17 – Izinkolo zamanga

Inyoka yayiliqili okudlula zonke izinyamazana zeganga uNkulunkulu ayezenzile. Yathi kowesifazana, “Kambe uNkulunkulu watsho ngeqiniso wathi, ‘Lingadli noma yisiphi isihlahla esivandeni’?”

Basebesithi, “Zwanini, kasizakheleni idolobho libe lomphongolo ofika emazulwini, ukuze sizenzele ibizo singaze sasabalala umhlaba wonke.” Kodwa uJehova wehla wazalibona idolobho kanye lomphongolo abantu ababewakha. UJehova wathi, “Nxa bengabantu banye bekhuluma limi lunye sebeqalisile ukwenza lokhu, pho kakukho okungabehlula. Zwanini, kasehleni siye phansi sisanganise ulimi lwabo bangabe besazwana.” Kanjalo uJehova wabahlakaza emhlabeni wonke, bakhawula ukwakha idolobho. Kungakho labizwa ngokuthi yiBhabheli  —  ngokuba khonapho uJehova wasanganisa ulimi lomhlaba wonke. Kusukela lapho uJehova wabahlakazela emhlabeni wonke.

Ingilosi kaJehova yaphinda yathi kuye: “Khathesi usukhulelwe uzazala indodana. Uzayibiza ngokuthi ngu-Ishmayeli, ngokuba uJehova usezwile ngokuhawula kwakho. Uzakuba ngubabhemi ohlanyayo wendoda; isandla sakhe sizaxabana labantu bonke lesandla somuntu wonke sixabane laye, njalo uzaphila ngenzondano labafowabo bonke.”

Yikho u-Abhrahama wasesithi kuNkulunkulu, “Uba nje u-Ishmayeli ubengaphila exhaswe yisibusiso sakho!” UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Yebo, kodwa phela umkakho uSara uzakuzalela indodana, wena uyibize ngokuthi ngu-Isaka. Ngizaqinisa isivumelwano sami laye sibe yisivumelwano esingapheliyo esezizukulwane eziza ngemva kwakhe. Mayelana lo-Ishmayeli, ngizwile okutshiloyo: ngeqiniso ngizambusisa; ngizamnika inzalo enkulu, ngandise ubunengi bayo. Uzakuba nguyise wababusi abalitshumi lambili, ngimenze abe yisizwe esikhulu. Kodwa isivumelwano sami ngizasiqinisa lo-Isaka, ozamzalelwa nguSara ngasonalesi isikhathi ngomnyaka ozayo.”

Ngalonalelolanga u-Abhrahama wathatha indodana yakhe u-Ishmayeli labo bonke abazalelwa emzini wakhe loba abathengwayo ngemali yakhe wabasoka, njengoba uNkulunkulu wayemtshelile.

Ngakho uMosi lo-Aroni baya kuFaro. Bafika benza njengokulaywa kwabo nguJehova. U-Aroni waphosa intonga yakhe phansi phambi kukaFaro lezikhulu zakhe, yaphenduka yaba yinyoka. UFaro wasebiza izanuse lezinyanga zaseGibhithe. Lazo zenza izimanga ngendlela efanayo. Bonke baphosela izintonga zabo phansi zaphenduka zaba zinyoka. Kodwa inyoka ka-Aroni yaziginya zonke izinyoka. Kodwa-ke, lanxa kwaba njalo, inhliziyo kaFaro yala ilokhu ilukhuni; njengoba uJehova wayetshilo.

Kodwa izanuse zaseGibhithe lazo ngemilingo yazo zenza izimanga ezifananayo. Ngalokho inhliziyo kaFaro yala ilokhu ilukhuni. Kabalalelanga oMosi lo-Aroni njengoba uJehova wayevele etshilo.

U-Aroni welulela isandla sakhe emanzini eGibhithe, amaxoxo agcwala ilizwe lonke. Kodwa-ke izanuse lazo zenzanjalo ngemilingo yazo yensitha  —  zenza kwaba lamaxoxo elizweni lonke leGibhithe.

Benza njengokulaywa kwabo, kwathi u-Aroni eselule isandla sakhe ephethe intonga watshaya uthuli, izintwala zahlasela abantu lezifuyo zabo. Izanuse lazo zazama ukwenza izintwala ngemilingo yazo, kodwa zehluleka. Izintwala zazisebantwini lezinyamazaneni. Izanuse zathi kuFaro, “Lokhu kungumunwe kaNkulunkulu.” Kodwa inhliziyo kaFaro yayilukhuni, eyisiqholo. Kabalalelanga njengoba uJehova wayevele etshilo.

Izangoma zehluleka ukumisana loMosi ngenxa yamathumba ayezibulala kanye lamaGibhithe wonke.

“Ungabi labanye onkulunkulu ngaphandle kwami. “Ungazenzeli izithombe ezifana lezinto ezisezulwini kumbe phansi emhlabeni kumbe ngaphansi kwamanzi. Ungakhothameli izithombe, njalo ungazikhonzi. Ngoba mina Jehova uNkulunkulu wakho nginguNkulunkulu olobukhwele, ojezisa abantwana ngenxa yezono zaboyise kuze kube yisizukulwane sesithathu lesesine salabo abangizondayo,

Lingenzi onkulunkulu ukuba babekhona kanye lami. Lingazenzeli onkulunkulu besiliva kumbe onkulunkulu begolide.

“Lingavumeli umthakathi ukuthi aphile.

“Loba ngubani onikela kwabanye onkulunkulu ngaphandle kukaJehova kumele abhujiswe.

Qaphelisisani lenze konke engilitshela khona. Lingamemezi abanye onkulunkulu; mabangezwiwa ezindlebeni zenu.

Kwathi lapho abantu bebona uMosi esephuzile ukwehla entabeni, babuthana ku-Aroni bathi kuye, “Lalela, senzele onkulunkulu abazahamba phambi kwethu, ngoba umuntu lo, uMosi owasikhupha elizweni laseGibhithe, asikwazi osekwenzakale kuye.” U-Aroni wabaphendula wathi, “Khumulani amacici egolide asezindlebeni zamakhosikazi enu, amadodana enu lamadodakazi enu, liwalethe kimi.” Ngakho abantu bonke bawakhumula amacici abo bawasa ku-Aroni. Wathatha lokho abamnikeza khona wakwenza kwaba yisithombe esibunjwe njengethole esebenzisa insimbi yokukhanda. Basebesithi, “Laba yibo onkulunkulu benu, O Israyeli, abalikhupha elizweni laseGibhithe.”

Baphangisile badela konke engabalaya khona bazenzela isithombe esibunjwe safana lethole. Basikhothamele banikela iminikelo kiso bathi, ‘Laba yibo onkulunkulu benu, bako-Israyeli, abalikhupha eGibhithe.’ ” UJehova wasebuya esithi kuMosi, “Sengibabonile abantu laba; ngabantu abantamo zilukhuni. Khathesike ngiyekela ngingedwa ukuze ulaka lwami lubalavukele, ngibatshabalalise.”

Ngakho uMosi wabuyela kuJehova wathi kuye, “Awu, abantu laba sebenze isono esikhulu kakhulu. Bazenzele onkulunkulu ngegolide.

Alibowadiliza amaalithare abo, libhidlize lezithombe zabo, ligamule lezinsika zika-Asheri wabo abamkhonzayo. Lingakhonzi omunye unkulunkulu, ngoba uJehova, obizo lakhe linguBukhwele, nguNkulunkulu olobukhwele. “Qaphelani lingenzi isivumelwano lalabo abahlala elizweni lelo, ngoba nxa bezibhixa kubonkulunkulu babo benikela iminikelo kubo, bazalinxusa libeselisidla imihlatshelo yabo. Njalo lapho likhetha amanye amadodakazi abo ukuba abe ngabafazi bamadodana enu kuzakuthi lapho amadodakazi lawo esezibhixa kubonkulunkulu bawo, ahugele amadodana enu ekwenzeni okunjalo. “Lingazenzeli onkulunkulu ababunjiweyo.

Bangabe besanikela loba yiwuphi umnikelo kubonkulunkulu babo bezimbuzi labo ababaxhwalisayo. Lesi siyisimiso sabo esingapheliyo lakuzizukulwane ezizayo.’

“ ‘Lingaphendukeli ezithombeni loba lizibumbele onkulunkulu benu. Yimi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

“ ‘Lingadli inyama elegazi. “ ‘Lingenzi izinto zokuvumisa loba ubungoma.

“ ‘Lingazisiki imizimba yenu ngenxa yabafileyo kumbe lizicabe. Mina yimi uJehova.

“ ‘Lingayi kwabayizangoma loba lidinge izanuse ngoba bazalingcolisa. Mina yimi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

“Tshela aba-Israyeli uthi: ‘Loba ngubani kuma-Israyeli loba kumbe ngowezizweni ohlala kini onikela abantwana bakhe kunkulunkulu uMoleki kabulawe. Izakhamizi kazimkhande ngamatshe. Mina ngizamdela lowomuntu ngimkhuphe ebantwini bakibo; ngoba nxa enikele ngabantwabakhe kuMoleki usengcolise indlu yami engcwele wahlambaza lebizo lami elingcwele.

