1, 2. Ncinzi cakacitika mubuzuba buyandika kapati mubuumi bwa Eliya?

ELIYA wakabalika mumvwula kujulu nokwakali kuyaabusiya. Wakeelede kweenda musinzo mulamfwu kategwa asike ku Jezreeli, alimwi wakalicembeede. Nokuba boobo, wakazumanana kubalika, nkaambo “ijanza lya-Jehova” lyakali anguwe. Taakwe ciindi naakajisi nguzu zinji boobu. Kayi, wakabalika kusiya mabbiza aakali kukwela Mwami Ahabu munkalaki yakwe yabwami.—Amubale 1 Bami 18:46.

² Lino wakali kweenda alikke alimwi musinzo wakali mulamfwu. Amweezeezye imvwula mpati iyakali kuwa alimwi yakali kumuuma kubusyu, ciindi naakali kubalika ambweni kumwi kayeeya zyintu zyakamucitikila buzuba oobo. Cakutadooneka, kwakali kuzunda kupati kuli Jehova, Leza wa Eliya alimwi akubukombi bwakasimpe. Musyule lyakwe, nkokwakali Cilundu ca Karimeli, Jehova nkwaakaingula mipailo ya Eliya alimwi akucita milimo mipati kutondezya kuti bukombi bwa Baala bwakali bwakubeja. Myaanda myaanda yabasinsimi ba Baala bakayubununwa kuti bakali bakubeja alimwi cakweelela bakajaigwa. Kumane, Eliya wakapaila kuli Jehova kuti ciyumayuma icakaliko kwamyaka yotatwe acisela cimane. Imvwula yakawa ncobeni.—1 Bam. 18:18-45.

3, 4. (a) Nkaambo nzi Eliya ncaakali kulangila kuti zyintu ziyakucinca kapati ciindi naakali kuya ku Jezreeli? (b) Mibuzyo nzi njotutiilange-lange?

³ Ciindi Eliya naakali kubalika mumvwula kwamakkilomita aali 30 kuya ku Jezreeli, kweelede kuti wakajisi lusyomo lwakuti lino zyintu zilacinca. Cakali kulibonya kuti akaambo kakuti basinsimi ba Baala banyonyoonwa kwakali kuyakuba kucinca kwini-kwini. Ahabu wakeelede kucinca. Mbwaanga wakabona cakacitika, wakeelede buyo kuleka kukomba Baala; kukasya mukaintu wakwe Jezebeli; alimwi akulesya kupenzya babelesi ba Jehova.

⁴ Ciindi zyintu nozitweendela kabotu, ncilengwa buya kukkomana. Tulakonzya kuyeeya kuti zyintu mubuumi bwesu zilazumanana kuba kabotu, andiza akuyeeya kuti mapenzi ngotwakajisi ainda. Kuti naa Eliya mbwaakali kuyeeya oobo, tacigambyi pe nkaambo “wakali muntu uulya maila ooyo iwakali kulimvwa mbubonya mbotulimvwa aswebo.” (Jak. 5:17) Nokuba boobo, Eliya wakali kuyakuzumanana kuba amapenzi manji. Masimpe ngakuti, mawoola buyo masyoonto kuzwa waawo, Eliya wakali kuyakuyoowa kapati alimwi akutyompwa cakuti wakali kuyakulombozya  buyo kufwa. Ncinzi cakacitika, alimwi mbuti Jehova mbwaakagwasya musinsimi wakwe kuba alusyomo abusicamba alimwi? Atubone.

5. Sena Ahabu wakaiya kulemeka Jehova nozyakainda zyintu zyakacitika ku Cilundu ca Karimeli, alimwi ino tuzyiba buti oobo?

⁵ Ciindi Ahabu naakasika kuŋanda yakwe yabwami ku Jezreeli, sena wakatondezya kuti wakalicincide? Tubala kuti: ‘Ahabu wakalwiida Jezebeli zyoonse Eliya nzyaakacita, ambwaakajaya basinsimi boonse apanga.’ (1 Bam. 19:1) Amubone kuti ciindi naakali kuluula zyintu izyakacitika buzuba oobo, Ahabu kunyina naakabikkilizya Leza wa Eliya, Jehova. Ahabu wakazibona mubuntu zyintu zyoonse zyamaleele izyakacitika buzuba oobo “Eliya nzyaakacitide.” Cilasalala kuti taakwe naakaiya kulemeka Jehova Leza. Ncinzi ncaakacita mukaintu wakwe iwakali kuyandisya kupilusya cibi?

