1, 2. Kwentekani ngelilanga lebelibaluleke kakhulu ekuphileni kwa-Elija?

ELIJA wagijima kulemvula lenkhulu njengobe sibhakabhaka siya siba mnyama. Abesasalelwe yindlela lendze ngaphambi kwekutsi efike eJezreyeli, kantsi futsi abesakhulile nangeminyaka. Nanobe kunjalo, wachubeka agijima angadzinwa ngenca yekutsi “emandla aSimakadze” abehlele kuye. Abengakake sekabe nemandla lalingana nalawo labenawo. Kungako phela wavele wawashiya lamahhashi labedvonsa inkalishi lebeyetfwele iNkhosi Ahabi.​—Fundza 1 Emakhosi 18:46.

² Beyiseyindze indlela lebekufanele ihanjwe ngu-Elija. Asewumcabange nje asehla ematfonsi emvula ebusweni bakhe njengobe agijima, futsi acabanga ngaloko lebekusandza kwenteka ngalelo langa. Kufanele kutsi loku kwaba kuncoba lokukhulu kwaJehova, longuNkulunkulu wa-Elija, nekwayo yonkhe inkholo yeliciniso. Ngaleso sikhatsi abengasayiboni iNtsaba iKhameli kwatise kutsi abesakhashane futsi nalemvula beseyente kwaba mnyama, nesibhakabhaka sesigcwele emafu. Emakhulu ebaphrofethi baBhali embuleka kutsi abesenkholweni yemanga nekutsi abekufanela kujeziswa. Ngemuva kwaloko, Elija wathantaza kuJehova, athantazela kuphela kwesomiso lebesesitsatse iminyaka lemitsatfu nencenye. Ngako labese liyayitsela!​—1 Khos. 18:18-45.

3, 4. (a) Yini lokungenteka yabangela Elija waba nelitsemba njengobe asondzela eJezreyeli? (b) Ngumiphi imibuto lesitawucoca ngayo?

³ Kungenteka kutsi ngesikhatsi Elija aklabhuta kulamanti labegcwele kulomgwaco longemakhilomitha langu-30 loya eJezreyeli, abenelitsemba lekutsi tintfo betitawushintja. Mhlawumbe abebona shengatsi tintfo besetitawugaya ngalomunye umhlatsi ngenca yekutsi baphrofethi baBhali besebabulewe. Ahabi bekufanele ashintje! Ngemuva kwaloko labekubonile, bekufanele alahle kukhontwa kwaBhali, acoshe indlovukazi Jezebeli futsi avimbele kuphatfwa kabi kwetinceku taJehova.

⁴ Kuyintfo levamile kutsi ematsemba etfu akhule nangabe sibona shengatsi tintfo tisihambela kahle. Singase sibone ngatsi timo tetfu tekuphila titawuchubeka tiba ncono, mhlawumbe size sicabange kutsi tinkinga tetfu lebesinato setiphelile. Angeke kumangalise nangabe na-Elija abecabanga kanjalo, ngobe naye “abengumuntfu lonemiva lefana neyetfu.” (Jak. 5:17) Kodvwa-ke, liciniso likutsi tinkinga ta-Elija  betisekhashane kakhulu nekuphela. Ema-aweni lambalwa labetawulandzela, Elija abetawufikelwa kwesaba lokukhulu nekucindzeteleka, aze afise ngisho nekufa. Yini leyenteka, futsi Jehova wamsita njani lomphrofethi wakhe kutsi avuselele kukholwa kwakhe kanye nesibindzi? Asesibone.

5. Ahabi wakufundza yini kuhlonipha Jehova ngemuva kwaloko lokwenteka eNtsabeni iKhameli, futsi sikwati njani loko?

⁵ Ngalesikhatsi Ahabi efika eJezreyeli, kukhona yini lakwenta lebekukhombisa kutsi ushintjile? LiBhayibheli litsi: “Ahabi wafike wacocela Jezebeli konkhe lokwase kwentiwe ngu-Elija, nekutsi bonkhe baphrofethi baBhali babulawa kanjani ngenkemba.” (1 Khos. 19:1) Naka kutsi umbiko wa-Ahabi ngalokwenteka ngalelo langa awuyitsintsanga nakancane indzaba yaJehova, Nkulunkulu wa-Elija. Ahabi, umuntfu wenyama, wabuka letintfo letisimangaliso letenteka ngalelo langa ngeliso lemuntfu wasemhlabeni​—watsi nguloko “lokwase kwentiwe ngu-Elija.” Kuyacaca kutsi abesengakakufundzi kuhlonipha Jehova Nkulunkulu. Wenta njani lomfati wakhe lotsandza kuphindzisela, nakeva ngaloku?

