okwenzekile. Nakuba wayephila ukuphila kokuziphatha kabi, wabonisa isithakazelo sakhe ezindabeni ezingokomoya ngokuthi: “Kungebe-nguye uKristu na?” Waba yini umphumela? Abaningi babantu bendawo baba nokholo kuJesu ngenxa yobufakazi obuhle owesifazane ayebunikezile. (Johane 4:27-42) Ngokuthakazelisayo, encwadini yakhe iA Biblical Perspective on the Race Problem, umfundisi wesonto lamaCongregational uThomas O. Figart wenza lokhu kukhulumela: “Uma iNkosi yethu yakubona kubaluleke kakhulu ukuba yenze isenzo somusa esikhundleni sokugcina isiko lobuhlanga elinephutha, khona-ke, kufanele siqaphele ukuba singaminzi emfuleni wokushisekela ubuhlanga namuhla.”

14. Yibuphi ubufakazi bokungakhethi kukaJehova obazibonakalisa phakathi nenkonzo kaFiliphu umvangeli?

¹⁴ Ukungakhethi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu kwavumela abantu bezinhlanga ezihlukahlukene ukuba babe amaproselite obuJuda. Cabanga futhi ngalokho okwenzeka emakhulwini eminyaka ayi-19 edlule emgwaqweni owugwadule ophakathi kweJerusalema neGaza. Indoda ensundu eyayisebenzela indlovukazi yase-Etiyopiya yayigibele enqoleni yayo ngenkathi ifunda isiprofetho sikaIsaya. Lesikhulu sasiyiproselite elisokiwe, ngoba ‘sasifikile eJerusalema sizokhuleka.’ Ingelosi kaJehova yabonakala kumvangeli ongumJuda uFiliphu futhi yathi kuye: “Sondela unamathele kuleyonqola.” Ingabe uFiliphu wathi: “Hhayi! Ungumuntu wolunye uhlanga”? Lutho neze! Phela, uFiliphu wayekujabulela ukwamukela isicelo somEtiyopiya sokuba akhwele enqoleni, ahlale naye, futhi amchazele isiprofetho sikaIsaya ngoJesu Kristu! Lapho besondela endaweni enamanzi amaningi, umEtiyopiya wabuza: “Kwalani ukuba ngibhapathizwe na?” Njengoba kwakungekho lutho olwaluvimbela lokhu, uFiliphu ngokujabula wambhapathiza umEtiyopiya, futhi uJehova wayamukela leyondoda eyayijabule njengomlandeli ogcotshiwe weNdodana yaKhe engakhethi, uJesu Kristu. (IzEnzo 8:26-39) Kodwa ubufakazi obengeziwe bokungakhethi kukaNkulunkulu bazibonakalisa ngokushesha.

Ushintsho Olukhulu

15. Yiluphi ushintsho olwenzeka ngemva kokufa kukaJesu, futhi uPawulu ukuchaza kanjani lokhu?

¹⁵ Ukufa kukaKristu akuzange kulususe ubandlululo lwezwe lwezinhlanga. Kodwa ngalokho kufa komhlatshelo, uNkulunkulu wabuguqula ubudlelwane phakathi kwabafundi bakaJesu abangamaJuda nabalandeli bakhe babeZizwe. Umphostoli uPawulu wakubonisa lokhu lapho ebhalela amaKristu abeZizwe e-Efesu futhi wathi: “Khumbulani ukuthi nina enanikade ningabezizwe ngokwenyama, . . . ukuthi ngalesosikhathi naningenaye uKristu, naningaphandle kombuso kaIsrayeli, naningabafokazi ezivumelwaneni zesithembiso, ningenathemba, ningenaNkulunkulu ezweni. Kepha manje kuKristu Jesu nina enanikade nikude senenziwe abaseduze ngegazi likaKristu. Ngokuba yena ungukuthula kwethu, owenza kokubili kwaba-kunye, nowabhidliza udonga olwahlukanisayo.” ‘Lolodonga,’ noma uphawu lokwahlukana, lwaluyilungiselelo lesivumelwano soMthetho elalisebenza njengomgoqo phakathi kwamaJuda nabeZizwe. Lwaqedwa ngesisekelo sokufa kukaKristu ukuze kuthi ngaye kokubili amaJuda nabeZizwe bakwazi ‘ukungena ngoMoya munye kuYise.’—Efesu 2:11-18.