6. Mulumbe nzi Jezebeli ngwaakatuma kuli Eliya, alimwi ino wakali kwaamba nzi?

⁶ Jezebeli wakanyema kapati! Kanyemede kapati, wakatuma mulumbe kuli Eliya kuti: “Leza andicitile mbubonya akwiinda, na ndabula kucita kuti buumi bwako ayebo bube mbuli buumi bwaumwi wabaaba, mbuli eno junza.” (1 Bam. 19:2) Ooku kwakali kukonga kubi kapati. Aawa, Jezebeli wakali kukonka kuti walo weelede kufwa ikuti naa Eliya taakwe naajaigwa kusikila kumamanino aabuzuba butobela akaambo kabasinsimi ba Baala ibakajaigwa. Amweezeezye, Eliya kabusyigwa muŋanda mwaakabede mu Jezreeli masiku kumwi mvwula yaguwo kaiwa—akumvwa mutumwa wamukaintu wa mwami kaamba majwi aaya mabi kapati. Ino eeci cakamujatikizya buti?

7. Ino kukonga kwa Jezebeli kwakamujatikizya buti Eliya, alimwi ncinzi ncaakacita?

⁷ Ikuti Eliya wakali kuyeeya kuti nkondo yakulwana bukombi bwa Baala yakalimanide, lino wakazyiba kuti aayo taali masimpe. Jezebeli taakwe naakacinca pe. Basinsimi ibambi banji ibasyomeka wakali bajaide kale, lino cakali kulibonya kuti Eliya ngowakali kutobela kujaigwa. Ino kukonga kwa Jezebeli kwakamujatikizya buti Eliya? Bbaibbele litwaambila kuti: ‘Wakayoowa.’ Sena Eliya wakatalika kweezeezya Jezebeli mbwaakali kuyanda kumujaya? Ikuti wakazumanana kuyeeya zyintu zili boobo, nkakaambo kaako wakaalilwa kuba sicamba. Kufwumbwa naa wakali kuyeeya nzi, Eliya ‘wakaccija lufwu’—wakaccija kutegwa alifwutule.—1 Bam. 18:4; 19:3.

8. (a) Ino penzi lya Petro lyakakozyenye buti alya Eliya? (b) Nciiyo nzi ncotukonzya kwiiya kuli Eliya alimwi a Petro?

⁸ Eliya tanaakali mubelesi wa Leza uusyomeka alikke iwakalekela kuyoowa kumweendelezya. Nokwakainda ciindi, mwaapostolo Petro awalo wakajisi penzi likozyenye aleeli. Mucikozyanyo, ciindi Jesu  naakagwasya Petro kumusangana kweenda atala amaanzi, mwaapostolo wakatalika ‘kulanga guwo.’ Akaambo kaceeco, wakayoowa akutalika kubbila. (Amubale Matayo 14:30.) Aboobo, kuli ciiyo ciyandika ncotwiiya kucikozyanyo ca Eliya a Petro. Kuti katuyanda kuzumanana kuba basicamba tatweelede kunooyeeya ntenda zikonzya kutuyoosya. Muciindi caboobo, tweelede kubikkila buyo maano ku Kasensa kabulangizi alimwi anguzu zyesu.

9. Amupandulule mbolwakabede lweendo lwa Eliya alimwi ambwaakali kulimvwa ciindi naakali kuccija.

⁹ Akaambo kakuyoowa, Eliya wakaccijila ku Beeriseba kumusanza lwaambo musinzo uulampa makkilomita aali 150, munzi iwakali afwaafwi amunyinza wakumusanza kwa Juda. Naakasika ookuya wakasiya mulanda wakwe akuya munkanda alikke. Cibalo caamba kuti wakeenda “lweendo lwabuzuba bomwe,” tulakonzya kweezeezya kuti wakatalika kweenda zuba nolyakapola, alimwi kulibonya kuti tanaakabwezelezya zyakulya naa zyintu zimwi ziyandika. Katyompedwe alimwi kayoowede, wakeenda musyokwe zuba kalibala kapati. Ciindi izuba nolyakabbila alimwi anokwakatalika kusiya, nguzu zya Eliya zyakuti azumanane kweenda zyakamana. Kakatede, cintu cilikke ncaakali kukonzya kucita nkukkala munsi aacisamu munyika njumu alimwi iijisi zisamu zisyoonto.—1 Bam. 19:4.

