Abesifazane Okukhulunywa Ngabo EBhayibhelini—Singafundani Kubo?

IDLALE

Impendulo yeBhayibheli

IBhayibheli lisitshela ngabesifazane abaningi abaphila ukuphila okungasifundisa izifundo ezibalulekile. (Roma 15:4; 2 Thimothewu 3:16, 17) Lesi sihloko sichaza kafushane ngabathile besifazane okukhulunywa ngabo eBhayibhelini. Abaningi babo bayizibonelo ezinhle zokulingiswa. Abanye basinikeza izibonelo eziyisixwayiso.—1 Korinte 10:11; Hebheru 6:12.

U-Abhigayili

Wayengubani u-Abhigayili? Wayeyinkosikazi yendoda ecebile kodwa enokhahlo okuthiwa uNabali. Nokho, u-Abhigayili wayenokuqonda futhi ethobekile, wayephinde abe muhle ngokubukeka kanye nangokomoya.—1 Samuweli 25:3.

Wenzani? U-Abhigayili wenza ngokuhlakanipha nangokuqonda ukuze anqande inhlekelele. BenoNabali babehlala esifundeni okwakucashe kuso uDavide, inkosi yesikhathi esizayo yakwa-Israyeli, ngesikhathi ingumbaleki. Ngenkathi uDavide namadoda ayekanye naye belapho, bavikela umhlambi wezimvu zikaNabali kubaphangi. Kodwa lapho izithunywa ezivela kuDavide zicela ukudla kuNabali, ngokweyisa uNabali wenqaba ukuzinikeza. UDavide wawotha ubomvu! Ngakho yena namadoda ayekanye naye baphuma ukuyobulala uNabali nawo wonke amadoda ayesemzini wakhe.—1 Samuweli 25:10-12, 22.

U-Abhigayili wathatha isinyathelo ngokushesha lapho ezwa lokho umyeni wakhe ayekwenzile. Wanika izinceku zakhe ukudla ukuba zikuyise kuDavide namadoda ayekanye naye, wabe eselandela ukuze ayocela umusa kuDavide. (1 Samuweli 25:14-19, 24-31) Lapho uDavide ebona izipho ayezilethile, ephawula ukuthobeka kwakhe, ezwa neseluleko sakhe, wabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayemsebenzisa ukuze kungwenywe inhlekelele. (1 Samuweli 25:32, 33) Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, uNabali wafa futhi u-Abhigayili waba inkosikazi kaDavide.—1 Samuweli 25:37-41

Singafundani esibonelweni sika-Abhigayili? Nakuba ayemuhle futhi ecebile, u-Abhigayili wayengaziboni ebaluleke kakhulu kunabanye. Ukuze alondoloze ukuthula, wayezimisele ukuxolisa ngephutha okwakungelona elakhe. Wabhekana nesimo esishubile ngesu, ngesibindi nangendlela ebonisa ukuba usizo.

▸ Ukuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngo-Abhigayili, bheka isihloko esithi “Wenza Ngokuhlakanipha.”

UDebora

Wayengubani uDebora? Wayengumprofethikazi, lowo uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uJehova, ayevame ukumambulela izindaba ezithinta abantu bakhe. UNkulunkulu waphinde wamsebenzisela ukusiza ekuxazululeni izinkinga phakathi kwama-Israyeli.—AbaHluleli 4:4, 5.

Wenzani? Umprofethikazi uDebora ngesibindi wasekela abakhulekeli bakaNkulunkulu. Elalela ukuqondisa kwaKhe, wabiza uBharaki ukuba ahole ibutho lakwa-Israyeli ukuze lilwe nabacindezeli abangamaKhanani. (AbaHluleli 4:6, 7) Lapho uBharaki ecela uDebora ukuba ahambe naye, akazange anqotshwe ukwesaba kodwa ngokuzithandela wavumelana nesicelo sakhe.—AbaHluleli 4:8, 9.

Ngemva kokuba uNkulunkulu enikeze ama-Israyeli ukunqoba okukhulu, uDebora waqamba okungenani ingxenye yengoma yena noBharaki abayihuba lapho belandisa okwakwenzekile. Kuleyo ngoma ubala nendima uJayeli, omunye wesifazane onesibindi, aba nayo ekunqotshweni kwamaKhanani.—AbaHluleli isahluko 5.

Singafundani kuDebora? UDebora wayezidela futhi enesibindi. Wakhuthaza nabanye ukuba benze okulungile emehlweni kaNkulunkulu. Lapho benza kanjalo, wayebancoma ngokukhululekile ngalokho ababekwenzile.

▸ Ukuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngoDebora, bheka isihloko esithi “Ngisukuma Njengomama Kwa-Israyeli.”

