Esikufunda Kwabesifazana Okukhulunywa Ngabo EBhayibhilini

KHALISA

Impendulo yeBhayibhili

IBhayibhili likhuluma ngabesifazana abanengi esingathola kubo izifundo eziqakathekileyo. (KwabaseRoma 15:4; 2 KuThimothi 3:16, 17) Esihlokweni lesi sizakhuluma kafitshane ngabanye babo. Abanengi bakhona bayizibonelo ezinhle esingazilingisela kodwa abanye bayizibonelo okungamelanga sizilandele.—1 KwabaseKhorinte 10:11; KumaHebheru 6:12.

U-Abhigeli

Wayengubani u-Abhigeli? WayengumkaNabhali indoda eyayinothile kodwa ilenhliziyo embi. Kodwa u-Abhigeli yena wayengowesifazane okhaliphileyo, othobekileyo njalo emuhle. Wayephila ngendlela ethokozisa uNkulunkulu.—1 USamuyeli 25:3.

Wenzani? Wenza ngokuhlakanipha futhi watshengisa ukuthi ulokuqedisisa ngesikhathi imuli yakhe ifuna ukuhlaselwa. Yena lomkakhe uNabhali babehlala endaweni lapho uDavida owayezakuba yinkosi yako-Israyeli ayecatshe khona. Ngesikhathi uDavida lamadoda ayelawo belapho, bavikela izimvu zikaNabhali. Kodwa lapho izithunywa zikaDavida zisiyacela ukudla, uNabhali wazithethisa wazincitsha. UDavida wazonda wabila! Yikho wasuka lamadoda ayelawo sebesiyabulala uNabhali labo bonke abesilisa ababengabendlu yakhe.—1 USamuyeli 25:10-12, 22.

U-Abhigeli wathi esizwa lokhu kazange atshone echitha isikhathi, wahle wathuma izinceku zakhe ukuthi zihambisele uDavida lamadoda ayelawo ukudla, laye walandela ukuze ayexolisa ngalokho okwakwenziwe nguNabhali. (1 USamuyeli 25:14-19, 24-31) Ukuzithoba kuka-Abhigeli, amazwi okuhlakanipha awakhulumayo kanye lesipho asilethayo kwenza uDavida wananzelela ukuthi u-Abhigeli wayethunywe nguNkulunkulu ukuze amvimbele ukuthi angachithi igazi. (1 USamuyeli 25:32, 33) Ngemva kwalokho uNabhali wafa, uDavida wasethatha u-Abhigeli waba ngumkakhe.—1 USamuyeli 25:37-41.

Sifundani ku-Abhigeli? U-Abhigeli wayemuhle futhi enothile kodwa kazange azigqaje. Lanxa kwakungayisuye ophambanisileyo wazimisela ukuyaxolisa ukuze kube lokuthula. Watshengisa ukuhlakanipha lesibindi ngesikhathi ephakathi kwesimo esinzima.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngo-Abhigeli bala isihloko esithi, “Watshengisa Ukuthi Wayekhaliphile.”

UDibhora

Wayengubani uDibhora? Wayengumphrofethikazi wako-Israyeli owayesetshenziswa nguJehova ukutshela abantu bakhe lokho ayefuna bakwenze. Kanti njalo uNkulunkulu wayemsebenzisa ukwahlulela izindaba zabantu bako-Israyeli.—ABahluleli 4:4, 5.

Wenzani? Wasekela izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ngesibindi. Ngokwesibonelo uNkulunkulu wamthuma ukuthi atshele uBharakhi ukuthi akhokhele ibutho lako-Israyeli ngesikhathi lisiyakulwa labaseKhenani. (ABahluleli 4:6, 7) UBharakhi wathi ecela uDibhora ukuthi ahambe laye empini, uDibhora wavuma kazange esabe.—ABahluleli 4:8, 9.

Ngemva kokuba uNkulunkulu ebancedisile abako-Israyeli ukuthi banqobe empini, uDibhora wabhala amanye amazwi asengomeni ayihlabela loBharakhi eyayimayelana lokunqoba kwabo empini. Engomeni le wakhuluma ngokwenziwa ngomunye owesifazane owayelesibindi okuthiwa nguJayeli.—ABahluleli, isahluko 5.

Sifundani kuDibhora? UDibhora wayezimisele ukunceda abanye futhi elesibindi. Wayekhuthaza abanye ukuthi benze okulungileyo okufunwa nguNkulunkulu njalo wayebancoma nxa bengenza njalo.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoDibhora bala isihloko sesiZulu esithi, “Ngisukuma Njengomama Kwa-Israyeli.”