“ ‘Ngizamhlamuka lowo oya ezangomeni lezanuseni njengesiphingi sazo ngokulandelana lazo. Ngizamkhupha kwabakibo.

“ ‘Indoda loba umfazi ovumisayo loba oyisanusi phakathi kwenu kabulawe. Bakhandeni ngamatshe. Yindaba yabo.’ ”

“ ‘Lingazenzeli izithombe loba izifanekiso kumbe amatshe akhonzwayo, njalo lingafaki matshe elizweni lenu ukuba liwakhothamele. Mina nginguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

Ngizabhidliza izindawo zenu eziphakemeyo, ngidilize lama-alithare enu empepha besengibuthelela izidumbu zenu phezu kwezithombe zenu ezingaphiliyo, nginengeke ngani.

xotshani phambi kwenu bonke abahlala kulelolizwe. Dilizani zonke izithombe zabo ezibaziweyo kanye lezibunjiweyo, njalo libhidlize zonke izindawo eziphakemeyo zokukhonzela.

Akulalutho loba yisimo bani elasibonayo mhla uJehova ekhuluma lani eHorebi ephakathi kwelangabi lomlilo. Kunjalonje kumele lizinanzelele okuqinileyo, ukuze lingaxhwali libe selizenzela isithombe, loba umfanekiso olesimo bani, loba ngesilesimo sesilisa loba esesifazane, loba yiphi inyamazana emhlabeni loba inyoni endizayo emkhathini, loba yisiphi isinanakazana esihuquzelayo emhlabathini loba yinhlanzi ngaphansi kwamanzi. Njalo nxa likhangela phezulu esibhakabhakeni libona ilanga, inyanga kanye lezinkanyezi  —  zonke ezihlobise zacecisa isibhakabhaka  —  lingayengeki lizikhothamele beselikhonza izinto uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu azibekela izizwe zonke ngaphansi kwezulu.

Ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ungumlilo ohangulayo, uNkulunkulu olobukhwele.

“Ungabi labanye onkulunkulu ngaphandle kwami. “Ungazenzeli isithombe ngesimo saloba yini esezulwini phezulu loba emhlabeni phansi loba emanzini ngaphansi. Ungazikhothameli loba ukuzikhonza; ngoba Mina, uJehova uNkulunlunkulu wakho, nginguJehova olobukhwele, ojezisa abantwana ebajezisela izono zaboyise kuze kube yisizukulwane sesithathu lesesine sabangizondayo,

Lingabalandeli abanye onkulunkulu babantu elakhelene labo; ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ophakathi kwenu, nguJehova olobukhwele kanti lokuthukuthela kwakhe kungalitshisa, alitshabalalise ebusweni bomhlaba.

Lingendiselani lazo. Lingendiseli amadodakazi enu emadodaneni azo, kumbe lithathele amadodana enu amadodakazi azo, ngoba azaphambula amadodana enu ekungikhonzeni abesekhonza abanye onkulunkulu, kuthi ulaka lukaJehova luvuthe lulitshise litshabalale. Nanku okumele likwenze kulezi zizwe: Dilizani ama-alithare azo, libhidlize amatshe eziwakhonzayo, ligamule izigodo zophawu luka-Ashera njalo litshise izithombe zazo ngomlilo.

Dilizani ngokupheleleyo zonke izindawo izizwe elizinqobayo ezazikhonzela onkulunkulu bazo khona, ezintabeni eziphakemeyo lasemaqaqeni kanye langaphansi kwezihlahla ezinabileyo. Dilizani ama-alithare ezizwe, libhidlize amatshe abawakhonzayo litshise izinsika zika-Ashera emlilweni, dilizelani phansi izithombe zabo lihle lichithe licitshe amabizo abo kulezondawo. Lingalandeli izindlela zabo zokukhonza uJehova wenu.

njalo nxa sezichithiwe phambi kwenu, liqaphele lingahugeki ngokubuza ngabonkulunkulu bazo lisithi, “Kanti zona lezi zizwe zibakhonza njani onkulunkulu bazo? Lathi sizakwenza okufananayo.” Lingabokhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ngendlela abakhonza ngayo, ngoba ekukhonzeni kwabo onkulunkulu babo, benza konke okunengisayo okungasoze kwamukeleke kuJehova. Baya baze batshise amadodana lamadodakazi abo emlilweni bethi bayanikela kubonkulunkulu babo.

Nxa umphrofethi, loba umuntu oboniswa ngamaphupho, angavela phakathi kwenu abesebika imilingo loba isimanga, kuthi leyomilingo loba lesosimanga ayabe ekhulume ngaso, kubonakale kusenzakala, abesesithi, “Asilandeleni abanye onkulunkulu (onkulunkulu elingakaze libazi) njalo asibakhonzeni,” lingalaleli amazwi alowo mphrofethi loba umuntu wamaphupho. UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzabe uyalilinga efuna ukubona kumbe liyamthanda yini ngezinhliziyo zenu kanye langomphefumulo wenu wonke.

Nxa umfowenu uqobo, loba indodana loba indodakazi yakho, loba umfazi wakho omthandayo, loba umngane wakho osekhwapheni, angavele akuhuge ensitha, esithi “Asihambe siyekhonza abanye onkulunkulu” (onkulunkulu lina laboyihlo elingazange libazi, onkulunkulu babantu elakhelene labo, eduzane loba khatshana, kusukela emaphethelweni esigaba kusiya phutsha ngale kwaso), lingamvumeli futhi lingamlaleli. Lingamtshengiseli uzwelo. Lingamphephisi njalo lingamvikeli.

njalo ngokwephula imilayo yami esezikhonzela abanye onkulunkulu, ebakhothamela loba ekhonza ilanga loba inyanga loba izinkanyezi zezulu, kube kanti lokhu sekubikiwe kini, kutsho ukuthi kuzamele likuchwayisise ngokupheleleyo. Nxa kuliqiniso njalo sekubonakele ukuthi kuliqiniso lokhu okuyisinengiso okwenzakele ko-Israyeli, thathani leyondoda loba lowo owesifazana owenze lesi senzo esibi limuse esangweni ledolobho lenu limtshaye ngamatshe aze afe.

Akungabi lamuntu phakathi kwenu ozakwenza umhlatshelo ngendodana yakhe loba indodakazi yakhe ngomlilo, kangabi yisanuse loba ocasisa ngemibono ocasisa imilingo njalo ophathelene lobuthakathi, ophosayo, loba olamadlozi loba olemimoya loba okhangelele kwabafileyo. Loba ngubani owenza lezizinto uyisinengiso kuJehova, kanti njalo ngenxa yezenzo lezi ezinengekayo uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu azazixotsha phambi kwenu lezizizwe.

Kodwa-ke umphrofethi ozenza okhuluma amazwi ami wona kungesiwo engimlaye ngawo ukuba awatsho, loba umphrofethi okhuluma ngebizo labanye onkulunkulu, kumele abulawe.”

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu obaza isithombe loba isithombe esibunjiweyo  —  into eyisinengiso eNkosini, umsebenzi wezandla zomuntu olobungcwethi  —  asimise ensitha.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

Bambangela ubukhwele ngabonkulunkulu babo bezizweni bamthukuthelisa ngezithombe zabo ezinengekayo. Benza imihlatshelo kuwo kumadimoni, wona angayisuye uNkulunkulu  —  onkulunkulu ababengazange babazi, onkulunkulu ababesanda kuvela, onkulunkulu ababengakhonzwa ngoyihlo.

Bangenza ngaba lobukhwele ngalokho okwakungasunkulunkulu njalo bangithukuthelisa ngezithombe zabo ezingasizi lutho. Ngizabavusela umhawu ngesizwe esingesibantu balutho; ngibazondise ngesizwe esingazwisisiyo.

Belo bajinge bengabalaleli abahluleli babo kodwa baziphingisa kwabanye onkulunkulu babakhonza. Abenzanga njengaboyise, bona baphanga baphuma endleleni oyise ababehambe kuyo, indlela yokulalela imilayo kaJehova.

Kodwa lapho umahluleli esefile, abantu babuyela ezindleleni zokuxhwala okudlula ezaboyise, belandela abanye onkulunkulu, babasebenzele njalo babakhonze, besala ukudela izenzo zabo ezimbi lezindlela zenkani.

Abako-Israyeli benza okubi futhi emehlweni kaJehova. Bakhonza oBhali labo-Ashithorethi, labonkulunkulu base-Aramu, labonkulunkulu baseSidoni, labonkulunkulu baseMowabi, labonkulunkulu bama-Amoni, kanye labonkulunkulu bamaFilisti. Ngenxa yokuthi abako-Israyeli bamdela uJehova kabaze babe besamkhonza, wabathukuthelela kakhulu. Wabanikela ezandleni zamaFilisti lama-Amoni,

Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli bakhala kuJehova bathi, “Senze isono kuwe, sadela uNkulunkulu wethu sakhonza oBhali.”

