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PROPHET AMOS
Amos was a shepherd of Tekoa on the edge of the desert of Judah. Amos was not born in the line
of known prophets or priest perhaps like Isaiah and Jeremiah. He was a shepherd and a dresser of
Sycamore trees. It’s likely that Amos was also a trader who used to go to big cities like Samaria
and Jerusalem to selling his products.

He knew a great deal of the history of the surrounding nations. Out of such experiences, he became
great and developed a hard stern man, great fighter and champion of the poor.
Amos is one of the greatest of the Minor Prophets and prophesized during the days of Uzzah as
king of Judah and Jeroboam II as king of Israel.

His prophetic ministry seems to have started around 760-750 BCE.

Though Amos came from the region of Judah, he was sent to the Northern Kingdom because the
situation there was chaotic and there was no any true prophet in that region. He preached during
the time of great material prosperity and notable peace in Israel.

THE EVILS CONDEMNED BY PROPHET AMOS IN ISRAEL

Amos is known to have been a champion of justice at the same time a prophet of doom. He fought
for the life of the oppressed, condemned all the injustices and passed upon them God’s message of
judgment to the sinners who had ignored the covenant law and way of life. The evils he
condemned can be categorized into economic, social, religious and political.
ECONOMIC EVILS
1. There was exploitation of the poor by the rich. He condemned the rich who built powerful houses
out of the exploitation of the poor (Amos 5:11-12).
2. He condemned the rich who grabbed the property (garments and blankets) of the poor as security
and eventually used it when they failed to pay their debts (Amos 2:8).
3. He condemned the rich who sold the righteous men for silver or a pair of sandal and the poor who
failed to pay their debts (Amos 2:6).
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4. The rich, priests and the false prophets asked for and accepted bribes. They were so corrupt in their
services (Amos 5:12).
5. He condemned the rich who overcharged and used dishonest scales in their business. They for
instance mixed wheat with chuff and sold it to the poor (Amos 8:5-6).
6. The rich despised, mistreated and discriminated the poor. They trampled down the poor in dirt and
kicked the meek out of the way (Amos 2:7)
7. Socially, the poor were denied just hearing in the courts of law. The judges were influenced by the
bribes they received from the rich. They thus made the innocent people punished and the guilty were
freed.
8. The Israelites hated honest men who spoke the truth and those who gave honest witness in the courts
of law.
9. The wives of the rich made a lot of luxurious demands from their husbands. This resulted into the
exploitation of the poor. Such women became so fat that Amos referred to them as “cows of
Bashan” (Amos 4:1).
10. The rich accumulated a lot of riches in their houses through dubious and dishonesty ways (Amos
3:10).
11. He condemned the promiscuous sexual activities which were rampant in Israel. The son and the
father could for instance have intercourse on the same slave girl (Amos 2:7).
12. The offerings which were given in worship were forcefully taken away from the poor, this spoiling
the whole exercise of sacrificing to God.
13. He condemned the rich for ignoring the needs of the poor.
14. The rich lived in luxury and extravagant enjoying lambs, dressing most expensively but could not
provide the basic necessities of life for the poor.
15. Religiously Amos condemned the religious ritualism that lacked commitment of the soul and good
works.(religious hypocrisy). Many people covered their evils with pious practices like fasting,
offering sacrifices and praying daily. Amos called this religious hypocrisy. (Amos 4:7ff).
16. He condemned the Israelites who forced the Nazirites to drink and ordered prophets not to speak
God’s message (Amos 2:12).
17. They mixed the worship of Yahweh with pagan rituals. They borrowed pagan rituals and ideas and
used them to worship god. These included temple prostitution.
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18. Some had completely ignored Yahweh as their God and had put their trust in pagan gods. This was
apostasy.
19. They profaned the holy places of worship such as Bethel Gilgal and Shiloh. They used them for
worshiping Baal.
20. The Israelites had forgotten the covenant faith and engaged themselves in many evil activities e.g.
oppressing the poor.
21. Religious days such as Sabbath was greatly misused and turned into a money making festival.
22. Politically the leaders of Israel had ignored their subjects and thus did not carter for their pressing
needs.
23. Their leaders had also entered into alliances with foreign countries and this was bound to bring to
them God’s judgment.
AMOS’ MESSAGE OF DOOM /JUDGMENT / PUNISHMENT TO THE ISRAELITES
According to Amos, Israel was not going to be spared either; she was going to be punished by God
in the following ways;
1. Amos passed over God’s judgment to Israel that he would crush his people that not even the fast
runners would escape from his wrath. (Amos 2:13-16).
2. God promised to send an enemy that would destroy Israel’s defence and loot the rich houses. Only a
few will survive in the city of Samaria.
3. God would destroy the altars of the temple at Bethel which received the unworthy sacrifices (Amos
3:14).
4. Amos added that on God’s day of judgment, God would destroy the Israelites; He will ensure that all
their bravest soldiers fall with their weapons and other will run to save their lives (Amos 2:16).
5. He said that God would lead to destruction the ivory decorated winter and summer houses of the rich
which they built from unclear money (Amos 3:15).
6. The rich women of Samaria would be dragged outside the city like fish on a hook and would be
dumped like rubbish into exile (Amos 4:2-3).
7. The Israelites would be humiliated and rejected like an abandoned girl on the ground and her
soldiers would all be destroyed (Amos 5:1-3).
8. Amos prophesized that God would send fire on the people of Bethel and no one would be able to put
it out (Amos 5:6).
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9. He added that those who became rich through injustices and exploitation would not enjoy their
wealth. They will die off and may not enjoy their beautiful houses (Amos 5:11).
10. That there would be wailing and mourning all over the cities and along the main roads of Israel. This
would be as a result of the death of all family members that no one would survive.
11. He added that the judgment of the Lord would be so terrible that no one would escape it. It would be
like some one who runs from a lion only to meet a bear! or like some who goes back home puts his
hand on the wall only to be bitten by a snake (Amos 5:18-20).
12. Because of God’s anger over the Israelites, he said that he would not accept their burnt offerings and
grain offering.
13. He adds that God would send a foreign army to occupy Israel and oppress the inhabitants.
14. He said that their place of worship would be destroyed and left in ruins and the dynasty of king
Jeroboam would come to an end (Amos 7:9)
15. He said that Israel would be like a sheep eaten by a lion, whose shepherd only recovers two legs or
an ear of a sheep.
16. He said that Israel would be taken away from their own land and be taken into exile (Amos 7:17).

EVILS WHICH CAN CALL FOR GOD’S JUDGMENT IN UGANDA TODAY

1. Corruption and bribery which are wide spread in all sectors of the society.
2. Election malpractices at both local and national levels.
3. Civil wars and rebellions against legitimate governments.
4. Dictatorial administrative policies both in the government and other social sectors.
5. The under payment and cheating of the proletariat (working class)
6. The wide spread child abuses like sacrifice, child labour and early marriage.
7. Abuse of human rights like denial of freedom of speech, torture of suspects, flogging of peaceful
demonstrators by ‘kiboko squad”.
8. Religious hypocrisy or pretence dominating most churches today.
9. Divisions in the church which hinders the great effort of St. Paul
10. Abuse of office by most top officers in the public offices.
11. The rampant promiscuous sexual practices like prostitution, fornication and adultery.
12. Etc.
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AMOS’ CONDEMNATION OF OTHER NATIONS (1:3 2:1-5)

Amos condemned the sins of other nations that surrounded Israel. The following are the evils he
condemned;
1. He gave God’s judgment and condemned the people of Damascus in Syria for savage cruelty to the
people of Gilead during their military campaigns (Amos 1:3-5).
•Therefore Amos said that God would send fire to the Syrians to destroy their king’s palace and
fortress. Their city gates of Damascus would be destroyed while the people would be sent into
exile.
2. He condemned the people of Philistia for capturing their colleagues and sold them into slavery in
Edom.
•Therefore God would destroy their city walls of Gaza and its fortresses. He would also remove
the rulers of the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekon and Gaza.
3. He condemned the people of Tyre for violating the covenant they made with their neighbours. They
were also condemned for carrying their fellowmen into exile.
•Because of this, God would send fire upon the city walls and burn their city walls and its fortress.
4. Amos condemned the people of Edom for killing their brothers and hunting down their brothers of
Israel which was a sign of hatred. They were also condemned for failing to control their anger.
•Therefore God was to send fire and destroy their city and fortress.
5. To the people of Ammon, they were condemned for their lack of mercy. In their wars of conquest
and expansion. They ripped open pregnant women in Gilead. So God would send fire to destroy
their walls of Rabbah and burn down its fortresses.
•He would also use war to send them into exile (Amos 1:14-15).
6. He condemned the people of Moab for dishonoring the bones of the king of Edom. His bones were
all burnt to ash.
•He therefore prophesized that God would send fire upon the land, burn fortresses of Kerioth town,
while the people and leaders of Moab would be killed in a battle.
7. He condemned Judah for idol worship and other repeated sins against the covenant faith.
•To the people of Judah, God would send fire to burn down the fortress of Jerusalem. Judah had
forgotten to keep the covenant law and practiced idolatry, syncretism and apostasy.
How does Amos’ message present Yahweh as a universal God?
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 In the first place he started by condemning pagan nations like Syria for their savage cruelty to the
people of Gilead during their military campaigns.
 He says that God would send fire to destroy their king’s palace and his fortress.
 He condemned the people of Philistia for capturing their colleagues whom they sold into slavery in
Edom; and so God would destroy their city walls of Gaza and its fortresses.
 He condemned the people of Tyre for violating the covenant of friendship with their neighbours and
for carrying their fellowmen into exile; and so God would send fire upon the city walls and burn
their city walls and its fortress.
 Amos condemned the people of Edom for killing their brothers and hunting down the people of
Israel. Therefore God was to send fire and destroy their city and fortress.
 To the people of Ammon, they were condemned for their lack of mercy in their wars of conquest
and expansion. They ripped open pregnant women in Gilead.
 So God would send fire to destroy their walls of Rabbah and burn down its fortresses.
 He condemned the people of Moab for dishonoring the bones of the king of Edom. His bones were
all burnt to ash; thus God would send fire upon the land, burn fortresses of Kerioth town, while the
people and leaders of Moab would be killed in a battle.
 Amos also condemned Judah his home country for idol worship and other repeated sins against the
covenant faith; thus God would send fire to burn down the fortress of Jerusalem.
 Besides Amos said that God’s Day of Judgment would be a day of destruction to both the Jews and
gentiles thus indicating the universality of God.
 He then turned onto the wickedness of Israel; that God would not spare them even their fastest
runners would not escape.
 He said God will use their enemies to destroy the Israelites only a few people of Samaria would
escape.
 Being God’s chosen nation would not save Israel because God would humiliate their women who
would be dragged and dumped into exile like rubbish.
 Amos said that God would use fire to destroy their altars of Bethel and no one would be able to put
it out.
 He said that the rich would not be able to enjoy their riches especially those who became rich by
exploiting the poor.
 Amos called upon both the Jews and gentiles to repent in order to overcome God’s wrath.
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 He said that in Israel there would be wailing and mourning all over the cities and along the roads.
THE VISIONS THROUGH WHICH AMOS VIEWED THE
DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL
Amos spoke in an accent of doom and dark clouds on the horizons. He was so sure of the
destruction that he sang for them the funeral song.
1. THE FIRST VISION OF LOCUSTS (AMOS 7:1-3)
During the first vision, Amos saw a swarm of locusts on the land and everything green was to be
eaten up by these locusts. The vision symbolized the disaster that was to befall on Israel as a result
of their wickedness. This disaster would lead to food shortage and consequently famine. Amos
however, prayed to God so that he could forgive his people
and through his prayer, the punishment was with held.
2. THE SECOND VISION OF FIRE (AMOS 7:4-6)
Amos again saw God preparing to punish the people using fire. He saw the fire drying up deep
seas and devouring the whole land. The vision symbolized the prolonged drought which would dry
up all the water streams in Israel. This was a sign pointing to the destruction of all living
organisms mankind inclusive. Amos pleaded to God and in his goodness the threat of fire was
withdrawn.
3. THE THIRD VISION OF THE PLUMB LINE (AMOS 7:7-9
Amos saw in the third vision a wall that was out of the plumb line. The vision symbolized that the
social, religious and economic evils of Israel were so great, that their life was totally out of the
covenant faith. They had been given enough time to change their evils but they refused. They were
therefore not going to escape God’s wrath. They were going to face the judgment. In this vision
Israel was like a crooked wall which was fit for destruction. The Israelites had no any other chance
but only to be destroyed. The king and his people would be destroyed because they disregarded the
covenant law.
4. THE FOURTH VISION OF A BASKET OF SUMMER FRUITS (8:1-3)
Amos saw a basket full of ripe fruits at the end of the harvest. This vision was symbolic. It meant
Israel’s sins were beyond permissible limits. They were ripe and ready for punishment. Israel had
been preached to now and then but refused to repent; so they had to be rewarded by being
punished. They were ready for destruction and their dead bodies would have nobody to burry and
the whole of their cities would be covered by wailing and agony.
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5. THE FIFTH VISION ON THE TEMPLE (9:1-4)

Amos saw the Lord standing by the alter and commanded him to strike the top of the temple and
make it to collapse on the heads of the people. The vision symbolized the destruction of the temple
and the unworthy worshippers. Even those who would try to escape, God would follow them up
and have them destroyed.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE VISIONS IN THE BOOK OF AMOS

1. The vision showed that God punishes for evil and this is reflected in the vision of locusts, fire and
plumb line which were to be fall on Israel because of their sins.
2. More still, the visions also reflected God as a loving father who is concerned for his people. The
withdrawal of the impending disasters shows that God does not delight in destroying but saving
mankind.
3. They also showed that God is the ultimate controller of nature and so nature exists just because God
wishes.
4. The visions also reflected the holiness of God the almighty. He is so holy that he expects mankind
too to live a holy and righteous life.
5. They also showed that God has full control over his people. He could punish them whenever they
sinned against him.
6. They further implied that God’s judgment is inevitable, even those who claim to be his people would
be judged in the end.
7. The visions were a proof that God gives warning to this people in advance before he destroys them.
The Jews were required to repent for their sins but they deliberately refused, so they were to be
punished.
8. They further implied that God will employ other people to inflict punishment onto the sinners.
9. They implied that Israel had a chance to repent and turn to God; before the actual day of judgement
comes.
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10. The visions still implied that Israel was a special nation before God, hence their ability to attract his
concern to an extent of warning them for their sins. Israel therefore was charged with a duty of
living by the covenant demands.
11. They further implied that the day of destruction would surely come, so it is important for all people
regardless of their background and status to prepare themselves for it.

Account for Amos ‘condemnation of the rich people in Israel

1. The rich were selling other people into slavery
2. They filled their houses with property taken from the poor people.
3. Most of they did not know to be honest, i.e. tampered with their weighting scales to cheat the poor.
4. The rich women of Samaria mistreated the poor and oppressed others.
5. The rich women urged their husbands to supply to them good things; this was done at the expense of
the poor who were mistreated.
6. The rich hated anybody who challenged their injustices and those who spoke the truth in the courts
of law.
7. They persecuted the good men and prevented the poor from getting justice.
8. They trampled on the weak and hopeless people.
9. They misused God’s holy places by playing sex from them.
10. They could hardly wait for the Holy days to end so that they engage in their business.
11. At places of worship they slept on blankets confiscated from the poor as security for their debts.
12. They were guilt of bribery and corruption
13. They lived a luxurious life at the expense of the poor
14. They drank wine and used the best perfumes of time without caring for those in need.

Qn . Under what circumstances would Amos condemn the rich people in Uganda?
Use in case, if or when…………….

INSTANCES IN WHICH THE ISRAELITES FAILED TO LEARN FROM THEIR

HISTORY
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Amos illustrates how Israel had failed to learn from the punishments and God’s favours, love and
kindness. This shown in the following ways;

FAILURE TO LEARN FROM PUNISHMENTS

In his book, Amos recorded a number of disaster which were sent by God in an effort to make
them repent but still the Israelites failed to learn from such punishments and these included the
following;
i) Amos reminded them the time when God brought famine to all their cities. Although this brought
about starvation, suffering and miseries in the towns, the Israelites still refused to learn from that
punishment and repent (Amos 4:6).
ii) Amos reminded them of the time when God punished Israel with drought, people suffered from
thirsty and their crops dried up due to lack of water, but still they did not come back to God (Amos
4:7-8).
iii) He reminded them of the time when God sent a scorching wind to dry up their crops, still they did
not learn from this punishment to go back to God (Amos 4:9).
iv) He reminded them of the locusts sent by God eat t up all their crops, vineyards, fig trees and olive
trees, the Israelites still remained adamant (4:9).
v) He made them recall the plagues God sent on them similar to the one sent on the Egyptians. Many
people suffered from different disease, but still didn’t repent (Amos 4:10).
vi) They were reminded of the time when God delivered their young men from the hands of their
enemies in battle. Many were killed and their horses captured, but even then the survivors among
them refused to repent.
vii) They were reminded of the time when God sent fire on the Israelites and destroyed some of them.
Still the survivors did not draw lessons from it to turn to God.
All these punishments were given to teach the Israelites and other people of Amos’ time. They
refused to use them and seek forgiveness from God.

FAILURE TO LEARN FROM THE FAVOURS

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Amos did not only blame the Israelites because of their failure to learn from the punishments, but
he also illustrated how they failed to learn from the punishments, but he also illustrated how they
failed to learn from the favors God gave them and those she had given to their ancestors. The
following are the favors they took for granted and never learnt from them.
i) God had given them military victories. For their sake God destroyed the strong and tall men of the
Amorites (Amos 2:9).
ii) Through Amos, God reminded the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt. They had suffered so
much under slavery but God through Moses helped them out of Egypt (Amos 2:10).
iii) He informed them of God’s providence and protection throughout the exodus event. He assisted
them for the 40 years they spent in the desert (Amos 2:10).
iv) Amos told them that God favoured them by giving them the land of Canaan which belonged to
Amorites (Amos 2:10).
v) He reminded them that God extended his special favours to them, when he sent some of their sons to
be prophets (Amos 2:11).
vi) Amos revealed God’s favour to them which was manifested in appointing some of their sons into a
noble profession of Nazirite.
It can be concluded that God’s punishment given to the Israelites was a consequence of their
disobedience, but also a call to repentance. Punishment was a sign of complete rejection. It was an
opportunity for them to learn.
THE DAY OF THE LORD (AMOS 5:15FF)
The popular Jewish understanding of the day of the Lord was focusing on a day of rejoicing,
prosperity and success. The majority of the Israelites therefore were eager for it to come. They
expected the day of the Lord to be characterized by the following;
1. According to the Israelites, this would be a day when God would show his power over the pagan
nations. When that day comes, Israel would not be disturbed by her neighboring states any more.
2. They believed that it would be a day when they would begin to live in material prosperity. At this
time, Israel would have accumulated a lot of material wealth such as sheep, goats, cattle, land, gold,
etc.
3. It would be a day of glory and victory in the battles for the Israelites. At this time Israel would
pursue her enemies until when they would seek for peace.
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4. They believed that it would be a day when God would give all the blessings he had promised to all
the Israelites ancestors such as Abraham.
5. It would be a day when their vine yards and olive gardens would produce in plenty, when corn
would grow faster than they could harvest it.
6. It was to be a day when God would forgive the Israelite for their sins and start living in harmony
with them.
7. The Jews also believed that the day of the Lord would be a day when God would send rain at the
right time so that people could have a lot to eat.
8. They believed that it would be a day when the Israelites would increase in number as well as their
domestic animals.
9. At this moment, the expected trade boom, they would realize abnormal profits and increase in their
trade.
10. It would a day Israel would see all their sins forgiven and on that day total peace would be realized
in their land.