UDelila

Wayengubani uDelila? Ngowesifazane owayethandana lomahluleli wako-Israyeli okwakuthiwa nguSamsoni.—ABahluleli 16:4, 5.

Wenzani? Wathengwa ngababusi bamaFilisti ukuthi aqile uSamsoni owayesetshenziswa nguJehova ukuthi akhulule ama-Israyeli ezandleni zamaFilisti. AmaFilisti ayesehluleka ukumbamba ngenxa yamandla amangalisayo ayelawo, yikho acela uDelila ukuthi awancedise.—ABahluleli 13:5.

AmaFilisti abhadala uDelila ukuthi ahuge uSamsoni aze akhulume ukuthi amandla akhe ayevela ngaphi. UDelila wayamukela leyomali njalo wazama kanenginengi ukumhuga waze waphumelela. (ABahluleli 16:15-17) Wathi eseyazi imfihlo kaSamsoni wasesiyatshela amaFilisti, wona ambamba uSamsoni asembopha.—ABahluleli 16:18-21.

Sifundani kuDelila? Ngenxa yobuhwaba, uDelila wenza ngokungathembeki waqila inceku kaJehova uNkulunkulu. Akumelanga silandele lokho akwenzayo.

U-Esta

Wayengubani u-Esta? WayengumJuda njalo wakhethwa yiNkosi u-Ahasuweru ukuthi abe yindlovukazi yakhe.

Wenzani? INdlovukazi u-Esta yasebenzisa isikhundla sayo ukuze ivikele abantu bakibo ukuthi bangabulawa. Yezwa ukuthi kubekwe umthetho wokuthi wonke amaJuda ayesembusweni wasePhesiya ayezabulawa. Icebo leli lalibunjwe ngeyinye indoda okuthiwa nguHamani eyayilesikhundla esilandela esenkosi. (U-Esta 3:13-15; 4:1, 5) U-Esta waqunga isibindi njalo wafaka ukuphila kwakhe engozini wayaliveza lelocebo elibi kumkakhe u-Ahasuweru encediswa ngumzawakhe uModekhayi. (U-Esta 4:10-16; 7:1-10) INkosi u-Ahasuweru yavumela u-Esta loModekhayi ukuthi babhale omunye umthetho owawuvumela amaJuda ukuthi azivikele. Lakanye amaJuda azivikela asezinqoba zonke izitha zawo.—U-Esta 8:5-11; 9:16, 17.

Sifundani ku-Esta? U-Esta wabeka isibonelo esihle sokuba lesibindi, ukuzehlisa lokuthobeka. (IHubo 31:24; KwabaseFiliphi 2:3) Lanxa wayemuhle futhi elesikhundla esiphezulu, wazehlisa wayadinga uncedo kwabanye. Wathi ekhuluma lomkakhe watshengisa ukuthi ulesibindi lokuthi uyamhlonipha. Lanxa impilo yamaJuda yayisengozini, u-Esta kazange esabe ukuziveza ukuthi laye wayengumJuda.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngo-Esta bala isihloko esithi, “Wavikela Abantu BakaNkulunkulu” lesithi, “Wahlakanipha, Waba Lesibindi Futhi Wazinikela.”

U-Eva

Wayengubani u-Eva? Ngowesifazane wokuqala emhlabeni okukhulunywa ngaye eBhayibhilini.

Wenzani? Wehluleka ukulalela umthetho ocacileyo owawuvela kuNkulunkulu. U-Eva wayedalwe engumuntu ongelasono njengomkakhe u-Adamu njalo wayephiwe inkululeko yokuzikhethela futhi esenelisa lokulingisela impawu zikaNkulunkulu ezinjengothando lokuhlakanipha. (UGenesisi 1:27) U-Eva wayekwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayetshele u-Adamu ukuthi kulesihlahla okwakungamelanga basidle ukuze bangafi. Kodwa wayengwa wacabanga ukuthi kasoze afe nxa angasidla lokuthi wayezaphila ngcono nxa angeqa umlayo kaNkulunkulu. Yikho wasidla lesosithelo wasesiyanika lomkakhe u-Adamu laye wasidla.—UGenesisi 3:1-6; 1 KuThimothi 2:14.

Sifundani ku-Eva? Sifunda ukuthi akumelanga sifukamele izifiso ezimbi. U-Eva wavumela isifiso esibi sakhula wacina ephule umthetho kaNkulunkulu.—UGenesisi 3:6; 1 UJohane 2:16.

UHana

Wayengubani uHana? Wayengumka-Elikhana futhi engunina kaSamuyeli owayengumphrofethi owayesaziwa ko-Israyeli.—1 USamuyeli 1:1, 2, 4-7.

