S 5 DIVINITY PAPER ONE NOTES | Tr.

Mabel

Instructions: Read and Copy notes into your books or print and file. Be
sure to do the exercises

GENESIS.

THE CALL OF ABRAM.

 Abraham was as son of Terah, his wife was called Sarai but had no child. From Ur they
settled in Haran with his parents, initially Abram believed in many gods.
 In chapter 12: the Lord requested Abraham to Leave his country, relatives, father’s home and
go to a land that he was to show him. Leaving his homeland and family was a much greater
decision in African traditional society.
 His call was accompanied with a set of promises. God promised him many descendants, a
great Nation, blessings, make Abraham famous; curse those who curse him etc.
 Abraham was 75 years; he started out from Haran as the lord had told him to do. He took his
wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the wealth and the slaves they had. They started out for the
land of Canaan. Abraham risked everything he held most dear to obey God’s call.
 When they arrived in Canaan, Abraham travelled through the land until he came to the sacred
tree of moreh. God appeared to Abraham and said to him;” This is the country that I am
going to give to your descendants “. Then Abraham built an altar.

GOD’S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM.

 Land of Canaan.
 Many descendants.
 Great leader of a great Nation.
 God assured him of his protection against all dangerous situations as he migrated in a new
place. He was protected from all dangers, hostilities of all nature and all forms of opposition.
This portrayed God as a source of security.
 He was promised blessings and those who curse him would be cursed by God.
 God promised to make Abraham famous so famous so that he would serve as an example to
others .He would become a yardstick for identifying God’s people.
 God promised to forgive mankind through Abraham; this was the beginning of salvation
History and redeeming mankind from past sins.
 Abraham was promised a son through whom the great nation would be got.
 Because of the good cooperation and attitude he had with God, Abraham was promised to
have a peaceful and honorable death(Gen.15:15)

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 Abraham was promised that his descendants would go to a strange land where they would
suffer from slavery , but after 400 years they would come out with a lot of
treasures(Gen15:13)
 Abraham was promised to live up to a ripe old age. This was because of his generous faith in
God.

REASONS FOR ABRAHAM’S CALL.

 He was called to promote monotheism among the people.

 He was to reconcile man with fallen man.
 He was called to establish altars for worship.
 God wanted to give him the land where he was to settle.
 God wanted to withdraw him from a polytheistic community.
 God wanted to show the power of faith and obedience to the rest of mankind which made
Abraham become closer to God. Therefore, God wanted complete trust and obedience from
people.
 There was need to establish a unique culture for his people through their great ancestor
Abraham, this culture comprised of circumcision, offering sacrifices etc.
 God wanted Abraham to be used as an avenue through which mankind would be blessed
.from the fall of man mankind lost all his divine blessings from God and started to living a
life of worries.
 God wanted to show that He can call upon any one regardless of his social, political, and
religious background.
 The sin of Adam and Eva made them compromise their peace, Joy and harmony. Therefore,
God called Abraham in order to restore all those.
 God wanted to get a basis for his model nation. He was to be used to evaluate God’s people.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS RESPONSE TO THE CALL AND MISSION.

 It is important to respond positively to God’s call.

 Through God’s choice of Abraham God kept his promises.
 God demands faith, obedience, trust and courage.
 God is merciful to those who respond to him.
 Abraham’s positive response to God made him a great grandfather of Israel.
 The Israelites acquired the land of Canaan as a result of Abraham’s call.
 Abraham came to believe in one God(complete monotheism)
 Abraham’s movement to the unknown land showed his courage and trust in God.
 Abraham believed that all promises given to him would be fulfilled
 His response marked the beginning of salvation History for the Israelites.

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HOW THE PROMISES WERE FULFILLED?

 The promise of having a son and many descendants came to pass. Abraham at an old age
got a child whom he named Isaac.
 The promise of having very many descendants as stars in the sky also came to pass. Out
of Isaac, there was Jacob out of whom the 12 sons evolved into the Nation of Israel.
 The promise of living for a long time and having honorable death was fulfilled. Abraham
died when he was an old man at the age of 175 years and had honorable burial in a field.
 The promise of exiling his descendants for 400 years was fulfilled. The Israelites went in
Egypt where they stayed for 430 years and left the place with many treasures. (Ex12:40)
 Abraham was promised that his descendants would possess the land of Canaan, this
promise was fulfilled to Abraham and then to the children of Israel as a Nation.
 The promise of blessing all Nations was fulfilled by the coming of Jesus Christ who was
a descendant of Abraham .By believing in him all the people all over the world are
blessed.
 The promise of blessing whoever would bless Abraham and curse all those who cursed
him. This also came true, many Nations that tried to fight against
 The promise of a great Nation also came true. The descendants of Abraham multiplied
and turned out to be great hence a Nation of Israel.
 The promise of making Abraham’s name great and famous was fulfilled .Abraham is
known in the whole world as the ancestor of the believers.

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT (GEN.15 AND17).

 A covenant refers to an agreement made between 2 or more parties which must not be
broken. There are two types of covenants, that is parity which is made between equal
parties while the vassal or suzereign covenant is made between God and Abraham
(unequal parties)
 The covenant confirmed God’s promise to Abraham. It encouraged and convinced Abram
that all would come to pass. God reveled himself to Abram through a vision in order to
restore a good relationship with mankind.

MAIN FEATURES OF ABRAHAMIC COVENANT.

 Abraham had a vision and heard the Lord say to him, “do not be afraid, Abram, I will
shield you from danger and give you a great reward”.
 Abram was a bit disappointed because he had no children and thought that one of his
slaves would inherit his property. Abraham again heard the Lord speaking to him; “This
slave Eliezer will not inherit your property, your own son will be your heir”. Abram was
to get a son and his descendants will be as countless as the stars.

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  Abram put his trust in God and because of this the Lord was pleased with him and
accepted him. Abram’s faith was proved genuine by his good works.
 Abram had to bring a Ram, Goat and a Cow. Each of them 3 years old, a Dove and
Pigeon. He cut the animals in halves and placed them opposite each other but did not cut
the birds. The animals symbolized the people of Israel.
 Vultures came down on the bodies but Abram drove them off. The vultures represented
obstacles to human faith
 When the sun was going down, Abram fell into deep sleep, fear and terror came over
him. The Lord said that his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land; they will be
slaves and will be treated cruelly for 400 years. Abram will live to ripe old age, die in
peace and be buried.
 When the sun set, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch suddenly appeared and passed
between the pieces of the animals. This symbolized the glory of God that would
accompany Israel as they moved from Egypt to Canaan.
 Abram and his descendants were to circumcise all the males in their vicinity.
Circumcision was a physical sign to show that God’s covenant with the people was
everlasting. Those who refused circumcision were to be cut off.
 Sarai’s name changed to Sarah which meant princess (mother of many Nations) she was
to bear a child at that old age. Abram changed to Abraham because God was making him
the ancestor of many Nations.
 There was direct communication between God and Abraham. Therefore, there was no
mediator between God and Abraham.
 Faith was a main aspect that was demanded by Abraham in addition to his trust in God.
Abraham reflected faith and trust by responding whatever God told him.
 The covenant was everlasting. It was not supposed to be broken and was to be passed on
to Abraham’s descendants.
 The covenant was supposed to be between unequal parties i.e. Abraham was inferior and
God superior.
 It was bi-lateral in nature, was between two sides that is to say God’s side and Abraham’s
side.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COVENANT.

 It was divine and initiated by God to restore a healthy relationship with mankind.
 It was unique because it involved two unequal parties i.e. God and Abraham.
 The covenant manifested God in that Abraham used to bow down with his face touching
the ground. This was a sign of respect to God.
 Abram was promised a son, this portrayed assurance that his own son was to be his heir
and not the son he produced with the slave woman.