Kodwa selingidelile lakhonza abanye onkulunkulu, ngakho angisayikulisindisa. Hambani liyekhala kubonkulunkulu elibathembileyo. Kabalisindise nxa seliphakathi kokuhlupheka!” Kodwa abako-Israyeli bathi kuJehova, “Senze isono. Yenza kithi lokho okubona kulungile kuwe, kodwa ake usihlenge khathesi nje.” Ngakho basusa onkulunkulu bezizweni phakathi kwabo bakhonza uJehova. Wayengeke alumele futhi usizi luka-Israyeli.

Aphinda alithwala alisa ethempelini likaDagoni. Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bevuka ekuseni kakhulu okwalandelayo, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova! Bamthatha uDagoni bambeka endaweni yakhe. Kodwa ngakusasa ekuseni bathi bevuka, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova! Ikhanda lakhe lezandla kwakugumukile kuthe qekele eduze lomnyango; kwakusele umzimba wakhe kuphela. Ngalokho-ke kuze kube lamhla abaphristi bakaDagoni labanye nje abangena ethempelini likaDagoni kabanyatheli ekuqaliseni komnyango. Isandla sikaJehova sasinzima phezu kwabantu base-Ashidodi laseduze kwayo; wehlisela incithakalo phezu kwabo yabahlupha langamathumba. Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bebona okwakusenzakala, bathi, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli akumelanga lihlale lathi lapha, ngoba isandla sakhe sinzima phezu kwethu laphezu kukaDagoni unkulunkulu wethu.”

Ngoba ukuhlamuka kufana lesono sokuhlahlula, lobuqholo bufana lobubi bokukhonza izithombe. Ngokuba ilizwi likaJehova ulalile. Usekwalile njengenkosi.”

Ngalesosikhathi uSamuyeli wayesewafa, njalo u-Israyeli wonke wayemlilele wamgcwaba emzini wakibo eRama. USawuli wayesewaxotsha zonke izanuse labemimoya elizweni.

USawuli wasesithi kuzikhonzi zakhe, “Ngidingelani owesifazana oyisanuse ukuze ngiyebuza kuye.” Bona bathi, “Kulomunye e-Endori.” Ngakho uSawuli waziguqula, wafaka ezinye izigqoko, kwathi ebusuku yena labantu ababili baya kulowomfazi. Wathi kuye, “Ngibuzela umoya, njalo ungilethele lowo engizamutsho.” Kodwa owesifazana wathi kuye, “Impela uyakwazi ukuthi uSawuli wenzeni. Useziqedile izanuse labemimoya elizweni. Kungani uthiya impilo yami ngomjibila ukuba ngibulawe na?”

Ekuluphaleni kwakhe uSolomoni, abafazi bakhe baphambulela ukholo lwakhe kwabanye onkulunkulu, inhliziyo yakhe ayizange ilandele uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngokupheleleyo, akusabanga njengokwenhliziyo kaDavida uyise. USolomoni walandela u-Ashithorethi unkulunkulu wamaSidoni, loMoleki unkulunkulu onengekayo wama-Amoni. Ngalokho uSolomoni wona phambi kukaJehova; kazange alandele uJehova ngokupheleleyo, njengokwakwenziwe nguyise uDavida. Eqaqeni olusempumalanga yeJerusalema, uSolomoni wakhela unkulunkulu onengekayo wamaMowabi uKhemoshi, loMoleki unkulunkulu onengekayo wama-Amoni indawo yomhlatshelo. Wenza okufananayo kubo bonke abafazi bakhe bezizweni, batshisa impepha banikela ngemihlatshelo kubonkulunkulu babo.

Ngizakwenza lokhu ngoba bangifulathele bakhonza u-Ashithorethi unkulunkulukazi wamaSidoni, loKhemoshi unkulunkulu wamaMowabi, kanye loMoleki unkulunkulu wama-Amoni, njalo abahambanga ngezami izindlela, abenzanga ukulunga phambi kwami, abayigcinanga imilayo lemithetho yami njengalokhu okwenziwa nguDavida uyise kaSolomoni.

Ngemva kokudinga ukwelulekwa, inkosi yenza amathole egolide amabili. Yasisithi ebantwini, “Kunzima kakhulu kini ukuthi liye eJerusalema. Nampa onkulunkulu benu, O Israyeli, abalikhupha eGibhithe.”

Bazakhela njalo indawo eziphakemeyo zeminikelo, amatshe azilayo lezinsika zika-Ashera ezintabeni zonke langaphansi kwemithunzi yezihlahla eziyizithingithingi. Kwakukhona lapho amadoda alala lamanye amadoda ezindaweni zemihlatshelo phakathi kwelizwe; abantu ababesenza wonke amanyala ezizwe uNkulunkulu ayezixotshile phansi kwabako-Israyeli.

U-Elija wema phambi kwabantu wathi, “Lizathandabuza kuze kube nini ngeminakano emibili le na? Nxa uJehova enguNkulunkulu mlandeleni kodwa nxa uBhali enguNkulunkulu, mlandeleni.” Kodwa abantu abazange batsho lutho. Ngakho u-Elija wasesithi kubo, “Yimi ngedwa umphrofethi kaJehova oseleyo kodwa uBhali ulabangamakhulu amane lamatshumi amahlanu. Sidingeleni izinkunzi ezimbili. Libanike bazikhethele abayifunayo bayihlabe bayiqume amaqatha bayifake phezu kwezinkuni kodwa bangabasi umlilo. Lami ngizahlinza eyinye yazo ngiyiqobaqobe ngiyifake phezu kwezinkuni kodwa angiyikubasa umlilo. Libe selibiza igama likankulunkulu wenu mina ngizacela ebizweni likaJehova. Unkulunkulu ozaphendula ngomlilo  —  nguyeke uNkulunkulu.” Ngakho abantu bonke bathi, “Lokho okutshoyo kulungile.”

U-Elija wathi kubaphrofethi bakaBhali, “Khethani inkunzi eyodwa njalo liqale lina ukuyilungiselela, njengoba lina libanengi kangaka. Memezani unkulunkulu wenu ngegama lakhe, kodwa lingalumathisi umlilo.” Bayithatha inkunzi ababeyiphiwe bayilungisa. Basebebiza ibizo likaBhali kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwaba semini enkulu. Baklabalala besithi, “We Bhali, sabela bo!” Kodwa akubanga lampendulo; kakho owaphendulayo. Bagida bezingelezela i-alithare ababelakhile. Kwathi emini enkulu u-Elija waqalisa ukubahoza esithi, “Klabalalani ngamandla! Ngempela angithi ungunkulunkulu! Mhlawumbe ujule eminakanweni, engxenye ubambekile, loba engxenye uphakathi kohambo. Engxenye ulele ngakho ufuna ukuvuswa.” Ngakho baklabalala ngamandla baziklaya ngezingqamu langezinkemba, njengoba kwakungumkhuba wabo, kwaze kwajuluka igazi. Yedlula imini enkulu, bona baqhubeka ngokuphithizela bephrofetha kwaze kwaba yisikhathi somhlatshelo wakusihlwa. Kodwa akubanga lalutho, akubanga lampendulo, kakho owazihlupha ngakho.

Ngakho u-Elija wathi ebantwini, “Wozani ngapha engikhona.” Basondela kuye, yena walungilungisa i-alithare likaJehova elaselibhidlikile. U-Elija wathatha amatshe alitshumi lambili, yilelo limele isizwana sosendo lukaJakhobe, yena owayemukele ilizwi likaJehova elathi kuye, “Uzabizwa ngokuthi ungu-Israyeli.” Wakha i-alithare ngebizo likaJehova ngalawo matshe, wagebha umgelo ozingelezela i-alithare okungangena kuwo igokoko lamabele. Walungisa inkuni, wasika inyama yenkunzi wenza amaqatha, waseyibeka phezu kwenkuni. Wasesithi kubo, “Gcwalisani imigqomo emine emikhulu ngamanzi libe seliwathela phezu komhlatshelo laphezu kwenkuni.” Wathi, “Kwenzeni futhi,” bakwenza lokho njalo. Wathi, “Kwenzeni okwesithathu,” lakanye bakwenza bephinda okwesithathu. Amanzi agcwala aze agcwala lasemgelweni owawugombolozele i-alithare.

