Prophet Jeremiah Questions and Answers - Form 3 Topical CRE

QUESTIONS

1. Explain the changes in Traditional African Community today
2. How does Jeremiah qualify to be a prophet of hope
3.      
   1. What was the social background to Jeremiah’s prophetic work?
   2. Give reasons for Jeremiah temple sermon.
   3. What is the relevance of the suffering and lamentation of Jeremiah to Christians?         
4.      
   1. Identify five symbolic acts used by Prophet Jeremiah to demonstrate God’s judgement and punishment to the Israelites
   2. Explain Jeremiah’s teaching on the new covenant
   3. Give five lessons that Christians learn from Prophet Jeremiah’s teaching on the new covenant
5.    
   1. Identify seven evils condemned by prophet Jeremiah in the temple sermon.
   2. Give four similarities in the life and experiences of Nehemiah and Jesus Christ.
   3. How can Christians show respect to God’s places of worship?
6.      
   1. Describe the factors which contributed to Jeremiah’s suffering and lamentations
   2. State any seven challenges that modern Christians face in their struggle to condemn social injustices in the society today
7. Identify seven features of the New covenant as foreseen by prophet Jeremiah            
8.      
   1. Give the characteristics of the new covenant as foreseen by prophet Jeremiah
   2. Outline the ways in which the covenant foretold by Jeremiah is different from the Sinaic covenant
   3. In what ways did Jesus fulfil the New covenant foretold by Jeremiah
9.    
   1. Explain four reforms King Josiah made in Judah during the time of prophet Jeremiah.
   2. Give five reasons why Jeremiah condemned necromancy in Judah.   
   3. What can modern leaders learn from Jeremiah’s sermon in the temple?
10.    
    1. What factors prompted prophet Jeremiah  to give a sermon  at the  temple  gate           
    2. Explain four ways in which Jeremiah proved that he was a prophet of hope                
    3. What are the conditions set for a Christian to escape Gods punishment                       
11.    
    1. Explain the characteristics of the new covenant that was foreseen by Prophet Jeremiah  
    2. What are the evils that Prophet Jeremiah would condemn in Kenya today    
12.      
    1. Explain any four symbolic acts used by prophets Jeremiah to demonstrate God’s Judgements and punishment to the Israelites 
    2. State the relevance of Jeremiah’s suffering and lamentations to Christians today          
13. Explain the message contained in Jeremiah’s letter to the Israelites exiled in Babylon.
14.      
    1. What prompted Jeremiah to give the sermon at the temple gates?  
    2. Cite the problems prophet Jeremiah encountered in his ministry  
    3. List five lessons that Christians can learn from Jeremiah’s teachings on the evil and false prophets 
15.      
    1. What issues did Prophet Jeremiah address in his letter to the exiles
    2. Explain eight reasons why the temple of Jerusalem was considered as an important place  for the Israelites
    3. In what ways do Christians use the print media to spread the Gospel
16.    
    1. Explain how God showed concern for the Israelites through prophet Jeremiah
    2. Outline Prophet Jeremiah’s teaching on dishonesty
17.      
    1. Explain five virtues related to work
    2. Give reasons why child labour is morally wrong
    3. Identify ways in which Christians spend their leisure time to glorify God
    4. Why is Jeremiah refereed to as a suffering prophet. 

ANSWERS

1. They have learnt too eat new dishes.
   The mode of dressing has changed.
   New forms of worship have been introduced.
   New political systems and forms of government have emerged.
   The ancestors are no longer considered part of the African Community.
   Land is now owned individually rather than community.
   In some cases, the old have been left on their own; leading to the emergency of the homes for the aged.
   The people have learned to plan for their families and are becoming more and more individualistic
2. He told people that a few will survive after exile.
   He wrote a letter of encouragement to the exiles.
   He preached a message of hope to the Israelites.
   He brought a piece of land to signify restoration.
   He told the exiles that God would restore them back to their land.
   He called people to repentance and promised that God was ready to forgive them.
   He taught people that God would be their God in a new way and they would be His new people.
3.    
   1. There was oppression of the weak
      People used dishonest ways of acquiring wealth.
      People committed adultery.
      Murder of innocent people.
      Stealing and telling of lies.
      Rulers had failed to lead the people to the covenant way of life.
   2. They wee exploiting aliens, orphan and widows.
      They were insincere in their worship.
      They were worshipping idols and offering sacrifices to them.
      They ignored the teachings of the prophets.