However, the prophet attacked their view and rejected it as being false. To Amos the day of the
lord would not be characterized with triumph and blessings for the Israelites but it would be a day
of DOOM and DISASTER.
According to Amos, this day would be characterized with the following features;
1. It would be a day of terror and disaster. It would to be a day when man would ran away from a lion
and meet a bear or man put his hand on a wall only to bitten by a snake.
2. It would be a day when people’s feast would turn into mourning and all their festive songs turned
into funeral songs.
3. To Amos, on the day of the Lord, idols would completely be destroyed so that religious sanity would
be restored in Israel.
4. On the day of Lord, God would kill most of the Israelites and their bodies would form food for the
birds of the air.
5. Amos also believed that on this day of the Lord, God would humble everyone who thinks is
powerful. This is when the brave soldiers would run away from God’s wrath.
6. On that day, there would be wailing in the cities and towns and along the roads of the country.
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7. Samaria was to be under siege by the foreign armies. It would be a military operation during which a
foreign army would surround the town and gain its control.
8. On this day, the Israelites would be dragged into exile from where they would be mistreated.
9. Amos also believed that on the day of the Lord, people would suffer from hunger, they would come
out of their houses because of the destruction and they would start eating one another.
10. Human pride would be ended and human arrogance be destroyed by God on that day.

THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DAY OF LORD

1. To the Christians, they believe that Jesus’ second coming (Parousia) is the day of the Lord.
2. Christians believe that this day would mark the end of the world. When that day comes, all earthly
objects will come to an end.
3. They believe that Jesus Christ will appear with angels on that day. They believe that on that day the
lord will come as king.
4. The day will mark the final struggle against the powers of darkness.
5. Christians believe that when the trumpet is sounded announcing Jesus’ coming, the dead will rise to
life.
6. On the day of the Lord, Jesus himself will judge mankind. The righteous will be separated from the
unrighteous.
7. Those who will be found righteous will go to heaven and sit on the right hand side of God from
where they would get eternal life.
8. They would possess the kingdom of God and they would enjoy a lot of blessings from God.
9. On this day, the unrighteous would be sent to hell to suffer forever.
10. It’s believed that, on that day, Jesus will take the control of the world for ever.
11. On that day strange miracles will be seen. The dead will rise, the lame will be made to walk etc
therefore, it will be a day of wonders.
12. Christians believe that the day will come abruptly. No body knows the hour or the very day.

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN AMOS AND AMAZIAH THE PRIEST OF BETHEL (AMOS
7:10-17)
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God sent Amos to go and prophesy to the wicked people of Israel. In his prophesy he attacked
Jeroboam the king of Israel and said that his Kingdom will surely come to an end.
On top of this, he again attacked the pagan worship of Israel. He said that the places of worship in
Israel were going to be destroyed by God. This annoyed priest Amaziah who stopped Amos from
prophesying and advised him to go and prophesy I Judah where he would be paid for his work.
It was this kind of antagonism which caused the conflict between these two important figures in
Israel.

CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT

1. Amos was considered blasphemous; when Amos attacked the holy place of worship in Israel, he was
considered blasphemous which to him was an insult because it contravened the mosaic tradition. His
attack on Bethel annoyed Amaziah and this marked the beginning of their misunderstanding.
2. When Amos predicted the exile of the Israelites and the death of their king Jeroboam, Amos was
considered a traitor. His attack of Jeroboam their King was seen as treason to the country which was
punished to death. This further worsened Amos’ relationship with Amaziah.
3. Another cause of the conflict was that Amos was not born a prophet, but was a mere shepherd. This
made priest Amaziah doubt him. However, by doubting him, Amaziah was undermining Amos’
integrity some thing which greatly annoyed Amos.
4. Besides, the prophecy which Amos gave concerning the people of Israel about their irreligious life
which was bound to cause suffering on them also made Amaziah unhappy with Amos. It looked like
Amaziah had not done any serious work as far as directing the Israelites in line of the mosaic
traditions was concerned. This could have forced Amaziah to tell Amos to go back to Judah where
he came from (Amos 7:12).
5. Besides, Amos also counter reacted to Amaziah’s attack by prophesying against his wife. He said
that Amaziah’s wife would become a prostitute something which greatly strained their relationship.
6. Amaziah was still outraged by the prophecy of doom from Amos concerning his children. That his
sons and daughters would die in the war.
7. Amaziah had also reduced Amos to a false prophet who worked for money; this could have annoyed
Amos so much.
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8. More so, Amos told the priest that they will be taken to exile from where they will be mistreated.
This was contravening with their popular belief that they were about to enjoy the day of the Lord
which will be marked with total celebrations thus annoying not only Amaziah but the general public.
9. Amos said that Amaziah’s land would be taken and shared by other people.
10. He said that the entire country would be overrun by foreigner who would take them to exile.
11. The conflict also originated from Amaziah’s intrigue with the Israelites to stop Amos from working
in their land, not knowing that he was commissioned by God.
12. The conflict was due to Amos’s message of doom against the sins of priest Amaziah.
13. Amos’ message annoyed the chief priest Amaziah.
14. Amos condemned the hypocritical worship at Bethel, this led to the confrontation.
15. Amos condemned that Yahweh was no longer interested in people’s festivals thereby annoying
Amaziah.
16. Amos termed people’s religious songs as noise to God, this annoyed Amaziah.
17. Amos attacked on the empty sacrifices that the people offered to God, hence the confrontation.
18. The conflict was due to Amos’ message against the sins of the people of Bethel.
19. Amos prophesied destruction of the worship places including Bethel. This annoyed Amaziah the
chief priest of Bethel.
20. He prophesied the end of Jeroboam’s dynasty.
21. Amos prophesied that the day of the Lord would be a day of darkness yet Amaziah had told the
people that it would be a day of light.
22. Amos condemned people’s immorality at Bethel. This led to the confrontation.
23. Amos prophesied that the people at Bethel would be taken into exile which made Amaziah feel
insecure.
24. Amos’ determination to defend the covenant faith led to confrontation.
25. He condemned religious syncretism thereby annoying Amaziah.
26. Priest Amaziah felt ashamed because he was responsible for the immorality at Bethel.
27. Amaziah had failed to condemn religious hypocrisy and felt attacked by Amos.
28. Amos had spoken the truth yet Amaziah refused to accept the truth that he had sinned.
29. Amaziah had stopped Amos from prophesying, thus leading to the conflict.
30. Amaziah wrote a letter to king Jeroboam accusing Amos of treason hence confrontation.
31. Amaziah wanted cheap popularity from the people.
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32. Amaziah took Amos to be a money minded prophet.

33. Amaziah had thought that Amos had come to take over his work.
34. Amos had prophesied doom to the house of Amaziah, e.g. his wife would become a prostitute.
(b) Examine the areas that might lead to conflict among religious leaders today
1. Transfer of religious leaders to rural areas may lead to conflicts.
2. Disagreements on the share of church proceeds may lead to conflicts.
3. Embezzlement of church funds by some leaders.
4. Misconduct of one of the church leaders in public or privacy may lead to conflict.
5. Indecent dressing by some church leaders may lead to conflicts.
6. Discrimination of worshippers by some church leaders.
7. In case a church leader preaching hatred and disunity; this may lead to conflicts.
8. Sexual immorality by some church leaders may be a source of conflict.
9. In case a church leader is Lazy, this may bring about conflicts.
10. Use of magical powers by some religious leaders
11. The use of wrong doctrines by some church leaders.
12. Corruption by some members of the church.
13. Pride in some church leaders.
14. Desire for recognition.
NB: Any misbehavior of church leaders may create conflicts

AMOS’ MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE ISRAELITES

Although prophet Amos’ prophesy carries messages of judgment (doom, he also delivered a
message of hope to the people of Israel. This is reflected in the following ways;
1. Amos said that though the wicked people would be destroyed, not all the descendants of Jacob will
perish. Some remnants would remain behind (Amos 9:8-10).
2. He said that after the sins of Israel had been punished for, God will restore the Kingdom of David. A
new king from the line of David would rule them according to God’s will (Amos 9:11).
3. When Israel is restored, there would no longer be two divided kingdoms but a united people and
under one king the descendant of David.
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4. The impending destruction from God which Amos saw in his first vision but later withheld by God
also prints to a moment of hope for God’s people. Hope was assured to them provided they repented
for their sins.
5. Still the second vision of fire which was meant to destroy Israel but eventually God changed his
mind, also indicates that there was hope for the Israelites if changed their ways.
6. According to Amos, the day of Lord he had prophesized would be a day of military victory for the
faithful remnants and so the people of Israel would conquer what would be left of the land of Edom
and other nations which were once under Israel.
7. He said that time was coming when God would forgive those who would repent for their sins.
8. He said that God was going to help them rebuild the ruined structures of their city. Therefore; after
destruction, there would be prosperity once again.
9. He prophesized that God would bring back his people from exile and help them to live in their land
once again; “I will bring my people back to their land (Amos 9:14).
10. Their land would develop a new miraculous fertility and people would enjoy the fruits from their
fertile land (9:13)
11. Amos prayed for the forgiveness of his people and God granted his prayer. This is shown in his
intercession.
12. By sending Amos in the northern territory of Israel was a clear indication that God never wanted to
see his people perish. He wanted them to change and live.
13. Amos added that time would come when Israel’s prayers and sacrifices would be received by God.
He would be available to listen to their complaints and his people will never regret any more.
14. He added that God would make their grain grow faster than it could be harvested; while grapes
would grow faster than the wine could be made from it (i.e. it would be a period of strange miracles.
15. On their restoration mountains will drip with sweet wine. All these were focusing at the hope in their
future.
16. By sending Amos to Israel it also indicates God’s love for Israel, that he wanted to warn them before
they were destroyed.
It can be concluded that although most of Amos’ message predicted doom because of people’s
sins, he also gave a message of hope and pleaded for the safety, of the people. The message of
hope reveals God’s unfailing love, mercy and forgiveness.
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SAMPLE QUESTIONS.
1. “Prophet Amos was both a prophet of doom and hope”. Justify the above statement.
2 (a) Account for Amos’ singing of the funeral song to the Israelites in Amos
(5:1ff)
(b) Why would Amos sing a funeral song to Ugandans today?

PROPHET HOSEA

Hosea was a son of Beeri who preached in the northern kingdom of Israel after prophet Amos.
Hosea prophesized during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah who were the kings of
Judah while Jeroboam II was the king of Israel. The prophetic ministry of Hosea is said to have
taken place around 747 BCE. Hosea unlike Amos was a native of Israel.
Although some scholars suggest that Hosea was a farmer before he was called to prophet hood, the
majority of others whose suggestion is more acceptable believe that he was a member of the
Levitical family of priests. The latter give the following to support their belief.

i) The way Hosea attacks and criticizes the priests who had replaced the legitimate priests at their
expulsion by king Jeroboam, reflects that Hosea must have belonged to the Levitical priests. He was
opposed to the illegitimate service of the unconstitutional priests of the time. The Levitical priests
had lost recognition in Israel as a family of priests. This was during the establishment of shrines for
Baal and the appointment of ordinary families to serve as priests by king Jeroboam.
ii) Hosea also had a special liking for the places of worship found in the northern Israel. He often
mentions the shrines of Gilgal, Schechem, Bethel and Samaria. This strong feeling was typical of
members of the priestly family. So this suggests that he may have been a member of the deposed
priestly family.
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iii) The attitude towards Yahweh, the law and priesthood found in Hosea reflects a lot of similarities
found in the book of Deuteronomy. These similarities and attitudes as well as the vast knowledge of
the book of Deuteronomy are typical of a member of the Levitical family. Priests were expected to
be familiar with the Torah since they taught it to the people.
The following similarities link Hosea to Deuteronomy;
Both the book Hosea and that of Deuteronomy attach a lot of importance on Yahweh and his law
(Deut: 4:9, 6 :6-13, Hosea 8:3).
a. Both books agree that failure to follow the covenant will lead to disaster (Deut: 28:8, Hosea 8:3).
b. They both undermine the role of priest. Their primary role is to teach the law and not necessarily
offering sacrifices. These are found in Deuteronomy (Duet: 31:9-11, 33:10, Hosea 4:6, 8:12).
c. Both Hosea and Deuteronomy are critical of the institution of kinship. They regard a king as
legitimate only if he had been appointed by Yahweh (Deut: 17:4, Hosea 8:4).

THE EVILS HOSEA CONDEMNED THAT WERE AGAINST THE COVENANT LAW
Hosea’s teaching had its roots from the events of the exodus-leading to the covenant relationship
established between God and Israel at Mt. Sinai. This relationship is seen as a personal loving
relationship characterized by loyalty, kindness, justice, mercy and knowledge of God. Israel did
not live to this expectation.

The following is what Hosea saw as Israel’s violation of the covenant relationship.
1. The Israelites lacked steadfast love and faithfulness to their God. The covenant love was expected
to be steadfast but this was not. “Your love for me disappears as quickly as morning mist; it is like
dew which vanishes early in the day” Hosea 6:4.
2. The Israelites were hypocritical in their religious practices. They expressed repentance but their
repentance was shallow and insincere. They deceived themselves that by offering sacrifices, God
would forgive them even without sincere conversion of their hearts. Hosea told them that God was
not going to be deceived by such empty sacrifices. “What I want from you is plain and clear, I want
your constant love and not your sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn
offerings to me” (Hosea 6:6).
3. The Israelites had broken their promises made to God by rejecting to keep the law and lead the
people to righteousness. Instead they promoted lies, murder adultery, theft etc. (Hosea 4:1-4).
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4. The priests were committed promote evil in the land instead of promoting the covenant faith of the
land.
5. The priests failed to judge with justice and neglected teaching people the law of God. The
concentrated move on asking people for sacrifices thereby making themselves rich as they were the
beneficiary of sacrifices.
6. Some priests were drunkards and worshipped idols something which contravened with the covenant
faith.
7. He also condemned the royal family for failure to judge cases justly. (Hosea 5:1).
8. He condemned the Israelites for abusing the worshipping and religious practices. They had turned
the religious festivals especially the grape harvest into drunken orgies and time for pagan
prostitution.
9. He condemned the Israelites for idol worship and offering sacrifices to Baal (Amos 4:12-13).
10. The political leaders ruled God’s people with oppression. Leaders of Judah invaded Israel to steal
land from her, all these were condemned by Hosea (Hosea 5:10).
11. Israel leaders also broke the covenant law by making alliances with their neighbours. They engaged
in political maneuvers and treaties with pagan nations like Syria (Hosea 5:13).
12. The people had become disloyal to their kings. They made them drunk and murdered some (Hosea
7:3-7)

HOSEA’S MESSAGE OF JUDGMENT BECAUSE OF ISRAEL’S SINS

Hosea like Amos predicted doom for the wicked people of Israel.
The following is a summary of his judgment message.
1. Hose prophesized that because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant law, exhibited in their lies,
murder, theft and adultery, God was going to bring destruction on the land of Israel. The land will
dry up, animals and birds and the fish would die making it difficult for man to survive because of the
hunger that would follow (Hosea 4:3).
2. To the prophets and priest who neglected their duty, they would be destroyed together with the rest
of the Israelites. He said that they would eat their sacrifices but still remain hungry and become
childless. Therefore their god of fertility whom they worshipped would not give them children
(Hosea 4:4-10).
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3. To those who committed adultery and carried out prostitution in the temple and those who offered
sacrifices to Baal and enjoyed drunkard orgies that went with pagan festivals, would be sent into
exile and be humiliated (Hosea 4:19).
4. He prophesized doom to Israel using the first name of his son-Jezreel. Jezreel meant punishment and
destruction on Israel for its murderous and violent deeds. Kings and other people who shed innocent
blood would die and suffer for their own sins.
5. Many would be humiliated by the enemies and Israel’s military power would be destroyed (Hosea
5:1).
6. To the priests and the royal family who failed to judge justly, punishments would befall on them. No
one would hide from God’s punishment. They will die a violent death and God would turn their
honour into disgrace.
7. To those who committed idolatry, their sacrifices to Yahweh would not be accepted nor would it be
of any benefit to them. Above all, their land would be destroyed.
8. To Judah which invaded Israel and stole their land and oppressed them, God was angry with them
and would bring destruction to them and pour punishment to them like flood (Hosea 5:10).
9. The Israelites, who entered into political alliances with pagan nations, would be destroyed. They
would seek for assistance from the emperor of Assyria but would find none and some of her people
would go into exile (5:12-15).
10. To the idol worshippers, their golden bulls would be smashed into pieces and their crops would
never be productive. There would be no children born to them. Some of their children would be
taken to exile and some would be killed from there.
11. Hosea prophesized that though they had demanded for the kings, those very kings would be taken
away from them.
12. He said that God would break down their altars, cause death, and send destructive winds, hunger and
plague that would cause death.
13. Nations would join others against Israel and destroy their cities and fortresses. Their kings would be
killed; babies smashed on the ground and pregnant women would have their wombs cup open
(Hosea 13:1-16).

HOSEA’S MARRIAGE EXPERIENCE AND ITS PROPHETIC MESSAGE

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Hosea illustrates the relationship between God and the Israelites using his marriage experience. He
also compared the relationship of a loving father with his children, with God’s relationship with
the children of Israel. Hosea shows through these illustrations that Israel had rejected God’s love
like his unfaithful wife and his disobedient children.
“I loved him and called him out of Egypt as my son, the more I called him, the more he turned
away from me” (Hosea 11:1-2).

What Hosea describes about his life and children applies to Israel. What he says about himself
applies to God at the same time.
The following illustrates how Hosea’s marriage experience reflects God’s experience with his
people of Israel.

Qn. Justify the view that Hosea’s marriage with Gomer is key to the understanding of God’s
relationship with the people of Israel.

1. God commanded Hosea to go and marry Gomer in the same way Yahweh was to enter a covenant
with Israel.
2. God went ahead and warned that this woman would be a prostitute in the same way Yahweh warned
of Israel’s future backsliding.
3. Hosea married the prostitute Gomer just as Yahweh bound himself to Israel in a covenant while
aware of her potentiality to sin.
4. In the first days of their marriage, the relationship between Gomer and Hosea was cordial in the
same way Israel’s relationship with Yahweh was perfect soon after the covenant days.
5. Later Gomer went into prostitution and started running after other men just as Israel started
worshipping many gods.
6. Hosea pleaded with his wife Gomer to leave prostitution so that she could come back and enjoy a
happy marriage.
7. Just as Yahweh continued following Israel to leave syncretism and enjoying good relationship with
him.
8. Hosea’s marriage with Gomer had been blessed with three children who had symbolic names.
9. Jezreel the first child symbolised destruction hence Israel was to be destroyed.
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10. The second child was named “unloved” which symbolised a break in the love of God for Israel
hence have no pity for them.
11. The third child was named “not my people” which symbolised that God had disowned Israel
because of their sins.
12. Hosea’s children also became unfaithful to their father just like their mother in the same way; the
Israelite future generations had become unfaithful.
13. Hosea later sent his children to plead with their mother to come back from prostitution, in the same
way God sent prophets to tell Israel to turn to the covenant and repent.
14. Gomer instead did not turn away from her lovers and Hosea punish her for adultery just as God was
going to punish Israel for her syncretism.
15. Hosea was to take Gomer to the desert strip her naked in their same way Israel was going to be sent
into exile.
16. She was to be stripped naked before her lovers; in the same way Yahweh was to take away Israel’s
property which they had been enjoying.
17. Gomer had been going to her lovers for material benefits just as Israel was worshiping Baal and
other gods to ensure success fertility of the land etc..
18. Hosea continued to love Gomer despite her prostitution in the same way Yahweh continued to love
Israel even though they had disappointed him.
19. At God’s command, Hosea is told to go and love again a woman who was committing adultery just
as Yahweh was to make a new covenant with Israel.
20. Before this Hosea was to pay 15 pieces of silver 15kg of barley to get Gomer back from prostitution
in the same way Yahweh was to pay heavily to save Israel.
21. Gomer had to live in seclusion for some time before she could be acknowledged as Hosea’s wife just
as Israel was to first undergo, a process of purification.
22. The period of seclusion would make Gomer hate her lovers, in the same way the period of exile
would make Israel hate Baal other gods.
23. In the new relationship (marriage life) there would be total love between Gomer and Hosea, in the
same way God was going to renew his love for Israel as was before.
24. Never again would Gomer turn to her lovers, in the same way Israel would be committed Yahweh.
25. The names of Hosea’s children would be changed which would symbolise a new relationship.
26. Jezreel would turn to “prosperity” which implied that Israel would prosper again.
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27. Unloved would turn to “loved” which symbolised that God would love Israel again and have pity for
Israel.
28. Not my people would turn to “my people”; which implied that God would repossess Israel and they
would be his people again.
29. The people of Israel would come back to God once again.
30. In the marriage relationship, Hosea represents God and Gomer represents Israel.