Kuthe ngesikhathi somhlatshelo, u-Elija umphrofethi wasondela wakhuleka esithi, “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, lo-Isaka lo-Israyeli, veza obala lamuhla ukuthi wena unguNkulunkulu ko-Israyeli kanye lokuthi mina ngiyinceku yakho, lokuthi zonke lezizinto ngizenza ngokulaya kwakho. Akungiphendule O Jehova, akungiphendule ukuze lababantu bakwazi ukuthi wena Jehova, unguNkulunkulu, lokuthi njalo uguqula izinhliziyo zabo.” Khonokho umlilo kaJehova wehla watshisa umhlatshelo, inkuni, amatshe lomhlabathi, kwaze kwatsha lamanzi ayesemgelweni. Abantu bonke bekubona lokhu, bazilahla phansi bakhala bathi, “UJehova  —  nguye uNkulunkulu! UJehova  —  nguye uNkulunkulu!” U-Elija wasebalaya wathi, “Bambani abaphrofethi bakaBhali. Akungaphunyuki lamunye!” Bababamba, u-Elija wathi kabasiwe eSigodini saseKhishoni, babulawelwa khona.

Waziphatha butshapha kakhulu elandela izithombe, njengama-Amori wona ayesuswe nguJehova phambi kuka-Israyeli.)

UJoramu uthe ebona uJehu wambuza wathi, “Uza ngokuthula na, Jehu?” UJehu wathi, “Kambe kungaba lokuthula njani khona kugcwele izithombe lobuthakathi bukanyoko uJezebeli na?”

Bakhipha ilitshe elikhonzwayo likaBhali balitshisa. Balidiliza lelolitshe likaBhali elikhonzwayo babhidliza lethempeli lakhe, balenza laba yindlu yokuyela ngaphandle kuze kube lalamuhla lokhu.

Kuzo zonke izindawo zokukhonzela batshisa impepha, njengalokhu okwakusenziwa yizizwe uJehova ayezixotshile phambi kwabo. Benza okubi okwathukuthelisa uJehova. Bakhonza izithombe, lanxa uJehova wayethe, “Lingabokwenza lokhu.”

Kodwa abalalelanga njalo baba ntamolukhuni njengabokhokho babo, bona abangazange bathembele kuJehova wabo. Balahla izimiso zakhe lesivumelwano asenza labokhokho babo lezixwayiso ayebanike zona. Balandela izithombe eziyize, labo ngokwabo baba yize, balingisela izizwe ababehlala phakathi kwazo lanxa uJehova wayebalaye wathi, “Lingenzi njengabo,” njalo benza izinto ayebanqabele ukuthi bazenze. Bayephula yonke imilayo kaJehova wabo, bazenzela izithombe ezikhandiweyo ezamathole amabili, benza insika ku-Ashera. Bakhothamela zonke izinkanyezi zezulu, njalo bakhonza uBhali. Benza umhlatshelo ngamadodana lamadodakazi abo emlilweni. Babevumisa njalo besenza ubuthakathi, bazinikela ekwenzeni okubi phambi kukaJehova bamthukuthelisa. Ngakho uJehova wabathukuthelela abako-Israyeli wabaxotsha kuye. Isizwana sakoJuda yiso kuphela esasalayo,

Loba kunjalo, yileloqembu ngobuzwe balo lenza onkulunkulu balo emadolobheni wonke ababehlaliswe khona, bababeka ezindaweni zokukhonzela ezazakhiwe ngabantu beSamariya.

Bamkhonza uJehova, kodwa babekhonza labonkulunkulu babo belandela imikhuba yezizwe ababevela kizo. Kuze kube lamuhla balokhu bekwenza lokhu belandela imikhuba emidala. Abamkhonzi uJehova njalo abalandeli izimiso leziqondiso, imithetho lemilayo uJehova ayeyiphe abantwana bakaJakhobe, lo ambiza ngokuthi ngu-Israyeli. UJehova wathi esenza isivumelwano labako-Israyeli, wabalaya wathi, “Lingakhonzi abanye onkulunkulu loba ukubakhothamela, lingabenzeli lutho loba ukubenzela umhlatshelo.

Wadiliza izindawo zokukhonzela wabhidliza amatshe ababewakhonza kanye lezinsika zika-Ashera. Watshaya wenza izicucu inyoka yethusi eyayenziwe nguMosi, ngoba kuze kube yilesosikhathi abako-Israyeli babelokhu beyitshisela impepha. (Yayibizwa ngokuthi Nehushithani.)

“Yebo, O Jehova, kuliqiniso ukuthi amakhosi ama-Asiriya azichithile lezizizwe lamazwe azo. Asephosele onkulunkulu bawo emlilweni abatshabalalisa, ngoba kungesibo onkulunkulu kodwa kungamatshe lezigodo kuphela, okubunjwe ngezandla zabantu.

Wenza umhlatshelo ngendodana yakhe emlilweni, wavumisa, wenza imilingo, wasebenza lezanuse labemimoya. Wenza okubi kakhulu emehlweni kaJehova, wamthukuthelisa.

“UManase inkosi yakoJuda wenzile wonke amanyalala. Wenzile izono lezi ezenyanyekayo. Usenze ububi obukhulu obedlula obama-Amori ayekhona ngaphambi kwakhe, njalo usekhokhelele uJuda esonweni ngezithombe zakhe, ngakho-ke nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: Ngizakwehlisela phezu kweJerusalema loJuda incithakalo ezakwenza izindlebe zakhe wonke oyizwayo zinkenteze.

Walandela konke okwakwenziwe nguyise, wakhonza izithombe ezazikhonzwa nguyise, njalo wazikhothamela.

Wakhupha abaphristi bezithombe ababekhethwe yinkosi yakoJuda ukuba batshise impepha emizini yakoJuda lakuleyo ephansi kweJerusalema, labo ababetshisa impepha kuBhali lelanga lenyanga lezinkanyezi zonke zaphezulu. Wakhupha ethempelini likaJehova insika ka-Ashera, wayisa esigodini seKhidroni ngaphandle kweJerusalema, wayitshisela khona, wayichola yaba luthuli wasechithachithela umlotha wayo phezu kwamangcwaba abantukazana. Wadiliza izindlu zamadoda angamawule ezazikhona ethempelini lapho abesifazana ababeselukela khona u-Ashera amaveli. UJosiya waletha bonke abaphristi besuka emizini yakoJuda, wangcolisa izindawo zokukhonzela, kusukela eGebha kusiya lapho abaphristi ababetshisela khona impepha eBherisheba. Wabhidliza izindawo zokukhonzela emasangweni ekungeneni kwesango likaJoshuwa umphathi womuzi, ngakwesokhohlo kwesango lomuzi.

Wakwenza njalo uJosiya ukususa izangoma, labahlahluli, labonkulunkulu basezindlini, lezithombe kanye lazo zonke izinto zamanyala ezazikhona koJuda laseJerusalema. Lokhu kwakuyikugcwalisa izimiso zomlayo owawulotshwe encwadini umphristi uHilikhiya ayifumana ethempelini likaJehova.

USawuli wafa ngoba wayengathembekanga kuJehova; kaligcinanga ilizwi likaJehova wakhe waze wayadinga ukuqondiswa yizangoma,

Ngoba bonke onkulunkulu bezizwe bayizithombe; kodwa uJehova wadala amazulu.

Wasekhetha abakhe abaphristi wababeka ezindaweni zokukhonzela, labezithombe zezimbuzi lezamathole ayenzenzile.

Wasusa wonke ama-alithare ezizweni lezindawo zokukhonzela, wadiliza izinsika zakhona lezithombe zikankulunkulukazi u-Ashera.

Balidela ithempeli likaJehova, uNkulunkulu waboyise, basebekhonza izinsika zika-Ashera, lezithombe zakhe. Ngenxa yalesisimo, ulaka lukaNkulunkulu lwehlela phezu kwabakoJuda laseJerusalema.

Wanikela imihlatshelo kubonkulunkulu baseDamaseko, ababemehlule, ngoba wakhumbula wathi, “Njengoba onkulunkulu bamakhosi ama-Aramu bewancedile, ngizanikela imihlatshelo kubo ukuze bangisize lami.” Kodwa-ke kwahle kwaba yikuwa kwakhe lokuchitheka kwabako-Israyeli. U-Ahazi wabutha zonke izitsha ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wazisusa. Wavala iminyango yethempeli likaJehova wasesakha ama-alithare kuwo wonke amajiko eJerusalema. Wakha izindawo zokukhonzela kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda ukuze atshisele onkulunkulu imihlatshelo; wathukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise.

Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, elandela izenzo zamanyala ezizwe ezasuswa nguJehova mandulo kokufika kwabako-Israyeli. Wavuselela izindawo zokukhonzela ezazibhidlizwe nguyise uHezekhiya; waphinda wakhela oBhali amaalithare kanye lezinsika zika-Ashera. Wakhothamela zonke izinkanyezi zezulu wazikhonza.

Wanikela amadodana akhe emlilweni eSigodini saseBheni Hinomi, wenza imilingo, ukuvumisa, lokuthakatha njalo wayahlahlula lakwabalemimoya. Wenza okubi kakhulu phambi kukaJehova, wamthukuthelisa. Wathatha isithombe ayesibazile wasibeka ethempelini likaNkulunkulu, lelo uNkulunkulu ayethe kuDavida lakundodana yakhe uSolomoni, “Kulelithempeli kanye laseJerusalema, engilikhethileyo ezizwaneni zako-Israyeli, ngizafaka iBizo lami kuze kube nininini.

