C.R.

FORM 1

COMPREHENSIVE NOTES
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

 CRE is the study of God’s self-revelation through the scriptures, the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy
Spirit and personal experiences.
 It is the study of Religious beliefs and practices that are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

REASONS FOR STUDYING CRE

The following are some of the reasons for studying CRE

i. To get a better understanding of God
We get a better understanding of God through the way He reveals Himself to us in our daily experiences. We
also come to know God more through the teachings recorded in both the Old and New Testaments
ii. To enable us to think critically and make appropriate social, moral and spiritual decisions
As students, we face a lot of dilemmas on moral questions involving matters such as attraction to opposite
sex, temptation to steal etc. CRE gives us the basis of making such choices based on Christian Principles.
iii. To appreciate our own religion and that of others
In order to live in peace and harmony with others CRE helps us learn and appreciate their religion and
respect their cultures and faiths
iv. To help you acquire principles of Christian living
This is summed up in the Ten Commandments and in the teachings of Jesus Christ
v. To help us develop a sense of self-worth and identity for ourselves and others
vi. To promote international consciousness
As Christians, we should appreciate every person in every part of the world as God’s creation.
vii. To help us live new lives in Christ
Through CRE we learn and acquire some values and attitudes which in turn transform us.
viii. To help form a bridge for further studies and career development
CRE forms a foundation for further studies and career training
ix. To identify answers to some life questions
Some life questions such as why we exist, why people die and what happens after death are answered
through CRE
x. To contribute to the achievement of the national goals of education

The national Goals of Education

1. National unity
2. National development (economic and social needs)
3. Industrial development and self-fulfillment
4. Social equality and responsibility
5. Respect and development of cultural heritage
6. International consciousness
7. To promote sound morals and religious values
8. Positive attitudes towards good health and environmental conservation

In conclusion, CRE makes a contribution to the total development of a person-morally, spiritually, emotionally,
physically, intellectually and socially
Ways in which CRE promotes national Unity
1. C.R.E teaches on the importance of love
2. It teaches on social /moral values which strengthen unity among citizens
3. It teaches that human beings have one origin and destiny
4. It teaches African Traditional Religion which is derived from different cultural backgrounds
5. It teaches on the importance of understanding oneself and appreciating others as important beings to
be respected
6. It teaches that human beings are equal before God
7. CRE syllabus which is used all over the country in teaching is one.

Ways in which CRE promotes morality in the society

1. It institutes the virtues of honesty, diligence and tolerance in people.
2. It contributes to spiritual development of an individual
3. It encourages love among people
4. Develops basic principles of Christian living
5. Helps one cope up with various challenges of life
6. It instills the spirit of sharing
7. Promotes social unity
8. It instills the spirit of self-esteem

Ways in which CRE promotes national development

1. CRE encourages the learners to have positive attitudes toward work/hard work/Discourages laziness
2. Helps learners to acquire virtues /moral values which promote economic development
3. It discourages vices which hinder economic development e.g corruption
4. Learners are equipped with knowledge /skills which lead to career development /employment
5. Learners taught the need to use their talents for the development of self/others/nation
6. It stresses the importance of peace/love/unity which contributes to favorable working environment
7. Learners are taught to appreciate their culture and that of others to promote national cohesion
Ways in which CRE promotes International Consciousness
1. It helps us to appreciate every person
2. Helps us to know that all God’s people are fearfully and wonderfully made
3. Helps us understand that we are all children of God the father
4. Helps us understand that we have the same Origin and destiny

Moral values gained by studying Christian Religious Education

1. Obedience
2. Honesty
3. Diligence
4. Humility
5. Tolerance/perseverance/patience
6. Faithfulness/chastity
7. Love/care
8. Responsibility
9. Loyalty/patriotism
10. Courage/bravery
THE BIBLE

a. Reasons why the Bible is considered as the Word of God.

1. The authors who wrote the Bible were inspired by God/were under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
2. It reveals the nature/character of God
3. God communicates to human beings through it
4. It shows the will/desire of God through it
5. Through it, God guides people in their daily lives
6. It transforms peoples’ lives/source of moral values
7. Part of the Bible was directly written by God Himself e.g The Ten commandments
8. Prophecies /promises made in the Bible have been/are being fulfilled
9. It reveals the actions done by God
10. It outlines God’s plan of salvation fulfilled through Jesus Christ

b. Human Authors of the Bible

 The authors of the Bible were under direct influence of God and they wrote what God wanted them to
write.
 Some books were written by prophets like Nehemiah, Ezra and Isaiah. Luke’s gospel was written by
Luke the disciple of Jesus, while Paul wrote various letters to different churches such as Corinth.

c. Literally Forms used in writing the Bible

Literally forms are the different styles that the authors of the Bible used in writing it. Some of the literally
forms used were:
i. Legislative texts (Leviticus)
ii. Wise sayings (Proverbs)
iii. Prophetic Speeches (Jeremiah)
iv. Prayers (Nehemiah)
v. Love Songs (Song of Solomon)
vi. Philosophical essays (Job)
vii. Religious epics (Exodus)
viii. Epistles/Letters (Romans)
ix. Gospels (Luke)

d. The Bible as a Library

A library is a collection of books. The Bible is referred to as a library because: -
i. Although its one book, it contains many books
ii. The books were written by different authors
iii. The books were written at different times in history
iv. The writers came from different backgrounds
v. The writers wrote under different circumstances
vi. The authors wrote for different audiences/readers
 vii. It has different categories of books/divisions
viii. The books are systematically /chronologically arranged
ix. The books are written in different styles
x. The books address different themes/topics

The Bible as Good News

1. It contains message of hope to Christians
2. It contains message of reconciliation
3. Through it man gets salvation from a fallen state
4. It gives man a revelation on mysteries
5. It brings man closer to God
6. It makes man aware of his final destiny
7. Through it God communicates His will to mankind

e. MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE

 The Bible has two major sections:

 The Old Testament
 The New Testament
 The word Testament means covenant.
 The Bible has 66 books, which have been accepted by Christians all over the world as the word of God
 39 of the books are in the Old Testament while 27 books are in the New Testament.
 The books accepted by all Christians, make up the Canon (a Greek word meaning rule, standard or
guidance) of the Old and New Testament
 Some Bibles used by the Roman Catholic Church such as Common Bible and the Jerusalem Bible
contain 45 books in the Old Testament.
 The six extra books are commonly referred to as Deutro-Canonical or books of apocrypha.
 The word apocrypha mean hidden or secret.

The Deuterocanonical books/Books of apocrypha

1. Tobit
2. Judith
3. Ecclesiasticus
4. Baruch
5. Maccabees 1 and 2
6. Books of Wisdom
7. Esdras 1 and 2

1. The old testament books

The Old Testament Books are grouped into four major sections. These are:
i. Books of Law
ii. Books of History
 iii. Books of Prophecy
iv. Books of Poetry

i. Books of Law
 These are first five books of the Bible. They are also referred to as the Torah (meaning law) or the
Pentateuch which means five.
 They contain the law of God to the Israelites
 These books are:
i. Genesis
ii. Exodus
iii. Leviticus
iv. Numbers
v. Deuteronomy

ii. Books of History

These contain the history of the Israelites from the time they entered and settled in the Promised Land to the
period after the exile.
They are 12 in number.

These books are:

i. Joshua
ii. Judges
iii. Ruth
iv. I and II Samuel
v. I and II Kings
vi. I and II Chronicles
vii. Ezra
viii. Nehemiah
ix. Esther

iii. Books of Prophecy

These are categorized into 2: major and minor prophets
Major Prophets
They are called so because their content is larger and detailed

They include:
i. Jeremiah
ii. Isaiah
iii. Ezekiel
iv. Daniel
v. Lamentation

Minor Prophets
They are called so because their content is less detailed
They include:
 i. Hosea
ii. Joel
iii. Amos
iv. Obadiah
v. Jonah
vi. Micah
vii. Nahum
viii. Habakkuk
ix. Zephaniah
x. Haggai
xi. Malachi
xii. Zachariah

iv. Books of Poetry

These are sometimes referred to as writings or books of wisdom.
These are:
i. Psalms
ii. Proverbs
iii. Job
iv. Ecclesiastes
v. Song of songs/ songs of Solomon

The New Testament

These are divided into four major divisions namely:
i. The Gospels
ii. Church History
iii. Epistles/Letters
iv. Revelations/Prophetic

i. The Gospels
The word Gospel means the announcing of good news.
These are the first four books of the New Testament.
The first three books are called the Synoptic gospels because they report similar incidents about the life of
Jesus.
They include:
i. Mathew
ii. Mark
iii. Luke
iv. John

ii. Historical book

Acts of the Apostles

This book was written by Luke, the author of St. Luke’s Gospel. It deals with the history of the Early Church

iii. The Epistles/Letters

These are 21 letters, mainly written by Paul. These letters fall under three categories:

a. The letters of Paul (Pauline letters)

i. Romans
ii. I Corinthians
iii. II Corinthians
iv. Galatians
v. Ephesians
vi. Philippians
vii. Colossians
viii. I Thessalonians
ix. II Thessalonians

b. The Pastoral Letters

There are 5 Pastoral Letters.
They are called Pastoral because they are mainly addressed to Shepherds or Pastors. They show high regard
for the duties of pastors and how these duties should be carried out
They include:
i. 1 Timothy
ii. 2 Timothy
iii. Titus
iv. Philemon
v. Hebrews

c. The Catholic Letters

The word Catholic means Universal. Hence these letters can be applied to any group.
They are 7 in number. These include:
i. James
ii. I Peter
iii. II Peter
iv. I John
v. II John
vi. III John
vii. Jude

iv. Prophetic Book

This is the book of Revelation. It is also called apocalypse, a Greek word meaning revelation or disclosure.
It talks of God’s will for the future.

Reasons why Christians Read the Bible

1. It provides Christians with moral values

2. It’s a sources of spiritual growth
3. It is used in Christian worship
4. It gives them hope/inspiration
5. Helps them to understand their relationship with God
6. It’s a source of Christian beliefs /practices
7. It reveals God to them/helps them understand the will of God
8. It is a source of knowledge
9. It is the word of God/the authors were inspired by God

Occasions when Christians use the bible

1. When preaching the word of God/crusades
2. When swearing in court
3. When instructing new converts/ bible study
4. During different Christian religious ceremonies/festivals
5. When teaching Christian religious Education
6. When composing Gospel songs/plays/Christian literature
7. During fellowships/prayers/guidance and counseling
8. During swearing in ceremonies

Ways in which Christians use the Bible to spread the Gospel today
1. The bible is the main source book for Christian sermon/preaching
2. It’s used in writing Christian sermons
3. The bible is used when composing songs
4. It is used in the production of Christian movies /videos /radio programs /plays
5. The bible is used in swearing /taking oath of allegiance
6. It’s used to organize Bible studies /teaching Sunday/Sabbath schools/strengthens faith
7. Verses from the Bible are used in writing of doctrines for different denominations
8. Biblical texts are used in teaching of Christian Religious Education
9. It is used to offer guidance and counseling.

Why Christians find it difficult to read the Bible

1. Availability of other entertainments e.g movies or news-papers that takes most of their time.
2. Lack of commitment to read the bible
3. Being too busy with work
4. Most people do not see the importance of reading the Bible
5. Some churches do not provide guidelines on how to read the Bible
6. Some people find it difficult to understand the bible
7. Some people believe that pastors and church leaders are the only ones who are supposed to read the
bible
8. Some people are semi-illiterate/ illiterate
9. Some people do not have the scriptures in the language they understand.

Ways in which God speaks to human beings

1. Through historical events

 2. Through creation/nature/natural events
3. Through dreams and visions
4. Direct revelation
5. Through Jesus Christ
6. Through the Holy Spirit and conscience
7. Through the Bible

1. TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE FROM ORIGINAL LANGUAGES TO LOCAL LANGUAGES

a) Bible Translation
The word translation refers to expression of words, books, poems, songs and sayings from one language to
another.

The process of Bible translation

i. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew.
ii. The New Testament was originally written Greek
iii. The Old Testament was later translated to Greek 200 years before Christ was born. This Greek
translation is commonly known as Septuagint. This name refers to the seventy scholars and scribes
who worked on the translation.
iv. The entire bible was translated into Latin. A language commonly used in the Roman Empire. This Latin
translation of the Bible is known as Vulgate which means for common use. This translation was done
by a Christian Scholar known as Jerome.
v. The bible was translated into European languages i.e English, German French etc during the period of
reformation.
vi. It was translated from English into Kiswahili by Dr. Ludwing Kraph
vii. The Bible has been translated into other local languages by the bible society of Kenya

b. Versions of the Bible used in Kenya today

 The word version refers to the style of the language use in the translation of the Bible texts.
 A version attempts to make the Bible content better understood by the readers
 Examples of versions used in Kenya are:

i. Good News Bible

ii. Revised Standard Version (RSV)
iii. The African Bible
iv. Common Bible
v. King James Version
vi. Jerusalem Bible
vii. New International Version
viii. English Bible
ix. The Authored Version
x. The Living Bible
xi. The Gideon’s International Version

c. Effects of the translation of the bible into African languages

 i. The translation ensured that there is effective communication between the locals and the
missionaries in passing the word of God.
ii. It led to the development of local languages which had to be written down so as to facilitate the
translation
iii. The word of God reached more people in their languages because of the translation
iv. The local people could read the Bible on their own and understand it better
v. It enabled the local people to have a critical outlook on certain issues such as the Similarities and
differences between Christianity and African Traditional way of life.
vi. It led to high demand for formal education by Africans
vii. It led to the foundation of more mission schools
viii. More Africans became literate and were now able to communicate with others confidently through
writing
ix. It led to the emergence of African Independent Churches and Schools
x. It led to the expansion of the church as more people became believers, leaders in the churches as
priests, catechists and lay leaders
xi. The translation has facilitated research and studies in African Religious Heritage

Reasons for translating the Bible from Original language to local languages
1. Original Hebrew and Greek were not understood by many people so there was need to use Latin and
English
2. To expand Christianity to gentile word so as to make many people convert into Christianity
3. To ease evangelism and enable many people to read and understand the word of God
4. To indigenize Christianity –encourage its adaptation to local situation and cultures for effective
communication
5. To revise all the versions and keep a breast with changes in language.
6. Many Christian churches were using English as a medium of communication

Reasons why the Bible was compiled into its present form by the early Christians.
1. The eye witnesses of Jesus were being killed/persecuted
2. To observe an orderly account of the biblical themes
3. To reach out to the Jews in diaspora
4. To ensure the same doctrine was taught to all Christians
5. To avoid the word of God from being distorted
6. To meet the demand of the increasing number of Christians

CHAPTER TWO

CREATION AND THE FALL OF HUMANKIND

1. THE BIBLICAL STORIES OF CREATION AND THEIR MEANING

(Genesis I and 2)
The Bible contains two accounts of creation in the beginning of the book of Genesis

a. 1st creation account. Genesis 1:1-2-2:4

This first account gives a record of what was created on specific days.
The story is as follows:
 In the beginning, the earth was formless and desolate.
 The spirit of God was moving over the water
 On the 1st day God created light and separated it from darkness
 On the second day God created the sky
 The earth, seas and oceans were created on the third day
 On the fourth day God created heavenly bodies such as sun, moon and stars. The sun to give light
during the day while the moon and stars at night
 On the fifth day all kinds of sea creatures and birds were created
 On the sixth day God created both wild and domestic animals. On this same day God also created
human beings. This was the climax of God’s creation.
 On the seventh day, God rested and blessed this day making it a special day of worship finished what
He had been doing and stopped working. He blessed the day.

Summary of first creation Account

Day Work Work of division and ornamentation
1 I Light and Darkness
2 II Sky
3 III Land and Sea and Vegetation
4 V Sun, Moon, Stars
5 VI Birds and Sea creatures
6 VII Animals (cattle and creeping animal)
VIII Human beinngs (male and female)
7 Resting day (Sabbath)

2nd Creation Account. Genesis 2: 4-25

 God created the heavens and earth
 He created man from dust/clay
 He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life
 God planted the garden of Eden and placed man in it
 Man was to till the earth and guard it
 God created a woman from a man’s rib
 The woman was to be a companion to man
 Water was coming up from beneath the earth surface and waters the ground.
 He made all kinds of beautiful trees to grow there and produce good fruit.
 In the middle of the garden He planted the tree that gives life and knowledge of what is good and what
is bad.
 Man was to eat from every tree apart from the tree of knowledge of good and evil
 A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden. Beyond Eden, it divided into four rivers. These are
Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates
 He created all animals and all birds and gave man to name them.
Similarities between the 1st and the 2nd creation accounts
i. In both God is acknowledged as the creator
ii. In both Creation includes both the living and non-living things
iii. Human beings are presented as special creatures with responsibilities and privileges in both accounts
iv. Human beings share in the life of God
v. In both cases God is the source of life
vi. Human beings are portrayed as special creatures
vii. Human beings were created in full human sexuality (male and female)
viii. In both cases God provides for the creation.

Differences between the 1st and the 2nd creation accounts

i. The creation of the firmament, light, sun, moon, stars, fishes and creeping things are included in the
first account but omitted in the second account
ii. The planting of the garden of Eden and the making of the river are in the second account but omitted
in the first account
iii. In the first account, both man and woman are created at the same time and in God’s image, while in
the second account, man is created from dust while woman out of man’s rib.
iv. Creation in the first account is out of nothing but, in the second man is made out of the dust of the
ground and plants are made to grow out of garden.
v. In the first account, human beings were created last while in the second they were created first.
vi. Creation in the first account was completed on the sixth day and God rested on the seventh day. There
are no days mentioned in the second account, and subsequently no rest is mentioned.
vii. In the first account, everything that God created is good while in the second account, there is no
mention of that.
viii. In the first account, the emphasis on marriage is for procreation, while in the second account marriage
is for partnership
ix. In the second account, there is mention of the forbidden tree but the first account makes no mention
of it.

Attributes of God from the creation accounts

i. There is only one God.
ii. He is self-existent: God was there from the beginning.
iii. He is a personal God: he creates human beings to be like Him so that they might enjoy a personal and
loving relationship with Him
iv. He is the sole creator
v. He is a God of order
vi. He is good and perfect. He was pleased with His creation which He saw as good. He is the source of
goodness and happiness.
vii. He is the sole source of life. Through His breath, He gave human beings life.
viii. He is a moral God interested in the behavior of human beings
ix. He is a spirit
x. He is powerful. He simply spoke and it happened
xi. He is the provider and sustainer of the universe
xii. He is a worker
Responsibilities given to human beings by God in the Genesis stories of creation
1.To rule over the rest of the creation
2. To procreate and fill the earth
3. To name the animals
4. To conserve and preserve the environment
5. To eat fruits from the garden
6. To obey God’s commandments
7. To worship God as the creator
8. To till and subdue the earth

Provisions given to man by God in the creation stories

1.He was given the garden of Eden as a beautiful home
2. He was given a helper/companion
3. The gift of life/breath
4. Perfect happiness
5. Power to procreate
6. Authority/dominion over the rest of creation
7. Wealth-gold from four rivers
8. All types of food from plants and animals
9. Water from the four rivers of Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon and Gihon.

Teachings from the biblical creation accounts

i. Man and woman were created for love and companionship
ii. Work and leisure are God’s gift to human beings
iii. Human beings are commanded to continue with the work of creation
iv. Human beings occupy a place of honor in God’s created order
v. Life should be respected
vi. Human culture (way of life) is ordained by God
vii. The heavenly bodies (sun, moon, earth) were created to serve human beings
viii. The marriage union is monogamous and permanent

Teachings about human beings from the Genesis stories of creation

1. Human beings are created in the image /likeness of God
2. Human beings are co-creators with God
3. Human beings have the breath of life from God/human life is God-given
4. They have the authority /dominion over God’s creation /superior to the rest of the creation
5. Have been given the mandate to subdue the earth
6. Have been given the power to name the created things
7. Have been given power to take care of God’s creation.
8. Human beings are social beings
9. Male and female have been created for companionship.
10. Have the ability to reason and make decisions

Teachings from Genesis 1 and 2 on marriage

1.Marriage is an institution ordained and blessed by God.
2. Marriage is monogamous
3. Marriage is between a man and a woman
4. Marriage is for procreation and companionship
5. Marriage is a permanent union (Divorce is not allowed)
6. Man and woman are equal marriage partners
7. There should be love between marriage partners

Teachings from Genesis 1 and 2 on Work

1.Work is ordained by God
2. Work is good.
3. Work is to be enjoyed
4. Work should be done in an orderly manner
5. Work bears good fruit
6. Work is a necessary activity and makes one earn a living
7. Work is a duty-human beings were commanded to work by God
8. Work should be done in unity-team work
9. Human beings should be committed to work
10. Work should be accompanied with rest

The relationship between human beings and the environment in Genesis stories of creation
1.Both human beings and the environment were created by God
2. Human beings are supposed to use the environment for survival
3. Human beings use the environment to determine time, seasons and years
4. Human beings have a duty to care for the environment
5. Human beings are superior to all other creatures
6. They should treat the rest of the creation with respect

Ways in which man is made superior to the rest of the creation

1.Man was made in the image and likeness of God
2. Man was given the ability to communicate with God
3. All other things were created for the sake of man
4. Man was created to have a fellowship with God
5. Man was given freedom and intelligence to choose from good and evil
6. Man was blessed and told to fill and multiply the earth
7. Man is a co-creator with God through procreation
8.Man was given the privilege to name the animals and plants
9.Man was given dominion over the rest of creation

Ways in which Christians continue with God’s work of creation/how they take care of Gods’ creation
1.Through procreation
2.Through conserving the environment
3. Through taking care of the needy in the society
4. Through preserving life, through technology that enhances life
5. Through providing employment to meet human needs
6. Through preaching and promoting peace
7. Through improving health facilities
8. Through provision of Education for development
9. Through being innovative, creative and artistic
10. Through protecting and respecting other people’s rights
11. Participating in making just laws.

11. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN VIEW OF CREATION

Every community in Kenya has its own myths concerning the origin of man and the world.
These stories give each community a sense of belonging, and identity.
They explain the mysteries of life. They have common characteristics or teachings.

Thus all African communities believe that God: -

1. Is the chief architect of the world

2. Existed from the very beginning of time.
3. Created everything out of nothing.
4. Provides for the needs of human beings.
5. Was disobeyed by human beings who had lived in eternal bliss. This bliss came to an end when human
beings disobeyed God.
6. The African communities had different names to describe God. God was not known as God but as the
Creator of everything that existed on earth and skies. He was Mumbi and “Mungai” to Gikuyu. He was
master of the universe. The Kamba called Him …Ngai wa Matu. They believed that God continues to
create through human beings.

12. THE BIBLICAL TEACHING ON THE ORIGIN OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
Genesis 3, 4, 6-9, 11
Definition of sin
Sin could be understood to mean:
 To miss a mark, i.e. making an error or mistake of failing to attain a goal.
 Iniquity
 Transgression
 A rebellion or offense against God
Origin of Sin
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit from the forbidden tree.

Causes of sin
1.Rebellion against God
2. Greed for power-wanted to be like God
3. Lack of knowledge of God
4. Lack of trust in God’s providence
5. Disobedience
6. Lack of satisfaction
7.Temptations by the devil
8.Selfishness
9.Wicked ambitions
10.Human weakness
11.Stubbornness

The Consequences of Sin from Genesis stories of creation

1. Human beings were alienated from God. their friendship with Him changed to fear of God.
2. What had been innocent and good became shameful. Adam and Eve are now ashamed of nakedness.
3. Pain was made part of human experience. Eve was told that she will experience pain during child
bearing.
4. Human beings were sent out of the garden of Eden.
5. The perfect relationship between man and woman was damaged. God told woman that she will still
have desire and yet be subject to him.
6. Man was to toil and sweat to meet their needs
7. The earth was cursed and its fertility reduced
8. There is enmity between man and the wild animals
9. Death sentence is passed upon all people
10. Murderous feelings began to enter people’s hearts, for example Cain killed Abel.
11. Human beings changed and became prone to sin
12. The life span of human beings was reduced

13. GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION

God’s love and grace for human beings, however, could not allow Him to leave them with no hope for
salvation.
1.He took steps to heal the damaged situation and relationship:
2.He looked for Adam and Eve to find out where they were.
3.He provided them with clothes (animal skin)
4. He provided a means to find food even though they had rebelled against him
5.God sent Jesus Christ who brought salvation to the human race
6. His call for Abraham was for the ultimate goal of saving human beings
7. God showed them an immense love by punishing them instead of destroying them.
8. He created enmity between the serpent and the woman. This is meant to destroy the friendship between
them and animals that encourage them to sin.
9. God made a covenant with Abraham that showed his commitment to fulfilling the promises he made to
him.
10. He preserved human life by saving some people from the blood through Noah

14. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL

Evil in the African understanding may mean an offense against another person or community.
It can also mean an offence against God, spirits and ancestors.
It can also mean any misfortune that can befall any individual or community.
Causes of evil
1.Malicious ancestral spirits who have a grudge against the living
2. Evil spirits
3. Evil people like witches, wizards and sorcerers who are able to tap mystical power and use it for evil
3. Breaking of taboos
4. Curses from parents, aunts, uncle and grandparents
5. Breaking of oaths
6. Bad omen
7.Human disobedience
8. Other spiritual beings other than God

Consequences of evil in A.T.

1. Barrenness
2. Epidemics
3. Illness
4. Poverty
5. Madness
6. Drought
7. Birth of physically and mentally challenged children
8. Rebellious children
9. Unstable families
10. Environmental disasters
11. war /defeat in war
12. Death of wrong doers or close relatives

Ways of punishing evil doers in traditional African Communities

1.Imposing heavy fines
2.Killing evil people
3.Cursingthe evil doers
4.Performing cleansing rituals
5.Administering oaths on suspects
6.Wearing protective charms
7. Excommunication from the community
8. Ridiculing through songs
9.Denying them leadership positions
10. Giving bad names.

15. Similarities and differences between traditional African view of evil and biblical concept of sin

Similarities
i. In both God is good and did not create evil. He is not the author of evil.
ii. Evil may be caused by an external force. E.g the devil or evil spirits
iii. Both view sin as arising from human beings’ disobedience, greed and selfishness
iv. In both cases evil may result from failing in social or spiritual obligation
v. Both agree that the result of sin and evil is suffering, death and hardships. In the biblical account, Adam
will toil in hardship while in traditional African understanding, illness, misfortune, death and poverty
are said to result from evil doing.
vi. In both cases, sin and evil results in human beings being separated from God and the end of the
original state of goodness and innocence.
vii. In both, God is the guardian of morality, law and order.
viii. In both evil/sin can be avoided by righteous living
 ix. In both the result of sin is death
x. In both evil/sin arise out of a curse by elders because of committing some offense.

Differences
i. While the Biblical account emphasizes the personal nature of sin, the African concept emphasizes more
on the social nature and consequences of evil.
ii. While the African traditional understanding of evil emphasis the act of evil and its consequences, in the
Bible human beings are sinners by nature because they are tainted by the sin of Adam. However,
Christ’s death on the cross has affected the redemption of humankind.
iii. Although the Bible recognizes other forces that may lead human beings to sin, emphasis is on the
moral choices people make. African traditional understanding attributes evil to external forces like
spirits or breaking of taboos
iv. The biblical view of sin does not leave human beings doomed to suffer forever. They are offered an
escape and a message of hope through Christ’s death and resurrection. The African understanding of
evil does not offer a final solution to the problem of evil. They continue in the cycle of appeasing the
offended forces so as to be forgiven and reconciled.
v. Biblically sin is passed from one generation to another while traditionally a child is born free from sin

CHAPTER THREE
FAITH AND GOD’S PROPMISES

1. Background to the call of Abraham

Genesis 11: 24-32, 12: 1-9
 Abraham’s father was known as Terah
 Terah lived with his family in Ur
 He had two brothers, Haran and Nahor.
 Haran had a son called Lot.
 Haran died in Ur
 They were Semitic people
 They were nomadic pastoralists
 The people in Ur practiced Polytheism (worship of many gods or idols) the moon god was one of the
gods.
 Abraham lived among moon worshippers
 Terah left Ur for Canaan with his son Abraham, Sarah and Lot.
 Terah died in Haran
 It’s while in Haran that God called Abraham

The call of Abraham

 Abraham was 75 years old when God called him.
 He was told to move from his native land together with his family to a land which God would show him
 He obeyed God’s voice regardless of his age.
 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, servants and domestic animals along with him. This showed how
wealthy and selfless Abraham was.
  God made several promises to the obedient Abraham. Abraham was promised many descendants, a
great nation, blessings and a great name, all by God.
 At Shechem God appeared to him and he built an altar to demonstrate his faith in worshipping God.
 At Bethel, he also constructed an altar and worshipped God
 He finally settled in Canaan but had to leave due to famine that struck the land.
 Due to famine, he temporarily sought refuge in Egypt, but, eventually, after its elapse, he settled back
in Canaan.

1. THE MEANING OF FAITH IN GOD

Hebrews 11: 1-6
 Faith is complete trust or confidence in somebody or something.
 It is a firm belief without necessarily having a logical proof.
 Faith in God implies total obedience and trust in Him
 The Bible says that without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him
must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

2. Abraham’s acts of faith

Genesis 12: 1-9, 15: 1-6, 17:23-24, 21:1-7, 22:1-19
Abraham is referred to as the father of faith for the following reasons: -
i. He agreed to move from his home Haran to an unknown destination as commanded by God
ii. Abraham believed in God when God promised him a son of his own even though he was old.
iii. He agreed to circumcise himself at the age of 99. His son Ishmael and all male children of his household
as a sign of the covenant he made with God.
iv. He circumcised his son Isaac at the age of 8 days and made it a command for all hi descendants.
v. He agreed to sacrifice his own son Isaac when God told him to.
vi. He trusted and believed in the promises God made to him.
vii. He agreed to change his name from Abram to Abraham and his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah as
commanded by God
viii. He built altars for God at Shechem and Bethel where he worshiped God.
ix. He believed he will have as many descendants as the stars in the sky as God promised even though he
had no son of his own.

lessons that Christians learn from Abraham’s acts of faith

i. God expects Christians to obey and have absolute faith in Him
ii. Christians should learn not to doubt God but to always remember that God fulfill His promise in His
own time
iii. Nothing is impossible with God. Despite being old, Abraham and Sarah were able to have a son of their
own.
iv. Christians should be prepared to face very difficult situations as tests of their faith
v. Christians are assured of possession of the Promised Land (eternal life) through their faith in Jesus
Christ.
vi. Christians should be ready to make sacrifice to God without questioning
vii. Those who have faith are the spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Importance of faith in a Christians’ life

 i. Faith enables Christians to withstand challenges, just like Abraham did.
ii. In faith, Christians refrain from bad practices, just like Abraham abandoned polytheism and became
monotheistic in Yahweh.
iii. Faith in God leads to success. Abraham’s wife Sarah bore a son out of faith in God.
iv. By faith, God provides all necessities like he provided a ram for sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.
v. Christians: the descendants of Abraham will automatically receive blessings just like God blessed
Abraham as long as they remain obedient and faithful to God.
vi. Christians are assured of eternal life, just like Abraham secured Canaan by faith.
vii. By faith, Christians should abide by God’s directives without question, just as Abraham heeded God’s
command.

3. GOD’S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM

Genesis 12: 2-3, 15: 1-21, 17: 1-8, 15-18
Promise means giving an assurance of something to someone.
God promised Abraham the following:
i. God will give him a land to dwell in
ii. He will give his descendants the land of Canaan to dwell in.
iii. God would make Abraham’s name famous
iv. God would establish an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants. He shall be their God.
v. God would be a shield to Abraham, He will protect him.
vi. God would give him and his wife Sarah a son of their own.
vii. God would make Abraham’s descendants a great nation
viii. God would make his descendants be enslaved for four hundred years in a foreign land. God would
however free them and deliver them back to their land with great possessions
ix. God would punish the nation that enslaved Abraham’s descendants
x. God would make some of Abraham’s descendants Kings
xi. God would bless him
xii. God would bless those that blessed Abraham
xiii. God would curse those that cursed Abraham
xiv. God will make all the families of the earth receive blessings through Abraham
xv. God would let Abraham live for long and die in peace.

Relevance of the promises made to Abraham by God to Christians today.

i. Just like Abraham forfeited moon worship and received blessings, Christians should abandon all their
waywardness to inherit God’s blessing
ii. Christians realize that God fulfils all his promises through faith
iii. God promised Abraham land. As Christians, we are assured of eternal life by faith and obedience
iv. God can raise anybody from humble and faithless background to partake in his work, just like it was to
Abraham
v. God protects Christians to date, a fulfillment of his promise to Abraham
vi. Christians learn that they are direct fruits of Abraham, who will eventually receive God’s blessing
vii. Christians turn out to be the new Israel who descend from Abraham.
viii. God continues to call people from different backgrounds such as evangelists, priests, to serve Him
ix. God continuous to protect Christians in all circumstances
 x. Christians learn that God values personal relationship with Him
xi. Christians are called to leave their past sinful lives and put their whole trust in God Almighty
Through faith in Jesus Christ, all people become children of God and receive God’s blessings.