10, 11. (a) Ino mupailo wa Eliya kuli Jehova wakali kwaamba nzi? (b) Kwiinda mukubelesya magwalo aatazubuludwe, amupandulule mbobakalimvwa babelesi ba Leza bambi ciindi nobakatyompedwe.

¹⁰ Kagolede kuyeeya, Eliya wakapaila. Wakalomba kuti afwe. Wakaamba kuti: “Nsili mubotu kwiinda bamatata.” Wakalizyi kuti bamausyi eeco ciindi bakali buyo bulongo amafwuwa mucuumbwe, kabatakonzyi kugwasya muntu uuliwoonse. (Muk. 9:10) Awalo Eliya wakalimvwa kubula mulimo mbubwenya oobo. Nkakaambo kaako wakalila kati: “Cazulila.” Wakalimvwa kuti tanaakeelede kuzumanana kupona.

¹¹ Sena ceelede kutugambya kuzyiba kuti muntu wa Leza ulakonzya kutyompwa kapati boobu? Peepe. Bamaalumi abamakaintu basyomeka bali mbobabede ibaambidwe mu Bbaibbele, balaambwa kuti bakalimvwa bubi kapati cakuti bakali kuyanda buyo kufwa—akati kabo kwakali Rabeka, Jakobo, Musa, alimwi a Jobu.—Matl. 25:22; 37:35; My. 11:13-15; Job. 14:13.

12. Mbuti mbomweelede kwiiya cikozyanyo ca Eliya kuti mwalimvwa kutyompwa kapati?

¹² Mazuba aano, tupona ‘muziindi zikatazya ncobeni,’ aboobo tacigambyi kuti bantu banji nobaba babelesi ba Leza basyomeka zimwi ziindi  balatyompwa. (2 Ti. 3:1) Ikuti mwalijana mubukkale bukatazya buli boobu, amutobele cikozyanyo ca Eliya: Amupaile kuli Leza akumwaambila mbomulimvwa. Kayi, Jehova ngu “Leza siluumbulizyo loonse.” (Amubale 2 Bakolinto 1:3, 4.) Sena wakamuumbulizya Eliya?

13, 14. (a) Mbuti Jehova kwiinda mumungelo mbwaakabikkila maano musinsimi wakwe iwakapengede? (b) Nkaambo nzi ncocuumbulizya kuzyiba kuti Jehova ulituzyi umwi aumwi wesu kubikkilizya akulezya kwesu?

¹³ Muyeeya kuti Jehova wakalimvwa buti naakalanga aansi kuzwa kujulu alimwi akubona musinsimi wakwe uuyandwa kalede munsi aacisamu munkanda alimwi kalomba kuti afwe? Tatweelede kuyeeyela buya pe. Ciindi Eliya nozyakamutola ŋonzi, Jehova wakatuma mungelo kulinguwe. Mungelo wakamubusya Eliya kwiinda mukumwaampa akumwaambila kuti: “Buka ulye.” Eliya wakacita oobo, nkaambo mungelo wakamubambilide cakulya, cinkwa cikasaala alimwi amaanzi. Sena wakamulumba mungelo? Cibalo citwaambila buyo kuti musinsimi wakalya akunywa akoona alimwi. Sena wakalityompedwe kapati cakuti tanaakali kukonzya kwaambaula? Kufwumbwa mbocakabede, mungelo wakamubusya alimwi, ambweni kubucedo. Wakainduluka alimwi kwaambila Eliya kuti: “Buka, ulye,” alimwi wakayungizya amajwi aakuti, ‘nkaambo musinzo mulamfwu loko.’—1 Bam. 19:5-7.