16. (a) Kungani uPetru anikezwa izihluthulelo zoMbuso? (b) Zazingaki izihluthulelo, futhi waba yini umphumela wokusetshenziswa kwazo?

¹⁶ Ngaphezu kwalokho, umphostoli uPetru wayenikezwe “izihluthulelo zombuso wezulu” ukuze abantu banoma yiluphi uhlanga bakwazi ukufunda ngezinjongo zikaNkulunkulu, ‘bazalwe ngokusha’ ngomoya ongcwele, futhi babe izindlalifa ezingokomoya noKristu. (Mathewu 16:19; Johane 3:1-8) UPetru wasebenzisa izihluthulelo ezintathu ezingokomfanekiso. Esokuqala sasingesamaJuda, esesibili singesamaSamariya, futhi esesithathu singesabeZizwe. (IzEnzo 2:14-42; 8:14-17; 10:24-28, 42-48) Kanjalo uNkulunkulu ongakhethi, uJehova, wavulela abakhethiweyo bazo zonke izinhlanga ilungelo lokuba abafowabo abangokomoya bakaJesu nezindlalifa zoMbuso kanye naye.—Roma 8:16, 17; 1 Petru 2:9, 10.

17. (a) Yimuphi umbono ongavamile uPetru anikezwa wona, futhi ngani? (b) Amadoda athile aqondisa uPetru endlini kabani, futhi obani ababemlindele lapho? (c) UPetru wabakhumbuzani labo abeZizwe, nokho yini uNkulunkulu amfundisa yona ngokucacile?

¹⁷ Ukuze uPetru alungiselelwe ukuba asebenzise isihluthulelo sesithathu—esabeZizwe—wanikezwa umbono ongavamile wezilwane ezingcolile futhi watshelwa: “Vuka, Petru; hlaba, udle.” Isifundo sasiwukuthi: “Lokho akuhlambululile uNkulunkulu, ungasho wena ukuthi kubi.” (IzEnzo 10:9-16) UPetru wayekhungatheke kakhulu ngokuthi lombono wawuchazani. Kodwa ngokushesha kwafika amadoda amathathu ezomthatha amusa endlini kaKorneliyu, induna yamabutho engumRoma owayehlala eKhesariya. Njengoba lowomuzi wawuyisikhungo esiyinhloko samabutho amaRoma eJudiya, kwakuyindawo efanele ukuba indlu kaKorneliyu ibe lapho. Ababelindele uPetru kuleyondawo yabeZizwe kwakunguKorneliyu, kanye nezihlobo zakhe nabangane bakhe abaseduze. Umphostoli wabakhumbuza: “Niyazi ukuthi akuvunyelwe ukuba umuntu ongumJuda ahlangane, ahambelane nowesinye isizwe; kepha uNkulunkulu ungitshengisile ukuba ngingasho nangoyedwa ukuthi unechilo nokuthi ungcolile. Ngakho lokhu ngibiziwe, ngizile ngingalanga.”—IzEnzo 10:17-29.

18. (a) Yisiphi isaziso esibalulekile uPetru asenza kuKorneliyu nezivakashi zakhe? (b) Lapho uPetru efakaza ngoJesu, yisiphi isenzakalo esiphawulekayo esenzeka? (c) Yisiphi isinyathelo esathathwa ngokuphathelene nalabo abeZizwe abakholwayo?

¹⁸ Ngemva kokuba uKorneliyu echaze ngokuqondisa kukaNkulunkulu kulendaba, uPetru wathi: “Nembala ngiyabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu akabheki ubuso bamuntu, kodwa ezizweni zonke omesabayo nowenza ukulunga uyamukeleka kuye.” (IzEnzo 10:30-35) Khona-ke, njengoba umphostoli eqhubeka enikeza ubufakazi ngoJesu Kristu, kwenzeka okuthile okuphawulekayo! “Kwathi uPetru esakhuluma lawomazwi, uMoya oNgcwele wehlela phezu kwabo bonke ababelizwa izwi.” Abangane bakaPetru abangamaJuda “bamangala kakhulu, ngokuba isipho sikaMoya oNgcwele sitheliwe naphezu kwabezizwe. Ngokuba babezwa bekhuluma ngezilimi, betusa uNkulunkulu.” UPetru waphendula: “Ukhona yini ongala namanzi ukuba bangabhapathizwa laba abamukele uMoya oNgcwele njengathi na?” Ubani owayenganqaba, njengoba umoya ongcwele kaNkulunkulu ongakhethi wawusuthululelwe phezu kwalabo abeZizwe abakholwayo? Ngakho-ke, uPetru wayala ukuba “babhapathizwe egameni leNkosi.”—IzEnzo 10:36-48.