Izinhlupho zalabo zizakwanda, labo abagijimela abanye onkulunkulu. Angiyi kuyithulula iminikelo yabo yegazi njalo amabizo abo kawayikuphuma kwezami izindebe.

Bamvusa ulaka ngezindawo zabo eziphezulu; baqubula ubukhwele bakhe ngezithombe zabo. Wathi uNkulunkulu ngokukuzwa lokho, wathukuthela kakhulu; wamlahla qobo lokumlahla u-Israyeli.

Ngoba bonke onkulunkulu bezizwe bayizithombe, kodwa uJehova wenza amazulu.

Bonke abakhonza izifanekiso bathelwa ihlazo, labo abazikhukhumeza ngezithombe  —  mkhonzeni, lonke lina bonkulunkulu!

Bakhonza izithombe zazo, kwaba yisithiyo kubo. Benza imihlatshelo ngamadodana abo lamadodakazi abo kumadimoni. Bachitha igazi elalingelacala, igazi lamadodana lamadodakazi abo, abenza ngabo imihlatshelo yezithombe zaseKhenani, ilizwe langcola ngegazi labo.

Kodwa izithombe zabo yisiliva legolide, zenziwe ngezandla zabantu. Zilemilomo, kodwa kazikhulumi, amehlo, kodwa kaziboni; zilezindlebe, kodwa kazizwa, amakhala, kodwa kazizwa ukunuka; zilezandla, kodwa kazizwa ukuthinta, izinyawo, kodwa kazikwazi ukuhamba; njalo ngeke nje zikhuphe umsindo ngemiphimbo yazo. Labo abazenzayo bazakuba njengazo, kube njalo lakulabo abathemba kuzo.

Izithombe zezizwe ziyisiliva legolide, zenziwe ngezandla zabantu. Zilemilomo, kodwa kazikhulumi, amehlo, kodwa kaziboni; zilezindlebe, kodwa kazizwa, njalo kazilamphefumulo emilonyeni yazo. Labo abazenzayo bazakuba njengazo, kanjalo lalabo bonke abathemba kuzo.

Usubalahlile abantu bakho, indlu kaJakhobe. Bagcwele ukholo oluyize lwaseMpumalanga benza lemisebenzi yobungoma njengamaFilisti, njalo babambana izandla labangakholwayo.

Ilizwe labo ligcwele izithombe; bakhothamela umsebenzi wezandla zabo, lakulokho okwenziwa yiminwe yabo.

Ngalolosuku abantu bazazilahlela ezimvukuzaneni lakubolulwane izithombe zabo zesiliva lezegolide abazenzela ukuba bazikhonze.

Nxa abantu bekutshela ukuthi buza abalamadlozi labalemimoya yobuthakathi, labanyenyezayo bengunguza, kambe abantu akumelanga babuzisise uNkulunkulu wabo na? Kungani abaphilayo libabuzela kwabafayo na? Emthethweni lakubo ubufakazi! Uma bengakhulumi ngokumayelana lelizwi leli, kabalakho ukukhanya kokusa.

Yeka ukuwa kwakho uvela ezulwini wena nkanyezi yekuseni, ndodana yokusa! Uphoselwe phansi emhlabeni, wena owake wehlisela izizwe phansi! Wathi enhliziyweni yakho, “Ngizakwenyukela ezulwini, ngizaphakamisela isihlalo sami sobukhosi ngaphezu kwezinkanyezi zikaNkulunkulu. Ngizahlala ebukhosini phezu kwentaba yombuthano ezingqongweni zentaba engcwele. Ngizakwenyukela ngaphezu kwezingqongo zamayezi; ngizazenza njengoPhezukonke.” Kodwa ulethwe phansi ethuneni, ekuzikeni kwegodi.

AbaseGibhithe bazaphelelwa lithemba njalo ngizakwenza amacebo abo abe yize. Bazabuza izithombe lemimoya yabafayo, amadlozi lezanuse.

Lapho-ke lizangcolisa izithombe zenu ezihuqwe ngesiliva lezifanekiso zenu ezinanyekwe ngegolide. Lizazilahlela khatshana njengelembu lowesifazana obesesikhathini, lithi kuzo, “Sukani lapha!”

Ngoba ngalolosuku lonke lizazilahla izithombe zenu zesiliva lezegolide elizenze ngezandla zenu ezonayo.

“Mina nginguJehova, lelo yilo ibizo lami! Ubukhosi bami angiyikubunika omunye loba nginike izithombe udumo lwami.

Kodwa labo abathemba izithombe, abathi kuzifanekiso, ‘Lingonkulunkulu bethu,’ bazabuyiselwa emuva beyangeke impela.

“Lina lingofakazi bami,” kutsho uJehova, “lenceku yami engiyikhethileyo, ukuze lazi, likholwe kimi, njalo lizwisise ukuthi mina nginguye. Ngaphambi kwami kakho unkulunkulu owake waba khona, njalo kakho ozakuba khona emva kwami.

“Nanku akutshoyo uJehova  —  iNkosi loMhlengi ka-Israyeli, uJehova uSomandla: Mina ngingowokuqala njalo ngingowokucina; ngaphandle kwami kakho uNkulunkulu.

Bonke abenza izithombe kabasilutho, lezinto abaziqakathekisayo ziyize labo abangabakhulumela bayiziphofu, Kabazi, kulihlazo kubo. Ngubani obaza unkulunkulu abumbe isithombe, okungeke kumsize ngalutho? Yena labanjengaye bazayangiswa; izingcitshi kazisilutho, ngabantu nje. Kaziqoqane zonke zime ndawonye; Bazakuba lokwesaba kanye lehlazo. Umkhandi uthatha insimbi ayifake emalahleni; enze isithombe ngezando, asikhande ngengalo yakhe elamandla. Uyalamba aphelelwe ngamandla. Anganathi manzi, amandla aphele. Umbazi ulinganisa ngentambo enze isifanekiso ngolutho lokudweba; asibaze ngetshizela asidwebe ngensimbi yokudweba, abaze isifanekiso somuntu, umuntu olobuhle bonke, ukuba sihlale endlini yokukhonzela. Ugamula isihlahla somsedari, loba athathe umsayiphresi kumbe um-okhi. Uyasikhulisa phakathi kwezihlahla zegusu, kumbe ahlanyele esamapulanka, izulu lisikhulise. Lapho-ke siba zinkuni zomuntu zokubasa; okunye kwaso uyathatha othe, ubasa umlilo abhake izinkwa. Kodwa, njalo, wenza unkulunkulu amkhonze; abaze isithombe asikhothamele.

Ngeziseleyo wenza unkulunkulu, isithombe sakhe; uyasikhothamela, asikhonze. Uyakhuleka kuso athi, “Ngisindisa, ungunkulunkulu wami.” Kabazi lutho, kabaqedisisi lutho; amehlo abo abhadiwe ukuze bangaboni lezingqondo zabo zivalekile ukuze bangaqedisisi.

Mina nginguJehova, njalo kakho omunye; ngaphandle kwami akulankulunkulu. Ngizakuqinisa, lanxa wena unganginakanga,

“Qoqanani ndawonye lize kimi; buthanani lina elabaleka emazweni, labo abahamba bethwele izithombe zezigodo kabazi lutho; labo abakhuleka kubonkulunkulu abangeke babasize.

Abanye bathulula igolide emasakeni abo balinganise isiliva ezikalini; baqatshe abakhandi begolide ukuba benze unkulunkulu ngalo, bakhothame, bamkhonze. Bayamphakamisela emahlombe abo bamthwale; bayambeka endaweni yakhe, ame khonapho. Angeke asuke kuleyondawo. Lanxa umuntu emmemeza, kaphenduli; angeke amsize ekuhluphekeni kwakhe.

“Qhubeka-ke ngemilingo yakho, langobuthakathi bakho obunengi okusebenza kusukela ebantwaneni bakho. Mhlawumbe uzaphumelela, kumbe njalo wenze kube lokwesaba. Zonke izeluleko owazitholayo zikucobile. Izazi zezinkanyezi kazisondele, abahloli bezinkanyezi ababika ngokuzakwenzakala inyanga ngenyanga. Kabakuhlenge kulokhu okuzakwehlela. Impela banjengamahlanga; umlilo uzabatshisa futhi bangeke bazihlenga emandleni amalangabi. Lapha akulamalahle okothiwa ngumuntu; lapha akulamlilo wokotha. Lokho yikho abangakwenzela khona labo owasebenza labo, uthengiselana labo kusukela ebuntwaneni. Omunye lomunye wabo uyaqhubeka ngesiphosiso sakhe; kakho ongakusindisa.