4.The meaning of covenant

Covenant is a serious or solemn agreement between two persons or groups of person
It can also be referred to as pact or treaty

Characteristics of a covenant
i. It involves two or more persons making a pact
ii. Once parties involved enter into a covenant, it cannot be broken
iii. If one of the parties decides to break the covenant, serious consequences are expected
iv. There must be a ceremony signifying the signing of the covenant
v. There must be an outward sign that shows that the covenant exists
vi. Vows are exchanged between those signing the covenant

Types of covenants
There are two types of covenants

Conditional covenant
This involves two or more parties that regard each other as equals making a covenant
For example, the Sinai Covenant whereby the Israelites promised to keep God’s commandments as God
promised to be their God as long as they kept these promises.
In marriage also, both man and woman give each other promise.

Unconditional covenants
These covenants are made between unequal parties such as between kings and their subjects
In this case, the subjects are inferior to their masters and they have to obey the commandments issued by the
king without question

Examples of covenants from the Bible

i. The Covenant with Noah in which God entered into a relationship with the whole world and promised
to preserve the life of people. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow (Genesis 9)
ii. The covenant with Abraham in which god promised to fulfill the promises He made with him. The sign
of the covenant is circumcision. (Genesis 15, 17)
iii. The covenant with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai in which God promised to be their God. The
Israelites promised obedience. The sign of this covenant is the Law. (Exodus 24)
iv. The covenant with King David in which God promised him that his dynasty will continue forever (2 nd
Samuel 7:14-16)
v. Jeremiah’s covenant in which God promises to make a New covenant with the Israelites where each
individual will come to know God personally (Jeremiah 31: 3-34)

4. God’s covenant with abraham

Genesis 15: 1-19, 17: 1-22
Abraham was in doubt for the promise of a son. God assured him that his son would inherit him and not
Eliezer of Damascus. God showed Abraham the many stars and confirmed that his descendants would be as
the stars.

God asked Abraham to bring him a heifer, a goat, a ram, each three years old, a dove and a young pigeon.
Abraham slaughtered the animals into two and arranged the halves in two rows. The birds were not cut. He
chased the birds of prey that targeted the carcasses.

At sunset Abraham fell into a deep sleep. God spoke to him giving him the promises that his descendants
would be slaves for four hundred years but he would liberate them. He was also promised a long peaceful life.
God also reaffirms to give his descendants a land.

Abraham saw God pass through the carcasses in form of a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch. This marked
the sealing of the covenant.

The characteristics of God’s covenant with Abraham

1. It was initiated by God

2. It was solemn/permanent/long lasting.
3. It was unconditional
4. There were promises to be fulfilled
5. It was sealed through the sacrifice of animals
6. It was voluntary/the parties entered it willingly.
7. It had an outward sign-circumcision.
8. It had conditions/obligations to be met.

Importance of the covenant between God and Abraham

 This covenant was unconditional. God took the initiative to enter into a covenant while Abraham
obeyed. Therefore, God bound Himself in a personal relationship with a human being.
 As God passed through the pieces of meat, He showed that He will protect Abraham and his
descendants.
 This covenant begins a lasting relationship between God and all nations of the earth.
 The covenant confirmed God’s choice of Abraham.
 God was initiating His plan of salvation for human kind. God was ready to die in the person of His son,
Jesus Christ, so that this covenant would be filled.

COVENANTS IN MODERN LIFE

a. Marriage Ceremony
In marriage, the bride, the bridegroom and their families come together.
It happens in customary, civil or church marriages.
Several agreements are made and both sides promise to be loyal to each other for the rest of their
lives.

b. Baptism
 This happens in the Christians Churches. The new believers, infants or adults, are expected to keep
vows from the day of baptism for the rest of their lives

c. Loyalty/oath of allegiance
Leaders in public service, for example, heads of state, government ministries, members of parliament,
senators, governors, administrators such as chiefs and church leader must be sworn in before they take over
their new responsibilities.
d. Students agreements
They are signed by students before being admitted into a school or any other institution of learning. The
administration issues copies of school rules and regulations to their students. Students are expected to read
carefully and if they agree to abide with them, sign the copies and takes them back to school before
admission.

e. Employment Agreement
It involves a covenant relationship between the employer and employees.

f. Ordination
It’s a covenant involving God and those who take up leadership positions in church. During ordination, the
congregation acts as the witnesses to the covenant between God and the church leaders.

g. Land ownership agreements

These are agreements between the owners and the sellers of pieces of land and the buyers.
Both the seller and the buyer agree to some terms and conditions and commits themselves to abide by those
terms by signing an agreement commonly referred to as a land contract.

The importance of modern day covenants

i. They bind different groups

ii. They act as a security
iii. They strengthen relationships
iv. They unite people together
v. They create loyalty /accountability/trust
vi. They create peace, harmony and bring a sense of permanence
vii. Promotes the sanctity of life
viii. Oath of allegiance helps the people to develop confidence in their leaders.
ix. Employment contracts promotes good working relations.
CIRCUMCISION

a. The importance of circumcision to Abraham and his descendants

Genesis 17: 1-16
 God appeared to Abraham and reassure him of the promises He had made earlier. God promised to
make an everlasting covenant between Him and Abraham and his descendants.
  Abraham was expected to obey and do what was right and pleasing to God. As a sign of obedience to
the Lord, God commanded Abraham to circumcise all males of eight days old including slaves born
within and those brought from foreigners
 Those who failed to be circumcised would be considered as outcasts
 Abraham’s name was also changed from Abram and Sarah, his wife was changed from Sarai.
 Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99. His son Ishmael (by Haggar, the slave girl) who was 13 years
old was also circumcised.
 From that day, circumcision was to take place on the eighth day.

Instructions god gave to Abraham and his descendants regarding circumcision

i. Only male descendants to be circumcised

ii. Male children to be circumcised when they are eight days old.

iii. Every male in Abraham’s household, whether a slave or a foreigner to be circumcised.

iv. The circumcision was to involve the removal of the foreskin.

v. A male not circumcised to be cut off from Abraham’s descendants

The significance of Abraham’s circumcision to Abraham’s descendants

i. Through circumcision: God assured Abraham that he would fulfill His promises to him.

ii. It was an outward sign of inner faith- Circumcision was a sign that Abraham and his descendants had
entered into a covenant with God.

iii. Circumcision was a mark of identity for the Jews

iv. It was a sign of obedience to God

v. It was an acceptance of God as the only true God and their willingness to remain faithful to him

b. Similarities between the African and the Jewish rite of circumcision

i. Circumcision is a physical mark of identity for both the Africans and Jews
ii. The rite of circumcision gives a sense of belonging/ mark of identity to both Jews and Africans
iii. Circumcision is perceived as a religious function in both communities
iv. The practice of circumcision is passed on from one generation to another
v. Those who fail to undergo the rite are considered outcasts
vi. In both communities, the rite of circumcision is taken as an important stage in a person’s life.

c. Differences between the Jewish rite of circumcision and the African practice of circumcision
i. The Jewish community circumcised eight day old males while the African community circumcised
adolescents between 10-18 years’ old
ii. In the Jewish community, circumcision is a physical sign for those joined to God in faith while in the
African community it marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood
iii. In the African community the initiates acquire new status and responsibilities. They enter warrior
group, marry, and own property, where as in the Jewish community this is not possible since
circumcision is performed on eight-year-old males.
iv. In Jewish practice, only boys are circumcised. In some African communities, even girls are circumcised
through clitoridectomy.
v. Circumcision is a test of courage in African communities while in the Jewish community it is a test of
faith and commitment in God.
 vi. Circumcision in African communities involves seclusion while in the Jewish community
seclusion does not exist.
vii. In the African communities, it involves God and the ancestral spirits while in the Jewish
community it involved God alone.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SINAI COVENANT-MOSES

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Genesis 37: 1-36, 50: 1-26; Exodus 1-2

BACKGROUND TO THE CALL OF MOSES.

Moses was born at a time when a decree had been issued to kill all male babies by drowning
them in river Nile. His mother bore and hid him in a woven basket. When the baby was three
months old and could no longer be hidden, his mother took him in a water proof basket, which
he placed within the reeds at the bank of river Nile.

The baby Moses was miraculously rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, who took him to the palace,
where he was brought up in a noble manner. The caretaker assigned to him was coincidentally
his biological mother: Jacobeth, a fact hidden even to Pharaoh himself. Moses received credible
education and training as a prince.
Later on, he killed an Egyptian who had confronted an Israelite. Sensing danger, he fled to the
wilderness. Here, he was a shepherd and experienced all the difficulties of the wilderness.
At that point, Moses received his call in the form of a burning bush

EXPLAIN WAYS IN WHICH MOSES BACKGROUND PREPARED HIM FOR HIS LEADERSHIP
i. He grew up in the palace as prince, getting the best education befitting a royal.
ii. Being nursed by his Mother at the place ensured he doesn’t lose his identity as an
Israelite
 iii. Moses grew up to be an intelligent man, an attribute he used later in his Mission as a
leader of God’s people.
iv. Living in the wilderness as a shepherded, and experiencing all the difficulties of the
wilderness also prepared him adequately to be a shepherded of God’s people.
v. Being a family man he learnt of being responsible

THE CALL OF MOSES

One day, when Moses was near Mount Horeb, commonly referred to as Mount Sinai, looking
after his father in-laws sheep, he saw a strange sight. A bush was on fire but was not
consumed. He went near to see what it was.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flaming fire out of the midst of the bush. When
Moses moved near to see the strange sight, God called him by name and instructed him, “Do
not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on a holy ground.” The
removal of shoes by Moose was a sign of spiritual nakedness before God.

God told Moses that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses hid his face, for he
was afraid to look at God. Then God told him that He had seen the suffering of His people, the
Israelites in Egypt. He told Moses that He had come down to liberate them from the land of
bondage

God commanded Moses to go back to Egypt and free the Israelites from the hands of the
Egyptians. Moses protested by saying that he was not worthy to go before Pharaoh.God
assured Moses that He would be with him. He gave Moses a sign of assurance that when he
liberates the Israelites from Egypt, they should worship Him at Mount Sinai.

Moses asked God What His name was. God told him, “I am who I am” meaning that God was
what He was in the past and would always be the same God.He instructed Moses to tell the
Israelites that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He assured Moses that the
Israelites would respond to him positively. However, Pharaoh would not let them go until
several terrifying occurrences would force him to release the Israelites.

Despite the assurances Moses was given by God, he complained to God that the Israelites
would neither believe nor listen to him. God gave him two signs he was to use in performing
miracles as proof that he was God’s messenger. First, he was told to use the rod he had in his
hand which would turn into a snake. Secondly, he was to place his hand in his pocket and on
pulling it out, it would be affected with leprosy.
Moses still complained to God that he was not eloquent speaker, but just a stammerer
God assured Moses that the Egyptians would finally cooperate with the Israelites when the
time came for them to leave Egypt. They would acquire a lot of property from the Egyptians.
God also told him that his brother Aaron was to be his spokesman. Then Moses went back to
Jethro’s home, gathered his family members and started his journey to Egypt.

REASONS WHY MOSES WAS RELUCTANT TO GOD’S CALL

i. His life was in danger (Pharaoh had wanted to kill him).
ii. The Israelites might not believe that he was talking on behalf of God.
iii. He was not an eloquent speaker i.e. he was a stamerer.
iv. He feared that Pharaoh would not believe that God sent him.
v. He feared that the Israelites would not accept him as their leader.
vi. He lacked courage.
vii. He was already settled in median and had a family.
viii. He did not have enough knowledge about Yahweh.
ix. He did not know the name of God. He was aware that the Hebrews would ask him which
god he was talking about.
x. Egypt was too far from Median.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD FROM THE CALL OF MOSES

i. God is loving and caring
ii. God is transcendent; He is beyond human understanding. He cannot be limited to time
and space.
iii. God chooses whoever He wills to carry out His plans
iv. God expects total obedience and faith on the part of those He chooses.
v. God is omnipotent
vi. God keeps his promises;
vii. God arrests difficult situations;
viii. God is just;
ix. God is peculiar in all ways;
x. God is forgiving.

1. THE TEN PLAGUES

Exodus 7: 14-11: 1-10
 A plague may be a disease or an unfortunate occurrence in one’s life.
 When Moses approached Pharaoh, Pharaoh proved difficult and would not release the
Israelites.
 God intervened with ten severe plagues. God sent to the Egyptians as follows:
 i. the plague of Blood
ii. the plague of Frogs
iii. the plague of Gnats
iv. the plague of Flies
v. the plague of Death of Animals
vi. the plague of Boils
vii. the plague of Hail
viii. the plague of Locusts
ix. the plague of Darkness
x. the Passover

i. The plague of Blood

Moses was commanded by God to tell Aaron to strike the waters of the Nile with his
rod. He did this in the presence of Pharaoh and the waters of the Nile turned into blood.

ii. The plague of Frogs

The Lord commanded Moses to tell Aaron to stretch his hand over the streams, canals
and ponds. Aaron did as was commanded; and there were frogs all over the land of Egypt.
When the Egyptians were overwhelmed by these frogs, Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for their
removal

iii. The plague of the Gnats

Gnats are small two-winged biting flies. This plague was so severe that even the
magicians of Egypt acknowledged the hand and power of God. The Gnats covered the land,
people and animals. Pharaoh did not give in
iv. The plague of Flies
Flies came to the land of Egypt in swarms. They invaded Pharaoh’s palace and the
houses of his officials while there were no flies in the houses of the Israelites. Pharaoh deceived
Moses that he would release the Israelites if the flies were removed. Moses prayed to Yahweh
and the flies left. Pharaoh however, did not release the children of God.

v. The plague of Death of Animals

God sent a plague that killed all the Egyptians animals. Their cows, donkeys, camels,
sheep, goats and horses were killed. However, the animals of the Israelites were not affected.
Still Pharaoh refused to release them

vi. The plague of Boils

 Moses and Aaron were told by God to cast ashes into the air. This act produced sores
and open wounds on Egyptians and their animals. Pharaoh remained stubborn and did not
release the Israelites

vii. The plague of Hail

God sent severe hailstorm which affected Pharaoh as well. It was the worst storm Egypt
had ever experienced. Everything left in the open was destroyed and all people who had not
taken shelter were killed. Moses prayed to God and stopped the storm, Pharaoh refused to
release the Israelites.

viii.The plague of Locusts

Locusts came to the Egyptian land, but Pharaoh refused to release them

ix. The plague of Darkness

The Lord sent darkens over the whole land of Egypt. No one could see anything or
anyone for three days. Pharaoh now softened and told Moses that he could take his people and
go to worship God with all his people but leave the animals. Moses told Pharaoh that they had
to leave with all their animals so that they may go and sacrifice to their God in the wilderness.
Pharaoh refused to release them yet again.
After this plague, Moses promised never to appear before Pharaoh again. However, God
was still concerned about the freedom of the Israelites and, therefore, He sent Moses to
Pharaoh one last time.

2. THE PASSOVER
Exodus 12: 1-3
The term Passover is driveled from the Hebrew word Pasach meaning ‘to pass over’
with the aim of sparing or protecting.
In the tenth plague, the first born sons of the Egyptians and those of their animals were
to die, starting with the son of Pharaoh to the son of a slave in Egypt.

Instructions for the Preparation of the Tenth plagues

Moses called all the elders of Israel and gave them the following instructions:-
i. On the tenth of that month, each man had to choose either a lamb or a young goat for
his household. If his family was too small to eat a whole animal, then he and his next
door neighbor were to share the animal. The animal chosen was to be male, one year
old and without blemish. Using a young animal signified the innocence of the sacrifice
an animal without blemish signified the purity of the sacrifice.
ii. The animal chosen was to be killed on the evening of the fourteenth day of that month.
The animal’s blood was to be smeared on the two door posts and the lintel of the
 Israelite’s houses. The blood was to act as a sign of distinguishing the Israelites’ houses
from those of the Egyptians. This was to ensure that the angel of death would spare
them when he killed the first born sons of the Egyptians.
iii. The lamb or animal for sacrifice was to be roasted whole, meaning with its head, legs
and inner parts. Roasting was the quickest method of coking since the Israelites were
in a hurry.
iv. The meat was to be eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This was
because there was no time to ferment the dough. The bitter herbs signified the bitter
experiences of slavery in Egypt.
v. They were to eat the sacrificial meat after they were dressed up and packed their
luggage. This was because they were in a hurry to leave
vi. The Israelite women were to ask for jewels, silver and clothing from the Egyptians
women on the eve of departure. These items were to act as compensation for the free
labor the Israelites had given in Egypt.
vii. Everyone was to remain indoors until morning in order to be protected from the angel
of death
viii. The Passover was to be commemorated annually and its significance taught to the
coming generations

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH EVENT OF THE PASSOVER.

i. Using young animals showed the innocence of the sacrifice.
ii. Using an animal without blemish signified the purity of the sacrifice.
iii. The smearing of blood on the Lintel was a sign of identification of the Israelite and non-
Israelite (Egyptian) house.
iv. Roasting of the meat showed the Israelites’ haste.
v. The bitter herbs signified the bitter experience of slavery in Egypt.
vi. The unleavened bread was to be used for they had no time to ferment the dough.
vii. They were to dress up and pack their luggage to show readiness for the journey.
viii. The Israelite women were to borrow jewelry from Egyptian women to compensate for
the free labor they had given Egypt.
ix. They were to remain indoors until morning to be protected from the angel of death.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PASSOVER

i. The Jewish Passover was of great importance in that it marked the end of the Israelites’
tribulations in Egypt.
ii. It also served as a unifying factor, which brought the Israelites close and together.
iii. The Passover brought to the Israelites realization of their true Yahweh, who sticks to his
promises.
 iv. It also showed God’s unwavering love to Israelites, who are the descendants of Abraham.
v. The Passover was a preliminary event that marked the beginning of the Exodus night, a
time the Israelites left Egypt.
vi. The sacrificial lamb is a clear symbol of Jesus: the sacrificial lamb for Christians, who
released them from the bondage of sin.
vii. During this time and to the Exodus, Moses was confirmed as the leader of the Israelites.

The Israelites carried out all the instructions given. On the 14th night, the angel of death or
“the destroyer” passed over the Israelites’ houses, sparing them and killing the first born sons
of the Egyptians. Pharaoh’s son was not spared, neither the sons of slaves in the Egyptian
houses, or the male offspring of their animals. There was wailing and crying throughout Egypt.
The tenth plague broke Pharaoh’s heart and arrogance. He called Moses and Aaron and
commanded them to take the Israelites out of Egypt.

WHY PHARAOH WAS NOT WILLING TO RELEASE THE ISRAELITES

i. God had already told Moses that Pharaoh would remain adamant till several terrifying
events would force him to release the Israelites.
ii. The Israelites provided cheap labor and, to Pharaoh, releasing them would mean that a
new source of labor had to be sought.
iii. His being hesitant created room for God’s work and power to be realized by everybody.
Pharaoh was generally arrogant and stubborn and could not be easily lured by anybody.
iv. Pharaoh considered the Israelites and their possessions as part of his empire. If at all he
could release them, he saw as if he would be parting with his wealth.
v. Pharaoh failed to understand that he was dealing with Yahweh: the true God, otherwise,
he could have immediately released them.

WHAT MADE THE PHARAOH OPPRESS THE ISRAELITES

i. It was a fulfillment of God’s prediction to Abraham, “your descendants will be slaves in a
foreign land”.
ii. The Pharaoh did not know Joseph and why he had settled in Egypt.
iii. He oppressed them in order for them to produce cheap labour for his development work.
iv. The Israelites had prospered and had to be contained by pharaoh, though they would
overcome the Egyptians.
v. It was a mode of weakening the power and strength of the Israelites.
vi. The Israelites were tremendously increasing and Pharaoh feared that this would be
disastrous to the Egyptians.
 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD FROM THE TEN PLAGUES
The plagues revealed that Yahweh was:
i. More powerful than the Egyptian gods
ii. Aware of the problems of the Israelites
iii. Determined to save His people
iv. Working through His prophet, Moses
v. Was just
vi. Requires absolute obedience

3. THE EXODUS
The journey from Egypt to the wilderness by the Israelites is what is called the Exodus which
means “going out”.

a. The crossing of the Red Sea

Exodus 14: 5-31
 The people of Israel had been in slavery for 430 years when Moses led them out of
Egypt. Moses wanted them to get away as quickly as possible. This is because God had
warned Moses that Pharaoh would pursue them. He led them south, towards the
Mountain of God, Mount Sinai.
 Just as God had been with His people in Egypt, so was He with them when they left. He
went before them during the day in a pillar of cloud and during the night in a pillar of
fire.
 Pharaoh took 600 chariots, horsemen and soldiers, and pursued the Israelites. He hoped
to bring them back because he did not want to lose the slave labor. Pharaoh’s army
soon came close to the Israelites. The Israelites saw a cloud of dust at a distance and
knew that the Egyptians were after them. They were afraid and angry at Moses. They
said it would have been better for them to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.
 Moses assured the Israelites that God would not abandon them. Yahweh ordered
Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea that was ahead of them. A strong wind
parted the water and the people of God crossed on dry ground to safety.
 Pharaoh’s soldiers, who had also reached the sea, began to cross. When they reached
the middle of the sea, the water began to flow back and filled the path the Israelites had
used. The chariots and horses could not move. They tried turning back but this was not
possible. God ones again told Moses to hold out his hand over the sea, and the water
flowed over the Egyptians until none of them was left alive.

b. God provides water in the wilderness

Exodus 15: 22-27, 17: 1-6
From the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites towards Mt. Sinai through the desert. Soon, the
people were thirsty and hungry.
Their faith in God came under severe test as they began to grumble because they could not get
water to drink at Marah and Rephidim. They wondered why Moses brought them into the
wilderness to suffer.
Moses sought God’s guidance in a bid to appease the Israelites. At Marah, the bitter waters
were turned sweet after God told Moses to throw a tree into the water. At Rephidim, God told
Moses to strike a rock with his rod and water flowed from it.

After this, God promised to protect the Israelites from diseases if they obeyed Him because He
was their leader.

c. God provides Manna and Quails

Exodus 16: 1-13
The people of Israel lacked food while in the wilderness. When they complained and
mourned to Moses, God provided food for them
God provided Manna and each morning the people gathered the day’s portion. Manna
was white seed-like substance that tested like biscuits made with honey. He also provided
Quails which came in large flocks. A Quail is a round-bodied bird with a small tail.
d. Defeat of the Amalekites
Exodus 17: 8-16
While at Rephidim, the Israelites were attacked by men from the tribe of Amalek.
Moses had become too old to fight, so he asked Joshua, the son of Nun, to lead the people to
battle. Moses stood on a hill with his hands held out to God in prayer.
Whenever the Israelites saw his hands held up, they knew God was in control, but
whenever Moses got tired and put his hands down, they lost hope and the Amalekites began to
win. Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands and eventually the Israelites won

IMPORTANCE OF THE EXODUS.

i. It marked the end of the Israelites’ suffering/oppression and afflictions. It marked the
the choosing of the Israelites by God as a special nation.
ii. It fulfilled the promises God had made to Abraham.
iii. It proved that God was more supreme than other gods.
iv. It furthered the Israelites’ and mankind’s salvation.
v. It identified Moses as God’s chosen leader. It united the people of Israel as a nation.
vi. It made them understand the nature or attribute of God.
vii. The Israelites received the Ten Commandments, which guided them in their
relationships.
viii.It taught the Israelites that human obedience to God was mandatory.

4. THE MAKING OF THE SINAI COVENANT

Exodus 19, 20: 18-21, 24: 1-8
a. i. PREPARATION
 God summoned Moses to Mount Sinai. He enquired if the people of Israel were willing to
obey him.
 If they accepted, then God would make them his people, a holy nation and a kingdom of
priests.
 The Israelites accepted this.
 Thereafter, Moses instructed the Israelites to:
 Make themselves holy by washing their garments.
 Abstain from sexual relationship.
 Mark the boundaries on the foot of the mountain to prevent any person or animal
going up the mountain.
 Moses led the Israelites to meet Yahweh at the foot of the mountain. On the third day,
Moses ascended the mountain.
 God manifested his presence in the form of thunder, lightning, earthquake and a thick
cloud. There was also a loud trumpet blast.
 Moses received the Decalogue/ten commandments on behalf of the Israelites.
 Moses descended the mountain and briefed the people about God’s laws and ordinances.

ii. SEALING OF THE COVENANT

 The following morning, Moses prepared a ceremony to seal the covenant.
 He built an altar at the foot of the mountain on which he placed twelve pillars according
to the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Then he sent young men to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.
 Moses took half of the blood and poured it on the altar, the place of meeting with God.
 He then took the book of the covenant, in which the divine laws had been written down
by him, he read it in the hearing of all people and they all said, “all that the Lord has
spoken, we will do and we will be obedient.”
 Then Moses took the remainder of the blood and sprinkled it over the people. The
sprinkling of the blood implied that the covenant was binding the Israelites to God.
 God concluded the covenant ceremony by giving Moses the two stone tablets on which
the laws were written.
 b. The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
These are the main laws which God gave Moses. The Greek name for them is Decalogue.
These laws were either conditional laws or absolute laws
Conditional law states that if a certain thing happens, then a certain consequence will follow.
Absolute laws were unconditional, whereby everything had to be followed without question or
discussion
The Ten Commandments are divided into two major groups, these are:-

i. Those which define the people’s duty towards God

Under this category, fall the first four commandments
ii. Those which define one’s duty towards others
Under this category fall the last six commandments

The Ten Commandments are:-

i. You shall have no other gods before Me
The Israelites were to worship God alone. Christians are urged to love God with all their
heart, mind and soul.

ii. You shall not make for yourself a graven image

God was not to be depicted in any form or description such as images or idols

iii. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
This commandment forbids the use of God’s name in light or careless manner without
regard to His holiness. One should not swear in God’s name

iv. Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy

The Sabbath Day was instituted by God at creation. Since God rested on this day after
completing the work of creation. This is still applicable today.

v. Honor your father and mother that your days may be long
This means that God’s gift of life is passed on to us through our parents. Parents sustain
their children by providing for them in every way they can. Therefore, they deserve respect,
obedience and love from their children. This is the only commandment with a blessing.

vi. You shall not kill

 It is God alone who gives life and it should be Him alone to take it. Christians are called
upon to preserve, respect and protect life. Therefore, acts like abortion and murder are evil and
thus condemned by God.

vii. You shall not commit adultery

It is wrong to have sexual intercourse with somebody else’s wife or husband, for such
an act will sow discord in the community.

viii. You shall not steal

Stealing indicates lack of trust in God’s providence. Practices like slavery, robbery,
cheating in trade and refusal to pay debts are condemned.

ix. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
False accusations destroy respect and love among God’s people.

x. You shall not covet your neighbor’s property

This commandment condemns greed of any nature. Christians are encouraged to practice self-
control and acquire what they need justly.

Besides the Ten Commandments, the Israelites were given other rules and regulations
to govern their daily lives. Those rules dealt with matters concerning religious ceremonies,
treatment of slaves and strangers, theft, loses and repayment, violence and bodily injury.

c. THE BREAKING OF THE COVENANT

Exodus 32: 1-35
Although the Israelites had promised to keep the covenant, they did not take long
before they dishonored their pledge to obey God. This happened when Moses had gone to the
mountain to receive the written Ten Commandments
He had left Aaron in charge of the people. When Moses delayed in coming back, the
Israelites became impatient and restless. They asked Aaron to make them a god that would
lead them, for they did not know what had happened to Moses.
Aaron told them to take off the rings of gold which were worn by their sons, daughters
and wives and bring them to him. Then, he melted them and molded a bull calf and the
Israelites said that that was their god which had brought them out of Egypt.
They also built an altar for god. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to it
and indulged themselves in eating, drinking and sex.
In the meantime, God revealed to Moses that the Israelites had broken the covenant.
God threatened to destroy them. Moses interceded for them and God changed His mind.
 As Moses came down the mountain, he found the Israelites singing and dancing around
the golden calf. This annoyed him and he threw down the stone tablets on which the Ten
Commandments were written on. Moses took the golden calf, burnt it into powder, mixed it
with water and made the Israelites drink. Then he called those who had not sinned and ordered
them to take their swords and kill those who had sinned.

d. THE RENEWAL OF THE SINAI COVENANT

Exodus 34: 1-35
The renewal of the covenant came after Moses had pleaded with God not to destroy
the Israelites after they broke the covenant. God spared the Israelites.
The Lord commanded Moses to cut two stone tablets and go up to the mountain. Then
He told Moses that He would make a covenant with the Israelites again.

CONDITIONS THAT GOD GAVE THE ISRAELITES TO DURING THE RENEWAL OF THE
SINAI COVENANT
1. They were to obey what God commands them
2. They were not to make any treaty with the those who live in the land where they
were going
3. To break down the altars, sacred stones and false gods of the inhabitants of Canaan.
4. Not to worship any other god
5. Not to make cast idols
6. To keep the feast of the unleavened bread
7. To rest on the seventh day
8. To dedicate all their first-born male children and first-born male of their domestic
animals to God
9. To offer to God the first fruits of their crops
After all these commands, God promised the Israelites that He would:
 Protect and preserve them
 Bless them
 Make them prosper so much that the surrounding nations would enquire
about their source of wealth and success.
After these promises, God asked Moses to write these words in new set of stone tablets. This
showed that the covenant between God and the Israelites was now renewed.

5. HOW THE ISRAELITES WORSHIPPED GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

Exodus 20: 22-26, 23: 14-20
Worship refers to the reverence paid to God. It may also refer to the recognition given
to God as the creator and controller of the universe.
 During this period in the wilderness, the Israelites worshipped God as individuals and as
a community. This occurred at specific places, at different times and in a particular manner.

All worship involved:

i. Offering of prayers
ii. Singing songs of praise
iii. Offering sacrifices and offerings by priests
iv. Observing the Sabbath Day
v. They built altars for worship
vi. They were led in worship by religious leaders
vii. Accepted and obeyed the ten commandments
viii. They adored the ark and the tabernacle which stored the Ten commandment

a. SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS

In sacrifices, animals were used where as in an offering, agricultural produce was used.
Sacrifices included:
i. Burnt offerings/holocaust
Here the sacrificial animal was completely burnt and therefore, entirely removed from
human possession and given to God.

ii. Atonement/ sin offering

This type of sacrifice was offered when one had sinned either against God or his/her
fellow human beings and wanted his/her sins to be forgiven. The one who had sinned brought
an animal before God and it was offered as a sacrifice. In this case, the animal died on behalf of
the person who had sinned.

iii. Peace offering/communion sacrifice/fellowship offering

In this sacrifice, part of the meat of the sacrificial animal was eaten by the people and
other parts which consisted of fat and blood were burnt on the altar for God. The purpose of
this sacrifice was to bring the worshippers into union with God.

iv. Gift offering

In this offering, the best animal or grains that God had blessed the concerned party was
chosen and offered to God as a thanksgiving

v. Meal offering/drink offering

 This type of offering involved both vegetable and animal offerings. Meat offering could
be offered alone, but was usually offered together with fresh agricultural produce.

vi. Incense offering

Incense is a substance composed of sweet smelling herbs. It is burnt before God and it
was a sign of God’s holiness and His acceptance of the sacrifice.

b. FESTIVALS
Festival is a celebration commemorating a past event such as a day of independence in
a given country.
The festivals in the Israelites community included:-
i. The Passover/ Feast of the Unleavened Bread
This feast was held annually at the beginning of each year. Unleavened bread would be
eaten for seven days of the first month in every New Year. The feast was a commemoration of
the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt.

ii. The Feast of Weeks/ Pentecost

This feast originally marked the end of the wheat harvest. Later, it was conducted 50
days from the Sabbath following the Passover, hence the name Pentecost.

iii. The feast of tabernacles

This festival marked the end of the agricultural year. It took place in autumn when the
fruits had been harvested.

c. ALTARS
Altars are earthly marked meeting places between God and people.
The Israelites built an altar in places where they received a Theophany or God’s physical
manifestation. Examples of altars are like the ones Moses built at the place where Amalek was
defeated and at the foot of Mount Sinai.

d. THE TENT OF MEETING

This was a portable structure in which the Israelites worshipped God in. it was also
called a Tabernacle
The outer court of the Tabernacle consisted of an altar for burnt offerings and a basin
where priests washed their feet and hands.
The interior part of the Tabernacle had two chambers. The outer one contained an altar
for incense, the golden sick and bread of the presence table. The second chamber was known
as the most holy place because it contained the Ark of the Covenant.
 The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden box that was covered by pure gold and the
inside contained the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written on. It
was taken care of by the Levites who were appointed priests the time of Moses.
The Tabernacle symbolized the presence of God among His people. Only appointed or
elected people would approach the Tent of Meeting. Priests would go inside the tabernacle to
offer prayers and sacrifices to God on behalf of other people.