“Bavela Kuzo Zonke Izizwe”

19. Kungani kwanda ubutha phakathi kwezinhlanga, futhi banda ngezinga elingakanani?

¹⁹ Manje sizithola ‘sisezinsukwini zokugcina,’ futhi “izikhathi ezinzima” zingokoqobo ekuphileni. Phakathi kwezinye izinto, abantu bangabazithandayo, abazigabisayo, abazidlayo, abangenaluthando, abanenkani, abangazithibi, abangenabumnene, abanamawala, nabakhukhumele. (2 Thimothewu 3:1-5) Esimweni senhlalo esinjalo, akumangalisi ukuthi ubutha bobuhlanga nokuxabana kuyanda kuwo wonke umhlaba. Emazweni amaningi, abantu bezinhlanga ezihlukahlukene noma amabala bayadelelana noma bazondane ngisho nokuzondana. Lokhu kuye kwaholela ekulweni okungokoqobo ngisho nasezenzweni zonya ezisabekayo kwamanye amazwe. Ngisho nasemiphakathini ebizwa ngokuthi ephucuzekile, abantu abaningi banobunzima bokunqoba ubandlululo lwezinhlanga. Futhi ‘lesisifo’ sibonakala sisakazekela nasezindaweni umuntu abengeke asilindele khona njengaseziqhingini zolwandle ezazithandwa kakhulu ngaphambili ngokuthula kwazo.

20. (a) Yimuphi umbono ophefumlelwe uJohane awubona? (b) Lombono ongokwesiprofetho ugcwaliseka ngezinga elingakanani? (c) Yibuphi ubunzima okusadingeka ukuba abanye babunqobe ngokuphelele, futhi kufanele balifune kuphi ikhambi?

²⁰ Nokho, naphezu kokuntuleka kokuzwana phakathi kwezinhlanga ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zomhlaba, uNkulunkulu ongakhethi, uJehova, wabikezela ukulethwa kwabantu abanhliziyo-ziqotho bazo zonke izinhlanga nezizwe ebunyeni obuphawulekayo bomhlaba wonke. Ngokuphefumlelwa kwaphezulu, umphostoli uJohane wabona “inani elikhulu elingenakubalwa, labantu abavela kuzo zonke izizwe, izinhlanga, imindeni, nezilimi; babemi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi naphambi kweWundlu,” bedumisa uJehova. (IsAmbulo 7:9, The Jerusalem Bible) Lesiprofetho kakade sesiyagcwaliseka. Namuhla, emazweni angama-210 ofakazi bakaJehova abangaphezu kwezi-3 300 000, bazo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga, bajabulela ubunye nokuzwana kobuhlanga. Nokho basengabangaphelele. Ngisho nabanye balaba banobunzima ekunqobeni ngokugcwele ubandlululo lwezinhlanga, nakuba bangase bangakuqapheli lokhu. Lenkinga inganqotshwa kanjani? Sizoxoxa ngalendaba esihlokweni esilandelayo, esisekelwe esilulekweni esiwusizo esitholakala eZwini eliphefumlelwe likaNkulunkulu ongakhethi, uJehova.

Khonzani UJehova Nganhliziyonye

“Khona ngiyonikeza abantu ulimi oluhlanzekileyo, ukuze bonke babize egameni likaJehova, bamkhonze ngokuzwana.”—ZEFANIYA 3:9; American Standard Version.

 1, 2. (a) Yisiphi isiprofetho uJehova abangela ukuba sigcwaliseke manje? (b) Lesiprofetho siphakamisa miphi imibuzo?

UJEHOVA UNKULUNKULU wenza okuthile namuhla abantu ababengasoze bakufinyelele bebodwa. Kukhulunywa izilimi ezingaba yizi-3 000 kulelizwe elihlukene, kodwa uNkulunkulu manje ubangela ukugcwaliseka kwalesiprofetho: “Ngiyakunika abantu ushintsho lolimi oluhlanzekileyo, ukuze bonke babize egameni likaJehova, ukuze bamkhonze ngokubambisana.”—Zefaniya 3:9, NW.

