Prophet Amos Questions and Answers - Form 3 Topical CRE

QUESTIONS

1.      
   1. Give six reasons why Amos proclaimed God’s judgement on Israel and Judah
   2. What were the similarities in the Prophetic vocations of Amos and Jeremiah?
   3. What lessons can Christians learn from Amos teachings on judgement
2. State ways in which the poor were oppressed by the rich during the time of Amos
3.    
   1. State ways in which the rich oppressed the poor during the time of Prophet Amos         
   2. In what ways do the Christians express sincere worship in church today            
4.      
   1. Explain the forms of punishment Amos prophesized for Israel and Judah
   2. What is the relevance of prophet Amos message on judgment to Christians
5. Identify religious evils condemned by prophet Amos                                                    
6. State five ways the rich oppressed the poor during prophet Amos time.
7. State five ways Christians can fight corruption in the modern world
8. State five lessons a christian can learn from the religious message prophet Amos had for the people of the Northern Kingdom.  
9.    
   1. List the five visions of prophets Amos                                                   
   2. State seven evils condemned by prophet Amos in Israel                              
   3. Explain the relevance of Amos teachings on social justice and responsibility to Christians today.                                                   
10.    
    1. Explain any four visions of Amos about judgment and punishment
    2. What lessons do we learn about God from the teaching of Amos on judgment and punishment?
    3. Give five ways in which church leaders are put to test today.
11.      
    1. Give six reasons why Prophet Amos was against  the way Israelites worshipped God
    2. Outline seven teachings of Prophet Amos about the day of the Lord
    3. Identify seven ways in which Christians can help the church leaders to perform their duties effectively
12.    
    1. Explain the forms of punishment that Amos prophesized for Israel and Judah   
    2. Give ways through which Christians promote mutual responsibility in the society today
13.    
    1. Explain the prophecy of Amos on Yahweh’s judgement
    2. Outline the similarities between African and Old Testament prophets.   
    3. Identify the prophecy of Amos on Yahweh’s judgement.   
14.      
    1. Outline rules and regulation that an expectant mother is expected to observe in Traditional African society.
    2. Outline the role of priests in Traditional African communities.
    3. State five changes that have taken place in property ownership today.
15.      
    1. Explain the purpose of bride wealth in the traditional African community. 
    2. Explain the factors weakening kinship ties among Africa communities.   
    3. Explain the Traditional African practices which show that life is sacred. 

ANSWERS

1.    
   1.    
      • The people of Israel and Judah sold their debtors to slavery
      • They perverted justice in law courts i.e. bribery and corruption
      • They practiced sexual immorality
      • The poor were exploited
      • The rich drunk wine in the temple
      • They ordered Prophets not to speak in God’s name
      • They practiced idolatry
      • They had no regard for the Sabbath (Any 6x1=6mks)
   2.    
      • Amos and Jeremiah experienced God dramatically in their calling
      • Both obeyed God’s call
      • They condemned the evils they witnessed in their society
      • Both foretold God’s punishment on the wrongdoers
      • They taught people God’s will
      • They were opposed
      • Both taught God as good,, loving, holy and merciful
      • They both spoke with authority
      • They both lived a righteous life
      • They called for sincere worship i.e. against hypocrisy
      • They preached of the only God and the universality of God
      • They called upon people to repent in order to be forgiven (Any7x1=7mks)
   3.    
      • God is a moral God and His moral claim are the same for all people
      • The prophets prophecies came to pass
      • Other people’s liberty should be protected
      • People learn to be committed to the agreements they make
      • People learn that they should do to others what they expect done to them
      • God is a universal God
      • God punishes evil and it doesn’t matter who commits it
      • God is the giver of life and He expects it to be protected
      • Religion and behaviour should not be separated
      • People should have love for their fellow men
2.    
   • Merchants overcharged the poor
   • The poor were sold for a piece of silver/ sandals
   • The poor were cheated on business deals/ using poor scales
   • Goods sold to the poor were unfit for human consumption
   • The poor were sold to slavery when they were liable to pay debts
   • The poor were denied justice in law courts
   • The poor were persecuted when they challenged injustice in court
   • They were robbed of grain/ food/ belongings
   • Exorbitant rents 
   • Grapping of land from the poor
3.    