COMPARISON BETWEEN HOSEA’S MARRIAGE AND AFRICAN TRADITIONAL

MARRIAGES

Differences:
1. In African tradition, polygamy was practical and marrying another wife was used as a punishment
to a wife who miss-behaved. But in Hosea’s case, he maintained the monogamous marriage inspite
of the misconduct of his wife Gomer.
2. In African tradition, divorce was not encouraged but it was allowed for serious cases like adultery
and witchcraft. In Hosea’s marriage, divorce was not possible.
3. In African tradition, women were subordinate and considered inferior to men. However, Hosea’s
marriage does not reflect this altitude towards his wife. His marriage reflected mutual love and
desire for permanent companionship despite his wife’s infidelity.
4. In African tradition, marriage was a contract between families and communities from which the
couple came. In Hosea’s case, marriage involved him and Gomer his wife.
5. In African traditional, a partner who wronged the other was the one to pay a fine. But in Hosea’s
case, it was him who paid a ransom for the restoration of his sinful wife.
6. In African traditional society, extra marital sex could be under society, extra marital sex could be
under certain circumstances for example an impotent man could avail his wife to his brother so that
he produces children on his behalf. Some societies encouraged a wife to have sex with her brother in
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law especially when the husband was away. This was not acceptable in Hosea’s marriage. Sex was
exclusively meant for couples although Gomer went against this.
7. In African traditional societies, marriage was cemented by paying bride wealth. This was not the
case in Hosea’s marriage.
Similarities:
1. In African tradition misuse of sex or adultery was punished with an intention to stop the evil. Hosea
also punished Gomer for adulterous act with an intention of stopping that sinful act.
2. In African traditional, the approval of the marriage partner was carried out by the senior members of
the family or society. It was the elders who made the final decisions to approve or disapprove
marriage. Hosea’s case was also decided by God on his behalf. It was God who approved his
marriage to Gomer.
3. In both cases, names given to children had symbolic meaning. In African tradition society, names
reflected social, political and religious situations under which someone was born. Names reflected
wars, famine or a visit of an important person. Hosea’s children also had symbolic names. They
reflected the social, political and religious situations of the time.
4. In both cases, the husband is recognized as the head of the family.
5. Both marriages value children so much. In the Old Testament children were seen as a sign of God’s
blessing and childless marriage was seen as a curse. The same opinion was held in African
traditional society.
6. In both cases, marriage was seen as a religious institution ordained by God.

HOW HOSEA’S MARRIAGE EXPERIENCE IS RELEVANT TO THE PRESENT

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES.
1. Christian couples should forgive each other in case of misunderstanding just like the way Hosea did.
2. Christian couples should institute steadfast love in their marriage just as Hosea exhibited it to his
wife Gomer.
3. Beside, Christian couples should learn to tolerate unfaithfulness in marriage. It should not be a sole
reason to break marriage.
4. From Hosea’s marriage, Christians lean to have the willingness to correct others or to be corrected.
It should be part of a model Christian marriage.
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5. Even when separation takes place between married couples because of various reasons, it should be
temporally. They must re-unite just as Hosea did with Gomer.
6. Christian partners learn to be faithful to each other because unfaithfulness can destroy happiness in
marriage.
7. Greed for material wealth or family problems caused by poverty should not break marriage because
true happiness is not built on riches, but in God and sincere love of one another. Therefore, love
should be sincere love of one another. Therefore love should be the guiding principle of partners.
8. The initiative to seek reconciliation should be the duty of both partners even the wronged ones, like
Hosea who took the initiative and even paid a ransom for the reconciliation of his wife who had
wronged him.
9. Christian marriages should aim at permanence. They should therefore avoid divorce just as Hosea
behaved.
10. Christian couples should look at each other as equal partners. They should avoid subordination or
superiority complexes. Marriage should be of mutual love.
11. Love and concern should be extended to their children in all Christian marriages.

HOSEA’S MESSAGE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS REBELLIOUS PEOPLE AND THE
MESSAGE OF HOPE.
Qn. To what extent does Hosea champion the theme of God’s love and mercy?
To a larger extent Hosea is a champion of God’s love and mercy and this can be seen in the
following ways;
1. He said that even when the Israelites were unfaithful to God, He didn’t abandon them.
2. Hosea said that God had too much love for the Israelites and that is why He wasn’t willing to
destroy them. This is reflected when he said; “How can I give you up Israel, how can I abandon you,
and how could I destroy you?”
3. He says that because of God’s love, He went ahead and made a covenant with the unfaithful
Israelites.
4. He says that God promised never to punish Israel in anger and never to destroy Israel again. “I will
not destroy you Israel again; I will not punish you in my anger”.
5. Hosea says that out of God’s love, the Israelites were rescued from suffering in the Egyptian slavery.
 27

6. He predicted that there would be time when the Israelites would cease to be called “unloved” and
they would be called ‘loved people of God”
7. He predicted that there would be time when the Israelites would cease to be called “unloved” and
they would be called “loved people of God”
8. He said that time would come when “not my people” would turn into “my people” and this showed
that God forgives and continues to love his people.
9. Hosea foresaw the Israelites experiencing growth and prosperity with the change of his child’s name
“Jezreel”
10. During the time of restoration, Hosea said that the Israelites would be under God’s care and
protection and they would show that Love and faithfulness to their God.
11. Hosea foretold that time would come when the Israelites would no longer experience suffering under
their enemies.
12. Hosea’s act of sending his children to plead with their mother symbolized God’s love, this was
equivalent to the prophet who were sent by God to prophecy among His people.
13. Hosea predicted that God would protect the Israelites from external enemies and therefore remove
all the harmful weapons and give the Israelites peace.
14. Hosea’s willingness to remarry his wife symbolized God’s love for his people. Even after the
Israelites had sinned against God, He forgave them and He accepted them as His own people.
15. Hosea prophesized that time was coming when the Israelites would respect God and out of his love
He would give them new hearts and forgive them.
16. God’s love is reflected in the high price Hosea paid in order to restore his wife back just as God had
a pay highly in order to save mankind from sin.
17. He foretold that time would come when the Israelites would be restored back to their land after exile
and they would receive God’s favors and blessings.
18. Hosea says that God’s love for the Israelites was reflected in the way He provided for them in times
of need e.g. when they were hungry He fed them.
19. God promised to answer their prayers and take care of them as long as they had nothing to do with
the idols.
20. Hosea predicted that the Israelites after exile would become famous like the wine of Lebanon.
21. Hosea foresaw the Israelites going back to their land where they would settle and harvest a lot and
never to suffer from famine again.
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22. He said that the Israelites would be protected by their God ad He would show them a lot of love.
23. Hosea foresaw the Israelites rebuilding their cities after exile and enjoying nice wine in their land.
However to a smaller extent Hosea demonstrates God’s anger and this can be seen in the
following ways;
1. Hosea said that God was going to bring destruction on Israel. Their land would dry up, the birds
and animals were to die and therefore making it difficult for the people to survive because of the
famine.
2. The prophets and the priests who neglected their duties would be destroyed together with the
rest of the Israelites.
3. Hosea said that the priests would be punished for eating God’s sacrifices,
4. He said that however much they would eat, they would still remain hungry.
5. He said that those who practiced temple prostitution would be carried into exile where they would
face a lot of humiliation.
6. H prophesized doom using the name of his first son “Jezreel” which meant the destruction /
punishment which would befall Israel.
7. Using the name of the second child, “unloved” he prophesized that the Israelites would cease to be
called God’s loved people. In other words, God would stop showing love to the Israelites.
8. The third child “not my people” showed that God would stop calling the Israelites His own people.
9. Hosea said that very many people would be humiliated by their enemies and Israelites military
power would be weakened.
10. Hosea said that God would not accept those who worshipped idols; He would also allow the enemy
to destroy their land.
11. Hosea said that punishment would befall those who were dishonest while judging cases. No one
would survive, they would die a violent death and God would turn their honor into disgrace.
12. He said that those who were making alliances with the pagan states would be destroyed and some
of them would be taken into exile.
13. He prophesized doom to those who worshipped idols in order to make the land fertile.
14. He said their prayers wouldn’t be answered because their idols would be smashed and their crops
would not be productive.
15. He said that the idol worshippers would not have children and those who would happen to get some
children, their children would be taken into exile where they would be killed.
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16. He said that the kings would be taken away from their land and the people would have no leaders
despite the fact that they had demanded for a king.
17. God promised never to listen to the prayers of the people and never to accept their sacrifices because
they lacked loved in their midst.
HOSEA’S ACCUSATION OF THE PRIESTS OF ISRAEL
1. The priests of Israel had ignored their duty as messengers of God. They had blundered day and night
and thus had misled God’s people.
2. The priests had failed to acknowledge God as the overall God of Israel. Because of this, they made
people’s life doomed.
3. They rejected God’s teaching and instructions; as such they called upon themselves God’s
destruction.
4. The priests had become so rich out of the animals they received from the evil people. As such, God
turned their honor into disgrace.
5. The priests failed to provide lasting justice to their followers. They were responsible for the
judgment that befell on Israel.
6. The priests were victims of temple prostitution and all sorts of evil in society.
7. They were victims of idolatry but God was to carry them off to Assyria with their gold idols.
8. They were found of giving empty sacrifices on behalf of their followers thereby stirring up God’s
anger.
9. Most of these priests detested God’s messengers and connived with other people to hunt down
God’s priests. They thus undermined the covenant faith.
10. Above all the priests failed to repent for their sins despite the accusations made against them.
11. They were not exemplary before those under them because of this; they called upon themselves
God’s anger and judgment.

PROPHET ISAIAH
THE BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
The book of Isaiah is divided into three (3) sections:
Proto-Isaiah (first Isaiah); it covers chapter 1-39. It is said to have been written
during the Eighth century (i.e.) 740-700BCE. First, Isaiah is referred to as “Jerusalem
because its concerns are centred in Jerusalem (Judah).
 30

Duetro-Isaiah (second Isaiah); the seconds section of this book is called Duetro-Isaiah. It
covers chapters 40-55. This book is addressed to the Israelites in Babylonian exile. This section
is often referred to as “the book of consolation” because it gives hope of deliverance to the
suffering Israelites in exile. Duetro-Isaiah was written around the sixth century (i.e.) 546-533B.

Trito-Isaiah (third Isaiah); it’s comprised of chapters 56-66. It’s addressed to the Israelites in
Judah who had just returned home from the Babylonian exile. Like the second Isaiah, it’s also
said to have been written in the sixth century (i.e.) 534-520BCE).

From the above, it’s easy to analyze why biblical scholars agree that the book of Isaiah is a
product of atleast three prophetic schools rather than a belonging of a particular individual.

The book of Isaiah is a compilation of three works written at different times; but given a nick-
name or were inspired and they admired the work of prophet Isaiah they later called themselves
Isaiah’s disciples. Therefore the name of Isaiah was used to give authority to their work.

THE LIFE OF PROPHET ISAIAH

Yesha’yahu shortened as Yeshaiah or Isaiah is a Hebrew name which means “Yahweh is

salvation” or Yahweh saves. The name is therefore a summary of the contents of the book.
Isaiah received God’s call to prophet hood around 742 BCE. He was called in the year Uzziah
died. This was the time Tiglath Pilser III became King of Assyria and was extending his
conquest all countries in the Middle East and Egypt.

Prophet Isaiah prophesized during the reign of the three kings of Judah (i.e.) Jotham, Ahaz and
Hezekiah. Isaiah was a statesman. Being a member of the aristocratic class helped him to talk
and influence the aristocratic class and kings of Judah. He was conversant with the political
situation of Judah. He was conversation with the political situation of Judah and the international
politics of the time. Therefore Isaiah played a significant role in the politics of the time.
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Prophet Isaiah was a married man. His wife was a prophetess. He had two children whom he
gave symbolic names.
The fist elder son was called “Shear Jashub” which meant that the remnant shall return.
The last son was called “Mahar Shalah hash baz” meaning ‘quick look fast plunder’

The prophetic ministry of Isaiah was centred in the city of Jerusalem, although he also operated
in Israel and the neighbouring states like Syria, Assyria, Babylon and Egypt.
Prophet Isaiah was a historian as well. He had a wide knowledge of the history of the Israelites.
This knowledge was well integrated always in his teaching.

Isaiah was a reknown teacher as well. Because of his profession, he attracted a number of
followers who came to be known a his disciples. It’s possible that these were the people
who were later responsible for the compilation of these sections in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah was a good poet because he presented some of God’s message in a poetic style.
The visions and the themes in the book of Isaiah reflect the poetic nature of his book.

Isaiah was a brave man. He didn’t hesitate to challenge the influential figures of the
society like kings. For instance the attacked the political alliances king Ahaz and
Hezekiah made with foreign powers.

He was a dedicated servant of God. He was committed to the cause of his call and did not mind
much about the problems and hardships which would come as a result of his call. He was willing
to suffer and serve as a suffering servant. He was a God fearing man and very religious. This is
because he received his call while in the temple offering his sacrifice to God which was a sign of
religiosity.

THE CALL OF ISAIAH (ISAIAH 6:1-13)

1. The call of Isaiah to prophet hood came to him at the time of international crisis in the
Middle East.
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2. It was during this time that Assyria was pursuing it more trying to control most countries
surrounding her to transform herself into an empire.

3. At that time Judah was facing political problems Syria and Israel had started their attempts
of forcing Judah to join them in order to resist the Assyria designs of controlling them.

4. However, Isaiah condemned the likely alliance by stressing that protection and victory come
from God and that God was their controller but not alliances.

5. His call therefore came in year King Uzziah died.

6. While Isaiah was in the temple, all of sudden had a vision.

7. In the vision he saw the Lord on the throne in his majesty and was highly exalted.

8. He had a robe which filled the whole temple.

9. He was surrounded by heavenly creatures with wings.

10. The creatures cried out to one another that; “holy, holy, holy the Lord almighty is holy his
glory fills the worlds” (Isaiah 6:3).

11. The voice of the seraphim (winged creature) that cried out made the foundation of the
temple shake and the temple was filled with smoke.

12. Then Isaiah realized that he was in a wretched state “I am lost for I am a man of unclean lips
and I live among people of unclean tips and my eyes have looked at the King; the Lord
almighty” (Isaiah 6:5).

13. Then one of the winged creatures flew to Isaiah holding a burning coal with the tongs and
touched Isaiah’s lips and purified him of his sins.

14. “This has touched your lips, and your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven” 6:7.

15. After which, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying “whom shall I send, who shall be our
messenger”?

16. Then Isaiah said “here I am send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

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17. Then God sent Isaiah to his people who he described as people who can listen but cannot
understand, they look on but cannot see.

18. Isaiah was told to go and preach to them the word of God.

19. However, God knew that however much Isaiah would preach to them, they would not listen
to him.

20. Their minds would become dull and their eyes blind and their ears deaf to the word of God.

21. God told Isaiah that the situation would remain like that up to the Day of Judgment (i.e.)
when their houses, towns and other things have been destroyed and were now under
captivity.

22. However God promised Isaiah that those who would respond positively to his message
would be forgiven.

23. Out of survivors new beginning of God’s people would be made.

NB. The people of Judah had sinned against God and they had turned ignorant to God’s
message. The people could not see anything wrong with themselves and about the way of
life they lived. They thought that they were good people doing what God required out of
them. Infact they did not understand God at all.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VISION

1. The experience in the temple helped Isaiah and the Israelites to discover the holiness of
God. God’s holiness was revealed to Isaiah by the seraphim or heavenly creature which
cried out “holy, holy, holy the lord almighty is holy” therefore it was important to
approach him in the most holy way.
2. God’s holiness was also reflected in the angels (heavenly creatures) which served as
God’s body guards to keep away from him anything that might profane him.
3. The call of Isaiah also revealed the omnipotence of God. He is so powerful that he
managed to shake the foundation of the temple.
4. The even made Isaiah learn that his clients were sinful. Their sinfulness was reflected by
their unclean lips and being too great to be reformed.
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5. The call also enabled Isaiah to discover his sinfulness in comparison to God’s holiness
and the way he was exalted, Isaiah looked at himself as a sinful person just like those
around him.
6. The servant showed Isaiah that God was already to forgive all sinners. This was because
he purified and forgave the sins of Isaiah by touching his lips with burning coal.
7. The cleansing experience was important because it required Isaiah with the necessary
purity that he needed as a prophet.
8. The event bridged the gap between God and the sinful man. This was done through
commissioning Isaiah to go and speak for God to the sinful people.
9. The event also enabled Isaiah to acknowledge the hardness of the task ahead of him. He
was preaching to the heart hardened people who would not listen to him.
10. It was a warming to the people of Judah to change their ways of life because it reflected
the impending punishments that were to befall to the Israelites they were going to be
destroyed and sent into exile because of their wickedness.
11. The call showed that Isaiah had faith and obedience in God. His response to God; cell is
similar to that of Abraham. He was willing to work with God.
12. The call made Isaiah realize that sacrifice alone were not enough to bring people near to
God. Isaiah learnt that unless people remained faithful to God, their sacrifices would not
justify their loyalty to God.
13. The vision revealed God’s love for his people by sending Isaiah, God intended to call
upon the Israelites for repentance so that they are not destroyed.
14. The incident revealed God as a just being. He showed that not all people would be
destroyed; only the outstanding sinners would be destroyed or sent into exile.

HOW ISAIAH’S CALL INFLUENCED HIS PROPHETIC MESSAGE.

Isaiah’s call influenced his prophetic message in the following ways;

He was able to preach against religious externalism (hypocrisy) that lacked purity of the heart
and devotion to his ministry. He prophesied about the invasion that was going to run the people
into exile.
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His message stressed the omnipotence of God and he thus called upon the people to live a holy
life.

He revealed that Yahweh was the creator and the God of Israel’s history; that he controls all that
exists in the world.

He prophesied the future restoration of Israel thus his message of hope to the remnants.

His message stressed the holiness of God and called upon the people to live a holy life. It can
thus be analyzed that the vision summarized the whole of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.

LESSONS MODERN CHRISTIANS DRAW FROM ISAIAH’S CALL

1. Christians must learn to win God’s love for mankind God loves mankind so much that is
why he warned the Israelites well in advance before they were punished.
2. Christians need to be prepared all the time for God’s call. This is because God can call
upon anybody regardless of his / her background just as he called Isaiah who does not
seem to have been so good.
3. Christians are called upon to acknowledge the omnipotence of God. Thy should
acknowledge it by obeying his instructions and worshipping him alone because his might
can easily humble whoever goes away from him.
4. The vision calls upon Christians to live a holy life, a kind of life that can enable them
easily relate with God the almighty.
5. Besides, Christians should live a sinless life because God punishes for sin. He is
determined to destroy all wicked people.
6. Christians should be ready to repent for their sins in order to be forgiven by God just as
Isaiah was forgiven after confessing his sins.
7. Christians are called upon o be loyal to God the almighty because he is the king of the
entire world who rules from his majestic throne in heaven.
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8. The incidence calls upon Christians to always remain obedient to God’s call and always
to accept to carry on God’s mission however hard it may prove to be.
9. Christians should fully commit themselves to God’s service other than giving in as many
sacrifices as possible.
10. They should allow God to use their services for the good of other members of the
community where they belong.
11. It’s important for all Christians to note that God can use any body for his service,
therefore Christians need o listen to all categories of people however simple or familiar
they could be to such people. God can pass through our friends, neighbours or even
children.
12. Christians need to prepare for the Day of Judgment. They should be aware that this day
will surely come and so it should find them very pure in faith.
13. Etc.