6. Ngumuphi umlayeto Jezebeli lawutfumela ku-Elija, futsi bewusho kutsini?

⁶ Jezebeli watfukutsela wagana lunwabu! Akuleso simo, wavele watfuma inceku yakhe ku-Elija, leyafike yatsi: “Shangatsi bonkulunkulu bangangibulala ngife, nangabe mine kusasa ngalesikhatsi angikakwenti kuwe loko lokwente kulabaphrofethi.” (1 Khos. 19:2) Loku bekukusongela lokukhulu. Ecinisweni, Jezebeli abefunga kutsi angamane afe nangabe lingashona lilanga lelilandzelako angakambulali Elija, aphindzisela ngenca yaloko lebekwenteke kubaphrofethi baBhali. Asewumbone Elija ngeliso lengcondvo kulobo busuku besivunguvungu, bamvusa akulobudze butfongo kulenye indlu yekulala lesezingeni leliphansi leseJezreyeli​—bamvusela kutsi atowuva lomlayeto lomubi lota nalesitfunywa sendlovukazi. Watsintseka njani nakeva loko?

7. Kusongelwa nguJezebeli kwamtsintsa njani Elija, futsi wentani?

⁷ Nangabe Elija abenelitsemba lelikhulu lekutsi imphi yekulwa nekukhontwa kwaBhali beseyiphelile, masinyane wabona kutsi bekashaye phansi. Jezebeli abengakashintji ngisho nangemuva kwaloko lokwakusandza kwenteka. Ngekwaloko labekushito, labanye baphrofethi labanyenti labatsembekile besebavele babulewe, futsi manje bekubonakala shengatsi kutawulandzela yena. Lokusongelwa nguJezebeli kwamtsintsa njani Elija? LiBhayibheli litsi: “Wesaba.” Kungenteka yini kutsi Elija wacala kucabanga ngalendlela lenesihluku Jezebeli labefuna kumbulala ngayo? Nangabe wachubeka anemicabango lenjalo, kuyacaca-ke kutsi sibindzi sakhe sasesiphelile. Kunome ngabe ngukuphi labekucabanga, Elija “wabalekela kusindzisa imphilo yakhe.”—1 Khos. 18:4; 19:3.

8. (a) Inkinga Phetro labenayo beyifana njani neya-Elija? (b) Ngusiphi sifundvo lesingasitfola ku-Elija nakuPhetro?

 ⁸ Akusuye Elija kuphela loyinceku yaJehova leyetsembekile leyancotjwa kwesaba. Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, nemphostoli Phetro waba nenkinga lefanako. Sibonelo saloko kutsi ngalesikhatsi Jesu avumela Phetro kutsi ahambe kanye naye emantini, lomphostoli ‘wabona siphepho,’ wafikelwa kwesaba wase sewucala kuncwila. (Fundza Matewu 14:30.) Sibonelo sa-Elija nesaPhetro sisifundzisa sifundvo lesibalulekile. Nasifuna kuhlala sinesibindzi, kufanele singativumeli tingcondvo tetfu tinake tingoti letisesabisako. Kudzingeka sihlale sinake uMtfombo wetfu welitsemba nemandla.