UDelila

Wayengubani uDelila? Wayengowesifazane owayethandwa umahlulela wakwa-Israyeli uSamsoni.—AbaHluleli 16:4, 5.

Wenzani? Wamukela imali ezikhulwini zamaFilisti ukuze anikele ngoSamsoni, owayesetshenziswa nguNkulunkulu ukuze akhulule ama-Israyeli kumaFilisti. AmaFilisti ayehluleka ukumnqoba ngenxa yamandla akhe ayisimangaliso. (AbaHluleli 13:5) Ngakho izikhulu zawo zafuna usizo kuDelila.

AmaFilisti amfumbathisa uDelila ukuze awatholele ukuthi uSamsoni wayewathola kuphi amandla akhe amakhulu. UDelila wayamukela imali, futhi ngemva kwemizamo eminingana, ekugcineni waphumelela ukuthola imfihlo kaSamsoni. (AbaHluleli 16:15-17) Wabe esedalula le mfihlo kumaFilisti, abe esembamba uSamsoni amvalela ejele.—AbaHluleli 16:18-21.

Singafundani kuDelile? UDelila uyisibonelo esiyisixwayiso. Enqotshwe ubugovu, wenza ngokukhohlisa, ngokungathembeki nangokuhaha encekwini kaJehova uNkulunkulu.

U-Esteri

Wayengubani u-Esteri? Wayengowesifazane ongumJuda owakhethwa iNkosi yasePheresiya u-Ahashiveroshi ukuba abe indlovukazi yayo.

Wenzani? Indlovukazi u-Esteri yasebenzisa ithonya layo ukuze ivimbe ukuqothulwa kohlanga lwabantu bakubo. Wathola ukuthi kwakunomyalo osemthethweni owawukhishiwe owawubeke usuku oluthile olukhethekile okwakuzothi ngalo wonke amaJuda ahlala eMbusweni wasePheresiya abulawe. Leli cebo elibi lalakhiwe indoda okuthiwa nguHamani, eyayingundunankulu. (Esteri 3:13-15; 4:1, 5) Esizwa umzala wakhe omdala, uMoridekayi, futhi ebeka ukuphila kwakhe engozini, u-Esteri walidalula leli cebo kumyeni wakhe, iNkosi u-Ahashiverothi. (Esteri 4:10-16; 7:1-10) U-Ahashiveroshi wabe esevumela u-Esteri noMoridekayi ukuba bakhiphe omunye umthetho, owawugunyaza amaJuda ukuba azivikele. AmaJuda azinqoba ngokuphelele izitha zawo.—Esteri 8:5-11; 9:16, 17.

Singafundani ku-Esteri? INdlovukazi u-Esteri isibekela isibonelo esivelele sesibindi, ukuthobeka kanye nesizotha. (IHubo 31:24; Filipi 2:3) Naphezu kobuhle bakhe nesikhundla sakhe, u-Esteri wafuna iseluleko nosizo. Lapho ekhuluma nomyeni wakhe, wayesebenzisa isu futhi ehlonipha, kodwa enesibindi. Ngesikhathi lapho amaJuda esengozini enkulu, ngesibindi naye waziveza ukuthi ungumJuda.

▸ UKuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngo-Esteri, bheka isihloko esithi “Wamela Abantu BakaNkulunkulu” nesithi “Wenza Ngokuhlakanipha, Wabonisa Isibindi Nokuzidela.”

U-Eva

Wayengubani u-Eva? Wayengowesifazane wokuqala ngqa futhi ungowesifazane wokuqala okukhulunywa ngaye eBhayibhelini.

Wenzani? U-Eva akawulalelanga umyalo ocacile owawuvela kuNkulunkulu. Njengomyeni wakhe, u-Adamu, u-Eva wayedalwe engumuntu ongenasono enenkululeko yokuzikhethela nekhono lokuhlakulela izimfanelo zokwesaba uNkulunkulu, njengothando nokuhlakanipha. (Genesise 1:27) U-Eva wayazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayetshele u-Adamu ukuthi uma bengadla esihlahleni esithile, babezokufa. Nokho, wakhohliswa ukuba akholelwe ukuthi wayengeke afe. Eqinisweni, wenziwa wakholelwa ukuthi wayezophila kangcono uma engamlaleli uNkulunkulu. Ngakho wadla isithelo futhi kamuva wayenga nomyeni wakhe ukuba naye asidle.—Genesise 3:1-6; 1 Thimothewu 2:14.

Singafundani ku-Eva? U-Eva uyisibonelo esiyisixwayiso ngengozi yokuvumela ingqondo ilokhu icabanga ngezifiso ezingalungile. Ngokuphambene nomyalo kaNkulunkulu ocacile, wavumela isifiso sokuthatha lokho okwakungesikho okwakhe sakhula saze samqoba.—Genesise 3:6; 1 Johane 2:16.