      They had faloe belief that God could not destroy them and the temple.
      They were sinful and had broken many of God’s commandments.
   3. Christians learn that as Jeremiah, they will be rejected by their families and communities for the sake of the gospel.
      Christians should be ready to face persecution for the sake of Christ, but persistence in prayer will see them victorious.
      Christians learn to be firm in telling the truth no matter what obstacles are on the way.
      Christians learn that their messages will not always be accepted by the people.
      Christians should draw their security and protection from God for deliverance from enemies.
      Christians learn to be faithful through difficult times in their spiritual life.
      Christians should pray for their persecutions and not exercise vengeance.
      Christians learn that tribulations and suffering are for strengthening their faith and growth of their spiritual strength.
      Christian leaders should proclaim the word of God at all costs.
      Christians must be aware of false prophets in the midst with an aim to mislead them.
      Christians should always tell the truth at all regardless of the consequences.
      Christians learn to remain faithful through difficult times.
4.      
   1. Buying new linen waist cloth and burying it in a cleft of the rock (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
      Jeremiah w as not to marry(Jer 16:1-18)
      The reworking (remoulding) of the vessels by the potter (Jer 18:1-17)
      The breaking of the earthen flask before the elders (Jer 19:1-15)
      He was shown two baskets of figs .one with good figs and the other with
      bad figs(Jer24:1-10)
      Wearing of the yoke (Jer27:1-15)
   2. The law will be written on people’s heart and not on stones tablets
      The new covenant will be between an individuals and God/personal salvation/relationship
      There will be individual’s responsibility/punishment for those who sin
      The covenant will be everlasting
      It will be universal
      There will be forgiveness of sins/they will not be remembered.
      The new covenant will be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ
   3. Christians should internalize the law of God/put laws of God in their hearts
      They should have personal relationship with God/know God personally.
      There is individual responsibility/punishment when one sins
      There is forgiveness of sins if one repents/reconciliation.
      Christians have everlasting relationship with God
      Those who repent their sins have a new beginning
      They need to have faith in God
      They should obey/practice the law of God
      Christians learn that the new covenant is fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ
5.      
   1. Hypocrisy in worship/insincere worship
      Syncretism
      Idolatry/worship of false gods
      Pride/false security in the temple
      Human sacrifices
      Stealing/Robbery
      Adultery/incest
      Telling lies/dishonesty
   2. Both purified the temple
      Both led prayerful lives
      Both had compassion for the people/ weak /poor
      Both were reformers
      Both led exemplary live/holy lives
      Both came to restore the worship between God and the people
      Both faced opposition in their ministry from close relative.
   3. Giving church offering
      Contributing to the establishment and maintenance of their church building
      Keeping the places of worship (church) clean.
      Respecting the church leaders
      Attending worship sessions
      By condemning evil particles committed in church.
6.    
   1. Rejected by his own family and relatives
      Accused of Blasphemy when he predicted the destruction f the temple
      he received death threats because of prophesizing on the destruction of the temple
      He suffered isolation by being stopped to marry/go for weddings/funerals
      He had a personal conflict in his heart because he was disappointed by the people he loved
      He experienced deep trials of faith as to why God delayed to act on his prophecy/mocked by his people
      He suffered the physical assault/imprisonment/beaten by priests of Judah
      he was locked in his courtyard where he was fed by bread
   2. Rejection
      Persecution/torture/abuse/mock
      imprisonment
      Threats concerning their lives
      Hatred
      Opposition/internal wrangles from fellow Christians
      Poverty
      Modern science and technology
      Eviction
7. It would renew the brogans worship between God and his people (Israelites)
   The laws would be written to people’s hearts
   Every person would know God personally/ individually but not through mediator
   It would be everlasting/ wont be broken
   Each person to be responsible for his/ her sins
   It would be established after God’s punishment of Israel
   It would establish a new Israel and they would have personal knowledge of God
   It would establish a new beginning/ a second exodus after God has restored them from exile
   It was to be initiated by God hence people were to obey God
8.      
