The Phaneroo Devotion: The Instructions Of The Lord - 3: God’s Silence
Apostle Grace Lubega
Genesis 16:16-17:1 (KJV); And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
When you study the scriptures, you will realise that Abraham had Ishmael at the age of eighty six (Genesis 16:16). There is a time lag of thirteen years between Genesis 16:16 and Genesis 17:1. It appears that God did not speak to Abraham from Genesis 16:16 when he was eighty six years old to Genesis 17:1 when he was ninety nine years old.
This is no mere coincidence as the scriptures are trying to teach us something fundamental about God and how He works.
Why would God go silent for a period of thirteen years? Why is there no record of how God interacted with Abraham within this time period?
In the previous devotions, we learnt that God promised Abraham several times that he would make him a great nation but our father had not fully conceived what God meant by His promise. He went ahead to attempt to fulfill the promise by His own ability through having a child with Hagar (Genesis 16).
The Hebrew number thirteen signifies rebellion. Here, we learn that sometimes God’s silence is not because He has not instructed us on a matter but because He has spoken before and we did not understand. He is silent when we take the path of human effort to fulfil divine purpose. Nothing silences the voice of counsel like rebellion by a man.
If you are wondering why God is so silent about a particular issue in your life, it may be because the first time He spoke, you did not do it His way and chose to do it your way.
Examine yourself. Instead of crying over His silence, return to the point of the first instruction. If you deviated from the path He asked you to take, change course and align yourself to His will and purposes.
His name be praised.
FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 119:59-60, Genesis 16
GOLDEN NUGGET: Sometimes God’s silence is not because He has not instructed us on a matter but because He has spoken before and we did not understand. He is silent when we take the path of human effort to fulfill divine purpose. Nothing silences the voice of counsel like rebellion by a man.
PRAYER: My Lord, I thank You for this word. Your instructions are the path of life. They light my way and mark my life with victory. I open my spirit to hear You distinctly when we speak. Your voice is clear to me, telling me which way I should go. I will not turn to the right or to the left but will always live as one led by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
EBIRAGIRO BYA MUKAMA – 3: OKUSIRIIKIRIRA KWA KATONDA
Omutume Grace Lubega
Oluberyeberye 16:16-17:1 (KJV); Ibulaamu yali yaakamaze emyaka kinaana mu mukaaga, Agali bwe yazaalira Ibulaamu Isimaeri. Awo Ibulaamu bwe yali yaakamaze emyaka kyenda mu mwenda, Mukama n’alabikira Ibulaamu, n’amugamba nti Nze Katonda Omuyinza w’ebintu byonna; tambuliranga mu maaso gange, obeerenga mutuukirivu.
Bw’osoma ebyawandiikibwa, ojja kukizuula nti Ibulayimu yazaala Isimaeri ku myaka kinaana mu mukaaga (Oluberyeberye 16:16). Waliwo ebbanga lya myaka kkumi n’esatu wakati wa Oluberyeberye 16:16 ne Oluberyeberye 17:1. Kirabika nga Katonda teyayogera eri Ibulayimu okuva mu Oluberyeberye 16:16 bwe yali ng’alina emyaka kinaana mu mukaaga okutuusa Oluberyeberye 17:1 bwe yali ng’alina emyaka kyenda mu mwenda.
Kino tekyatuukawo butuusi ng’ebyawandiikibwa bwe bigezaako okutuyigiriza ekintu ekikulu ennyo ku Katonda ne bw’akolamu.
Lwaki Katonda yandisiriikiridde okumala ebbanga lya myaka kkumi n’esatu? Lwaki tewali biwandiiko eby’engeri Katonda Gye yanyumyamu ne Ibulayimu mu bbanga eryo?
Mu devotion zaffe eziyise, twayiga nti Katonda yasuubiza Ibulayimu emirundi mingi nti alimufuula eggwanga eddene naye kitaffe yali tannaba kutegeerera ddala ki Katonda kye yali ategeeza n’ekisuubizo Kye. Yagenda mu maaso okugezaako okutuukiriza ekisuubizo mu busobozi bwe ye ng’ayita mu kuzaala omwana ne Agali (Oluberyeberye 16).
Ennamba y’olwebbulaniya kkumi na ssatu etegeeza obujeemu. Wano, tuyiga nti ebiseera ebimu okusiriikirira kwa Katonda tekuba nti lwakuba tatulagidde ku nsonga emu naye lwakuba yayogera emabega ne tutategeera. Asirika singa tukwata ekkubo ly’okufuba kw’obuntu okutuukiriza ekigendererwa eky’omwoyo. Tewali kisirisa ddoboozi lya kuwabulwa ng’obujeemu bw’omuntu.
Bw’oba weewuunya lwaki Katonda asiriikiridde ku nsonga emu mu bulamu bwo, kiyinzika okuba nti omulundi gwe yasooka okwogera, tewakikola mu ngeri Ye era n’osalawo okukikola mu ngeri yo.