9. Chaza luhambo lwa-Elija kanye nendlela lokungenteka abetiva ngayo njengobe abaleka.

⁹ Ngenca yekwesaba, Elija wabaleka waya ngaseningizimu nshonalanga, endzaweni lengemakhilomitha langaba ngu-150 kuya eBeri-sheba, lidolobha lelisedvute nemncele loseningizimu yakaJuda. Wefika lapho washiya loyo labemlekelela wahamba yedvwa waya ehlane. LiBhayibheli litsi loluhambo ‘lwamtsatsa lilanga lonkhe,’ ngako singambona ngemehlo engcondvo ahamba nakuphuma lilanga, angakaphatsi ngisho nekudla nome letinye tintfo letibalulekile. Njengobe abecindzetelekile futsi esaba, wetama kuhamba kulelo hlane atihudvula, nelilanga libasile. Njengobe lelilanga lebelikhokha inhlanti emantini liya ngekuyawushona, futsi kuhlwa kusondzela, Elija wacala kuphelelwa ngemandla. Adzinwe ayinhlama, wahlala ngephansi kwesihlahla semtsanyelo​—lobekukuphela kwendzawo yekukhosela lesedvute lebeyikulelo hlane.​—1 Khos. 19:4.

10, 11. (a) Bewusho kutsini lomthantazo lowentiwa ngu-Elija kuJehova? (b) Usebentisa lemiBhalo lebonisiwe, chaza indlela labebativa ngayo labanye bantfu lebebasaba Nkulunkulu lababhekana nekudvumala.

¹⁰ Elija wathantaza asaphelelwe litsemba. Wacela kutsi amane afe. Watsi: ‘Kute lengincono ngako kunabokhokho bami.’ Bekati kutsi ngaleso sikhatsi bokhokho bakhe labasemathuneni besebamane balutfuli nematsambo, bangenawusita muntfu. (Shu. 9:10) Elija wativa ayintfo lengenamsebenti. Akumangalisi nje kutsi waze wakhala watsi: “Sekwenele!” Ngisaphilelani?

¹¹ Kufanele yini kusimangalise kubona umuntfu waNkulunkulu advumateke ngalendlela? Cha. Labadvuna nalabasikati labanyenti labetsembekile lokukhulunywa ngabo eBhayibhelini bachazwa njengalabebativa badvumele kakhulu kangangekutsi bebate bafise ngisho nekufa—labanye babo nguRebheka, Jakobe, Mosi, kanye naJobe.​—Gen. 25:22; 37:35; Num. 11:13-15; Jobe 14:13.

12. Nangabe utitfola udvumatekile ungasilingisa njani sibonelo sa-Elija?

 ¹² Lamuhla siphila ‘etikhatsini letibucayi lokumatima kubhekana nato,’ ngako akumangalisi kutsi bantfu labanyenti, ngisho netinceku taNkulunkulu letetsembekile, batikhandza badvumele ngaletinye tikhatsi. (2 Thim. 3:1) Nangabe kwenteka utitfola ukulesimo, landzela sibonelo sa-Elija, ngekutsi utfululele inhlitiyo yakho kuNkulunkulu. Ngobe phela Jehova ‘unguNkulunkulu longumtfombo wayo yonkhe indvudvuto.’ (Fundza 2 Khorinte 1:3, 4.) Wamdvudvuta yini Elija?

13, 14. (a) Asebentisa ingilosi, Jehova wakubonisa njani kumkhatsalela ngelutsandvo umphrofethi wakhe labesenkingeni? (b) Yini lesenta sidvudvuteke ngekutsi Jehova wati konkhe ngatsi, lokufaka ekhatsi ngisho nekulinganiselwa kwetfu?

¹³ Ucabanga kutsi Jehova wativa njani nakabuka phansi emhlabeni, abona umphrofethi wakhe alele ehlane ngephansi kwesihlahla, ancenga kutsi amane afe? Akudzingeki kutsi sicombele. Ngemuva kwekutsi Elija atunywe butfongo, Jehova watfumela ingilosi. Lengilosi yanyakatisa Elija imvusa, yatsi: “Vuka udle.” Elija wavele wenta njalo, njengobe lengilosi yayimlungiselele licebelengwane lesinkhwa lebesisashisa kanye nemanti. Wayibonga yini lengilosi? LiBhayibheli limane litsi lomphrofethi wadla futsi wanatsa, waphindze walala. Abedvumateke kakhulu yini kangangekutsi abengasakhoni nekukhuluma? Nanobe kungenteka kutsi abetiva njalo, lengilosi yamvusa kwesibili, mhlawumbe nasekudzabuka kusa. Yaphindze yatsi ku-Elija: “Vuka udle,” yase seyisho lamanye emavi lamangalisako latsi, “ngobe luhambo losetalutsatsa ludze kakhulu.”​—1 Khos. 19:5-7.