THE ELEMENTS OF ISRAELITES WORSHIP WHICH HAVE FOUND PLACE IN THE CHRISTIAN
WORSHIP TODAY
i. The Passover feast which marked the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. This is
also referred to as The Lord’s Supper in the New Testament and Christian worship
today.
ii. use of prayers and songs
iii. observing the Lord’s Day (Sabbath) by modern Christians
iv. offerings are also given in form of money, goods and services
v. building of altars

THE PROBLEMS THAT MOSES/THE ISRAELITES FACED IN THE WILDERNESS.

i. Lack of water.
ii. Lack of food.
iii. They were weary out of the long tedious journey.
iv. Hostility from the desert natives.
v. Attack by diseases.
vi. Hostile climates.
vii. Attack by desert insects/other creatures.
viii.The Israelites lacked total belief in God.
ix. Bites from poisonous snakes
x. Threats/pursuit from the Egyptian army.
xi. Internal conflicts.

6. THE ISRAELITES’ NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF GOD

Exodus 33, 34
 Although God introduced Himself to Moses as Yahweh, the Israelites only came to know
Him through their experiences in the wilderness.
 The renewal of the covenant showed that the broken covenant relationship could now
be formerly restored. Yahweh showed that He is:
  A merciful and compassionate God by giving them a second chance.
 In the wilderness, the Israelites came to know God as their healer. He promised to heal
all their diseases if they obeyed Him.
 Despite the Israelites’ sins, God fulfilled His promises to them of a land of their own. He
had promised to drive away their enemies.
 They came to recognize Him as God of Victory and powerful for He defeated the
Canaanites, Perizzites, Hittites and Jebusites who had occupied the Promised Land.
 The Israelites realized that they could depend upon God as He was faithful.

CHAPTER FIVE

LEADERSHIP IN ISRAEL-DAVID & SOLOMON

INTRODUCTION
Leadership refers to the manner in which a community’s way of life is ruled or controlled.
When the Israelites settled in Canaan for the first 200 years, they were ruled by Judges.
the first Judge was Joshua who took over after Moses died in the wilderness. The last Judge
was Samuel.
However, Yahweh, the God of Israel, remained the sovereign ruler of His people.

DUTIES OF JUDGES
i. They led the Israelites to war against their enemies
ii. They settled disputes among the people
iii. They acted as religious leaders and led the Israelites in worship. They received God’s
Spirit who gave them the knowledge and power to carry out these duties
iv. Some of the Judges acted as God’s prophets.

1.REASONS FOR KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL

1st Samuel 8: 1-9
The Israelites were led by Judges from the time they settled in Canaan. However, it reached a
time where they made a decision to have an earthly king to rule over them. Some of the
reasons for Kingship are:
i. Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abidjan, were corrupt and took bribes
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his two sons to be judges in his place. The two sons
lacked good leadership qualities of their father. They were corrupt and took bribes. The
Israelites went to Samuel and asked him to choose a king to rule over them.
 ii. The Israelites wanted a warrior king to lead them to war and bring victory to
Israel.
The place where the Ark of the Covenant (Sanctuary) was kept had been destroyed by the
Philistines. The Philistines had also taken the Ark of the Covenant. Canaan; therefore, faced
threat of being a Philistine empire. As a result, the Israelites wanted a warrior king who would
lead them into battles against the philistines so as to recover the stolen ark.

iii. The Israelites wanted kings like the other nations around who had kings
Moabites, Philistines, Amalekites and Phoenicians all had kings. The Israelites saw that they
were the only nation in that region who had no king. Hence, they wanted one.

iv. The Israelites wanted a physical leader whom they could see and approach
This implied that they were rejecting Yahweh as their unseen ruler

v. The Israelites wanted a stable political government ruled by laws and order
They wanted a government that had enough security established through a regular army
and perhaps one with an established law courts to try and punish wrong doers.

9. REASON AGAINST KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL

1st Samuel 8: 10-20
By demanding a king, the Israelites were seen as rejecting Yahweh as their unseen ruler.
God told Samuel to give the Israelites strict warnings and explain how the king would treat
them. For example:-
i. The king would conscribe the Israelites’’ sons forcefully into the army
ii. The king would introduce forced labor
iii. The king would grab people’s land or vineyards for government use
iv. The king would turn people into slaves
v. The king would force their daughters to work for his wives’ sons and for the royal
house in general
vi. Israel would become like other nations which did not know Yahweh and then they
would cease to be a covenant people.
vii. Yahweh would reject them when they cried to Him.
The elders request for a king threatened to destroy the true identity of Israel as a “people
of God” and as a covenant people

THE DUTIES OF SAMUEL AS A PROPHET OF GOD

i. Samuel anointed the first two Kings of Israel i.e. Saul of Kish and David of Jesse.
ii. As a prophet, he offered sacrifice to God.
iii. He reminded the people to lead the covenant way of life.
 iv. He played an intermediary role between God and the Israelites.
v. He served as a judge.
vi. He condemned all forms of injustice.
vii. He reprimanded Saul for his mistakes.
viii.He condemned idolatry, thus reinforcing on monotheism.
ix. He foretold God’s plan for the future.

THE DUTIES OF SAMUEL AS A JUDGE OF ISRAEL.

He led the Israelites into war against their foes.
 He settled disputes among the warring people of Israel.
 He served as a prophet, thus mediating between God and the Israelites. He was a
religious leader.

10. KING SAUL’S SUCCESS AND FAILURES

1st Samuel 13: 8-14, 15: 7-25
Saul was son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. God commanded Samuel to anoint him.

KING SAUL’S SUCCESS

i. Saul was Yahweh’s own choice
ii. Saul received God’s spirit, which gave him power to act as God’s appointee like it
had happened with the judges.
iii. Through Yahweh’s help, Saul fought against all Israel’s enemies everywhere and
won. For example he:-
 Fought against the Amalekites
 Led a successful war against the Philistines
 Defeated the Amalekites

KING SAUL’S FAILURE

i. He became impatient and offered sacrifices to God at Gilgal instead of waiting for
Prophet Samuel
Samuel had told Saul that he would meet him at Gilgal and offer sacrifices to God before
the Israelites’ army went to fight the Philistines. Saul waited for seven days and Samuel
seemed late in coming. The Philistine army started closing in on the Israelites. Saul’s army
started running away to escape from the Philistines. Saul feared that unless he received
God’s blessing before going to battle, the Philistines would destroy them. Saul decided to
offer a sacrifice to god as a matter of urgency.
Just as he finished offering sacrifice, Samuel arrived and was angry with Saul and
rebuked him. Saul had appointed himself as a mediator between God and the people. (He
 was neither a priest nor a prophet to do that work) therefore, Samuel prophesied the end
of his rule.
ii. He failed to carry out the law of total destruction of an enemy conquered
The Law of Herem or the Ban required that when the Israelites went to war against any
enemy, they were to destroy everything: man, woman, child, cattle and all property belonging
to the enemy.
However, when Saul led his army against the Amalekites and defeated them, he did not
destroy everything as Samuel had commanded him to do. Saul and his army kept the best
sheep, lambs, cattle and everything else that was good, he intended to offer them as burnt
sacrifices to God. He also captured King Agag alive and spared his life.
Samuel met Saul and he was disappointed with him and refused to listen to Saul’s excuses
as to why he had disobeyed God’s commandment. Samuel told him that to obey God was
better than mere sacrifice to Him.
iii. The spirit of god left Saul and was replaced with an evil spirit that tormented him
iv. Saul turned against David because David had become popular with the Israelites.
v. He consulted a median in trying to bring back Samuel’s spirit, hence practiced
idolatry
vi. He committed suicide

LESSONS LEARNT FROM KING SAUL’S FAILURES

Saul’s failures have messages for both Christians and other leaders, for example:-
i. Need for patience
ii. Need for obedience and faith in God
iii. Need for political leaders to listen to advice from Church leaders
iv. Need for not turning against rivals
v. Need for sincerity in worship of God

11. KING DAVID’S IMPORTANCE

1st Samuel 16:1-23; 2nd Samuel 6: 1-15
After Saul was rejected as king of Israel, Samuel was guided by God to go to Bethlehem.
To the home of a Shepherded called Jesse who had eight sons. God would then show him who
among those sons would be anointed as the next king of Israel.
 Seven of Jesse’s sons were brought before Samuel; one at a time but God told Samuel
that he had not chosen any of them. However, when the youngest son, David, a shepherded,
was brought before Samuel, God told Samuel that that was the one, he should anoint him.
Samuel then took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. The spirit of
the Lord then took control of David and was with him from that day on. However, this
anointing had to be kept secret from Saul; otherwise he would plan to kill David. David had to
wait until Saul died before he would take over. David was then employed in the service of Saul
to be playing a lyre and harp to sooth Saul whenever he was possessed by an evil spirit.
As long as David worked for Saul, he remained faithful servant of the King. He was loved by
Saul’s family. He even married one of his daughters. He became a personal friend of one of
Saul’s son called Jonathan.
Many years later, Saul and his sons were killed in a battle against the Philistines. David
then became the next king and ruled for over 40 years as king of Judah and Israel. His successes
lay in the fact that he knew and obeyed God in all his undertakings.

KING DAVID’S ACHIEVEMENTS

I. He was chosen by God
II. He received public anointing at Hebron where he signed a treaty with the elders. This
meant that he had been acknowledged by all the twelve tribes of Israel as their king.
III. He received the spirit of God from the time he was anointed.
IV. He was a brilliant military commander.
He broke the Philistines’ control over Canaan. He also waged successful wars against Moab,
Ammon, Edom, Amalek and Aram (Syria). He concluded a treaty with the Phoenician King,
Hiram of Tyre.
V. He captured the old fortress of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his capital
city. Jerusalem was a neutral site belonging neither to the Southern nor to the Northern
tribes of Israel.
VI. He removed the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Abinadab in Shiloh and brought
it to Jerusalem with a great ceremony, singing and dancing. He then brought priests of
Jerusalem and attached them to the royal court.
VII. He expressed faith in God. In this, he managed to kill Goliath, the great Philistine
warrior. He consulted God before going to war and never forgot to thank God for
whatever blessing he had bestowed on him.
VIII. He was a skilled musician and composed many Psalms that were used and are still
being used in temple and church worship.
IX. David respected the prophets of God and always consulted them whenever he wanted
to do anything.
X. He expanded the geographical boundaries of Israel through conquests and after which
he would annex the land.
 XI. He was a great diplomat and established good political relations with the neighboring
kings.
XII. He was a shrewd administrator who chose wise elders and counselors to advice him.
XIII. God promised to establish an everlasting kingdom for David where his descendants
would live in security never to be disturbed by anybody.
XIV. David ruled over Israel, administering law and justice to all people.
XV. He insisted on taking census of all Israel.
XVI. He had remarkable leadership qualities. For example he was a brave man, eloquent in
speech, patient and God fearing.
XVII. David was humble. He was ready to accept sins he had committed and repent.
XVIII. David received great favor from the Deutronomist by asserting that David was an ideal
king.

12. DAVID AS AN ANCESTOR OF JESUS CHRIST

2nd Samuel 1-29; Luke 1:26-33
After building a palace for himself, David intended to build a temple for God. He
consulted Prophet Nathan to find out whether it was in order to do so. The prophet approved
the idea. However, later that night Nathan received revelation from God which stated that
David was not to build the temple.
GOD’S PROMISES TO DAVID:
i. God promised to keep David and his descendants safe from all enemies.
ii. God would give David’s descendants a place to settle
iii. God promised to raise up an heir from the house of David to sit on the throne
iv. He promised to let David’s son be the one to build a temple for Him.
v. God’s relationship with this king would be like that of a father to his son
vi. God promised to establish an everlasting kingdom for David
vii. God promised to make David’s name great or famous among all other leaders of the
earth.
Some of these promises were fulfilled through Solomon his son, who also built a temple for
God. David’s reign was also marked by period of peace and prosperity.

THE PROMISES MADE TO DAVID WERE ALSO FULFILLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
THROUGH THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:-
1. Jesus was born by a girl in Galilee who had been promised in marriage to Joseph, a
descendant of King David.
2. Angel Gabriel in his annunciation message to Mary says that Jesus will be king like his
ancestor David.
3. Zachariah in his Benedictus says that God has risen up a savior descended from the
house of David.
 4. Jesus was born in Bethlehem which was also the birth place of David.
5. The blind man at Jericho hailed Jesus as the son of David and looked to him to restore
his sight.
6. Jesus was hailed by the crowd as the Messiah, descended from David during His
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
7. The early apostles like Peter and Paul, in their Sermons, made a number of references
to Jesus as a descendant of David
8. Saint Paul asserted that the Good News of salvation is about the son of God that took
human nature and was born from David’s lineage
9. In his genealogy, Saint Mathew also says that Jesus was a descendant of David.

13. QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER DRAWN FROM KING DAVID

I. Courage/bravery
David was a courageous military commandment who led his people to wars.
II. Faith
David was a God-fearing man and expressed his total trust in God by consulting Him before
engaging in any adventure
III. Gratitude
David always thanked God for any success or favors he received from Him
IV. Loyalty
David drew the support of his subjects by concluding a number of agreements or treaties
with both the men of Judah and Israel in which the subjects promised their loyalty to him and he
did likewise.
V. Justice
David is said to have administered justice to all his subjects without favoring anyone. He
never practiced tribalism or nepotism.
VI. Wisdom
David was a wise man; he chose wise legal advisors to assist him in his rule and chose
Jerusalem, a neutral spot for administration hence tribal jealousies.
VII. Humility
King David was ready to admit his mistakes and accepted criticism and rebukes from religious
leaders such as prophets. He was ready to repent when he realized his mistakes.
VIII. Kindness
David forgave Saul and spared his life even though the latter wanted to kill him.

THE ACTIVITIES IN THE LIFE OF DAVID THAT SHOWED HE HAD FAITH IN GOD.
i. He prayed and called himself a servant of God.
ii. Through faith in God, he killed Goliath using a stone and a sling.
iii. He repented after he had killed Uriah.
 iv. He accepted to be anointed by Samuel as King.
v. He consulted God and his prophets prior to any action.
vi. He advised Solomon his son to remain faithful to God in order to succeed. He offered
sacrifices to God.
vii. He sought God’s protection when Saul wanted to kill him.
viii. He genuinely accepted God’s punishment for his sins.
ix. He attributed all his achievements to God through songs and psalms.
x. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
xi. He wanted to build a temple for God
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD AS PORTRAYED IN THE LIFE OF KING DAVID.
i. God is omnipotent.
ii. God is kind and merciful.
iii. God is loving/caring.
iv. God answers prayers.
v. God requires total faith.
vi. God punishes sin. God is holy.
vii. God is righteous/pure.
viii. God protects his people.

14. KING SOLOMON’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAILURES

1st Kings 3-11
Solomon was the son of David. He was appointed by his father to succeed him. He was
anointed by Zadok, the priest. He ruled for 40 years like his father David.

KING SOLOMON’S ACHIEVEMENTS

i. He was a successful merchant. He achieved this by establishing and developing trade
with the neighboring countries.
ii. He built up a professional army equipped with horse-drawn chariots.
iii. Solomon appointed government officials who assisted him in his administration.
iv. He developed a diplomatic relationship with foreign countries by marrying the
daughters of the Kings of Egypt, Moab, Edom, Tyre etc.
v. He was a great wise man and was praised for this.
vi. He built the temple for God.
vii. Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple of Jerusalem. This represented
God’s presence among His people.
viii. He built himself a palace that took 13 years to complete.
 ix. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs

KING SOLOMON’S FAILURE

i. He married foreign wives who worshipped other god’s
ii. He built temples for the Pagan gods worshipped by his wives
iii. He introduced forced labor in the building of palace & the temple
iv. He killed his own half-brother, Adonijah, he suspected he could be his rival to the
throne
v. He practiced nepotism. Solomon’s own tribesmen from the tribes of Judah and
Benjamin were exempted from forced labor.
vi. He introduced high taxation in Israel.
vii. He valued himself more than God; he spent only seven years in building the Temple, but
13 years in building his own palace.
viii. He was extravagant in the way he used the wealth belonging to the state of Israel.
ix. King Solomon sold part of Israelite territory: 20 towns of Galilee to Hiram, the King of
Tyre in repayment for a debt he was unable to settle.
x. He hired the skills of pagan craftsmen who designed, decorated and furnished the
Temple of God.
15. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN ISRAEL
i. It symbolized God’s presence among His people through the Ark of the Covenant which
was kept in the Temple.
ii. It was a dwelling place for God. On the day of dedication to God, God’s glory filled the
Temple in form of a thick cloud.
iii. It was a house of worship and prayer.
iv. It was a place where all first-born male children were dedicated to God
v. All the Jewish religious festivals or feasts such as the Passover and Pentecost were
celebrated in the Temple
vi. The temple was a training place for the Jewish religious teachers. These are the Scribes
vii. The Temple was the place where the prophets and priests lived.
viii. The Temple was the only place where all rites of purification were carried out.
ix. It was used as a law-court by the council of Jewish religious leaders called the
Sanhedrin.
x. The Temple was the only place where sacrifices to God were offered by the priests
xi. Religious ceremonies like naming and circumcision of baby boy took place in the Temple
on the eighth day.
xii. It was the place where the right types of animals for sacrifice were brought by the Jews
who had travelled long distances to celebrate the annual feasts.
THE DEATH OF SOLOMON AND THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM
1st King 12
When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam succeeded him. A delegation of elders from
the ten tribes of the North led by Jeroboam I. son of Nebat, met Rehoboam at Shechem. They
presented their memorandum and told him they were willing to accept him as their king if he
would give them some assurance of better treatment. They wanted him to rule them less
harshly than his father Solomon had done.
Instead of listening to their grievances, he threatened them even with worse treatment
than his father.
The delegation was angered with the harsh reply and rebelled against Rehoboam. They
made Jeroboam I King of the Northern tribes. This split the kingdom into two; Israel comprising
ten tribes and Judah comprising two tribes.
The Kingdom of Judah retained Jerusalem as its capital city. Jeroboam fortified two
cities, Shechem and Penuel from where he ruled Israel in turn. He finally settled at Tirzah to the
north of Shechem.

THE ACTIVITIES OF KING JEROBOAM THAT MADE THE ISRAELITES IN THE NORTHERN
KINGDOM TURN AWAY FROM YAHWEH.
He molded golden calves at Bethel and Dan to represent Yahweh.
He centralized worship at Bethel and Dan, thus ignoring Jerusalem.
He instituted religious festivals in the month of his choice.
He chose non-Levite priests, getting them from ordinary families to serve at centres of worship.
He led the Israelites into offering sacrifices to the idols.
He himself worshipped idols.

REASONS WHY THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL DESTROYED BEFORE THE SOUTHERN
KINGDOM OF JUDAH
i. The Kings of the northern Kingdom led the people in syncretism.
ii. The people persecuted and even executed God’s prophets.
iii. The Kings were not ordained by God.
iv. The Kings and their subjects failed to repent from their iniquities.
v. The leaders built temples for idolatry.
vi. The people defiled Yahwehism by worshipping the Canaanite gods simultaneously.
vii. The people were deeply involved in temple/cult prostitution.
viii. The King took part in slave trade.
ix. They formed political alliances with the neighboring nations instead of relying on God.
x. The Kings oppressed the poor.
 xi. The judges were corrupt.
xii. The people neglected messages from the prophets of Yahweh

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN ISRAEL.

i. The temple was God’s dwelling place.
ii. It signified God’s presence among his people through the Ark of the Covenant and the
Tabernacle.
iii. The dedication of firstborn male children took place at the temple.
iv. The temple was a house of worship and prayer.
v. Animal sacrifice was offered in the temple.
vi. Religious rituals like the naming and circumcision of baby boys took place in the temple.
vii. It was a place where religious festivals/feasts e.g. Pentecost were celebrated.
viii. The temple was a training place for Jewish religious leaders.
ix. It was a residential place for the priests and prophets.
x. It served as a law court by the council of Jewish religious leaders: the Sanhedrin.
xi. It was a place where all rites of purification were carried out.
xii. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the laws of God.
xiii. It served as a commercial center.
WAYS IN WHICH THE KINGS OF ISRAEL BROUGHT THE PEOPLE BACK TO GOD.
i. The Kings like Jehu killed the prophets of Baal.
ii. They destroyed the altars of the gods.
iii. They set examples to the people by repenting whenever they went astray.
iv. Kings like David and Solomon restored temple worship by maintaining the Ark of the
Covenant.
v. They led the people in renewing their relationship with Yahweh when they broke the
covenant ways.
vi. They renewed the temple to look presentable.
vii. Solomon the third King built a temple for God.
viii.They destroyed the bronze serpent made by Moses during the Exodus. They never
indulged into political alliances with neighboring Kings.

CHAPTER SIX

LOYALTY TO GOD-ELIJAH
 1. FACTORS THAT LED TO THE SPREAD OF IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL

 Idolatry refers to the worship of idol. (An idol is an image representing a god).
 The following contributed to the Israelites idol worship:

a. The local Canaanite Religion

Characteristics of the Canaanites religion that made it be a constant temptation to the Israelites
i. It was a nature religion. The worshippers aim was to control forces of nature such as
rain and drought.
ii. The aims of the religion were to ensure continued fertility of land, flock and people.
iii. It was a cyclic religion which meant that seasons were repeated in contrast to Yahweism
which was linear.
iv. It comprised family of gods/it was polytheistic
 The high god was called El, the King and the father of years
 The “wife” of El was Asherah, a goddess of fertility.
 The storm god was called Baal, also referred to as the god of rain and fertility
 The female partner of Baal was called Baath which means Lady although her personal
name was Ashtarte
 The sister of Baal was called Anat, a goddess of war and love.
 Mot was the god of drought, famine and death
v. Symbols were used to represent each god. i.e. Baal was in the form of bull and stone
pillar, Asherah by a sacred pole.
vi. Temple prostitution was practiced. It was believed that if a barren couple imitated Baal
and Ashtarte when having sex, they would be able bear children.
vii. there were many places of worship such as temples under sacred trees and on top of
the hills
viii. Sacrifices including human beings were offered to these gods
ix. Festivals and feasts were also celebrated. For example:
 Feast of Unleavened Bread which was carried out at the beginning of the barely harvest
 Feast of weeks celebrated during the wheat harvest
x. Rituals were performed to ensure continued fertility/well-being of the community
xi. There were prophets and priests for each god and goddess
xii. Each god and goddess played a specific role in the community
xiii. There was a chief god called El.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT MADE ISRAELITES AN EASIER TARGET TO CANAANITES RELIGION

AND WAY OF LIFE/INFLUENCE OF THE LOCAL CANAANITE RELIGION
 i. Israelites transformed from pastoral life to agricultural life
ii. The belief that a god was only powerful in his own land
iii. The Israelites were attracted to the visible gods of the Canaanites as opposed to the
invisible Yahweh
iv. The Israelites’ failure to effect God’s command to destroy all the cultic objects and
temples used in the worship of Canaanite gods
v. The Israelites adopted great festivals which belonged to the structure of agriculture life
in Canaan e.g. transition from pastoral to agricultural life
vi. The sacrifices and offerings of the Canaanites were taken over by the Israelites
vii. The Israelites failed to understand the nature of their God

b. RELIGIOUS SCHISM BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL

 Schism refers to a division within or separation from an established church/religion but
not necessarily involving a difference in doctrine.
 After the separation of the two kingdoms, Jeroboam feared that the people of Israel,
will be won over by Rehoboam in Judah if they continued going to Jerusalem to
worship, so he did the following:
i. He made two golden calves and placed one at Bethel and the other one at Dan to
act as the visible representation of Yahweh
ii. He ignored Jerusalem as center of worship and set up two rival places of worship at
Dan and Bethel
iii. He made the Israelites to offer sacrifices to the two golden bulls representing
Yahweh
iv. He built other places of worship on hilltops thus copying the practices of the
surrounding nations.,./m
v. He chose priests from ordinary families to serve Yahweh at the centers of worship
instead of the tribe of Levi
vi. He instituted religious festivals or feasts in the month of his choices
vii. He burnt incense at the altar of idols

c. KING AHAB’S MARRIAGE WITH THE PHOENICIAN PRINCES

 When Omri, Ahab’s father, seized power, he made great political achievements for
Israel. He formed an alliance with the king of Phoenicia.
 To strengthen further the political union between the two countries, Israel and
Phoenicia, Omri arranged for the royal marriage of his son, Ahab to Jezebel, the
daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre.
 Immediately Ahab became the king of Israel, he tried to please his wife by allowing her
to introduce her religion to Israel.
 WAYS IN WHICH QUEEN JEZEBEL PROMOTED IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL
 She imported her Baal religion to Israel. She imported her Baal (Baal-Melkart) to Israel
which was the official protective god of Tyre.
 She also imported 450 prophets of Baal and Asherah to Israel.
 She asked her husband, Ahab to build temples and high places for idol gods
 She influenced the king to make Baalism a state religion
 She influenced Ahab to worship Baal
 She persecuted the prophets of Yahweh
 She influenced Ahab to appoint Baal prophets as the royal officials (Advisors)

QUESTION

Identify factors which led to widespread of idolatry in Israel during the time of
prophet Elijah. (KCSE 2019)

i. The foreign princesses married to Israelite kings brought with them idol worship. i.e
Jezebel
ii. Israelites change their lifestyle from pastoralism to agriculture in Canaan which forced
them to worship their god’s of fertility
iii. The Israelites practiced Syncretism-They worshipped Yahweh and Baal on different
occasions
iv. The kings built temples for Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel-Jeroboam
v. King Ahab made Baalism the official state religions
vi. The Israelites were attracted to the Canaanite’s visible gods compared to their unseen
God.
vii. The kings made festivals for the Canaanite gods to be on the same dates as those of the
Jewish calendar hence they were influenced to worship idols.
viii. The true prophets of Yahweh were being persecuted
ix. The Israelites felt like Yahweh had forsaken them after they were defeated in wars by
neighboring countries hence they turned to other gods.
x. Existence of false prophets who misled the people of God.
xi. The kings worshipped idols setting a bad example to the people.
xii. The Israelites failure to destroy the idol places of worship when they settled in Canaan.
xiii. King Jeroboam built other places of worship and ignored Jerusalem

2. THE EFFECTS OF IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL

i. It led to syncretism-the process in which certain beliefs or practices from different
religions are fused. Its mixed worship. They worshipped Yahweh alongside idols
ii. Former places of worship for the Canaanite gods were turned into places of worship
for Yahweh without removing the Canaanite symbols such as altars and pillars.
iii. The Canaanite agricultural calendar was adopted by Israel for the timing of the
pilgrimage festival.
iv. Names of the Canaanite gods (i.e. El, the father of all gods) was used for Yahweh
v. The Canaanite sacrificial system was incorporated into Israelite worship. For
example peace offerings, burnt offerings and cereal offerings were originally
Canaanite
vi. Under the influence of Jezebel, king Ahab declared Baalism a compulsory state
religion
vii. Queen Jezebel ordered the destruction of the altars of Yahweh
viii. Prophets of Yahweh were killed/persecuted
ix. 450 prophets of Baal were made the officials of the royal court
x. The Israelites started to name their children after Baal gods.e.g Baalath
xi. The Israelites broke their covenant relationship with God.
xii. The Israelites forgot the practice of brotherhood and practice
xiii. Famine and drought befall the Israel leading to people’s suffering
xiv. Names of the Canaanite gods were used for Yahweh e.g. El
xv. They introduced new religious festivals that were not in the Mosaic law.
xvi. Social evils such as bribery, sexual immorality and stealing became rampant
xvii. The 450 prophets of Baal were made officials of the royal court in order to promote
and protect the Baal religion.

3. ELIJAH’S FIGHT AGAINST FALSE RELIGION AND CORRUPTION

Introduction
 Elijah was a prophet from the Northern Kingdom of Israel
 He prophesized during the reign of King Ahab, sixty years after Jeroboam I had been
ruler of Israel
 This was a time when the worship of Yahweh was on the verge of extinction because of
threats from Queen Jezebel.

a. ELIJAH’S FIGHT AGAINST FALSE RELIGION

1ST KING 18: 17-46
God told Elijah to go and meet the king. As soon as King Ahab saw him, he called him trouble
maker.
Elijah had stated that there would be no rain in the capital (Samaria) until he says so. This was
because of Israelites unfaithfulness

Mount Carmel Contest

Elijah asked the king to gather all the Israelites together with the 450 prophets of Baal to a
contest at Mount Carmel. The contest was to determine there and then, who was the Lord,
who had the power to control rain and fertility

Elijah told them to bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal to take one and offer a sacrifice to
their god and Elijah to offer the other one to God They were not to light any fire and the people
agreed that the God who answered by fire would be the true God

The prophets of Baal were the first to offer their sacrifice. After preparing the altar, they
started praying to their god. Shouting and dancing around the altar. However, there was no
answer.

By midday, Elijah started mocking them in different ways. He told them to pray harder because
Baal is busy, on a journey or a sleep. Baal failed to answer his prophets by bringing fire to
consume the sacrifice.

After this, Elijah repaired the abandoned altar of Yahweh; he set up twelve stones, to represent
each of the twelve tribes of Israel. He poured water on the wood. The purposes of these rituals
were:
i. To enhance the fire miracle by ensuring that the altar was wet
ii. To bring down rain by imitating the falling of rain

After this, Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for help. Immediately after his
prayer, the supernatural fire descended from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the water
and the wood.
Elijah then ordered for the killing of Baal prophets and prophetesses of Asherah. About 450
prophets of Baal and prophetesses of Asherah were killed. Afterwards, Elijah performed rain
ceremony. On that day, rain fell in great torrents.

i. Yahweh is the only true God. Baal is no god at all

ii. Yahweh is a living God who controls forces of nature
iii. He is the Lord of nature
 iv. Yahweh is a powerful God
v. Yahweh is a merciful God who wins back wayward hearts
vi. Yahweh is a jealous God who will have no other gods besides Him
vii. Yahweh is a God of justice who punished idolaters and other sinners
viii. Yahweh answers prayers/He is faithful God.
ix. God should be worshipped
x. God works through human beings
xi. He is omnipresent.

THE PRACTICES OF IDOLATRY DURING THE TIME OF ELIJAH.

i. There was human sacrifice. The people worshipped many gods.
ii. There was animal sacrifice to the gods.
iii. People observed festivals in honour of the gods.
iv. Symbols were made to represent the gods.
v. Temples were built for the worship of the gods.
vi. Rituals were performed in honour of the gods.
vii. Baal prophets presided over religious matters.
IN WHICH WAY WAS THE PRESENCE OF GOD FELT DURING THE TIME OF ELIJAH?
i. Through thunder at Mount Carmel.
ii. In a fire;
iii. In a small still voice in the wilderness.
iv. In an earthquake at mount Carmel;
v. Through a thick cloud.
vi. Strong wind that split the hills.

THE WAYS THAT ELIJAH USED IN PROVING THAT YAHWEH WAS THE TRUE GOD.
 The fire that descended on the sacrifice.
 The three-year drought.
 Torrential rain that marked the end of the period of drought.
 The raising of the widow’s son at Zeraphath.
 The multiplication of flour and oil.
 Going to heaven on a chariot.

Life skills used by Prophet Elijah to fight against false religion.

i. Critical thinking- Is the ability to analyze issues with an aim of attaining effective
decisions
 Elijah thought of how the true worship was being undermined by Baalism

ii. Creative thinking – Is the ability to come up with new things and new way of handling a
situation that requires a respons Ce
Elijah requested for a contest between the prophets of Baal and himself.

iii. Decision making –Is the skill that empowers a person to arrive at a line of action when
confronted by the issues
Prophet Elijah killed the prophets/prophetesses of Baal.

iv. Self-esteem –Is the way you feel about yourself

Elijah was convinced that God was on his side.

v. Negotiation – discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

Elijah asked the Israelites to choose between God and Baal.

vi. Conflict resolution –is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a
disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or
emotional.
Through the contest, he convinced the Israelites that Yahweh was the true God.
vii. Effective communication – is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, knowledge and
information such that the purpose or intention is fulfilled in the best possible manner.
He explained to the people how the contest was to be carried out.
viii. Self-awareness – Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively
through reflection and introspection
He knew that he was the prophet of the true God/ he had confidence in himself
b. ELIJAH FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
1ST KING 21: 1-29
Corruption can be defined as any form of injustice done to the innocent by those in position of
leadership

THE STORY OF NABOTH AND THE VINEYARD

King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard which was close to his own palace at Jezreel, Samaria’s
second capital. Ahab offered to buy the vineyard at a generous price or have it exchanged with
another one. But Naboth refused to sell or exchange the inheritance for the one reason that it
was a family estate.

Naboth’s refusal to sell or exchange the vineyard made King Ahab gloomy and he even refused
to eat. Jezebel, his wife, consoled him and told him not to worry as he was King and would get
the vineyard. She forged letters in the King’s name and accused Naboth of blasphemy and
treason. Naboth was not given time to defend himself, he was stoned to death in accordance to
the law. The land hence became a state property and Ahab went to possess it.

God sent Elijah to go and pronounce divine judgment on the house of Ahab for what he had
done. He was to tell Ahab that his dynasty was going to be destroyed. Ahab put on sack clothes
as a sign of repentance. God hence promised to effect punishment during the reign of his sons
and not him. As for Jezebel, God said that dogs will eat her body in the city of Jezreel.