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  The covenant also presented Abram as a man with strong faith. He trusted in God by
responding positively to whatever he was called to do.
 There was circumcision in the covenant as an essential feature. He was to circumcise
himself and all the male members in the family. This was an identification sign to
distinguish Jews from other people.
 There was also change of name, Abram changed to Abraham who meant father of all
believers, Sarai changed to Sarah who meant princess or mother of all believers.
 The smoking fire pot and flaming Torch manifested the presence of the Lord passing
through the pieces and it symbolized the glory of God that would accompany Israel as
they moved from Egypt to Canaan. It also portrayed God’s responsibility in agreement to
the promises he made with Abram.
 Blood from the animals was an essential feature; it revealed that the covenant was to
establish a permanent relationship between God and his people because blood is life.
 The vultures that Abram drove off represented the obstacles to human life.

THE RELEVANCE OF ABRAHAM TO MODERN CHRISTIANS;

 God can call upon anyone to carry out a religious obligation. Abram was not a perfect
man i.e. he was from a polytheistic society. Therefore, Christians should respond to
God’s call.
 Christians should have faith in God .Abraham’s faith in God and positive response
motivated God to use him.
 Christians should appreciate God‘s generosity to Abraham and his descendants. Abraham
benefited from God’s promises; he got land, wealth, many descendants.
 Christians should establish a personal relationship with God He selected them not
because of merit but because of the special love he has for them. So, in the same
Christians are special people of the new covenant which was sealed by the blood of Jesus
Christ.
 Christians should abandon their old life and begin a new life.
 Abraham’s call points to vocations like priesthood, brotherhood etc so, in the same way
Christians should be ready to respond to God’s call.
 Modern Christians should be in position to listen to God’s communication, God
communicates to his people in different ways. God revealed himself to Abraham in
through a vision and Abram acknowledged it .God can speak to Christians through
parents, religious leaders etc.
 Change of name from Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, this points to Christian baptism
where Christians are treated as new creatures in Christian life. Christians should take up
baptism.
 Modern Christians should give material support to churches just as Abraham built altars
and also offered to God.

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  Through the promises which were made to Abraham, Christians are motivated to have
hope for heaven. Abram was Promised Land of Canaan; likewise Christians are waiting
to enter Heaven.
 Christians should be patient.
 Christians should be patient.
 Christians should have faith in God.

ABRAHAM AND THE BIBLE.

THE OLD TESTAMENT.

 Joshua 24:2-3 Abraham‘s faith and obedience are recommended before his descendants
 The call of Moses, a descendant of Abram (ex3:1) is aimed at the fulfillment of God’s
promise in Abraham’s covenant (Gen15:13-16).
 In (Ex 32:13), Moses prays for Israelite remembrance of the promise made to Abraham.
 In (Deut 1:8) Moses warned the people before they reached the Promised Land that they
should observe obedience and faithfulness as their ancestor Abraham had done.
 Abraham became a theological yardstick which future prophets had to use to about
faithless people.
 In Isaiah 5:1-3 the prophet refer to Israel’s humble beginning through Abraham’s faith.
 To the Jews Abraham is the founder of a monotheistic religious worship. (Ex20:3)
 Abraham’s covenant was to be the basis of future covenants e.g. Sinai covenant, Davidic
covenant and the new covenant referred to in Jeremiah31:31-34.
 Prophet Ezekiel also referred to the commitment required of righteous Israelites to reflect
the faith of Abraham.
 From Abraham the Jews started to circumcise as an external sign to distinguish the
Israelites from other people.

ABRAHAM AND THE NEWTESTAMENT.

 (Mat1:1) shows Jesus, the Messiah as a descendant of Abraham who contributed greatly
to the salvation History of mankind.
 In (Romans 4:1-6) St Paul appreciated Abraham’s faith. He was able to access blessings
due to his faith in God.
 (Gal3:6) Paul uses Abraham as an example of a person who is accepted by God because
of his faith and righteousness other than the law. It is faith which justifies a Christian.
 Paul acknowledges that those who have faith in the risen Lord are the descendants of
Abraham (Gal3:26-29).
 In (James 2:14-26), St James teaches that God accepts Man as long as he has faith backed
by good deeds.

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  (Mt 4:18-22) just as God called Abraham Jesus called people who were doing their Jobs
and they followed him.

THE RELIGION FOLLOWED BY ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS (PARTRIARCHS)

 This was a Religion respected by Abraham and his descendants. It had the following
characteristics;
 It was monotheistic in nature, Abraham and his descendants were expected to worship
one God the Almighty without any compromise.
 It was characterized by offering sacrifices. Abraham sacrificed to God and on many
occasions the Israelites sacrificed to God.
 It was based on faith, faith was reflected when he underwent circumcision, he respected
an invisible God.
 It was characterized by covenant making, for example God made a covenant with
Abraham and also with the Israelites through Moses (the Sinai covenant)
 It was characterized by building altars, for example when Abraham reached Canaan; he
built altars, worshipped God and made the Israelites do the same.
 It was characterized by promises, for example God promised to give Abraham many
descendants and at one time Israelites promised to be to abide by the Sinai covenant.
 It was characterized by circumcision, for example Abraham and all his male descendants
were circumcised.
 It was characterized by change of name, for example Abram changed to Abraham and
Sarai to Sarah.
 Prayers were important among the Israelites and their ancestor Abraham. Through
prayers they communicated to God.
 It was characterized by blessings to the people. God promised to bless all the people and
indeed they were blessed especially those who lived according to God’s expectations.
 The prophets were as God’s messengers who used to deliver God’s messages to the
people.
 The priests were also important among the Israelites because of the role they played, for
example sacrificing to God, praying to Him etc.
 Holiness was also emphasized, people were supposed to be holy and approach God in
holiness
 Abraham and the Israelites were expected to obedient as required by their religion.
 Repentance was compulsory especially when people sinned against God and people
would access forgiveness.
 Laws and commandments were part of their religion, for example they given laws
concerning treatment of slaves, food regulations.

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  It was characterized by celebration of festivals for example the Passover festival which
was supposed to be celebrated year after year by the Israelites in remembrance of their
liberation from slavery.
 The Judges were also important because they were chosen by God and acted as religious
leaders and ensured that people lived according to the covenant.

EXODUS.

 The name Exodus means departure, it describes the departure of the Israelites from Egypt
where they were treated as slaves. God wanted to save them from their slave drivers and
was to become the first citizens of the kingdom of God.
 Moses was born at a time when they were killing all the Hebrew baby boys. In spite of
Pharaoh’s attempt to kill all Hebrew baby boys at birth Moses was saved and protected
by his mother’s wisdom. The name Moses meant a person who was drawn from water.
He grew up in the Egyptian court. Years later, after killing an Egyptian whom he
observed beating a Hebrew he escaped and went to Midian.
 Moses was received by Jethro‘s daughters. He married Zipporah (Jethro’s daughter).
Moses was given a responsibility of looking after Jethro’s sheep.

THE CALL OF MOSES (EXODUS 3-4).

 One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and the goats of his father-in- law
Jethro.
 He led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai the Holy Mountain.
 The Angel of the lord appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of the bush.
 Moses saw that the Bush was on fire but was not burning up.
 Moses observed that it was strange and he decided to move closer.
 God called him from the middle of the bush and said; “Moses! Moses!”
 Moses answered, “Yes here I am” God said, “Do not come any closer, take off your
sandals, because you are standing on Holy ground. I am the God of your ancestors, the
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
 Moses covered his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
 The lord said, “I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt, have heard
them cry out to be rescued from their slave- drivers. The lord was determined to rescue
them from Egyptians.
 The lord was to settle them to a spacious land (rich and fertile) which the Canaanites,
Hittites, Amorites, Hivites etc occupied.
 The lord was sending Moses to the king of Egypt so that he could lead the people out of
Egypt.
 Moses said,” I am nobody, how can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of
Egypt?”

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  God answered,” I will be with you and you will bring people out of Egypt, they worship
God on the mountain.”
 Moses requested to know the Lord’s name, God said, ‘I am who I am”. He also
confirmed that he was a God of their ancestors.
 God commanded Moses to gather the leaders of Israel and tell them that, “I the Lord, the
God of their ancestors appeared to you. God confirmed that he was going to rescue
them.”
 The Lord revealed that he was to make the Egyptians respect the Israelites. They were to
get items (clothing, gold, silver jewellery) from Egyptians to go with.
 Moses still doubted, he did not believe that Israelites will believe in him. God asked him
what he was holding. He said a stick.
 God commanded him to, “throw it on the ground”. When Moses threw it down, it turned
into a snake and run away from it. God commanded him to, ‘’bend down and pick it up
by the tail “.He was to use it to convince the king and Israelites that he was sent by God.
 Moses experienced two more miracles like he put his hand into a robe and the hand
developed spots, the water turned into blood.
 Moses confessed that he was a poor speaker but God gave him Aaron to work as his
spokesperson.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BURNING BUSH EVENT.