Wenzani? Engakabi lomntwana, uHana wayehlala ethandaza kuNkulunkulu. Unyanewabo uPhenina wayelabantwana kodwa yena wahlala isikhathi eside engelabo. UPhenina wayemnyonkoloza njalo nje uHana ngenxa yokuswela kwakhe abantwana kodwa yena kazange ayekele ukukhuleka kuNkulunkulu. Ngelinye ilanga wathembisa uNkulunkulu ukuthi nxa angamnika umntwana ongumfana wayezanikela ngaye ayehlala ethabanikeli okutsho itende elalisetshenziswa ngabako-Israyeli ekukhonzeni.—1 USamuyeli 1:11.

UNkulunkulu wawuphendula umthandazo wakhe ngokumnika umntwana ongumfana. UHana wametha ibizo wathi nguSamuyeli futhi wasigcina isithembiso sakhe, wamthatha umfana wamhambisa ethabanikeli esesemncane. (1 USamuyeli 1:27, 28) Minyaka yonke uHana wayemthungela ijazi elingelamkhono abesesiyamnika. Ngokuya kwesikhathi uNkulunkulu waphinda wambusisa uHana waba labanye abantwana abangabafana abathathu lamankazana amabili.—1 USamuyeli 2:18-21.

Sifundani kuHana? Ukuthandaza ngenhliziyo yonke kwamnceda ukuthi abekezelele izimo ezinzima. Umthandazo wakhe wokubonga obhalwe ku-1 Samuyeli 2:1-10 utshengisa ukuthi uHana wayelokholo oluqinileyo kuNkulunkulu.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoHana bala isihloko esithi, “Watshela UNkulunkulu Konke Okwakusenhliziyweni Yakhe.”
▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngokuthi kungani uNkulunkulu wayevumela isithembo kudala khangela isihloko esithi, “Isithembo Siyavunyelwa Yini?”

UJayeli

Wayengubani uJayeli? Wayeyinkosikazi yenye indoda okwakuthiwa nguHebheri eyayingazalwa ko-Israyeli. UJayeli watshengisa isibindi ngokusekela abantu bakaNkulunkulu.

Wenzani? Wenza ngokuhlakanipha lapho kufika uSisera umlawuli webutho lamaKhenani emzini wakhe. USisera wathi senqotshiwe empini, wabaleka wayadinga indawo yokucatsha. UJayeli wamamukela ngesihle etendeni lakhe wamvumela ukuthi aphumule. USisera wathi eselele, uJayeli wahle wamsusela amanqe!—ABahluleli 4:17-21.

Okwenziwa nguJayeli kwagcwalisa isiphrofetho esasikhulunywe nguDibhora esithi: “UJehova uzanikela uSisera kowesifazana.” (ABahluleli 4:9) Wanconywa kakhulu uJayeli kwathiwa “ungobusisiweyo kubo bonke abesifazana.”—ABahluleli 5:24.

Sifundani kuJayeli? UJayeli kazange atshone ebalisa kodwa waba lesibindi sokwenza lokho okwakumele akwenze. Indaba yakhe itshengisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu angenza loba yini ukuze agcwalise iziphrofetho zakhe.

UJezebeli

Wayengubani uJezebeli? Ngowesifazane wezizweni owayengumka-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli. Wayengamkhonzi uJehova kodwa ekhonza unkulunkulu waseKhenani uBhali.

Wenzani? UJezebeli wayelolunya, engatshelwa lutho futhi elodlakela. Wayekhuthaza abantu ukukhonza uBhali lokuziphatha kubi kwezemacansini okwakusenziwa ekukhonzeni unkulunkulu lo. Ngesikhathi esifananayo wayefuna lokuqeda ukukhonza kweqiniso elizweni.—1 AmaKhosi 18:4, 13; 19:1-3.

Wasebenzisa amanga waze wabulalisa labanye abantu ukuze athole ayekufuna. (1 AmaKhosi 21:8-16) Wafa kabuhlungu njalo kazange angcwatshwe njengoba uNkulunkulu wayetshilo.—1 AmaKhosi 21:23; 2 AmaKhosi 9:10, 32-37.

Sifundani kuJezebeli? Indlela ayeziphatha ngayo yayimbi kakhulu okokuthi ibizo lakhe selize lisetshenziswa ukuchaza owesifazana oziphethe ngendlela engahloniphekiyo. Akumelanga simlingisele loba sekutheni.

ULeya

Wayengubani uLeya? Wayengumfazi wokuqala kaJakhobe. Wayeyendele ndawonye lomnawakhe uRakheli.—UGenesisi 29:20-29.