UHana

Wayengubani uHana? Wayeyinkosikazi ka-Elkana futhi engumama kaSamuweli, owaba umprofethi ovelele kwa-Israyeli wasendulo.—1 Samuweli 1:1, 2, 4-7.

Wenzani? Lapho uHana engenabantwana, wathandaza kuNkulunkulu ukuze athole induduzo. Umyeni kaHana wayenamakhosikazi amabili. Omunye umkakhe, uPhenina, wayenabo abantwana; nokho uHana wahlala engenabantwana isikhathi eside ngemva komshado. UPhenina wayemgcona ngonya, kodwa uHana wathandaza kuNkulunkulu ukuze athole induduzo. Wenza isithembiso kuNkulunkulu ethi uma uNkulunkulu engamnikeza indodana, wayezonikela ngalowo mntwana kuye ngokuhlela ukuba umntwana akhonze etarbenakele, okwakuyitende elithuthekayo elalisetshenziswa ama-Israyeli ekukhulekeleni.—1 Samuweli 1:11.

UNkulunkulu wawuphendula umthandazo kaHana futhi wazala uSamuweli. UHana wasigcina isithembiso sakhe futhi wathatha uSamuweli ukuba ayokhonza etarbenakele lapho esengumfanyana. (1 Samuweli 1:27, 28) Unyaka nonyaka, wayemenzela ijazi elingenamikhono abese eliyisa kuye. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, uNkulunkulu wabusisa uHana ngabanye abantwana abahlanu—amadodana amathathu namadodakazi amabili.—1 Samuweli 2:18-21.

Singafundani kuHana? Umthandazo kaHana osuka enhliziyweni wamsiza ukuba akhuthazelele uvivinyo. Umthandazo wakhe wokubonga obhalwe kweyoku-1 Samuweli 2:1-10 ubonisa ukujula kokholo lwakhe kuNkulunkulu.

▸ Ukuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngoHana, bheka isihloko esithi “Wathulula Isifuba Sakhe KuNkulunkulu Ngomthandazo.”
▸ Ukuze uthole ukuthi kungani uNkulunkulu asivumela isithembu kubantu bakhe basendulo, bheka isihloko esithi “Ingabe UNkulunkulu Uyasivumela Isithembu?”

UJayeli

Wayengubani uJayeli? Wayeyinkosikazi kaHebhere, owayengeyena umIsrayeli. UJayeli ngesibindi wamela abantu bakaNkulunkulu.

Wenzani? UJayeli wathatha isinqumo esiwujuqu lapho uSisera, induna yebutho lempi yaseKhanani, efika etendeni lakhe. USisera wayesanda kunqontshwa empini nama-Israyeli futhi manje wayefuna indawo yokucasha neyokuphumula. UJayeli wamngenisa etendeni lakhe ukuze acashe futhi aphumule. Lapho esalele, wambulala.—AbaHluleli 4:17-21.

Isenzo sikaJayeli sagcwalisa amazwi ayekhulunywe uDebora: “UJehova uzonikela uSisera esandleni sowesifazane.” (AbaHluleli 4:9) Ngenxa yokwenza kwakhe, uJayeli wadunyiswa kwathiwa “ubusiswe ukubedlula bonke abesifazane.”—AbaHluleli 5:24.

Singafundani kuJayeli? UJayeli wathatha isinyathelo wabonisa nesibindi. Indaba yakhe ibonisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu angashintsha izinto ukuze kugcwaliseke isiprofetho.

UJezebeli

Wayengubani uJezebeli? Wayeyinkosikazi yeNkosi yakwa-Israyeli u-Ahabi. Wayengeyena umIsrayeli futhi wayengamkhonzi uJehova. Kunalokho, wayekhonza unkulunkulu waseKhanani uBhali.

Wenzani? INdlovukazi uJezebeli yayingumashiqela, inoya nodlame. Yagqugquzela ukukhulekelwa kukaBhali kanye nokuziphatha okubi ngokocansi okwakuhambisana nakho. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, yazama ukuqothula ukukhulekelwa kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova.—1 AmaKhosi 18:4, 13; 19:1-3.

UJezebeli wayeqamba amanga futhi ebulala ukuze anelise izifiso zakhe zobugovu. (1 AmaKhosi 21:8-16) Njengoba uNkulunkulu ayebikezele, wafa ngesihluku futhi akazange angcwatshwe.—1 AmaKhosi 21:23; 2 AmaKhosi 9:10, 32-37.

Singafundani kuJezebeli? UJezebeli uyisibonelo esiyisixwayiso. Wayekhohlakele futhi enobuqili kangangokuthi igama lakhe liwuphawu lokungabi namahloni, ukuziphatha kabi kanye nowesifazane ongazithibi.