¹⁴ Ngenca yekucondza lebeyiniketwe kona nguNkulunkulu, lengilosi beyati kutsi Elija abetalibangisa kuphi. Beyati nekutsi lendlela itawuba yindze kakhulu kutsi Elija angayihamba ngemandla akhe. Cabanga nje kutsi kudvudvuta njani kukhonta Nkulunkulu lowati imigomo yetfu kanye nekulinganiselwa kwetfu kancono kunendlela tsine lesitati ngayo! (Fundza Tihlabelelo 103:13, 14.) Kwamsita njani Elija loko kudla?

15, 16. (a) Kudla Elija lakunikwa nguJehova kwamsita kutsi enteni? (b) Kungani kufanele siyitsatse njengaleligugu indlela Jehova lanakekela ngayo tinceku takhe lamuhla?

¹⁵ LiBhayibheli litsi: “Ngako wavuka, wadla, wanatsa; loko kwamnika emandla ekuhamba emalanga langema-40 nebusuku lobungema-40, waze wefika eNtsabeni yaNkulunkulu, [iHorebi].” (1 Khos. 19:8) NjengaMosi, lowaphila eminyakeni lengaba ngemakhulu lasitfupha ngaphambi kwakhe, kanye naJesu, lowaphila eminyakeni lengaba yinkhulungwane ngemuva kwakhe, Elija wazila kudla emalanga langu-40 nebusuku lobungu-40. (Eks. 34:28; Luk. 4:1, 2) Loko kudla lakutfola akuzange kuticedze tonkhe tinkinga labebhekene nato, kodvwa kwamsekela ngendlela lesimangaliso. Asewuyicabange nje lendvodza leseyikhulile ihamba itihudvula kulelihlane; lilanga beliphuma liphindze  lishone, nemaviki aphela ngekulandzelana kwawo, futsi loko kwenteka kwaze kwaphela emalanga langu-40!

¹⁶ Jehova uyatisekela tinceku takhe nalamuhla, hhayi ngekudla lokuletfwa ngalokusimangaliso, kodvwa ngendlela lencono kakhulu. Wondla tinceku takhe ngemavi laphuma emlonyeni wakhe. (Mat. 4:4) Kufundza ngaNkulunkulu eVini lakhe kanye nasetincwadzini letisekelwe eBhayibhelini kusenta sihlale sinebuhlobo lobuhle naye. Kondliwa lokunjalo ngeke kuticedze tonkhe tinkinga lesinato, kodvwa kutasisita sibeketelele tintfo lebesingeke sikhone kutibeketelela. Kungaphindze kuholele “ekuphileni lokuphakadze.”​—Joh. 17:3.

17. Waya kuphi Elija, futsi kungani leyo ndzawo beyibaluleke kakhulu?

¹⁷ Elija wahamba emakhilomitha langaba ngu-320 waze wefika eNtsabeni iHorebi. Lendzawo beyinemlandvo lobaluleke kakhulu, ngobe ngulapho Jehova Nkulunkulu labebonakele khona kuMosi ngengilosi esihlahleni lesivutsako, futsi ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi wenta khona sivumelwane seMtsetfo nema-Israyeli. Elija wabese utfola indzawo yekufihla inhloko emhumeni.

18, 19. (a) Sitfunywa saJehova lesingumoya sabuta Elija muphi umbuto, futsi yini layenta? (b) Ngutiphi tizatfu letintsatfu Elija lativeta lebetimenta ative advumele?

¹⁸ EHorebi, “livi” laJehova lokungenteka kutsi lavela ngesitfunywa lesingumoya​—labuta umbuto lomelula lotsi: “Wentani lapha Elija?” Kufanele kutsi lombuto wabutwa ngendlela lenemusa, ngobe Elija wawutsatsa njengesimemo sekutsi avete imiva yakhe. Ngako washo konkhe lobekusenhlitiyweni yakhe. Watsi: “Benginenshisekelo lenkhulu yekukhonta wena Simakadze, Nkulunkulu Somandla. Kodvwa sive saka-Israyeli sisilahlile sivumelwane sakho, sabhidlita emalati akho, sabulala baphrofethi bakho ngenkemba. Ngimi ngedvwa losasele, kodvwa nami sebafuna kungibulala.” (1 Khos. 19:9, 10) Emavi a-Elija aveta tizatfu letintsatfu lebetimenta advumale.