Wenzani? ULeya wazalela uJakhobe amadodana angu-6. (URuthe 4:11) UJakhobe wayevele efuna ukuthatha uRakheli kodwa uyisezala uLabani wamqila wamnika uLeya kuqala. UJakhobe wathi ebona ukuthi useqiliwe wasesiyakhuluma loLabani. Ekukhulumeni kwabo uLabani wamchasisela ukuthi kwakungayisilo siko labo ukwendisa indodakazi encane, endala ingakendi. Ngemva kweviki kwenzakele lokhu, uJakhobe wayiphiwa intombi ayeyifuna.

UJakhobe wayethanda uRakheli ukwedlula uLeya. (UGenesisi 29:30) Lokhu kwabangela ukuthi uLeya aqalise ukuncintisana lomnawakhe ukuze laye athole uthando. UNkulunkulu wathi ebona ukuthi uLeya wayengathandwa, wambusisa ngamadodana angu-6 lentombazana eyodwa.—UGenesisi 29:31.

Sifundani kuLeya? ULeya kazange avume ukuthi ubunzima obabusemulini yakhe bumenze angasiboni isandla sikaNkulunkulu empilweni yakhe, waqhubeka ekhuleka kuye kokuphela. (UGenesisi 29:32-35; 30:20) Okwenzakala empilweni yakhe kutshengisa ukuthi isithembo senza impilo ibe nzima lanxa uNkulunkulu wasivumela okwesikhathi esithile. Umthetho kaNkulunkulu uthi indoda kumele ibe lomfazi oyedwa lomfazi laye abe lendoda eyodwa.—UMathewu 19:4-6.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoLeya bala isihloko sesiZulu esithi, “Izelamani Ezicindezelekile ‘Ezakha Indlu Ka-Israyeli.’”
▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngokuthi kungani uNkulunkulu wayevumela isithembo kudala khangela isihloko esithi, “Isithembo Siyavunyelwa Yini?”

UMatha

Wayengubani uMatha? Wayengudadewabo kaLazaro loMariya. Bobathathu babehlala eBhethani eduze laseJerusalema.

Wenzani? UMatha wayengumngane kaJesu. UJohane 11:5 uthi uJesu “wayemthanda uMatha lodadewabo kanye loLazaro.” UMatha wayelomusa futhi esamukela izivakatshi. Ngelinye ilanga uJesu ebavakatshele uMariya wahlala wamlalela ngapha uMatha elungisa ukudla. UMatha watshela uJesu ukuthi wayengakuthandi lokho okwakusenziwa ngudadewabo. Kodwa uJesu wamnceda uMatha wabona ukuthi uMariya wayekhethe kuhle.—ULukha 10:38-42.

Ngesikhathi uLazaro egula, uMatha lodadewabo babiza uJesu ngoba babethemba ukuthi uzamsilisa umfowabo. (UJohane 11:3, 21) Kodwa uLazaro wafa. Okwakhulunywa nguMatha ngesikhathi exoxa loJesu kwatshengisa ukuthi wayengathandabuzi ukuthi sizagcwaliseka isithembiso esiseBhayibhilini sokuthi abafileyo bazavuswa. Kwatshengisa lokuthi wayeqiniseka ukuthi uJesu ulawo amandla okuvusa umfowabo.—UJohane 11:20-27.

Sifundani kuMatha? UMatha wayelomusa futhi esamukela izivakatshi. Wayevuma ukuqondiswa. Wayengesabi ukuveza indlela ayezizwa ngayo lokukhuluma ngalokho ayekukholwa.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoMatha bala isihloko esithi, “Ngiyakholwa.”

UMariya (umama kaJesu)

Wayengubani uMariya? Ngowesifazane ongumJuda owayelokhu eyintombi egcweleyo ngesikhathi ebeletha uJesu. Ukuzithwala kwakhe kwenzakala ngendlela eyisimangaliso.

Wenzani? UMariya wazithoba wenza intando kaNkulunkulu. Wayesethembisane loJosefa ngesikhathi ingilosi imtshela ukuthi uzazithwala azale umntwana owayezakuba nguMesiya. (ULukha 1:26-33) Wazithoba wawamukela umsebenzi lo. Ngemva kokuzalwa kukaJesu, uMariya loJosefa baba lamanye amadodana amane, lamankazana okungenzakala ukuthi ayemabili. Yikho kusegcekeni ukuthi uMariya kazange ahlale eyintombi egcweleyo. (UMathewu 13:55, 56) Lanxa wayephiwe umsebenzi oqakathekileyo, kazange afune ukudunyiswa kumbe ukubukwa ngabantu. UMariya waqhubeka elokhu ezehlisa ngesikhathi uJesu esenza inkonzo yakhe langesikhathi eselilunga lebandla lobuKhristu.