COMMANDMENTS BROKEN BY AHAB AND JEZEBEL I KINGS 21:1-16

i. They broke the commandment of not to kill when they planned for the stoning of
Naboth
ii. When they worshipped idols, they broke the commandment of not worshipping other
gods.
iii. They broke the commandment of stealing when they planned to take away Naboth’s
vineyard.
iv. They used the name of God in vain when they said Naboth had blasphemed against
God.
v. The commandment of not to cheat /bear false witness was broken when they planned
/instituting false witnesses against Naboth.
vi. They broke the commandment of not coveting a neighbors’ property when they wanted
Naboth’s vineyard.

FORMS OF PUNISHMENT PROPHESIED BY PROPHET ELIJAH TO KING AHAB AND JEZEBEL

i. Death of king Ahab would be in the same place /valley of Jezreel like Naboth’s vs 19
ii. Evil would be upon Ahab vs 21
iii. God was to take away the prosperity of Ahab /his rule would come to an end.
iv. Dogs will leak the blood of Ahab
v. All the male children free/slaves would be cut off.
vi. The lineage of Ahab would be wiped out
vii. The dogs would eat anybody who belongs to the family of Ahab who died in the city
vs24
viii. The birds of the air would eat all members of Ahab’s family who died in the field.
ix. Dogs would eat the body of Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel vs 23

FORMS OF CORRUPTION FOUND IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY ARE:-

i. Tribalism
 ii. Bribery
iii. Cheating in business
iv. Stealing
v. Robbery with violence
vi. Dishonesty
vii. Misuse of public funds/property
viii. Grabbing of personal and public land
CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN THE MODERN SOCIETY
i. Unemployment
ii. Greed for money
iii. Stealing
iv. Robbery with violence
v. Fear-not being arrested and charged in a court of law
vi. Ignorance-people give or receive bribes in the form of Gifts
vii. Disintegration of traditional African moral values
viii. Lack of moral integrity
ix. Lack of professional ethics and moral guidance
x. Frustrations and lack of motivation in the work place
xi. Weak law enforcement systems –corrupt people not being punished
xii. Corruption being used as a cover up for scandals
xiii. Lack of moral guidance

EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION IN THE MODERN SOCIETY

i. Corruption contributes to injustices in the society

ii. It demeans human dignity and destroy the public image of leaders
iii. It impoverishes individuals, families and nations
iv. It discourages foreign investment in the country
v. It may lead to the collapse of public cooperation’s and mass unemployment
vi. It is an illegal practice and can lead to loss of job and imprisonment
vii. People loose respect for corrupt leaders
viii. It retards the development of a nation as money is squandered by those in charge
ix. Financial institutions and donor countries may withhold their financial assistance to
corrupt nations.
x. It encourages laziness among people
xi. It denies people their right, hence causing discontentment among them
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN HELP IN REDUCING CORRUPTION IN KENYA
i. Respecting oneself and others
ii. Respecting laws set up in the constitution
iii. By practicing moral values
iv. Building a fair and just society by applying life skills such as critical thinking, creative
thinking and making appropriate moral decisions
v. Advocating for the enactment of laws that will fight corruption
vi. By lobbying for the punishment of all those who abuse justice.
vii. Pray for the corrupt to change their behavior
viii. Preaching to corrupt to corrupt change their ways
ix. Set good example of acting as good role models for others
x. Educate people on the evils of corruption
xi. Report those who engage in corrupt practices to the relevant authorities.

4. REASONS WHY ELIJAH FACED DANGER AND HOSTILITY AS A PROPHET OF GOD

1st king 18: 1-46. 19: 1-21, 21: 1-26
Because of Elijah’s work as prophet of God, he had direct conflict with the king and Jezebel. The
two wanted to kill him for the following reasons

i. Elijah lived in fear after he pronounced a three-year drought in Israel

ii. The prophets of Yahweh were being persecuted
iii. Jezebel threatened to kill him
iv. He hid in the wilderness to avoid persecution where he faced the danger of starvation
v. He prophesied doom for Ahab and Jezebel’s family
vi. Prophet Elijah had put to death the 450 prophets of Baal during Mount Camel contest
vii. Elijah had boldly condemned King Ahab for taking away Naboth vineyard
viii. He fought for the true worship of Yahweh, which angered Jezebel
ix. The presence the many prophets of Baal
x. He had to fight Baalism which had been made a state religion
xi. He had to defend his faith/religion to prove that Yahweh was the true God.

PROBLEMS FACED BY CHURCH LEADERS IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK.

i. They receive threats from the opponents.
ii. They lack material/ financial assistance.
iii. There is lack of cooperation from the church members.
iv. There is rivalry among the leaders/themselves.
v. They may not be good role models/hypocrisy.
 vi. They may suffer from long separation from their families.
vii. There is misinterpretation of the Biblical theology from different sources/ Science
&
a. technology.
viii. Greed for things/property.
ix. They may be posted to a hostile working environment.
x. There is political interference in their work.
xi. They may lack adequate skills for carrying out their work.
xii. Permissiveness/ corruption/ mass media
xiii. Rejection

Qualities of prophet Elijah that a Christian leader should possess

i. Truthfulness
ii. Courage
iii. Faithfulness/trust
iv. Kindness
v. Loving/caring
vi. Honesty
vii. Responsible
viii. Loyalty/obedience
ix. Respectful
x. Prayerfulness

WAYS IN WHICH GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF IN THE LIFE OF ELIJAH DURING HIS MISSION
i. He raised to life the widow’s son in Zerephath
ii. Prophesied three years of drought and it happened
iii. He prayed to Yahweh and the drought ended with great rain
iv. He prayed and Yahweh brought fire that consumed the sacrifice
v. He was fed by ravens in the wilderness while he was hiding
vi. Ahab and Jezebel sought to kill him but failed because God revealed their evil plans to
him
vii. He multiplied flour and oil for a widow throughout the drought and famine
viii. God spoke to him in a still voice on the mountain

5. THE RELEVANCE OF ELIJAH’S PROPHETIC MISSION TO CHRISTIANS TODAY

i. Church leaders should remain courageous and firm in condemning any form of social
injustice in society
 ii. Christians should remain faithful to God through word and deed even if this would cost
them their lives
iii. Christians should not despair in their missionary work but lean on God for
encouragement and providence
iv. Christians should pray to God in faith as God would answer them
v. Christians should advocate for rights of the poor and speak against any form of
oppression
vi. Christians should not give false evidence against their neighbors like Jezebel did to
Naboth
vii. Christians should be persistent like Elijah in their struggle against injustice
viii. God is able to establish an intimate relationship with His faithful.
ix. Christians should condemn all forms of social injustices such as corruption, murder of
innocent people and exploitation of the poor.
x. Christians should worship one true God and put their trust in him.
xi. Christians should be ready to suffer and face opposition in their work
xii. Should preach and win converts to God
xiii. Christians should avoid sinful life so as to escape God’s punishment.
xiv. Christian should accept God’s call
xv. Christians should have faith in God and avoid all forms of idolatry such as love for
money

SECTION TWO
AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE-MORAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

AFRICAN CONCEPT OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

A. GOD
The traditional idea of God is that He is a Supreme Being/Deity. He was a perfect human being.
The supreme God is that who excels in all good qualities of man.
This Being does not have material body but exists as a spiritual being.
He is the origin and sustainer of all things

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD UNDERSTOOD BY AFRICAN PEOPLE

i. God is good- He’s the giver of life and sustainer
ii. God is merciful- Proven in times of danger, anxiety etc
iii. God is all knowing –(Omniscient) nothing is/can be hidden for Him
iv. God is holy hence those offering sacrifice ought to be pure
v. God is all powerful (Omnipotent) supersede everything in power and strength
vi. God is all understanding hence forgiving
 vii. God is all present (Omnipresent) simultaneously worldwide
viii. God is limitless not limited by time or space
ix. God is self-existent God originated on His own
x. God is spirit He is invisible and everlasting
xi. God is ever lasting (Eternal) lives beyond lifetime of a person, an animal or a plant.
xii. God is the creator all was created by Him

B. SPIRITS
 Spirits are believed to be existing between God and human beings in the universe.
 There are many types of spirits and all of them are believed to have been created by
God.
 It is also believed that some spirits were once human beings who died many years back
and the living people can no longer identify them.
 They are invisible beings
 They are second in the hierarchy of beings
 They are subordinate to God and depend on him for survival
 God uses them to perform certain things such as causing floods and lightening
 They can be reborn among the living

TYPES OF SPRITS

SPIRITS

Nature spirit Human spirit

Sky Earth Long Recently

Spirits Spirits Dead Dead

(Ghosts) (Ancestors)

i. NATURE SPIRITS
a. Nature spirits of the sky
These are the spirits which are associated with objects and forces of the sky like the sun, the
moon, the stars, rain, thunder and lightning. The belief in these spirits help people to explain
the mysteries of the forces of nature connected with the sky.
 b. NATURE SPIRITS OF EARTH
These spirits are connected with forces of the earth such as hills, mountains, rocks and trees
etc

ii. HUMAN SPIRITS

They are in two categories, namely:
a. The ghost’s spirits
These are spirits belonging to those who died long ago and whose names cannot be
remembered

b. The ancestral spirits (the living dead)

These are spirits whose identity is still alive in the memories of people.
These spirits are believed to appear to the living in visions, dreams or even in the open. In
general, people fear ghosts more than the ancestral spirits.

iii. DIVINITIES
Some African communities in West Africa like the Ashanti of Ghana, Yoruba of Nigeria and
Mande of Sieraleon believe in category of spirits between God and the spirits described above
i.e. divinities
These divinities are believed to have been created by God and they represent His activities on
earth.

C. ANCESTORS
These are the fore-fathers or founders of the African clans or tribes. They are people
who died and whose names and identity are still remembered by the family or clan
members

THE AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIERARCHY OF BEINGS

The African understanding of the universe is that it consists of two parts:

 The visible (the Earth)
 The invisible (sky) which is regarded as the home of God.

a. HIERARCHY OF BEINGS
  This universe has a specific order of created beings with God, the Creator, occupying the
highest rank. This ordering is what is referred to as the hierarchy of beings.
 It can be divided into seven categories:
i. God, the Supreme being is at the top. He is believed to be responsible for the
existence and sustenance of human beings and all other beings
ii. 2nd are the Divinities (Are spirits by God)
iii. 3rd are the Spirits (Belonging to people who died long time along)
iv. 4th are the Living Dead, (ancestors). This forms an intermediate stage between the
human beings who are alive and the spirit world
v. 5th position is Human Beings. They include those who are physically alive and those
who are yet to be born
vi. 6th are the Living Things like animals and plants (They are used by human beings in
their natural and religious life as food, totem and sacrifice)
vii. Lastly are the Natural and Artificial Things without biological life such as rain, rivers,
mountains, rocks and all other lifeless objects.

God

Divinities

Spirits

Living Dead (Ancestors)

Human Beings

Plants and Animals-Living Things

None Living Things

b. THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF ALL THINGS, LIVING AND NONE-LIVING

According to the African view of the universe, all created beings depend on each other and on
God

i) Human Beings and God

i. Human beings, depend on God for most essential requirements of life for
example rain, air and sunshine
ii. They are less powerful than God
 iii. They are under all obligations to obey the laws and commandments given by
God
iv. Failure to obey these regulations may lead to punishment
v. They must offer sacrifices to God to maintain good relation with him
vi. Natural calamities like draught, floods and earthquakes are believed to be
controlled by God and are beyond people’s power.

ii) Human beings and animals

God gave animals to people for their use and they should be handled responsibly

Importance of animals to man

i. Domestic animals like cattle, sheep and goats are used as food
ii. Are used for payment of dowry
iii. Possession of animals is seen as a sign of prestige and wealth.
iv. Possession of these animals is also seen as a sign of prestige and wealth
v. The skins of these animals can be used as clothes
vi. Some are used as sacrifices to God
vii. Some are used as payment for a fine by an offender to the offended person
viii. Used to predict weather patterns
ix. Some animals are treated as totems by communities
x. Some are used to communicate the social standards expected of people e.g
Hyena used to discourage cowardice and greed
Hare-used to discourage trickery
Snake-Not killed by some communities, it is believed to be immortal and the ancestors
may visit the living from it.

iii) Human Beings and Plants

Ways through which human beings depend on plants are:

i. Certain plants like vegetables are used for food
ii. Pastoralists and those rear animals depend on grass and foliage for their livestock
iii. Trees are used for fuel
iv. Trees are used for building purposes
v. Plants are also used for conservation of wildlife for example trees
vi. Provision of shelter
vii. Some trees are used as sacred places of worship e.g Mugumo tree
viii. Some trees/plants are used as totems
 ix. Some are used for medical purposes

iv) Human Beings and Non-living things

i. None-Living things like rain, rocks and rivers are given a religious significance. For
example, rain is seen as great blessings from God because it brings pasture for
pastoralists and good harvest of crops for agriculturalists.
ii. Natural phenomena like thunder are seen as God’s movement or God’s voice. They are
therefore seen as signs of warning from God.
iii. Rocks and mountains are viewed as God’s manifestations to humankind and also
dwelling places for the living dead and spirits. Such places are used for the worship of
God and are treated as sacred.
iv. Heavenly bodies help human beings to determine times and seasons
v. Human beings depend on the sun for sunlight during the day and on the moon and stars
for light at night.
vi. Soil is used for swearing in traditional African communities

THE ROLE OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. The role of God

i. God cares for his creation and can be invoked in times of need
ii. He is the giver and sustainer of life, provides necessities of life e.g food, air, water and
fire
iii. He protects human beings from evil e.g Protects the weak and hears the cry of those
unjustly treated
iv. He comforts the sorrowful e.g heals the sick
v. He is the guardian of morality and ethical order. He punishes those who do evil
vi. He controls the spirits which are more powerful than humans
vii. He gives order to the universe and controls it.
viii. He gives power to religious specialists e.g. medicine men, priests, kings and prophets
ix. God answers prayers

b. The role of spirits

i. Spirits guard sacred places
ii. Some may be manipulated by human beings and cause harm to others e.g with
sickness and death
iii. They intercede for people before God
 iv. The religious specialists may also consult the spirits as part of their normal training
and practice
v. The belief in the existence of spirits provides people with the explanation of many
mysteries which they find in the universe
vi. Spirits relay God’s response to human beings
vii. Bad spirits sometimes possess a person. This could cause the person to leave home
and go to the forests, jump into the fire and get burnt etc

c. Role of Ancestors
i. May cause illness or mental disturbances to human beings
ii. Give instructions to the family as to what should be done in certain areas affecting it
iii. Rebuke and warn the living of the impending punishment to those who have failed
to honor their obligation to them
iv. They request for something like animals to be slaughtered for them
v. They interact with the living
vi. Act as mediators between the living and God
vii. They inflict punishments on offenders in society
viii. They bless the living members of the family
ix. Avert consequences of curses
x. Protect human beings against evil
xi. Provide names to new born
xii. Preside over all religious ceremonies in the community
xiii. Custodians of African traditional moral culture and religious values

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LIVING TOWARDS GOD, SPIRIT AND ANCESTORS

Responsibility of the living towards God

i. To take care of God’s creation
ii. To obey God’s instructions
iii. To set aside specific places of worship
iv. To appreciate God’s blessings
v. To make their request known to God
vi. To Worship God
vii. To give their children names of God
viii. To share God’s given resources with fellow human beings

Responsibility of the living towards spirits

 i. Human beings are to respect places like shrines which are associated with spiritual
manifestation
ii. To appease the spirits by pouring libation to them
iii. Respect and honor the spirits
iv. Protect sacred places
v. Consult spirits on spiritual matters
vi. Obey the will of the spirits

Responsibility of the living towards ancestors

i. To show respect to them

ii. Address them by their proper names and tittles
iii. Pour libation to them
iv. Offer sacrifices to them and give them offerings to appease them
v. Obey their commands and wishes
vi. Name their children after their ancestors
vii. Build shrines for them
viii. Pray to God through them
ix. Invite them to social functions
x. Teach their children about their ancestors
xi. Consult them through diviners and medicine people
xii. Praise them through songs

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WORSHIP OF GOD

Worship is the means through which human beings communicate with God
Worship may be public or private, formal or informal, communal or individual, direct or indirect

Places of worship in African traditional society

i. Under sacred trees e.g Mugumo tree
ii. On hilltops and rocks
iii. In caves
iv. At riverbanks and on the shores
v. In the sacred forests
vi. In graveyards
vii. At crossroads
viii. In the homes of some religious specialists

Ways in which Traditional African communities worshipped God

1.They offered Sacrifices

 An animal is slaughtered in honor of God

 It involves the shedding of blood of human beings, animals or birds

Reasons why sacrifices are offered

i. To appreciate God as the source of life
ii. To thank God for the blessings to the people
iii. To appease God for the wrongs done
iv. To petition God for help during difficult times
v. To invite God to participate in family and community functions
vi. To maintain a good relationship
vii. To avert evil e.g. drought, famine, floods or epidemics

Occasions when sacrifices were offered

i. During rites of passage
ii. During disasters
iii. After a good harvest
iv. During installation of leaders
v. During cleansing ceremonies
vi. During reconciliation ceremonies
vii. Before going for war

2. They gave offerings

Offerings were given to God, spirits and ancestors
Offerings were given for the following reasons:
i. In recognition of God’s absolute ownership of life and property
ii. To invoke God for special blessings to the clan at large
iii. To thank God for various reasons such as success in war or plentiful harvest by the
community or individual
iv. To express a person’s fellowship or communion with God
v. To avert evil

3. Offered prayers
Prayers always accompanied offerings and sacrifices so that the purpose of the occasion is
declared.

4. Singing and dancing

Singing and dancing was also done as a way of worship
5. Invocations – Short formal prayers e.g’ Help me, O God’, ‘O great God’
6. Blessings –Blessings by an elder constitute acts of prayer. It’s believed that the person
blessing is doing so on behalf of God
7. Salutations also formed part of African way of worship. E.g ‘Dear God’

VENERATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. Veneration refers to the way in which respect and honor is accorded to the ancestors and
spirits

WAYS IN WHICH TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITIES VENERATED THE SPIRITS AND

ANCESTORS
i. Pouring libation of beer, milk and water to the spirits
ii. Making sacrifices and giving offerings
iii. Naming children after them
iv. Praying to God through them
v. Address them by their proper names and tittles
vi. Inviting them to social functions e.g. birth, initiation, and marriage
vii. Teaching children about them
viii. Building shrines for them

c. Communication with the spirits

 Human beings communicate with spirits for a good or bad cause

 People communicate with the spirits through religious specialists e.g diviners and
mediums
 The religious specialists link human beings to the spiritual world
 The medium who normally works with a diviner gets “spirit possession” through
various means. For example, by;
 Sitting quietly in a place
 Singing
 Dancing
 Clapping of hands
 Falling into a trance
 The medium then loses his/her senses and become an instrument of the spirit. The
spirit begins to speak, giving requests sort and can also make demands on the living
 WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE COMMUNICATE WITH SPIRITS
i. Through divination
ii. Singing and dancing to them
iii. Recitation/chanting and invoking their names
iv. By making sacrifices to them
v. By saying prayers
vi. By giving offerings
vii. By giving sacrifices
viii. Through burning incense

THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIET

a.THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES

i. God is the source of life
ii. Life is a rhythm which recycles itself
iii. Life is enhanced through observance of taboos, rituals and regulations
iv. Life is promoted through transitional stages e.g birth, initiation, marriage and death
v. Life is perpetuated through marriage for the continuation of the community
vi. Death transforms an individual from physical life to the spiritual one
vii. Life has several dimensions e.g
 Physical Dimension-Material state of human beings
 Social dimension-relation of living with others in a community

 Spiritual Dimension-It links human beings with spiritual power e.g God
 Environmental Dimension-is the relation between the physical environment and
humans.

B.THE AFRICAN CONCEPT OF A COMMUNITY

i. The members speak one common language

ii. The members of the community occupy the same geographical area/region
iii. They carry out similar economic activities
iv. The community is made up of smaller units/clans
v. They are related either by blood, marriage or adoption (same ancestry)
vi. The members include the unborn, the living and the living dead
 vii. The community is made up of smaller units/clans
viii. Each community is governed by specific rules, regulations and traditions
ix. Members are expected to show concern for one another and foster the common good
x. Members are expected to participate in the life of the community
xi. Survival of the community depends on God and other spiritual powers
xii. Leadership is provided by heads of families, elders and religious specialists
xiii. The community provides a sense of belonging and identity for its members thus making
its members feel secure

KINSHIP SYSTEM IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

African concept of kinship system

 Kinship refers to relationship between people through blood, marriage or adoption
 Kinship ties are strong bonds that exist among community members
 Those related by blood have common ancestors. They feel a strong bond towards each
other because they are tied by kinship relationships to one another.
 Blood relatives include parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and
grandparents
 Through marriage, the husband or wife acquire more relatives who are referred to as in
laws
 Every marriage brings new links thus increasing and strengthening the kinship ties.

FAMILY TREE

Great Grandparents Great Grand-parents

Grandparents Grandparents

Aunts Uncles Father Mother Uncles Aunts

Cousins Cousins Cousins Cousins

Brothers Sisters
 Nephews Nieces Nephews Nieces

IMPORTANCE OF KINSHIP TIES IN AFRICAN SOCIETY

The kinship system extended to ancestors who were seen as part of the living. Kinship was
important because:
i. It determined how members relate to one another.
ii. They bond together the entire life of a community
iii. They assist the people to live together in peace and harmony
iv. They provide a sense of security to all members at all times
v. They regulate marital customs, rules and regulations
vi. They give an individual a deep sense of belonging /identity
vii. They enable people to face hardship together
viii. They safeguard the communities’ traditions and customs
ix. They enhance unity among community members
x. They determine punishment for the offenders

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HARMONY AND MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE AFRICAN

COMMUNITY
These factors include:
i. Division of labor
ii. Communal worship
iii. Leisure activities
iv. Rites of passage
v. Sharing
vi. Social norms/rules and regulations
vii. Punishments for law breakers
viii. Communal work
ix. Virtues

1. Division of labor
Various tasks to be performed were fairly distributed among the people
Elders -they played political roles and they were the chief counselors
-they maintained laws and order
-they settled disputes
Old women -they looked after the grandchildren
-They educated girls on their roles as future wives and mothers
Young unmarried men -They provided security for the community
Small boys -Helped in handling animals
 -Teamed up with their fathers and young men in some of their activities
-They learnt through observation and acquired skills such as smelting, hunting
and building
Girls -They help their mothers in household duties like cooking, looking after babies, fetching
firewood and water
-they learn some skills such as weaving and pottery.

2. Sharing
They shared material things and participated in all activities depending on age, sex and status

3.Rites of passage
The whole community participated in ceremonies related to birth, initiation, marriage and
death.
All kinsmen, friends and neighbors actively participated in the ceremonies by sharing
responsibilities, eat and feast together.

3. Communal worship
During such occasions, people come to thank God for a good harvest or after victory in battle.
In such a function, sacrifices are made and prayers offered.
During such times of crisis, for example, when there is a disaster, an epidemic or serious
sickness, people gather and offer sacrifices to God and to the ancestral spirits in order to
appease them.

4. Leisure activities
In African Traditional Society, leisure is integrated with other activities although after work;
people rest and share jokes.
People are occasionally entertained by the youth through singing and dancing during times
when there is little work to be done.
In the evenings, men are entertained by the youth. As the elders watch the youths perform,
they encourage and correct them accordingly and also they identify certain talents among the
performers

5. Social norms
In A.T.S, people grow up knowing what is right and wrong.
Rules and regulations are established to govern and regulate people’s behavior.
Everybody understands the virtues they should uphold such as friendship, love, honesty,
courage, bravery and b compassion.
People are also discouraged from developing vices such as cheating, theft, selfishness, greed
and dishonesty.
Social norms keep the community from disintegrating and they provide peace to the individual
and the society.

6. Communal ownership of property

Land and other resources are owned by community

7. Marriage
Marriage strengthens and fosters closer ties among different families
Exchange of gifts is a sign of friendship, acceptance and mutual responsibility

8. Political ties
Power and authority is exercised and shared among clan leaders and elders
This enhances a peaceful co-existence among community members

9. Rules and regulations

Rules dictate and govern the roles and duties of all members in the community depending on
age, gender and social status
Breaking of rules results to punishment
Elders maintain law and order by settling disputes and reminding members of what is expected
of them.
10. Belief of a common ancestry
This promotes a sense of brotherhood among members of a community

11. Observation of taboos

They guide individuals in moral behavior and maintains discipline and harmony
g
12. Rites of passage
Rites of passage are important stages in a person’s life.
Such rights are turning points which make changes from old to new stages in one’s life.
They include:-
i. Birth and Naming
ii. Initiation
iii. Marriage
iv. Death

N/B Each individual involved in each stage goes through a number of ceremonies with three
main characteristics.
a. Separation –being secluded/cut off from the rest of the people around for a period of
time
 b. Transition –this is a period of change brought about by new knowledge given during
seclusion period
c. Incorporation –This is a return to the ordinary community.
Ritual performed, assumed both social and religious values. It is through these rites that
kinship ties are strengthened.

1. BIRTH AND NAMING

i)Conception and Pregnancy
The unborn child is very valuable to the larger community hence the pregnant mother is greatly
taken care of. The expectant mother is not referred to directly as expectant. Terms like:-
 She is heavy
 She is full
 She is satisfied
Direct reference to this stage can easily affect the unborn child. It can lead to miscarriage or
other abnormalities.
Special treatment given to the expectant Mother
i. She had to avoid being in the company of people with various disabilities such as the
blind and the lame.
ii. She had to keep off from metallic objects
iii. She had to avoid doing heavy work like splitting firewood, carrying heavy luggage
iv. In some communities, the expectant mother had to refrain from sexual intercourse
v. She was supposed to abstain from certain food such as eggs and fatty meat.
vi. She was supposed to wear protective charms
vii. She was not supposed to speak to the husband directly. It had to be through an
intermediary
viii. In some communities, she was to return home to give birth there and coming back
after weaning her baby
ix. She is supposed to be checked frequently /counseled by traditional midwives
x. She’s to be given special herbs to keep the health of the bay/unborn baby
xi. She was expected to offer sacrifices to appease spirits /ancestors

ii)Birth of the Child

 The birth of the child is a community affair as the child belongs to the whole
community.
 It is witnessed by elderly women who act as midwives.
 Men are not allowed to go near the delivery place.
  When the baby arrives, its sex is announced in various ways such as shouts and
ululations.
 This is because everybody is eager to know the sex of the baby.
 Some communities like Gikuyu, give five ululations for a baby boy and four ululations for
a baby girl.
 The placenta is disposed of ceremoniously:
 In some communities, it is thrown into a running stream or river.
 In others, it is dried up and kept for rituals to be performed later.
 In others, it is carefully buried near the homestead or in uncultivated field or in a
shamba with bananas or cereals.
 In some, it is hung in the house to symbolize the continuity of life.
 All these ceremonies are observed so that the womb may remain fertile to ensure
continuity of life.
 The umbilical cord is also disposed of ceremoniously.
Where birth took place
 A special house has to be built for that purpose
 In the house of the expectant mother
 In the home of the expectant mothers parents

RITUALS OBSERVED DURING BIRTH

i. Cutting of the umbilical cord-symbolizes the separation of the child from the mother
ii. Burying of the placenta /umbilical cord in a special placeeg banana plantation –for
continuity
iii. Shaving of the mother /baby’s hair signifies new beginning
iv. Treatment of the baby /mother with herbs/wearing of charms is done for protection
v. Ululations are made according to the sex of the baby to announce the sex of the baby
vi. Mother/baby are secluded for a period of time to give the mother time to heal
vii. There is celebration/singing and dancing /feasting to welcome the new member of the
community
viii. There is presentation of gifts to the mother /new born babay to celebrate them
ix. Sacrifices/offerings/prayers are made to God as a sign of thanksgiving
x. Rituals for purification are carried out to clean the mother from the process of child
birth
xi. The baby is given a name for identity
xii. The baby is given sweet and bitter substance to symbolize good and bad experience

iii)NAMING OF THE CHILD

Ways of naming children in African Traditional Society
i. Some of the names given reflected the problems that the parents faced.
For example, a special name is given to a child who is born after many years of childless
marriage. In some instances, if many children have died before the arrival of another,
such is given the name of an animal or ugly name as an indication that they have little
hope that this one will survive.
ii. Some reflected the conditions of weather and seasons or the time of birth.
For example, floods, drought and famine. Others reflected certain activities within the
community such as planting, harvesting or hunting. Names like Wanjala and Nanjala
show that these were born during famine. Some also describe important or strange
events that are current among the people such as wars or the invasion of locust. For
example Nasiche for Luhyas' and Ngige for Kikuyu’s showing the invasion of locusts
iii. Some names have religious connotations for example Were for Luhya God.
iv. First born child of a family could have a special name
v. Some are named after important historical events
vi. Named after great leaders and heroes
vii. Some are named depending on the internal qualities of a child
viii. Some are named after living relatives like grandparents, aunts ancles e.t.c
ix. Other names reflected the difficult time the mother went through during delivery
x. Twins are given special names e.g Mulongo and Mukhwana , Luhyah name for twin
baby boys
xi. some names are given to remember the departed relatives. After ancestors
This is so especially when the new born baby shows features of such a person. Names of
the dead relatives show gratitude to the ancestors and retain links between the living
and the dead.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMING

i. Indicates that the child is an accepted society member

ii. Through naming, they show gratitude to God
iii. Gives the new born baby an identity
iv. Reflects part of the personality of the child
v. Naming children after the departed relatives appeases the spirits
vi. The name can reflect a remembrance of a certain event that was memorable at the
time of birth.

MORAL VALUES ACQUIRED THROUGH BIRTH AND NAMING

i. Respect- The mother is respected
 ii. Love- Gifts are presented to the baby/mother
iii. Care/responsibility- Baby and mother are cared for
iv. Obedience-To the community’s traditions
v. Harmony-Harmony is restored as people come together
vi. Unity-The people come together to celebrate the birth of a new child
vii. Patriotism-The people name their children after community heroes

METHODS USED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CHILDLESSNESS IN TRADITIONAL

AFRICAN COMMUNITIES
i. Offering sacrifices to ancestors to appease them
ii. Seeking the services of a diviner to find out the causes and offer solutions
iii. Marrying another wife
iv. Praying to God to reverse the situation
v. Allowing the woman to get children with a relative of the husband if the problem is with
him
vi. The couple may adopt children
vii. Children may be given as a gift a gift to a childless couple by relatives

CHANGING ATTITUDE TO BIRTH AND NAMING

i. Women attend antenatal clinic and eventually give birth in hospitals and health
center. Doctors play the role of midwives
ii. The mother and the child are not secluded from the rest of the family members
iii. The sex of the baby is casually announced by attending doctors and midwives in
hospitals. It is not accompanied by ululations
iv. The birth of the new baby is no longer a community affair but rather a family affair.
v. Shaving rituals are no longer practiced
vi. Wearing protective charms is no longer a common practice
vii. Some naming patterns /modules are no longer adhered to.
As regards naming, many communities have retained their traditions so that the name given
reflects the character and personality of the child or the person they are named after.

2. INITIATION RITES
 It’s the transition from childhood to adulthood
 It prepares someone to face adulthood and gain skills

Forms of initiation
a. Circumcision
b. Removal of teeth
 c. Tattooing
d. Piercing the chin and ears
e. Clitoridectomy

Rituals observed during initiation

i. Offering sacrifices to ancestors to appease them and bless the initiates

ii. Blood was left to drain on the ground as a connection between the initiates and
ancestors
iii. Gifts and presents were given as a sign of appreciation and congratulation.
iv. Washings and shaving is also done
v. Education is offered to the initiates on issues such as sexuality, responsibility e.t.c
vi. Giving names and wearing new clothes
vii. Singing and dancing is done during initiation
viii. Seclusion is done during initiation for some reasons

Give reasons why initiates were put in seclusion for some time
i. To give them an opportunity to share experiences
ii. To enable proper feeding for all
iii. In order to undergo some rituals to bond them together
iv. It was easy to guide and counsel them on adulthood responsibilities and customs
v. Seclusion kept them from women and children
vi. They were secluded to cement their brotherhood relation
vii. To help in proper check-up and monitoring of their healing
viii. To learn the community secrets, customs and traditions of the people.