“ ‘Kambe lizantshontsha njalo libulale, lifebe, lifunge amanga, litshisele uBhali impepha njalo lilandele abanye onkulunkulu elingakaze libazi, beselisizakuma phambi kwami kuyonale indlu, eleBizo lami, lithi, “Sivikelekile”  —  livikeleka ukuba lenze zonke lezizinto ezenyanyekayo na? Indlu le, eleBizo lami, seyaba lubhalu lwabaphangi na? Kodwa kade ngikhangele! kutsho uJehova.

Abantwana batheza inkuni, oyise babasa imililo, labesifazana baxova inhlama benzele iNdlovukazi yaseZulwini isinkwa. Bathelela abanye onkulunkulu iminikelo yokunathwayo ukuba bangithukuthelise.

Azachaywa elangeni lasenyangeni lakuzo zonke izinkanyezi zasemkhathini, abakuthandayo bakukhonza njalo abakulandelayo bakubuza bakudumisa. Kawayikubuthwa loba angcwatshwe, kodwa azakuba njengezibi phezu komhlabathi.

Ngoba imikhuba yabantu iyize; bagamula isihlahla ehlathini, ingcwethi isibaze ngetshizela yayo. Bayasicecisa ngesiliva langegolide; basibethele ngesando langezipikili ukuze singanyikinyeki. Njengezinto zokwethusa endimeni yamakhabe, izithombe zabo azikhulumi; kumele zithwalwe ngoba azingeke zihambe. Lingazesabi; azingeke zenze okubi; lokuhle azingeke zikwenze.”

“Batshele lokhu uthi: Onkulunkulu laba, abangawenzanga amazulu lomhlaba, bazabhubha emhlabeni langaphansi kwamazulu.’ ”

Umuntu wonke kalangqondo njalo kalalwazi; wonke umkhandi wensimbi uyangiswa yizithombe zakhe. Izithombe zakhe ziyinkohliso; kazilamphefumulo phakathi kwazo. Ziyize, izinto zenhlekisa nje; lapho ukwahlulelwa kwazo sekufikile, zizabhubha.

Lababantu abangalunganga, abalayo ukulalela amazwi ami, abalandela ubulukhuni bezinhliziyo zabo badinge abanye onkulunkulu ukuba babasebenzele njalo babakhonze, bazakuba njengebhanti leli  —  bengelasizo loluncane!

Kambe abantu bayazenzela onkulunkulu babo na? Ye, kodwa kayisibo onkulunkulu!”

Ngoba bangidelile kwathi indawo le bayenza eyabonkulunkulu bezizweni; kuyo batshisele imihlatshelo onkulunkulu abangabaziyo, bona labokhokho babo kanye lamakhosi akoJuda, njalo indawo le sebayigcwalisa igazi labantu abangelacala. Sebakhele uBhali izindawo eziphakemeyo ukuba batshise amadodana abo emlilweni njengeminikelo kuBhali  —  into engingazange ngibalaye kumbe ngitsho ukuthi bayenze, kumbe ukuthi ike ifike engqondweni yami. Ngakho qaphelani, izinsuku ziyeza, kutsho uJehova, lapho abantu bengayikubiza indawo le ngokuthi Thofethi loba iSigodi seBheni Hinomi kodwa iSigodi sokuBulala.

Izindlu zaseJerusalema kanye lezamakhosi akoJuda zizangcoliswa njengale indawo, iThofethi  —  zonke izindlu lapho abazatshisela khona impepha phezu kwezimpahla kuwo wonke amaxuku ezinkanyezi, bathelela abanye onkulunkulu umnikelo wokunathwayo.’ ”

Lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu ukuba libasebenzele njalo libakhonze; lingangithukuthelisi ngalokho okwenziwa yizandla zenu. Lapho-ke angiyikulehlisela okubi.”

Ngakho lingabalaleli abaphrofethi benu, izanusi zenu, abachazi bamaphupho, izangoma zenu loba izinyanga zenu ezithi kini, ‘Kaliyikuyisebenzela inkosi yaseBhabhiloni.’ Baphrofetha amanga kini azasebenza ukulisusa nje kuphela emazweni enu; ngizalixotsha njalo lizabhubha.

Bamisa izithombe zabo ezinengekayo endlini eleBizo lami bayingcolisa. Bakhela uBhali izindawo eziphakemeyo eSigodini saseBheni Hinomi ukuba banikele amadodana lamadodakazi abo kuMoleki, lanxa ngingazange ngibalaye, kumbe kufike engqondweni yami, ukuthi babokwenza into eyenyanyeka kangaka ngalokho benze uJuda one.

“Abantu bonke kabalangqondo njalo kabalalwazi; wonke umkhandi wegolide uyayangiswa yizithombe zakhe. Izifanekiso zakhe ziyinkohliso; akulamphefumulo kuzo. Kazisizi lutho, yizinto eziyinhlekisa ekufikeni kokwahlulelwa kwazo, zizabhubha.

uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Maye kwabesifazana abathungela izintebe ezihlakaleni zabo zonke benze lezimbombozo zamakhanda abo ezilobude obehlukeneyo ukuze bathiye abantu. Lizathiya impilo yabantu bami kodwa lilondoloze eyenu na?

“ ‘Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngimelana lezintebe zenu elithiya abantu ngazo njengenyoni njalo ngizazidabula ezingalweni zenu; ngizabakhulula abantu elibathiya njengenyoni.

“Ndodana yomuntu, abantu laba sebebeke izithombe ezinhliziyweni zabo bafaka lezikhubekiso ezimbi phambi kobuso babo. Ngibavumele ukungibuza na? Ngakho khuluma labo ubatshele uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Lapho loba nguwuphi um-Israyeli ebeka izithombe enhliziyweni yakhe, afake lesikhubekiso esibi phambi kobuso bakhe abesesiyaphrofetha, mina uJehova ngizamphendula mina ngokwami ngokuhambelana lokukhonza kwakhe izithombe okukhulu. Ngizakwenza lokhu ukuze ngizibambe futhi izinhliziyo zabantu bako-Israyeli asebengidelile bonke ngenxa yezithombe zabo.’

“Ngakho-ke tshono endlini ka-Israyeli uthi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Phendukani! Tshiyani izithombe zenu lilahle imikhuba yenu enengayo! “ ‘Lapho um-Israyeli loba omunye wabezizweni ohlala ko-Israyeli ezehlukanisa lami abeke izithombe enhliziyweni yakhe njalo afake lesikhubekiso esibi phambi kobuso bakhe abesesiyaphrofetha ebuza kimi, mina Jehova ngizamphendula mina ngokwami.

Ngoba inkosi yaseBhabhiloni izakuma lapho imigwaqo eyehlukana khona, lapho okuhlangana khona imigwaqo emibili, ukuba ifune ibika: Izaphosa inkatho ngemitshoko, izabuza izithombe zayo, izahlola isibindi.

Waphendula uDanyeli wathi, “Kasikho isihlakaniphi, noma isangoma, noma umasalamusi, noma isanuse esingayihlahlulela inkosi imfihlakalo eyidingayo, kodwa ukhona uNkulunkulu ezulwini owambula zonke izimfihlakalo. Utshengise inkosi uNebhukhadinezari okuzakwenzakala ngezinsuku ezizayo. Iphupho lakho lemibono eyafika engqondweni yakho ulele embhedeni wakho yile:

Kwathi sebefikile omasalamusi, lezangoma, lezingcazi zezinkanyezi lezanusi ngazitshela lelophupho kodwa zehluleka ukungichasisela lona.

Kodwa inkosi yombuso wasePhesiya yangivimbela okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amabili lanye. Kwasekusithi uMikhayeli, omunye wamakhosana amakhulu, weza ezongisiza, ngokuba ngangivalelwe khonale yinkosi yasePhesiya.

“Labo ababambelela ezithombeni ezingelamsebenzi balahlekelwa ngumusa ongaba ngowabo.

Ngizachitha ubuthakathi benu njalo kalisayikukhunkula futhi. Ngizachitha izithombe zenu ezabazwayo lamatshe enu okukhonza phakathi kwenu; kalisayi kuwukhothamela futhi umsebenzi wezandla zenu. Ngizasiphula phakathi kwenu izinsika zenu zika-Ashera, ngidilize lamadolobho enu.

Silosizo bani isithombe njengoba sibazwe ngumuntu? Kumbe isifanekiso esifundisa amanga? Ngoba lowo osenzayo uthemba isidalwa sakhe; wenza izithombe ezingeke zikhulume. Maye kulowo othi esigodweni, ‘Vuka uphile!’ loba athi elitsheni elingaphiliyo, ‘Phaphama!’ Linganika iseluleko na? Lembeswe ngegolide langesiliva, akulamphefumulo phakathi kwalo.

“Ngizakwelulela isandla sami koJuda lakubo bonke abahlala eJerusalema. Ngizaqeda konke okukaBhali okuseleyo kule indawo, amabizo abahedeni labaphristi abakhonza izithombe labo abakhothama phezu kwezindlu bakhonze ixuku lezinkanyezi, labo abakhothama bafunge ngoJehova, abafunga langoMoleki futhi,

Izithombe zikhuluma inkohliso, izangoma zibona imibono yamanga; zikhuluma amaphupho amanga; ziphe induduzo engesulutho. Kungakho abantu bephumputheka njengezimvu bahlupheke ngoba bengelamelusi.