THE PASSOVER EXODUS 12:1.

 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “this month is to be the first month of the
year for you”. He gave them instructions.
 On the 10th day, each man must choose either a lamb or a young goat for his household.
 If the family was too small to eat a whole animal, He and his next door neighbor may
share an animal in proportion to the number of people and the amount each person can
eat.
 The Animal must be a one year old male without any defects.
 Evening of the 14th day of the month, the whole community of Israel will kill the Animal.
Take some blood from the animal; put it on the doorposts and above the doors of the
house.
 That night, the meat was to be roasted, eaten with bitter herbs and bread made without
yeast.
 They were to eat the whole animal including internal organs, legs and the Head. If any is
left over, it must be burnt.
 They were to eat it quickly, were to be dressed for travel, with their sandals on their feet
and walking stick in their hands. It was the Passover festival to honor the Lord.

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  That night, the Lord was to go through the land of Egypt, killing every first born male,
both human and animal and punishing all the gods of Egypt.
 The blood on the doorposts will be a sign to mark the houses in which they live .when the
Lord sees the blood, He will pass over their houses, will not harm them and will punish
the Egyptian.
 Lastly they were to celebrate this day as a religious festival to remind them of what the
Lord had done. They had to celebrate it for all time to come.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PASSOVER EVENT.

 It symbolically meant passing over of God while saving the Israelites as he killed the 1 st
born males of the Egyptians.
 The lamb had to be accompanied with bitter herbs which meant remembrance of the bad
experience they were exposed to in Egypt. It is also equivalent to the trials people go
through in different forms.
 The event portrayed that God did something special when rescuing the Israelites. This
was because Israel was meant to be a model Nation and salvation to mankind was to be
through them.
 The Passover became an important event because it marked a climax of a series of
plagues.
 It was a manifestation of God’s love to the Israelites. It also proved God’s power over
the Egyptians.
 The Passover confirmed that God is omnipresent. God heard their cries and made plans to
rescue them through Moses.
 The event displayed God as a liberator. The Israelites realized that their rescue was
affected by God himself.
 Through the Passover event, sacrifices became a central feature in their religious festival
and even during worship.
 Through the Passover event the Israelites were united as a holy nation. They were
instructed to exclude the non Jews in everything except only those who were
circumcised.
 Through the event Moses was confirmed as a distinguished leader of the Israelites
community.
 The Israelites were to eat in a hurry, with their sandals on and their walking sticks in their
hands. This portrayed that they were to be ready for the journey the following day.
 They were to eat Bread without yeast. This indicated lack of time to prepare it properly.
 Smeared blood on door posts and above the doors of the houses. This was designed to
protect those within from outside hostile powers. It was also a sign to help the angel of
death identify the Israelites houses.

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  The event manifested that God is faithful and he keeps his promises. He promised
Abraham that his descendants were to be exiled for 400 years and that he was to rescue
them later. This was affected in the Passover event.
 It was a land mark in their religion because that was the time when God passed a final
judgment to end their bondage.

THE NEWTESTAMENT INTERPRETATION OF PASSOVER.

 The Passover adopts deeper meaning in the New Testament. The Israelites were saved by
a lamb whose blood was sprinkled on the doorposts. In the same way Christians are saved
by Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross in order to save mankind.
 The lamb saved the Israelites from their slave drivers while Christ saved people from sin
and slavery to the law.
 The lamb was to be accompanied with bitter herbs. This pointed to the hardships the
chosen people were subjected to on their way to the Promised Land. Christians are people
on the move and their final destination is Heaven. Therefore, Christians are called upon
to display the highest degree of patience and trust in God.
 Today Christians celebrate Easter as the Passover. This is a day when Jesus became a
sacrificial lamb of those who believe in him. The cross is the central event in Christian
teaching.
 The meat had to be eaten by only circumcised males of the Jewish community. Likewise,
in the New Testament the Eucharist is only shared by those who have identified
themselves as Christians through baptism, Holy Communion.
 Eat in a hurry; Christians have to accept salvation instantly.
 Eat while dressed for travel with their sandals on and walking stick in their hands,
Christians must accept salvation.

THE ISRAELITES AT MOUNT SINAI EXODUS 19:1FF.

 Mount Sinai was a place where God’s revelation and the covenant were effected when
the Israelites reached Mount Sinai. They set up a camp at the foot of the mountain and
waited for divine revelation.
 God called Moses from the mountain and told him what to say to the Israelites.
 They reminded them of what the Lord had done for them. Moses called the leaders of
Israel and told them everything that the Lord had commanded him to say. God desired
total commitment from the people. Therefore, their special status was conditioned to
upon their obedience to God and the people responded positively.

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  Israel’s election and covenant relationship with God places her in a situation of great
moral responsibility. A people dedicated to serve God as priests must live in a way that
pleases God.
 The people were to purify themselves in traditional ways to prepare themselves to receive
divine revelation. They were to wash their clothes and even refrain from sexual
intercourse.
 Moses was to mark a boundary; the people were to be separated from the presence of
God. Moses and Aaron alone remained in the presence of God on the mountain.
 On the morning of the 3rd day there was thunder, lightening, and thick cloud appeared on
the mountain .A very loud trumpet blast was heard and all the people trembled with fear.
God’s arrival was announced through the sounding of a long trumpet blast.
 Moses led them out of the camp to meet God and they stood at the foot of the mountain,
the whole mountain was covered with smoke because the lord had come down on it in
fire.
 Priests who were to go near the mountain were to purify themselves.
 Moses commanded by God to take Aaron to the top of the mountain.
 Moses sensitized people about all the lord’s commands
 Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up 12 stones, one for each tribe of
Israel. Sent young men, burnt sacrifices to the lord and sacrificed cattle as fellowship
offerings.
 Moses collected some blood in a bowl, threw it on the altar and sprinkled some on the
people to seal the covenant.
 All the leaders of Israel went up the mountain and they saw God of Israel. Beneath his
Feet was the sky, God did not harm them.
 God manifestations were in form of a dazzling light, a cloud etc.
 They ate and drunk. Moses stayed at the foot of the mountain for 40 days and nights.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SINAI COVENANT.

 The people were supposed to obey God; they were to put God at the centre of their
activities.
 The covenant reminded them of their duties; it stipulated the vertical relationship between
God and man, the Horizontal relationship between man and man. Therefore they had an
obligation to respect the first four laws and the last six laws without fail.
 They had an obligation to remain holy. During the event Moses was requested by the lord
to mark a boundary which the people were not supposed to cross.

 God had a responsibility of keeping his promises; continue protecting them, guiding
them, caring for them. This manifested God’s love for the Israelites.

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  The Sinai covenant marked God’s first communion with a special group of people he
freed from bondage.
 The covenant was a fulfillment of God’s promise which he made to Abraham.
 The covenant became a basis of Israel’s assurance of blessings, prosperity and peace.
 The covenant united them as a special group. They were united by God under Moses.
 Israel became a kingdom of priests. They believed that they were to be intermediaries
between God and the rest of mankind in worship.
 The Israelites were given laws which were to assist them maintain good relationship
between them and their God.
 The covenant became a theological yardstick which future prophets were to use to judge
the sins of the people.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS EXODUS 20:1FF.

 Worship no god but me.

 Do not make yourselves images of anything in Heaven or on Earth or in water.
 Do not use the Lord’s name for evil purposes.
 Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.
 Respect your father and your mother.
 Do not commit murder.
 Do not commit adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not accuse any one falsely.
 Do not desire another man’s house, wife, his servants, cattle, donkeys or anything else
that he owns.
 The laws are categorized into 2 major categories. They include social laws and religious
laws. (Liturgical laws).
 Social in the sense that that they regulate relationship among people. They range from the
5th to the 10th commandment.
 The laws are also liturgical in nature in the sense that they regulate relationship between
God and man. They range from the 1st to the 4th commandment.