Sifundani kuMariya? UMariya wayengowesifazane othembekileyo owavuma ngenhliziyo yonke ukwenza umsebenzi oqakathekileyo ayewuphiwe nguNkulunkulu. Wayeyazi kuhle iMibhalo. Ngokwesibonelo, kungenzakala ukuthi wacupha eMibhalweni engafika 20 lapho ekhuluma amazwi abhalwe kuLukha 1:46-55.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoMariya bala isihloko sesiZulu esithi, “Lokho Esingakufunda Esibonelweni SikaMariya.”

UMariya (udadewabo kaMatha loLazaro)

Wayengubani uMariya? UMariya wayengudadewabo kaMatha loLazaro. Bobathathu babengabangane bakaJesu.

Wenzani? UMariya watshengisa kanengi ukuthi wayengathandabuzi ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. Wayekholwa ukuthi uJesu wayengamsilisa uLazaro ngesikhathi egula njalo wazibonela ngawakhe uJesu evusa uLazaro. UMariya wakhetha ukulalela uJesu efundisa ngesikhathi uMatha esenza eminye imisebenzi yendlini. UJesu wamncoma kakhulu uMariya ngalokho ayekwenzile ngoba watshengisa ukuthi wayeliqakathekisa kakhulu iqiniso elivela kuNkulunkulu.—ULukha 10:38-42.

Ngelinye ilanga uMariya wenzela uJesu isenzo esihle okumangalisayo, wamgcoba ngamafutha “anukelelayo futhi adulayo” ekhanda lasenyaweni. (UMathewu 26:6, 7) Abanye ababelapho bamsola besithi udlalisa amafutha. Kodwa uJesu wamlwela wathi: “Loba ngaphi lapho izindaba lezi ezinhle ezitshunyayelwa khona emhlabeni wonke, kuzakhulunywa ngokwenziwe ngowesifazana lo, ahlale ekhunjulwa ngakho.”—UMathewu 24:14; 26:8-13.

Sifundani kuMariya? UMariya wasebenza nzima ukuze abe lokholo oluqinileyo. Wayeqakathekisa ukukhonza uNkulunkulu ukwedlula ezinye izinto. Wazinikela ukwenzela uJesu okuhle lanxa lokho kwakusitsho ukuthi asebenzise imali enengi.

UMariya Magadalena

Wayengubani uMariya Magadalena? Wayengumlandeli kaJesu othembekileyo.

Wenzani? Ngomunye wabesifazane ababejayele ukuhamba loJesu labafundi bakhe. Wasebenzisa imali yakhe ukuze ancedise uJesu lalabo ayehamba labo. (ULukha 8:1-3) Waqhubeka elandela uJesu futhi ngelanga uJesu abulawa ngalo laye wayekhona. Kanti njalo waba ngomunye walabo abaqala ukubona uJesu esevusiwe.—UJohane 20:11-18.

Sifundani kuMariya? Wayezimisele ukusebenzisa impahla ayelayo ukuze ancedise uJesu enkonzweni yakhe njalo wahlala engumlandeli othembekileyo.

UMiriyamu

Wayengubani uMiriyamu? Wayengudadewabo kaMosi lo-Aroni futhi ngowesifazane wokuqala obizwa ngokuthi ngumphrofethikazi eBhayibhilini.

Wenzani? Wayengumphrofethikazi owayesetshenziswa nguNkulunkulu ukuthi atshele abantu bakhe imilayezo evela kuye. Wayelomsebenzi oqakathekileyo ko-Israyeli njalo wahlanganyela ngesikhathi kuhlatshelwa ingoma yokunqoba, ngemva kokuba uNkulunkulu ebhubhise ibutho laseGibhithe eLwandle Olubomvu.—U-Eksodusi 15:1, 20, 21.

Ngokuya kwesikhathi uMiriyamu lo-Aroni baqalisa ukusola uMosi. Kukhanya angathi okwabangela ukuthi benze njalo ngumhawu lokuziphakamisa. UNkulunkulu “wakuzwa” lokho wasebakhuza. (AmaNani 12:1-9) Ngemva kwalokho watshaya uMiriyamu ngobulephero mhlawumbe ngenxa yokuthi nguye owayeqalise indaba yokuchothoza uMosi. UMiriyamu wasila ngemva kokuba uMosi esemcelele kuNkulunkulu ukuthi amxolele. Wayehlaliswe phandle kwezihonqo okwensuku ezingu-7 wathi esesilile, wasevunyelwa ukuthi aphenduke.—AmaNani 12:10-15.