   1.    
      • Merchants robbed the poor by overcharging them
      • The poor were sold for a piece of silver / a pair of shoes
      • The war grabbed land from the poor
      • The poor were created in business deals when the rich used faulty scales and measures
      • Goods sold to the poor were unfit for human consumption
      • The poor were sold into slavery when they were unable to pay their debts to the rich
      • The poor were denied justice in the law courts because they could not bribe the judges
      • Cases taken to the courts by the poor were thrown out/ not listened to
      • The temple prostitutes were from the poor families
      • The poor were robbed of their grains/ food/ belonging
   2.    
      • The need to have humility as they worship
      • Concentrate on/ read God’s word
      • Practice justice with one another
      • Have practical Christian living
4.    
   1.    
      • Earthquakes that would destroy the houses of rich and poor
      • Famine – Referring to spiritual famine or hunger for God’s word
      • Invasion by Assyrians ho would destroy the people and their land
      • Eclipses – The land would be covered by darkness 
      • Captivity by Assyrians
      • Drought leading to painful thirst
      • Destruction of the alters at David and Bethel
      • Exile due to attack by Assyrians
   2.    
      • God will judge evil and punish the wrongdoers
      • Christians should be courageous and they face life situation
      • God is universal and will pass judgement on all nation
      • Christians have to put God’s teachings into practice to avoid false holiness
      • God hates sin which is why he judges all nation
5.    
   • Human sacrifice/child sacrifice
   • Idolatry
   • Temple prostitution
   • Syncretism
   • Insincere worship
   • Empty sacrifices
6.    
   • Merchants overcharged the poor with high interests
   • The poor were sold into slavery for a piece of saddles or silver for failing to pay their debts
   • The poor were denied justice in law courts because they could not bribe judges
   • Temple prostitutes came from the poor families
   • The poor were cheated on business deals by using faulty weighing scales
   • Food sold to the poor were unfit for human consumption
   • The poor were forced to work on the rich people’s farms for little or no pay
   • The land for the poor was grabbed by the rich
7.    
   • By leading an exemplary life of not being corrupt
   • Praying for the corrupt people to change their evil ways
   • Reporting the corrupt people to the relevant authority i.e. police
   • Educating the public on the dangers of corruption
   • Supporting and practicing fair distribution of wealth and resources
   • Creating awareness of biblical teaching on corruption
   • Giving heavy punishment of the offenders
   • Fighting for just and fair wages and good working conditions
8.    
   • They should be courageous and condemn all forms of evils in the society
   • They should avoid insincere worship by being humble before God during worship and leading exemplary lives
   • They should be willing to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness to avoid punishment
   • They should know that God is a universal God and makes moral claims on everybody despite his nationality
   • They should preach against and avoid sexual immorality, drugs and alcohol abuse
9.    
   1.    
      • Vision of a  great  swarm  of  locust
      • Vision of a great fire
      • Vision  of a  crooked wall
      • Vision of a  basket  of  ripe  fruits
      • Vision  of destruction  of the  altar 
   2.    
      • oppression of the  poor
      • corruption and  bribery
      • dishonesty
      • sexual  immorality
      • drunkenness
      • pride  in material  possession
      • insincere  worship
      • empty sacrifices
      • syncretism
      • idolatry
   3.    
      • Christians learn that  God  will  punish  and  reward  all those that obey his  law
      • Christians  are  called to practice  what  they preach  and  condemn hypocritical tenderness
      • Christians  should  be just  in dealing  with  one  another
      • Christians should  not  pursue  luxuries  and  self indulgence  when others lack  the  most basic  needs
      • They  should condemn  corruption  and  uphold  justice
      • They  should bear in mind that  every  evil  committed  will be  punished  by  God
      • They should  be  aware of  the  d angers  associated  with width  since  it  can divert their  attention from god
      • They should be ready  at any time  when called  to do  God’s  work
      • Should  prepare  for the  judgement  day  by  being  obedient  to  his  word
      • Should  not  indulge  themselves  in activities harmful  to  their  faith
10.    