THE ROLE OF THE TEN COMMANTMENTS AMOMG THE ISRAELITES.

 The laws were to help them realize their sinful nature,

 They were to help them realize their union with God.
 They were to help them live in agreement with God.
 They showed the acceptable behavior that the Israelites had to display.
 The laws had to spell out the way the Israelites had to live.
 The laws were designed to help them understand God’s demands.

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  The laws were to help them live in proper interpersonal relationships.
 “Worship no god but me” this indicated God’s exclusive right to be worshipped as a
creator. The Israelites were to learn to respect only one God.
 “Do not use the lord’s name for evil purposes” this expressed the unique nature of God
which was to be respected. Therefore, the Israelites had to respect God’s name.
 “Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy “the Sabbath was reserved as a special day for
worship. Therefore, it was to help them learn to respect the Sabbath.
 “Respect your father and mother”. Parents who provide genuine channel of life were to
be respected. The Israelites had to respect their parents because they were God’s
representatives.
 “Do not commit murder”. Man has no control over the length of his life. This law was to
help the Israelites live in harmony.
 “Do not commit adultery”. This portrayed respect for God given function of sex through
which life is handed on from one generation to the other. Therefore, the Israelites were
compelled to respect God’s gift.
 “Do not desire another man’s property”, such a feeling leads to evil acts. Therefore,
Israelites had to respect other people’s property.

LAW IN THE NEWTESTAMENT.

 The law was summarized by Jesus in the New Testament into two commandments.
(mt22:34-40). People have a duty to their God and to their neighbors. This offers a
foundation for our living.(aspect of love)
 The law is universal, it is for all people. The Mosaic Law favored only the Jews and non
Jews were believed to be sinners.
 The law was initiated by Christ when he shed blood on the cross in order to redeem
mankind from sin.
 Jesus called all believers to obey the law. He advocated for self commitment, faith and
devotion to God than external observance of the law.
 During his earthly life, Christ lived with his parents at Nazareth and he obeyed them. He
respected the Ten Commandments.
 The law is written on people’s hearts. People learn about the law by themselves Jer31:31-
34.
 Jesus also stressed that the law should not enslave man, man should find freedom in the
law. The son of man is Lord over the Sabbath. The law allows people to help and not to
harm others. (Luke 6:1-11)
 Lastly, Jesus made changes in the law. For example on the law that allowed retribution
Jesus advocated for reconciliation.

THE ROLE OF MOSES IN THE ISRAELITES COMMUNITY.

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He liberated the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. The Israelites stayed in Egypt for 430
years where they were subjected to slavery. Moses liberated them and led them to the Promised
Land.

a) He was apolitical leader, his activities as a political leader included the following.
 Led the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land.
 He helped the Hebrew slaves to get an identity as a group.
 Moses was always consulted in times of national crisis e.g. lack of water, food etc He
always found a solution.
 Military commander , on the way to the promised land the Hebrews faced military
challenges from the Egyptians.Ex14:1-13). War with Amalekites (Ex17:8-15) and many
other Nations. All were defeated under Moses as a commander.
 Law giver, when the Israelites reached mt Sinai, Moses prepared them to receive the Ten
Commandments and other laws from God.
 Mediator as a chief messenger of God when he was meeting pharaoh in the making of
covenant and entire journey to the Promised Land.
 His activities as a prophet included the following; he delivered God’s message and will to
pharaoh and the Hebrews. He was a go between in the making of the covenant. He
always presented people’s problems to God and He always responded.
 He was an interceder; Israelites could not have reached the Promised Land if it were not
Moses’ intercession. For example when they made the Golden calf, God wanted to kill all
and spare only Moses Ex32:9-35. Moses interceded and only outstanding sinners were
killed.
 He was a religious leader. He delivered laws and also offered sacrifices on behalf of
the people as a high priest, He ordained Aaron and his sons as priests(8:1-36).
 A miracle worker, he was able to perform miracles with God’s powers for example the
ten plagues, provided them with manna and quails Ex16:1-36 during time of crisis. He
made a bronze snake which saved people from snake bites. He drowned the Egyptians
who were following the Hebrews in the red sea.
 A judge, Moses was a judge and he used to base his judgment on available evidence and
God’s law. (Ex18:13-27) Moses was advised by Jethro to appoint other Judges and he
turned out to be a judge for only difficult cases.
 He is believed to be an author of the first five books in the bible.
 He is believed to be the founder of Judaism. He stressed the worship of only one God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 How did the making of the golden calf manifest lack of faith in God?
 It portrayed lack of patience.
 Turned the feast into an orgy of drinking and sex.
 Aaron failed to play his role as a priest. He had to act as a role model for the
[Link] to acknowledge God’s deliverance.

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  . How do people today manifest lack of faith in God?
 Some church leaders are more interested in money than religion.
 Lack of appreciation for what one has.
 Disrespect for Holy places.
 Deliberate disobedience to elders.
 Fornication.
 People’s desire to satisfy physical needs than the spiritual needs.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN MOSES AND JESUS.

SIMILALITIES.

 Both had concern for the suffering people. Moses left the riches at Pharaoh’s palace in
order to liberate his fellow Hebrews from Egyptian bondage. Likewise, Jesus left behind
the glories in Heavenly kingdom and came to save mankind from sin.
 Both were considered to be prophets by the people of the time. Deut 34:10 and John 4:19.
 Both performed miracles, they performed the same miracle like provision of food
(Ex16:1-27) and mark 8:1-6.
 Both taught people God’s laws. They mobilized people and taught them the law.
 It is believed that both were called by God right from childhood. They began their work
after getting a revelation from God. Jesus began his work after baptism and Moses after
the burning bush event.
 In both, political situation was in different hands for example Moses was born at a time
when the Hebrew were under the Egyptians. Jesus was born when the Israelites were
under the Romans.
 Both were supposed to die during infancy. Moses was born at the time when the Hebrews
baby boys were being killed by Pharoah. Jesus was born at a time when King Herod was
killing baby boys.
 Both acted as mediators between God and his people.
 Both faced opposition, Moses was opposed by the pharaoh and the Hebrews in the desert.
Jesus was opposed by the Pharisees.
 Both spent their childhood in foreign lands. Moses was in Egypt while Jesus was in
Galilee.
 Both were interceders.

DIFFERENCES.

 Jesus was to redeem people from sin while Moses was to deliver people from slavery.
 Jesus was responsible for all people while Moses was responsible for only the Jews.
 Jesus was a carpenter besides his mission while Moses was a Shepherd before his call.

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  Jesus‘mission was prophesied or recognized his birth while Moses came at a later stage
when he was grown up.
 Jesus was crucified on the cross while Moses died mysteriously on the mountain.
 Jesus accepted his mission genuinely while Moses first hesitated through giving excuses.
 Jesus was divine, pure, and his conception was through the Holy spirit while Moses was
completely a human being in nature and was bound to sin (not pure)
 Jesus was a celibate i.e. lived a single life while Moses was a married man.
 Jesus died at the age of 33 years while Moses only lived for 120 years.(Deut34:7)
 Jesus reached his destination in the Promised Land (Heaven) while Moses only saw the
Promised Land but did not reach there.
 Jesus summarized the law into two commandments which revolve around the theme of
love while Moses emphasized the written law.

LEVITICUS;

 The book deals with issues concerning Israelites lives in relation to worship, morality,
and economic dealings. The main theme of the book is the holiness of God and ways in
which his people were to worship him and also live in order to maintain a good
relationship.

SACRIFICES

 Sacrifices are gifts that people may bring to God. A sacrifice also refers to an act of
worship in which life of an animal is taken away and offered to God because He is the
source of life.

TYPES OF SACRIFICES.

WRITE BRIEF NOTES ON THE TYPE OF SACRIFICES.

A. BURNT SACRIFICE.

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B. GRAIN OFFERING.

C. FELLOWSHIP OFFERING.

D. SIN OFFERING.

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 E. REPAYMENT OFFERING.

RULES GOVERNING SACRIFICES.