THE EVILS CONDEMNED BY PROPHET ISAIAH

Account for God’s punishment of Judah during Isaiah’s time

1. Prophet Isaiah condemned the hypocritical worshipping of the Israelites. Isaiah made it
clear to them that their sacrifices, religious gatherings, festivals and prayers meant
nothing if their hearts remained evil. He called upon the Israelites to stop committing evil
and learn to do good things that will please God. (Isaiah 1:10-15.
2. He condemned the oppression of the widows and orphans by the rich. They ignored their
rights and grabbed the property of such people. (Isaiah 10:2).
3. He condemned theft that was so common in Judah the teachers had become thieves and
others were friendly to thieves.
4. There was a new development of materialism and exploitation in Judah. There was a
group of the rich tat added one house to another, field to field, but doing so through
corruption and at the expense of others (Isaiah 5:8)
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5. He condemned the injustices that characterized the elites of Jerusalem. The poor and the
weak were denied justice in the courts of law. The rich were left to go free even when
they were guilty. They could bribe their way out. (Isaiah 5:23, 10:1-2).
6. He condemned the extravagant living of the rich. After exploiting the poor and orphans,
the rich enjoy themselves by making parties and feasting luxuriously. These extravagant
parties were marked by heavy drinking and expensive eating. (Isaiah 5:11-12).
7. He condemned the existing drunkenness in Jerusalem. He condemned those in particular
who got up very early in the morning to drink and spent their evening drinking.
8. He was bitter at the idolatry that was being practiced. They worshipped trees and planted
sacred gardens. Their land was full of idols and they worshipped objects they made with
their own hands (Isaiah 1:29,2).
9. He condemned people who lacked more discretion and abused wisdom. These were
people who called evil good and vice-versa. They had turned darkness into light and light
into darkness. Isaiah condemned their misuse of wisdom.
10. He condemned the murder of the innocent people. At one time the city was filled with
righteous men but now only murderers remained” (Isaiah 1:21).
11. He condemned the pride and arrogance of the women of Jerusalem. Thee walked with
their nose in the air, took little exaggerated steps (swaggering) and possessed decorated
ankles (Isaiah 3:16).
12. He condemned syncretism and apostasy that was rampant in Israel. The people of Judah
had borrowed foreign customs and forgot the worship of their true God. They believed in
fortune teller and consulted mediums instead of the true prophets of God (Isaiah 8:16-19).
13. Isaiah condemned the people who put their trust in materials wealth, armies and the
unholy alliances instead of trusting God. The rich believed in their wealth while the
political leaders were putting their trust in their armies and political alliances.

EVILS WHICH WOULD BE CONDEMNED BY ISAIAH IN UGANDA

Isaiah would condemn the abuse of the children’s right e.g. where they are denied food,
education etc.
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1. He would condemn the misuse of power by the state officials through the different
agencies like Kalangala Action Plan (KAP) Operation Wembley.
2. He would still condemn the civil wars instigated by certain individuals with their selfish
interests such as Joseph Kony of LRA in which many innocent citizens have lost their
lives.
3. He would certainly condemn the increasing income inequality specially among the rulers.
Many of such cases of people are living a luxurious life at the expense of many peasants.
4. He would not spare the election mal-practices at all levels of election.
5. Isaiah would condemn the increasing sex abuses manifested inform of homosexuality,
lesbianism, prostitution etc.
6. Isaiah would preach against the under paying of the proletariat (working class) by their
masters even when the employers have the means of paying them better.
7. He would condemn the neglect of the poor, widows and other minority lasses who are
surviving on very meager resources at the expense of the rich who are in position to buy
trunks of land, own very expensive cars etc.
8. Isaiah would condemn the misuse of public offices and assets like cars.
9. He would condemn the existence of corruption, bribery and the misuse of state resources.
10. He would still condemn over taxation of workers and other business classes which is
exhibited in a number of taxes such as P.A.Y.E, Graduated Tax etc.
11. The mal-administrative policies imposed upon the masses would also be condemned by
Isaiah.
12. Denial of the poor the basic necessities of life such as education, health and housing even
when state ministries have tried to eradicate such problem state ministries have tried to
eradicate such problems.

ISAIAH’S MESSAGE OF JUDGMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH

Because of their evils and wickedness, God was going to punish the people of Judah. The
following are the punishments Isaiah prophesized;
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1. Isaiah prophesied that God would not listen to their empty prayers. Their worship and
unholy sacrifices would not be accepted by God because they lacked sincerity of the heart
and holiness.
2. Isaiah confirmed to them that their idols they trusted so much would be destroyed.
3. He said that there would be a great humiliation for the arrogant and rebellious people.
That they would try to hide in holes to escape the anger of the Lord but it would not be
possible (Isaiah 2:10-17). Isaiah said that they would be deprived of their leaders.
4. God was going to take away all their soldiers, judges prophets and political leaders.
Those who would be asked to take over leadership would decline because of the fear to
get food and clothing for their subjects (Isaiah 3:6-7).
5. To the women of Jerusalem, God would take away whatever made them proud- (i.e.) the
ornaments and their expensive perfumes. Their heads would be shaved and left naked
thus turning their beauty into shame.
6. The men of Judah would be killed in war and thus there would be scarcity of husbands.
Seven women would grab one man and ask him to be their husband so as to be saved
from the shame of being unmarried (Isaiah 4:1).
7. He prophesized that their land would be invaded by foreigners who would take them into
exile and lave their city of Jerusalem destroyed together with other cities. Jerusalem
would be transformed into a grazing land for their lambs and goats.
8. To the proud who misused their wisdom by turning good into evil would be abandoned
by God. Their gods would be left in the streets like rubbish (Isaiah 5:25).
9. Isaiah prophesized that the land of the evil and rebellious people would become un
productive and its leaders would starve to death.
10. He said that the day of the Lord for the criminals will not be a day of victory but a day of
destruction.
11. Isaiah said that God would send locusts to attack their gardens and this would result into
severe famine.
12. That fire would be employed by God to destroy their city of Jerusalem.
13. That God would elect for them young and unexperienced people to govern them in their
land.
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THE SONG OF THE VINE YARD (ISAIAH 5:1FF)

1. In the parable of the vine yard, Isaiah shows how the owner of the vineyard provided a
very fertile hill for it. Here the gardener of the vine yard is God the almighty who chose
Israel and Judah as his people when he settled at a fertile place of Canaan.
2. Isaiah shows that the gardener dug the hill and cleared out its stones. The clearing of the
stones was symbolic; it meant the removal of all obstacles in the land of Canaan that
would have hampered the Israelites from setting peacefully on the land. God helped the
Israelites to fight off the original occupants of that lace who would have been as hard as
stones.
3. On finishing the clearing of the stones, the gardener now was able to plant the choicest
vine. The vines panted in the vineyard symbolize the election of Israel. Israel was chosen
as a special nation among all other people hence choicest vine.
4. After which the gardener built a watch tower in the middle of the garden. This means that
after settling in Canaan, God kept on watching over Israel-monitoring their activities in
the new area.
5. He also built a hedge and wall around the garden to prevent wild animals from trampling
on the vines. God didn’t only settle the Israelites in the fertile land but also continued
protecting them against their enemies hence the wall and hedge that was built around the
vineyard.
6. The gardener expected sweet grapes from the gardener however the vineyard produced
sour grapes. The sour grapes the vine yard produced tasted of the expected sweet ones
symbolize the disappointment of God from the Israelites. He expected the Israelites to
respond to his care, love protection and keep the covenant law, but they did not. Instead
of remaining faithful to the covenant faith, they practiced injustices idolatry and
committed murder.
7. Because of the disappointment, the gardener decided to withdraw his attention to the vine
yard. Therefore the people of Israel would no longer experience God’s love, care and
concern since they also put their attention to other gods.
8. God was thus going to destroy the walls and hedge that protected it so that animals may
eat it and trample it down. This meant that Israel was to be left naked without any
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assistance or blessings from God. At this moment therefore however much they would
pay or sacrifice to their God, he would not listen or receive their petitions.
9. The gardener vows that he will not prune or dig the vine yard, but I would be left to be
overgrown by bush and thorns and would stop the rains from falling on it. This means
Gods favors in form of rain, fertility security and business boom would come to an end.
10. This parable was a warming to the people of Israel and Judah to desist from evil and do
good. Prophet Isaiah was prophesying the destruction hat would befall on them if they
refused to observe God’s instructions.
11. It was intended to show the people of Judah that they were making a mistake o seek for
protection and security from the political alliances.

THE THEME OF THE VINEYARD IN THE BOOKS OF OTHER CANONICAL

PROPHETS

The attitude of other canonical prophets towards the topic of the vine yard does not differ so
much from that of prophet Isaiah. This can be seen in the following ways;

1. Jeremiah 2:21 shows that God had chosen Israel as his noble vine, however, Israel turned
away from God and turned into a worthless vine. This was brought about by their
wickedness.
2. Jeremiah shows that God was going to send enemies to cut down the vineyard. However,
he adds that they would not destroy all the vines but only the branches (Jeremiah 5) these
represented the wicked people of Judah.
3. He adds that Israel would be stripped like vineyard from which grapes have been picked.
This would imply that God would destroy all of them. Therefore, it was Jeremiah’s duty
to tell them to repent before they are destroyed (Jeremiah 6:9).
4. Jeremiah 12:10 shows God accusing the foreign forces for destroying his vineyards,
trampled on it and turned his land into a desert. This however was brought about the
negligence of their leaders, false prophets and priests who brought about the destruction.
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5. About the same topic Ezekiel shows that the vine yard was not better than any other tries.
This therefore meant that the sins of the Israelites were not different from those of other
nations. Therefore, when it comes to destruction, God would not spare them.
6. Ezekiel says that the chosen people of God had become so unfaithful and so they all
deserved destruction.

THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ABOUT THE VINE YARD MK 12:1-12.

In the New Testament, Jesus gave a parable of the vineyard to the gathering that was
listening to Him.
1. He said that there was a Land owner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it and
built a watch tower.
2. According to the parable, God was the owner of the vineyard and the vineyard meant the
kingdom of Israel which was elected by God as His special people.
3. The owner rented the vineyard to the tenants a left for a trip.
4. In a similar way, God entrusted his people to the kings of Israel who were supposed to
look after them and ensure that they observed the laws
5. When time for collecting grapes came, the owner sent his slaves to the tenants to receive
his share of the harvest, i.e will seized beaten and sent back.
6. This is similar in a way that God sent his prophets to the people of Israel in order to
prepare them for the day of the lord.
7. However, many of the prophets were denied chance to speak by the people e.g. Amos
others were thrown into prison e.g. Jeremiah, Micaiah.
8. This was done the second time and the slaves were beaten and treated shamefully, others
were sent and they were killed.
9. In the same way, many prophets of God were killed e.g. those killed by Jezebel.
10. The owner sent his own son to the tenants and he was killed.
11. Similarly God sent his own son Jesus Christ before the Jews and many other people who
urgently needed the message of God.
12. However, He (Jesus) was killed by the people.
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13. Then God decided to withdrawal all the attention from the earthly leaders, many of them
had failed to save Him and He promised to appoint his own leaders who would serve Him
righteously.
ISAIAH AND KING AHAZ (ISAIAH 7:8)

Ahaz was one of the wicked kings of Judah. He ruled between 735-715 BCE. During his reign,
Judah faced a political crisis. At that time Assyria had become so powerful and was planning to
conquer all the neighbouring states in an effort to transform herself into an empire.

Threatened by the advancing armies of Assyria, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Syria made
an alliance against Assyria. These two powers therefore asked Judah to join them in their alliance
however Judah was not willing to join their alliance.

This however annoyed the two powers i.e. Israel and Syria who tried to use force to ensure that
Judah joins the alliance.

Pekah the king of Israel and Rezin of Syria sent their armies into Judah to force king Ahaz join
their alliance or else thy replace him with another king who would be willing to join them in
their struggle. The invading army terrified Ahaz and his people that they are said to have
trembled like trees shaking in wind (Isaiah 7:2).

This was the crisis during which Isaiah was sent to Ahaz. The following summarizes the
message prophet Isaiah delivered to King Ahaz.

1. God told Isaiah to go with his son Shear Jashub and meet King Ahaz. Shear Jashub
conveyed some message to the King and the people of Judah who were greatly worried.
(a) It meant “the remnant shall return”

(b) By going with Shear Jashub God wanted to encourage Ahaz and his subjects that
even if their Kingdom is overran by Israel and Syria, not all people will go, some people /
remnant will stay behind. Therefore there was no need of trembling.
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(c) Isaiah wanted to show that God would intervene and restore the kingdom of Israel.

(d) It was to imply that God would avail protection to his people of Judah. Therefore it
was not necessary for him to join their alliance.

(e) Shear Jashub was also pointing to God’s love for his people. That even when they are
attacked, he will come in to defend them.

2. Prophet Isaiah told Ahaz not to be disturbed or intimidated by the invading army. He told
him to remain calm and alert.

3. Isaiah prophesized the speedy end of the threat from Syria and Israel. He encouraged the
King of Judah not to fear but to have trust in God. He thus said that “the anger of king
Pekah and Rezin is no more dangerous than the smoke from two smoldering sticks of
wood”” (Isaiah 7:14).

4. Isaiah assured Ahaz that the plan of the invaders was not going to succeed because those
two Kings were weak and Israel would soon be shattered to survive as a nation.

5. Isaiah told Ahaz to endure with faith, “if your faith is not enduring you will not endure”
(Isaiah 7:9); in order to survive the wave of threats to his kingdom.

6. As a proof of Isaiah’s words, Ahaz was asked to ask for any sign from God which will
serve as evidence that whatever Isaiah had said to King Ahaz would happen.

7. However Ahaz refused to ask for any sign from God on grounds that he cannot put his of
God on a test. NB. Ahaz looked like he had already made up his mind to ally with
Assyria against Israel and Syria.
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8. Since he refused to ask for a sign, the Lord gave him the sign of Immanuel. A young
woman from his house was to give birth to a baby boy who would be named Immanuel.

(a) The name of Immanuel was another prophetic sign which meant “God is with us”.
(b) Thus the presence of God in midst of the Israelites was assured. (i.e.) Ahaz
needed not to fear because God was going to protect him.
(c) The name Immanuel also meant that God was a saviour of all those in problems.

(d) It showed that God is an ultimate protector of all sorts of people.

(e) It implied that God is omnipresent. He is ever available whenever he is needed.

9. Isaiah told Ahaz that before the son Immanuel is old enough to make his own decisions,
the two kings that were worrying Ahaz (i.e. Syria and Israel would be deserted. therefore
it was important for Ahaz to believe in God instead of the pagan alliances.

10. However, Ahaz refused to accept Isaiah’s message and to have trust in God. He thus went
ahead and made a treaty with the kingdom of Assyria. He even paid tribute to Tiglath
Pileser the King of Assyria.
a. “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the land of the king
of Syria and from the hand of King of Israel who rise up against me” (2 Kings
16:7).

Therefore Ahaz took the silver gold found in the house of the Lord and in the treasures of the
King’s house. They were sent as a present to King Tiglath Pileser of Assyria. All this was done
in order to secure political protection against Syria and Israel which threatened Judah. Because
the new stand taken by Ahaz, God decided to punish him and the entire kingdom of Judah

ISAIAH’S MESSAGE OF DESTRUCTION TO KING AHAZ

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1. Isaiah prophesized that God was going to use Assyria to destroy Judah. He said that the
forces of Assyria would flood over Judah like the waters of Euphrates. (Isaiah 8:7)

2. Isaiah prophesized that God was going to use Assyria as his instrument to punish King
Ahaz and the people of Judah.

3. Isaiah says that because of Ahaz’s rebellion, the people of Judah were going to be
humiliated by foreigners.
4. They would shave off their beards, hair on their head and bodies. That they would be
treated like prisoners in exile (Isaiah 7:20).

5. Ahaz’s evil would make the land of Judah get deserted because many of its inhabitants
would die.

6. He said because the enormous deaths, their land would be overgrown by thorny bushes.
7. He said that in spite of the worst days, good days would also come for a few survivors
(remnants). They would be left in the Land.
8. Isaiah said that the survivors would have enough milk and honey to eat. However those
would be very few indeed.
9. In the meantime, God gave Isaiah a second son whose name had a prophetic message for
Judah. He was named “Maher-shalal-Hash-Baz” meaning; “Quick loot fast plunder”.
10. That before the baby boy learns to say Mummy or daddy, all the wealth of Syria and
Israel would have been looted and plundered by Assyria.
11. This name was therefore ascertaining King Ahaz and his subjects that needed not to panic
because of Israel and Syria, because, God was going to use Assyria to humiliate them.

EVILS COMMITTED BY KING AHAZ OF JUDAH.

1. He was so unfaithful to Yahweh unlike his ancestor David. This was because he
promoted apostasy and sacrificed to idols.
2. On top of that, he built alters for the pagan gods and spent much of his time worshipping
thee gods (2 Kings 16:10).
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3. He was so syncretic to an extent of sacrificing his own son as a burnt offering to the idols
he was worshipping this was too much from a king of Judah (2 Kings 16:3).
4. Ahaz ignored the covenant precepts which were the basic tenets of the Israelites. This
happened when he went against God’s vehement appeal and entered into alliance with
Tiglath Pileser of Assyria. This act totally alienated Ahaz from God.
5. He rejected the advice of God’s messenger and this implied that he doubted God’s
instruction. He always wanted to act independently of Yahweh yet he was a leader of the
Israelites.
6. Besides, Ahaz went ahead to give away the treasures of Judah (i.e) silver and gold from
God’s temple and the royal palace as tribute to Tiglath- Pileser King of Assyria. This was
a sell-out of Israel’s glory to a pagan country lie Assyria.
7. More still, Ahaz was accused of defiling the temple of God in Jerusalem when he
integrated the Jewish religion with the Assyria cults. This turned many people away from
God.

8. He collaborated with the evil priest Uriah and in the end they profaned God’s covenant.
Both Ahaz and Uriah never bothered to enforce the worship of Yahweh.

9. He was also accused of practicing divination thus going against the Deutro-canonical
teaching (Duet 18:10).

10. He was a very bad example before his subjects; instead of correcting them, he was just
promoting evil thus making God’s judgment and punishments to Israel inevitable.

ISAIAH AND HEZEKIAH (ISAIAH 20, 29, 30, 2 KINGS 8, 19)

The reign of Ahaz ended in 715 BCE. By that time the people of Judah had seen their brothers
defeated by Assyria and finally exiled in 722 BCE. During the reign of Ahaz Judah remained
under the Assyria control but was also invaded by the very Assyrian army or subjected to
destruction after the fall of Israel.
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Hezekiah succeeded his father Ahaz in 715 BCE His career which proved contrary from that of
his father is dated between 715-687 BCE. He spear headed a number of reforms which
included the following;
HEZEKIAH’S REFORMS IN JUDAH
1. He purified Judah’s worship and revived the glory of Jerusalem and the temple of God.
This was done through the destruction of again please of worship that flourished during
the time of Ahaz.
2. He also endeavoured to keep the Law of Moses ad encouraged the Israelites to stick to it.
3. Unlike his father, Hezekiah’s religious policy was different. This was because he aimed
at detaching himself from the Assyrian control.
4. He was committed towards promoting Judah’s nationalism other than submitting to the
foreign power- Assyria.
5. Hezekiah very much wanted to lead his people under the laws of God. He observed all
the regulations governing Kingship in Israel as they were laid down in Deuteronomy
17:14-20. He was therefore a God fearing man.
6. Unlike his father, Hezekiah was a very good consultant of Isaiah. Whenever he met any
difficult in his administration, he often rushed to Isaiah for assistance. He thus had
confidence in God.
7. His anti-Assyrian tendence was a manifestation of his rejection of the political and
religious alliances. This was different from what his predecessor left behind.
8. Hezekiah condemned the reviling social and religious mischief’s which his predecessor
never bothered to rectify.
9. He reorganized the Jewish army and embarked on the campaign of capturing area that
were lost during the reign of his father. This helped him to raid areas which had been
taken by the philistines.
10. Hezekiah served as a good role model before the Israelites in his early years of
administration. This could have made many people follow his policies like hatred of
Assyria.
NB. It should be noted that Assyria’s political and religious influence in Judah during
Ahaz’s reign had almost destroyed Israel’s religious institution and it had infiltrated even
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the temple of Jerusalem. The chief priest Uriah had promoted the pagan influence in
Judah.