Reasons for Singing and dancing during initiation ceremonies in Traditional African
Communities
 To celebrate the occasion/it’s a form of entertainment
 To encourage the initiates
 Songs teach the initiates important moral values
 They inform the participants of the history of the community/preserving
culture/importance of initiation
 As an act of worship/form of prayer
 To expose those with leadership qualities e.g singing, drum beating e.t.c
 To express the solidarity of the community members
 Through singing and dancing people exercise their bodies
 The songs educate the participants on their gender roles/relationships
  To praise the heroes
 To mock the cowards

Reasons why initiation rites are important in A.T.S

i. The initiate gains a new status in life; he/she moves from childhood to adulthood
and is considered a mature and full member of the community.
ii. After initiation, a person acquires new rights and privileges. For example, he or she
qualifies to marry. The man can also own property and has a right to inherit his
father’s property. A man can now bury his father, defend his family and the
community.
iii. Initiates receive special education from sponsors during the seclusion period.
They’re instructed on how to behave as adults, warriors, future husbands and
parents
iv. Initiation ceremonies bring families, relatives and friends together. They help
strengthening kinship ties for example the shading of blood binds the initiates to the
land and to the ancestors
v. Initiation ceremonies are looked at as an occasion for prayers to God for the well-
being of the initiates and the property of the whole community.
vi. In some communities, initiation rites help in structuring the community through age
or groups.
vii. In some communities, like among the Maasai and Poket, the initiation rite is a sign
of courage and bravery. It helps to identify the warriors.
viii. The pain endured during initiation prepares the initiates to face the difficulties and
challenges of adult life.
ix. It’s a gate way to marriage
x. Initiates are linked with the ancestors through shedding of blood

Moral values acquired /inculcated during initiation

i. Respect
The initiates gain respect and they are also expected to show respect to the
community members

ii. Loyalty
Its developed through the initiates keeping the community secrets

iii. Endurance/courage
 Its developed through pain bearing, tolerance and perseverance

iv. Sharing
Through sharing ideas, food and resources during seclusion

v. Chastity
Through the sex education they receive. Female are cut to reduce sexual
desire in women

vi. Self-control
Through being taught against unhealthy sexual relations
Through pain bearing, endurance, tolerance and perseverance

vii. Solidarity/unity
The community come together to sing and dance and to prepare the
celebrations

Changing attitude towards initiation rites

i. It is no longer possible to gather together all those undergoing rituals such as

circumcision and keep them in seclusion for long periods. This is mainly due to
demand of formal education
ii. Boys are taken to hospitals individually by their families for the operation for
hygienic and safety reasons
iii. The rites are less elaborate due to economic reasons
iv. It is difficult for those circumcised at the same time to know one another and even
form age groups or sets
v. Parents organize to circumcise their children when much younger unlike in the past
when this was done at puberty.
vi. Circumcision is being practiced by some communities which never practiced it
before for example the Luo
vii. Education offered during such rites in the past is now being offered formally through
subjects such as Biology, CRE, SEE and Home Science
viii. Many Kenyan communities have abandoned the practice of circumcision of girls
ix. It is carried out at family level and not communal level in most cases
 3. MARRIAGE RITES
 In A.T.S marriage is looked upon as sacred and ordained by God
 It’s a requirement and an obligation for any normal person to get married and have
children

Importance of marriage in African Traditional Community

i. Through marriage, new social relationships are created between families and
relatives. As a result, the web of kinship is expanded
ii. Marriage ceremonies (where there is feasting and rejoicing) brings the whole
community together and everybody in the community has a role to play
iii. The new couple is provided with an opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills,
for example, how to build a family, how to fulfill sexual needs and how to love and
be loved. It is in marriage that a man and a woman find mutual love and
companionship
iv. It improves the status of individuals in society. They are more respected and
accorded social responsibilities. Their status increase further when they get children.
The survival of the community is ensured through the children born within marriage
v. Marriage was a source of wealth for the man and the family as a whole. In
polygamous marriage for example, the many wives and their children provided the
necessary labor that was required. The more children the couple had, the more
prestigious they become in society.
vi. Sons born in marriage inherit their father’s property
vii. Children promote the social status of their parents. If a family has many children,
the man and his wife will be accorded more respect than in cases where there are
few or no children.
viii. Children make the marriage complete and strengthen the bond of unity between
husband and wife.
ix. Children take care of their parents in old age and give them a decent burial when
they die
x. Children provide security for the home collectively. The young unmarried men were
expected to defend the community against any aggressors
xi. Through marriage, the living, the dead and the yet to be born are brought in
harmony. Marriage makes it possible for the African to regain the loss immortality
through the children born and who are named after dead relatives.
xii. Gives identity, a sense of belonging and completeness
xiii. Allows the individuals to have sex
xiv. Gives men and women new roles and responsibilities
 Ways of choosing a marriage partner in African Traditional Society
i. Parents chose the partners when the boy/girl was young or not yet born
ii. Some young people made their own choices and then informed their parents
iii. It was made by an intermediary
iv. In some communities, the girl was waylaid on her way home
v. Senior wives made a choice of another wife/wives for her husband
vi. In some communities, twin boys married twin girls
vii. In other communities, marriage was done through inheriting the wife of the dead
brother.
viii. In some communities, rich men/leaders were given wives as gift
ix. Some debtors would give her daughters as a wife for the creditor

Moral values inculcated by marriage

i. Respect
Creates respect and confidence since it promotes the social status of those
involved

ii. Co-operation
Promotes co-operation when two families come together to help sustain it

iii. Hospitality/sharing
Promotes hospitality and sharing when two families visit each other, share
food, services and bride wealth

iv. Unity
Brings people together to celebrate hence creating unity

v. Loyalty
Those dishonest in marriage are punished

vi. Obedience
Marriage is compulsory to all which creates unity

vii. Chastity
It promotes chastity since sex is only allowed in marriage

viii. Responsibility
Marriage comes with new roles and duties thus promoting responsibility
 ix. Honesty/integrity/faithfulness
Adultery is forbidden and couples have to follow all the rules of marriage

x. Love
The first duty is procreation which calls for hard work so that harmony is
maintained

Changing attitude to marriage rites

i. Western culture, such as formal education and Christianity have changed marriage
attitude to some extent
ii. It used to be an obligation for all normal persons to get married and have children. This
is not happening today because there are many individuals who decided not to get
married.
iii. In A.T.S, pre-marital sex was not permitted and offenders were severely punished. They
also valued virginity among girls and girls of this kind fetched a lot of bride-price on
wedding day. today, the society has become permissive and morality has declined.
iv. The more children a married couple had, the more prestige they gained in society.
Today most couples prefer small families because of economic constrains
v. Today, young people get into serious relationships before they have time to know each
other’s background
vi. Today, divorce cases are on the rise and marriage vows are not taken seriously by
people
vii. Marriage in A.T.S was basically for procreation but today a couple can decide to stay
together even without children
viii. Bride price has been highly commercialized today to an extent that it has lost meaning
ix. Today, people prefers monogamous marriages as opposed to polygamy
x. In the past, marriages were carried out within tribes but today there are inter-tribal and
even interracial marriages which have diluted cultural practices.
xi. Today, young people get married late in life because they have to complete formal
education, vocational training and look for employment before they can think about
settling down in marriage

4. DEATH RITES
Death was the final stage in one’s life. It was a community affair and was seen as inevitable.
Death is a sorrowful event because the dead person is physically and permanently removed
from the living members of the family

Causes of death in African Traditional Society

i. Sorcery/witchcraft/evil magic
ii. Curses of the old
iii. Breaking of taboos/oaths
iv. Punishment from God
v. Failure to respect the ancestors
vi. Eating poisoned food
vii. Accidents
viii. Diseases
ix. Natural calamities for example drought or floods
x. Neglecting the ancestors
xi. Lack of reverence to God

State five rituals performed during the funeral rites in African Traditional Society
i. The corpse was washed in some communities using water and herbal medicine in
order to preserve it and send it clean to the spirit world
ii. In some communities, the dead are buried with their belongings such as food stuffs,
animal, bows and arrows. Such communities believe that the dead will need these
things in the next world.
iii. Pregnant women and children are not allowed to touch or come in close contact
with the corpse so that misfortunes do not befall them.
iv. The dead are buried in a carefully selected places in the ancestral land so that the
spirit continuous to be close to the family
v. The body is also carefully placed in the grave facing the appropriate direction
according to the customs of the people
vi. In some communities, the bodies are properly dressed before disposal while in
others, like the Luhya, they are buried naked in the belief that they will be reborn in
the spirit world
vii. The grave which is a symbol of separation is respected by being protected and made
a family shrine in the cases when the dead were the head of the family. People
avoid walking over it
viii. Before and during burial, the members of the family and all relatives enter a period
of mourning. Normal activities temporarily are halted. In some, people smear their
body with white clay, others stop washing their bodies, refrain from sexual
intercourse or stop eating
ix. During the same period, there is singing or mourning songs and dancing as a way of
expressing sorrow and sending off the departed to the next world
x. In some communities, there is feasting and drinking of bear
xi. After burial, close relatives share their hair as a sign that one of their members has
been separated from them and for cleansing impurities. The new hair that grows
shows that life continuous after death.
 Ways of expressing solidarity during funeral rites in African Traditional Community
i. Everyone took part in ceremonies performed by the bereaved family for example
eating and dancing
ii. They helped to prepare home duties for example cleaning and cooking
iii. They brought the food to be eaten during the mourning period
iv. They came to mourn with the family of the dead to give them moral support
v. They came to prepare the grave/digging is done by young men
vi. Members of the bereaved family in form the friends and relatives in the event of
death
vii. They attend the funeral to bid farewell to the dead
viii. They sing/dance and sacrifice to the ancestors to express their solidarity
ix. They give the Eulogy to praise the diseased and his/her contribution to the
community

Ways in which African Traditional Society demonstrated their belief in life after death
i. Burying the dead with their belongings to enable them to continue with life in the
spiritual world
ii. The dead is buried in his best estate as a sign that he’s with the family
iii. Continued care for the dead through attending of grave
iv. Offerings of sacrifice/libations to the dead are offered to appease them
v. Preparing the corpse through washing in water and herbal medicine to send it clean
to the spiritual world
vi. Purification ceremonies after burial were performed as a sign that no misfortune
has been left
vii. Burying the dead without cloths to ensure quick re-birth in the spiritual world
viii. Singing and dancing to send away the departed peacefully to the next world
ix. Children are named after the ancestors/dead
x. The ancestors were the intermediaries between men and God. they were consulted
to give solutions

Reasons why death is feared in Traditional African communities

i. It disrupts the rhythm of human activity/life
ii. It is irrevocable/inescapable
iii. It brings impurity to the family
iv. It deprives the community of members
v. It involves too many rituals
vi. It comes unannounced
 vii. Separates one from the loved ones/end of life on earth
viii. Nobody knows about the after life
ix. It may cause misunderstanding in the community
x. Death rites reveal people’s characteristics
xi. It may bring poverty to the family
Moral values inculcated during death ceremonies
i. Co-operation
The whole community is involved thus creating co-operation

ii. Obedience
By following all the wishes of the dead person, death promotes obedience

iii. Self- control/Chastity

In some communities, the affected are not supposed to indulge in sexual intercourse
encouraging chastity and self-control

iv. Perseverance
Members of the deceased mourn and have to come to terms with their grief promoting
perseverance

v. Respect
The dead body is carefully disposed of to avoid any haunting and the grave is respected
promoted respect

vi. Responsibility
Children, pregnant women and witches are not allowed near the corpse and this shows
responsibility.

vii. Love
The society takes care of the widows and orphans which is a sign of love

viii. Hospitality/sharing
All mourners are given food supplied by the family of the deceased or outsiders also
help in providing and promoting hospitality and sharing

Changing attitudes to death and funeral rites

i. Funeral rites are still taken seriously by all Africans Communities.
 ii. Most of the dead are still being taken to ancestral land for burial. Others are buried in
cemeteries in urban centers or wherever they’ve purchased land
iii. The major method of disposing bodies is still by burying although some communities
prefer cremation
iv. Among Christians, although death is sorrowful and painful, it is also looked at as a
gateway to joining the savior in heaven for the righteous. Sinners go to hell where there
is eternal suffering
v. However, in Traditional African Religion, there is no concept of heaven or hell. Those
who die join the world of spirits
vi. Christians believe in the resurrection of the body but Africans do not have these beliefs

THE ROLE OF SPECIALISTS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

 Specialists are people who have undergone training and have acquired great knowledge
and skills in a certain occupation or study.
 In African Traditional Society, specialists are people who have special knowledge and
skills on different subjects in the community.
 The specialists included:
 Rain makers
 Elders
 Diviners
 Mediums
 Prophets /seers
 Priests
 Healers/Medicine people
 Blacksmiths

Ways through which the Religious Specialists acquire their skills

i. Inheritance
ii. Apprenticeship
iii. Dreams and visions
iv. Being possessed by spirits
v. Receiving a call from God/ancestors
vi. Observation of the work of other specialists

1. The rainmakers
 They were normally responsible for bringing rain.
 Rainmakers normally pray for rain.
  They plead with God for rain and they tell the people when the rain will fall.

The role of rainmakers in African Traditional Community

i. They prayed for long hours for rain
ii. They performed rituals when asking for rain or stopping the rain
iii. They advised people about the time to expect the rain
iv. They acted as mediators between God and the people. They offered
sacrifices/prayers/offerings to God. this was done with the help of priests
v. They acted as diviners and prophets

Outline the methods used to acquire the rain-making skills in African Traditional Society
i. By consulting other rain-makers
ii. Through studying the skies
iii. By studying the habits of trees and plants
iv. They studied the habits of birds for example sparrows, animals or insects
v. By studying the heavenly bodies for example the moon, the sun, the clouds and
stars
vi. Use of common sense
vii. There are those who were called by the ancestors

2. The elders
The role of elders
i. They settled family and land disputes
ii. They make major decisions affecting families and the community
iii. They stipulate rules and regulations to be followed for the purposes of maintaining
law and order
iv. They ensure that traditional values and cultural practices are observed and
maintained by all through the education given to the youth and members of the
community
v. They play a leading role during important functions in the community; for example,
during the rites of passage
vi. They assist priests in preparing and performing rituals of sex and marriage
vii. They lead the members of their families in religious functions such as sacrifices or
pouring of libation
viii. They pick dates for community ceremonies and rituals such as initiation ceremonies
ix. They console the community in times of distress such as war and famine
x. They offer guidance and counseling services to all the members of the community

3. The healers/Medicine men

 These were also referred to as medicine men.
They inherited the profession from their parents

The role of healer’s/ medicine men

i. They were responsible for the combating(preventing) sickness and misfortunes
ii. Advising people on prevention methods by pointing out the possible causes of
death such as witchcraft, curses, sorcery and magic, bad omen
iii. Aid in increasing productivity-related aid to people, animals or farms
iv. A times they presided over religious functions
v. They averted the effects of a curse
vi. Controlling spirits/ancestral powers which could harm the living.
vii. They gave protection and security from evil forces
viii. They issue protective charms that guard against any illness or misfortunes
ix. Guaranteeing prosperity and good fortunes
x. They were responsible for cleansing harm and impurity

4. Diviners
 The main role of the diviners is to find out the hidden secrets or knowledge and then
convey the same to other people. They also work as medicine men
 The diviners communicate with the spirit world directly or through mediums.

The role of diviners

i. They reveal secrets and expose thieves or witches in the society
ii. They help the community to interpret the messages from the spiritual world
iii. They act as mediators between people and God or ancestors
iv. At times, they preside over religious functions such as offering sacrifices
v. They assist in fighting social evils like magic and witchcraft
vi. They settle disputes among the members of the community
vii. They predict future events that may affect the society

5. Prophets/Seers
In African Traditional Society, prophets are also called seers.

The role of prophets/seers

i. They interpret messages from God, the spirits and ancestors

ii. They pray and seek God’s intervention on behalf of the people
iii. They act as mediators between God and members of the community
iv. They advise people on religious matters and tell them what God expects of them
 v. They lead the community in worship
vi. They foretell future events in the community hence prepare them for them
vii. They warn people of impending danger and guide them on how to avoid such.

6. Priests
A priest is a person who is qualified to conduct religious duties and ceremonies

The role of a priest

i. They offer sacrifices on behalf of the people
ii. They preside over religious ceremonies such as rituals and prayers
iii. They take care of religious places such as shrines and oracles
iv. They act as judges and experts in matters concerning traditional societal laws
v. They act as mediators between the people and God or ancestors
vi. They perform cleansing and purification rituals to allow people to be accepted back in
the community
vii. They assist in reconciling warring families or individuals.
viii. They advise people on the right ways of social living
ix. They install kings and chiefs in the society by praying and protecting them from harm
x. They are custodians of the community’s knowledge, taboos, religion and history

7. Mediums
They are men and women through whom the spirits and the ancestors communicate with the
living in the society
They also perform the role of medicine men

The role of mediums in African traditional society.

i. Mediums are people through who the spirits and ancestors communicated to the living.
They played the following role in African traditional society:
ii. They received messages from ancestors and spirits, which they then relayed to the
living.
iii. They served as medicine men.
iv. They explained unusual and serious happenings.
v. They offered solutions to problems of life.
vi. They were consulted by other specialists e.g. prophets.
vii. They gave information concerning theft or lost articles.
viii.They only acted when they were spirit possessed.

Explain the factors that undermine the role of religious specialists today.
i. Modern education.
ii. Modern medicine.
iii. Discoveries in science and technology.
iv. Christianity.
v. Urbanization.
 vi. Many conmen in the same field.

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OF SOME ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURE

These deals with the continuity and change of some aspects of traditional African
understanding of:
i. Community land
ii. Property
iii. Worship
iv. Medicine
v. Old age
vi. Dressing
vii.
Changes in African lifestyles have been brought by:
i. Modern education
ii. Urbanization
iii. Individualism
iv. Modern Religion
v. Science and Technology

1. Community land
 In most communities, land was a gift from God and it was communally owned and
inherited from ancestors
 Land would not be transferred from one family to another
 Land provided food, building materials, firewood, herbs
 Family land fixed boundaries and nobody could interfere with it.

Changes
i. Today, land is still believed as God given, it is a source of livelihood. However, land is
like any other property
ii. It is a source of wealth which can be sold when need arises
iii. Land is individually owned and title deeds are evidence of individual ownership
iv. It is subdivided among individuals in different families
v. Greed has resorted in land grabbing or conflicts
vi. Women and children can own land

2. Property
In the African Traditional Society property was acquired through:
i. Inheritance
ii. Gifts-cattle
iii. Winning in wars/raiding
iv. Payment of dowry
v. Individual effort
Wealth was seen in terms of land, cattle, wives, and children. Property was a source of
security and social prestige. Property was commonly owned.
The shareholders were;
 The family
 The clan
 The tribe and
 The living dead

Changes
i. Property is individually owned
ii. There is competition for property even among family members
iii. The poor are neglected
iv. Women and children can own land
v. Wealth takes different forms: money, houses, land etc
vi. Daughters are no longer seen as a source of wealth because many do not get married
vii. Wealth can be acquired unethically through stealing, land grabbing
viii. Wealth is measured in terms of commercial buildings, types of vehicles, number of
plots and the amount of money a person has instead of livestock, wives and children.

3. Worship

 The African had a clear concept of the God they worshipped and they called upon
Him at all times to help them. God would be worshipped at individual, family or
community level
 The purpose of worship was to petition God, thank Him and appease ancestral
spirits. God was worshipped through sacrifices, offerings, prayers, singing and
dancing
 Places of worship such as forests, hill tops and caves were regarded as sacred and
set aside

Changes
Today many Africans follow the Christian faith and other foreign religions. They have
integrated certain aspects of traditional religion with the Christian faith, for example:
i. Prayers at individual, family and community level
ii. Congregational or communal worship is regularized at least once a week where
people meet in the house of God for worship
iii. Although God can be worshipped everywhere, there are certain places (buildings)
set aside for worship
iv. Offerings in form of money and material gods
v. Christians no longer sacrifice animals to God as the case was in the past

Factors that have contributed to change in traditional African understanding of the

community.
i. Influence of Western nations.
ii. Excessive permissiveness.
iii. Effect of formal education.
iv. Media (Print and electronic) influence.
v. Effect of urbanization.
vi. Influence of Christianity and other world religions.
vii. Influence of human rights movements.
viii.Influence of science and technology.

THE END

C.R.E

FORM 1
COMPREHENSIVE NOTES
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

 CRE is the study of God’s self-revelation through the scriptures, the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy
Spirit and personal experiences.
 It is the study of Religious beliefs and practices that are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

REASONS FOR STUDYING CRE

The following are some of the reasons for studying CRE

xi. To get a better understanding of God
We get a better understanding of God through the way He reveals Himself to us in our daily experiences. We
also come to know God more through the teachings recorded in both the Old and New Testaments
xii. To enable us to think critically and make appropriate social, moral and spiritual decisions
As students, we face a lot of dilemmas on moral questions involving matters such as attraction to opposite
sex, temptation to steal etc. CRE gives us the basis of making such choices based on Christian Principles.
xiii. To appreciate our own religion and that of others
In order to live in peace and harmony with others CRE helps us learn and appreciate their religion and
respect their cultures and faiths
xiv. To help you acquire principles of Christian living
This is summed up in the Ten Commandments and in the teachings of Jesus Christ
xv. To help us develop a sense of self-worth and identity for ourselves and others
xvi. To promote international consciousness
As Christians, we should appreciate every person in every part of the world as God’s creation.
xvii. To help us live new lives in Christ
Through CRE we learn and acquire some values and attitudes which in turn transform us.
xviii. To help form a bridge for further studies and career development
CRE forms a foundation for further studies and career training
xix. To identify answers to some life questions
Some life questions such as why we exist, why people die and what happens after death are answered
through CRE
xx. To contribute to the achievement of the national goals of education

The national Goals of Education

9. National unity
10. National development (economic and social needs)
11. Industrial development and self-fulfillment
12. Social equality and responsibility
13. Respect and development of cultural heritage
14. International consciousness
15. To promote sound morals and religious values
16. Positive attitudes towards good health and environmental conservation

In conclusion, CRE makes a contribution to the total development of a person-morally, spiritually, emotionally,
physically, intellectually and socially
Ways in which CRE promotes national Unity
8. C.R.E teaches on the importance of love
9. It teaches on social /moral values which strengthen unity among citizens
10. It teaches that human beings have one origin and destiny
11. It teaches African Traditional Religion which is derived from different cultural backgrounds
12. It teaches on the importance of understanding oneself and appreciating others as important beings to
be respected
13. It teaches that human beings are equal before God
14. CRE syllabus which is used all over the country in teaching is one.

Ways in which CRE promotes morality in the society

9. It institutes the virtues of honesty, diligence and tolerance in people.
10. It contributes to spiritual development of an individual
11. It encourages love among people
12. Develops basic principles of Christian living
13. Helps one cope up with various challenges of life
14. It instills the spirit of sharing
15. Promotes social unity
16. It instills the spirit of self-esteem

Ways in which CRE promotes national development

8. CRE encourages the learners to have positive attitudes toward work/hard work/Discourages laziness
9. Helps learners to acquire virtues /moral values which promote economic development
10. It discourages vices which hinder economic development e.g corruption
11. Learners are equipped with knowledge /skills which lead to career development /employment
12. Learners taught the need to use their talents for the development of self/others/nation
13. It stresses the importance of peace/love/unity which contributes to favorable working environment
14. Learners are taught to appreciate their culture and that of others to promote national cohesion
Ways in which CRE promotes International Consciousness
5. It helps us to appreciate every person
6. Helps us to know that all God’s people are fearfully and wonderfully made
7. Helps us understand that we are all children of God the father
8. Helps us understand that we have the same Origin and destiny

Moral values gained by studying Christian Religious Education

11. Obedience
12. Honesty
13. Diligence
14. Humility
15. Tolerance/perseverance/patience
16. Faithfulness/chastity
17. Love/care
18. Responsibility
19. Loyalty/patriotism
20. Courage/bravery
THE BIBLE

f. Reasons why the Bible is considered as the Word of God.

11. The authors who wrote the Bible were inspired by God/were under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
12. It reveals the nature/character of God
13. God communicates to human beings through it
14. It shows the will/desire of God through it
15. Through it, God guides people in their daily lives
16. It transforms peoples’ lives/source of moral values
17. Part of the Bible was directly written by God Himself e.g The Ten commandments
18. Prophecies /promises made in the Bible have been/are being fulfilled
19. It reveals the actions done by God
20. It outlines God’s plan of salvation fulfilled through Jesus Christ

g. Human Authors of the Bible

 The authors of the Bible were under direct influence of God and they wrote what God wanted them to
write.
 Some books were written by prophets like Nehemiah, Ezra and Isaiah. Luke’s gospel was written by
Luke the disciple of Jesus, while Paul wrote various letters to different churches such as Corinth.

h. Literally Forms used in writing the Bible

Literally forms are the different styles that the authors of the Bible used in writing it. Some of the literally
forms used were:
x. Legislative texts (Leviticus)
xi. Wise sayings (Proverbs)
xii. Prophetic Speeches (Jeremiah)
xiii. Prayers (Nehemiah)
xiv. Love Songs (Song of Solomon)
xv. Philosophical essays (Job)
xvi. Religious epics (Exodus)
xvii. Epistles/Letters (Romans)
xviii. Gospels (Luke)

i. The Bible as a Library

A library is a collection of books. The Bible is referred to as a library because: -
xi. Although its one book, it contains many books
xii. The books were written by different authors
xiii. The books were written at different times in history
xiv. The writers came from different backgrounds
xv. The writers wrote under different circumstances
xvi. The authors wrote for different audiences/readers
 xvii. It has different categories of books/divisions
xviii. The books are systematically /chronologically arranged
xix. The books are written in different styles
xx. The books address different themes/topics

The Bible as Good News

8. It contains message of hope to Christians
9. It contains message of reconciliation
10. Through it man gets salvation from a fallen state
11. It gives man a revelation on mysteries
12. It brings man closer to God
13. It makes man aware of his final destiny
14. Through it God communicates His will to mankind

j. MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE

 The Bible has two major sections:

 The Old Testament
 The New Testament
 The word Testament means covenant.
 The Bible has 66 books, which have been accepted by Christians all over the world as the word of God
 39 of the books are in the Old Testament while 27 books are in the New Testament.
 The books accepted by all Christians, make up the Canon (a Greek word meaning rule, standard or
guidance) of the Old and New Testament
 Some Bibles used by the Roman Catholic Church such as Common Bible and the Jerusalem Bible
contain 45 books in the Old Testament.
 The six extra books are commonly referred to as Deutro-Canonical or books of apocrypha.
 The word apocrypha mean hidden or secret.

The Deuterocanonical books/Books of apocrypha

8. Tobit
9. Judith
10. Ecclesiasticus
11. Baruch
12. Maccabees 1 and 2
13. Books of Wisdom
14. Esdras 1 and 2

2. The old testament books

The Old Testament Books are grouped into four major sections. These are:
v. Books of Law
vi. Books of History
 vii. Books of Prophecy
viii. Books of Poetry

v. Books of Law
 These are first five books of the Bible. They are also referred to as the Torah (meaning law) or the
Pentateuch which means five.
 They contain the law of God to the Israelites
 These books are:
vi. Genesis
vii. Exodus
viii. Leviticus
ix. Numbers
x. Deuteronomy

vi. Books of History

These contain the history of the Israelites from the time they entered and settled in the Promised Land to the
period after the exile.
They are 12 in number.

These books are:

x. Joshua
xi. Judges
xii. Ruth
xiii. I and II Samuel
xiv. I and II Kings
xv. I and II Chronicles
xvi. Ezra
xvii. Nehemiah
xviii. Esther

vii. Books of Prophecy

These are categorized into 2: major and minor prophets
Major Prophets
They are called so because their content is larger and detailed

They include:
vi. Jeremiah
vii. Isaiah
viii. Ezekiel
ix. Daniel
x. Lamentation

Minor Prophets
They are called so because their content is less detailed
They include:
 xiii. Hosea
xiv. Joel
xv. Amos
xvi. Obadiah
xvii. Jonah
xviii. Micah
xix. Nahum
xx. Habakkuk
xxi. Zephaniah
xxii. Haggai
xxiii. Malachi
xxiv. Zachariah

viii. Books of Poetry

These are sometimes referred to as writings or books of wisdom.
These are:
vi. Psalms
vii. Proverbs
viii. Job
ix. Ecclesiastes
x. Song of songs/ songs of Solomon

The New Testament

These are divided into four major divisions namely:
v. The Gospels
vi. Church History
vii. Epistles/Letters
viii. Revelations/Prophetic

v. The Gospels
The word Gospel means the announcing of good news.
These are the first four books of the New Testament.
The first three books are called the Synoptic gospels because they report similar incidents about the life of
Jesus.
They include:
v. Mathew
vi. Mark
vii. Luke
viii. John

vi. Historical book

Acts of the Apostles

This book was written by Luke, the author of St. Luke’s Gospel. It deals with the history of the Early Church

vii. The Epistles/Letters

These are 21 letters, mainly written by Paul. These letters fall under three categories:

d. The letters of Paul (Pauline letters)

x. Romans
xi. I Corinthians
xii. II Corinthians
xiii. Galatians
xiv. Ephesians
xv. Philippians
xvi. Colossians
xvii. I Thessalonians
xviii. II Thessalonians

e. The Pastoral Letters

There are 5 Pastoral Letters.
They are called Pastoral because they are mainly addressed to Shepherds or Pastors. They show high regard
for the duties of pastors and how these duties should be carried out
They include:
vi. 1 Timothy
vii. 2 Timothy
viii. Titus
ix. Philemon
x. Hebrews

f. The Catholic Letters

The word Catholic means Universal. Hence these letters can be applied to any group.
They are 7 in number. These include:
viii. James
ix. I Peter
x. II Peter
xi. I John
xii. II John
xiii. III John
xiv. Jude

viii. Prophetic Book

This is the book of Revelation. It is also called apocalypse, a Greek word meaning revelation or disclosure.
It talks of God’s will for the future.

Reasons why Christians Read the Bible

10. It provides Christians with moral values

11. It’s a sources of spiritual growth
12. It is used in Christian worship
13. It gives them hope/inspiration
14. Helps them to understand their relationship with God
15. It’s a source of Christian beliefs /practices
16. It reveals God to them/helps them understand the will of God
17. It is a source of knowledge
18. It is the word of God/the authors were inspired by God

Occasions when Christians use the bible

9. When preaching the word of God/crusades
10. When swearing in court
11. When instructing new converts/ bible study
12. During different Christian religious ceremonies/festivals
13. When teaching Christian religious Education
14. When composing Gospel songs/plays/Christian literature
15. During fellowships/prayers/guidance and counseling
16. During swearing in ceremonies

Ways in which Christians use the Bible to spread the Gospel today
10. The bible is the main source book for Christian sermon/preaching
11. It’s used in writing Christian sermons
12. The bible is used when composing songs
13. It is used in the production of Christian movies /videos /radio programs /plays
14. The bible is used in swearing /taking oath of allegiance
15. It’s used to organize Bible studies /teaching Sunday/Sabbath schools/strengthens faith
16. Verses from the Bible are used in writing of doctrines for different denominations
17. Biblical texts are used in teaching of Christian Religious Education
18. It is used to offer guidance and counseling.

Why Christians find it difficult to read the Bible

10. Availability of other entertainments e.g movies or news-papers that takes most of their time.
11. Lack of commitment to read the bible
12. Being too busy with work
13. Most people do not see the importance of reading the Bible
14. Some churches do not provide guidelines on how to read the Bible
15. Some people find it difficult to understand the bible
16. Some people believe that pastors and church leaders are the only ones who are supposed to read the
bible
17. Some people are semi-illiterate/ illiterate
18. Some people do not have the scriptures in the language they understand.

Ways in which God speaks to human beings

8. Through historical events

 9. Through creation/nature/natural events
10. Through dreams and visions
11. Direct revelation
12. Through Jesus Christ
13. Through the Holy Spirit and conscience
14. Through the Bible

2. TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE FROM ORIGINAL LANGUAGES TO LOCAL LANGUAGES

b) Bible Translation
The word translation refers to expression of words, books, poems, songs and sayings from one language to
another.

The process of Bible translation

viii. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew.
ix. The New Testament was originally written Greek
x. The Old Testament was later translated to Greek 200 years before Christ was born. This Greek
translation is commonly known as Septuagint. This name refers to the seventy scholars and scribes
who worked on the translation.
xi. The entire bible was translated into Latin. A language commonly used in the Roman Empire. This Latin
translation of the Bible is known as Vulgate which means for common use. This translation was done
by a Christian Scholar known as Jerome.
xii. The bible was translated into European languages i.e English, German French etc during the period of
reformation.
xiii. It was translated from English into Kiswahili by Dr. Ludwing Kraph
xiv. The Bible has been translated into other local languages by the bible society of Kenya

d. Versions of the Bible used in Kenya today

 The word version refers to the style of the language use in the translation of the Bible texts.
 A version attempts to make the Bible content better understood by the readers
 Examples of versions used in Kenya are:

xii. Good News Bible

xiii. Revised Standard Version (RSV)
xiv. The African Bible
xv. Common Bible
xvi. King James Version
xvii. Jerusalem Bible
xviii. New International Version
xix. English Bible
xx. The Authored Version
xxi. The Living Bible
xxii. The Gideon’s International Version

e. Effects of the translation of the bible into African languages

 xii. The translation ensured that there is effective communication between the locals and the
missionaries in passing the word of God.
xiii. It led to the development of local languages which had to be written down so as to facilitate the
translation
xiv. The word of God reached more people in their languages because of the translation
xv. The local people could read the Bible on their own and understand it better
xvi. It enabled the local people to have a critical outlook on certain issues such as the Similarities and
differences between Christianity and African Traditional way of life.
xvii. It led to high demand for formal education by Africans
xviii. It led to the foundation of more mission schools
xix. More Africans became literate and were now able to communicate with others confidently through
writing
xx. It led to the emergence of African Independent Churches and Schools
xxi. It led to the expansion of the church as more people became believers, leaders in the churches as
priests, catechists and lay leaders
xxii. The translation has facilitated research and studies in African Religious Heritage

Reasons for translating the Bible from Original language to local languages
7. Original Hebrew and Greek were not understood by many people so there was need to use Latin and
English
8. To expand Christianity to gentile word so as to make many people convert into Christianity
9. To ease evangelism and enable many people to read and understand the word of God
10. To indigenize Christianity –encourage its adaptation to local situation and cultures for effective
communication
11. To revise all the versions and keep a breast with changes in language.
12. Many Christian churches were using English as a medium of communication

Reasons why the Bible was compiled into its present form by the early Christians.
7. The eye witnesses of Jesus were being killed/persecuted
8. To observe an orderly account of the biblical themes
9. To reach out to the Jews in diaspora
10. To ensure the same doctrine was taught to all Christians
11. To avoid the word of God from being distorted
12. To meet the demand of the increasing number of Christians

CHAPTER TWO

CREATION AND THE FALL OF HUMANKIND

2. THE BIBLICAL STORIES OF CREATION AND THEIR MEANING

(Genesis I and 2)
The Bible contains two accounts of creation in the beginning of the book of Genesis

b. 1st creation account. Genesis 1:1-2-2:4

This first account gives a record of what was created on specific days.
The story is as follows:
 In the beginning, the earth was formless and desolate.
 The spirit of God was moving over the water
 On the 1st day God created light and separated it from darkness
 On the second day God created the sky
 The earth, seas and oceans were created on the third day
 On the fourth day God created heavenly bodies such as sun, moon and stars. The sun to give light
during the day while the moon and stars at night
 On the fifth day all kinds of sea creatures and birds were created
 On the sixth day God created both wild and domestic animals. On this same day God also created
human beings. This was the climax of God’s creation.
 On the seventh day, God rested and blessed this day making it a special day of worship finished what
He had been doing and stopped working. He blessed the day.