 The Israelites had to respect the following rules when offering sacrifices.
 The animal had to be taken from a domestic herd, wild animals were rejected because they
did not belong to any one and so, could not have a sense of identity.
 They were to offer animals without any defect, offering a poor quality animal was an
insult to God. It showed lack of commitment to God.
 Sin and guilty offerings were very common.
 Sacrifices were offered by the priests and had to take a portion for their upkeep.
 Blood was an essential feature, normally blood would be offered directly to God. It was
poured on the altar. It could also be sprinkled on the people as a sign of acceptance.
 Sacrifices were meant to be offered whole heartedly.
 Sacrifices were offered by faithful people.
 Sacrifices were also believed to be offered by repentant people.

THE PURPOSE OF SACRIFICES AMONG THE ISRAELITES.

 Sacrifices were meant for removal of people’s sins and evil among the Israelites,
whenever the Israelites sinned, they had to sacrifice to God in order to seek for
forgiveness.
 Sacrifices were meant for promotion of peace in the community. Whenever the Israelites
predicted danger, they sacrificed to God in order to avert danger.

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  The sacrifices were a means of expressing people’s gratitude to God for whatever he
would have done for them. That is to say they were for thanks giving.
 They were made to remind the Israelites about their liberation from Egypt. Every year the
Israelites were expected to be to celebrate the Passover during which they had to offer
sacrifices to God.
 The sacrifices strengthened the relationship between the Israelites and their God. This
always reminded them of the covenant their ancestors had entered into with their God at
Mount Sinai.
 Sacrifices were meant for fellowship among the Israelites. Whenever they shared meat
they entered into communion with one another which promoted unity.
 Sacrifices were made during dedication of certain places for example worshipping places.
 Sacrifices were meant for upkeep of priests, the priests took specific parts like breast
piece, right thigh for their respective families. Their share by right of their ordination.
 Sacrifices were offered in order to win the Lord’s favor whenever they were going for
battle. They had to sacrifice to God in order to solicit for favor and victory from God.
 Sacrifices were offered in order to recognize God as a source of life and whatever they
had. Blood was sprinkled on the altar sides which symbolized life.
 Sacrifices were meant to mark important religious days for example the Passover event
which they had to celebrate annually. A lamb and unleavened bread were offered on that
day.
 They also offered sacrifices as a way of expressing their innermost feelings to God.
 Sacrifices were offered as a way of seeking God’s blessings. Blessings would be in form
of rain, fertility, good Health and better yields.
 They also offered sacrifices in order to avert calamities in their community like famine,
diseases etc.
 Sacrifices were offered when they were ordaining religious leaders (lev8:1ff)
 They also offered sacrifices when they were anointing political leaders.

THE ORDINATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS. (LEVI 8:1-36.)

 The Lord said to Moses, take Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Lord’s presence.
 He was to bring the priestly garments, anointing oil, young Bull for sin offering, 2rams
and a Basket of unleavened.
 He was to invite the whole community together to witness the occasion.
 Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and told them to take a ritual bath.
 He put the shirt, the Robe on Aaron and a Sash round his wais. He put the Ephod on him,
a Breast piece, Urim and Thummim in it. He placed the Turban on his head and on the
front of it he put the gold ornament, the sacred sign of dedication just as the Lord had
commanded him.

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  He took anointing oil, put it on the tent of the Lord’s presence and everything that was in.
in this way he dedicated it to the Lord.
 He some oil, sprinkled it seven times on the altar, its equipment, on the basin and its base
in order to dedicate them to the Lord.
 He ordained Aaron by pouring some anointing oil on his head.
 Moses brought the sons of Aaron forward, put shirts on them, sashes around the waist, and
tied caps on their heads just as God had commanded.
 Moses brought the young bull for sin offering. Aaron and his sons put their hands on its
head.
 Moses killed it, took some of the blood, put it on the projections at the corners of the altar
in order to dedicate it. Poured the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. In this way he
dedicated it and purified it.
 He took the fat on the internal organs, best part of the liver, kidney with the fat on and
burnt it on the altar.
 He took the rest of the Bull, skin, flesh, intestines and burnt them outside the camp.
 He brought a ram for burnt offering, Aaron and his sons put their hands on its head. He
killed it, threw blood on the altar, cut the ram in pieces, washed internal organs, hind legs
with water. He burnt the head, fat and all other parts on the altar. Its smell was pleasing to
the lord.
 He brought a second ram which was for ordination of priests. Aaron and his sons put their
hands on its head. He killed it, took some blood, put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear,
on the thumb of his right hand, big toe of his right foot. He brought Aaron’s sons
forward, put oil on their lobes of their right ear, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on
the big toes of their right feet. Moses then threw the rest of the blood on the four sides of
the altar.
 He took some fat, fat on the internal organs, best part of the liver, kidney, loaf of bread,
unleavened bread. He put all the food in the hands of Aaron and his sons. They presented
it as a special gift to the Lord. Moses withdrew it and burnt it on the altar.
 Moses took the breast piece and presented it as a special gift to the Lord. It was Moses’
part of the ordination ram.
 He took oil and blood that was on the altar. He sprinkled it on Aaron, his sons and their
clothes. In this way he consecrated them and their clothes to the Lord.
 Moses commanded them to take the meat to the entrance of the Tent of the Lord’s
presence, boil it ,eat it there with Bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings.
 Burn up any meat or Bread that is left over.
 They were to stay at the entrance of the tent for seven days. This would help them
accomplish the ordination rites

THE FIRST SACRIFICE WHICH AARON OFFERED TO GOD LEV.9:1-24.

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  The day after ordination rites were completed, Moses called Aaron, his sons and the
leaders of Israel.
 Requested Aaron to take a young bull (sin offering), a ram without any defect as burnt
offering and offer them to the Lord.
 The people of Israel were to take a male goat for sin offering, 1 year old calf, 1 year old
lamb without any defect for burnt offering, a bull and a ram for fellowship offering, grain
offering mixed with oil.
 They brought to the front of the tent everything that Moses had commanded, the whole
community assembled to worship the lord.
 Moses instructed Aaron to go to the altar, offer the sin and burnt offering to take away his
sins and the sins of the people.
 Aaron killed the young bull, his sons brought him the blood , dipped his finger in it, put
some on projections at the corners of the altar, poured the rest at the base of the altar. He
burnt on the altar the fat, kidneys, best part of the liver but the meat and the skin were
burnt outside the camp.
 He killed the animal which was for his own burnt offering. The sons brought him the
blood, threw it on the sides of the altar. They also handed him the Head, other pieces of
the animal and he burnt them on the altar.
 He washed the internal organs, the hind legs and burnt them on the altar on top of the rest
of the burnt offering.
 He also presented the people’s offerings, took a goat offered for people’s sins, killed it,
offered it as he did with his own sin offering.
 He also brought the animal for the burnt offering and offered it according to the
regulations.
 He also presented the grain offering, a handful of flour and burnt it on the altar.
 He killed the bull and the ram as a fellowship offering for the people. The sons brought
the blood; he threw it on the altar sides. Aaron put the fat parts of the bull and the ram on
top of the breast of the animal and carried it all to the altar. He burnt the fat on the altar.
 He presented the breast, the right hind legs as the special gift to the lord for the priests as
Moses had commanded.
 When Aaron finished all the sacrifices, he raised his hands over the people and blessed
them.
 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of the lord’s presence and when they came out, they
blessed the people again.
 The dazzling light of the lord’s presence appeared to all the people.
 The lord sent a fire; it consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar. When the
people saw it, they shouted and bowed down with their faces to the ground.

FOOD PROHIBITIONS LEV11:1-47.

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  Aaron and Moses had to ensure that the people observe the prohibitions. In lev10:10 the
priests were given a responsibility of distinguishing between holy and unholy or clean
and unclean.
 Eating unclean things or even touching a dead body of such a creature was believed in
some way or the other to cause ungodliness would separate a person from God.

UNCLEAN THINGS.