IBhayibhili litshengisa ukuthi uMiriyamu wasamukela iseluleko asinikwayo. Ngemva kweminyaka ethile, uNkulunkulu wakhuluma amazwi atshengisa ukuthi uMiriyamu wayelomsebenzi oqakathekileyo ko-Israyeli wathi: “Ngathuma uMosi ukuba alikhokhele kanye lo-Aroni loMiriyamu.”—UMikha 6:4.

Sifundani kuMiriyamu? Indaba kaMiriyamu isitshengisa ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulendaba lezinto esizikhulumayo ngabanye abantu lalezo esizitsho kubo. Okunye esikufundayo yikuthi nxa sifuna ukuthokozisa uNkulunkulu kumele sitshiyane lomhawu kumbe ukuziphakamisa ngoba kungenza sicine sikhuluma kubi ngabanye abantu besesingcolisa amabizo abo.

URakheli

Wayengubani uRakheli? WayengumntakaLabani futhi engumkaJakhobe owayethandwa kakhulu.

Wenzani? URakheli wendela kuJakhobe wamzalela abantwana ababili abangabafana ababa yingxenye yezizwana zako-Israyeli ezingu-12. URakheli wahlangana lejaha elalizakuba ngumkakhe ngesikhathi esiyanathisa izimvu zikayise. (UGenesisi 29:9, 10) ‘Wayemuhle’ kakhulu ukwedlula udadewabo uLeya.—UGenesisi 29:17.

UJakhobe wambona wamthanda uRakheli wasevuma ukusebenzela uyisezala okweminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze enelise ukumthatha. (UGenesisi 29:18) Kodwa uLabani wamqila uJakhobe wamnika indodakazi yakhe yokuqala uLeya kwathi ngemva kwensuku ezithile wasemnika uRakheli.—UGenesisi 29:25-27.

UJakhobe wayethanda uRakheli labantwabakhe ukwedlula uLeya labantwabakhe. (UGenesisi 37:3; 44:20, 27-29) Lokhu kwabangela ukuthi kube lokuncintisana phakathi kwabesifazana laba.—UGenesisi 29:30; 30:1, 15.

Sifundani kuRakheli? URakheli wabekezelela isimo esinzima futhi wayelethemba lokuthi uNkulunkulu uzayiphendula imithandazo yakhe. (UGenesisi 30:22-24) Okwenzakala empilweni yakhe kutshengisa ukuthi isithembo senza impilo ibe nzima lokuthi kusukela ekuqaliseni uNkulunkulu wayevele ehlele ukuthi indoda ibe lomfazi oyedwa.—UMathewu 19:4-6.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoRakheli bala isihloko sesiZulu esithi, “Izelamani Ezicindezelekile ‘Ezakha Indlu Ka-Israyeli.’”
▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngokuthi kungani uNkulunkulu wayevumela isithembo kudala khangela isihloko esithi, “Isithembo Siyavunyelwa Yini?”

URahabi

Wayengubani uRahabi? Ngowesifazane owayeyisifebe owayehlala eJerikho idolobho elaliseKhenani. Ngokuya kwesikhathi watshintsha waqalisa ukukhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu.

Wenzani? Wafihla inhloli ezimbili zako-Israyeli ezazizohlola ilizwe laseKhenani. Lokhu wakwenza ngemva kokuzwa indlela uJehova avikela ngayo abako-Israyeli kwabaseGibhithe lakuma-Amori.

URahabi wanceda inhloli lezi wasezicela ukuthi zimsindise nxa abako-Israyeli sebezohlasela iJerikho. Zavuma sibili inhloli lezi zasezisithi angatsheli muntu ngenhlelo zabo lokuthi kwakumele uRahabi lemuli yakhe bangaphumi endlini nxa abako-Israyeli sebehlasela. Kwakumele alengise lentambo ebomvu ewindini ukuze bayibone lula indlu yakhe. URahabi wakwenza konke ayekutsheliwe njalo yena labangakibo basinda ngesikhathi iJerikho inqotshwa.

Ngokuya kwesikhathi uRahabi wendela kweyinye indoda engum-Israyeli wasesiba ngukhokho weNkosi uDavida loJesu Khristu.—UJoshuwa 2:1-24; 6:25; UMathewu 1:5, 6, 16.

Sifundani kuRahabi? IBhayibhili litshengisa ukuthi uRahabi uyisibonelo esihle ngoba wayelokholo oluqinileyo. (KumaHebheru 11:30, 31; UJakhobe 2:25) Indaba yakhe itshengisa ukuthi uJehova kabandlululi lokuthi uyathethelela njalo uyababusisa labo abamthembayo kungelani lokuthi bebengabantu abanjani.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoRahabi bala isihloko sesiZulu esithi, “Kwathiwa ‘Ulungile Ngemisebenzi.’”