It is important to observe that as Hezekiah’s reign progressed, Hezekiah abandoned his religious
reforming zeal. He was tempted to join political alliances in order to bring down the Assyrian
dominance. This was an alliance with the ruler of Babylonia something which annoyed Isaiah
again. Like his father Hezekiah sent to King Sennacherib of Assyria all the silver in the temple
and in the palace treasury. He also stripped the gold from the doors of his palace. He therefore
stripped the country of its wealth.

However, Merodach Baladan of Babylonia, displayed his country’s wealth in form of silver and
gold, his spices and perfumes and all his military equipment. This was partly done to buy
popularity from Babylonia which was another new giant power coming up in the region. He
perhaps thought that by displaying his wealth to Merodach Baladan, Judah might escape the
invasion from Babylonia and on top of that, he might use Babylonia as a good ally to fight off
Assyria which was increasingly threatening Judah’s sovereignty.

1. However, this alliance was sternly criticized by Isaiah. It antagonized Hezekiah’s good
relationship with Isaiah. Hezekiah had failed to abide by Isaiah’s requests of not entering
the alliances.

2. This attitude of making alliances implied that Hezekiah lacked confidence, trust and faith
in God hence his eagerness to serve protection from the king of Babylon.

3. The alliance made Isaiah proclaim to Hezekiah that God would surely use the Assyria
might as an instrument to punish the people of Judah.

4. Isaiah prophesized that the people of Judah would be destroyed and would be taken to
exile thus fulfilling the prophesy that political alliances would lead to the fall of Judah.
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5. By allying with Babylonia, Hezekiah denied his people the opportunity of having of
having joy because he failed to guard them against apostasy.

THE SIGN OF A BARE FOOTED AND NAKED PROPHET

(ISAIAH 20:1FF)

1. During The reign of Hezekiah around 714, the Lord told Isaiah to take off his sandals and the
sack-cloth he was wearing. Isaiah obeyed and went around naked and barefooted for three (3)
years.

 It was intended to make king Hezekiah realize his mistakes he had made.
 It was a way of protesting the act of king Hezekiah of making alliances with Egypt and to
cooperate with Babylon.
 It meant that Judah was supposed to make an alliance with only God.
 Isaiah was trying to discourage the rulers of Judah from joining the Egyptian alliance for she
was going to be defeated.
 It was a sign to symbolize the forthcoming defeat of Egypt and Philistine city of Ashdod by
the Assyrians.
 It was a warning to those nations allying with Judah that they will be humiliated.
 It was a message to the rulers of Judah that God himself would protect the people of Judah.
 The sign of nakedness was to show God’s love for Judah; that is why he warned them against
entering fateful alliances.
 He wanted to shatter the hopes of those who had abandoned Yahweh; thus Egypt was too
weak to resist Assyrian military mighty.
 It acted as a warning to the sinners of Judah that nobody would protect them other than God,
thus a call for repentance.
 It was a reminder about the Mosaic Law which prohibited them from making pagan
alliances.
 The nakedness meant humiliation to come upon the people of Judah who trusted in political
alliances.
 It meant that Egypt was too weak to give them help and victory.
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 It was a way of calling the rulers and people of Judah to come back to the lord and be sure of
their stay in the land.
 It was a message about the forth coming exile.
 Isaiah was warning the people of Judah that during their exile, they would be naked and
barefooted.

LESSONS CAN CHRISTIANS TODAY LEARN FROM PROPHET ISAIAH’S SIGN OF

NAKEDNESS

 Christians should consider God as the only ally and do not follow human beings.
 They should accept to be used in any way that God chooses.
 They should put shame aside while serving the Lord.
 They should be ready to sacrifice self when serving God.
 They should only trust in God alone other than any nations.
 They should be righteous at all times instead of working for material gains.
 They should take messages from God’s messengers very seriously.
 They should love God and follow up his instructions so as to be secure.
 They should be faithful and obedient to God alone.
 There is need for Christians to interpret the reactions of God’s messengers and act
accordingly.
 When trials come their way, Christians should pray to God for help.
 Christian leaders should put God first and let him control their decisions.
 Christian pol. Leaders should seek opinions of rel. leaders for guidance.
 Christians need to seek for victory from God other than earthly people.
 There is need for God’s messengers to stand against unwanted Christian acts.

ISAIAH’S TEACHING ABOUT THE SERVANT OF THE LORD

(ISAIAH 42:1-9).
About the Lord’s servant, Isaiah prophesized the following;
2. Isaiah prophesized that the servant of the Lord would be one who would be anointed by he
Lord himself and he will be pleased with him.
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3. He says that the servant will be guided by the Lord in his mission.
4. He added that the servant of the Lord would bring lasting justice to all nations. The will
therefore establish peace in all nations.
5. Isaiah said that the servant would not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches on the
streets.
6. He would break a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. He will therefore be a peaceful and
humble servant (Isaiah 42:2-3).
7. The servant of the Lord would not lose hope or courage even when he is persecuted or
opposed. He would endure suffering and contempt in his ministry and will never give up.
8. Through this servant God would make a covenant with all the people in the world. This
would reflect God as a universal God.
9. He adds that the servant of the Lord would bring light to those who are in the blindness and
darkness. He would open the eyes of the blind with the light of God and would set free those
who are seated in darkness of the world.
10. Isaiah said that the Lord’s servant would bring salvation not through the popular means by
use of arms but through suffering for the majority.
11. The Lord’s servant would be a devoted one, who would do his will as he would be asked by
God himself. He would not be like the kings of Israel who defied God’s instructions.
12. His mission would be a universal one because the law and light he intends to bring for
mankind are universally given.
ISAIAH’S TEACHING ABOUT THE SUFFERING SERVANT
OF GOD (ISAIAH 52:13-53:1-12)

Isaiah described the suffering servant of God in the following ways:

1. The suffering of the Lord would succeed in his task and he would highly be honoured.
2. On looking at him, many people would be shocked, because of his disfigured manner that
he did not look human.
3. He adds that many nations will marvel at him and kings would be speechless with
amazement on leaning that he is the suffering servant of God. (Isaiah 52:15)
4. Isaiah says that the suffering servant would face hard life during his ministry. He would
be like a plant taking its roots in the dry ground (Isaiah 53:2).
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5. Isaiah says that as time goes on, the suffering servant will be denied dignity and will not
be honoured by the public. He will be treated like an ordinary man.
6. He says that the suffering servant was despised and finally rejected. However out of the
rejection he received, he endured the suffering and pain that would have been for
mankind.
7. Isaiah says that the suffering servant would be completely ignored that people will not
even find time to look at him. He will thus be treated like something useless.
8. That whoever would look at this suffering would imagine that it was perhaps punishment
sent by God.
9. Isaiah says that the suffering servant would be wounded and beaten. All believers would
be healed by the blows and punishments he will receive.
10. He adds that the suffering servant would come and bring all God’s people together as a
flock of God. He would thus serve as a shepherd.
11. The suffering servant would suffer for the sins of others. He would be harshly treated but
he would endure humbly. He would be like a lamb about to be slaughtered. He will not
utter a single word.
12. That the servant of God would be arrested and sentenced to death. However amidst that
moment of pain, no one would plead for him and indeed died for the sins of man kind.
13. He would be placed in the grave with evil men even though he was innocent, had not
committed any crime neither did he tell any lie (Isaiah 53:9).
14. Isaiah holds that it was God’s will that the suffering servant would suffer, hen die as a
sacrifice that would bring forgiveness to the rest of man king. Therefore according to
God, his suffering servant was to a in order to redeem mankind.
15. After suffering the suffering servant would life a life of joy again and this would justify
that his death and suffering was not in vain.
16. After accomplishing his mission, God would give him a place of honour because
willingly gave his life.

HOW THE PROPHECY OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT WAS FULFILLED IN THE

LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST
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1. Jesus’ birth is said to have pleased God almighty so much that the angels from heaven
testified it, just as was the case when Isaiah reports about the coming of the suffering
servant (Luke 2:14).
2. Jesus endured suffering that would have been ours. Because of the sins of man, Jesus was
beaten and wounded.
3. He was harshly beaten but he kept quiet and did not say any word (Mark 14:61).
4. Jesus was despised, laughed at ad insulted in public. All these fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy.
5. Jesus was betrayed by his friends and segregated against for fear of being arrested by the
authorities.
6. Jesus as a shepherd organized his believers who looked like sheep without a shepherd (1
Peter 2:25).
7. Jesus even when they were going to kill him, he was humble reserved and never
disturbed them at all (Acts 8;32-33).
8. He carried our sins in his body to the cross so that he may bring righteousness to man
kind. (1 Peter 2:24).
9. He was sentenced to death for the sake of man kind.
10. Jesus committed no sin and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips (1 Peter 2:22).
11. Jesus was killed with two bandits one on his right and the other on his left (Mark 15:27).
12. He succeeded in his task of saving mankind. This was attained after shedding his blood
on the cross.

ISAIAH’S MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE EXILES IN BABYLONIA

Isaiah message to the exiles in Babylonia was full of hope and encouragement. After the
conquest of Judah, Jerusalem was captured next and destroyed by the Babylonians in around 587
BCE.

In 587 BCE the people of Judah were taken into exile in Babylonia. This fulfilled Isaiah’s
prophecy about he destruction of Judah and deportation of its inhabitants. By the time Isaiah
gave this message of hope, Babylon was way to yet another power Persia. Babylon’s power
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broke down in 539 BCE and this marked the rise of Cyrus as the ruler of Persia. He conquered
the capital of Babylonia and restored the liberty of the Jews who were in exile.

The following is a summary of Isaiah’s message of hope to the Israelites in Babylonia.

1. God told Isaiah to comfort his people by telling them that they had received enough
punishments for their sins, and so their sins were forgiven. (Isaiah 40:2).
2. He promised to restore to greatness the people of Israel who will have survived the exile.
He promised to use them as his light after the moment of suffering (Isaiah 49:6).
3. God promised them blessings that will flow like a stream that never goes dry if they
listened to his commands.
4. On resettling in their land, God promised to increase their number to be as numerous as
grains of sand.
5. That God will guard and protect his people and through them he will make a covenant
with all people. (Isaiah 49:8).
6. He told them that God was going to liberate hem from Babylonia captivity and bring
them back to their country. In the new exodus to their land, God would be with them and
he would lead them as a shepherd leads his flock (Isaiah 40:11).
7. That God would be their king when they returned to Jerusalem. Therefore a theocratic
rule would be restored. He told them that the great Jerusalem would be restored to its
glory as a city of God.
8. Just as a woman cannot forget her own baby, So is the case of Israel with God; that even
if a mother can forget her own child, God will never forget his people of Israel (Isaiah
49:!5).
9. He told them that beautiful trees will grow where there are thorns and added that this
transformation of nature would be a sign of what the Lord had done for his people.
10. He told them that the exiles would leave Babylonia in joy. They would leave in peace,
that the mountains and hills will sing and trees would shout with joy (Isaiah 5:12).
11. He promised them that God would renew his strength if they put trust in him, and
therefore he would be able to defend their country.
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12. That God was going to do the liberation and restoration because he is the almighty, one
who is the creator, provider. The Babylonian gods are nothing in comparison to Yahweh.
13. That God is a redeemer, liberator and saviour. As he liberated them from the people of
Egypt, he was going to liberate them from the Babylonians and restore them after
oppression.
14. God promised to send to them his servant who would bring light to them and lasting
justice. They will therefore enjoy their New Canaan.
15. God pledged to keep back his anger that he will not use it to destroy his people anymore.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. What happened to Isaiah in the year King Uzziah died?
2. Examine the Lessons christens learn from Isaiah’s call.
a. Comment on the qualities which Isaiah taught about the Lord’s servant.
b. How as the teaching on the Lord’s servant fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ?
3. Discuss Isaiah’s message of hope to the people of Judah who were exiled in Babylon.
4. Examine Isaiah’s teaching about the day of the Lord.
5. Comment on the theme of the suffering servant presented by Isaiah.
6. How was this theme fulfilled in the personality of Jesus?
7. Discuss the message Isaiah gave to King Ahaz during the threats of Pakah and Resin.
8. Discuss the lessons Christians learn from Isaiah’s message to Ahaz.
9. Discuss Hezekiah’s reforms.
10. Discuss the lessons political leaders learn from King Hezekiah?
11. Discuss the area of disagreement between Isaiah and Ahaz.
12. Examine the ways in which the concept of the suffering servant in Isaiah differs from the
Deuteronomic understanding of suffering.
13. Show the relevance of Isaiah’s concept suffering to Christian life today.
14. Examine the song of the vineyard which Isaiah sang for the people of Judah.
15. What was Jesus’ teaching on the vineyard?
16. Analyze prophetic signs showing their meaning at the time.
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PROPHET EZEKIEL

Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet. He ministered during the darkest days of Judah’s history
that is to say the seventy years period of the Babylonian captivity.

Ezekiel is a Hebrew name which means “God strengthens” or “strengthened by God” He was
indeed strengthened by God for the prophetic ministry for which he was called (Ezekiel 3:8, 9).

Ezekiel was a son of Buzi. He lived with the Hebrew exiles beside River Chebar in Babylonia.

He was an exile prophet and his prophecies were directed to both exiles in Babylonia and the
people in Jerusalem.

EZEKIEL’S FIRST VISION AND HIS CALL (EZEKIEL 1-3).

1. While in exile, besides River Chebar, Ezekiel had a vision and in the vision he saw a
storm coming from the north.
2. The great wind from the north symbolized the coming for God. This was the very
direction through which the gods of the Babylonians passed. By using the same direction,
it implied that Yahweh had greatly challenged the pagan gods because he proved to be
more powerful.
3. In the vision Ezekiel saw what looked like four living creatures in human form each of
them had four faces and four wings.
4. Each had a face of a human being, which meant that man was above the rest of the
creatures because his face was in front.
5. He also saw a lion’s face at the right which symbolized that the lion was the leader of the
wild animals.
6. Then he also saw a bull’s face at the left implying that the bull was the head of the male
race among the domestic animals and he also saw an eagle face which implied that an
eagle was the king of the birds.
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7. In the vision, there was something he saw which looked like a throne and sitting on the
throne was a figure that looked like a human being. This meant that God was a king.
8. The figure which he saw seemed to be shining like bronze and there was bright light
which had in it all the colours of the rainbow. This was the dazzling light which
signified God’s presence.
9. When Ezekiel saw the dazzling light, he fell face down wards on the ground.
10. While he was on the ground, he heard a voice saying that, “mortal man stand up, I want
to talk to you”.
11. While the voice was speaking, God’s spirit entered Ezekiel and raised him to his feet. .
12. Then Ezekiel had a voice continuing to say, “Mortal man, I am sending you to the people
of Israel, they have rebelled and turned against me”.
13. God told Ezekiel that He was sending him to stubborn people and he was supposed to
deliver his message to the people of Judah.
14. God warned Ezekiel that he wasn’t supposed to be afraid of the rebellious people or what
they said.
15. God told Ezekiel to listen to what He was going to tell him. He told him not to be
rebellious like the Israelites he was being sent to.
16. God told Ezekiel to open his mouth and eat what he was going to be given.
17. Ezekiel saw a hand stretched outwards him and it was holding a scroll.
18. On the scroll, there were writings on both sides. They were cries of grief, wails and
groans.
19. God told Ezekiel, “Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the people of Israel”.
20. Ezekiel opened his mouth and God gave him the scroll to eat. When Ezekiel ate the
scroll, it tasted as sweet as honey.
21. Then God instructed Ezekiel to go and prophesy to the people of Israel. It was told that
they were going to be stubborn, not willing to listen.
22. God promised to make Ezekiel very stubborn and tough as the Israelites. God told him
not to be afraid of the rebels.
23. God’s spirit lifted him up and he heard the loud roar of a voice that said, “Praise the glory
of the Lord in heaven above”.
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24. The power of the Lord came on him with great force, and God’s spirit carried him off. He
felt bitter and angry.
25. Ezekiel spent seven days at Tel Abib besides River Chebar, where the exiles were living.
He was preparing himself to begin his prophetic ministry.
26. After seven days, Ezekiel received a new message from God. He was commanded to be a
watchman to his fellow exiles.

LESSONS CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM EZEKIEL’S CALL

Christians learn the following lessons from Ezekiel’s call;

1. Christians should respond positively to God’s call. Ezekiel responded positively without
any hesitation.
2. Christians should worship God, the powerful and all present God.
3. Christians should be ready to carry out God’s work, however much challenging it may
be. Ezekiel did God’s work which was challenging.
4. Christians should be brave and bold in all the missions assigned to them. Ezekiel was told
not to be afraid of the stubborn people.
5. Christians should be alert and prepared for God’s divine message. Ezekiel was prepared
for God’s call that’s why he didn’t hesitate.
6. Christians should have confidence in God the almighty because He is a loving father even
to those who appear to be abandoned for example the Israelites in exile seemed to be
abandoned but God showed them love.
7. Christians should be loyal to God’s administration. His vision ascertains the majesty of
God before Ezekiel.
8. Christians should respect God and recognize the greatness of God and honour Him
accordingly. God’s greatness was revealed in the vision in which He was seen using the
same direction like the one used by the Babylonian gods.
9. Christians should embrace God because He is a powerful God. His mighty is reflected in
the presence of the four creatures in form of man, an oxen, lion and an eagle.
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10. Christians are called upon to acknowledge God’s omnipotence. He was in Babylonia
among the exiles.
11. Christians should seek for God’s guidance. God promised to guide Ezekiel and He was
always with him because he was sent by him to stubborn people.
12. Christians should have interest in God’s work even when it has challenges. Ezekiel
seemed to have interest in the challenging mission of God.
13. Christians should be exemplary. Ezekiel showed a good example when he accepted to
carry out God’s mission.
14. Christians should have faith in God likewise Ezekiel had faith in God that’s why he acted
as His prophet.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CALL OF EZEKIEL AND MOSES

The calls of Ezekiel and Moses had similarities and differences. The following were the
similarities;

1. Both calls were vassal in nature. They were between a superior party and inferior parties.
In this case, God was superior while Moses and Ezekiel were inferior.

2. Both Ezekiel and Moses were called by the same God. That is to say God the Almighty
who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

3. Both Ezekiel and Moses were prophets of doom to the wicked Babylonians and
Egyptians respectively.
4. Both Ezekiel and Moses were given hard tasks for example Moses had to liberate the
Israelites from Egypt while Ezekiel had to restore hope to the exiles in Babylon.

5. In both cases, the calls were initiated by God who kept on guiding both Ezekiel and
Moses.
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6. Both Ezekiel and Moses were to deal with people in exile though from different places.
Ezekiel was to deal with people in the Babylonian exile while Moses was to deal with
people who were in the Egyptian exile.

7. Both were called when the situation was out of hand that it to say the Israelites were
greatly in need of God’s assistance.

8. Both received their calls from foreign places for example Moses was in Median while
Ezekiel was in Babylon.

9. Both Ezekiel and Moses took up God’s mission. They responded positively to God’s call
and they carried out God’s mission effectively.
Differences
1. While Moses asked for a spokesman and was given his brother Aaron, Ezekiel was to
speak by himself.
2. While Moses took off his sandals because he was instructed by God, Ezekiel remained as
he was.
3. Moses was hesitant to take up God’s mission while Ezekiel responded positively without
hesitating.
4. During Moses’ call, he asked for God’s name and God said that “I AM WHO I AM”
while Ezekiel never asked for God’s name because he knew about the God who had
appeared to him.
5. Moses was sent to people who didn’t know anything about God while Ezekiel was sent to
people who already knew about God but were just rebellious.
6. Moses was a law breaker for example while in Egypt, Moses committed murder while
Ezekiel was pure. In other words, he lived a sinless life.
7. Ezekiel was given a scroll to eat, which scroll had God’s message and helped him to get
strength to prophecy God’s message while Moses was given a stick to help him to
perform miracles.
8. While Moses was addressed by his name, Ezekiel on the other hand was addressed as
“Mortal man”
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9. Moses was given powers to perform miracles yet Ezekiel on the other hand never
requested for any powers to perform miracles, therefore, he didn’t receive any powers.
10. Ezekiel never doubted God therefore; he wasn’t given any powers to perform miracles
while Moses doubted God that is why he was even hesitant.