¹⁴ Akaambo kabupampu mbwaakamupa Leza, mungelo wakalikuzyi Eliya nkwaakali kuunka. Alimwi wakalizyi kuti musinzo wakali mulamfwu kapati cakuti Eliya naatakacikonzya kweenda lweendo oolu munguzu zyakwe alikke. Cilaumbulizya kaka kubelekela Leza uuzyi makanze eesu alimwi akulezya kwesu kwiinda mbotuzyi lwesu tobeni! (Amubale Intembauzyo 103:13, 14.) Ino cakulya eeciya cakamugwasya buti Eliya?

15, 16. (a) Ino cakulya cakazwa kuli Leza cakamugwasya buti Eliya? (b) Nkaambo nzi ncotweelede kulumba nzila Jehova njabelesya kuyumya babelesi bakwe mazuba aano?

¹⁵ Tubala kuti: “Wakabuka, walya, wanywa, lino mukukuta kwazilyo ezyo nzizyonya wakeenda mazuba aali makumi one, isikati amasiku, mane kusikila ku-Horebu cilundu ca-Leza.” (1 Bam. 19:8) Mbubwenya mbuli Musa iwakali kupona myaanda yamyaka iili cisambomwe yakaindide alimwi a Jesu iwakapona nokwakainda myaanda yamyaka iitandila kukkumi, Eliya wakaliimya kulya kwamazuba aali 40, masiku asikati. (Kul. 34:28; Lk. 4:1, 2) Cakulya eeciya taakwe nocakapa kuti mapenzi aakwe woonse amane, pele cakamuyumya munzila yamaleele. Amweezeezye buyo mudaala ooyu keenda asyoonto-syoonto kwiinda munkanda imwakanyina nzila, keenda buzuba abuzuba, nsondo ansondo, kwamazuba aali 40.

¹⁶ Mazuba aano, Jehova ulabayumya babelesi bakwe, kutali kwiinda mukubajanina zyakulya munzila yamaleele, pele munzila imwi iiyandika kapati. Ulabapa nzyobayandika babelesi bakwe munzila yakumuuya.  (Mt. 4:4) Kwiiya kujatikizya Leza kuzwa mu Jwi lyakwe alimwi amumabbuku aapandulula Bbaibbele kulatuyumya kumuuya. Kulya cakulya cakumuuya cili boobu takukonzyi kupa kuti mapenzi eesu woonse amane, pele kulakonzya kutugwasya kuliyumya kuzyintu nzyotutakonzyi kuliyumya tolikke. Alimwi cisololela ‘kubuumi butamani.’—Joh. 17:3.

17. Ino Eliya wakaunka kuli, alimwi nkaambo nzi busena oobu ncobwakali kuyandika?

¹⁷ Eliya wakeenda makkilomita aatandila ku 320 kutegwa akasike ku Cilundu ca Horebu. Bwakali busena buyandika kapati, nkaambo kubusena oobu Jehova Leza kwiinda mumungelo wakalibonya kuli Musa mucitewo cakali kuyaka alimwi kubusena nkukonya ooku Jehova wakabamba cizuminano ca Mulawo abana Israyeli. Eliya wakajana busena bwakukkala mumpangala.

18, 19. (a) Mubuzyo nzi mutumwa wa Jehova wamuuya ngwaakabuzya, alimwi ino Eliya wakaingula buti? (b) Ntwaambo nzi totatwe ntwaakaamba Eliya twakali kumupa kutyompwa?

¹⁸ Kali ku Horebu, “ijwi” lya Jehova—kuboneka kuti lyakaletwa amutumwa wakumuuya—lyakabuzya kuti: “Ucitanzi okuno, Eliya?” Kweelede kuti mubuzyo wakabuzyigwa calubomba, nkaambo Eliya wakaubona kuba coolwe cakuti aambe mbwaakali kulimvwa. Alimwi wakaamba zyoonse zyakali kumoyo wakwe. Wakaamba kuti: “Ndasungwaalila Jehova Leza wamakamu abusungu bupati, nkaambo bana ba-Israyeli basowa cizuminano cako, bamwaya zipaililo zyako, bajaya basinsimi bako apanga, lino mebo ndasyaala endike, abwalo buumi bwangu balayandaula kubunyonyoona.” (1 Bam. 19:9, 10) Majwi aa Eliya ayubununa zyintu zyotatwe zyakamupa kutyompwa.