² Luyini ‘lolulimi oluhlanzekileyo’? Obani abalukhulumayo? Futhi kusho ukuthini ‘ukukhonza uNkulunkulu ngokubambisana’?

Bakhuluma “Ulimi Oluhlanzekileyo”

 3. Luyini “ulimi oluhlanzekileyo,” futhi kungani labo abalukhulumayo benobunye?

³ Ngosuku lwePentekoste ka-33 C.E., umoya ongcwele kaNkulunkulu wathululelwa phezu kwabafundi bakaJesu Kristu, ubanikeza amandla okuba bakhulume ngezilimi ababengazange bazifunde. Lokhu kwabenza bakwazi ukutshela abantu bezilimi eziningi “ngemisebenzi emikhulu kaNkulunkulu.” Kanjalo uJehova waqala ukuletha abantu bazo zonke izizinda zobuzwe ebunyeni. (IzEnzo 2:1-21, 37-42) Lapho abeZizwe abakholwayo kamuva beba abalandeli bakaJesu, ngempela izinceku zikaJehova zazingabantu bezilimi nezinhlanga eziningi. Nokho, azikaze zihlukaniswe yimigoqo yezwe, ngoba zonke zikhuluma “ulimi oluhlanzekileyo.” Lolu ulimi oluzihlanganisayo lweqiniso elingokomBhalo olwabikezelwa kuZefaniya 3:9. (Efesu 4:25) Labo abakhuluma “ulimi oluhlanzekileyo” abahlukene kodwa ‘bakhuluma-zwilinye,’ ‘bephelelisiwe emqondweni munye nasekuboneni kunye.’—1 Korinte 1:10.

 4. UZefaniya 3:9 wakhomba kanjani ekubambisaneni kwabantu bezizwe nezinhlanga eziningi, futhi kutholakala kuphi namuhla?

⁴ “Ulimi oluhlanzekileyo” lwaluyosiza abantu bazo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga ukuba bakhonze uJehova “ngokubambisana,” ngokwezwi nezwi, ‘ngahlombe-linye.’ Babeyokhonza uNkulunkulu “ngokuzwana” (The New English Bible); “nganhliziyonye” (The New American Bible); noma “ngokuzwana nangokubambisana.” (The Amplified Bible) Enye inguqulo ifundeka kanje: “Khona ngiyoguqula izindebe zabantu bonke zihlanzeke, ukuze bonke babize egameni likaJehova futhi babambisane enkonzweni yakhe.” (Byington) Ukubambisana okunjalo kwabantu bezilimi nezinhlanga eziningi enkonzweni kaNkulunkulu kutholakala phakathi koFakazi BakaJehova kuphela.

 5. OFakazi BakaJehova bakwazi ukulusebenziselani noma yiluphi ulimi lwabantu?

⁵ Njengoba bonke oFakazi BakaJehova bekhuluma “ulimi oluhlanzekileyo” lweqiniso elingokomBhalo, bayakwazi ukusebenzisa noma yiluphi ulimi lwabantu ngendlela ephakeme kakhulu—bedumisa uNkulunkulu futhi bememezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. (Marku 13:10; Thithu 2:7, 8; Heberu 13:15) Yeka ukuthi kuhle kanjani ukuthi ngaleyondlela “ulimi oluhlanzekileyo” lusiza abantu bawo wonke amaqembu ezinhlanga ukuba bakhonze uJehova nganhliziyonye!

 6. UJehova ubabheka kanjani abantu, kodwa yini eyoba wusizo uma izinga elithile lokukhetha lisekhona enhliziyweni yomKristu othile?

⁶ Lapho uPetru efakaza kuKorneliyu nakwabanye abeZizwe, wathi: “Ngiyabona ngokuqinisekile ukuthi uNkulunkulu akakhethi, kodwa kuzo zonke izizwe omesabayo futhi enze ukulunga uyamukeleka kuye.” (IzEnzo 10:34, 35, By) Ngokwezinye izinguqulo, uJehova “akayena uMbandlululi wabantu,” “akakhethi phakathi kwabantu,” futhi “akabonisi ukuthanda abanye kunabanye.” (The Emphatic Diaglott; Phillips; New International Version) Njengezinceku zikaJehova, kufanele sibheke abantu bawo wonke amaqembu ezinhlanga njengoba enza. Kodwa kuthiwani uma izinga elithile lokukhetha lisalokhu likhona enhliziyweni yomKristu othile? Khona kuyoba usizo ukuphawula indlela uNkulunkulu wethu ongakhethi asebenzelana ngayo nezinceku zakhe zazo zonke izizwe, imindeni, abantu nezilimi.—Bheka futhi iPhaphama! kaMay 8, 1985, amakhasi 3-11.