¹⁹ Kwekucala, Elija abebona shengatsi umsebenti wakhe ulite. Nangetulu kweminyaka ‘anenshisekelo lenkhulu’ ekukhonteni Jehova, futsi alibeka endzaweni yekucala libito laNkulunkulu lelingcwele kanye nekumkhonta, Elija wabona kutsi tintfo betiya tiba timbi kakhulu. Bantfu bebasolo bete kukholwa futsi bahlubuka, nenkholo yemanga beyisakateka kakhulu. Kwesibili, Elija abetibona ayedvwa. Watsi: “Ngimi ngedvwa losasele,” njengekungatsi esiveni sonkhe besekunguye yedvwa lokhonta Jehova. Kwesitsatfu, abesaba. Baphrofethi labanyenti besebavele babulewe, futsi abeciniseka ngekutsi naye uyalandzela. Kungenteka kutsi bekungasimelula nga-Elija kuvuma kutsi abetiva ngalendlela, kodvwa akazange avumele kutigabatisa nobe kwesaba kuhlazeka kumvimbe ekutjeleni Nkulunkulu indlela labetiva ngayo. Ngekutfululela sifuba sakhe kuNkulunkulu ngemthantazo, abebabekela sibonelo lesihle bonkhe bantfu labetsembekile.​—Hla. 62:8.

20, 21. (a) Chaza loko Elija lakubona emnyango wemhume lobewuseNtsabeni iHorebi. (b) Kubonakaliswa kwemandla aJehova kwamfundzisani Elija?

 ²⁰ Jehova wamsita njani Elija kuloko lebekumenta esabe futsi akhatsateke? Lengilosi yatjela Elija kutsi eme ngasemnyango walomhume labekuwo. Walalela, ngisho nobe abengati kutsi yini lebeyitawukwenteka. Kwahhusha umoya lomkhulu. Kungenteka kutsi bewumkhulu kakhulu ngobe bewunemandla ekuhlukanisa tintsaba nemadvwala. Asewumbone ngeliso lengcondvo Elija etama kuvala emehlo akhe futsi abambe ingubo yakhe leyentiwe ngeboya njengobe ipheshulwa ngumoya. Bekufanele etame kusima ngobe umhlaba wacala kunyakata kamatima futsi watamatama. Kwatsi kusenjalo kwavela umlilo lomkhulu, lowamenta wabuyela emhumeni kute ativikele kulokushisa lokuhashulako.—1 Khos. 19:11, 12.

²¹ Kuko konkhe lokwenteka, lendzaba isikhumbuta kutsi Jehova abengekho ekhatsi kwalesimangaliso lebesiveta emandla emvelo. Elija bekati kutsi Jehova abengasiye nje nkulunkulu lotfolakala emandleni emvelo njengaBhali, labedvunyiswa tikhonti takhe letidukile lebetitsi ungunkulunkulu wemafu, nobe ungunkulunkulu wemvula. Jehova unguMtfombo wawo onkhe emandla latfolakala endalweni, kodvwa mkhulu kakhulu kunato tonkhe tintfo latidalile. Ngisho nemazulu awakwati kumetfwala. (1 Khos. 8:27) Loku kwamsita njani Elija? Khumbula kwesaba labenako. Ngekusekelwa nguNkulunkulu Jehova, longuNkulunkulu lonemandla lamakhulu kakhulu, bekute sidzingo sekutsi Elija esabe bo-Ahabi naJezebeli!​—Fundza Tihlabelelo 118:6.

22. (a) “Liphimbo lelincane lelalikhulumela phansi” lamcinisekisa njani Elija kutsi abebaluleke kakhulu? (b) Kungenteka kutsi lalivela kubani “liphimbo lelincane lelalikhulumela phansi”? (Fundza umbhalo longentansi.)