ULeya

Wayengubani uLeya? Wayeyinkosikazi yokuqala yenzalamizi uJakobe. Udadewabo omncane uRaheli, wayeyinkosikazi yesibili.—Genesise 29:20-29.

Wenzani? ULeya waba unina wamadodana kaJakobe ayisithupha. (URuthe 4:11) UJakobe wayehlose ukushada noRaheli, hhayi uLeya. Nokho, uyise wamantombazane, uLabani, wahlela ukuba uLeya athathe indawo kaRaheli. Lapho uJakobe ebona ukuthi wayekhohlisiwe ukuba ashade noLeya, wambuza uLabani ngale ndaba. ULabani wama kwelokuthi kwakungelona isiko ukuba indodakazi encane ishade ngaphambi kwendala. Esikhathini esiyisonto kamuva, uJakobe washada noRaheli.—Genesise 29:26-28.

UJakobe wayethanda uRaheli kakhulu kunoLeya. (Genesise 29:30) Ngenxa yalokho, uLeya waba nomhawu wancintisana nodadewabo ukuze athandwe uJakobe. UNkulunkulu wayiqaphela imizwa kaLeya futhi wambusisa ngezingane eziyisikhombisa—amadodana ayisithupha nendodakazi eyodwa.—Genesise 29:31.

Singafundani kuLeya? ULeya wathembela kuNkulunkulu ngomthandazo futhi akasivumelanga isimo somndeni wakhe esicindezelayo ukuba simvimbe angakuboni ukusekelwa kwakhe uNkulunkulu. (Genesise 29:32-35; 30:20) Indaba yokuphila kwakhe ikucacisa kahle ukuhluleka kwesithembu, okuyilungiselelo uNkulunkulu alibekezelela okwesikhathi esithile. Umthetho wakhe ngomshado uwukuba indoda noma inkosikazi ibe nomuntu oyedwa vo eshade naye.—Mathewu 19:4-6.

▸ UKuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngoLeya, bheka isihloko esithi “Izelamani Ezicindezelekile ‘Ezakha Indlu Ka-Israyeli.’”
▸ Ukuze uthole ukuthi kungani uNkulunkulu avumela isithembu kubantu bakhe okwesikhathi esithile, bheka isihloko esithi “Ingabe UNkulunkulu Uyasivumela Isithembu?”

UMarta

Wayengubani uMarta? Wayengudadewabo kaLazaru noMariya, bobathathu babehlala eduze kwaseJerusalema endaweni yaseBethani.

Wenzani? UMarta wayengumngane omkhulu kaJesu, “owayemthanda uMarta nodadewabo noLazaru.” (Johane 11:5) UMarta wayengowesifazane othandayo ukunakekela izivakashi. Ngesinye isikhathi uJesu evakashile, uMariya wakhetha ukulalela uJesu kuyilapho uMarta ayenakekela imisebenzi yasendlini. UMarta wakhononda kuJesu ngokuthi uMariya wayengamlekeleli. Ngobumnene uJesu wawulungisa umbono kaMarta.—Luka 10:38-42.

Lapho uLazaru egula, uMarta nodadewabo bathumela umyalezo kuJesu, beqiniseka ukuthi wayengamelapha umfowabo. (Johane 11:3, 21) Kodwa uLazaru wafa. Ingxoxo kaMarta noJesu ibonisa ukuqiniseka kwakhe esithembisweni seBhayibheli sovuko kanye nasemandleni kaJesu okumvusa ekufeni umfowabo.—Johane 11:20-27.

Singafundani kuMarta? UMarta wayesebenza kanzima ukuze anakekele izivakashi. Wasamukela ngaphandle kokunqikaza iseluleko. Wakhuluma ngokukhululekile ngemizwa yakhe kanye nokholo lwakhe.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe ngoMarta, bheka isihloko esithi “Ngiyakholelwa.”

UMariya (unina kaJesu)

Wayengubani uMariya? Wayeyintombi engumJuda, futhi wayeyintombi nto ngesikhathi ezala uJesu, ngemva kokuyikhulelwa ngokuyisimangaliso indodana kaNkulunkulu.

Wenzani? Ngokuzithoba uMariya wenza intando kaNkulunkulu. Wayethembisene umshado noJosefa lapho ingelosi ifika kuye imtshela ukuthi wayezokhulelwa azale uMesiya okwase kuyisikhathi eside elindelwe. (Luka 1:26-33) Ngokuzithandela wayamukela indima yakhe. Ngemva kokuzalwa kukaJesu, uMariya noJosefa baba namanye amadodana amane kanye namadodakazi okungenani amabili. Ngakho uMariya akahlalanga eyintombi nto. (Mathewu 13:55, 56) Nakuba ayejabulela ilungelo eliyivela kancane, akazange azifunele ukudunyiswa, kungaba phakathi nenkonzo kaJesu noma njengelungu lebandla lobuKristu lokuqala.