A. ANIMALS THAT MAY BE EATEN.

 They were eating any animal that had divided hoofs and also chewed the cud.
 They were to eat any kind of fish that had fins and scales.
 They were to eat locusts, crickets or grasshoppers.
B. UNCLEAN THINGS.
 They were not to eat camels, rock badgers or rabbits. They were unclean; they used to
chew the cud but had no divided hoofs.
 They were not to eat pigs, they were unclean, and they had divided hoofs but did not
chew the cud. They were not to eat them or even touch their bodies because they were
unclean.
 All sea creatures without fins and scales were unclean and were not fit for consumption.
 They were not supposed to eat of the following birds, Eagles, Owls, Hawks, Falcons,
Buzzards, Vultures, Crows, Ostriches Seagulls, Storks, Herons, Pelicans, and Bats etc.
 Other small creatures which had wings and even crawls were not to be eaten.
 Moles, Rats, Mice, Lizards were considered to be unclean, whoever, touched them and
their dead bodies was considered to be unclean until evening. If their bodies fell into a
clay pot everything that was in it was contaminated and they were to break it.
 If any animal that was to be eaten dies anyone who touched it was considered to be
unclean until evening.
 Animals with many pairs of legs were not supposed to be eaten. E.g. millipedes and
centipedes.
 They were not supposed to eat an animal that died a natural death. The Israelites were not
allowed to eat any meat with blood still in it Levi ( 17:10-14). Blood was considered to
be life; it was to be poured on the ground and covered with soil.
 Physical illness (leprosy) (Levi 14:1ff) such a person was unclean when suffering from a
dreaded skin disease. One had to be purified by offering a sacrifice and taking a ritual
bath.

REASONS FOR THE PURITY CODE.

 The Jews believed that eating the forbidden food could cause harm not in the spiritual
sense. It separated a person from God.

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  Others believed that unclean things would physically affect a person. The Israelites were
to avoid touching or eating the forbidden foods. The people made sure they were always
clean.
 They assisted the Israelites to identify the clean animals that were to be offered to
God because no one was supposed to sacrifice unclean animal or bird, in case they did
so the sacrifices would be rejected.
 The regulations showed that the Israelites were a unique Nation who was expected to
worship God alone and follow all the regulations.
 The regulations showed God‘s position who had authority to issue laws for the Israelites.
 Some of the Animals which were prohibited were those which were used by the pagans
in their worship. Such animals would dilute their devotion to God.
 The code was instituted for hygiene purposes for example pigs were associated with dirt.
 Some items were believed to be poisonous and so, people had to avoid them. For
example animals with many pair of legs.
 At times some people refrained as a result of natural dislike. They never had good
reasons to defend the decree.
 The purity code was a test to evaluate their level of commitment to God.
 The purity code helped to distinguish the Israelites from other people. They were
expected to be a distinct Nation.

JESUS’S TEACHING ON FOOD PROHIBITIONS. (MARK7:14-23)

 Jesus disapproved the Mosaic Law on food prohibitions and emphasized that there is
nothing from food and drinks that make a person ritually unclean (7:14-15)
 He stresses that what contaminates a person is what comes out of a person. It is the evil
thoughts that are responsible for immoral acts such as pride, deceit, jealousy.
 He stressed that all foods were fit for human consumption.
 Christians are not supposed to judge others. (Romans 14:1-12)
 All foods are good especially when accompanied with prayer. Prayer purifies food and
blesses it.
 Eating food without washing hands does not make a person unclean (Mt: 15:20)
 Food prohibitions were just instructions but had no effect on a person’s heart.
 Jesus stressed that the food which was forbidden just goes through a stomach of the
believer.
 St Paul stressed that people should only refrain if they are likely to affect the spiritual life
of the believer.(1 Corrinthians 8:1ff)
 According to Jesus what is required is the moral purity or cleanliness of the heart.
Therefore, Jesus called upon his followers to live a moral life.

FOOD PROHIBITIONS IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY.

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  The Africans used to refrain from some items because of the following reasons;
 The Bahima used not to eat items like, chicken, fish, mushrooms because they belonged
to the royal family. They were believed to be a significant group.
 Some animals were not kept in some parts of Africa because of various reasons advanced
by the ancestors of a given society, for example sheep were not kept in Ssese Island of
lake Victoria.
 Among the Baganda women were not to eat pork, goat, meat and grasshoppers. This
aimed at promoting subordination of women.
 Among the Taita in Kenya they used not to allow women to eat fatty parts of any animal
because they believed that it would cause infertility.
 Some believed that certain foods were believed to cause calamities in society.
 Some animals were so much loved by some people that eating them would be equivalent
to eating a family member. Such animals included dogs, camels etc.
 Among some societies like Baganda, Basoga, Banyoro etc were not eaten because they
were identified with certain clans and so were taken as totems.
 Some animals were not eaten because they were believed to have eaten one of the great
ancestors, or chief or king of a given society. Such animals included Lions and Leopards.

REASONS WHY PEOPLE DO NOT VALUE SACRIFICES TODAY?

 The Jewish sacrificial system was superseded by Jesus‘s sacrifice. There is no greater
sacrifice than that of Christ.
 The former sacrifices were temporary and were subject to constant repenting. Jesus’
sacrifice is unique and everlasting.
 The priests who were mediators and who presided over sacrifices were mortal and were
bound to sin but Jesus is immortal and righteous. Therefore, there is no greater sacrifice
than that of Christ.
 Jesus’ sacrifice takes away all sins. This gives believer’s confidence to approach their
God through him.
 The participants in the OT sacrifices were passive. But the NT sacrifices demands for
personal involvement. The person offers himself to God directly.
 In the OT God always responded to show appreciation by manifesting himself while
today after a sacrifice one remains uncertain.
 These days people are supposed to sacrifice their hearts to God through Christ unlike the
OT system where they had to sacrifice items e.g. animals like cattle, lamb etc.
 People fear that religious leaders are likely to misuse their sacrifices for personal gains.
 Today people follow Jesus’ example whereby he never sacrificed material things.
 People today believe in doing good to one another than offering sacrifices.

LAWS CONCERNING LEPERS (LEV 13:1-46)

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  Lepers were people with dreaded skin disease.
 Such people were examined by the priests to establish their status. After proving that one
had a disease he had to pronounce the person” unclean”. The person was considered to be
spiritually and physically unclean.
 The person was isolated; he had to live outside the camp and away from others.
 The person had to wear a bell around his neck and also to call out continuously “unclean,
unclean”. This was intended to alert people and those who heard had to run away.
 The person had to wear torn clothes, leave his hair uncombed.
 The person had to cover the lower part of his face.
 Finally, the lepers had to be examined again by the priest and after they were to go
through a ritual of purification before joining their local communities.

PURIFICATION AFTER HAVING A SKIN DISEASE (LEV14:1FF)

 On the day a person was to be pronounced clean, he was to be examined by the priest
first to prove whether the disease was clearing. The priest usually ordered for two ritually
clean birds, cedar wood, red cord and a hyssop.
 One of the birds was killed over a clay bowl containing flesh spring water.
 The other bird was dipped in the blood of the first bird that was killed together with cedar
wood, red cord and a hyssop.
 The priest would then sprinkle the blood seven times on the person who was to be
purified from the disease. The person would then be pronounced clean.
 The priest left the other bird to fly over open fields.
 The priest ordered the person to wash his clothes, shave off all the hair, take a bath and
then he would be ritually clean.
 The person had to stay outside his tent for seven days.
 On the seventh day, he was to shave his hair, beard, eyebrows and the rest of the hair. He
was to wash again, take a bath and then he would be ritually clean.
 On the 8th day, the man was ordered to bring two male lambs and a female lamb, one year
old and without any defect. He was also to bring flour mixed with olive oil. The priest
took the items to the entrance of the Lord’s tent. He offered them the repayment offering
in form of a special gift to the priest.
 The priest smeared blood on the lobe of the ear, thumb of the right hand and on the big
toe of the right foot. The man was declared to be ritually clean.
 The priest took some oil and some blood; he smeared it again on the lobe of the man’s
right ear, the thumb of the right hand, big toe of the foot. The rest of the oil was smeared
on the man’s head. In this way, the priest performed the ritual of purification.
 The priest offered the sin offering and performed the ritual of purification.
 However, if the man was poor, the priest normally reduced on the items he demanded but
the man was to go through the same ritual.