EZEKIEL PROPHESIZES THE FALL OF JERUSALEM

1. After the prophet’s call and before he set out to speak to his people, God told him to draw
a map of Jerusalem. On it he marked signs of the great siege.
2. This signified that Jerusalem was going to be sieged and destroyed because of the sins of
the people.
3. The iron plate or a pan he saw symbolized the strength of an army which was going to
attack Jerusalem.
4. He was told to sleep on the back side. This was to bear guilt of Israel.
5. He was then ordered to sleep on the right hand. This symbolized his suffering for the
guilt of Judah.
6. He slept on his right side for forty days one day representing one year of their
punishment hence they were to bear punishment for forty years.
7. The Lord commanded Ezekiel to measure out very small quantities of grains of wheat,
barley, beans, peas and millet for his meal while he lay down waiting for the siege of
Israel and Judah. He was also to drink some little water. These symbolized the shortage
of food and water during the siege of Jerusalem which would eventually lead to
starvation.
8. The Lord also ordered Ezekiel to eat food which the law forbids. (Ezekiel 4:12-17). The
prophet refused at first but eventually the Lord asked him to bake his bread on fire from
cow-dung which was considered undefiled. All these showed shortage of food which
would lead to starvation and consequently death.
9. Ezekiel was then told to shave off his hair and beard, weigh it and burn a ⅓ of it when the
siege is over. Some of the hair was to be chopped and then scattered and the remainder
was to be blown (Ezekiel 5:1-4).
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10. Shaving off his hair was a sign of mourning for the destroyed Jerusalem and the people.
The sword which he used to shave his hair symbolized the war which would destroy the
city.
11. The way in which the hair was to be destroyed symbolized the way in which the city
would be destroyed, burnt and the people would be scattered.
12. The lord also gave another message to Ezekiel that he was going to destroy Israel because
of her sins. That the lord had made her the center of the world but she rebelled against
him; and became more wicked than other nations.
13. Israel rejected God and his commands and instead followed other gods. Because of this,
God would surely punish them. The prophecy reflected Yahweh as the God of all
nations.

EZEKIEL’S TEACHING ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE’S SIN

(CORPORATE SIN AND GUILT) EZEKIEL 18.
The Jews believed that a sin of an individual would be carried on for about four generations.
There are so many examples in the bible to show that if one person sinned against God, then the
whole society was affected, such examples are;
Achan’s sin; Achan broke the law regarding the holy war and God decided to have every
property he had, his sons and daughters be destroyed (Joshua 7:1-26).
Eli and his family; Eli’s family disobeyed God by dishonoring him. God decided to punish the
entire family of Eli. In fact even those who survived death were reduced to beggars (1 Samuel
2:36).

King Saul; when Saul sinned against God, he was rejected and denied a dynasty. None of his
family members was to become a king of Israel (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

King David; King David committed a sin of adultery with Uriah’s wife but God decided to curse
the whole family; Saying that a sword would never depart from his house. (2 Samuel 12:10ff).

King Solomon; Solomon sinned against God and God decided to punish Israel by dividing up
the Kingdom into two. (Northern and Southern Kingdom).
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Priest Amaziah; Amaziah tried to stop Amos from prophesying to the Northern Kingdom and
Amos passed on Amaziah family God’s judgment; that his children were to die in a foreign
country, his wife was to become a prostitute, his land would be shared.

The above incidents concerning the corporate sin made the Israelites believe that if one person
sinned against God, then all of them were justified to be punished. They believed that God takes
the total number of sins and gives an equal punishment to everyone.

During Ezekiel’s time, people believed that they were suffering because of the sins committed
during the reign of King Manasseh (2 Kings 21).

They were blaming God for punishing them for sins they had not committed. They looked at
God as being unfair therefore a common saying; “Fathers ate the sour grapes and the children felt
the sour taste at the edge of their teeth” Ezekiel 18:2.

They did not see any reason for repenting because a sin of one man led to punishment of the
whole nation.

Question:
“The fathers’ have eaten unripened grapes and the children’s teeth are set on the edge”
Ezekiel 18. Discuss.

EZEKIEL’S RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM

1. The times of this proverb was a time of exile for the people of Israel.
2. The Israelites were alleging that they were suffering in exile for the sins of the previous
generations.
3. They were saying that their parents had sinned but they were the ones being punished.
4. However Ezekiel did not agree with this idea.
5. Ezekiel said that this saying was not to be repeated in Israel any more.
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6. Ezekiel said that life of every individual belongs to God, that of the parent and that of the
child.
7. To Ezekiel it was the person who sins who would die.
8. Ezekiel said that a righteous man who obeys God’s command would live.
9. However if the righteous man has a son who is wicked, the son would suffer for his own
sins
10. He said that if a wicked man has a righteous son, the son will not be punished for the sins
of his father. Such a son will be rewarded for his righteousness.
11. He said that a son was not to suffer or a father for the sins of the son.
12. He said that a good man would be rewarded for doing good and an evil man would suffer
for the evil he does.
13. He said that an evil man who stops sinning and keeps God’s laws would not die but live
14. Such a person will have all his sins forgiven because he did what was right.
15. Ezekiel said that God does not enjoy seeing an evil man suffer. He says that God enjoys
seeing evil people repent and live.
16. Ezekiel said that if a righteous man stops doing good and starts doing evil, none of the
good things he did will be remembered.
17. Ezekiel says that such a person will die because of his unfaithfulness and sins.
18. He said that an evil man who stops sinning saves his life. Ezekiel said that God would
judge each person according to what each has done.
19. He called upon people to turn away from all the evil they were doing and not let sin
destroy them
20. He called upon them to get for themselves new hearts and new minds.
21. Ezekiel assures the Israelites of a righteous God.

THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ABOUT JUDGMENT

The New Testament has the following teaching about judgment;

 It emphasizes that there will be individual judgment, whereby it says that everyone will
be judged individually. 2cor 5:10
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 It is said that judgment is gradual. Therefore, people are given time to prepare for it. Rev
20:12
 It is said that judgment will be at the end of the world with the appearance of Jesus
Christ. Rev 20:12
 The New Testament shows that one is judged according to his or her deeds. This implies
that the wicked are supposed to be destroyed and the righteous to live.
 It is believed that the good deeds lead to heaven while wickedness leads to hell.
 It is said that people shall be judged according to their relationship with their neighbours.
Mark 12:31, john 13:34. Therefore, neglecting of a neighbour leads to hell while concern
leads to life.
 According to the New Testament, judgment will begin from the house of the Lord. I pet
4:17,
 It is said that the names of the good people are written in the book of life.
 It is also said that judgment will be done by Jesus himself.
 It is believed that on this day, there will be no more time for forgiveness.

SYMBOLIC SIGNS PERFORMED BY PROPHET EZEKIEL

God told Ezekiel to perform some symbolic signs to signify the punishments which would befall
on Israel if they were not ready to repent and turn to God. They were as follows;

Inability to talk (Ezekiel 3:22-27); God withdrew Ezekiel from the public, shut him in the
house, tied him with ropes and made him unable to talk for some time. This signified that God
had nothing to say to the people who were unable to listen to him. Therefore he was going to
withdraw himself from them.

A cooking pot (Ezekiel 24:1ff); Ezekiel boiled meat in a pot until everything was destroyed
including the bones. This signified that Jerusalem and her inhabitants would be destroyed
completely due to their wickedness.
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Refusal to carry out a funeral service (Ezekiel 24:15ff); God told Ezekiel to get prepared for
the death of his wife whom he loved so much. When the wife died Ezekiel never carried out a
funeral service for her. This signified that during destruction, dead bodies would be so many in
Jerusalem to the extent that burial services would be ignored.

God told Ezekiel to get a brick and scratch lines on it to indicate a city plotted to be attacked.
He was to put trenches, earth works, camps and buttering rams on the brick. These were meant to
indicate that Jerusalem was going to be attacked by foreigners and the attack would be planned
by God. Scratches would show routes the foreign armies were to use and camps which were to
shelter the foreign armies. (Ezekiel 4:1ff).

The punishment (Ezekiel 4:4-6) (The punishment to Israel and Judah) Ezekiel lay on his left
side for 390 days and for 40 days on the right hand side. These indicated the number of years
Israel and Judah were to be in exile respectively if they failed to turn away from sins.

Eating food in a hurry (12:17-20); God told Ezekiel to eat food while hurrying and trembling.
This was signifying how the people would hurriedly eat food during the time of the attack.

The sword dance 21; God told Ezekiel to dance with swords striking them downwards again
and again. This signified how the Israelites would be slaughtered and that all would be a
workmanship of God.

Running away from the city12; Ezekiel symbolized the way people would run away from the
city during the day of the attack, by packing up his belongings and passing through a hole he had
made on the wall of his mid-house.

Divination 21; God told Ezekiel to perform what the pagan kings of Babylon would do when
they attack Jerusalem. The king would carry out divinations to find out the best route to use
when attacking Jerusalem.
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Eating limited quantities of food; (4:9ff) God told Ezekiel to always eat 230 grams of wheat
and two cups of water. This was to signify that there would be very little food to eat during the
days of the attack.

Defilement; (4:12ff) God told Ezekiel to prepare food using human feaces but Ezekiel refused
instead he used cow-dung. This was to indicate that the Israelites would be unclean during and
after the final over throw of Israel.

Massacre 5:1ff; God told Ezekiel to shave off all his hair from the head. Among the Jews, they
were adulterous or sorrowful women who used to shave off their hair. This act signified that as
hair cannot remain standing before a razor of a barber, after shaving, so would be Israel. No
people would remain in Israel after a final overthrow of Israel.

Joining of two sticks (37:15ff) this was an illustration intended to show that beyond the days of
destruction, there would be restoration of Israel. The people of Israel and Judah would come
back from exile, form one kingdom and become like one person.

How fulfilled? 2007

1. Jerusalem was attacked and besieged for about years before it fell. 587
2. The Israelites were starved to the extent that they had to surrender.
3. The well protected and fortified Jerusalem was attacked by shooting of the arrows over
the walls.
4. The people of Judah and Jerusalem were carried off into exile by the Babylonians.
5. The scattering of hair came true when the Israelites were scattered over the whole world.
6. The sword he used symbolized war which war destroyed Jerusalem between 587 and 586
B.C.
7. During the siege of Jerusalem food supplies became scarce and people had to gather food
from different corners to make a meal.
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8. While in exile the Israelites did several things were considered to be against their laws
such as worshipping foreign gods which was against the covenant hence fulfilling the
sign of baking bread on fire made from feaces.
9. The people of Judah had limited supplies during the time of siege.
10. The people of Judah and Israel were killed by their enemies at God`s command. Ezekiel
9:5ff

EZEKIEL’S TEACHING AGAINST THE SHEPHERDS OF ISRAEL

AND JUDAH (EZEKIEL 34)

Ezekiel first saw the restoration of Israel in an image of a shepherd and his flock. The leaders of
Israel were the shepherds and the people of Israel were the flock. The leaders were responsible
for the fall of Israel and Judah.
They were guilty of the following;

1. They were not caring about the flock. They minded about themselves and left the flock
unattended to.
2. They were obtaining milk and wool from the sheep they did not want to feed well.
3. They were killing and eating the finest sheep instead of caring for them.
4. They had no concern for the sick and injured animals.
5. They never looked for the animals which scattered and wandered in the feeding ground.
6. They mistreated the animals as they took care of them.
7. The shepherds left the sheep to the wild animals to feed on them.
8. They never provided the sheep with good water to drink.
9. They left the fat and strong sheep to step on the pasture and water which the weak
animals would have eaten and drunk respectively.
10. The shepherds did not bandage the injured animals. Due to the bad leadership of the
shepherds,

God was going to do the following to the flock;

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 God was going to rescue the sheep from the bad shepherds. He was going to take care of
the flock himself.
 The bad shepherds were going to get nothing from the sheep. They were not going to be
rewarded for the work done.
 That the Lord would gather the scattered sheep and feed them in one place which is
suitable for them.
 That he would feed the sheep on good pasture which is on the mountains and hills of
Israel and he would lie on the grazing ground as he feeds his sheep.
 He would provide good security for his animals and this would help him to keep them
safe from the wild animals.
 That God would find a pleasant resting place for his animals.
 He would expand on his flock unlike the shepherds who were just destroying it.
 He Lord would bandage the hurt / wounded animals.
 He was going to judge between the fat and weak animals so that the fat strong animals
don’t trample on the grass and water of the weak animals.
 That God was going to give the sheep to another good shepherd who would assist him in
his work.

WHY JESUS IS CONSIDERED AS A GOOD SHEPHERD (JOHN 10)

1. Jesus is a good shepherd because he provides entrance for all his animals. They can go in
and come out freely. Jesus Christ provides away to God’s Kingdom. All believers enter
heaven through Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus is a good shepherd who is ready to expand on the size of his flock ie Apart from the
Jews being considered as God’s people, Jesus also converted many gentiles to enter into
God’s kingdom.
3. A good shepherd builds confidence in his sheep. They cannot follow any one else apart
from their good shepherd because they know his voice. In the same way Jesus Christ built
confidence and trust in his people. When he calls them they respond, but when Satan
calls them they don’t respond.
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4. He knows his animals by their names and they also know him. In other words, through
him we become children of God and we are individually known to him.
5. A good shepherd makes sure that his sheep don’t scatter and wonder off. In the same way
Christ makes sure that Christians follow the church where he is the head.
6. A good shepherd protects his sheep from being eaten by wild animals. Jesus Christ
protects believers from Satan.
7. A good shepherd knows the problems facing his animals. Jesus Christ knows our
problems and he is ready to solve them.
8. He is ready to lie down with his flock. When a hired shepherd sees a dangerous animal,
he simply runs away leaving the sheep to the animals. However, Jesus was ready to be
crucified on the cross for mankind.
9. He is the owner of the flock and as a good shepherd therefore he is ready to do anything
in order to promote his flock. Jesus Christ tries all his best to promote the salvation of the
Christians.

THE VISION OF THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES (EZEKIEL 37:1-14)

1. Ezekiel felt God’s presence. Then God’s spirit entered him and took him to the valley of
dry bones.
2. God made Ezekiel to move around the valley. Then God asked Ezekiel that; “mortal man,
what do you see?”
3. Ezekiel responded that; “a valley of dry bones”.
4. Then God asked Ezekiel whether the dry bones can come back to life.
5. Ezekiel replied that it was the sovereign Lord who would answer that question.
6. God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones so that they could come back to life.
He told him to tell the bones to listen to the word of the Lord.
7. Ezekiel prophesized as he had been instructed. When he did so the bones started joining
together, developing muscles, sinews, and covered with the skin but they weren’t
breathing.
8. God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind so that it would enter into the dry bones.
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9. Ezekiel did as he was instructed, and the wind came from all directions and entered the
dry bones.
10. When the dry bodies had received the wind, they started breathing because they had
received life. They were very many enough to make an army.
11. God told Ezekiel that the Israelites were like the dry bones which never had hope of
coming back to life.
12. He told Ezekiel that like the dry bones, the Israelites didn’t have hope of going back to
their land of Judah after exile.
13. However, God promised that since the dry bones had come back to life, there was hope
that the Israelites were going back to their land.

THE MEANING OF THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

The vision of the valley of dry bones meant the following;-

1. The dry bones were equivalent to the Israelites who were in exile, because they had lost
hope of going back to their land.
2. The dry bones were for the dead bodies; therefore the vision showed that the Jews in
exile were dead like the dry bones.
3. The Israelites had no hope because they had lost it after looking at the forms of suffering
they had experience in the Babylonian exile.
4. The vision meant that God was going to restore the Israelites both physically and
spiritually.
5. The vision signified the idea of life after death because the bones received life after
listening to the prophecy.
6. It meant that Israel was to be saved from exile the way the dry bones received life and
were saved from death.
7. The vision confirmed that God keeps and fulfills promises; because He had promised that
Israel would last as a Kingdom.
8. It showed that those who listen to God’s word receive life and God’s mercy because the
dry bones received life when they listened to Ezekiel’s prophecies.
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9. The bones gained flesh and life which meant that the Israelites in exile would soon go
back to their land and be free. .
10. God put his spirit into the bones and this showed that God was the source of life.
11. The vision meant that man is made up of both body and the spirit which are God given.
12. The new spirit from God to the bones would make the Israelites new people of God
(changed people).
13. The vision meant that the Israelites would share a new relationship with God from exile.
14. The vision meant that God is the creator i.e. the one who moulded man and breathed into
him in Gen 2.
15. Israel was to be saved from exile the way the dry bones received life and were saved
from death.
16. The vision confirmed that God keeps and fulfills promises because He had promised that
Israel would last as a kingdom.
17. The vision showed God’s might. There is nothing impossible before God for example He
was in position to give life to the dry bones.
18. The vision meant that God doesn’t abandon sinners. Therefore He had not abandoned the
Israelites who had lost hope.
19. It showed God as loving and forgiving. Therefore He can’t abandon the sinners. He finds
ways of having them repent so that they can be forgiven.
20. The vision showed God’s omnipotence because the spirit of God lifted Ezekiel and
carried him to the valley of dry bones and that showed God’s powers, and also the dry
bones received life because of God’s powers.

EZEKIEL’S TEACHING ABOUT THE FALSE PROPHETS

1. He accused them of providing their own inspiration and inventing their own visions
instead of seeking for God’s visions.
2. They failed to correct the mistakes of their followers, they therefore greatly misled them.
3. They were fond of slandering in order to get what to eat and for that reason, they would
be destroyed.
4. They were not appointed, acknowledged by Yahweh. They were therefore self-
proclaimed. Even their prophecies were from their own mind.
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5. They used to make false statements which often misled the people.
6. They stole oracles from God’s prophets in order to make themselves appear good.
7. They disregarded the covenant faith which was the foundation of Israel’s religion.
8. These prophets challenged God’s providence and power. This implies that they often
performed strange miracles using magic or stannic influence.
9. They generally lived an immoral kind of life.
10. They killed people who were innocent and kept the wicked ones.
11. They brought God’s judgment to the innocent people who were misled by these prophets.

EZEKIEL’S MESSAGE OF HOPE

1. God gave the message of hope to the Israelites who were in exile and those still in Judah.
This message is contained in chapters 36 and 37.
2. Ezekiel said that those nations which were humiliating Judah and Israel were to be
humiliated and insulted too.
3. He said that God was going to send a foreign nation to defeat and humiliate Babylonia
and Assyria the same way they had humiliated the Israelites.
4. Ezekiel assured the people of Israel that the Land, mountains and hills of Judah would be
filled with healthy vegetation bearing multitudes of fruits and green leaves everywhere.
5. Israel and Judah would return home from exile, join together as one kingdom with one
king as good as his servant David.
6. God vowed to be on the side of his people Israel as He had done for their ancestors when
He brought them from Egypt.
7. The people of Israel were to have good fertile soils like those of Canaan at the time of
their first settlement giving them lots of food to make famine a legend.
8. Ezekiel said that their population would increase because people would produce many
children and grandchildren without diseases, calamities or famine affecting any one.
9. Jerusalem city and the magnificent temple would be rebuilt, palaces renovated for the
kingdom to regain its previous glory.
10. The people would attain a lot of wealth; their cattle would increase in number for the
Babylonians and Edomites to envy their prosperity but with nothing to do about it.
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11. No Nation would make fun or even insult Isreal again because God’s people would be
better than all the pagan nations.
12. God was to save his people from all kinds of shame and trouble for the sake of his own
name and glory as His name had been disgraced in every country.
13. God was to rescue and bring his people back to their homeland showing the Babylonians
and Edomites that He was the only God of Israel.
14. God would bless His people with clean water and cleanse them from the defilement of
the pagans from their beliefs and idols.
15. God would give them new hearts and mind to make them change their behaviors and
become obedient to Him.
16. God was to make a new covenant with His people to be an everlasting one written in their
minds.
17. God himself would be their king choosing one of His servants from them to take charge
over His people, giving security, saving them from danger just like His servant David.
18. God continued to promise either to be the good shepherd Himself to His people or give
them a leader as good as David.