¹⁹ Cakusaanguna, Eliya wakali kulimvwa kuti mulimo wakwe wakali wabuyo. Nokuba kuti ‘wakasungwaala’ kubelekela Jehova kwamyaka minji, kubikka zyina lya Leza alimwi abukombi bwakwe mubusena bwakusaanguna, Eliya wakabona kuti zyintu zyakali kwiindila buya kubija. Bantu bakazumanana kubula lusyomo alimwi bakalizangide, bukombi bwakubeja bwakali kuyaambele. Cabili, Eliya wakali kulimvwa kuti ulaalikke. Wakaamba kuti: “Mebo ndasyaala endike,” mbuli kuti ngowakali muntu alikke mucisi coonse iwakacili kubelekela Jehova. Catatu, Eliya wakaliyoowede. Basinsiminyina banji bakalijaidwe kale, alimwi wakali masimpe kuti ngowakali kutobela kujaigwa. Kweelede kuti tiicakali cuubauba kuli Eliya kulimvwa boobu, pele kunyina naakalekela kulisumpula naa nsoni kumukasya kwaambila Leza mbwaakali kulimvwa. Kwiinda mukupaila camoyo woonse kuli Leza wakwe, wakasiya cikozyanyo cibotu kubantu boonse basyomeka.—Int. 62:8.

20, 21. (a) Amupandulule Eliya ncaakabona ciindi naakali amulyango wampangala ku Cilundu ca Horebu. (b) Ncinzi Eliya ncaakaiya kuzwa kunguzu nzyaakatondezya Jehova?

²⁰ Mbuti Jehova mbwaakeendelezya kuyoowa alimwi akulibilika  kwa Eliya? Mungelo wakaambila Eliya kuti aimikile amulyango wampangala. Wakacita oobo, katazyi cakali kuyanda kucitika. Cakutayeeyela kwakaba guwo. Kweelede kuti guwo lyakali kuyoba kapati, nkaambo lyakali anguzu kapati cakuti lyakali kuzungaanya malundu akupwayaula mandomba. Amweezeezye kuti mulimubwene Eliya kasoleka kulivwumba kumeso kumwi kajatilide kucisani cakwe cilema caboya ciindi guwo nolyakali kubbubbula. Alimwi wakapenga kusitikila kwiima, nkaambo nyika yakatalika kuzungaana—muzuzumo wanyika wakazungaanya busena oobo. Katana kulyookezya kwakaboola mulilo mupati, calo cakapa kuti ajokele mumpangala kutegwa alikwabilile kumulilo.—1 Bam. 19:11, 12.

²¹ Muzyintu zyoonse eezyi zyakacitika, cibalo cituyeezya kuti Jehova taakwe naakali kujanika muzyintu eezyi zitondezya nguzu zyacilengwaleza. Eliya wakalizyi kuti Jehova tanaakali leza wamumalende wakulengelezya buyo mbuli Baala iwakali kulumbaizyigwa abakombi bakwe bakubeja kuti ngowakali “kweendelezya makumbi” naa kuleta mvwula. Jehova ngo Kasensa kanguzu zyoonse zili muzilenge, alimwi mupati kwiinda zyintu zyoonse nzyaakalenga. Nomuba mujulu lyamajulu takonzyi kukkwana. (1 Bam. 8:27) Mbuti zyoonse eezyi mbozyakamugwasya Eliya? Amuyeeye mbwaakayoowede. Kajisi Leza, Jehova kulubazu lwakwe, Leza uujisi nguzu zinji zigambya, Eliya taakwe ncakali kukonzya kuyoowa kuli Ahabu a Jezebeli.—Amubale Intembauzyo 118:6.

22. (a) Mbuti ‘jwi libombe lyaansaansi’ mbolyakamusyomezya Eliya kuti wakali mubelesi uuyandika? (b) Ino ‘jwi libombe lyaansaansi’ kulangilwa kuti lyakali kuzwa kuli ni? (Amubone majwi aamunsi.)