   1. The covenant was to be made between God and the Israelites
      People were going to accept God as a God of justice
      It was going to be a personal covenant between God and each individual
      In the new covenant, God’s law would be written on people’s hearts
      Everyone was to be responsible for his sins
      There would be no need of a mediator in the new covenant
      God was going to forgive people’s sins
   2. In Jeremiah’s new covenant, laws were to be written in men’s hearts whereas in Sinaic covenant laws were written ion stone tablets
      The sinaic covenant had repeatedly failed, Jeremiah’s would not
      In Jeremiah’s covenant, there would be personal knowledge of God while in Sinaic, there was need for a mediator
      In the new covenant there would be spontaneous forgiveness of sins, whereas in the old covenant, sins were carried forward to the next generation
      In the new covenant, there would be personal responsibility for sin while in old, there was collective responsibility
      The Sinaic covenant was meant for one nation (Israel) while that of Jeremiah was for all mankind
   3. He began anew people (Christian)
      He gave them a new will, a new spirit and a new heart
      Through him, the whole Christian community has known God
      They can get forgiveness through Christ
      God dwells in people’s hearts
      Through him, people have a personal knowledge of God
      He inaugurated the new covenant at the last supper sealed by his blood on the cross, his blood washed away people’s sins
      On the day he died, the curtain tore into two enabling people to have a direct link with the father
9.       
   1. He abolished Baal worship
      He ordered the repair of the temple of God
      He burnt foreign objects in the temple
      He led a national ceremony to renew the covenant faith
      Child sacrifice was stopped
      Temple prostitution was stopped
      He discontinued consultation of mediums
      Passover feast was reinstated
   2. Five reasons why Jeremiah condemned necromancy in Judah
      It indicated lack of faith in God
      It gave false messages which did not come from God
      It was a form of deception that led people away from God
      It polluted the true worship of God
      It showed lack of knowledge of one God
      It brought Gods punishment upon people
   3. Christians need to have a personal relationship with god
      Christians should rely on god rather than consulting spirits
      Christians should condemn idolatry.
      Christians should avoid false prophets
      Christians should condemn destruction of life
      Priests and church leaders should be firm in their faith.
10.    
    1. What made Jeremiah to give the temple sermon ;
       There was worship of idols and offering sacrifices to hem
       Oppression and exploitation of the poor, such as widows and orphans
       Engaging in insincere worship by worshipping God alongside idols.
       Rejecting the teaching of the Prophets
       Dishonesty
       Social injustices e.g. committing adultery, murder, theft
       Rebellion against Yahweh
       Defilement of the temple by placing idols there and worshipping them
    2. Bought a field
       Vision of two basket figs
       New covenant
       Wooden ox-yoke removed
       Message of hope
       Personal/life
    3. Obeying God’s commandments
       Preaching the good news of Jesus to others
       Condemning all evils in society
       Responding God’s call to serve others
       Assisting the needy and the disadvantaged
       Praying
       Avoiding being tempted
       Repenting their sins
       Live exemplary lives/be role models
       Ask for guidance from the Holy spirit
11.    
    1. The law would be enshrined in people’s hearts
       There would be personal knowledge of God
       There would be spontaneous forgiveness of sins
       There would be personal responsibility
       It would bring a new community of God’s people
       God would take an initiative of establishing a covenant
       The new community would be ruled by the righteous one from Davidic family/dynasty
       The Israelites would be given a new heart
       This covenant would be an everlasting one/would not be broken
       It would mark a new beginning/ a new era
    2. Idolatry
       Sexual immorality
       Struggle for power
       Corruption/bribery
       Exploitation of the poor by the rich
       Devil worshipping
       Desire for wealth/materialism
12.    
    1. Judgements and punishment to the Israelites
       Buying a new linen waist cloth and burying it in a cleft of the rock (jer.13:1-11)
       Jeremiah was not to marry (jer16:1-18)
       The reworking of the vessels by The potter (jer.18:1-17)
       The breaking of the earthen flask before the elders at mount Hinnom(jer19:1-15)
       He was shown the basket of figs, one with good figs and another with bad figs (jer24:1-10)
       Wearing of the yoke (jer27:1-15)
    2. Christians learn not to lose hope in times of difficulty
       Christens learn to be firm in telling the truth
       They learn the importance of obeying Christ by putting God first
       They learn to trust in God and pray constantly
       They learn that persecution is the price for being committed as a disciple of Christ
       Christians learn to trust in God and pray constantly
13. To build houses and settle down
    To plant gardens and eat their produce
    To take wives and love sons and daughters
    To allow their sons to marry
    To live in peace in Babylon
    To pray for the welfare of their masters
    Not to listen to false prophets and diviners who will cheat them
    God will restore them back to their land after 70 years of exile
    God will punish Babylonians their oppressors
    God will punish the false prophets who were telling lies
    God will answer their prayers when they call upon them
14.      