THE BOOK OF
PROPHET JEREMIAH
Prophet Jeremiah was a son of Hilkiah who was a priest of Anathoth in the territory of
Benjamin. He prophesied in the Southern Kingdom during the reign of Josiah, Jehoiakim and
Zedekiah.
His term of office started from around 626 BCE.
THE CALL OF JEREMIAH TO BE A PROPHET
1. God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet while he was still his mother’s womb.
2. “I chose you before I gave you life and before you were born I elected you to be a prophet to
the nations” …..(Jeremiah 1:4-5).
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3. At that tender age Jeremiah told the sovereign God that he didn’t know how to speak
because he was still too young.
4. The lord said to him don’t say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and
tell them everything I command to say.
5. God told Jeremiah not to be afraid of them.
6. God assured Jeremiah of his presence and protection.
7. Immediately the Lord touched his lips and put words in his mouth.
8. He gave him words to speak to all nations and kingdoms.
9. He also gave him authority over all nations and kingdoms and to uproot, pull down, destroy
and to overthrow, to rebuild and plant.
10. Jeremiah was challenged by God not to be afraid of any body. He was promised God’s
presence in all situations to protect him against any threats.
11. Jeremiah’s call was accompanied by two visions.
12. He saw a branch of an almond tree. This was intended to show Jeremiah that God was
watching over to see how his words were coming to fulfillment.
13. Among the Israelites an almond tree was well known for putting on leaves before any other
tree in the spring season.
14. The people of Judah were busy rejoicing with their wickedness and looked at God as if he
was asleep.
15. They thought that God was not seeing their social injustices and apostasy. God was only
waiting for the right time to act – to punish them severely.
16. Then Jeremiah saw a vision of a boiling pot in the North. The pot was tilting and almost
pouring on Judah.
17. This symbolized that an army from the North would come and destroy the people of
Jerusalem.
18. Since there was no time left, God ordered Jeremiah to begin his prophetic ministry
immediately and prophesy seriously.
19. Jeremiah was warned by God that he would face opposition and conflicts from the kings,
officials, priests and the general public.
20. He was however assured of God’s divine protection. That he could be like an iron pillar.
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Question: (a) Discuss the circumstances that led to God’s call of Jeremiah
(b) What challenges did Jeremiah encounter during his ministry?
REASONS FOR THE CALL OF JEREMIAH
Jeremiah was essentially called by God to condemn the various social and religious evils
which were very many among the Israelites. These can be seen in the following ways;

1. He was called to condemn the presence of idol worship which was so common among the
Israelites.
2. He was called to condemn the rebellious leaders of Judah such as Manasseh.
3. The people of Judah were fond of consulting the false prophets instead of depending on
God; above all Gods prophets were not allowed to talk to God’s people. Therefore
Jeremiah came to denounce this kind of life.
4. The people of Judah were sacrificing to pagan gods instead of their God; to make matter
even worse, they were practicing human sacrifice.
5. Jeremiah condemned the shedding of the innocent blood. This was so common among the
political leaders.
6. In Judah, there was no honest way of acquiring wealth. The rich for example tampered
with their scales thus cheating the poor.
7. He came to make God’s will known to the people. This was because the people of Judah
had started looking at the Sabbath as a burden to them.
8. He also came as an agent of justice and harmony in the society. He thus came to promote
just hearing in the courts of law and to enhance harmony to the vulnerable people.
9. The Jews had committed adultery and there was no one, not even the priests to condemn
these vices. Therefore it was Jeremiah to counter this problem.
10. He also came to pass on to the people of Judah God’s message of judgment. The
Israelites had disobeyed Yahweh and so they deserved God’s punishment.
11. The Israelites had taken advantage of the widows and other vulnerable groups. Such
people were often mistreated by the rich.
Question: Justify Jeremiah’s call to prophetism.
Compare the call of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Similarities
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 Both calls were vassal i.e. they were between God the almighty and the sinful human
beings.
 They were both called by the same God –most powerful God of Israel.
 Both heard God’s voice on being called Jeremiah said he was too young to speak
while Ezekiel heard someone referring to him as mortal man.
 Both were given words to speak by God the almighty (Jer. 1:9), (Ezek2:9)
 Both were given hard tasks by God to be passed unto the people of Israel to Jeremiah
he was given authority to nations and kingdoms to uproot, pull down to destroy
……… and to Ezekiel saw words of grief written on the scroll he was given.
 Both were sent to same people – Israelites who urgently needed God’s message.
 Both calls were initiated by the same God who saw the need of sending people to the
Israelites.
 Both were to manifest God’s anger upon the sinful of Israel.
 Both were warned by God not to be afraid of the people and task God was assigning
them.
 Both involved the theophany of God- God’s presence was felt. Ezekiel heard a loud
roar of a voice, and Jeremiah saw God touching his lips.
 Both were assured of divine protection; to Jeremiah God would give him strength to
resist the people of Judah- will be like strong like an iron pillar and bronze wall and
Ezekiel was promised to be made as firm as a rock and as hard as diamond.
 Both were to speak to hard heartened people.
 Both were called at the time of spiritual wickedness among the Israelites- in Judah.
DIFFERENCES
 Jeremiah was called before he was born while Ezekiel received his call when he was
physically alive and old.
 Jeremiah was called to proclaim judgment and its consequences to the people of Judah
while Ezekiel was to restore hope among the exiles in Babylonia.
 Jeremiah’s call caused him too much suffering because he was to proclaim destruction
to his own people but Ezekiel was to restore hope and give justification to the
suffering exiles in Babylon.
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 Jeremiah was called in the 7th century while Ezekiel was called in the 5 th century in
the 7 the year of Babylonia exile.
 Jeremiah’s call was much shorter while Ezekiel’s was longer for it lasted for 7 days.
 God’s power lifted Ezekiel on his feet however Jeremiah just felt God’s power.
 Ezekiel was addressed as “mortal man” while Jeremiah was addressed by his name
Jer. 1:11.
 In Ezekiel God refers to the people in exile as rebels, scorpions and rebellious people
however in Jeremiah God refer to them as mere people.
 Ezekiel was given scroll to eat which contained words of God while to Jeremiah it was
by simply touching on his lips.
 Jeremiah received two visions during his call; An almond tree, and boiling pot in the
North however Ezekiel saw vision of different creatures.
 Jeremiah gives reasons for God’s judgment but Ezekiel was called to justify people’s
suffering in exile.
 Jeremiah expressed fear over God’s task claiming to be too young but Ezekiel‘s fear
was reserved

KING MANASSEH’S EVILS

1. Manasseh built pagan places of worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed.
2. He built altars for the worship of Baal.
3. He also made an image for goddess Asherah as King Ahab had done.
4. He worshiped the stars as many foreign nations often did.
5. He farther built pagan altars in the temple which was dedicated to his Yahweh.
6. In the two courtyards of the temple, Manasseh built altars for the worship of the stars.
7. He even sacrificed his own son as burnt offering.
8. He sinned greatly and stirred up God’s anger against Judah.
9. He placed the symbols of goddess Asherah into the temple.
10. He was responsible for the wickedness of the entire nation of Judah.
11. Manasseh provoked God’s anger against Jerusalem and all her inhabitants.
12. Manasseh also killed so many innocent people whose blood flowed on the streets of Jerusalem.
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13. He instituted the worship of Idols in the land of God.

NB. Manasseh was succeeded by his son Amon who ruled for two years. He was assassinated
by his officials and they made his son Josiah King of Judah.

KING JOSIAH’S RELIGIOUS REFORMS (2 KINGS 22,23)

Josiah brought about the following religious reforms in the life of the people of Judah;
1. Josiah started with the re-institution of the worship of Yahweh in Judah.
2. There after Josiah embarked on the work of renovating God’s temple in Jerusalem.
3. Josiah was so faithful and repentant in that his faithfulness in god enabled the people of Judah
at that time to overcome God’s punishments.
4. He restored people’s confidence in their God which his predecessors had neglected. This was
seen in sending Shapan Hilkiah and others to go and consult the Lord and find out his opinion
bout he book of law.
5. Josiah made a covenant with the Lord to obey him to keep his laws and to put in practice the
demand attached to the law book. This was a step towards the purification of God’s people
and a foundation of the new religious order in Judah.
6. He purified the worship of Yahweh by putting to destruction all objects that were used in the
worship of Baal, Asherah and stars.
7. He removed from office all the priests that his predecessors had ordained to offer sacrifices to
the pagan starts in the temple and other cities of Judah.
8. He removed the symbols of goddess Asherah and burnt it down and scattered its ashes in the
public burying ground.
9. He destroyed the quarters of temple prostitutes, from these quarters women wore robes used
in the worship of Asherah.
10. Josiah also re-instated the priests of God to Jerusalem and restored the altars in the temple.
11. He made people once again sacrifice to their God thus bringing them closer to God.
12. After destroying the pagan places of worship and withdrawal of the pagan priests from their
offices, Josiah killed all these priests from the very altars where they served.
13. As a sign of spiritual renewal in Judah, Josiah was able to revive the Jewish religious
festivals such as the Passover.
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14. Through his high priest Hilkiah, Josiah was able to teach God’s laws contained in the
discovered book to all his subjects.
15. He removed all the mediums and fortune tellers and other household gods in Judah.

THE TEMPLE SERMON (JEREMIAH 7:1-15)

Jeremiah 7 gives an account of the prophecy which Jeremiah gave concerning the temple of God
in Jerusalem. After its construction the temple was dedicated to God as his house from where he
was to be worshipped and where his sacrifices would be organized from.

However, by Jeremiah’s time, the temple had lost its original purpose for which it was dedicated
to God. It was used as a centre of obscenity and thus greatly defiled. At this time, many
worshippers were using it the way they wanted, besides most of them were unworthy to enter it.

It’s therefore against that background that Jeremiah had to give a prophecy concerning
the temple.
(a) Analyze Jeremiah’s sermon in the temple.
1. Jeremiah called upon the people to repent and change their ways.
2. Jeremiah called upon the people of Israel to stop trusting in the temple as a source of
security.
3. He prophesied that unless people changed behavior and actions, the Jerusalem city and
temple were going to be destroyed.
4. He called for justice and fair treatment of the poor, orphans, widows and strangers.
5. He condemned the worship of pagan gods. He called upon people to worship one God the
almighty.
6. He condemned the killing of innocent people.
7. He also condemned the practice of adultery.
8. Jeremiah condemned theft which was very rampant.
9. He condemned the telling of lies in their oaths
10. Jeremiah condemned the offering of sacrifices to Baal and the worshiping of the gods that
they had not known before.
11. He told them that worshiping other gods would lead to their destruction.
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12. He told them to change and be able to live in the city.

13. He told worshippers to stop believing in the deceitful words and say we are safe.
14. He accused them of evil things and continued coming to the temple.
15. He condemned religious hypocrisy and told them those fasting, sacrifices, religious songs
and functions were no longer important to God.
16. He told the people of Israel that the Lord’s temple was not a den of robbers but a house of
prayer.
17. Jeremiah warned them that God would destroy temple as he did to Shiloh.
18. He told them that God was to drive them out of the land as he did their relatives.
19. He condemned the people because of their failure to learn through other prophets God
had sent to them.
20. Jeremiah called upon the people of Israel to obey the Exodus laws.
21. Jeremiah condemned the priests and false prophets of Jerusalem who did nothing to
change people’s morals
NB. The temple sermon however put Jeremiah in a very bad situation especially before the
temple officials, politicians and the majority of the people in Jerusalem. He was considered
as a traitor who was collaborating with their enemies to see the down fall of Judah.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF JEREMIAH’S PREACHING AT THE TEMPLE (JER 26:7-

16)
1. Jeremiah was arrested immediately after his speech by the worshippers who were in the
temple.
2. Jeremiah was accused of blasphemy (i.e.) speaking and acting against the name of God in
what he had said about the destruction of the temple.
3. Jeremiah was tried and sentenced to death by the priests and prophets who were working
in the temple. This was because Jeremiah had spoken evil against their city. However, he
was not killed because of Ahikam’s support. (Jeremiah 26:24).
4. Jeremiah was referred to as a trouble maker within Israel’s religious setting.
5. It led to the death of Uriah from Kiriath Jearim who had also spoken in the name of God
about the destruction of the city and Judah. He was killed because for him he failed to
defend himself the way Jeremiah did (Jeremiah 26:20-21).
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6. Jeremiah earned great enmity from the people of Jerusalem but it was only supported by
a few sons of the priest.
7. He was stopped from teaching in the temple for he was branded as a confusor.
8. The city of Jerusalem was besieged by the Babylonians under their leader
Nebuchadnezzer.
9. The temple of Jerusalem which was highly treasured was also destroyed (Jeremiah
52:12FF)
10. The people of Judah were exiled to Babylonia where they spent quite a long period of
time.
(b) Examine the relevance of Jeremiah’s sermon to
Christians in Uganda today
1. Christians should live holy life and avoid immorality.
2. They should put all their trust in God and not church buildings.
3. They should treat all people equally with justice.
4. They should take care of the orphans, widows, strangers and needy.
5. They should worship only one God.
6. They should respect human life, killing of innocent people is against the word of God.
7. They should be faithful in their marriages.
8. They should take the church as a house of prayer not hiding place for sinners.
9. They should listen to church leaders because they are sent by God to win and direct
God’s people.
10. Church leaders should live an exemplary life.
11. Christians should be sincere with one another.
12. They should be faithful to God and to one another.
13. They should live a humble life ready to listen to God’s servants.

JEREMIAH’S CONFLICT WITH PASHHUR THE PRIEST

(JEREMIAH 20:1-6)
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The conflict between Jeremiah and Pashhur the chief priest of the temple originated from the
message which God passed over to Jeremiah instructing him to buy a broken jar. Jeremiah was
told to go with the elders and the old priest to Hinnom valley.
From there he was given the following message which sparked off the conflict between
Jeremiah and Pashhur.
1. Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Judah in a horrible way that would surprise
everybody. This was because the people of Judah had sinned against God.
2. He added that the people of Judah had abandoned Yahweh and above all defiled the
whole land by importing pagan gods whom they sacrificed to. This was a disgrace to the
holy temple of God and God himself.
3. Many leaders of Israel were guilty of blood shed more over of innocent people.
4. He criticized the apostate nature of the Israelites that they had built altars for Baal from
which they sacrificed their children.
5. Jeremiah said that God was annoyed with their way of life and because of their sins, they
would not escape God’s wrath. When that time comes, Topheth valley would now be
called slaughter valley (Jeremiah 19:6).
6. He prophesized the siege of Judah and Jerusalem by the enemies who would kill them in
the battle.
7. He added that their dead bodies would be made food of the birds and wild animals.
8. He added that their city would be put to destruction and their enemies would kill every
living creature in it.
9. Jeremiah threw down the clay pot he was holding and added that in a similar manner,
God would break his people that nobody would ever bring them together. Jeremiah
showed God’s determination to have the valley of Topheth destroyed just as Jerusalem
and its people would be.
10. After Jeremiah’s prophecy about the destruction of Judah, he went in the court yard of the
temple where he repeated his utterances of destruction. It was against this background
that the chief priest Pashhur was annoyed.
11. He ordered some men to seize, beat and chain up Jeremiah. This was done to humiliate
Jeremiah and warn other worshippers that it was wrong to speak evil about God.
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12. Pashhur was greatly irritated by Jeremiah because being the chief priest, Pashhur thought
that Jeremiah had no right to speak evil against God.
13. To Pashhur the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem was blasphemy which is punishable
by death.
14. Besides, what annoyed Pashhur most was Jeremiah to attack the evils of the Israelites
from the very holy place (i.e.) the court yard of the temple where he presided as the chief
priest.
15. The attack of Judah without Pashhur’s knowledge made Pashhur to order for Jeremiah’s
beating.
16. More still, all along the Jews thought that they were pure and good before their God
basing on the way they were worshipping him.
17. Therefore to Pashhur, Jeremiah’s prophecy was aimed at ridiculing their way of life.
18. Jeremiah also got annoyed for calling him a traitor who was working against the down
fall of Judah.
However, Pashhur’s position against Jeremiah did not please God. Therefore Jeremiah
passed over to Pashhur the following oracle of punishment from God;
1. He told Pashhur that his name would change to “terror everywhere”. This signified what
would happen to Jerusalem and Pashhur himself (i.e.) they will face terror from
Babylonia.
2. He prophesized that Pashhur’s friends will all die of the sword of their enemies.
3. That their country Judah would be sieged by the Babylonians who would take some as
prisoners to their country.
4. They would also kill a good number of them.
5. The riches of Judah and wealth of Jerusalem and property of their king would be looted
and taken by the Babylonians.
6. Pashhur was told that his family would be captured and would be among those who
would go to exile in Babylonia along with his friends.
LESSONS MODERN RELIGIOUS LEADERS LEARN FROM THE CONFLICT
The conflict between Jeremiah and Pashhur has a lot to teach our present religious leaders. This
can be seen in the following ways;
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1. Religious leaders should always stand for the truth and the genuine gospel of Christ even
when it means persecuting them just as Jeremiah risked his life in order to put right what
was wrong.
2. They need to be firm and brave while transmitting God’s message. They should be
determined enough such that they make their mind known to the potential sinners.
3. They should have absolute confidence and trust in their God. With God all is assured to
those who believe in him. They should put God at the forefront of their tasks.
4. Religious leaders should condemn all sorts of evils committed in the country without any
reservation.
5. They should speak out what God has given them.
6. Present religious leaders should be ready to suffer and even die for the good of God’s
ministry.
7. It’s also imperative to note that all religious leaders and other strong believers should
accept to be corrected.
8. Christians should try to purify themselves and their family members if at all they are to
live a joyous life.
9. There is need for Christians to be humble, polite and reserved while some one is
delivering to them a word from God.
10. Christians should adjust themselves and select the good news since God’s message can
be channeled in many ways.
11. They should always examine themselves first before resorting to coercive measures.
Sometime the after result of their response may be irritating even to the offenders.
12. Christians should repent for their sins and seek for God’s forgiveness instead of engaging
themselves in arguments.
13. Christians should look at themselves as sinners who will never stop being talked to or
condemned by any other person from God.

JEREMIAH’S MESSAGE CONCERNING THE PROPHETS OF JUDAH

1. Here, Jeremiah was concerned with the issue of true and false prophet hood of the then
prophets of God in Judah.
2. Jeremiah criticized the nature of prophetism in Judah which was full of satanic influence.
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3. To Jeremiah, the prophets were wicked and failed to utilize their power.
4. Many of them were godless. They had no personal knowledge of God. Therefore
whatever they did didn’t reflect any requirements of God.
5. They were fond of doing evil in God’s temple. This comprised of bribery, theft, denial of
justice to the poor etc.
6. Their actions and behaviors were not co-relating with any demands of Yahweh. They
were living their own life style which made no any impact to the people they preached to.
(Jeremiah 23:12).
7. The prophets worshipped Baal and they let the people go away from God.
8. The prophets of Jerusalem were fond of committing adultery and telling lies. They
connived with people to sin against God.
9. The prophets were ill-informing people about what God wants. They only imagined
things on their own but not what God passed over to them for delivery to his people.
They thus filled people with false hopes.
10. Most of these prophets were not sent by God to speak for him. They were self-proclaimed
in this institution.
11. They were fond of telling lies and they claimed that God had given them revelations in
dreams.
12. They were accused of accepting payments for their messages so that they can be bought
and used of soothing language to the people who went to them.
However, according to Jeremiah’s message it appeared that a true prophet is the one with
the following qualities;
1. He was one who had a personal relationship with God (i.e.) in whatever he proclaims,
there is a direct relationship with what God expects his people to do.
2. A true prophet spoke with the truth of God’s will. However different this was from what
his listeners expected to hear e.g. Jeremiah’s temple sermon.
3. True prophets were mediating between God and the people.
4. True prophets prophesized without fear, favor, bias or discrimination.
5. He must be knowing that he was sent by God and speak for him. He was just a medium
through which God’s message was made known to the people.
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6. His message was a challenge to the listeners to give up their evil and live according to
God’s will.
7. His own life and actions must be a witness to the moral claims of God.
8. In most cases what a true prophet prophesizes comes to fulfillment.
9. A true prophet would speak on God’s behalf since the message was coming from God.
10. A true prophet must use his message to drive people to repentance and go back to God.