Bayanxaneleka

 7. Ngokuqondene nobuhlobo noNkulunkulu, umKristu akahlukile kanjani komunye umKristu wesinye isizwe noma uhlanga?

⁷ Uma ungufakazi kaJehova obhapathiziwe, cishe ngesinye isikhathi ‘wawukhala ububula ngezinengiso’ ezenzekayo kulesimiso esibi. (Hezekeli 9:4) ‘Wawufile ezonweni zakho,’ kodwa ngomusa uNkulunkulu wakusondeza kuye ngoJesu Kristu. (Efesu 2:1-5; Johane 6:44) Ngalezizici, awuzange uhluke kwabanye okholwa kanye nabo manje. Nabo futhi babekhathazwa ububi, ‘babefile ezonweni zabo,’ futhi bamukela umusa kaNkulunkulu ngoJesu Kristu. Futhi kungakhathaliseki ukuthi singabaluphi uhlanga noma isizwe, kungokholo kuphela ukuthi noma ubani wethu unokuma okuhle noJehova uNkulunkulu njengofakazi wakhe.—Roma 11:20.

 8. UHagayi 2:7 ugcwaliseka kanjani manje?

⁸ Amazwi angokwesiprofetho kaHagayi 2:7 asisiza ukuba sibone indlela okufanele sibheke ngayo esikholwa nabo bezizwe ezihlukahlukene. Lapho uJehova wamemezela: “Ngizamazamise nabo bonke abezizwe, kufike okunxanelekayo kwabo bonke abezizwe, ngiyigcwalise lendlu ngenkazimulo.” Lokuphakanyiswa kwenkolo ehlanzekile okwabikezelwa kuyenzeka ethempelini likaNkulunkulu leqiniso, indawo yokukhulekelwa kwakhe. (Johane 4:23, 24) Kodwa kuyini “okunxanelekayo kwabo bonke abezizwe”? Izinkulungwane zabathandi bokulunga ezisabela ngothando emsebenzini wokushumayela ngoMbuso. Bevela kuzo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga, bagobhozela ‘entabeni yendlu kaJehova,’ beba ofakazi bakhe ababhapathiziwe nengxenye ‘yesixuku esikhulu’ sezizwe zonke. (Isaya 2:2-4; IsAmbulo 7:9) Labo abadumisa uJehova njengengxenye yenhlangano yakhe yasemhlabeni bahlanzekile, baziphatha kahle, bangabantu abesaba uNkulunkulu—ngempela bayanxaneleka kakhulu. Khona-ke, ngokuqinisekile, wonke amaKristu eqiniso kufanele afune ukubonisa uthando lobuzalwane kubo bonke laba abanxanelekayo abamukelekayo kuBaba wethu sonke osezulwini.

Ubuntu Babo Busha

 9. Ngisho noma nathi esikhathini esidlule sasingazange sibacabangele kahle abantu bakwamanye amazwe, kungani kufanele izinto zishintshe manje njengoba sesingamaKristu?

⁹ Abazalwane bethu nodade emhlabeni wonke bayanxaneleka futhi ngoba baye balalela iseluleko sokuba ‘bakhumule umuntu omdala kanye nezenzo zakhe, futhi bembathe umuntu omusha.’ “Owenziwe-musha abe-nokwazi ngokomfanekiso walowo owamdalayo, lapho kungekho-mGreki namJuda, ukusoka nokungasoki, owezizwe noma umSkithe, isigqila noma okhululekileyo, kepha uKristu uyikho konke, ukubo bonke.” (Kolose 3:9-11) Uma umuntu ekuqaleni wayengambheki kahle umJuda, umGreki, noma abanye angabazi, kufanele izinto zishintshe manje njengoba esengumKristu. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi bangabaluphi uhlanga, ubuzwe, noma isiko, labo abambethe “umuntu omusha” bahlakulela futhi babonise izithelo zomoya kaNkulunkulu—uthando, ukujabula, ukuthula, ukubekezela, ububele, ubuvi, ukukholeka, ubumnene, nokuzithiba. (Galathiya 5:22, 23) Lokhu kubenza bathandeke kubakhulekeli bakaJehova abakanye nabo.