UJuda ukhohlisile. Kwenziwe amanyala ko-Israyeli laseJerusalema: uJuda useyitshaphazile indlu engcwele uJehova ayithandayo, ngokutshada lendodakazi kankulunkulu wabezizwe. Leyondoda ekwenzayo lokho, lokuba ingubani, sengathi uJehova angayisusa emathenteni kaJakhobe  —  kungenani loba iletha iminikelo kuJehova uSomandla.

Futhi lingabizi muntu emhlabeni ngokuthi ‘baba’, ngokuba lilo Yihlo oyedwa, yena osezulwini.

Esephendula uJesu wathi, “Ngiyaqinisa ngithi ngaphandle kokuba umuntu azalwe futhi, angeke awubone umbuso kaNkulunkulu.” UNikhodemu wathi, “Kanti umuntu angazalwa kanjani yena esemdala na? Ngeqiniso, angazake angene ngokwesibili esiswini sikanina ukuze azalwe!” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngiyaqinisa ngithi, ngaphandle kokuthi umuntu azalwe ngamanzi langoMoya, angeke awungene umbuso kaNkulunkulu. Inyama izala inyama, kodwa uMoya uzala umoya. Ungamangaliswa yikuthi kwami, ‘Limele lizalwe njalo.’ Umoya uphephetha loba kungaphi lapho othanda khona. Ungakuzwa ukuhuba kwawo, kodwa ungeke utsho ukuthi uvela ngaphi loba ukuthi uya ngaphi. Ngakho kunjalo emuntwini wonke ozelwe ngoMoya.”

“UNkulunkulu walithanda ilizwe waze wanikela iNdodana yakhe iyiyo yodwa ukuze kuthi loba ngubani okholwa kuyo angabhubhi kodwa abe lokuphila okungapheliyo. Ngokuba uNkulunkulu kathumanga iNdodana yakhe emhlabeni ukuba iwulahle umhlaba, kodwa ukuba umhlaba usindiswe ngayo. Loba ngubani okholwa kuyo kalahlwa, kodwa ongakholwayo uvele uselahliwe ngokuba kakholwanga ebizweni leNdodana eyiyo yodwa kaNkulunkulu.

“Ngikhuluma iqiniso ukuthi umuntu ongangeni ngesango esibayeni sezimvu, kodwa akhwele kwenye indawo, ulisela lomphangi.

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Mina ngiyiyo indlela  —  njalo ngiliqiniso lokuphila. Kakho ozayo kuBaba ngaphandle kwami.

Kodwa yena uMoya weqiniso nxa esefikile uzalikhokhelela kulo lonke iqiniso. Kazukuzikhulumela yena; uzakhuluma lokho akuzwayo kuphela, njalo uzalitshela lokho okusezakuza.

Kakho omunye okulensindiso kuye; phela kalikho elinye ibizo ngaphansi kwezulu elaphiwa abantu ukuthi sisindiswe ngalo.”

Okwesikhathi esithile indoda eyayithiwa nguSimoni yayisenza amasalamusi edolobheni lelo yamangalisa bonke abantu baseSamariya. Wayezikhukhumeza ezitshaya umuntu omkhulu, njalo bonke abantu, abaphezulu labaphansi bambuthanela bababaza bathi, “Indoda le ingamandla obunkulunkulu athiwa ngaMandla amakhulu.” Bamlandela ngokuba wayebamangalisile okwesikhathi eside ngamasalamusi akhe. Kodwa kwathi sebekholwe uFiliphu etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso kaNkulunkulu kanye lebizo likaJesu Khristu, babhaphathizwa, abesilisa labesifazana. USimoni laye ngokwakhe wakholwa wabhaphathizwa. Walandela uFiliphu ngaphi langaphi, wamangaliswa yiziboniso lemimangaliso ayibonayo.

Basibhoda sonke isihlenge baze bafika ePhafo. Khonapho bafumana umJuda oyisanuse, njalo ongumphrofethi wamanga owayethiwa nguBha-Jesu, owayeyinceku kasibalukhulu, uSegiwu Phawuli. Usibalukhulu lowo, indoda ekhaliphileyo, yathumela ukuthi kubizwe oBhanaba loSawuli ngokuba wayefuna ukuzwa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Kodwa u-Elima isanuse (phela yikho ibizo lakhe elikutshoyo) waphikisana labo wazama ukuphambukisa usibalukhulu ekukholweni. Kwasekusithi uSawuli, owayethiwa njalo nguPhawuli, egcwele uMoya oNgcwele wamjolozela u-Elima wathi, “Wena ungumntwana kaSathane lesitha sakho konke okulungileyo! Ugcwele zonke izinhlobo zokudlelezela. Kawuyikufa wakhawula yini ukuhlinikeza izindlela eziqondileyo? Khathesi-ke isandla seNkosi sizakutshaya. Uzakuba yimpumputhe, awuzukubona ukukhanya kwelanga okwesikhathi esithile.” Masinyane wehlelwa yinkungu lomnyama, waphumputha, waswela umuntu wokumhola ngesandla. Kwathi usibalukhulu esekubonile lokho okwakwenzakele wakholwa, ngoba wamangaliswa yimfundiso ngeNkosi.

UBhanaba bambiza bathi nguZewusi, uPhawuli bathi nguHemesi ngokuba nguye owayekhokhela ekukhulumeni. Umphristi kaZewusi owayelethempeli eduze ngaphandle kwedolobho waletha izinkunzi lemigaxo emasangweni edolobho ngokuba yena kanye lexuku labantu babefuna ukwenza imihlatshelo kubo. Kodwa kwathi abaphostoli uBhanaba loPhawuli bekuzwa lokhu, badabula izigqoko zabo bazithela phakathi kwabantu bememeza besithi: “Madoda, likwenzelani lokhu? Lathi singabantu njengani. Sililethela izindaba ezinhle, silitshela ukuthi litshiye izinto lezi ezingasulutho liye kuNkulunkulu ophilayo owenza izulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle lakho konke okukulezo zindawo.

Ngelinye ilanga sathi sisiya endaweni yokukhuleka sahlangana lentombazana eyayiyisigqili, ilomoya wokubonisa ikusasa. Yayizuzela abanini bayo imali enengi ngalokhokuhlahlula. Intombazana le yalandela uPhawuli lathi sonke imemeza isithi, “Amadoda la ayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, alitshela indlela yokusindiswa.” Yakwenza lokhu okwezinsuku ezinengi. Ekucineni uPhawuli kwamjinga lokho waphenduka wathi kuwo umoya, “Ngiyakulaya ngebizo likaJesu Khristu ukuthi uphume kuyo!” Umoya wahle waphuma kuyo khonapho.

UPhawuli wasukuma enkundleni ye-Ariyophagu wathi, “Madoda ase-Athene! Ngiyabona ukuthi kukho konke lingabantu abakhonzayo. Ngoba ngithe ngihambahamba, ngabona izithombe zenu, ngaze ngafumana ialithare elilombhalo othi: KUNKULUNKULU ONGAZIWAYO. Manje-ke lokho elikukhonza njengolutho olungaziwayo yikho engizakutshumayela kini. “UNkulunkulu owenza umhlaba lakho konke okukuwo uyiNkosi yezulu lomhlaba, njalo kahlali emathempelini akhiwe ngezandla. Njalo kancediswa yizandla zabantu, ingathi kukhona akuswelayo, ngokuba yena ngokwakhe upha bonke abantu impilo lomphefumulo lokunye konke. Ngomuntu oyedwa wenza zonke izizwe zabantu, ukuthi zakhe emhlabeni wonke; njalo wamisa izikhathi abazilungiselweyo lazo kanye izindawo abamele bahlale kuzo. UNkulunkulu wakwenza lokhu ukuze abantu bamdinge lokuthi mhlawumbe bamfinyelele bamfumane, loba nje uvele engakhatshana komunye lomunye wethu. ‘Ngokuba siphila kuye, sihambe silalame.’ Njengokutsho kwezinye izimbongi zakini ukuthi, ‘Singabantwabakhe.’ “Yikho-ke njengoba singabantwana bakaNkulunkulu, masingacabangi ukuthi ubuNkulunkulu bunjengegolide, loba isiliva kumbe ilitshe  —  isifanekiso esibunjwe ngobungcitshi bomuntu. Ekadeni uNkulunkulu kakunakanga lokhu ukungazi, kodwa khathesi uselaya bonke abantu ezindaweni zonke ukuba baphenduke.

Abanengi ababehlahlula baletha ndawonye izincwadimgoqwa zabo bazitshisa obala. Bathi sebehlolile izindleko zalezozincwadimgoqwa kwabonakala kungaba ngamadrakhima ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amahlanu.