Singafundani kuMariya? UMariya wayengowesifazane onokholo owayezimisele ukwamukela isabelo esisindayo. Wayenolwazi oluhle lwemiBhalo. Ngokokunye ukuhlaziya, wacaphuna izikhathi ezingu-20 emiBhalweni lapho esho amazwi abhalwe kuLuka 1:46-55.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe ngoMariya, bheka isihloko esithi “Lokho Esingakufunda Esibonelweni SikaMariya.”

UMariya (udadewabo kaMarta noLazaru)

Wayengubani uMariya? Ekanye nomfowabo, uLazaru, nodadewabo uMarta, babengabangane abakhulu bakaJesu.

Wenzani? Ngokuphindaphindiwe uMariya wabonisa ukwazisa okukhulu ngoJesu njengendodana kaNkulunkulu. Wabonisa ukholo lokuthi uJesu wayengakuvimbela ukufa komfowabo uLazaru, futhi wayekhona lapho uJesu emvusa. Udadewabo, uMarta, wamgxeka uMariya lapho uMariya ekhetha ukulalela uJesu kunokuba amsize ngemisebenzi yasendlini. Kodwa uJesu wamncoma uMariya ngokubeka izinto ezingokomoya phambili.—Luka 10:38-42.

Ngesinye isikhathi, uMariya wabonisa umoya wokwamukela izivakashi okhethekile kuJesu ngokugcoba izinyawo nekhanda likaJesu ‘ngamafutha abizayo.’ (Mathewu 26:6, 7) Abanye ababekhona basola uMariya ngokusaphaza. Kodwa uJesu wamvikela, wathi: “Nomaphi lapho lezi zindaba ezinhle zishunyayelwa khona emhlabeni wonke, lokhu akwenzile lona wesifazane nakho kuyokhulunywa ngakho ukuze akhunjulwe.”—Mathewu 24:14; 26:8-13.

Singafundani kuMariya? UMariya wahlakulela ukholo olujulile. Wabeka ukukhulekela uNkulunkulu kuqala kunezinto ezivamile. Ngokuthobeka wadumisa uJesu, ngisho noma kwakusho ukungena ezindlekweni ezinkulu zezimali.

UMariya Magdalena

Wayengubani uMariya Magdalena? Wayengumfundi oqotho kaJesu.

Wenzani? UMariya Magdalena wayengomunye wabesifazane abambalwa ababehamba noJesu nabafundi bakhe. Wasebenzisa izimali zakhe ngesandla esivulekile ukuze asize ekunakekeleni izidingo zabo. (Luka 8:1-3) Walandela uJesu kwaze kwaba sekupheleni kwenkonzo yakhe, futhi waqhubeka eseduze naye lapho ebulawa. Waba nelungelo lokuba phakathi kwabokuqala ukubona uJesu ngemva kokuvuswa kwakhe.—Johane 20:11-18.

Singafundani kuMariya? UMariya Magdalena wayisekela ngesandla esivulekile inkonzo kaJesu futhi wahlala engumfundi ozinikele.

UMiriyamu

Wayengubani uMiriyamu? Wayengudadewabo kaMose no-Aroni. Ungowesifazane wokuqala eBhayibhelini obizwa ngokuthi umprofethikazi.

Wenzani? Njengomprofethikazi, wayenengxenye ekudluliseleni imiyalezo evela kuNkulunkulu. Wayenesikhundla esivelele kwa-Israyeli futhi wahlanganyela namadoda ekuhlabeleleni ingoma yokunqoba ngemva kokuba uNkulunkulu ebhubhise abaseGibhithe Olwandle Olubomvu.—Eksodusi 15:1, 20, 21.

Esikhathini esithile kamuva, uMiriyamu no-Aroni bagxeka uMose. Ngokusobala babenziwa ukuqhosha nomona. UNkulunkulU “wayelalele” futhi wabakhuza ngokuqinile bobabili uMiriyamu no-Aroni. (Numeri 12:1-9) Ngemva kwalokho, uNkulunkulu washaya uMiriyamu ngochoko, cishe ngenxa yokuthi nguye owayengubhongoza walokhu kugxeka. Lapho uMose emxusela kuNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu wamphulukisa. Ngemva kokuba ehlale yedwa izinsuku eziyisikhombisa, wavunyelwa ukuba abuyele ekamu lama-Israyeli.—Numeri 12:10-15.

IBhayibheli libonisa ukuthi uMiriyamu wavuma ukulungiswa. Emakhulwini eminyaka kamuva, uNkulunkulu wachaza ilungelo lakhe elikhethekile lapho ekhumbuza ama-Israyeli: “Ngathumela phambi kwenu uMose, u-Aroni noMiriyamu.”—Mika 6:4.