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JESUS’S REACTION WITH LEPERS (MARK 1:40-45)

 Jesus used his words and healed a leper. He commanded a leper to;”be clean”
 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched a leper. This raised dust in the Jewish
community. The Jews used to isolate the lepers.
 Jesus clarified that, it was just a disease which manifested itself on the skin but it did not
make a person spiritually unclean.
 After healing the man, Jesus sent the man to a priest. This meant that he still had respect
for the law but just wanted to make it perfect. The man still had to go through the ritual of
purification.
 Jesus had love, compassion and pity to the lepers.
 The man was healed by his faith in God’s word. He knelt down and begged for Jesus’
help.
 Jesus cautioned the man not to tell anyone about it. (Miracle)
 Jesus restored back the man’s happiness. He went away and began to spread the good
news everywhere.

DEUTERONOMY.

The book consists of a sermons given by Moses to the Israelites as they were about to enter
Canaan. Israel was reminded of her role as a model Nation. This implied that God elected them
for a purpose. He wanted to fulfill divine plan of salvation to all mankind through them.

DEUTERONOMY 6: THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT.

 The Israelites were called upon to respect the greatest commandment in Deut.6:5 “love
the Lord your God with all your Heart, Soul, and strength” This is a summary of what it

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 means to live as one of God’s people. The Covenant which binds God to his people and
the people to him is a covenant of love.
 There were conditions attached to the promise of the land .God alone was to be
worshipped in it .Had to respect Him without any compromise.
 Swearing in God’s name was to be done in good faith. God was a Jealousy God and was
not ready to tolerate any rival.
 The Israelites were to teach their children the law. They were to tell their children the
wonderful things the Lord did for them like mysteriously rescuing them from the
Egyptians.
 The Israelites were to love their neighbors as they love themselves. This would help them
create peace and harmony.
 The Israelites were to constantly remember the law because it was very important .Repeat
them frequently, tie them on their arms, wear them on their foreheads, write them on
doorposts and gates. This was used as a reminder.
 God’s love was to be observed through observing complete monotheism, were not to
worship idols, put the lord to test etc
 Israelites were to do what the Lord says is right and good. By doing so, they will be able
to take possession of the fertile land that the lord promised their ancestors. They would be
able to drive out their enemies.
 Failure to obey God’s laws would call on God’s wrath. The Lord’s anger will come
against them like a fire and will destroy them completely.
 God’s love was manifested in the way he liberated his people from bondage.

THE THEME OF LOVE IN THE NEWTESTAMENT.

 God manifested his love by sending his own son to be sacrificed in order to redeem
people from sin. This reconciled man with God.
 Jesus simplified the law by summarizing it into basic commandments. Mark 12:29-31.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, with all your mind”, “Love your
neighbor as you love yourself.
 ”
 Through Jesus Christ believers direct have access to the fathers’ blessings?
 Many people were delivered during Jesus ‘ministry. He had love for his people, delivered
them and enabled them to regain their happiness.
 Jesus promised forgiveness to all who seek for forgiveness; this enabled them to become
free.

THE ACT OF HEREM DEUT: 7.

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  It involved total destruction of the enemy and the property. The Lord was to drive out
other Nations gradually as the Israelites were advancing. There were many Nations
occupying Canaan. They included the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites and Jebusites etc
 They were to defeat the strong Nations they found in the land and put them to death. God
was to help them destroy the strong Nations as he destroyed the Egyptians by giving the
Israelites a right to destroy their enemies and drive them out of the land. This implied that
he rejected the current dwellers in the land and put an end to their right to live.
 They were not to make alliances with their enemies or even show them mercy. Alliances
would rob God’s people of their security.
 They were not to marry any of them or even let their children marry them because they
would lead their children away from God, would begin to worship other gods and
through intermarriage the covenant people would cease to be distinct.
 They were to tear down their altars, break their sacred stone pillars in pieces, cut down
the idols. They were special people and were not to mix with others.
 They were not to worship other gods because they were to observe complete
monotheism.
 They were to obey all the laws and by doing so they would be able to access God’s
blessings which would be in form of increase in number of children, have enough corn,
wine and olive oil.
 They were not to be afraid of their enemies because they outnumbered them. They were
to remember and rely on God’s power basing on what transpired in their History .God
was capable of destroying them as he did to the Egyptians.
 God was to cause panic and would destroy those who would go into hiding.

REASONS FOR CARRYING OUT THE ACT OF HEREM.

 God never wanted his people to mix with the Canaanites so as to avoid their influence.
 There was strong fear against idolatry which would mean reducing God to a level of an
object.
 There was fear of intermarriage and its associated effects.
 There was fear for development of religious syncretism.
 There was fear for A apostasy i.e. abandoning God completely
 They wanted to show God’s supreme powers.
 It was intended to God’s readiness to overpower other Nations in order to settle Israelites
who were believed to be special.
 It was one way of showing Israelites level of commitment to God.

CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ACT OF HEREM.

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  In the Christian context, the ACT OF HEREM would largely depend on the available
circumstances surrounding a form of destruction that maybe carried out. Christians are to
take part only in extreme situations as illustrated below;
 A Christian would find it necessary to destroy the shrines and idols of a new convert into
the Christian community who finds it hard to destroy them in the presence of those not
yet ready.
 A Christian may be forced to kill in self defense especially in case of an armed robber
who attacks a home and kills people.
 Also in case a Christian desires to bring a fundamental change .In cases where
Christians are denied freedom of worship , expression etc. patriotic Christians would be
forced to mobilize themselves in a warfare in order to overthrow the dictatorial
government.
 On the other hand, a Christian would take a negative course towards the Act of Harem
because of the Christian principles.
 A Christian is supposed to be merciful and kind (mt5:7-8).He may be required to spare
his enemies even if they are capable of killing him.
 A Christian is supposed to show love and even pray for his enemies(lk6:27-29)
 A Christian has no right to terminate one’s life
 A Christian is to refrain from burning objects used in idol worship especially when it
affects the life and faith of a new convert.
 A Christian should learn to forgive.
 A Christian should be humble and should accept rebuke.
 A Christian should avoid revenging because they are supposed to let God do things
according to his will.
 A Christian should overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) Do good to enemies so that
they can realize their mistakes and come around.

THE THEME OF ELECTION (DEUTERONOMY 11:1-32).

 The chapter shows the greatness of the Israelites as God’s chosen people. They were a
divinely elected community.
 The Israelites were called upon to fully commit themselves to God and Sinai covenant.
 They were given the Promised Land; they were to live there for a long time in the rich
and fertile land that the lord promised to give their ancestors and their descendants. The
Lord was to drive out all the Nations as they advanced and they were to occupy land
belonging to Nations greater and more powerful than them.
 They were given special blessings as God’s people. The lord will send rain on the land,
there will be corn wine and olive oil. They will even have grass for their livestock.
 Though they were a divinely elected community, they had to make a choice between life
and death. They had to obey God in order to get blessings.

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  Moses encounged them to obey God in order to live. They had to worship only one God.
 The Israelites had no choice but to continue loving God with all their hearts.
 Their obedience and faithfulness will lead to success in all other areas.
 Moses encouraged them to let Yahweh guide their activities.
 They to speak and act for God in order to promote a good relationship with God.
 The Israelites were to constantly remember the laws and their values, they were to tie
them on their arms, wear them on their foreheads write them on door posts etc as a
reminder.
 They were to teach their children the law because they witnessed the might works of God
and the children had to appreciate.

RELEVANCE OF THE THEME TO MODERN CHRISTIANS.

 All those who claim to be Christians should believe in their special position as the elect
of God.
 Christians should establish special relationship with God.
 Christians should be holy; they are expected to lead righteous lives.
 Christians should care for each other as God cared for them.
 They should follow God’s laws because they regulate their dealings with God and each
other.
 Christians should be in position to distinguish between good and bad by refraining from
things that contaminate them because their bodies are temples of the holy spirit.
 Jesus door is always open, so they should always go to him for help.
 Christians should prepare for well for perousia, on that day they will face God’s
judgment.
 Christians should repent of their sins.
 Christians should talk to their children about the fear of God.
 Christians should strive to get blessings from God by respecting him all the time.
 Christians are free to talk to God through prayer.