Summary of first creation Account

Day Work Work of division and ornamentation
1 I Light and Darkness
2 II Sky
3 III Land and Sea and Vegetation
4 V Sun, Moon, Stars
5 VI Birds and Sea creatures
6 VII Animals (cattle and creeping animal)
VIII Human beinngs (male and female)
7 Resting day (Sabbath)

2nd Creation Account. Genesis 2: 4-25

 God created the heavens and earth
 He created man from dust/clay
 He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life
 God planted the garden of Eden and placed man in it
 Man was to till the earth and guard it
 God created a woman from a man’s rib
 The woman was to be a companion to man
 Water was coming up from beneath the earth surface and waters the ground.
 He made all kinds of beautiful trees to grow there and produce good fruit.
 In the middle of the garden He planted the tree that gives life and knowledge of what is good and what
is bad.
 Man was to eat from every tree apart from the tree of knowledge of good and evil
 A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden. Beyond Eden, it divided into four rivers. These are
Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates
 He created all animals and all birds and gave man to name them.
 Similarities between the 1st and the 2nd creation accounts
ix. In both God is acknowledged as the creator
x. In both Creation includes both the living and non-living things
xi. Human beings are presented as special creatures with responsibilities and privileges in both accounts
xii. Human beings share in the life of God
xiii. In both cases God is the source of life
xiv. Human beings are portrayed as special creatures
xv. Human beings were created in full human sexuality (male and female)
xvi. In both cases God provides for the creation.

Differences between the 1st and the 2nd creation accounts

x. The creation of the firmament, light, sun, moon, stars, fishes and creeping things are included in the
first account but omitted in the second account
xi. The planting of the garden of Eden and the making of the river are in the second account but omitted
in the first account
xii. In the first account, both man and woman are created at the same time and in God’s image, while in
the second account, man is created from dust while woman out of man’s rib.
xiii. Creation in the first account is out of nothing but, in the second man is made out of the dust of the
ground and plants are made to grow out of garden.
xiv. In the first account, human beings were created last while in the second they were created first.
xv. Creation in the first account was completed on the sixth day and God rested on the seventh day. There
are no days mentioned in the second account, and subsequently no rest is mentioned.
xvi. In the first account, everything that God created is good while in the second account, there is no
mention of that.
xvii. In the first account, the emphasis on marriage is for procreation, while in the second account marriage
is for partnership
xviii. In the second account, there is mention of the forbidden tree but the first account makes no mention
of it.

Attributes of God from the creation accounts

xiii. There is only one God.
xiv. He is self-existent: God was there from the beginning.
xv. He is a personal God: he creates human beings to be like Him so that they might enjoy a personal and
loving relationship with Him
xvi. He is the sole creator
xvii. He is a God of order
xviii. He is good and perfect. He was pleased with His creation which He saw as good. He is the source of
goodness and happiness.
xix. He is the sole source of life. Through His breath, He gave human beings life.
xx. He is a moral God interested in the behavior of human beings
xxi. He is a spirit
xxii. He is powerful. He simply spoke and it happened
xxiii. He is the provider and sustainer of the universe
xxiv. He is a worker
Responsibilities given to human beings by God in the Genesis stories of creation
1.To rule over the rest of the creation
2. To procreate and fill the earth
3. To name the animals
4. To conserve and preserve the environment
5. To eat fruits from the garden
6. To obey God’s commandments
7. To worship God as the creator
8. To till and subdue the earth

Provisions given to man by God in the creation stories

1.He was given the garden of Eden as a beautiful home
2. He was given a helper/companion
3. The gift of life/breath
4. Perfect happiness
5. Power to procreate
6. Authority/dominion over the rest of creation
7. Wealth-gold from four rivers
8. All types of food from plants and animals
9. Water from the four rivers of Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon and Gihon.

Teachings from the biblical creation accounts

ix. Man and woman were created for love and companionship
x. Work and leisure are God’s gift to human beings
xi. Human beings are commanded to continue with the work of creation
xii. Human beings occupy a place of honor in God’s created order
xiii. Life should be respected
xiv. Human culture (way of life) is ordained by God
xv. The heavenly bodies (sun, moon, earth) were created to serve human beings
xvi. The marriage union is monogamous and permanent

Teachings about human beings from the Genesis stories of creation

16. Human beings are created in the image /likeness of God
17. Human beings are co-creators with God
18. Human beings have the breath of life from God/human life is God-given
19. They have the authority /dominion over God’s creation /superior to the rest of the creation
20. Have been given the mandate to subdue the earth
21. Have been given the power to name the created things
22. Have been given power to take care of God’s creation.
23. Human beings are social beings
24. Male and female have been created for companionship.
25. Have the ability to reason and make decisions

Teachings from Genesis 1 and 2 on marriage

1.Marriage is an institution ordained and blessed by God.
2. Marriage is monogamous
3. Marriage is between a man and a woman
4. Marriage is for procreation and companionship
5. Marriage is a permanent union (Divorce is not allowed)
6. Man and woman are equal marriage partners
7. There should be love between marriage partners

Teachings from Genesis 1 and 2 on Work

1.Work is ordained by God
2. Work is good.
3. Work is to be enjoyed
4. Work should be done in an orderly manner
5. Work bears good fruit
6. Work is a necessary activity and makes one earn a living
7. Work is a duty-human beings were commanded to work by God
8. Work should be done in unity-team work
9. Human beings should be committed to work
10. Work should be accompanied with rest

The relationship between human beings and the environment in Genesis stories of creation
1.Both human beings and the environment were created by God
2. Human beings are supposed to use the environment for survival
3. Human beings use the environment to determine time, seasons and years
4. Human beings have a duty to care for the environment
5. Human beings are superior to all other creatures
6. They should treat the rest of the creation with respect

Ways in which man is made superior to the rest of the creation

1.Man was made in the image and likeness of God
2. Man was given the ability to communicate with God
3. All other things were created for the sake of man
4. Man was created to have a fellowship with God
5. Man was given freedom and intelligence to choose from good and evil
6. Man was blessed and told to fill and multiply the earth
7. Man is a co-creator with God through procreation
8.Man was given the privilege to name the animals and plants
9.Man was given dominion over the rest of creation

Ways in which Christians continue with God’s work of creation/how they take care of Gods’ creation
1.Through procreation
2.Through conserving the environment
3. Through taking care of the needy in the society
4. Through preserving life, through technology that enhances life
5. Through providing employment to meet human needs
6. Through preaching and promoting peace
7. Through improving health facilities
8. Through provision of Education for development
9. Through being innovative, creative and artistic
10. Through protecting and respecting other people’s rights
11. Participating in making just laws.

26. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN VIEW OF CREATION

Every community in Kenya has its own myths concerning the origin of man and the world.
These stories give each community a sense of belonging, and identity.
They explain the mysteries of life. They have common characteristics or teachings.

Thus all African communities believe that God: -

7. Is the chief architect of the world

8. Existed from the very beginning of time.
9. Created everything out of nothing.
10. Provides for the needs of human beings.
11. Was disobeyed by human beings who had lived in eternal bliss. This bliss came to an end when human
beings disobeyed God.
12. The African communities had different names to describe God. God was not known as God but as the
Creator of everything that existed on earth and skies. He was Mumbi and “Mungai” to Gikuyu. He was
master of the universe. The Kamba called Him …Ngai wa Matu. They believed that God continues to
create through human beings.

27. THE BIBLICAL TEACHING ON THE ORIGIN OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
Genesis 3, 4, 6-9, 11
Definition of sin
Sin could be understood to mean:
 To miss a mark, i.e. making an error or mistake of failing to attain a goal.
 Iniquity
 Transgression
 A rebellion or offense against God
Origin of Sin
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit from the forbidden tree.

Causes of sin
1.Rebellion against God
2. Greed for power-wanted to be like God
3. Lack of knowledge of God
4. Lack of trust in God’s providence
5. Disobedience
6. Lack of satisfaction
7.Temptations by the devil
8.Selfishness
9.Wicked ambitions
10.Human weakness
11.Stubbornness

The Consequences of Sin from Genesis stories of creation

13. Human beings were alienated from God. their friendship with Him changed to fear of God.
14. What had been innocent and good became shameful. Adam and Eve are now ashamed of nakedness.
15. Pain was made part of human experience. Eve was told that she will experience pain during child
bearing.
16. Human beings were sent out of the garden of Eden.
17. The perfect relationship between man and woman was damaged. God told woman that she will still
have desire and yet be subject to him.
18. Man was to toil and sweat to meet their needs
19. The earth was cursed and its fertility reduced
20. There is enmity between man and the wild animals
21. Death sentence is passed upon all people
22. Murderous feelings began to enter people’s hearts, for example Cain killed Abel.
23. Human beings changed and became prone to sin
24. The life span of human beings was reduced

28. GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION

God’s love and grace for human beings, however, could not allow Him to leave them with no hope for
salvation.
1.He took steps to heal the damaged situation and relationship:
2.He looked for Adam and Eve to find out where they were.
3.He provided them with clothes (animal skin)
4. He provided a means to find food even though they had rebelled against him
5.God sent Jesus Christ who brought salvation to the human race
6. His call for Abraham was for the ultimate goal of saving human beings
7. God showed them an immense love by punishing them instead of destroying them.
8. He created enmity between the serpent and the woman. This is meant to destroy the friendship between
them and animals that encourage them to sin.
9. God made a covenant with Abraham that showed his commitment to fulfilling the promises he made to
him.
10. He preserved human life by saving some people from the blood through Noah

29. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL

Evil in the African understanding may mean an offense against another person or community.
It can also mean an offence against God, spirits and ancestors.
It can also mean any misfortune that can befall any individual or community.
Causes of evil
1.Malicious ancestral spirits who have a grudge against the living
2. Evil spirits
3. Evil people like witches, wizards and sorcerers who are able to tap mystical power and use it for evil
3. Breaking of taboos
4. Curses from parents, aunts, uncle and grandparents
 5. Breaking of oaths
6. Bad omen
7.Human disobedience
8. Other spiritual beings other than God

Consequences of evil in A.T.

13. Barrenness
14. Epidemics
15. Illness
16. Poverty
17. Madness
18. Drought
19. Birth of physically and mentally challenged children
20. Rebellious children
21. Unstable families
22. Environmental disasters
23. war /defeat in war
24. Death of wrong doers or close relatives

Ways of punishing evil doers in traditional African Communities

1.Imposing heavy fines
2.Killing evil people
3.Cursingthe evil doers
4.Performing cleansing rituals
5.Administering oaths on suspects
6.Wearing protective charms
7. Excommunication from the community
8. Ridiculing through songs
9.Denying them leadership positions
10. Giving bad names.

30. Similarities and differences between traditional African view of evil and biblical concept of sin

Similarities
xi. In both God is good and did not create evil. He is not the author of evil.
xii. Evil may be caused by an external force. E.g the devil or evil spirits
xiii. Both view sin as arising from human beings’ disobedience, greed and selfishness
xiv. In both cases evil may result from failing in social or spiritual obligation
xv. Both agree that the result of sin and evil is suffering, death and hardships. In the biblical account, Adam
will toil in hardship while in traditional African understanding, illness, misfortune, death and poverty
are said to result from evil doing.
xvi. In both cases, sin and evil results in human beings being separated from God and the end of the
original state of goodness and innocence.
xvii. In both, God is the guardian of morality, law and order.
xviii. In both evil/sin can be avoided by righteous living
xix. In both the result of sin is death
xx. In both evil/sin arise out of a curse by elders because of committing some offense.

Differences
vi. While the Biblical account emphasizes the personal nature of sin, the African concept emphasizes more
on the social nature and consequences of evil.
vii. While the African traditional understanding of evil emphasis the act of evil and its consequences, in the
Bible human beings are sinners by nature because they are tainted by the sin of Adam. However,
Christ’s death on the cross has affected the redemption of humankind.
viii. Although the Bible recognizes other forces that may lead human beings to sin, emphasis is on the
moral choices people make. African traditional understanding attributes evil to external forces like
spirits or breaking of taboos
ix. The biblical view of sin does not leave human beings doomed to suffer forever. They are offered an
escape and a message of hope through Christ’s death and resurrection. The African understanding of
evil does not offer a final solution to the problem of evil. They continue in the cycle of appeasing the
offended forces so as to be forgiven and reconciled.
x. Biblically sin is passed from one generation to another while traditionally a child is born free from sin

CHAPTER THREE
FAITH AND GOD’S PROPMISES

2. Background to the call of Abraham

Genesis 11: 24-32, 12: 1-9
 Abraham’s father was known as Terah
 Terah lived with his family in Ur
 He had two brothers, Haran and Nahor.
 Haran had a son called Lot.
 Haran died in Ur
 They were Semitic people
 They were nomadic pastoralists
 The people in Ur practiced Polytheism (worship of many gods or idols) the moon god was one of the
gods.
 Abraham lived among moon worshippers
 Terah left Ur for Canaan with his son Abraham, Sarah and Lot.
 Terah died in Haran
 It’s while in Haran that God called Abraham

The call of Abraham

 Abraham was 75 years old when God called him.
 He was told to move from his native land together with his family to a land which God would show him
 He obeyed God’s voice regardless of his age.
 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, servants and domestic animals along with him. This showed how
wealthy and selfless Abraham was.
  God made several promises to the obedient Abraham. Abraham was promised many descendants, a
great nation, blessings and a great name, all by God.
 At Shechem God appeared to him and he built an altar to demonstrate his faith in worshipping God.
 At Bethel, he also constructed an altar and worshipped God
 He finally settled in Canaan but had to leave due to famine that struck the land.
 Due to famine, he temporarily sought refuge in Egypt, but, eventually, after its elapse, he settled back
in Canaan.

5. THE MEANING OF FAITH IN GOD

Hebrews 11: 1-6
 Faith is complete trust or confidence in somebody or something.
 It is a firm belief without necessarily having a logical proof.
 Faith in God implies total obedience and trust in Him
 The Bible says that without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him
must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

6. Abraham’s acts of faith

Genesis 12: 1-9, 15: 1-6, 17:23-24, 21:1-7, 22:1-19
Abraham is referred to as the father of faith for the following reasons: -
x. He agreed to move from his home Haran to an unknown destination as commanded by God
xi. Abraham believed in God when God promised him a son of his own even though he was old.
xii. He agreed to circumcise himself at the age of 99. His son Ishmael and all male children of his household
as a sign of the covenant he made with God.
xiii. He circumcised his son Isaac at the age of 8 days and made it a command for all hi descendants.
xiv. He agreed to sacrifice his own son Isaac when God told him to.
xv. He trusted and believed in the promises God made to him.
xvi. He agreed to change his name from Abram to Abraham and his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah as
commanded by God
xvii. He built altars for God at Shechem and Bethel where he worshiped God.
xviii. He believed he will have as many descendants as the stars in the sky as God promised even though he
had no son of his own.

lessons that Christians learn from Abraham’s acts of faith

viii. God expects Christians to obey and have absolute faith in Him
ix. Christians should learn not to doubt God but to always remember that God fulfill His promise in His
own time
x. Nothing is impossible with God. Despite being old, Abraham and Sarah were able to have a son of their
own.
xi. Christians should be prepared to face very difficult situations as tests of their faith
xii. Christians are assured of possession of the Promised Land (eternal life) through their faith in Jesus
Christ.
xiii. Christians should be ready to make sacrifice to God without questioning
xiv. Those who have faith are the spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Importance of faith in a Christians’ life

 viii. Faith enables Christians to withstand challenges, just like Abraham did.
ix. In faith, Christians refrain from bad practices, just like Abraham abandoned polytheism and became
monotheistic in Yahweh.
x. Faith in God leads to success. Abraham’s wife Sarah bore a son out of faith in God.
xi. By faith, God provides all necessities like he provided a ram for sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.
xii. Christians: the descendants of Abraham will automatically receive blessings just like God blessed
Abraham as long as they remain obedient and faithful to God.
xiii. Christians are assured of eternal life, just like Abraham secured Canaan by faith.
xiv. By faith, Christians should abide by God’s directives without question, just as Abraham heeded God’s
command.

7. GOD’S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM

Genesis 12: 2-3, 15: 1-21, 17: 1-8, 15-18
Promise means giving an assurance of something to someone.
God promised Abraham the following:
xvi. God will give him a land to dwell in
xvii. He will give his descendants the land of Canaan to dwell in.
xviii. God would make Abraham’s name famous
xix. God would establish an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants. He shall be their God.
xx. God would be a shield to Abraham, He will protect him.
xxi. God would give him and his wife Sarah a son of their own.
xxii. God would make Abraham’s descendants a great nation
xxiii. God would make his descendants be enslaved for four hundred years in a foreign land. God would
however free them and deliver them back to their land with great possessions
xxiv. God would punish the nation that enslaved Abraham’s descendants
xxv. God would make some of Abraham’s descendants Kings
xxvi. God would bless him
xxvii. God would bless those that blessed Abraham
xxviii. God would curse those that cursed Abraham
xxix. God will make all the families of the earth receive blessings through Abraham
xxx. God would let Abraham live for long and die in peace.

Relevance of the promises made to Abraham by God to Christians today.

xii. Just like Abraham forfeited moon worship and received blessings, Christians should abandon all their
waywardness to inherit God’s blessing
xiii. Christians realize that God fulfils all his promises through faith
xiv. God promised Abraham land. As Christians, we are assured of eternal life by faith and obedience
xv. God can raise anybody from humble and faithless background to partake in his work, just like it was to
Abraham
xvi. God protects Christians to date, a fulfillment of his promise to Abraham
xvii. Christians learn that they are direct fruits of Abraham, who will eventually receive God’s blessing
xviii. Christians turn out to be the new Israel who descend from Abraham.
xix. God continues to call people from different backgrounds such as evangelists, priests, to serve Him
xx. God continuous to protect Christians in all circumstances
 xxi. Christians learn that God values personal relationship with Him
xxii. Christians are called to leave their past sinful lives and put their whole trust in God Almighty
Through faith in Jesus Christ, all people become children of God and receive God’s blessings.

4.The meaning of covenant

Covenant is a serious or solemn agreement between two persons or groups of person
It can also be referred to as pact or treaty

Characteristics of a covenant
vii. It involves two or more persons making a pact
viii. Once parties involved enter into a covenant, it cannot be broken
ix. If one of the parties decides to break the covenant, serious consequences are expected
x. There must be a ceremony signifying the signing of the covenant
xi. There must be an outward sign that shows that the covenant exists
xii. Vows are exchanged between those signing the covenant

Types of covenants
There are two types of covenants

Conditional covenant
This involves two or more parties that regard each other as equals making a covenant
For example, the Sinai Covenant whereby the Israelites promised to keep God’s commandments as God
promised to be their God as long as they kept these promises.
In marriage also, both man and woman give each other promise.

Unconditional covenants
These covenants are made between unequal parties such as between kings and their subjects
In this case, the subjects are inferior to their masters and they have to obey the commandments issued by the
king without question

Examples of covenants from the Bible

vi. The Covenant with Noah in which God entered into a relationship with the whole world and promised
to preserve the life of people. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow (Genesis 9)
vii. The covenant with Abraham in which god promised to fulfill the promises He made with him. The sign
of the covenant is circumcision. (Genesis 15, 17)
viii. The covenant with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai in which God promised to be their God. The
Israelites promised obedience. The sign of this covenant is the Law. (Exodus 24)
ix. The covenant with King David in which God promised him that his dynasty will continue forever (2 nd
Samuel 7:14-16)
x. Jeremiah’s covenant in which God promises to make a New covenant with the Israelites where each
individual will come to know God personally (Jeremiah 31: 3-34)

8. God’s covenant with abraham

Genesis 15: 1-19, 17: 1-22
Abraham was in doubt for the promise of a son. God assured him that his son would inherit him and not
Eliezer of Damascus. God showed Abraham the many stars and confirmed that his descendants would be as
the stars.

God asked Abraham to bring him a heifer, a goat, a ram, each three years old, a dove and a young pigeon.
Abraham slaughtered the animals into two and arranged the halves in two rows. The birds were not cut. He
chased the birds of prey that targeted the carcasses.

At sunset Abraham fell into a deep sleep. God spoke to him giving him the promises that his descendants
would be slaves for four hundred years but he would liberate them. He was also promised a long peaceful life.
God also reaffirms to give his descendants a land.

Abraham saw God pass through the carcasses in form of a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch. This marked
the sealing of the covenant.

The characteristics of God’s covenant with Abraham

16. It was initiated by God

17. It was solemn/permanent/long lasting.
18. It was unconditional
19. There were promises to be fulfilled
20. It was sealed through the sacrifice of animals
21. It was voluntary/the parties entered it willingly.
22. It had an outward sign-circumcision.
23. It had conditions/obligations to be met.

Importance of the covenant between God and Abraham

 This covenant was unconditional. God took the initiative to enter into a covenant while Abraham
obeyed. Therefore, God bound Himself in a personal relationship with a human being.
 As God passed through the pieces of meat, He showed that He will protect Abraham and his
descendants.
 This covenant begins a lasting relationship between God and all nations of the earth.
 The covenant confirmed God’s choice of Abraham.
 God was initiating His plan of salvation for human kind. God was ready to die in the person of His son,
Jesus Christ, so that this covenant would be filled.

COVENANTS IN MODERN LIFE

h. Marriage Ceremony
In marriage, the bride, the bridegroom and their families come together.
It happens in customary, civil or church marriages.
Several agreements are made and both sides promise to be loyal to each other for the rest of their
lives.

i. Baptism
 This happens in the Christians Churches. The new believers, infants or adults, are expected to keep
vows from the day of baptism for the rest of their lives

j. Loyalty/oath of allegiance
Leaders in public service, for example, heads of state, government ministries, members of parliament,
senators, governors, administrators such as chiefs and church leader must be sworn in before they take over
their new responsibilities.
k. Students agreements
They are signed by students before being admitted into a school or any other institution of learning. The
administration issues copies of school rules and regulations to their students. Students are expected to read
carefully and if they agree to abide with them, sign the copies and takes them back to school before
admission.

l. Employment Agreement
It involves a covenant relationship between the employer and employees.

m. Ordination
It’s a covenant involving God and those who take up leadership positions in church. During ordination, the
congregation acts as the witnesses to the covenant between God and the church leaders.

n. Land ownership agreements

These are agreements between the owners and the sellers of pieces of land and the buyers.
Both the seller and the buyer agree to some terms and conditions and commits themselves to abide by those
terms by signing an agreement commonly referred to as a land contract.

The importance of modern day covenants

x. They bind different groups

xi. They act as a security
xii. They strengthen relationships
xiii. They unite people together
xiv. They create loyalty /accountability/trust
xv. They create peace, harmony and bring a sense of permanence
xvi. Promotes the sanctity of life
xvii. Oath of allegiance helps the people to develop confidence in their leaders.
xviii. Employment contracts promotes good working relations.
CIRCUMCISION

d. The importance of circumcision to Abraham and his descendants

Genesis 17: 1-16
 God appeared to Abraham and reassure him of the promises He had made earlier. God promised to
make an everlasting covenant between Him and Abraham and his descendants.
  Abraham was expected to obey and do what was right and pleasing to God. As a sign of obedience to
the Lord, God commanded Abraham to circumcise all males of eight days old including slaves born
within and those brought from foreigners
 Those who failed to be circumcised would be considered as outcasts
 Abraham’s name was also changed from Abram and Sarah, his wife was changed from Sarai.
 Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99. His son Ishmael (by Haggar, the slave girl) who was 13 years
old was also circumcised.
 From that day, circumcision was to take place on the eighth day.

Instructions god gave to Abraham and his descendants regarding circumcision

i. Only male descendants to be circumcised

ii. Male children to be circumcised when they are eight days old.

iii. Every male in Abraham’s household, whether a slave or a foreigner to be circumcised.

iv. The circumcision was to involve the removal of the foreskin.

v. A male not circumcised to be cut off from Abraham’s descendants

The significance of Abraham’s circumcision to Abraham’s descendants

i. Through circumcision: God assured Abraham that he would fulfill His promises to him.

ii. It was an outward sign of inner faith- Circumcision was a sign that Abraham and his descendants had
entered into a covenant with God.

iii. Circumcision was a mark of identity for the Jews

iv. It was a sign of obedience to God

v. It was an acceptance of God as the only true God and their willingness to remain faithful to him

e. Similarities between the African and the Jewish rite of circumcision

vii. Circumcision is a physical mark of identity for both the Africans and Jews
viii. The rite of circumcision gives a sense of belonging/ mark of identity to both Jews and Africans
ix. Circumcision is perceived as a religious function in both communities
x. The practice of circumcision is passed on from one generation to another
xi. Those who fail to undergo the rite are considered outcasts
xii. In both communities, the rite of circumcision is taken as an important stage in a person’s life.

f. Differences between the Jewish rite of circumcision and the African practice of circumcision
viii. The Jewish community circumcised eight day old males while the African community circumcised
adolescents between 10-18 years’ old
ix. In the Jewish community, circumcision is a physical sign for those joined to God in faith while in the
African community it marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood
x. In the African community the initiates acquire new status and responsibilities. They enter warrior
group, marry, and own property, where as in the Jewish community this is not possible since
circumcision is performed on eight-year-old males.
xi. In Jewish practice, only boys are circumcised. In some African communities, even girls are circumcised
through clitoridectomy.
xii. Circumcision is a test of courage in African communities while in the Jewish community it is a test of
faith and commitment in God.
xiii. Circumcision in African communities involves seclusion while in the Jewish community
seclusion does not exist.
xiv. In the African communities, it involves God and the ancestral spirits while in the Jewish
community it involved God alone.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SINAI COVENANT-MOSES

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Genesis 37: 1-36, 50: 1-26; Exodus 1-2

BACKGROUND TO THE CALL OF MOSES.

Moses was born at a time when a decree had been issued to kill all male babies by drowning
them in river Nile. His mother bore and hid him in a woven basket. When the baby was three
months old and could no longer be hidden, his mother took him in a water proof basket, which
he placed within the reeds at the bank of river Nile.

The baby Moses was miraculously rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, who took him to the palace,
where he was brought up in a noble manner. The caretaker assigned to him was coincidentally
his biological mother: Jacobeth, a fact hidden even to Pharaoh himself. Moses received credible
education and training as a prince.
Later on, he killed an Egyptian who had confronted an Israelite. Sensing danger, he fled to the
wilderness. Here, he was a shepherd and experienced all the difficulties of the wilderness.
At that point, Moses received his call in the form of a burning bush

EXPLAIN WAYS IN WHICH MOSES BACKGROUND PREPARED HIM FOR HIS LEADERSHIP
vi. He grew up in the palace as prince, getting the best education befitting a royal.
vii. Being nursed by his Mother at the place ensured he doesn’t lose his identity as an
Israelite
 viii. Moses grew up to be an intelligent man, an attribute he used later in his Mission as a
leader of God’s people.
ix. Living in the wilderness as a shepherded, and experiencing all the difficulties of the
wilderness also prepared him adequately to be a shepherded of God’s people.
x. Being a family man he learnt of being responsible

THE CALL OF MOSES

One day, when Moses was near Mount Horeb, commonly referred to as Mount Sinai, looking
after his father in-laws sheep, he saw a strange sight. A bush was on fire but was not
consumed. He went near to see what it was.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flaming fire out of the midst of the bush. When
Moses moved near to see the strange sight, God called him by name and instructed him, “Do
not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on a holy ground.” The
removal of shoes by Moose was a sign of spiritual nakedness before God.

God told Moses that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses hid his face, for he
was afraid to look at God. Then God told him that He had seen the suffering of His people, the
Israelites in Egypt. He told Moses that He had come down to liberate them from the land of
bondage

God commanded Moses to go back to Egypt and free the Israelites from the hands of the
Egyptians. Moses protested by saying that he was not worthy to go before Pharaoh.God
assured Moses that He would be with him. He gave Moses a sign of assurance that when he
liberates the Israelites from Egypt, they should worship Him at Mount Sinai.

Moses asked God What His name was. God told him, “I am who I am” meaning that God was
what He was in the past and would always be the same God.He instructed Moses to tell the
Israelites that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He assured Moses that the
Israelites would respond to him positively. However, Pharaoh would not let them go until
several terrifying occurrences would force him to release the Israelites.

Despite the assurances Moses was given by God, he complained to God that the Israelites
would neither believe nor listen to him. God gave him two signs he was to use in performing
miracles as proof that he was God’s messenger. First, he was told to use the rod he had in his
hand which would turn into a snake. Secondly, he was to place his hand in his pocket and on
pulling it out, it would be affected with leprosy.
Moses still complained to God that he was not eloquent speaker, but just a stammerer
God assured Moses that the Egyptians would finally cooperate with the Israelites when the
time came for them to leave Egypt. They would acquire a lot of property from the Egyptians.
God also told him that his brother Aaron was to be his spokesman. Then Moses went back to
Jethro’s home, gathered his family members and started his journey to Egypt.

REASONS WHY MOSES WAS RELUCTANT TO GOD’S CALL

xi. His life was in danger (Pharaoh had wanted to kill him).
xii. The Israelites might not believe that he was talking on behalf of God.
xiii. He was not an eloquent speaker i.e. he was a stamerer.
xiv. He feared that Pharaoh would not believe that God sent him.
xv. He feared that the Israelites would not accept him as their leader.
xvi. He lacked courage.
xvii. He was already settled in median and had a family.
xviii. He did not have enough knowledge about Yahweh.
xix. He did not know the name of God. He was aware that the Hebrews would ask him which
god he was talking about.
xx. Egypt was too far from Median.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD FROM THE CALL OF MOSES

xi. God is loving and caring
xii. God is transcendent; He is beyond human understanding. He cannot be limited to time
and space.
xiii. God chooses whoever He wills to carry out His plans
xiv. God expects total obedience and faith on the part of those He chooses.
xv. God is omnipotent
xvi. God keeps his promises;
xvii. God arrests difficult situations;
xviii. God is just;
xix. God is peculiar in all ways;
xx. God is forgiving.

7. THE TEN PLAGUES

Exodus 7: 14-11: 1-10
 A plague may be a disease or an unfortunate occurrence in one’s life.
 When Moses approached Pharaoh, Pharaoh proved difficult and would not release the
Israelites.
 God intervened with ten severe plagues. God sent to the Egyptians as follows:
 xi. the plague of Blood
xii. the plague of Frogs
xiii. the plague of Gnats
xiv. the plague of Flies
xv. the plague of Death of Animals
xvi. the plague of Boils
xvii. the plague of Hail
xviii. the plague of Locusts
xix. the plague of Darkness
xx. the Passover

x. The plague of Blood

Moses was commanded by God to tell Aaron to strike the waters of the Nile with his
rod. He did this in the presence of Pharaoh and the waters of the Nile turned into blood.

xi. The plague of Frogs

The Lord commanded Moses to tell Aaron to stretch his hand over the streams, canals
and ponds. Aaron did as was commanded; and there were frogs all over the land of Egypt.
When the Egyptians were overwhelmed by these frogs, Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for their
removal

xii. The plague of the Gnats

Gnats are small two-winged biting flies. This plague was so severe that even the
magicians of Egypt acknowledged the hand and power of God. The Gnats covered the land,
people and animals. Pharaoh did not give in
xiii. The plague of Flies
Flies came to the land of Egypt in swarms. They invaded Pharaoh’s palace and the
houses of his officials while there were no flies in the houses of the Israelites. Pharaoh deceived
Moses that he would release the Israelites if the flies were removed. Moses prayed to Yahweh
and the flies left. Pharaoh however, did not release the children of God.

xiv. The plague of Death of Animals

God sent a plague that killed all the Egyptians animals. Their cows, donkeys, camels,
sheep, goats and horses were killed. However, the animals of the Israelites were not affected.
Still Pharaoh refused to release them

xv. The plague of Boils

 Moses and Aaron were told by God to cast ashes into the air. This act produced sores
and open wounds on Egyptians and their animals. Pharaoh remained stubborn and did not
release the Israelites

xvi. The plague of Hail

God sent severe hailstorm which affected Pharaoh as well. It was the worst storm Egypt
had ever experienced. Everything left in the open was destroyed and all people who had not
taken shelter were killed. Moses prayed to God and stopped the storm, Pharaoh refused to
release the Israelites.

xvii. The plague of Locusts

Locusts came to the Egyptian land, but Pharaoh refused to release them

xviii. The plague of Darkness

The Lord sent darkens over the whole land of Egypt. No one could see anything or
anyone for three days. Pharaoh now softened and told Moses that he could take his people and
go to worship God with all his people but leave the animals. Moses told Pharaoh that they had
to leave with all their animals so that they may go and sacrifice to their God in the wilderness.
Pharaoh refused to release them yet again.
After this plague, Moses promised never to appear before Pharaoh again. However, God
was still concerned about the freedom of the Israelites and, therefore, He sent Moses to
Pharaoh one last time.