URabheka

Wayengubani uRabheka? Wayengumka-Isaka njalo wazala uJakhobe lo-Esawu ababengamaphahla.

Wenzani? URabheka wenza intando kaNkulunkulu lanxa kwakunzima ukwenza njalo. Ngelinye ilanga esiyakukha amanzi emthonjeni wahlangana lenye indoda eyacela ukuthi ayinathise. URabheka wavuma wasephinda enathisa lamakamela ayo. (UGenesisi 24:15-20) Indoda le yayiyinceku ka-Abhrahama njalo yahamba umango omude kakhulu isiyadingela u-Isaka indodana ka-Abhrahama umfazi. (UGenesisi 24:2-4) Inceku le yayiqale yakhuleka icela ukuthi uNkulunkulu ayincedise ikhethe kuhle, yikho yathi ibona ukukhuthala kukaRabheka kanye lomusa wakhe yahle yakwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu usewuphendulile umthandazo wayo.—UGenesisi 24:10-14, 21, 27.

URabheka wathi esetsheliwe ukuthi indoda le yayize ngani, wavuma ukuhamba layo wayakuba yinkosikazi ka-Isaka. (UGenesisi 24:57-59) Ngokuya kwesikhathi uRabheka wazala amadodana amabili angamaphahla. Omdala kwakungu-Esawu, omncane kunguJakhobe futhi ngesikhathi uRabheka ezithwele, uNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi omdala wayezakhonza omncane. (UGenesisi 25:23) Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Isaka wayesefuna ukunika u-Esawu isibusiso sokuba lizibulo kodwa uRabheka wenza okuthile ukuze isibusiso leso siphiwe uJakhobe ngenxa yokuthi wayelokhe ekhumbula okwatshiwo nguNkulunkulu.—UGenesisi 27:1-17.

Sifundani kuRabheka? URabheka wayethobekile, ekhuthele njalo elomusa futhi lokhu kwamnceda ukuthi abe ngumama loba inkosikazi enhle lokuthi aqhubeke ekhonza uNkulunkulu.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoRabheka bala isihloko esithi, “Ngizahamba.”

URuthe

Wayengubani uRuthe? Ngowesifazane ongumMowabi owatshiya abantu bakibo kanye labonkulunkulu bakhe ukuze ayekhonza uJehova elizweni lako-Israyeli.

Wenzani? URuthe watshengisa ukuthi uyamthanda kakhulu uninazala uNawomi. UNawomi lomkakhe kanye lamadodana abo amabili bathuthela elizweni lakoMowabi bebalekela indlala eyayisikhona ko-Israyeli. Amadodana la athatha amakhosikazi akulelolizwe, u-Opha loRuthe. Ngemva kwesikhathi umkaNawomi kanye lamadodana akhe bafa, uNawomi labomalukazana bakhe basala sebengabafelokazi.

Kwathi sekunjalo uNawomi wacabanga ukubuyela ko-Israyeli ngoba indlala yayisiphelile. URuthe lo-Opha babambisana laye indlela kodwa bathi sebephambili uNawomi wabancenga ukuthi baphenduke babuyele kibo eMowabi. U-Opha wavalelisa wabuyela. (URuthe 1:1-6, 15) Kodwa uRuthe yena wanamathela kuninazala ngoba wayemthanda njalo efuna ukukhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu kaNawomi.—URuthe 1:16, 17; 2:11.

URuthe waba ledumela elihle kibo kaNawomi eBhethilehema ngenxa yokukhuthala kwakhe kanye lokuzimisela ukuncedisa uninazala. Enye indoda eyayinothile okuthiwa nguBhowazi yakuthanda kakhulu okwenziwa nguRuthe njalo yaqhubeka ibanika ukudla. (URuthe 2:5-7, 20) Ngokuya kwesikhathi uRuthe wendela kuBhowazi wasesiba ngukhokho weNkosi uDavida loJesu Khristu.—UMathewu 1:5, 6, 16.

Sifundani kuRuthe? URuthe watshiya abakibo ngoba wayemthanda uNawomi kanye loJehova. Wayekhuthele, ezinikele njalo wahlala eqotho lanxa wayesebunzimeni.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoRuthe bala isihloko esithi, “Lapho Oya Khona Ngizakuya Khona” lesithi, “Owesifazana Oqotho.”

USara

Wayengubani uSara? Wayengumka-Abhrahama njalo engunina ka-Isaka.