    1.    
       • Basket of ripe fruits 8  1- 3. The Season of waiting for the nation  to change was over. Israel was ripe for Gods punishment.
       • The destruction of the temple. The Lord stood by the altar in this vision. He order the destruction of the temple where the Israelites offered sacrifices. This implied the sanctuaries of Dan and Bethel had become centres of their Act.
       • Vision  of fished wall. The crocked wall is being checked by a plumb line. Israel had gone out of the way. Amos did not intervene as Israel was clearly out of the way.
       • Vision of great fire. God sends great fire, in dries up the land. Amos prays to God far give as the punishment is to severe.
    2.    
       • God is universal/judges all nation – expects people to be morally and spiritually upright.
       • God hates evil – condemned the Israelite and other nations for disobeying him.
       • God is merciful –through Amos he promised that the remnant shall remain after punishment/restore them back to himself.
       • God is concerned about people welfare i.e he speaks on behalf of the pregnant women.
       • God gives prosperity tot hose who sincerely turn to him and serve him.
       • God is a just God because he passes judgement to those who sin against him.
       • God’s people should behave in a way to match their religion holiness by putting Gods teaching in practice.
       • God is supreme – leaders are not above the law of God.
       • Live according to the will of God to avoid judgement.
    3.    
       • Lack of co-operation from the congregation.
       • Problems of how to react/relate objectively
       • When their expectation are not met.
       • Inadequate knowledge on how to deal with various groups/women/youth/choir/revival groups
       • There are temptation to acquire property unjustly.
       • Too much time service is expected of them.
       • Inability to control/meet human desires(sexuality)
       • Might be in an environment that is hostile /insecure
11.    
    1.    
       • They gave sacrifice which did not reflect holy life
       • They practiced syncretism
       • They were not sincere in their worship (they were hypocrites)
       • They built many high places of worship for idols
       • They made idols/worshipped idols.
       • They misused the temple by feasting/drinking
       • They refused to listen to the prophets of God/listened to false prophets
       • They misused the Sabbath
       • They practiced temple prostitution
    2.      
       • it will be a day of terror and disaster.
       • God will punish the Israelites for their disobedience/he will remember their evil deeds
       • The land shall tremble/ there will be earthquakes.
       • People will mourn/no happiness
       • There will be darkness at noon/eclipse
       • The feasts and festivals will not be joyful.
       • People will thirst/hunger for the word of God.
       • People will faint in the process of searching for the word of God.
       • It will be a day of disappointments to the Israelites.
       • The wicked will not escape Gods judgement
    3.    
       • Giving financial/material help.
       • Advising/counseling them on various issues
       • Participating fully in church activities/functions
       • Giving tithes and offerings faithfully
       • Praying for them
       • Respecting them
       • Obeying and practicing the word of God
       • Defending them against unfair criticism
       • Providing training opportunities for them.
12.    
    1.    
       • Earthquakes that would destroy the houses of the rich and the poor
       • Famine- Spiritual famine or hunger for God’s word
       • Invasion by the Assyrians who would destroy the people and their land
       • Eclipses- The land would be covered in darkness
       • Captivity by the Assyrians
       • Drought leading to painful thirst
       • Destruction of the altars at Dan & Bethel
       • Exile due to attack by the Assyrians
    2.    
       • Lovingly correcting offenders
       • Creating awareness on peoples social responsibilities
       • Promoting charity work for the needy
       • Visiting the sick, imprisoned and bereaved
       • Meeting and knowing one another
       • Forming social groups and associations
       • Coming together for celebrations
13.    
    • Nehemiah faced lack of co-operation when rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.
    • Nehemiah faced opposition from his enemies who tried to kill him after they failed to discourage  him from carrying out his mission.
    • Nehemiah had to fight against social injustices and oppression.
    • There was laxity in the observance of the Law.
    • There was the problem of inter-marriage which threatened Jewish unity, culture and religion.
    • There was misuse of the temple offerings leading the Levites to abandon their priestly duties.