Singafundani kuMiriyamu? Indaba kaMiriyamu isivezela ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyakulalela lokho abakhulekeli bakhe abakushoyo komunye nomunye nabakukhulumayo ngomunye nomunye. Sifunda nokuthi ukuze sijabulise uNkulunkulu, kumelwe sigweme ukuqhosha okungafanele nomona—izici ezingasibangela ukuba singcolise idumela elihle labanye.

URaheli

Wayengubani uRaheli? Wayeyindodakazi kaLabani futhi eyinkosikazi eyintandokazi yenzalamizi uJakobe.

Wenzani? URaheli washada noJakobe futhi wamzalela amadodana amabili, aba phakathi kwezinhloko okwakhelwa kuzo izizwe ezingu-12 zakwa-Israyeli wasendulo. URaheli wahlangana nowayezoba umyeni wakhe lapho eluse izimvu zikayise. (Genesise 29:9, 10) ‘Wayemuhle kakhulu’ uma eqhathaniswa nodadewabo omdala, uLeya.—Genesise 29:17.

UJakobe wamthanda uRaheli, futhi wavuma ukusebenza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze ashade naye. (Genesise 29:18) Nokho, uLabani wamphamba uJakobe wamshadisa noLeya kuqala, ngemva kwalokho uLabani wamvumela uJakobe ukuba ashade noRaheli.—Genesise 29:25-27.

UJakobe wayemthanda kakhulu uRaheli namadodana akhe amabili kunoLeya nabantwana bakhe. (Genesise 37:3; 44:20,27-29) Ngenxa yalokho, kwakunombango phakathi kwalaba besifazane ababili.—Genesise 29:30; 30:1,15.

Singafundani kuRaheli? URaheli wakhuthazelela isimo esinzima emndenini ngaphandle kokulahlekelwa yithemba lokuthi uNkulunkulu wayezowuzwa umthandazo wakhe. (Genesise 30:22-24) Indaba yakhe isivezela ubunzima isithembu esibulethayo emindenini. Indaba kaRaheli ibonisa ukuhlakanipha komthetho kaNkulunkulu wokuqala ngomshado—okungukuthi indoda ibe nenkosikazi eyodwa.—Mathewu 19:4-6.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe mayelana noRaheli, sicela ubheke isihloko esithi “Izelamani Ezicindezelekile ‘Ezakha Indlu Ka-Israyeli.’”
▸ Ukuze uthole ukuthi kungani uNkulunkulu asivumela isithembu okwesikhathi esithile kubantu bakhe basendulo, bheka isihloko esithi “Ingabe UNkulunkulu Uyasivumela Isithembu?”

URahabi

Wayengubani URahabi? Wayengowesifazane othengisa ngomzimba owayehlala edolobheni lamaKhanani eJeriko, futhi waba umkhulekeli kaJehova uNkulunkulu.

Wenzani? URahabi wafihla ama-Israyeli amabili ayezohlola izwe. Wenza lokhu ngenxa yokuthi wayezwe imibiko yendlela uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uJehova, ayekhulule ngayo abantu bakhe eGibhithe futhi kamuva nasekuhlaselweni isizwe sama-Amoni.

URahabi wasiza izinhloli futhi wazicela ukuba zimsindise yena nomndeni wakhe lapho ama-Israyeli ezobhubhisa iJeriko. Zavuma, kodwa ngaphansi kwemibandela ethile: Wayezokugcina kuyimfihlo ukufika kwawo, yena nomndeni wakhe babezohlala ngaphakathi endlini yakhe lapho ama-Israyeli ehlasela, futhi kwakufanele alengise intambo ebomvu efasiteleni lakhe ukuze ikhaya lakhe libonakale. URahabi wazilalela zonke iziqondiso, futhi yena nomndeni wakhe basinda lapho ama-Israyeli enqoba iJeriko.

Kamuva uRahabi washada nomIsrayeli futhi waba ukhokhokazi weNkosi uDavide noJesu Kristu.—Joshuwa 2:1-24; 6:25; Mathewu 1:5, 6, 16.

Singafundani kuRahabi? IBhayibheli likhuluma ngoRahabi njengesibonelo esihle kakhulu sokholo. (Hebheru 11:30, 31; Jakobe 2:25) Indaba yakhe isibonisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyathethelela futhi akakhethi, ebusisa labo abathembela kuye, kungakhathaliseki imvelaphi nomlando wabo.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe ngoURahabi, bheka isihloko esithi “Kwathiwa ‘Ulungile Ngemisebenzi.’”