8. THE PASSOVER
Exodus 12: 1-3
The term Passover is driveled from the Hebrew word Pasach meaning ‘to pass over’
with the aim of sparing or protecting.
In the tenth plague, the first born sons of the Egyptians and those of their animals were
to die, starting with the son of Pharaoh to the son of a slave in Egypt.

Instructions for the Preparation of the Tenth plagues

Moses called all the elders of Israel and gave them the following instructions:-
ix. On the tenth of that month, each man had to choose either a lamb or a young goat for
his household. If his family was too small to eat a whole animal, then he and his next
door neighbor were to share the animal. The animal chosen was to be male, one year
old and without blemish. Using a young animal signified the innocence of the sacrifice
an animal without blemish signified the purity of the sacrifice.
x. The animal chosen was to be killed on the evening of the fourteenth day of that month.
The animal’s blood was to be smeared on the two door posts and the lintel of the
 Israelite’s houses. The blood was to act as a sign of distinguishing the Israelites’ houses
from those of the Egyptians. This was to ensure that the angel of death would spare
them when he killed the first born sons of the Egyptians.
xi. The lamb or animal for sacrifice was to be roasted whole, meaning with its head, legs
and inner parts. Roasting was the quickest method of coking since the Israelites were
in a hurry.
xii. The meat was to be eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This was
because there was no time to ferment the dough. The bitter herbs signified the bitter
experiences of slavery in Egypt.
xiii. They were to eat the sacrificial meat after they were dressed up and packed their
luggage. This was because they were in a hurry to leave
xiv. The Israelite women were to ask for jewels, silver and clothing from the Egyptians
women on the eve of departure. These items were to act as compensation for the free
labor the Israelites had given in Egypt.
xv. Everyone was to remain indoors until morning in order to be protected from the angel
of death
xvi. The Passover was to be commemorated annually and its significance taught to the
coming generations

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH EVENT OF THE PASSOVER.

x. Using young animals showed the innocence of the sacrifice.
xi. Using an animal without blemish signified the purity of the sacrifice.
xii. The smearing of blood on the Lintel was a sign of identification of the Israelite and non-
Israelite (Egyptian) house.
xiii. Roasting of the meat showed the Israelites’ haste.
xiv. The bitter herbs signified the bitter experience of slavery in Egypt.
xv. The unleavened bread was to be used for they had no time to ferment the dough.
xvi. They were to dress up and pack their luggage to show readiness for the journey.
xvii. The Israelite women were to borrow jewelry from Egyptian women to
compensate for the free labor they had given Egypt.
xviii. They were to remain indoors until morning to be protected from the angel of
death.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PASSOVER

viii. The Jewish Passover was of great importance in that it marked the end of the Israelites’
tribulations in Egypt.
ix. It also served as a unifying factor, which brought the Israelites close and together.
 x. The Passover brought to the Israelites realization of their true Yahweh, who sticks to his
promises.
xi. It also showed God’s unwavering love to Israelites, who are the descendants of Abraham.
xii. The Passover was a preliminary event that marked the beginning of the Exodus night, a
time the Israelites left Egypt.
xiii. The sacrificial lamb is a clear symbol of Jesus: the sacrificial lamb for Christians, who
released them from the bondage of sin.
xiv. During this time and to the Exodus, Moses was confirmed as the leader of the Israelites.

The Israelites carried out all the instructions given. On the 14th night, the angel of death or
“the destroyer” passed over the Israelites’ houses, sparing them and killing the first born sons
of the Egyptians. Pharaoh’s son was not spared, neither the sons of slaves in the Egyptian
houses, or the male offspring of their animals. There was wailing and crying throughout Egypt.
The tenth plague broke Pharaoh’s heart and arrogance. He called Moses and Aaron and
commanded them to take the Israelites out of Egypt.

WHY PHARAOH WAS NOT WILLING TO RELEASE THE ISRAELITES

vi. God had already told Moses that Pharaoh would remain adamant till several terrifying
events would force him to release the Israelites.
vii. The Israelites provided cheap labor and, to Pharaoh, releasing them would mean that a
new source of labor had to be sought.
viii. His being hesitant created room for God’s work and power to be realized by everybody.
Pharaoh was generally arrogant and stubborn and could not be easily lured by anybody.
ix. Pharaoh considered the Israelites and their possessions as part of his empire. If at all he
could release them, he saw as if he would be parting with his wealth.
x. Pharaoh failed to understand that he was dealing with Yahweh: the true God, otherwise,
he could have immediately released them.

WHAT MADE THE PHARAOH OPPRESS THE ISRAELITES

vii. It was a fulfillment of God’s prediction to Abraham, “your descendants will be slaves in a
foreign land”.
viii. The Pharaoh did not know Joseph and why he had settled in Egypt.
ix. He oppressed them in order for them to produce cheap labour for his development work.
x. The Israelites had prospered and had to be contained by pharaoh, though they would
overcome the Egyptians.
xi. It was a mode of weakening the power and strength of the Israelites.
 xii. The Israelites were tremendously increasing and Pharaoh feared that this would be
disastrous to the Egyptians.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD FROM THE TEN PLAGUES

The plagues revealed that Yahweh was:
vii. More powerful than the Egyptian gods
viii. Aware of the problems of the Israelites
ix. Determined to save His people
x. Working through His prophet, Moses
xi. Was just
xii. Requires absolute obedience

9. THE EXODUS
The journey from Egypt to the wilderness by the Israelites is what is called the Exodus which
means “going out”.

e. The crossing of the Red Sea

Exodus 14: 5-31
 The people of Israel had been in slavery for 430 years when Moses led them out of
Egypt. Moses wanted them to get away as quickly as possible. This is because God had
warned Moses that Pharaoh would pursue them. He led them south, towards the
Mountain of God, Mount Sinai.
 Just as God had been with His people in Egypt, so was He with them when they left. He
went before them during the day in a pillar of cloud and during the night in a pillar of
fire.
 Pharaoh took 600 chariots, horsemen and soldiers, and pursued the Israelites. He hoped
to bring them back because he did not want to lose the slave labor. Pharaoh’s army
soon came close to the Israelites. The Israelites saw a cloud of dust at a distance and
knew that the Egyptians were after them. They were afraid and angry at Moses. They
said it would have been better for them to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.
 Moses assured the Israelites that God would not abandon them. Yahweh ordered
Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea that was ahead of them. A strong wind
parted the water and the people of God crossed on dry ground to safety.
 Pharaoh’s soldiers, who had also reached the sea, began to cross. When they reached
the middle of the sea, the water began to flow back and filled the path the Israelites had
used. The chariots and horses could not move. They tried turning back but this was not
possible. God ones again told Moses to hold out his hand over the sea, and the water
flowed over the Egyptians until none of them was left alive.
 f. God provides water in the wilderness
Exodus 15: 22-27, 17: 1-6
From the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites towards Mt. Sinai through the desert. Soon, the
people were thirsty and hungry.
Their faith in God came under severe test as they began to grumble because they could not get
water to drink at Marah and Rephidim. They wondered why Moses brought them into the
wilderness to suffer.
Moses sought God’s guidance in a bid to appease the Israelites. At Marah, the bitter waters
were turned sweet after God told Moses to throw a tree into the water. At Rephidim, God told
Moses to strike a rock with his rod and water flowed from it.

After this, God promised to protect the Israelites from diseases if they obeyed Him because He
was their leader.

g. God provides Manna and Quails

Exodus 16: 1-13
The people of Israel lacked food while in the wilderness. When they complained and
mourned to Moses, God provided food for them
God provided Manna and each morning the people gathered the day’s portion. Manna
was white seed-like substance that tested like biscuits made with honey. He also provided
Quails which came in large flocks. A Quail is a round-bodied bird with a small tail.
h. Defeat of the Amalekites
Exodus 17: 8-16
While at Rephidim, the Israelites were attacked by men from the tribe of Amalek.
Moses had become too old to fight, so he asked Joshua, the son of Nun, to lead the people to
battle. Moses stood on a hill with his hands held out to God in prayer.
Whenever the Israelites saw his hands held up, they knew God was in control, but
whenever Moses got tired and put his hands down, they lost hope and the Amalekites began to
win. Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands and eventually the Israelites won

IMPORTANCE OF THE EXODUS.

ix. It marked the end of the Israelites’ suffering/oppression and afflictions. It marked the
the choosing of the Israelites by God as a special nation.
x. It fulfilled the promises God had made to Abraham.
xi. It proved that God was more supreme than other gods.
xii. It furthered the Israelites’ and mankind’s salvation.
xiii. It identified Moses as God’s chosen leader. It united the people of Israel as a nation.
xiv. It made them understand the nature or attribute of God.
xv. The Israelites received the Ten Commandments, which guided them in their
relationships.
xvi. It taught the Israelites that human obedience to God was mandatory.

10. THE MAKING OF THE SINAI COVENANT

Exodus 19, 20: 18-21, 24: 1-8
e. i. PREPARATION
 God summoned Moses to Mount Sinai. He enquired if the people of Israel were willing to
obey him.
 If they accepted, then God would make them his people, a holy nation and a kingdom of
priests.
 The Israelites accepted this.
 Thereafter, Moses instructed the Israelites to:
 Make themselves holy by washing their garments.
 Abstain from sexual relationship.
 Mark the boundaries on the foot of the mountain to prevent any person or animal
going up the mountain.
 Moses led the Israelites to meet Yahweh at the foot of the mountain. On the third day,
Moses ascended the mountain.
 God manifested his presence in the form of thunder, lightning, earthquake and a thick
cloud. There was also a loud trumpet blast.
 Moses received the Decalogue/ten commandments on behalf of the Israelites.
 Moses descended the mountain and briefed the people about God’s laws and ordinances.

iii. SEALING OF THE COVENANT

 The following morning, Moses prepared a ceremony to seal the covenant.
 He built an altar at the foot of the mountain on which he placed twelve pillars according
to the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Then he sent young men to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.
 Moses took half of the blood and poured it on the altar, the place of meeting with God.
 He then took the book of the covenant, in which the divine laws had been written down
by him, he read it in the hearing of all people and they all said, “all that the Lord has
spoken, we will do and we will be obedient.”
 Then Moses took the remainder of the blood and sprinkled it over the people. The
sprinkling of the blood implied that the covenant was binding the Israelites to God.
  God concluded the covenant ceremony by giving Moses the two stone tablets on which
the laws were written.

f. The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17
These are the main laws which God gave Moses. The Greek name for them is Decalogue.
These laws were either conditional laws or absolute laws
Conditional law states that if a certain thing happens, then a certain consequence will follow.
Absolute laws were unconditional, whereby everything had to be followed without question or
discussion
The Ten Commandments are divided into two major groups, these are:-

iii. Those which define the people’s duty towards God

Under this category, fall the first four commandments
iv. Those which define one’s duty towards others
Under this category fall the last six commandments

The Ten Commandments are:-

xi. You shall have no other gods before Me
The Israelites were to worship God alone. Christians are urged to love God with all their
heart, mind and soul.

xii. You shall not make for yourself a graven image

God was not to be depicted in any form or description such as images or idols

xiii. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
This commandment forbids the use of God’s name in light or careless manner without
regard to His holiness. One should not swear in God’s name

xiv. Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy

The Sabbath Day was instituted by God at creation. Since God rested on this day after
completing the work of creation. This is still applicable today.

xv. Honor your father and mother that your days may be long
This means that God’s gift of life is passed on to us through our parents. Parents sustain
their children by providing for them in every way they can. Therefore, they deserve respect,
obedience and love from their children. This is the only commandment with a blessing.

xvi. You shall not kill

 It is God alone who gives life and it should be Him alone to take it. Christians are called
upon to preserve, respect and protect life. Therefore, acts like abortion and murder are evil and
thus condemned by God.

xvii. You shall not commit adultery

It is wrong to have sexual intercourse with somebody else’s wife or husband, for such
an act will sow discord in the community.

xviii. You shall not steal

Stealing indicates lack of trust in God’s providence. Practices like slavery, robbery,
cheating in trade and refusal to pay debts are condemned.

xix. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
False accusations destroy respect and love among God’s people.

xx. You shall not covet your neighbor’s property

This commandment condemns greed of any nature. Christians are encouraged to practice self-
control and acquire what they need justly.

Besides the Ten Commandments, the Israelites were given other rules and regulations
to govern their daily lives. Those rules dealt with matters concerning religious ceremonies,
treatment of slaves and strangers, theft, loses and repayment, violence and bodily injury.

g. THE BREAKING OF THE COVENANT

Exodus 32: 1-35
Although the Israelites had promised to keep the covenant, they did not take long
before they dishonored their pledge to obey God. This happened when Moses had gone to the
mountain to receive the written Ten Commandments
He had left Aaron in charge of the people. When Moses delayed in coming back, the
Israelites became impatient and restless. They asked Aaron to make them a god that would
lead them, for they did not know what had happened to Moses.
Aaron told them to take off the rings of gold which were worn by their sons, daughters
and wives and bring them to him. Then, he melted them and molded a bull calf and the
Israelites said that that was their god which had brought them out of Egypt.
They also built an altar for god. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to it
and indulged themselves in eating, drinking and sex.
In the meantime, God revealed to Moses that the Israelites had broken the covenant.
God threatened to destroy them. Moses interceded for them and God changed His mind.
 As Moses came down the mountain, he found the Israelites singing and dancing around
the golden calf. This annoyed him and he threw down the stone tablets on which the Ten
Commandments were written on. Moses took the golden calf, burnt it into powder, mixed it
with water and made the Israelites drink. Then he called those who had not sinned and ordered
them to take their swords and kill those who had sinned.

h. THE RENEWAL OF THE SINAI COVENANT

Exodus 34: 1-35
The renewal of the covenant came after Moses had pleaded with God not to destroy
the Israelites after they broke the covenant. God spared the Israelites.
The Lord commanded Moses to cut two stone tablets and go up to the mountain. Then
He told Moses that He would make a covenant with the Israelites again.

CONDITIONS THAT GOD GAVE THE ISRAELITES TO DURING THE RENEWAL OF THE
SINAI COVENANT
10. They were to obey what God commands them
11. They were not to make any treaty with the those who live in the land where they
were going
12. To break down the altars, sacred stones and false gods of the inhabitants of Canaan.
13. Not to worship any other god
14. Not to make cast idols
15. To keep the feast of the unleavened bread
16. To rest on the seventh day
17. To dedicate all their first-born male children and first-born male of their domestic
animals to God
18. To offer to God the first fruits of their crops
After all these commands, God promised the Israelites that He would:
 Protect and preserve them
 Bless them
 Make them prosper so much that the surrounding nations would enquire
about their source of wealth and success.
After these promises, God asked Moses to write these words in new set of stone tablets. This
showed that the covenant between God and the Israelites was now renewed.

11. HOW THE ISRAELITES WORSHIPPED GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

Exodus 20: 22-26, 23: 14-20
Worship refers to the reverence paid to God. It may also refer to the recognition given
to God as the creator and controller of the universe.
 During this period in the wilderness, the Israelites worshipped God as individuals and as
a community. This occurred at specific places, at different times and in a particular manner.

All worship involved:

ix. Offering of prayers
x. Singing songs of praise
xi. Offering sacrifices and offerings by priests
xii. Observing the Sabbath Day
xiii. They built altars for worship
xiv. They were led in worship by religious leaders
xv. Accepted and obeyed the ten commandments
xvi. They adored the ark and the tabernacle which stored the Ten commandment

e. SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS

In sacrifices, animals were used where as in an offering, agricultural produce was used.
Sacrifices included:
vii. Burnt offerings/holocaust
Here the sacrificial animal was completely burnt and therefore, entirely removed from
human possession and given to God.

viii. Atonement/ sin offering

This type of sacrifice was offered when one had sinned either against God or his/her
fellow human beings and wanted his/her sins to be forgiven. The one who had sinned brought
an animal before God and it was offered as a sacrifice. In this case, the animal died on behalf of
the person who had sinned.

ix. Peace offering/communion sacrifice/fellowship offering

In this sacrifice, part of the meat of the sacrificial animal was eaten by the people and
other parts which consisted of fat and blood were burnt on the altar for God. The purpose of
this sacrifice was to bring the worshippers into union with God.

x. Gift offering
In this offering, the best animal or grains that God had blessed the concerned party was
chosen and offered to God as a thanksgiving

xi. Meal offering/drink offering

 This type of offering involved both vegetable and animal offerings. Meat offering could
be offered alone, but was usually offered together with fresh agricultural produce.

xii. Incense offering

Incense is a substance composed of sweet smelling herbs. It is burnt before God and it
was a sign of God’s holiness and His acceptance of the sacrifice.

f. FESTIVALS
Festival is a celebration commemorating a past event such as a day of independence in
a given country.
The festivals in the Israelites community included:-
iv. The Passover/ Feast of the Unleavened Bread
This feast was held annually at the beginning of each year. Unleavened bread would be
eaten for seven days of the first month in every New Year. The feast was a commemoration of
the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt.

v. The Feast of Weeks/ Pentecost

This feast originally marked the end of the wheat harvest. Later, it was conducted 50
days from the Sabbath following the Passover, hence the name Pentecost.

vi. The feast of tabernacles

This festival marked the end of the agricultural year. It took place in autumn when the
fruits had been harvested.

g. ALTARS
Altars are earthly marked meeting places between God and people.
The Israelites built an altar in places where they received a Theophany or God’s physical
manifestation. Examples of altars are like the ones Moses built at the place where Amalek was
defeated and at the foot of Mount Sinai.

h. THE TENT OF MEETING

This was a portable structure in which the Israelites worshipped God in. it was also
called a Tabernacle
The outer court of the Tabernacle consisted of an altar for burnt offerings and a basin
where priests washed their feet and hands.
The interior part of the Tabernacle had two chambers. The outer one contained an altar
for incense, the golden sick and bread of the presence table. The second chamber was known
as the most holy place because it contained the Ark of the Covenant.
 The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden box that was covered by pure gold and the
inside contained the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written on. It
was taken care of by the Levites who were appointed priests the time of Moses.
The Tabernacle symbolized the presence of God among His people. Only appointed or
elected people would approach the Tent of Meeting. Priests would go inside the tabernacle to
offer prayers and sacrifices to God on behalf of other people.

THE ELEMENTS OF ISRAELITES WORSHIP WHICH HAVE FOUND PLACE IN THE CHRISTIAN
WORSHIP TODAY
vi. The Passover feast which marked the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. This is
also referred to as The Lord’s Supper in the New Testament and Christian worship
today.
vii. use of prayers and songs
viii. observing the Lord’s Day (Sabbath) by modern Christians
ix. offerings are also given in form of money, goods and services
x. building of altars

THE PROBLEMS THAT MOSES/THE ISRAELITES FACED IN THE WILDERNESS.

xii. Lack of water.
xiii. Lack of food.
xiv. They were weary out of the long tedious journey.
xv. Hostility from the desert natives.
xvi. Attack by diseases.
xvii. Hostile climates.
xviii. Attack by desert insects/other creatures.
xix. The Israelites lacked total belief in God.
xx. Bites from poisonous snakes
xxi. Threats/pursuit from the Egyptian army.
xxii. Internal conflicts.

12. THE ISRAELITES’ NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF GOD

Exodus 33, 34
 Although God introduced Himself to Moses as Yahweh, the Israelites only came to know
Him through their experiences in the wilderness.
 The renewal of the covenant showed that the broken covenant relationship could now
be formerly restored. Yahweh showed that He is:
  A merciful and compassionate God by giving them a second chance.
 In the wilderness, the Israelites came to know God as their healer. He promised to heal
all their diseases if they obeyed Him.
 Despite the Israelites’ sins, God fulfilled His promises to them of a land of their own. He
had promised to drive away their enemies.
 They came to recognize Him as God of Victory and powerful for He defeated the
Canaanites, Perizzites, Hittites and Jebusites who had occupied the Promised Land.
 The Israelites realized that they could depend upon God as He was faithful.

CHAPTER FIVE

LEADERSHIP IN ISRAEL-DAVID & SOLOMON

INTRODUCTION
Leadership refers to the manner in which a community’s way of life is ruled or controlled.
When the Israelites settled in Canaan for the first 200 years, they were ruled by Judges.
the first Judge was Joshua who took over after Moses died in the wilderness. The last Judge
was Samuel.
However, Yahweh, the God of Israel, remained the sovereign ruler of His people.

DUTIES OF JUDGES
v. They led the Israelites to war against their enemies
vi. They settled disputes among the people
vii. They acted as religious leaders and led the Israelites in worship. They received God’s
Spirit who gave them the knowledge and power to carry out these duties
viii.Some of the Judges acted as God’s prophets.

1.REASONS FOR KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL

1st Samuel 8: 1-9
The Israelites were led by Judges from the time they settled in Canaan. However, it reached a
time where they made a decision to have an earthly king to rule over them. Some of the
reasons for Kingship are:
vi. Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abidjan, were corrupt and took bribes
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his two sons to be judges in his place. The two sons
lacked good leadership qualities of their father. They were corrupt and took bribes. The
Israelites went to Samuel and asked him to choose a king to rule over them.
 vii. The Israelites wanted a warrior king to lead them to war and bring victory to
Israel.
The place where the Ark of the Covenant (Sanctuary) was kept had been destroyed by the
Philistines. The Philistines had also taken the Ark of the Covenant. Canaan; therefore, faced
threat of being a Philistine empire. As a result, the Israelites wanted a warrior king who would
lead them into battles against the philistines so as to recover the stolen ark.

viii. The Israelites wanted kings like the other nations around who had kings
Moabites, Philistines, Amalekites and Phoenicians all had kings. The Israelites saw that they
were the only nation in that region who had no king. Hence, they wanted one.

ix. The Israelites wanted a physical leader whom they could see and approach
This implied that they were rejecting Yahweh as their unseen ruler

x. The Israelites wanted a stable political government ruled by laws and order
They wanted a government that had enough security established through a regular army
and perhaps one with an established law courts to try and punish wrong doers.

24. REASON AGAINST KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL

1st Samuel 8: 10-20
By demanding a king, the Israelites were seen as rejecting Yahweh as their unseen ruler.
God told Samuel to give the Israelites strict warnings and explain how the king would treat
them. For example:-
viii. The king would conscribe the Israelites’’ sons forcefully into the army
ix. The king would introduce forced labor
x. The king would grab people’s land or vineyards for government use
xi. The king would turn people into slaves
xii. The king would force their daughters to work for his wives’ sons and for the royal
house in general
xiii. Israel would become like other nations which did not know Yahweh and then they
would cease to be a covenant people.
xiv. Yahweh would reject them when they cried to Him.
The elders request for a king threatened to destroy the true identity of Israel as a “people
of God” and as a covenant people

THE DUTIES OF SAMUEL AS A PROPHET OF GOD

x. Samuel anointed the first two Kings of Israel i.e. Saul of Kish and David of Jesse.
xi. As a prophet, he offered sacrifice to God.
xii. He reminded the people to lead the covenant way of life.
 xiii. He played an intermediary role between God and the Israelites.
xiv. He served as a judge.
xv. He condemned all forms of injustice.
xvi. He reprimanded Saul for his mistakes.
xvii. He condemned idolatry, thus reinforcing on monotheism.
xviii. He foretold God’s plan for the future.

THE DUTIES OF SAMUEL AS A JUDGE OF ISRAEL.

He led the Israelites into war against their foes.
 He settled disputes among the warring people of Israel.
 He served as a prophet, thus mediating between God and the Israelites. He was a
religious leader.

25. KING SAUL’S SUCCESS AND FAILURES

1st Samuel 13: 8-14, 15: 7-25
Saul was son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. God commanded Samuel to anoint him.

KING SAUL’S SUCCESS

iv. Saul was Yahweh’s own choice
v. Saul received God’s spirit, which gave him power to act as God’s appointee like it
had happened with the judges.
vi. Through Yahweh’s help, Saul fought against all Israel’s enemies everywhere and
won. For example he:-
 Fought against the Amalekites
 Led a successful war against the Philistines
 Defeated the Amalekites

KING SAUL’S FAILURE

vii. He became impatient and offered sacrifices to God at Gilgal instead of waiting for
Prophet Samuel
Samuel had told Saul that he would meet him at Gilgal and offer sacrifices to God before
the Israelites’ army went to fight the Philistines. Saul waited for seven days and Samuel
seemed late in coming. The Philistine army started closing in on the Israelites. Saul’s army
started running away to escape from the Philistines. Saul feared that unless he received
God’s blessing before going to battle, the Philistines would destroy them. Saul decided to
offer a sacrifice to god as a matter of urgency.
Just as he finished offering sacrifice, Samuel arrived and was angry with Saul and
rebuked him. Saul had appointed himself as a mediator between God and the people. (He
 was neither a priest nor a prophet to do that work) therefore, Samuel prophesied the end
of his rule.
viii. He failed to carry out the law of total destruction of an enemy conquered
The Law of Herem or the Ban required that when the Israelites went to war against any
enemy, they were to destroy everything: man, woman, child, cattle and all property belonging
to the enemy.
However, when Saul led his army against the Amalekites and defeated them, he did not
destroy everything as Samuel had commanded him to do. Saul and his army kept the best
sheep, lambs, cattle and everything else that was good, he intended to offer them as burnt
sacrifices to God. He also captured King Agag alive and spared his life.
Samuel met Saul and he was disappointed with him and refused to listen to Saul’s excuses
as to why he had disobeyed God’s commandment. Samuel told him that to obey God was
better than mere sacrifice to Him.
ix. The spirit of god left Saul and was replaced with an evil spirit that tormented him
x. Saul turned against David because David had become popular with the Israelites.
xi. He consulted a median in trying to bring back Samuel’s spirit, hence practiced
idolatry
xii. He committed suicide

LESSONS LEARNT FROM KING SAUL’S FAILURES

Saul’s failures have messages for both Christians and other leaders, for example:-
vi. Need for patience
vii. Need for obedience and faith in God
viii. Need for political leaders to listen to advice from Church leaders
ix. Need for not turning against rivals
x. Need for sincerity in worship of God

26. KING DAVID’S IMPORTANCE

1st Samuel 16:1-23; 2nd Samuel 6: 1-15
After Saul was rejected as king of Israel, Samuel was guided by God to go to Bethlehem.
To the home of a Shepherded called Jesse who had eight sons. God would then show him who
among those sons would be anointed as the next king of Israel.
 Seven of Jesse’s sons were brought before Samuel; one at a time but God told Samuel
that he had not chosen any of them. However, when the youngest son, David, a shepherded,
was brought before Samuel, God told Samuel that that was the one, he should anoint him.
Samuel then took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. The spirit of
the Lord then took control of David and was with him from that day on. However, this
anointing had to be kept secret from Saul; otherwise he would plan to kill David. David had to
wait until Saul died before he would take over. David was then employed in the service of Saul
to be playing a lyre and harp to sooth Saul whenever he was possessed by an evil spirit.
As long as David worked for Saul, he remained faithful servant of the King. He was loved by
Saul’s family. He even married one of his daughters. He became a personal friend of one of
Saul’s son called Jonathan.
Many years later, Saul and his sons were killed in a battle against the Philistines. David
then became the next king and ruled for over 40 years as king of Judah and Israel. His successes
lay in the fact that he knew and obeyed God in all his undertakings.

KING DAVID’S ACHIEVEMENTS

XIX. He was chosen by God
XX. He received public anointing at Hebron where he signed a treaty with the elders. This
meant that he had been acknowledged by all the twelve tribes of Israel as their king.
XXI. He received the spirit of God from the time he was anointed.
XXII. He was a brilliant military commander.
He broke the Philistines’ control over Canaan. He also waged successful wars against Moab,
Ammon, Edom, Amalek and Aram (Syria). He concluded a treaty with the Phoenician King,
Hiram of Tyre.
XXIII. He captured the old fortress of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his capital
city. Jerusalem was a neutral site belonging neither to the Southern nor to the Northern
tribes of Israel.
XXIV. He removed the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Abinadab in Shiloh and brought
it to Jerusalem with a great ceremony, singing and dancing. He then brought priests of
Jerusalem and attached them to the royal court.
XXV. He expressed faith in God. In this, he managed to kill Goliath, the great Philistine
warrior. He consulted God before going to war and never forgot to thank God for
whatever blessing he had bestowed on him.
XXVI. He was a skilled musician and composed many Psalms that were used and are still
being used in temple and church worship.
XXVII. David respected the prophets of God and always consulted them whenever he wanted
to do anything.
XXVIII. He expanded the geographical boundaries of Israel through conquests and after which
he would annex the land.
 XXIX. He was a great diplomat and established good political relations with the neighboring
kings.
XXX. He was a shrewd administrator who chose wise elders and counselors to advice him.
XXXI. God promised to establish an everlasting kingdom for David where his descendants
would live in security never to be disturbed by anybody.
XXXII. David ruled over Israel, administering law and justice to all people.
XXXIII. He insisted on taking census of all Israel.
XXXIV. He had remarkable leadership qualities. For example he was a brave man, eloquent in
speech, patient and God fearing.
XXXV. David was humble. He was ready to accept sins he had committed and repent.
XXXVI. David received great favor from the Deutronomist by asserting that David was an ideal
king.

27. DAVID AS AN ANCESTOR OF JESUS CHRIST

2nd Samuel 1-29; Luke 1:26-33
After building a palace for himself, David intended to build a temple for God. He
consulted Prophet Nathan to find out whether it was in order to do so. The prophet approved
the idea. However, later that night Nathan received revelation from God which stated that
David was not to build the temple.
GOD’S PROMISES TO DAVID:
viii. God promised to keep David and his descendants safe from all enemies.
ix. God would give David’s descendants a place to settle
x. God promised to raise up an heir from the house of David to sit on the throne
xi. He promised to let David’s son be the one to build a temple for Him.
xii. God’s relationship with this king would be like that of a father to his son
xiii. God promised to establish an everlasting kingdom for David
xiv. God promised to make David’s name great or famous among all other leaders of the
earth.
Some of these promises were fulfilled through Solomon his son, who also built a temple for
God. David’s reign was also marked by period of peace and prosperity.

THE PROMISES MADE TO DAVID WERE ALSO FULFILLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
THROUGH THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:-
10. Jesus was born by a girl in Galilee who had been promised in marriage to Joseph, a
descendant of King David.
11. Angel Gabriel in his annunciation message to Mary says that Jesus will be king like his
ancestor David.
12. Zachariah in his Benedictus says that God has risen up a savior descended from the
house of David.
 13. Jesus was born in Bethlehem which was also the birth place of David.
14. The blind man at Jericho hailed Jesus as the son of David and looked to him to restore
his sight.
15. Jesus was hailed by the crowd as the Messiah, descended from David during His
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
16. The early apostles like Peter and Paul, in their Sermons, made a number of references
to Jesus as a descendant of David
17. Saint Paul asserted that the Good News of salvation is about the son of God that took
human nature and was born from David’s lineage
18. In his genealogy, Saint Mathew also says that Jesus was a descendant of David.

28. QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER DRAWN FROM KING DAVID

IX. Courage/bravery
David was a courageous military commandment who led his people to wars.
X. Faith
David was a God-fearing man and expressed his total trust in God by consulting Him before
engaging in any adventure
XI. Gratitude
David always thanked God for any success or favors he received from Him
XII. Loyalty
David drew the support of his subjects by concluding a number of agreements or treaties
with both the men of Judah and Israel in which the subjects promised their loyalty to him and he
did likewise.
XIII. Justice
David is said to have administered justice to all his subjects without favoring anyone. He
never practiced tribalism or nepotism.
XIV. Wisdom
David was a wise man; he chose wise legal advisors to assist him in his rule and chose
Jerusalem, a neutral spot for administration hence tribal jealousies.
XV. Humility
King David was ready to admit his mistakes and accepted criticism and rebukes from religious
leaders such as prophets. He was ready to repent when he realized his mistakes.
XVI. Kindness
David forgave Saul and spared his life even though the latter wanted to kill him.