Weekebere. Okusinga okukaaba olw’okusiriikirira Kwe, komawo ku ntandikwa y’ekiragiro ekyasooka. Bw’oba waseseetuka okuva ku kkubo lye Yakugamba okutambuliramu, kyusa olugendo era weetereeze okudda mu kwagala Kwe n’ebigendererwa.
Erinnya lye litenderezebwe.
YONGERA OSOME: Zabbuli 119:59-60, Oluberyeberye 16
KASUMBI KA ZAABU: Ebiseera ebimu okusiriikirira kwa Katonda tekuba nti lwakuba tatulagidde ku nsonga emu naye lwakuba yayogera emabega netutategeera. Asirika singa tukwata ekkubo ly’okufuba kw’obuntu okutuukiriza ekigendererwa eky’omwoyo. Tewali kisirisa eddoboozi ery’okuteesa nga obujeemu bw’omuntu.
ESSAALA: Mukama Wange, Nkwebaza ku lw’Ekigambo kino. Ebiragiro Byo ly’ekkubo ery’obulamu. Bimulisa ekkubo lyange era biteeka akabonero ku bulamu bwange ak’obuwanguzi. Mbikkula omwoyo gwange okuwulira mu ngeri ey’enjawulo bwe twogera. Eddoboozi Lyo lyerufu gyendi, nga limbuulira ekkubo gyemba ndaga. Sijja kukyuka kudda ku ddyo oba kkono naye buli kiseera nja kubeera ng’oyo akulemberwa Ggwe. Mu linnya erya Yesu, Amiina.
OBUHABUZI BWA RUHANGA – 3: OKUHUNAMA KWA RUHANGA
Entumwa Grace Lubega
Okutandika 16:16-17 (KJV); Obwo Abramu akaba ahikize emyaka makumi munaana na mukaaga, obu Hagari yaamuzaarira Ishimaeli. Abramu ku yaahikize emyaka makumi mwenda na mwenda, MUKAMA yaamweyoreka, yaamugira ati: Ndi Ruhanga ow’Obushoboorozi bwona; ogume ogyende gye omu maisho
gangye, kandi obe ohikire.
Ku orikushoma ebyahandiikirwe, noyetegyereza ngu Abrahamu akatuunga Ishimaeli aha myaka makumi munaana na mukaaga (Okutandika 16:16). Hariho obwiire bw’emyaka ikumi n’eshatu ahagati y’Okutandika 16:16 hamwe n’Okutandika 17:1. Nikireebeka ngu Ruhanga taragambire na Abrahamu kuriga Okutandika 16:16 obu yabaire aine emyaka makumi munaana na mukaaga y’obukuru okwihitsya Okutandika 17:1 obuyabaire aine emyaka makumi mwenda na mwenda y’obukuru.
Eki tikirabaireho nk’oku ebyahandiikirwe biriyo nibigyezaho kutwegyesa ekintu kikuru munoonga ahari Ruhanga n’oku arikukora.
Ahabwenki Ruhanga yahunamire kumara emyaka ikumi n’eshatu? Ahabwenki hatariho kihandiikirwe kworeka oku Ruhanga yabaire nagamba na Abrahamu omu bwiire obwo?
Omu devotion ezenyima tweegire ngu Ruhanga akaraganisa Abrahamu emirundi myingi kumuhindura eihanga rihango kwonka Taata itwe tarayetegyereize eki Ruhanga yabaire namanyisa omu ndagaano ye. Yagumizamu arikugyezaho kuhikiriza endagaano omu maani gye omu kuzaara omwaana na Hagari (Okutandika 16).
Eshuura ikumi n’ishatu omu ruheburaayo nemanyisa obugomi. Aha nitweega ngu obumwe okuhunama kwa Ruhanga tihabw’okuba tatuhabwiire aha nshonga kureka agambire titwamwetegyereza. Nahunama twatoora omu muhanda gw’amaani g’obuntu kuhikiriza ekigyendererwa ky’obwa Ruhanga. Tihariho ekiri kuhunamisa iraaka ry’obuhabuzi nka obugomi bw’omuntu.
Ku oraabe notangaara ahabwenki Ruhanga ahunami munoonga aha nshonga emwe omu magara gaawe, nikibaasa kuba kiri ngu omurundi gw’okubanza obu yagaamba, torakikozire omu muringo gwe, okakikora omu muringo gwaawe.
Yeshwijume, omu mwanya gw’okuririra okuhunama kwe, garuka omu mwanya gw’obuhabuzi bw’okubanza. Ku oraabe watishukire omu muhanda oguyakworekire, hindura omuhanda oteereere gye omu kukunda kwe n’ebigyenderwa bye.
Iziina rye rihimbisibwe!
SHOMA NEEBI: Zaaburi 119:59-60, Okutandika 16.