URebheka

Wayengubani uRebheka? Wayeyinkosikazi ka-Isaka, abuye abe ngumama wamadodana abo angamawele, uJakobe no-Esawu.

Wenzani? URebheka wenza intando kaNkulunkulu, ngisho noma kwakunzima ukwenza kanjalo. Ngesikhathi ekha amanzi emthonjeni, indoda ethile yamcela amanzi okuphuza. URebheka ngokushesha wayinikeza amanzi okuphuza wabe esethi uzokhelela namakamela ayo. (Genesise 24:15-20) Leyo ndoda kwakuyinceku ka-Abrahama eyayihambe ibanga elide ukuze itholele u-Isaka, indodana ka-Abrahama, inkosikazi. (Genesise 24:2-4) Yayithandazele nesibusiso sikaNkulunkulu. Lapho ibona ukukhuthala kukaRebheka nomoya wokwamukela izivakashi, yabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayeyiphendulile imithandazo yayo, okwakubonisa ukuthi wayekhethe yena ukuba abe umka-Isaka.—Genesise 24:10-14, 21, 27.

Lapho uRebheka ezwa ngesicelo senceku, wavuma ukubuyela nayo emuva ukuze abe inkosikazi ka-Isaka. (Genesise 24:57-59) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uRebheka waba nabafana abangamawele. UNkulunkulu wayekudalulile kuye ukuthi umfana omdala, u-Esawu, wayezokhonza omncane, uJakobe. (Genesise 25:23) Lapho u-Isaka ehlela ukunikeza u-Esawu isibusiso esifanele izibulo, uRebheka wathatha isinyathelo ukuze aqiniseke ukuthi isibusiso siya kuJakobe, ngokuvumelana nalokho ayekwazi ukuthi kuyintando kaNkulunkulu.—Genesise 27:1-17.

Singafundani kuRebheka? URebheka wayenesizotha, ekhuthele, futhi engenisa izivakashi—izimfanelo ezamsiza ukuba aphumelele njengenkosikazi, njengomama nanjengomkhulekeli kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe ngoRebheka, bheka isihloko esithi “Ngizimisele Ukuhamba.”

URuthe

Wayengubani uRuthe? Wayengowesifazane wakwaMowabi owashiya onkulunkulu bakhe nezwe lakubo ukuze abe umkhulekeli kaJehova ezweni lakwa-Israyeli.

Wenzani? URuthe wabonisa uthando olungavamile kumamezala wakhe, uNawomi. UNawomi, kanye nomyeni wakhe namadodana abo amabili, baya kwaMowabi ukuze babalekele indlala kwa-Israyeli. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi la madodana ashada nabesifazane bakwaMowabi—uRuthe no-Orpa. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, umyeni kaNawomi nala madodana amabili bafa, beshiya abafelokazi abathathu.

UNawomi wanquma ukubuyela kwa-Israyeli, ngoba ngaleso sikhathi isomiso sase siphelile. URuthe no-Orpa bakhetha ukuhamba naye. Kodwa uNawomi wabacela ukuba babuyele emuva ezihlotsheni zabo. U-Orpa wenza kanjalo. (Ruthe 1:1-6, 15) Nokho, uRuthe, ngobuqotho wanamathela kuninazala. Wayemthanda uNawomi futhi wayefuna ukukhulekela uNkulunkulu kaNawomi, uJehova.—Ruthe 1:16, 17; 2:11.

Idumela likaRuthe njengomakoti ozinikele nosebenza kanzima ngokushesha lamenzela igama elihle edolobheni lakubo kaNawomi, eBethlehema. Umnikazi wendawo ocebile ogama lakhe nguBhowazi yamhlaba umxhwele kakhulu indaba kaRuthe futhi wabapha ukudla okuningi yena noNawomi. (Ruthe 2:5-7, 20) Kamuva uRuthe washada noBhowazi futhi waba ukhokhokazi weNkosi uDavide noJesu Kristu.—Mathewu 1:5, 6, 16.

Singafundani kuRuthe? Ngenxa yothando ayemthanda ngalo uNawomi noJehova, uRuthe wayezimisele ukushintsha ukuphila kwakhe. Wayekhuthele, ezinikele futhi eqotho, ngisho nalapho ebhekene nezimo ezinzima.

▸ Ukuze uthole okwengeziwe ngoURuthe, bheka isihloko esithi “Lapho Uya Khona Ngizoya Khona Nami” nesithi “Owesifazane Ovelele.”

USara

Wayengubani uSara? Wayeyinkosikazi ka-Abrahama futhi engumama ka-Isaka.