JEREMIAH AND THE FALSE PROPHET HANANIAH

1. During the reign of Zedekiah as king of Judah, Jeremiah was publicly challenged at the
temple by prophet Hananiah.
2. Prior to this, Jeremiah had been commanded by God to perform a sign of walking around
the public with a wooden ox-yoke across his shoulders.
3. This was signifying that Judah would continue to be under the Babylonian control.
4. He hastened to add that, if Judah agreed to submit to the Babylonian influence, the people
would be treated with mercy and would not be killed.
5. It’s important to note that some prophets, Hananiah inclusive had started alleging that
Judah would soon be freed from the Babylonian control and the exiles together with their
treasures would be returned by 597BC.
6. In opposition to this popular view, Jeremiah reacted by saying that the Babylonians were
God’s instrument of judgment on the people of Judah. That all their power to dominate
other nations was directly coming from God.
7. Such a message was however not appealing in the ears of those who expected the
imminent return of the exiles and the restoration of their treasures.
8. Hananiah at the temple had said that within two years the exiles and the treasures taken
from Jerusalem will be returned and this would mark the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
9. From what Hananiah said, Jeremiah was able to conclude that, Hananiah may not be a
true prophet. To Jeremiah a true prophet is one who prophesies disaster where it’s
expected.
10. Hananiah was a false prophet because he was trying to prophecy peace where there was
no peace to declare.
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11. Jeremiah challenged Hananiah that only when his predictions of peace come true, that is
when he would be considered a true prophet sent by God.
12. After Jeremiah’s attack on Hananiah, then Hananiah expressed his own words by
performing a symbolic action. He took the ox-yoke Jeremiah had put across his
shoulders, broke it in pieces and said that it signified the breaking of the power of
Nebuchadnezzar.
13. By doing this, Hananiah implied that what God had earlier said through other prophets
like Isaiah and Jeremiah was not true.
14. God had said that he would use Babylonia as his mighty hand to punish his people of
Judah. Therefore whatever Hananiah expressed was misleading the people.

After Hananiah’s destruction of an ox-yoke, God gave Jeremiah the following message;

That God would replace the wooden yoke with a metallic one. This was to mean that God would
make all nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar. It was therefore his intention to use the Babylonians
to plunder the treasures of Judah.

Jeremiah disapproved Hananiah As he was not a true prophet sent by God. He was telling oracles
from his own mind but in the name of God. He thus misled people.

Jeremiah told Hananiah that God was going to destroy him and this was fulfilled in that very
year.
LESSONS TO PRESENT RELIGIOUS LEADERS
1. They should have confidence in what they preach especially if they believe that it comes
from God, Just as Jeremiah maintained his stand.
2. Religious leaders should always seek for God’s guidance and allow him to work in their
mind. Hananiah was not using God and so he ended up telling lies.
3. They need to be faithful and should preach oracles that would make the congregation
have confidence in them.
4. They should promote unity of the congregation by preaching a similar gospel to their
people.
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5. Religious leaders should pray to God until when he chooses them to serve him as his
messengers instead of imposing themselves in such offices.
6. They should live to what they preach and so they need to live an exemplary kind of life.
7. They should be open minded and frank when it comes to delivering God’s message. They
should not withhold any message from God however destructive it may be to the public.
8. They should criticize fake or false priests who are just antagonizing the preaching of
God’s message. Such self-seekers should be excommunicated from the work of being
God’s preachers.
9. They should always answer back whenever they are attacked publicly in order to clear the
name of God.
10. They should encourage their followers to ignore personalized churches because they are
not different from what Jeremiah was fighting against in Judah.

JEREMIAH AS A SUFFERING / WEEPING PROPHET

Qn. Why is Jeremiah often called a suffering prophet?
It was a common practice that most of the canonical prophets in Israel faced stiff opposition from
the public and this often culminated into beating, imprisonment, abuses and sometimes death of
these prophets.

This was because much of their oracles were found less appealing to most people. They were
characterized with impending doom, destruction, famine, foreign attacks, plagues disease and
conquest by the Babylonians.

This consequently exposed most prophets to all sorts of human torture by either the politicians or
other influential religious leaders in Israel. Such a situation was experienced by Jeremiah in
the following ways;
1. Right from his call God assured him moments of danger in his ministry.
2. When he foresaw the capture of Jerusalem, Jeremiah tried to preserve his message by
writing it using Baruch. However King Jehoiakim burnt his scrolls in presence of the
court officials (Jeremiah 36:23); thus showing Jeremiah as a suffering servant.
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3. Jeremiah was forced to carry a wooden yoke as a sign to imply the impending danger
from Babylonia to all nations.
4. However, when it was destroyed by prophet Hananiah, God gave him a metallic one
(Jeremiah 27:1-7, Jeremiah 28:12).
5. In the misunderstanding between Jeremiah and Pashhur, Jeremiah was arrested, chained,
beaten and tried (Jeremiah 20, 26), thus showing him as a weeping prophet.
6. After prophesying badly about the temple and the city of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was
denied access to preach from the temple yet it was the only place from where he would
cause impact to his listeners.
7. People of Judah conspired not to attend his sermons Jer. 18:18. He therefore wasted his
time and energy preaching to disinterested people.
8. Jeremiah was almost killed by his villagemates of Anathoth. He was charged of
preaching a message different from what they expected (Jeremiah18:18-23).
9. Jeremiah was forced to pass on the message of judgment to Judah despite the kind of
Love and attachment he had for them. Against his will Jeremiah was forced to prophecy
whatever God gave him.
10. Old as he was, Jeremiah was instructed by God to put on linen shorts and was told not to
put them in water. He suffered during this period (Jeremiah 13).
11. He was told not to marry or have any children. It was because of the impending danger
in which all people would die old and young ones. (Jer. 16:2).
12. Jeremiah suffered most of his time, cursed and tormented. He was a subject of
harassment from the general public. This situation made him regret why he was born.
13. He was told not mourn for anybody not even attending any burial ceremony. It was
indeed a very hard situation for Jeremiah because he was seen as a man with antisocial
behavior.
14. He experienced increased heart beating for fear of the forth coming disaster to Judah.
He was worried because his people were not bothered about that fate.
15. He suffered isolation by the people of Judah because his message estranged him from all
who would be his potential followers.
16. He was dropped in the well after prophesying about the destruction of the people who
would remain in the city of Jerusalem. (Jer. 38:6).
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17. He was arrested, beaten and locked up in the house of Jonathan on allegations that he
was collaborating with the Babylonians (Jeremiah37:15-16).
18. He was forced by God to preach the kind of information which was so hard for a
normal mankind. Even when Jeremiah tried to refuse, God insisted and instead promised
him assistance.
19. Like other Israelites, Jeremiah suffered from the experience of the desert which was so
appalling.

LESSONS RELIGIOUS LEADERS LEARN FROM JEREMIAH’S SUFFERING

QN. How does Jeremiah’s prophecy influence the lives of religious leaders today?
1. Religious leaders learn to condemn evil in society just as Jeremiah condemned evils in
Judah
2. They learn to dedicate their ministries to God who is a source of wisdom.
3. They learn to use their offices to preach the Good News to all people.
4. They should accept to suffer for the sake of God’s will as Jeremiah suffered.
5. They should create a conducive worshiping atmosphere for their people.
6. They learn to cause positive innovations in the worship of God just as Josiah did.
7. Religious leaders learn to act as messages of God’s people in order to make God’s
message reach their audience properly
8. They should call upon their followers to repent their sins and turn to God.
9. They should become bold and strong willed in order to register victory in their work.
10. They should use the existing situation show their concern to the people.
JEREMIAH IS ORDERED BY GOD NOT TO MARRY
Qn. Why was Jeremiah commanded by God not to marry?
Jeremiah was commanded by God not to marry. This was a sign to the people of the forthcoming
punishment / judgment. So he would not have a wife or children. This meant the following;

1. Disaster was about to befall the children born in Judah and God did not want Jeremiah’s
children to face that trouble.
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2. Children born in Judah were going to die of a terrible disease and calamity. The disease
would leave nobody alive.
3. There would be no one to mourn for the dying children of Judah, so it wasn’t necessary
for Jeremiah to marry and have children who were to die so terribly.
4. Jeremiah’s children and those of Judah were to die and there would be nobody to burry
them because everybody would be dying.
5. Parents and children would die and their dead bodies would pile on the streets later to
become manure on the ground.
6. Children and parents would be killed by an advancing enemy from Babylon in a very
brutal way.
7. The children of Judah would be slaughtered by the enemy and those who would escape
death would be dragged into exile to mark the end of families in Jerusalem.
8. Jeremiah’s not marrying was symbolizing to the people of Judah that they would be
defeated by the Babylonians.
9. By not marrying and not having children, Jeremiah was to symbolize that Judah was as
unproductive before God as a barren or childless marriage.
10. Not marrying meant that the people of Judah were not to enjoy life but to wait for
disaster.
11. He was to remain a celibate and not to grieve for marriage, in the same way he wasn’t
supposed to mourn the dead because the future of Judah was all to be like that.
12. Jeremiah was also to stay away from burial ceremonies because deaths were to become
so common and no one would get time to bury the other, not even the beloved ones.
13. The people of Judah and Jerusalem would be killed and their dead bodies would become
food for wild birds and animals to enjoy.
14. Those children of Judah who would escape immediate death and exile would die of
starvation when parents would almost turn to their own children for food.
15. Jeremiah was not supposed to enter a house where there was feasting, eating and drinking
because all people were sinners waiting for their punishment.
16. Not marrying and not participating in ceremonies symbolized the mourning of Judah,
Jerusalem and God’s temple.
Explain the Christian view about people who choose to live as celibates.
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1. Celibates have more time for god than married ones who are pulled into two directions.
2. Celibacy is a gift from God and a matter of self- control but those who cannot control
their sexual desires should go ahead and marry.
3. Marriage is for people of present age but in heaven there will be no marriage people will
have spiritual life lived by celibates.
4. Celibacy is seen as a model of Christian‘s self-giving love for the church to serve God’s
people and himself.
5. Christians speak in favor of celibacy but without forcing it on those who are not called to
do it
6. It’s a gift from God not just a matter influence or desire.
7. There is a big reward for those who practice celibacy for the sake of God’s kingdom.
8. According to St. Paul celibacy is not a sin but a way of serving
9. Those who remain unmarried however violet God’s command about marriage.
10. Remaining unmarried also violates God’s command of creating the different sexes.
11. Christianity discouraged unmarried life because it promotes sexual immorality.

JEREMIAH AS A PROPHET OF DOOM

The following reflects Jeremiah as a prophet of doom;
1. During his call God gave to Jeremiah authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and
pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and plant” thus indicating doom in the
near future. (Jeremiah 1:10).
2. The two visions witnessed during his call also point towards the destruction of Judah.
There was a boiling pot and an almond tree. It indicated that God was going to have
Judah punished by an enemy from the north.
3. Jeremiah said that the people of Israel would be disgraced for the evils they committed
against God. They would be punished for their deliberate denial of Yahweh.
4. He says Judah would be surrounded by her enemies. Their temple, city and beautiful
gardens would be surrounded by enemies because of their rebellious acts against God.
5. Jeremiah experienced increased heart beating for fear of the impending disasters in
Judah. He was worried because his people seemed not to be bothered yet they were all
evil.
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6. He saw destruction coming to Judah at all costs. He had seen that the earth was left a
barren waste, sky was dark, mountains shaking, no people and once fertile land had
become a desert. All these were coming because of people’s wickedness (Jeremiah 4:23-
26).
7. At the temple in his sermon, Jeremiah had seen that the temple had been misused and so
it would be destroyed just as Shiloh was destroyed.
8. Jeremiah prophesized the destruction of the beautiful city by the enemies who would
come from the north. This would happen because of the oppression which was
everywhere in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 6:5, 22).
9. He brought the sad news to his village mates who wanted to kill him. He said that the
young men of Anathoth will starve to death, others would be killed in war and none
would survive.
10. He performed the SYMBOLIC SIGNS which portrayed the forth coming doom to
Judah. They were as follows:
a. He perfumed the sign of not marrying and producing which implied that all
children would die of terrible diseases (Jeremiah 16:3).
b. He was refused to attend burial ceremonies since burial would be the order of the
day (Jeremiah 16:4).
c. He was stopped from attending parties and all kinds of feasts because God would
silence them. (Jer:16:8-9)
d. At the porters place, he saw that poorly made pots would be destroyed and
changed into other items.
e. This meant that he rebellious people of Judah would be destroyed and God would
bring up other people later (Jeremiah 18:4).
f. Jeremiah broke the jar he was holding which meant that God would destroy the
people of Judah and their city just as the clay jar was broken (Jeremiah 19:10).
g. He changed Passhhur’s name to “terror” to mean that a catastrophe would befall
on Judah in which many people would be killed by their enemies. (Jer:20:3)
h. Jeremiah put on the linen shorts and was not allowed to wash them which
signified the impending destruction to befall on Judah because of their poor
behavior (Jeremiah 13).
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i. He carried a wooden yoke to mean the long period Judah and other countries
would be under the Babylonians.
11. Jeremiah assured King Zedekiah as Jerusalem would surely be attacked by the
Babylonians. However he warned them that if they don’t resist them, no one would be
killed.
12. Without any fear, Jeremiah prophesized that Hananiah the false prophet would be killed
for misleading the people

13. He foretold the exiling of the Israelites into Babylonia where they would spend so many
years. He however added that time would come when they will be liberated by God.
JEREMIAH AS A PROPHET OF HOPE
On the other hand, Jeremiah was a prophet of hope and this is shown in the following
ways;

1. His call to be a prophet is an indication of a ray of hope. Through Jeremiah God wanted
to make the Israelites recall his providence so that they could return to him before
destruction sets in.
2. As a man of hope, he was compelled to write down his prophecies through Baruch, such
that those who would get the chance of reading them, may repent and get saved from the
impending calamity-destruction.
3. More still, in his sermon at the temple, Jeremiah urged the people to cleanse themselves
and seek for forgiveness from God. This would save them from the forth coming dangers.
4. Jeremiah bought a piece of land while the Babylonians were organizing to capture the
city. This was a sign that time will come when the exiles would regain their land.

5. Jeremiah’s different prophetic signs such as;

a. Linen shorts
b. Visiting porters house
c. Breaking of the jar
d. Refusing to marry etc. all aimed at alerting the Jews to repent and turn to God
before destruction sets in thus showing Jeremiah as a man of hope.
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6. In the letter to the exiles in Babylonia, Jeremiah assured them as God would show them
concern and take them back to their mother land (Jeremiah 29:10)
7. God promised to liberate his people from exile and destroy all the nations in which they
would be scattered.
8. Even though God would punish the Israelites, he promised to be fair and lenient to them
(Jeremiah 30:11).
9. They were urged not to complain anymore because of their injuries, wounds and sores.
God promised to take care of them and nurse them again.
10. He promised to revenge against their oppressors and enemies. That they would be
oppressed and taken as prisoners (Jeremiah 30:16).
11. He showed chances of rebuilding Jerusalem and the restoration of their glory. The palace
would also be restored and their power which had been shattered would come back
(Jeremiah 30:18).
12. God through Jeremiah promised that he would once again become the God of all the
tribes of Israel. He would pour his mercy on them.
13. That God would fill the land of Israel and Judah with people and animals. That he would
take care of plants and build up what was destroyed.
14. He says that when restoration comes, each person would be responsible for his / her own
sins. The sons would no longer have the sour taste because of the sour grapes eaten by
their parents.
15. He says that God would make a new covenant with his people, whose laws would be
written on the hearts of the people. Under this covenant God would be compelled to
forgive all his people of their sins and they will all know him.

JEREMIAH’S PROPHECY ABOUT THE NEW COVENANT

(JEREMIAH 31:31-34).
This prophecy is contained in Jeremiah’s message of consolation to the Israelites who were
assured of the Babylonian capture of their city and country of Judah.
1. Jeremiah prophesized that God would make with them a new covenant that would
supercede the Old Mosaic Covenant which had been broken by the people of Judah and
Israel. He says the new covenant will last longer and he will maintain its purity form.
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2. He adds that unlike the old covenant which was written on stone tablets, the new
covenant would have a different version. With it in place, it will then be written on
people’s hearts where it will stay forever (Jer 31:33).
3. In the new covenant, God and his people would be bound together in a new and better
relationship than before.
4. In the new covenant, people will be given the true knowledge of God which will act as a
basic of God’s blessings and joy. Therefore absence of his knowledge would result into
unhappiness and disaster.
5. According to the new covenant, there will be no need for a prophet to teach others about
the true character and will of God. This is because such a person will know what God
wants and hates.
6. The new covenant will be a universal one which will involve all the people in the world
unlike the old covenant which limited itself to only the Israelites. In the new covenant
therefore each and every person will have a chance of knowing God.
7. Jeremiah said that in the new covenant each individual would be entirely responsible and
answerable to his or her sins and guilt.
8. Therefore the ideas of corporate sin and guilt would not feature. God had seen how many
people suffered at the hands of a few sinners.
9. In the new covenant, God would be seen as a forgiving and caring God and he will be in
position not only to forgive but also to forget their past experiences which was not the
case with the old covenant.
10. The new covenant would be a personalized one. They will be compelled into
acknowledging God as their God and they will be his people.
11. The new covenant will be an everlasting covenant. It will not be like the old covenant
which was broken over and over again.
12. The old covenant was sealed with animal blood but the new covenant would be sealed
with human blood.
13. The new covenant was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ. He became the human
being who sealed the covenant God initiated to bring man closer to him. All the assurance
of forgiveness of sin is also more pronounced in the new covenant.
Compare the new covenant of Jeremiah with the Sinai covenant.
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Similarities;
1. Both were initiated by God.
2. Both were to be guided by the relationship between God and man.
3. In both God is superior and man is inferior.
4. Both had laws i.e. written on stone tablets and on people’s hearts.
5. Obedience was a factor in both covenants.
6. Both covenants required sacrifices.
Differences;
7. The old covenant was written on stone tablets while the new covenant was written on
people’s hearts.
8. The old covenant was broken while the new covenant would be everlasting.
9. The old covenant was only for the Israelites while the new covenant would be universal.
10. The old covenants had teachers while the new covenant would require people to know
God by themselves.
11. The old covenant required animal sacrifices whereas faith was the only requirement of
the new covenant.
12. The old covenant was conditional while the new covenant was absolute.
13. The old covenant was communal (group) while the new covenant would be
individualistic.
14. The old covenant was based on punishment whereas the new covenant was based on
forgiveness.
15. A mediator was required in the old covenant while the new covenant was direct.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a) Examine the call of Jeremiah to be a prophet.
b) What lessons can Christians learn from the call of Jeremiah?
2. a) Discuss the sermon which Jeremiah delivered at the temple in Judah.
b) Examine the importance of this incidence to the Christians today.
3. a) Examine the reasons for denying Jeremiah a chance to marriage.
b) Discuss what the church can do to encourage monogamous marriage.
4. a) Examine the teaching of prophet Jeremiah on the sign of the broken Jar.
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b) What are the consequences of this sign of the broken jar to Jeremiah?
5. a) Examine Jeremiah’s teaching about the prophets and priests of Judah
b) What would Jeremiah condemn against the religious leaders in Uganda if he
resurrected today?
6. a) Examine the teaching of Jeremiah about the new covenant.
b) How did the new covenant differ from the sinaitic covenant?
7. a) Examine the sins of Judah at the time of prophet Jeremiah.
b) Discuss the importance of Jeremiah’s condemnations against Judah to the Christians
today.
8. “Jeremiah was a prophet of doom” Discuss.
9. “King Manasseh of Judah and Ahab of Israel were with the same mother” comment