HARVEST OFFERING DEUT 26:1FF

 After the Israelites had occupied the land that the Lord had given them.
 Each person had to place in a Basket the 1st part of each crop harvested and must take it
to the place of worship.
 Had to go to a priest in charge at that time and say to him;”I now acknowledge to the
Lord my God that I have entered the land that he promised our ancestors to give us.
 The lord will place it before the altar of the Lord your God.
 The person will recite the following words;”my ancestor was a wandering Aramean, who
took his family to Egypt to live …they were few in number , treated harshly and forced

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 them to work as slaves, I now bring to the Lord the 1 st part of the Harvest that he has
given me”.
 He set the Basket down in the Lord’s presence and worshipped there.
 The person had to be grateful for the good things that the Lord had given them and
family.
 Had to let the Levites and foreigners who live among you join in the celebration.
 Every 3rd year, they had to give a 10th of the crops to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and
widows. So that in every community they will have all they need to eat.
 The person confessed that he had not disobeyed or forgotten any of the commands
concerning the tithe.
 The person requested God to look down from his holy place in Heaven and bless your
people Israel.
 The person requested God to bless the rich and fertile land that you gave us as you
promised our ancestors.

IDENTIFY LESSONS CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM THE TEXT.

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BLESSINGS AND CURSES (DEUTERONOMY 28:1FF)

 The Israelites were to choose between life and death. They were given laws which they
had to follow in order to get access to God’s blessings.
 The blessings were to take different forms as illustrated below;
 The Lord will bless their Towns and fields.
 They will be made greater than any other Nation on earth; they will be made leaders and
will always prosper.
 The Lord will bless them with many children, abundant crops, many cattle and sheep.
 The lord will defeat their enemies when they attack them.
 The lord will bless their work and fill their bans with corn.
 The lord will make them his own people, all other people will notice that God chose them
and they would be afraid of them.
 The lord will make them the leader of other Nations.
 The lord will send rain in season from his rich storehouse in the sky.
 The Israelites were to lend to other Nations but will never borrow from any.
 The consequences of disobedience included the following;
 The lord will curse their towns and fields.
 They will get few children, poor crops, few cattle and sheep.
 The lord will send diseases e.g. infectious diseases and fever.

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  The lord will send drought and scorching winds to destroy their crops.
 People will be threatened by their enemies.
 Birds and wild animals will eat the dead bodies.
 They not prosper in anything they do.
 They will be constantly robbed and oppressed.
 Some will be engaged to a girl but someone else takes her.
 Will plant vineyards but never eat the grapes.
 Their sons and daughters will be given as slaves to foreigners.

CONQUEST AND SETTLEMENT IN CANAAN.

The Israelites were led by Joshua to Canaan. And after settlement, they were led by judges,
Judges were charismatic leaders chosen by God to lead his people.

Occupation of Canaan was by conquest and they settled according to tribal confederacy. After
settlement, Joshua called a great meeting at Shechem. The meeting was to renew the covenant
they had made with God.

THE CANAANITE RELIGION.

 It was polytheistic in nature; they depended on their gods for the fertility of their, animals
and their own fertility. They performed rituals to ensure this fertility. The sexual rituals
involved temple prostitution.
 The chief god was called “EL” (Bull, father of years, father of men)
 His wife was called Asheran. Their offspring was called “Baal” he was a god of rain,
storm and thunder.
 The Jews called their God “EL SHADDAI” which means Lord or God of the mountain.
While the Canaanites also called their god” EL”which meant Lord.
 The Canaanites depended on rain which came annually for their crops. They worshipped
and offered sacrifices to Baal so as to get the rain.

RELIGIOUS SYNCRETISM.

Syncretism means the mixing of worship of Yahweh with the worship of other gods.

CAUSES OF RELIGIOUS SYCRETISM

 The Canaanites influence over the Israelites over time led them into syncretism. The
Canaanites became very friendly with the Israelites after settling in Canaan and with time
influenced them into worshipping their gods.

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  The failure of the Israelites to obey God’s commandments of carrying out the act of
Harem, the items that remained made them begin to adhere to them thus practicing
syncretism.
 Change of occupation from pastolism to agriculture. Crop farming made them worship
the gods of nature so as to get fertility for their crops.
 The invisible nature of their God compared to the Canaanites gods who were seen
physically. This influenced them to worship them to engage in syncretism.
 The rate at which God used to respond to their demands was not instant. Some thought
their God had ignored them.
 Sometimes visions from the Lord would take long to appear or were rare. Some people
thought God had abandoned them.
 Lack of good examples from some of their leaders like Samuel’s sons, Ahab and
Solomon married foreign women who influenced their life style and they offended God.
 Foreign alliance s between the Israelites and the neighbors through intermarriage, trade
other links.
 General temptation, some aspects of Canaan life style appeared attractive than Israel’s
life setting. Hence, they desired to be like other Nations.
 They forgot the covenant ideas. Hence, it was not easy for them to safeguard their
religious purity.
 Similarity in the nature of worship for example some aspects were similar like offering
sacrifices.
 Numerical or similarities in the Names they used to refer to their God. For example” EL”
with the Canaanites which meant Lord and” EL SHADDAI “with the Israelites which
meant Lord or God of the mountain.
 Influence of the young generation who did not experience the Exodus event. Hence, they
lacked knowledge and could not easily understand what they were telling them.
 Prosperity and strength in other countries also made them adhere to other gods alongside
their God.
 Failure to find the land of Canaan flowing with milk and honey. Some thought their God
was a liar.
 Some people took for granted; this made some to easily adhere to other gods. Hence,
practicing syncretism.

HOW THE ISRAELITES BETRAYED GOD AFTER SETTLING IN CANAAN.

 They intermarried with foreigners. They were expected to select wives among themselves
according to God’s decree.
 They demanded for human kings yet this was against God’s rules. They were expected to
be a Theocratic state i.e. a Nation led by God through charismatic leaders.

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  They refused to carry out the act of Herem; they spared some things which made them
turn away from God.
 They made political alliances with other Nations for example type which robbed them of
their security. They were supposed to trust in God for their security.
 They worshipped other gods; this made them undermine their God.
 They worshipped idols which were condemned by god. They reduced their God to a level
of an idol.
 Some people used to turn to God for success in war only but for success in agriculture
they could turn to Baal.
 Some people used to undermine God’s prophets, for example King Ahab undermined
Prophet Elijah.
 They killed one another for example King Ahab killed Naboth under the influence of his
wife Jezebel.
 Some people believed in false prophets, they used to make false predictions and would
give false information.

WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS PRACTICE SYNCRETISM TODAY.

 Some people pray to God in church and also go to shrines to seek help from traditional
African diviners.
 Some people practice human sacrifice when constructing roads, factories etc and at the
same time offer and pray to God.
 Some people name children with pagan names and also have Christian names.
 Some dedicate children to God and also dedicate children to other gods.
 Some people adopt traditional practices like initiating twins to traditional forces and at
the same time dedicate them to God.
 Some people worship objects in traditional setting and at the same time worship objects.

EFFECTS OF SYNCRETISM AMONG CHRISTIANS.

It has both positive and negative effects.

NEGATIVE.

 It has caused death of innocent people for example kibwetere incident in Kanungu
district. He was a leader of restoration of the Ten Commandments group, influenced
people to gather in a church and killed them.
 Many false prophets have come up to confuse believers. They easily confuse believers
and make turn away from God.
 There are conflicts among church leaders, many doubt pastor Kakande.
 The church has been commercialized; some pastors are there to make money.

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  They have confused believers; believers lack knowledge about God and therefore fail to
identify a genuine church.
 Witchcraft has been brought in the church to get fame for example some pastors go
underground or in water to get riches.
 Some young people have dropped out of school that they are called by God to do his
work.
 Some people do not take medicine at all that God will help them.
 There is envy and hatred among the believers.

POSITIVE EFFECTS.

 It has caused church leaders to be more serious with the teaching of the lord.
 Churches have been constructed in different areas to carter for people’s spiritual needs.
 Churches have established prayer meetings, conferences and seminars.
 Christian churches have formed organizations to bring unity among church leaders for
example the born again.
 Religious education has been introduced in school to guide the young ones.

END.

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