²² Kwatsi lapho umlilo sewusukile nalomoya sewubindzile, Elija weva “liphimbo lelincane lelalikhulumela phansi.” Latsi akaphindze asho lokusenhlitiyweni yakhe, futsi wenta njalo, waphindze washo lokumkhatsatako. * Kufanele kutsi loko kwamenta wakhululeka kakhulu. Akungabateki kutsi Elija wadvudvuteka kakhulu nakeva loko lokwabese kushiwo ‘nguleliphimbo lelincane lelalikhulumela phansi.’ Jehova wacinisekisa Elija ngekutsi abebaluleke kakhulu kuye. Kanjani? Nkulunkulu wamembulela injongo yakhe yesikhatsi lesitako lebeyimayelana  nekulwa nekukhontwa kwaBhali ka-Israyeli. Kuyacaca kutsi umsebenti wa-Elija bewungasilo lite, ngobe injongo yaNkulunkulu beyisachubekela embili. Ngetulu kwaloko, Elija abesenayo incenye kulenjongo, ngobe Jehova waphindze wamtfuma wamnika neticondziso leticacile.​—1 Khos. 19:12-17.

23. Ngutiphi tindlela letimbili Jehova layilungisa ngayo imiva ya-Elija yekutiva ayedvwa?

²³ Kutsiwani-ke ngemiva ya-Elija yekutiva ayedvwa? Jehova wenta tintfo letimbili ngaloko. Kwekucala, watjela Elija kutsi agcobe Elisha njengemphrofethi labetawumlandzela. Lelijaha belitawuhamba na-Elija futsi libe ngumsiti wakhe iminyaka leminyenti. Kufanele kutsi loko kwamdvudvuta kakhulu. Kwesibili, Jehova wamtjela tindzaba letimnandzi letitsi: “Bantfu baka-Israyeli labati-7 000 ngiyakubashiya baphila: bonkhe labangazange baguce embikwaBhali nabo bonkhe labangazange bange Bhali ngemilomo yabo.” (1 Khos. 19:18) Elija abengasiyedvwa. Kungenteka kutsi kwamtsintsa inhlitiyo kuva ngalabantfu labetsembekile labatinkhulungwane labangazange bamkhonte Bhali. Bekudzingeka kutsi Elija achubeke etsembekile emsebentini wakhe kute abeke sibonelo sekwetsembeka kuJehova kuleto tikhatsi letimatima. Kufanele kutsi Elija kwamjabulisa kakhulu kuva lamavi lashiwo ngulesitfunywa saJehova, ‘lokuliphimbo lelincane lelalikhulumela phansi’ laNkulunkulu wakhe.

24, 25. (a) Lamuhla, singalilalela ngayiphi indlela “liphimbo lelincane [laJehova] lelikhulumela phansi”? (b) Kungani singaciniseka kutsi Elija wayemukela indvudvuto Jehova lamnika yona?

²⁴ Njenga-Elija, natsi angasimangalisa emandla lamakhulu emvelo labonakala endalweni, futsi kube kufanele. Indalo iwaveta ngalokucacile emandla eMdali. (Rom. 1:20) Nanyalo, Jehova usakutsandza kusebentisa emandla akhe langapheli kute asite tinceku takhe letetsembekile. (2 Khr. 16:9) Nanobe kunjalo, Nkulunkulu ukhuluma natsi ngalokugcwele asebentisa liVi lakhe liBhayibheli. (Fundza Isaya 30:21.) LiBhayibheli lingafana ‘naleliphimbo lelincane lelikhulumela phansi’ nangabe silivumela kutsi lisicondzise lamuhla. Kulo, Jehova uyasiyala, asikhutsate, futsi asicinisekise ngelutsandvo lwakhe.

²⁵ Elija wakwemukela yini kudvudvutwa nguJehova eNtsabeni iHorebi? Yebo! Ngekushesha wabuyela emsebentini wakhe, futsi lomphrofethi lowetsembekile nalonesibindzi wamelana nekukhonta kwemanga. Nangabe natsi siwalalela emavi laphefumulelwe aNkulunkulu, ‘lokuyindvudvuto lesiyitfola emiBhalweni,’ sitawukwati kulingisa kukholwa kwa-Elija.​—Rom. 15:4.