EZAABU: Obumwe okuhunama kwa Ruhanga tihabw’okuba tatuhabwiire aha nshonga kureka agambire titwamwetegyereza. Nahunama twatoora omu muhanda gw’amaani g’obuntu kuhikiriza ekigyendererwa ky’obwa Ruhanga. Tihariho ekiri kuhunamisa iraaka ry’obuhabuzi nka obugomi bw’omuntu.
OKUSHABA: Mukama Wangye, Ninkusiima ahabw’Ekigambo eki. Obuhabuzi bwaawe nigwo muhanda gw’amagara. Nibumuriikira omuhanda gwaangye kandi bureeta obusinguzi aha magara gangye. Ninyigura omwoyo wangye kukuhurira omu muringo gw’omutaano twaaba nitugamba. Iraaka ryaawe nindihurira gye ririkungambira omuhanda ogu nshemerire kutoramu. Tindikuza kuhindukira buryo nari bumosho kwonka ninzakuguma ndi nkw’ogwo oyebembeirwe iwe. Omu eiziina rya Yesu. Amiina.
MAAGIZO YA BWANA – 3: UKIMYA WA MUNGU
Mwanzo 16:16, 17:1 (KJV); Naye Abramu alikuwa mtu wa miaka themanini na sita, hapo Hajiri alipomzalia Abramu Ishmaeli. Abramu alipokuwa mtu wa miaka tisini na kenda, BWANA akamtokea Abramu, akamwambia, Mimi ni Mungu Mwenyezi, uende mbele yangu, ukawe mkamilifu.
Unaposoma maandiko, utagundua kwamba Ibrahimu alikuwa na Ishmaeli akiwa na umri wa miaka themanini na sita (Mwanzo 16:16). Kuna muda wa miaka kumi na tatu kati ya Mwanzo 16:16 na Mwanzo 17:1. Inaonekana kwamba Mungu hakuzungumza na Ibrahimu kutoka Mwanzo 16:16 alipokuwa na umri wa miaka themanini na sita hadi Mwanzo 17:1 alipokuwa na umri wa miaka tisini na tisa.
Hili silo jambo la kibahati tu kwani maandiko yanajaribu kutufundisha jambo la msingi kuhusu Mungu na jinsi Anavyofanya kazi.
Kwa nini Mungu anyamaze kwa muda wa miaka kumi na tatu? Kwa nini hakuna kumbukumbu ya jinsi Mungu alitangamana na Ibrahimu ndani ya kipindi hiki cha wakati?
Katika ibada zilizotangulia, tulijifunza kwamba Mungu aliahidi Ibrahimu mara kadhaa kwamba angemfanya kuwa taifa kubwa lakini baba yetu hakuwa ameelewa kikamilifu kile ambacho Mungu alimaanisha kwa ahadi yake. Alikwenda mbele kujaribu kutimiza ahadi kwa uwezo wake mwenyewe kwa kupata mtoto na Hajiri (Mwanzo 16).
Nambari ya Kiebrania kumi na tatu inaashiria uasi. Hapa, tunajifunza kwamba wakati fulani kunyamaza kwa Mungu si kwa sababu hajatuagiza juu ya jambo fulani bali ni kwa sababu amesema hapo awali na hatukuelewa. Yeye huwa kimya tunapochukua njia ya jitihada za kibinadamu ili kutimiza kusudi la Mungu. Hakuna kitu kinachonyamazisha sauti ya shauri kama uasi wa mwanadamu.
Ikiwa unashangaa kwa nini Mungu yuko kimya juu ya suala fulani katika maisha yako, inaweza kuwa kwa sababu mara ya kwanza alipozungumza, hukufanya kwa njia yake na ulichagua kufanya kwa njia yako.
Jichunguze. Badala ya kulia juu ya ukimya wake, rudi kwenye nukta ya maagizo ya kwanza. Ikiwa umekengeuka kutoka kwenye njia Aliyokuomba uifuate, badilisha njia na ujilinganishe na mapenzi na makusudi Yake.
Jina lake lihimidiwe.
MASOMO YA ZIADA: Zaburi 119:59-60, Mwanzo 16
UJUMBE MKUU: Wakati fulani kunyamaza kwa Mungu si kwa sababu hajatuagiza juu ya jambo fulani bali ni kwa sababu amesema hapo awali na hatukuelewa. Yeye huwa kimya tunapochukua njia ya jitihada za kibinadamu ili kutimiza kusudi la Mungu. Hakuna kitu kinachonyamazisha sauti ya shauri kama uasi wa mwanadamu.
SALA: Bwana Wangu, Nakushukuru kwa neno hili. Maagizo yako ndiyo njia ya uzima. Yananiangazia njia yangu na kuashiria maisha yangu kwa ushindi. Ninafungua roho yangu kukusikia Wewe kwa uwazi tunapozungumza. Sauti yako iko wazi kwangu, ikiniambia niende njia gani. Sitageuka kulia wala kushoto bali nitaishi daima kama mtu anayeongozwa na Wewe. Katika jina la Yesu, Amina.