Wenzani? USara washiya ukuphila okuntofontofo edolobheni elichumayo lase-Uri ngenxa yokuba nokholo esithembisweni uNkulunkulu asenza kumyeni wakhe, u-Abrahama. UNkulunkulu watshela u-Abrahama ukuba ahambe e-Uri aye ezweni laseKhanani. UNkulunkulu wathembisa ukumbusisa nokumenza isizwe esikhulu. (Genesise 12:1-5) Kungenzeka ukuthi uSara wayesedlulile eminyakeni engu-60 ngaleso sikhathi. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi kuqhubeke, uSara nomyeni wakhe babephila njengonozulane abahlala ematendeni.

Nakuba impilo yokuhamba behlala yayichaya uSara ezingozini, wamsekela u-Abrahama njengoba ayelandela isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu. (Genesise 12:10, 15) Iminyaka eminingi uSara wayengenabantwana, okwambangela usizi olukhulu. Noma kunjalo, uNkulunkulu wayethembise ukuyibusisa inzalo ka-Abrahama. (Genesise 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 16:1, 2, 15) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, uNkulunkulu wakuqinisekisa ukuthi uSara wayezotholela u-Abrahama umntwana. Nangempela wamthola umntwana lapho esedlulile eminyakeni yokuba nabantwana. Wayeneminyaka engu-90 ubudala, kanti umyeni wakhe wayeneminyaka engu-100 ubudala. (Genesise 17:17; 21:2-5) Baqamba umntwana ngokuthi u-Isaka.

Singafundani kuSara? Isibonelo sikaSara sisifundisa ukuthi singamethemba njalo uNkulunkulu ukuba agcwalise izithembiso zakhe, ngisho nalezo ezibonakala zingenakwenzeka! (Hebheru 11:11) Isibonelo sakhe futhi njengenkosikazi siqokomisa ukubaluleka kwenhlonipho emshadweni.—1 Petru 3:5, 6.

▸ Ukuze uthole ingxoxo eyengeziwe ngoSara, bheka isihloko esithi “Ungowesifazane Omuhle” nesithi “UNkulunkulu Wabiza USara Ngokuthi ‘INkosazane.’”

Intombazane yomShulamiti

Yayingubani intombazane yomShulamiti? Kwakuyisiphalaphala sentombazane yasemaphandleni futhi ingumlingiswa ovelele encwadini yeBhayibheli ebizwa ngokuthi IsiHlabelelo seziHlabelelo. IBhayibheli alisitsheli igama layo.

Yenzani? Intombazane yomShulamiti yahlala iqotho esokeni layo elalingumalusi wezimvu. (IsiHlabelelo SeziHlabelelo 2:16) Nokho, ubuhle bayo obuvelele, bayidonsela amehlo eNkosi uSolomoni eyayicebile, eyazama ukuthola uthando lwayo. (IsiHlabelelo SeziHlabelelo 7:6) Nakuba abanye babeyikhuthaza ukuba ikhethe uSolomoni, intombazane yomShulamiti yenqaba. Yayilithanda isoka layo elingumalusi wezimvu ophansi futhi yayiqotho kulo.— IsiHlabelelo SeziHlabelelo 3:5; 7:10; 8:6.

Singafundani entombazaneni yomShulamiti? Yahlala inombono olinganiselayo ngayo naphezu kobuhle bayo nokunakwa eyayikuthola. Ayizange ivume ukuba uthando lwayo lunyakaziswe ukucindezela kontanga noma isithembiso sengcebo noma udumo. Yayilawula imizwa yayo futhi yahlala imsulwa endabeni yokuziphatha.

UmkaLoti

Wayengubani umkaLoti? IBhayibheli alimbizi ngegama. Kodwa lisitshela ukuthi wayenamadodakazi amabili nokuthi yena nomndeni wakhe bazitholela ikhaya edolobheni laseSodoma.—Genesise 19:1, 15.

Wenzani? Akawulalelanga umyalo kaNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wayesenqumile ukubhubhisa iSodoma namadolobha angomakhelwane ngenxa yokuziphatha kabi okwedlulele ngokocansi. Ngenxa yothando lwakhe ngoLoti olungile nomndeni wakhe, ababehlala eSodoma, uNkulunkulu wathumela izingelosi ezimbili ukuba zibakhiphele endaweni ephephile.—Genesise 18:20; 19:1, 12, 13.

Izingelosi zatshela umndeni kaLoti ukuba ubaleke endaweni nokuba ungabheki emuva; ngale kwalokho, babezofa. (Genesise 19:17) UmkaLoti “waqala ukubheka emuva, waba insika kasawoti.”—Genesise 19:26.

Singafundani kumkaLoti? Indaba yakhe iqokomisa ingozi yokuthanda kakhulu izinto kuze kube seqophelweni lokungamlaleli uNkulunkulu. UJesu wakhuluma ngaye njengesibonelo esiyisixwayiso. Wathi: “Khumbulani umkaLoti.”—Luka 17:32.