10. Uma silingeka ukuba sikhulume amazwi okugxeka angathandeki ngesikholwa nabo banoma yiluphi uhlanga noma isizwe, uThithu 1:5-12 angasisiza kanjani?

¹⁰ Ngokungafani nezinceku zikaJehova, abanye abantu bezwe bakhuluma amazwi ayiziswana ngabanye abantu bezizinda zobuhlanga ezihlukile kwezabo. Phela, omunye umprofethi waseKrethe wake wakhuluma lokhu ngokuqondene nabantu besizwe sakubo: “AbaseKrethe bangabaqambimanga njalo, izilwane ezimbi, iziminzi ezivilaphayo”! Umphostoli uPawulu wawakhumbula lawomazwi lapho kudingeka ukuba kuthuliswe abafundisi bamanga phakathi kwamaKristu esiqhingini saseKrethe. Kodwa ngokuqinisekile uPawulu wayengasho ukuthi: ‘Wonke amaKristu aseKrethe aqamba amanga futhi ayingozi, ayavilapha, futhi ayaminza.’ (Thithu 1:5-12) Cha, ngoba amaKristu awawakhulumi amazwi ayiziswana ngabanye. Ngaphezu kwalokho, iningi lalawomaKristu aseKrethe lalembethe “umuntu omusha,” futhi abanye babefaneleka ngokomoya ukuba bamiswe njengabadala. Lokhu kufanele sikucabangisise ngokungathi sína uma singake silingeke ukuba sikhulume amazwi okugxeka angathandeki ngabazalwane bethu nodade bohlanga oluthile noma isizwe.

Bheka Abanye Njengabakhulu Kunawe

11. Uma kunokukhetha kwanoma yiluphi uhlobo enhliziyweni yomKristu, yini angayenza?

¹¹ Ngakolunye uhlangothi, uma umKristu ubekhetha olunye uhlanga noma isizwe, ngokunokwenzeka ubengakuveza lokhu ngamazwi noma ngezenzo. Futhi, lokhu kwakungadala imizwa elimele, ikakhulukazi ebandleni elakhiwe abantu abanezizinda zobuhlanga ezihlukahlukene. Ngokuqinisekile, akekho umKristu ongafuna ukuba abukhinyabeze kanjalo ubunye babantu bakaNkulunkulu. (IHubo 133:1-3) Ngakho uma kukhona ukukhetha okuthile enhliziyweni yomKristu, kungafaneleka ukuba athandaze: “Ngihole, Nkulunkulu, wazi inhliziyo yami; Ngilinge, wazi imicabango yami, ubone, uma kukhona indlela yosizi kimi, ungiholele endleleni yaphakade.”—IHubo 139:23, 24.

12. Kungani kungafanele ukuba siqhoshe noma siqhoshele abanye ngesizinda sethu sobuhlanga?

¹² Kuhle ukuba nombono ongokoqobo wokuthi sonke singabantu abangaphelele ababengeke babe nokuma okuhle noNkulunkulu ukuba kwakungengenxa yomhlatshelo kaJesu Kristu. (1 Johane 1:8–2:2) Yini-ke esenza sihluke kwabanye? Njengoba singenalutho esingaluphiwe, kungani kufanele siqhoshe noma siqhoshele abanye ngezizinda zethu zobuhlanga?—Qhathanisa neyoku-1 Korinte 4:6, 7.

13. Singanikela kanjani ebunyeni bebandla, futhi yini engafundwa kweyabaseFilipi 2:1-11?

¹³ Singanezela ebunyeni bebandla uma siziqaphela izimfanelo ezinhle zabanye futhi sibonisa ukwazisa ngazo. Umphostoli uPawulu ongumJuda wasinika sonke okuthile esingazindla ngakho lapho etshela abeZizwe baseFilipi: “Gcwalisani ukuthokoza kwami ukuba nibe-mqondo munye, ninothando lunye, nibe-nhliziyonye, niqonde into inye, ningenzi-lutho ngombango nangodumo lwezwe; kepha ngokuthobeka nishaye sengathi abanye bakhulu kunani.” Isimo esifanele ngathi okudingeka sisibonise kwabanye abantu banoma yiluphi uhlanga noma isizwe saboniswa kuKristu Jesu. Nakuba wayeyisidalwa somoya esinamandla, ‘wenziwa ngomfanekiso wabantu,’ futhi wazithoba kwaze kwaba sezingeni lokufa esigxotsheni sokuhlushwa ngenxa yabantu abanesono bazo zonke izinhlanga nezizwe. (Filipi 2:1-11) Khona-ke, njengabalandeli bakaJesu, akufanele yini sibe nothando, sithobeke, futhi sibe nozwela, sivuma ukuthi abanye bakhulu kunathi?