²² Nowakamana mulilo, kwakaumuna kumane Eliya wakamvwa ‘jwi libombe lyaansaansi.’ Ijwi alimwi lyakaambila Eliya kwaamba mbwaakali kulimvwa, wakacita oobo, kwaamba alimwi zyintu izyakali kumulibilisya. * Ambweni eeci cakamukatalusya kapati. Cakutadooneka, Eliya wakaumbulizyigwa kapati amajwi aatobela ‘ijwi libombe lyaansaansi’ ngolyakaamba. Jehova wakamusyomezya kuti wakali mubelesi wakwe uuyandika. Munzila nzi? Leza wakayubununa makanze aakwe aakumbele kujatikizya kulwana bukombi bwa Baala mu Israyeli. Cilasalala kuti mulimo wa Eliya taakwe nowakali wabuyo, nkaambo Leza wakali kuyakuzumanana  kulwana bukombi bwa Baala. Kuyungizya waawo, Jehova wakali kuyakuzumanana kubelesya Eliya kali musinsimi, nkaambo Jehova wakamutuma kuti apiluke akabeleke kweelana amalailile aagaminide.—1 Bam. 19:12-17.

23. Muunzila nzi zyobilo Jehova mwaakamanizya kulendelelwa kwa Eliya?

²³ Mbuti kujatikizya mbwaakali kulimvwa Eliya kuti wakali alikke? Jehova wakacita zyintu zyobilo kujatikizya makani aaya. Cakusaanguna, wakaambila Eliya kunanika Elisha kuba musinsimi walo kumbele iwakali kuyakubweza busena bwakwe. Mulombwana ooyu wakali kuyakuba mweenzinyina wa Eliya alimwi mugwasyilizi kwamyaka iili mbwiibede. Eelo kaka cakali kuumbulizya eeco! Cabili, Jehova wakayubununa makani aaya, kuti: “Ndasyaazya mucisi ca-Israyeli bantu bali zyuulu zili musanu azibili, nkukuti mazwi oonse aatana kufugamina Baala, amilomo yoonse iitana kumumyonta.” (1 Bam. 19:18) Eliya taakwe naakali alikke. Kweelede kuti cakamukkomanisya kumvwa kuti kwakali zyuulu zyabantu basyomeka ibakakaka kukomba Baala. Bakali kuyanda Eliya kuti azumanane mumulimo wakwe cakusyomeka, kubapa cikozyanyo cibotu cakusyomeka kuli Jehova muciindi eeciya camudima. Kweelede kuti Eliya wakajatikizyigwa kapati kumvwa majwi aaya kwiinda mumutumwa wa Jehova, ‘jwi libombe lyaansaansi’ lya Leza wakwe.

24, 25. (a) Muunzila nzi motukonzya kuswiilila ‘kujwi libombe lyaansaansi’ lya Jehova mazuba aano? (b) Nkaambo nzi ncotukonzya kuba masimpe kuti Eliya wakalutambula luumbulizyo ndwaakamupa Jehova?

²⁴ Mbubwenya mbuli Eliya, tulakonzya kugambwa anguzu zyacilengwaleza zili muzilenge, mubwini zileelede kutugambya. Izilenge zitondezya nguzu nzyajisi Mulengi. (Lom. 1:20) Jehova amazuba aano uciyandide kubelesya nguzu zyakwe ziteeli kugwasya babelesi bakwe basyomeka. (2 Mak. 16:9) Nokuba boobo, Leza ulaambaula andiswe kwiinda Mujwi lyakwe, Bbaibbele. (Amubale Isaya 30:21.) Munzila imwi, Bbaibbele lilakonzya kuba mbuli ‘jwi libombe lyaansaansi,’ ikuti twalilekela kutusololela mazuba aano. Kwiinda mulindilyo, Jehova ulatululamika, ulatukulwaizya alimwi alatutondezya mbwatuyanda.

²⁵ Sena Eliya wakalutambula luumbulizyo lwa Jehova ndwaakamupa a Cilundu ca Horebu? Inzya! Kakunyina kusowa ciindi wakatalika alimwi kubelekela Leza cabusicamba alimwi akucenjezya bantu kuti baleke kukomba baleza bakubeja. Mbubwenya buyo andiswe kuti twaabikkila maano majwi aa Leza aakasololelwa amuuya, “luumbulizyo lwamu Magwalo,” tuyakucikonzya kwiiya lusyomo lwa Eliya.—Lom. 15:4.