    1. King Jehoiakim shed innocent blood despite the advice from prophets.
       Israelites continued with Baal worship.
       Israelites practiced idolatry.
       Pagan gods and idols were put in the temple.
       People were hypocritical in their worship.
       Israelites made sacrifices to idols.
       There was moral decay among the Israelites.
       Israelites allowed false prophets to thrive.
       There was widespread oppression and exploitation of the poor.
       The false belief about the temple.
       Widespread social injustice.
    2. Was rejected by his family and relatives.
       Was accused falsely.
       Israelites rejected his message (refused to repent)
       Faced death threats
       He suffered loneliness and solitude.
       The scroll was burnt by King Jehoakim.
       He was beaten by court officials.
       Was banned from going to the temple.
       Was referred to as a traitor and insulted mocked and ridiculed.
       Was imprisoned.
       Had difficulties in convincing the people that this message was true.
       Went through spiritual struggle in his relationship with God.
    3. Need to have a personal relationship with God instead of mere outward show of religion.
       There are true and false prophets.
       Human sacrifice is evil and does not wipe out sins.
       Christians should have courage and be firm in their principles when faced with opposition.
       They should be truthful and faithful in their vocations.
       They should condemn all sorts of evil in society.
       They should be governed by laws of God.
       They should condemn destruction of human life and violence in general
15.       
    1. To build hoses and live in them
       Plant gardens and eat their produce
       Marry and have children
       Live in peace and promote the welfare of the cities they live in
       Pray for their masters
       Not to listen to the words of false prophets and diviners
       God could restore them back to their land after seventy years
       To trust God and not give up
       God was accessible to them even in Babylon
       God would punish those who had remained in Judah for failing to listen to him
    2. It symbolized the presence of God
       It was a place of worship e.g. offering sacrifices, dedication of their first borns,
       Home of priests
       Annual religious festivals were celebrated in the temple
       It was a learning centre- teachers of the law were taught in the temple
       Purification of mothers
       Ark of the covenant was kept in the temple
       Acted s a court where cases were handled
    3. Publishing Christians literature
       Distributing Christian literature free
       Reading the Bible and other Christian literature
       Using Biblical stories to produce Christian programmes in electronic media
       Teaching using CRE text books
       Selling Christian literature to institutional and public
       Advertising Christians issues in the newspaper
16.      
    1. He warned the people against evils in the temples sermon
       He foretells of a new covenant
       He bought a piece of land to show restoration of the people
       He talked of the future after exile
       He told people to repent so that God can withdraw the punishment
       In his call, God told him that he will see nations destroyed, rebuilt and restored
       In the vision of figs, he saw the remnants of God’s good people
    2. He condemned false prophets who gave false hope to the people, yet Yahweh had not sent them
       He condemned priests who preached lies to people and did not tell them the truth about God’s Judgement
       He condemned people who cheated others that they were friends but planned evil behind their back
       He observed that the prophets of Jerusalem had become as bad as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their evil deeds such as lies and immorality
       He was concerned with the response of the people of Judah to the lies of priests and prophets, they accepted them without question
       The priests and the people of Judah were dishonest in the way they worshipped God because their outward ritual did not match their inner piety
       Jeremiah told the people of Judah that God would reject them because of their dishonesty in worship
       He condemned them for giving Yahweh meaningless sacrifices
17.      
    1. Diligence- commitment/ hard work/ thorough effort on ones work
       Honesty/ integrity- truthful adjust doing quality work
       Faithfulness- Being loyal/ trustworthy by performing duty well at the right time according to contract signed
       Responsibility- being accountable/ working thoroughly without supervision
       Loyalty- Being faithful to employer, colleagues and organization
       Tolerance- Bearing with other people weaknesses/ harsh conditions/ decisions made by employer and some behaviors of the other workers though not accepting what is evil like stealing
    2. Children are gifts from God and should not be oppressed
       Retards child growth/ development
       Child may not develop talents
       Makes child negative towards work
       Shows parents irresponsibility
       Denies formal education
       Leads to loss of human dignity
       Promotes poverty which is a social evil
       Leads to exploitation through underpayment and overworking
    3. Worshipping God by praying/ singing/ reading the bible
       Doing works of charity e.g. visiting the sick/ old/ poor/ disabled
       Fellowship/ sharing with other Christians
       Relaxing with family and friends
       In evangelization/ spreading/ preaching the word of God
       Reading/ physical exercises for self- fulfillment
       Development of community/ church