Lalela Futhi Uqaphele

14. Singasizwa kanjani ukuba sibheke abanye njengabakhulu kunathi?

¹⁴ Singase sisizakale ukuba sicabangele abanye njengabakhulu kunathi uma ngempela sibalalela lapho bekhuluma futhi sikuqaphela ngokunakekela ukuziphatha kwabo. Ngokwesibonelo, kungase kudingeke ukuba sikuvume ngokwethembeka ukuthi umdala esikanye naye—mhlawumbe wolunye uhlanga—uye wasidlula ekhonweni lokunikeza iseluleko esiphefumlelwe eSikoleni SeNkonzo EsingokwaseZulwini. Singase siphawule ukuthi ingokomoya lakhe, hhayi ubuciko bakhe bokuphimisela amagama noma indlela yokukhuluma, elimenza ukuba athole imiphumela emihle lapho esiza akholwa nabo, ukuba babe abamemezeli boMbuso abafanelekayo. Futhi kusobala ukuthi uJehova uyayibusisa imizamo yakhe.

15. Yini esingayiphawula uma silalela amazwi abakhulekeli esikanye nabo?

¹⁵ Lapho sixoxa nabazalwane bethu nodade noma silalela izimpendulo zabo emihlanganweni, singase sibone ukuthi abanye babo bawaqonda kangcono kunathi amaqiniso athile angokomBhalo. Singase siphawule ukuthi uthando lwabo lobuzalwane lubonakala luqine kakhudlwana, babonakala benokholo olwengeziwe, noma banikeza ubufakazi bokuthembela kakhulu kuJehova. Ngakho kungakhathaliseki ukuthi bangabesizinda sobuhlanga esifanayo nesethu noma cha, bavuselela uthando nemisebenzi emihle kithi, basiza ekuqiniseni ukholo lwethu, futhi basishukumisela ukuba sithembele ngokugcwele kuBaba wethu osezulwini. (IzAga 3:5, 6; Heberu 10:24, 25, 39) Ngokusobala uJehova uye wasondela eduze nabo, nathi kufanele senze kanjalo.—Qhathanisa noJakobe 4:8.

Babusisiwe Futhi Baqinisiwe

16, 17. Bonisa iqiniso lokuthi uJehova akakhethi lapho ebusisa izinceku zakhe ezanoma yisiphi isizwe noma uhlanga.

¹⁶ UJehova akakhethi ekubusiseni izinceku zakhe zanoma yisiphi isizwe noma uhlanga. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngezwe laseBrazil. Abantu baseBrazil abaqalanga ukuzwa isigijimi soMbuso ngezithunywa zevangeli zakwamanye amazwe kodwa basizwa ngamatilosi ayisishiyagalombili aseBrazil cishe ngonyaka ka-1920. Isibusiso sikaJehova siye saba sobala, ngoba ngonyaka wenkonzo ka-1987, kwakunenani eliphakeme labamemezeli boMbuso abayizi-216 216 kulelizwe elinezakhamizi eziyizi-141 302 000—isilinganiso sommemezeli oyedwa kwabangama-654.

¹⁷ Cabanga ngesinye isibonelo sesibusiso saphezulu. NgoApril 1923 ofakazi bakaJehova ababili abansundu abavela esiqhingini saseCaribbean eTrinidad bathunyelwa ukuba bayomemezela isigijimi soMbuso eNtshonalanga Afrika. Kanjalo uMzalwane noDade W. R. Brown bakhonza lapho iminyaka eminingi, waze waziwa ngokuthi “uBhayibheli Brown.” ‘Batshala’ futhi “uNkulunkulu wakhulisa” njengoba nabanye futhi basebenza kuleyondawo enkulu. (1 Korinte 3:5-9) Namuhla, abamemezeli boMbuso bangaphezu kwezi-32 600 eGhana nabangaphezu kwezi-133 800 eNigeria kuphela.

18, 19. Nikeza izibonelo ezibonisa indlela uNkulunkulu wethu ongakhethi asekela ngayo izinceku zakhe zazo zonke izizwe noma izinhlanga.