Wenzani? Lanxa wayehlezi kuhle edolobheni lase-Uri, wabambisana lomkakhe wasuka ngoba wayelokholo kulokho uNkulunkulu ayekuthembise umkakhe u-Abhrahama. UNkulunkulu watshela u-Abhrahama ukuthi asuke e-Uri ayehlala elizweni laseKhenani, wasemthembisa ukuthi wayezambusisa amenze abe yisizwe esikhulu. (UGenesisi 12:1-5) Kungenzakala ukuthi ngalesosikhathi uSara wayeseleminyaka edlula 60. Kusukela lapho baqalisa ukuhlala ematendeni njalo babehlala bethuthile.

Lanxa ukuphila ngalindlela kwakungabafaka engozini, uSara waqhubeka ebambisana lomkakhe njalo elalela ababekutshelwa nguNkulunkulu. (UGenesisi 12:10, 15) USara wahlala iminyaka eminengi engelamntwana njalo lokhu kwakumkhathaza kakhulu. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayethembise u-Abhrahama ukuthi uzabusisa isizukulwane sakhe. (UGenesisi 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 16:1, 2, 15) Ngokuya kwesikhathi uNkulunkulu wabatshela ukuthi uSara uzakuba lomntwana. Lokhu yikho kanye okwenzakalayo lanxa basebegugile. USara wayeseleminyaka engu-90, u-Abhrahama yena ele-100. (UGenesisi 17:17; 21:2-5) Umntanabo bamupha ibizo elithi Isaka.

Sifundani kuSara? Isibonelo sikaSara sisifundisa ukuthi kumele sikholwe ukuthi konke uNkulunkulu akuthembisileyo kuzagcwaliseka lanxa okunye kungakhanya angani ngeke kwenzakale. (KumaHebheru 11:11) Kanti njalo indlela ayephatha ngayo umkakhe itshengisa ukuthi abantu abatshadileyo kumele bahloniphane.—1 UPhetro 3:5, 6.

▸ Ukuze uthole okunengi ngoSara bala isihloko esithi, “Ungumfazi Omuhle Kakhulu” lesithi, “UNkulunkulu Wambiza Ngokuthi YiNdlovukazi.”

Intombazana enguMshulamithi

Yayingubani intombazana enguMshulamithi? Yintombazana enhle eyayihlala emaphandleni okukhulunywa ngayo kakhulu ebhukwini leNgoma Yezingoma. Ibizo lentombazana le aliqanjwanga eBhayibhilini.

Yenzani? Intombi le enguMshulamithi yahlala ithembekile ejaheni eyayithandana lalo elalingumelusi wezimvu. (INgoma Yezingoma 2:16) Yayinhle kakhulu intombazana le okokuthi iNkosi uSolomoni yayihawukela yafuna ukuyithatha. (INgoma Yezingoma 7:6) Abanye abantu bazama ukuyikhuthaza ukuthi ivume ukuthandana loSolomoni kodwa yona yala. Yayizithandela ijaha layo elingumelusi njalo yahlala iqotho kulo.—INgoma Yezingoma 3:5; 7:10; 8:6.

Sifundani entombazaneni enguMshulamithi? Yahlala ithobekile lanxa yayiyinhle njalo ithandwa ngabantu abanengi. Kayizange ivume ukuyengwa ngabanye abantu kumbe ukuthi inotho iyehlukanise lejaha eyayilithanda. Kayizange ivume lokubuswa yimizwa yayo kodwa yazibamba njalo yaqhubeka iziphatha kuhle.

UmkaLothi

Wayengubani umkaLothi? IBhayibhili kalisitsheli ibizo lakhe. Elisitshela khona yikuthi wayelamadodakazi amabili lokuthi yena lemuli yakhe babehlala edolobheni leSodoma.—UGenesisi 19:1, 15.

Wenzani? Wehluleka ukulalela umlayo owawuvela kuNkulunkulu. Abantu beSodoma lasemadolobheni aseduze babeziphethe kubi kakhulu kwezemacansini yikho uNkulunkulu wayefuna ukubabhubhisa. Kodwa watshengisa uLothi lemuli yakhe uthando olukhulu ngokuthumela ingilosi ezimbili ukuthi ziyebakhipha eSodoma.—UGenesisi 18:20; 19:1, 12, 13.

Ingilosi zatshela uLothi lemuli yakhe ukuthi babaleke njalo bangakhangeli emuva ukuze bangafi. (UGenesisi 19:17) Kodwa umkaLothi ‘wakhangela emuva waba yisiduli’ sesawudo.—UGenesisi 19:26.

Sifundani kumkaLothi? Indaba yakhe isifundisa ukuthi akumelanga sithande kakhulu impahla esilayo size sicine sisephula umthetho kaNkulunkulu. UJesu wasixwayisa esebenzisa isibonelo sakhe wathi: “Khumbulani umkaLothi.”—ULukha 17:32.