Lanxa bazenza abahlakaniphileyo baba yizithutha benana inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ongafiyo ngezifanekiso ezenziwa zafana labantu abalakho ukufa lezinyoni lezinyamazana kanye lezinanakazana ezihuquzelayo.

Benana iqiniso likaNkulunkulu ngamanga, badumisa bekhonza izinto ezadalwayo kuloMdali odunyiswa kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni.

Ngakho-ke mayelana lokudla okunikelwe ezithombeni: Siyakwazi ukuthi isithombe kasisilutho emhlabeni, kanye lokuthi uNkulunkulu munye kuphela kakho omunye. Ngoba lanxa kulabonkulunkulu abatshiwoyo, langabe ezulwini loba emhlabeni (njengoba impela kulabonkulunkulu abanengi lamakhosi amanengi),

Ngakho-ke, bangane bami, balekelani ukukhonza izithombe.

Pho ngitsho ukuthi umhlatshelo onikelwe esithombeni uyilutho, loba ukuthi isithombe siyilutho na? Hatshi, kodwa imihlatshelo yabangakholwayo inikelwa kumadimoni, hatshi kuNkulunkulu, njalo kangifuni ukuba libe ngabahlanganyela lamadimoni. Kalingeke linathe inkomitsho yeNkosi lenkomitsho yamadimoni njalo, alingeke libe lokuhlanganyela etafuleni leNkosi lasetafuleni lamadimoni. Sizama ukuvusa umona weNkosi na? Kambe silamandla kulayo na?

Liyakwazi ukuthi lapho lalingabangakholwayo, ngenye indlela loba njani lakhungeka ledukiselwa ezithombeni eziyizimungulu. Ngakho ngiyalitshela ukuthi kakho okhuluma ngoMoya kaNkulunkulu othi, “UJesu kathukwe,” njalo kakho ongathi, “UJesu yiNkosi,” ngaphandle kokuba kungoMoya oNgcwele.

Yikuzwana bani okukhona phakathi kukaKhristu loBheliyali na? Yikuhambelana bani okholwayo alakho longakholwayo na? Yisivumelwano bani esikhona phakathi kwethempeli likaNkulunkulu lezithombe na? Ngoba thina silithempeli likaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Njengoba uNkulunkulu wathi: “Ngizahlala labo ngihambe phakathi kwabo, njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo bona babe ngabantu bami.”

Ngoba abantu abanjalo bangabaphostoli bamanga, izisebenzi ezikhohlisayo, ezizenza abaphostoli bakaKhristu. Akumangalisi ngoba loSathane uqobo uzenza ingilosi yokukhanya.

Ngiyamangala ukuthi limdela masinya kangaka lowo owalibiza ngomusa kaKhristu, njalo liphendukela evangelini elehlukileyo elingasivangeli lakancane impela. Kusobala abanye abantu bayaliphazamisa njalo bazama ukungcolisa ivangeli likaKhristu. Kodwa lanxa thina, loba ingilosi evela ezulwini, singatshumayela elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo esalitshumayelayo kini, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini! Njengoba sesivele sitshilo, lakhathesi ngiyatsho futhi ngithi: Uma loba ngubani etshumayela kini elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo elalivumayo, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini!

Ngoba uNkulunkulu munye, lommeli munye phakathi kukaNkulunkulu labantu, umuntu uKhristu uJesu,

Umoya utsho ngokucacileyo ukuthi ngezikhathi zokucina abanye bazalahla ukukholwa balandele imimoya ekhohlisayo lezinto ezifundiswa ngamadimoni.

Njengalokhu umuntu wamiselwa ukufa kanye, kuthi emva kwalokho abhekane lokwahlulelwa,

Uyakholwa ukuthi kuloNkulunkulu oyedwa. Kulungile! Lamadimoni ayakukholwa lokhu  —  njalo ayathuthumela.

Umqambi wamanga ngubani? Ngumuntu ophikayo ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu. Umuntu onjalo ngumphikuKhristu  —  uphika uYise leNdodana. Kakho ophika iNdodana oloYise; lowo owamukela iNdodana uloYise futhi.

Bazalwane abathandekayo, lingaze labakholwa omoya bonke, kodwa bahloleni omoya ukuba libone langabe bavela kuNkulunkulu, ngoba abaphrofethi bamanga abanengi sebekhona emhlabeni. Lingamazi kanje uMoya kaNkulunkulu: Umoya wonke ovumayo ukuthi uJesu Khristu weza engumuntu uvela kuNkulunkulu, kodwa wonke umoya ongamvumiyo uJesu kawuveli kuNkulunkulu. Lowo ngumoya womphikuKhristu, elezwayo ukuthi uyeza njalo osukhona khathesi emhlabeni.

Thina singabakaNkulunkulu, njalo lowo omaziyo uNkulunkulu uyasilalela; kodwa lowo ongasuye kaNkulunkulu kasilaleli. Simazi kanje uMoya weqiniso lomoya wamanga.

Bantwana abathandekayo, xwayani izithombe.

Lowo odlulela phambili angabe esaqhubeka ngemfundiso kaKhristu kalaye uNkulunkulu; lowo oqhubekayo ngemfundiso uloBaba leNdodana. Uma umuntu esiza kini engalethi imfundiso le, lingamngenisi ezindlini zenu njalo lingamamukeli. Lowo omamukelayo uyahlanganyela emisebenzini yakhe emibi.

Abanengi boluntu ababengabulawanga yizifo lezi bajinge bengaphenduki emisebenzini yezandla zabo; kabayekelanga ukukhonza amadimoni, lezithombe zegolide, lezesiliva, lezethusi, lezamatshe kanye lezezigodo  —  izithombe ezingeke zibone loba zizwe loba zihambe. Njalo kabaphendukanga ezenzweni zabo zokubulala, lasebuthakathini babo, ekuxhwaleni kwabo kobufebe loba ebuseleni babo.

Umgobho omkhulu waphoselwa phansi  —  inyoka leyana endala ethiwa ngoMubi loba uSathane, odukisa umhlaba wonke. Waphoselwa emhlabeni, ekanye lezingilosi zakhe.

Abantu bawukhonza umgobho ngoba wawunike isilo ilungelo, lesilo basikhonza babuza bathi, “Ngubani onjengesilo? Ngubani ongalwa impi laso na?”

Saphiwa amandla okuba isifanekiso sesilo sakuqala sisinike umphefumulo, ukuze sikhulume njalo sibangele ukuthi bonke abalayo ukukhonza isifanekiso babulawe. Njalo sabamba abantu bonke ngamandla, abancane labakhulu, abanothileyo labayanga, abakhululekileyo kanye lezigqili, ukuba babekwe uphawu ezandleni zabo zokudla loba emabunzini abo, ukuze angabi khona ozathenga kumbe athengise ngaphandle kokuba elophawu lolo, olulibizo lesilo leso loba inombolo yebizo laso. Lokhu kufuna inhlakanipho. Uma umuntu elengqondo ebonayo, kayicabange inombolo yesilo, ngoba yinombolo yomuntu. Inombolo yaso ngama-666.

Ingilosi yesithathu yazilandela yathi ngelizwi elikhulu, “Nxa umuntu angakhonza isilo lesifanekiso saso abekwe uphawu lwaso ebunzini loba esandleni, laye uzanatha iwayini lentukuthelo kaNkulunkulu, elithelwe ngamandla agcweleyo enkomitshini yolaka lwakhe. Uzachukuluzwa ngesolufa elitshisayo phambi kwezingilosi ezingcwele laphambi kweWundlu. Intuthu yokuchukuluzwa kwabo ithunqa kuze kube nininini. Akukho suku lokuphumula loba ubusuku kulabo abakhonza inyamazana lesifanekiso sayo, loba lowo obekwa uphawu lwebizo layo.”

Owesifazana lowo wayegqoke okulubende lokubomvu gebhu, njalo wayekhazimula ngegolide, langamatshe aligugu kanye langobuhlalu. Esandleni sakhe wayephethe inkomitshi, igcwele izinto ezenyanyekayo kanye lamanyala obufebe bakhe. Umbhalo lo wawulotshiwe ebunzini lakhe: IMFIHLAKALO IBHABHILONI ENKULU UNINA WEZIPHINGI KANYE LAMANYALA OMHLABA. Ngabona ukuthi owesifazana lowo wayedakwe ligazi labangcwele, igazi lalabo abafakazela uJesu. Ekumboneni kwami, ngamangala kakhulu.

Ukukhanya kwesibane akusoze kukhanye kuwe futhi. Ilizwi lomyeni lelomlobokazi kalisoze lizwakale kuwe futhi. Abathengisi bakho babeyizikhulu zomhlaba. Izizwe zonke zadukiswa yibuthakathi bakho.

Kodwa amagwala, labangakholwayo, labaxhwalileyo, lababulali leziphingi, labathakathi, labakhonza izithombe labo bonke abaqamba amanga  —  indawo yabo izakuba sechibini lomlilo wesolufa ovuthayo. Lokhu yikufa kwesibili.”