¹⁸ UJehova akazibusisi nje kuphela izinceku zakhe zazo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga kodwa futhi uyazisekela. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngendaba yofakazi bakaJehova ababili baseJapane. NgoJune 21, 1939, uKatsuo Miura nomkakhe baboshwa ngokungemthetho, bavalelwa ejele, futhi bahlukaniswa nomfanyana wabo oneminyaka emihlanu ubudala, okwadingeka ukuba anakekelwe ugogo wakhe. UDade Miura wakhululwa emva kwezinyanga eziyisishiyagalombili, kodwa uMzalwan’ uMiura wavalelwa iminyaka engaphezu kwemibili ngaphambi kokuba icala lakhe lithethwe. Waphathwa kabi, watholwa enecala, futhi wagwetshwa iminyaka emihlanu. Esejele eHiroshima, uNkulunkulu wamqinisa ngemiBhalo, eyayimnikeza induduzo engapheli namandla. UMzalwan’ uMiura wasinda ngendlela eyabonakala iyisimanga ngoAugust 6, 1945, ngesikhathi ukuqhuma kwebhomu leathomu kubhidliza ijele ayekulo. Ezinyangeni ezimbili kamuva, wakwazi ukuphinda ahlangane nomkakhe nendodana enyakatho neJapane.

¹⁹ Phakathi neMpi Yezwe II, oFakazi BakaJehova emazweni amaningi bahlangabezana nokushushiswa okunzima. Ngokwesibonelo, uRobert A. Winkler wayengomunye wabazalwane baseJalimane owahlushwa emakamu okuhlushwa obuNazi eJalimane naseNetherlands. Ngoba wayengenakubakhaphela oFakazi akanye nabo, washaywa ngesihluku kangangokuthi wayengasabonakali. Kodwa wabhala: “Imicabango yezithembiso zikaJehova zokusiza umuntu kuzo zonke izinhlobo zezinkathazo yanginikeza induduzo namandla okukubekezelela konke lokhu. . . . NgoMgqibelo ngangishaywe amaGestapo, futhi ngoMsombuluko olandelayo kwakumelwe ngiyobuzwa yiwo. Kwakuzokwenzekani manje futhi yini okwakumelwe ngiyenze? Ngaphendukela kuJehova ngomthandazo, ngithembela ezithembisweni zakhe. Ngangazi ukuthi lokhu kwakusho ukusebenzisa amacebo empi engokwasezulwini ngenxa yomsebenzi woMbuso nangenxa yokuvikeleka kwabafowethu abangamaKristu. Kwakuwuvivinyo olunzima ukuba ngilubekezelele futhi ngosuku lweshumi nesikhombisa ngase ngikhathele ngiyingcuba, kodwa ngabonga uJehova ukuthi ngakwazi ukulubekezelela loluvivinyo ngamandla akhe futhi ngigcine ubuqotho bami.”—IHubo 18:35; 55:22; 94:18.

Sibonge Ngobuzalwane Bethu

20. Inhlonipho yethu ngesikholwa nabo bazo zonke izinhlanga nezizwe ingakhuliswa kanjani?

²⁰ Ngokungangabazeki, uJehova uyababusisa futhi abasekele ofakazi bakhe bazo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga. Akakhethi, futhi njengezinceku zakhe ezizinikezele, asinaso isaba noma isizathu sokuba sibonise ukukhetha. Ngaphezu kwalokho, inhlonipho yethu ngabazalwane bethu nodade bazo zonke izinhlanga nezizwe iyokhula uma sicabangela izindlela ababakhulu ngazo kunathi. Nabo futhi basebenzisa ukuhlakanipha kwaphezulu, okungabeki mingcele yokukhetha kodwa okuthela izithelo ezinhle. (Jakobe 3:13-18) Yebo, nomusa wabo, ukuphana, uthando, nezinye izimfanelo zokwesaba uNkulunkulu zisibekela izibonelo ezinhle.

21. Yini okufanele sizimisele ukuyenza?

²¹ Khona-ke, yeka ukuthi kufanele sibonge kangakanani ngobuzalwane bethu bezinhlanga nezizwe eziningi! Ngosizo nesibusiso sikaBaba wethu wasezulwini, ‘masimkhonze ngokubambisana’ ngothando lobuzalwane nangenhlonipho komunye nomunye. Ngempela, kufanele kube isifiso sethu esiqotho nenhloso egxilile ukukhonza uJehova nganhliziyonye.