THE ACTIVITIES IN THE LIFE OF DAVID THAT SHOWED HE HAD FAITH IN GOD.
xii. He prayed and called himself a servant of God.
xiii. Through faith in God, he killed Goliath using a stone and a sling.
xiv. He repented after he had killed Uriah.
 xv. He accepted to be anointed by Samuel as King.
xvi. He consulted God and his prophets prior to any action.
xvii. He advised Solomon his son to remain faithful to God in order to succeed. He
offered sacrifices to God.
xviii. He sought God’s protection when Saul wanted to kill him.
xix. He genuinely accepted God’s punishment for his sins.
xx. He attributed all his achievements to God through songs and psalms.
xxi. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
xxii. He wanted to build a temple for God
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD AS PORTRAYED IN THE LIFE OF KING DAVID.
ix. God is omnipotent.
x. God is kind and merciful.
xi. God is loving/caring.
xii. God answers prayers.
xiii. God requires total faith.
xiv. God punishes sin. God is holy.
xv. God is righteous/pure.
xvi. God protects his people.

29. KING SOLOMON’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAILURES

1st Kings 3-11
Solomon was the son of David. He was appointed by his father to succeed him. He was
anointed by Zadok, the priest. He ruled for 40 years like his father David.

KING SOLOMON’S ACHIEVEMENTS

x. He was a successful merchant. He achieved this by establishing and developing trade
with the neighboring countries.
xi. He built up a professional army equipped with horse-drawn chariots.
xii. Solomon appointed government officials who assisted him in his administration.
xiii. He developed a diplomatic relationship with foreign countries by marrying the
daughters of the Kings of Egypt, Moab, Edom, Tyre etc.
xiv. He was a great wise man and was praised for this.
xv. He built the temple for God.
xvi. Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple of Jerusalem. This represented
God’s presence among His people.
xvii. He built himself a palace that took 13 years to complete.
 xviii. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs

KING SOLOMON’S FAILURE

xi. He married foreign wives who worshipped other god’s
xii. He built temples for the Pagan gods worshipped by his wives
xiii. He introduced forced labor in the building of palace & the temple
xiv. He killed his own half-brother, Adonijah, he suspected he could be his rival to the
throne
xv. He practiced nepotism. Solomon’s own tribesmen from the tribes of Judah and
Benjamin were exempted from forced labor.
xvi. He introduced high taxation in Israel.
xvii. He valued himself more than God; he spent only seven years in building the
Temple, but 13 years in building his own palace.
xviii. He was extravagant in the way he used the wealth belonging to the state of
Israel.
xix. King Solomon sold part of Israelite territory: 20 towns of Galilee to Hiram, the King of
Tyre in repayment for a debt he was unable to settle.
xx. He hired the skills of pagan craftsmen who designed, decorated and furnished the
Temple of God.
30. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN ISRAEL
xiii. It symbolized God’s presence among His people through the Ark of the Covenant which
was kept in the Temple.
xiv. It was a dwelling place for God. On the day of dedication to God, God’s glory filled the
Temple in form of a thick cloud.
xv. It was a house of worship and prayer.
xvi. It was a place where all first-born male children were dedicated to God
xvii. All the Jewish religious festivals or feasts such as the Passover and Pentecost
were celebrated in the Temple
xviii. The temple was a training place for the Jewish religious teachers. These are the
Scribes
xix. The Temple was the place where the prophets and priests lived.
xx. The Temple was the only place where all rites of purification were carried out.
xxi. It was used as a law-court by the council of Jewish religious leaders called the
Sanhedrin.
xxii. The Temple was the only place where sacrifices to God were offered by the
priests
xxiii. Religious ceremonies like naming and circumcision of baby boy took place in the
Temple on the eighth day.
 xxiv. It was the place where the right types of animals for sacrifice were brought by
the Jews who had travelled long distances to celebrate the annual feasts.

THE DEATH OF SOLOMON AND THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM

1st King 12
When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam succeeded him. A delegation of elders from
the ten tribes of the North led by Jeroboam I. son of Nebat, met Rehoboam at Shechem. They
presented their memorandum and told him they were willing to accept him as their king if he
would give them some assurance of better treatment. They wanted him to rule them less
harshly than his father Solomon had done.
Instead of listening to their grievances, he threatened them even with worse treatment
than his father.
The delegation was angered with the harsh reply and rebelled against Rehoboam. They
made Jeroboam I King of the Northern tribes. This split the kingdom into two; Israel comprising
ten tribes and Judah comprising two tribes.
The Kingdom of Judah retained Jerusalem as its capital city. Jeroboam fortified two
cities, Shechem and Penuel from where he ruled Israel in turn. He finally settled at Tirzah to the
north of Shechem.

THE ACTIVITIES OF KING JEROBOAM THAT MADE THE ISRAELITES IN THE NORTHERN
KINGDOM TURN AWAY FROM YAHWEH.
He molded golden calves at Bethel and Dan to represent Yahweh.
He centralized worship at Bethel and Dan, thus ignoring Jerusalem.
He instituted religious festivals in the month of his choice.
He chose non-Levite priests, getting them from ordinary families to serve at centres of worship.
He led the Israelites into offering sacrifices to the idols.
He himself worshipped idols.

REASONS WHY THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL DESTROYED BEFORE THE SOUTHERN
KINGDOM OF JUDAH
xiii. The Kings of the northern Kingdom led the people in syncretism.
xiv. The people persecuted and even executed God’s prophets.
xv. The Kings were not ordained by God.
xvi. The Kings and their subjects failed to repent from their iniquities.
xvii. The leaders built temples for idolatry.
xviii. The people defiled Yahwehism by worshipping the Canaanite gods
simultaneously.
 xix. The people were deeply involved in temple/cult prostitution.
xx. The King took part in slave trade.
xxi. They formed political alliances with the neighboring nations instead of relying on God.
xxii. The Kings oppressed the poor.
xxiii. The judges were corrupt.
xxiv. The people neglected messages from the prophets of Yahweh

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN ISRAEL.

xiv. The temple was God’s dwelling place.
xv. It signified God’s presence among his people through the Ark of the Covenant and the
Tabernacle.
xvi. The dedication of firstborn male children took place at the temple.
xvii. The temple was a house of worship and prayer.
xviii. Animal sacrifice was offered in the temple.
xix. Religious rituals like the naming and circumcision of baby boys took place in the temple.
xx. It was a place where religious festivals/feasts e.g. Pentecost were celebrated.
xxi. The temple was a training place for Jewish religious leaders.
xxii. It was a residential place for the priests and prophets.
xxiii. It served as a law court by the council of Jewish religious leaders: the Sanhedrin.
xxiv. It was a place where all rites of purification were carried out.
xxv. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the laws of God.
xxvi. It served as a commercial center.
WAYS IN WHICH THE KINGS OF ISRAEL BROUGHT THE PEOPLE BACK TO GOD.
ix. The Kings like Jehu killed the prophets of Baal.
x. They destroyed the altars of the gods.
xi. They set examples to the people by repenting whenever they went astray.
xii. Kings like David and Solomon restored temple worship by maintaining the Ark of the
Covenant.
xiii. They led the people in renewing their relationship with Yahweh when they broke the
covenant ways.
xiv. They renewed the temple to look presentable.
xv. Solomon the third King built a temple for God.
xvi. They destroyed the bronze serpent made by Moses during the Exodus. They never
indulged into political alliances with neighboring Kings.
 CHAPTER SIX

LOYALTY TO GOD-ELIJAH

6. FACTORS THAT LED TO THE SPREAD OF IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL

 Idolatry refers to the worship of idol. (An idol is an image representing a god).
 The following contributed to the Israelites idol worship:

d. The local Canaanite Religion

Characteristics of the Canaanites religion that made it be a constant temptation to the Israelites
xiv. It was a nature religion. The worshippers aim was to control forces of nature such as
rain and drought.
xv. The aims of the religion were to ensure continued fertility of land, flock and people.
xvi. It was a cyclic religion which meant that seasons were repeated in contrast to Yahweism
which was linear.
xvii. It comprised family of gods/it was polytheistic
 The high god was called El, the King and the father of years
 The “wife” of El was Asherah, a goddess of fertility.
 The storm god was called Baal, also referred to as the god of rain and fertility
 The female partner of Baal was called Baath which means Lady although her personal
name was Ashtarte
 The sister of Baal was called Anat, a goddess of war and love.
 Mot was the god of drought, famine and death
xviii. Symbols were used to represent each god. i.e. Baal was in the form of bull and stone
pillar, Asherah by a sacred pole.
xix. Temple prostitution was practiced. It was believed that if a barren couple imitated Baal
and Ashtarte when having sex, they would be able bear children.
xx. there were many places of worship such as temples under sacred trees and on top of
the hills
xxi. Sacrifices including human beings were offered to these gods
xxii. Festivals and feasts were also celebrated. For example:
 Feast of Unleavened Bread which was carried out at the beginning of the barely harvest
 Feast of weeks celebrated during the wheat harvest
xxiii. Rituals were performed to ensure continued fertility/well-being of the community
xxiv. There were prophets and priests for each god and goddess
xxv. Each god and goddess played a specific role in the community
xxvi. There was a chief god called El.
 CHARACTERISTICS THAT MADE ISRAELITES AN EASIER TARGET TO CANAANITES RELIGION
AND WAY OF LIFE/INFLUENCE OF THE LOCAL CANAANITE RELIGION
viii. Israelites transformed from pastoral life to agricultural life
ix. The belief that a god was only powerful in his own land
x. The Israelites were attracted to the visible gods of the Canaanites as opposed to the
invisible Yahweh
xi. The Israelites’ failure to effect God’s command to destroy all the cultic objects and
temples used in the worship of Canaanite gods
xii. The Israelites adopted great festivals which belonged to the structure of agriculture life
in Canaan e.g. transition from pastoral to agricultural life
xiii. The sacrifices and offerings of the Canaanites were taken over by the Israelites
xiv. The Israelites failed to understand the nature of their God

e. RELIGIOUS SCHISM BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL

 Schism refers to a division within or separation from an established church/religion but
not necessarily involving a difference in doctrine.
 After the separation of the two kingdoms, Jeroboam feared that the people of Israel,
will be won over by Rehoboam in Judah if they continued going to Jerusalem to
worship, so he did the following:
viii. He made two golden calves and placed one at Bethel and the other one at Dan to
act as the visible representation of Yahweh
ix. He ignored Jerusalem as center of worship and set up two rival places of worship at
Dan and Bethel
x. He made the Israelites to offer sacrifices to the two golden bulls representing
Yahweh
xi. He built other places of worship on hilltops thus copying the practices of the
surrounding nations.,./m
xii. He chose priests from ordinary families to serve Yahweh at the centers of worship
instead of the tribe of Levi
xiii. He instituted religious festivals or feasts in the month of his choices
xiv. He burnt incense at the altar of idols

f. KING AHAB’S MARRIAGE WITH THE PHOENICIAN PRINCES

 When Omri, Ahab’s father, seized power, he made great political achievements for
Israel. He formed an alliance with the king of Phoenicia.
  To strengthen further the political union between the two countries, Israel and
Phoenicia, Omri arranged for the royal marriage of his son, Ahab to Jezebel, the
daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre.
 Immediately Ahab became the king of Israel, he tried to please his wife by allowing her
to introduce her religion to Israel.

WAYS IN WHICH QUEEN JEZEBEL PROMOTED IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL

 She imported her Baal religion to Israel. She imported her Baal (Baal-Melkart) to Israel
which was the official protective god of Tyre.
 She also imported 450 prophets of Baal and Asherah to Israel.
 She asked her husband, Ahab to build temples and high places for idol gods
 She influenced the king to make Baalism a state religion
 She influenced Ahab to worship Baal
 She persecuted the prophets of Yahweh
 She influenced Ahab to appoint Baal prophets as the royal officials (Advisors)

QUESTION

Identify factors which led to widespread of idolatry in Israel during the time of
prophet Elijah. (KCSE 2019)

xiv. The foreign princesses married to Israelite kings brought with them idol worship. i.e
Jezebel
xv. Israelites change their lifestyle from pastoralism to agriculture in Canaan which forced
them to worship their god’s of fertility
xvi. The Israelites practiced Syncretism-They worshipped Yahweh and Baal on different
occasions
xvii. The kings built temples for Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel-Jeroboam
xviii. King Ahab made Baalism the official state religions
xix. The Israelites were attracted to the Canaanite’s visible gods compared to their unseen
God.
xx. The kings made festivals for the Canaanite gods to be on the same dates as those of the
Jewish calendar hence they were influenced to worship idols.
xxi. The true prophets of Yahweh were being persecuted
xxii. The Israelites felt like Yahweh had forsaken them after they were defeated in wars by
neighboring countries hence they turned to other gods.
xxiii. Existence of false prophets who misled the people of God.
xxiv. The kings worshipped idols setting a bad example to the people.
xxv. The Israelites failure to destroy the idol places of worship when they settled in Canaan.
xxvi. King Jeroboam built other places of worship and ignored Jerusalem

7. THE EFFECTS OF IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL

xviii. It led to syncretism-the process in which certain beliefs or practices from different
religions are fused. Its mixed worship. They worshipped Yahweh alongside idols
xix. Former places of worship for the Canaanite gods were turned into places of worship
for Yahweh without removing the Canaanite symbols such as altars and pillars.
xx. The Canaanite agricultural calendar was adopted by Israel for the timing of the
pilgrimage festival.
xxi. Names of the Canaanite gods (i.e. El, the father of all gods) was used for Yahweh
xxii. The Canaanite sacrificial system was incorporated into Israelite worship. For
example peace offerings, burnt offerings and cereal offerings were originally
Canaanite
xxiii. Under the influence of Jezebel, king Ahab declared Baalism a compulsory state
religion
xxiv. Queen Jezebel ordered the destruction of the altars of Yahweh
xxv. Prophets of Yahweh were killed/persecuted
xxvi. 450 prophets of Baal were made the officials of the royal court
xxvii. The Israelites started to name their children after Baal gods.e.g Baalath
xxviii. The Israelites broke their covenant relationship with God.
xxix. The Israelites forgot the practice of brotherhood and practice
xxx. Famine and drought befall the Israel leading to people’s suffering
xxxi. Names of the Canaanite gods were used for Yahweh e.g. El
xxxii. They introduced new religious festivals that were not in the Mosaic law.
xxxiii. Social evils such as bribery, sexual immorality and stealing became rampant
xxxiv. The 450 prophets of Baal were made officials of the royal court in order to promote
and protect the Baal religion.

8. ELIJAH’S FIGHT AGAINST FALSE RELIGION AND CORRUPTION

Introduction
 Elijah was a prophet from the Northern Kingdom of Israel
 He prophesized during the reign of King Ahab, sixty years after Jeroboam I had been
ruler of Israel
  This was a time when the worship of Yahweh was on the verge of extinction because of
threats from Queen Jezebel.

a. ELIJAH’S FIGHT AGAINST FALSE RELIGION

1ST KING 18: 17-46
God told Elijah to go and meet the king. As soon as King Ahab saw him, he called him trouble
maker.
Elijah had stated that there would be no rain in the capital (Samaria) until he says so. This was
because of Israelites unfaithfulness

Mount Carmel Contest

Elijah asked the king to gather all the Israelites together with the 450 prophets of Baal to a
contest at Mount Carmel. The contest was to determine there and then, who was the Lord,
who had the power to control rain and fertility

Elijah told them to bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal to take one and offer a sacrifice to
their god and Elijah to offer the other one to God They were not to light any fire and the people
agreed that the God who answered by fire would be the true God

The prophets of Baal were the first to offer their sacrifice. After preparing the altar, they
started praying to their god. Shouting and dancing around the altar. However, there was no
answer.

By midday, Elijah started mocking them in different ways. He told them to pray harder because
Baal is busy, on a journey or a sleep. Baal failed to answer his prophets by bringing fire to
consume the sacrifice.

After this, Elijah repaired the abandoned altar of Yahweh; he set up twelve stones, to represent
each of the twelve tribes of Israel. He poured water on the wood. The purposes of these rituals
were:
iii. To enhance the fire miracle by ensuring that the altar was wet
iv. To bring down rain by imitating the falling of rain

After this, Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for help. Immediately after his
prayer, the supernatural fire descended from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the water
and the wood.
 Elijah then ordered for the killing of Baal prophets and prophetesses of Asherah. About 450
prophets of Baal and prophetesses of Asherah were killed. Afterwards, Elijah performed rain
ceremony. On that day, rain fell in great torrents.

xii. Yahweh is the only true God. Baal is no god at all

xiii. Yahweh is a living God who controls forces of nature
xiv. He is the Lord of nature
xv. Yahweh is a powerful God
xvi. Yahweh is a merciful God who wins back wayward hearts
xvii. Yahweh is a jealous God who will have no other gods besides Him
xviii. Yahweh is a God of justice who punished idolaters and other sinners
xix. Yahweh answers prayers/He is faithful God.
xx. God should be worshipped
xxi. God works through human beings
xxii. He is omnipresent.

THE PRACTICES OF IDOLATRY DURING THE TIME OF ELIJAH.

viii.There was human sacrifice. The people worshipped many gods.
ix. There was animal sacrifice to the gods.
x. People observed festivals in honour of the gods.
xi. Symbols were made to represent the gods.
xii. Temples were built for the worship of the gods.
xiii. Rituals were performed in honour of the gods.
xiv. Baal prophets presided over religious matters.
IN WHICH WAY WAS THE PRESENCE OF GOD FELT DURING THE TIME OF ELIJAH?
vii. Through thunder at Mount Carmel.
viii.In a fire;
ix. In a small still voice in the wilderness.
x. In an earthquake at mount Carmel;
xi. Through a thick cloud.
xii. Strong wind that split the hills.

THE WAYS THAT ELIJAH USED IN PROVING THAT YAHWEH WAS THE TRUE GOD.
 The fire that descended on the sacrifice.
 The three-year drought.
 Torrential rain that marked the end of the period of drought.
 The raising of the widow’s son at Zeraphath.
 The multiplication of flour and oil.
  Going to heaven on a chariot.

Life skills used by Prophet Elijah to fight against false religion.

ix. Critical thinking- Is the ability to analyze issues with an aim of attaining effective
decisions
Elijah thought of how the true worship was being undermined by Baalism

x. Creative thinking – Is the ability to come up with new things and new way of handling a
situation that requires a respons Ce
Elijah requested for a contest between the prophets of Baal and himself.

xi. Decision making –Is the skill that empowers a person to arrive at a line of action when
confronted by the issues
Prophet Elijah killed the prophets/prophetesses of Baal.

xii. Self-esteem –Is the way you feel about yourself

Elijah was convinced that God was on his side.

xiii. Negotiation – discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

Elijah asked the Israelites to choose between God and Baal.

xiv. Conflict resolution –is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a
disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or
emotional.
Through the contest, he convinced the Israelites that Yahweh was the true God.
xv. Effective communication – is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, knowledge and
information such that the purpose or intention is fulfilled in the best possible manner.
He explained to the people how the contest was to be carried out.
xvi. Self-awareness – Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively
through reflection and introspection
He knew that he was the prophet of the true God/ he had confidence in himself
b. ELIJAH FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
1ST KING 21: 1-29
Corruption can be defined as any form of injustice done to the innocent by those in position of
leadership

THE STORY OF NABOTH AND THE VINEYARD

King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard which was close to his own palace at Jezreel, Samaria’s
second capital. Ahab offered to buy the vineyard at a generous price or have it exchanged with
another one. But Naboth refused to sell or exchange the inheritance for the one reason that it
was a family estate.

Naboth’s refusal to sell or exchange the vineyard made King Ahab gloomy and he even refused
to eat. Jezebel, his wife, consoled him and told him not to worry as he was King and would get
the vineyard. She forged letters in the King’s name and accused Naboth of blasphemy and
treason. Naboth was not given time to defend himself, he was stoned to death in accordance to
the law. The land hence became a state property and Ahab went to possess it.

God sent Elijah to go and pronounce divine judgment on the house of Ahab for what he had
done. He was to tell Ahab that his dynasty was going to be destroyed. Ahab put on sack clothes
as a sign of repentance. God hence promised to effect punishment during the reign of his sons
and not him. As for Jezebel, God said that dogs will eat her body in the city of Jezreel.

COMMANDMENTS BROKEN BY AHAB AND JEZEBEL I KINGS 21:1-16

vii. They broke the commandment of not to kill when they planned for the stoning of
Naboth
viii. When they worshipped idols, they broke the commandment of not worshipping other
gods.
ix. They broke the commandment of stealing when they planned to take away Naboth’s
vineyard.
x. They used the name of God in vain when they said Naboth had blasphemed against
God.
xi. The commandment of not to cheat /bear false witness was broken when they planned
/instituting false witnesses against Naboth.
xii. They broke the commandment of not coveting a neighbors’ property when they wanted
Naboth’s vineyard.

FORMS OF PUNISHMENT PROPHESIED BY PROPHET ELIJAH TO KING AHAB AND JEZEBEL

x. Death of king Ahab would be in the same place /valley of Jezreel like Naboth’s vs 19
xi. Evil would be upon Ahab vs 21
xii. God was to take away the prosperity of Ahab /his rule would come to an end.
xiii. Dogs will leak the blood of Ahab
xiv. All the male children free/slaves would be cut off.
xv. The lineage of Ahab would be wiped out
 xvi. The dogs would eat anybody who belongs to the family of Ahab who died in the city
vs24
xvii. The birds of the air would eat all members of Ahab’s family who died in the field.
xviii. Dogs would eat the body of Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel vs 23

FORMS OF CORRUPTION FOUND IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY ARE:-

ix. Tribalism
x. Bribery
xi. Cheating in business
xii. Stealing
xiii. Robbery with violence
xiv. Dishonesty
xv. Misuse of public funds/property
xvi. Grabbing of personal and public land
CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN THE MODERN SOCIETY
xiv. Unemployment
xv. Greed for money
xvi. Stealing
xvii. Robbery with violence
xviii. Fear-not being arrested and charged in a court of law
xix. Ignorance-people give or receive bribes in the form of Gifts
xx. Disintegration of traditional African moral values
xxi. Lack of moral integrity
xxii. Lack of professional ethics and moral guidance
xxiii. Frustrations and lack of motivation in the work place
xxiv. Weak law enforcement systems –corrupt people not being punished
xxv. Corruption being used as a cover up for scandals
xxvi. Lack of moral guidance

EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION IN THE MODERN SOCIETY

xii. Corruption contributes to injustices in the society

xiii. It demeans human dignity and destroy the public image of leaders
xiv. It impoverishes individuals, families and nations
xv. It discourages foreign investment in the country
xvi. It may lead to the collapse of public cooperation’s and mass unemployment
xvii. It is an illegal practice and can lead to loss of job and imprisonment
xviii. People loose respect for corrupt leaders
xix. It retards the development of a nation as money is squandered by those in charge
 xx. Financial institutions and donor countries may withhold their financial assistance to
corrupt nations.
xxi. It encourages laziness among people
xxii. It denies people their right, hence causing discontentment among them

WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN HELP IN REDUCING CORRUPTION IN KENYA

xii. Respecting oneself and others
xiii. Respecting laws set up in the constitution
xiv. By practicing moral values
xv. Building a fair and just society by applying life skills such as critical thinking, creative
thinking and making appropriate moral decisions
xvi. Advocating for the enactment of laws that will fight corruption
xvii. By lobbying for the punishment of all those who abuse justice.
xviii. Pray for the corrupt to change their behavior
xix. Preaching to corrupt to corrupt change their ways
xx. Set good example of acting as good role models for others
xxi. Educate people on the evils of corruption
xxii. Report those who engage in corrupt practices to the relevant authorities.

9. REASONS WHY ELIJAH FACED DANGER AND HOSTILITY AS A PROPHET OF GOD

1st king 18: 1-46. 19: 1-21, 21: 1-26
Because of Elijah’s work as prophet of God, he had direct conflict with the king and Jezebel. The
two wanted to kill him for the following reasons

xii. Elijah lived in fear after he pronounced a three-year drought in Israel

xiii. The prophets of Yahweh were being persecuted
xiv. Jezebel threatened to kill him
xv. He hid in the wilderness to avoid persecution where he faced the danger of starvation
xvi. He prophesied doom for Ahab and Jezebel’s family
xvii. Prophet Elijah had put to death the 450 prophets of Baal during Mount Camel contest
xviii. Elijah had boldly condemned King Ahab for taking away Naboth vineyard
xix. He fought for the true worship of Yahweh, which angered Jezebel
xx. The presence the many prophets of Baal
xxi. He had to fight Baalism which had been made a state religion
xxii. He had to defend his faith/religion to prove that Yahweh was the true God.
 PROBLEMS FACED BY CHURCH LEADERS IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK.
xiv. They receive threats from the opponents.
xv. They lack material/ financial assistance.
xvi. There is lack of cooperation from the church members.
xvii. There is rivalry among the leaders/themselves.
xviii. They may not be good role models/hypocrisy.
xix. They may suffer from long separation from their families.
xx. There is misinterpretation of the Biblical theology from different sources/ Science
&
a. technology.
xxi. Greed for things/property.
xxii. They may be posted to a hostile working environment.
xxiii. There is political interference in their work.
xxiv. They may lack adequate skills for carrying out their work.
xxv. Permissiveness/ corruption/ mass media
xxvi. Rejection

Qualities of prophet Elijah that a Christian leader should possess

xi. Truthfulness
xii. Courage
xiii. Faithfulness/trust
xiv. Kindness
xv. Loving/caring
xvi. Honesty
xvii. Responsible
xviii. Loyalty/obedience
xix. Respectful
xx. Prayerfulness

WAYS IN WHICH GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF IN THE LIFE OF ELIJAH DURING HIS MISSION
ix. He raised to life the widow’s son in Zerephath
x. Prophesied three years of drought and it happened
xi. He prayed to Yahweh and the drought ended with great rain
xii. He prayed and Yahweh brought fire that consumed the sacrifice
xiii. He was fed by ravens in the wilderness while he was hiding
xiv. Ahab and Jezebel sought to kill him but failed because God revealed their evil plans to
him
 xv. He multiplied flour and oil for a widow throughout the drought and famine
xvi. God spoke to him in a still voice on the mountain

10. THE RELEVANCE OF ELIJAH’S PROPHETIC MISSION TO CHRISTIANS TODAY

xvi. Church leaders should remain courageous and firm in condemning any form of social
injustice in society
xvii. Christians should remain faithful to God through word and deed even if this would cost
them their lives
xviii. Christians should not despair in their missionary work but lean on God for
encouragement and providence
xix. Christians should pray to God in faith as God would answer them
xx. Christians should advocate for rights of the poor and speak against any form of
oppression
xxi. Christians should not give false evidence against their neighbors like Jezebel did to
Naboth
xxii. Christians should be persistent like Elijah in their struggle against injustice
xxiii. God is able to establish an intimate relationship with His faithful.
xxiv. Christians should condemn all forms of social injustices such as corruption, murder of
innocent people and exploitation of the poor.
xxv. Christians should worship one true God and put their trust in him.
xxvi. Christians should be ready to suffer and face opposition in their work
xxvii. Should preach and win converts to God
xxviii. Christians should avoid sinful life so as to escape God’s punishment.
xxix. Christian should accept God’s call
xxx. Christians should have faith in God and avoid all forms of idolatry such as love for
money

SECTION TWO
AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE-MORAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

AFRICAN CONCEPT OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

D. GOD
The traditional idea of God is that He is a Supreme Being/Deity. He was a perfect human being.
The supreme God is that who excels in all good qualities of man.
This Being does not have material body but exists as a spiritual being.
He is the origin and sustainer of all things

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD UNDERSTOOD BY AFRICAN PEOPLE

 xiii. God is good- He’s the giver of life and sustainer
xiv. God is merciful- Proven in times of danger, anxiety etc
xv. God is all knowing –(Omniscient) nothing is/can be hidden for Him
xvi. God is holy hence those offering sacrifice ought to be pure
xvii. God is all powerful (Omnipotent) supersede everything in power and strength
xviii. God is all understanding hence forgiving
xix. God is all present (Omnipresent) simultaneously worldwide
xx. God is limitless not limited by time or space
xxi. God is self-existent God originated on His own
xxii. God is spirit He is invisible and everlasting
xxiii. God is ever lasting (Eternal) lives beyond lifetime of a person, an animal or a plant.
xxiv. God is the creator all was created by Him

E. SPIRITS
 Spirits are believed to be existing between God and human beings in the universe.
 There are many types of spirits and all of them are believed to have been created by
God.
 It is also believed that some spirits were once human beings who died many years back
and the living people can no longer identify them.
 They are invisible beings
 They are second in the hierarchy of beings
 They are subordinate to God and depend on him for survival
 God uses them to perform certain things such as causing floods and lightening
 They can be reborn among the living

TYPES OF SPRITS

SPIRITS

Nature spirit Human spirit

Sky Earth Long Recently

Spirits Spirits Dead Dead

(Ghosts) (Ancestors)

iv. NATURE SPIRITS

 a. Nature spirits of the sky
These are the spirits which are associated with objects and forces of the sky like the sun, the
moon, the stars, rain, thunder and lightning. The belief in these spirits help people to explain
the mysteries of the forces of nature connected with the sky.

b. NATURE SPIRITS OF EARTH

These spirits are connected with forces of the earth such as hills, mountains, rocks and trees
etc

v. HUMAN SPIRITS
They are in two categories, namely:
a. The ghost’s spirits
These are spirits belonging to those who died long ago and whose names cannot be
remembered

b. The ancestral spirits (the living dead)

These are spirits whose identity is still alive in the memories of people.
These spirits are believed to appear to the living in visions, dreams or even in the open. In
general, people fear ghosts more than the ancestral spirits.

vi. DIVINITIES
Some African communities in West Africa like the Ashanti of Ghana, Yoruba of Nigeria and
Mande of Sieraleon believe in category of spirits between God and the spirits described above
i.e. divinities
These divinities are believed to have been created by God and they represent His activities on
earth.

F. ANCESTORS
These are the fore-fathers or founders of the African clans or tribes. They are people
who died and whose names and identity are still remembered by the family or clan
members

THE AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIERARCHY OF BEINGS

The African understanding of the universe is that it consists of two parts:
 The visible (the Earth)
 The invisible (sky) which is regarded as the home of God.

d. HIERARCHY OF BEINGS

 This universe has a specific order of created beings with God, the Creator, occupying the
highest rank. This ordering is what is referred to as the hierarchy of beings.
 It can be divided into seven categories:
viii. God, the Supreme being is at the top. He is believed to be responsible for the
existence and sustenance of human beings and all other beings
ix. 2nd are the Divinities (Are spirits by God)
x. 3rd are the Spirits (Belonging to people who died long time along)
xi. 4th are the Living Dead, (ancestors). This forms an intermediate stage between the
human beings who are alive and the spirit world
xii. 5th position is Human Beings. They include those who are physically alive and those
who are yet to be born
xiii. 6th are the Living Things like animals and plants (They are used by human beings in
their natural and religious life as food, totem and sacrifice)
xiv. Lastly are the Natural and Artificial Things without biological life such as rain, rivers,
mountains, rocks and all other lifeless objects.

God

Divinities

Spirits

Living Dead (Ancestors)

Human Beings

Plants and Animals-Living Things

None Living Things

e. THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF ALL THINGS, LIVING AND NONE-LIVING

According to the African view of the universe, all created beings depend on each other and on
God
 v) Human Beings and God
vii. Human beings, depend on God for most essential requirements of life for
example rain, air and sunshine
viii. They are less powerful than God
ix. They are under all obligations to obey the laws and commandments given by
God
x. Failure to obey these regulations may lead to punishment
xi. They must offer sacrifices to God to maintain good relation with him
xii. Natural calamities like draught, floods and earthquakes are believed to be
controlled by God and are beyond people’s power.

vi) Human beings and animals

God gave animals to people for their use and they should be handled responsibly

Importance of animals to man

xi. Domestic animals like cattle, sheep and goats are used as food
xii. Are used for payment of dowry
xiii. Possession of animals is seen as a sign of prestige and wealth.
xiv. Possession of these animals is also seen as a sign of prestige and wealth
xv. The skins of these animals can be used as clothes
xvi. Some are used as sacrifices to God
xvii. Some are used as payment for a fine by an offender to the offended person
xviii. Used to predict weather patterns
xix. Some animals are treated as totems by communities
xx. Some are used to communicate the social standards expected of people e.g
Hyena used to discourage cowardice and greed
Hare-used to discourage trickery
Snake-Not killed by some communities, it is believed to be immortal and the ancestors
may visit the living from it.

vii) Human Beings and Plants

Ways through which human beings depend on plants are:

x. Certain plants like vegetables are used for food
xi. Pastoralists and those rear animals depend on grass and foliage for their livestock
xii. Trees are used for fuel
 xiii. Trees are used for building purposes
xiv. Plants are also used for conservation of wildlife for example trees
xv. Provision of shelter
xvi. Some trees are used as sacred places of worship e.g Mugumo tree
xvii. Some trees/plants are used as totems
xviii. Some are used for medical purposes

viii) Human Beings and Non-living things

vii. None-Living things like rain, rocks and rivers are given a religious significance. For
example, rain is seen as great blessings from God because it brings pasture for
pastoralists and good harvest of crops for agriculturalists.
viii. Natural phenomena like thunder are seen as God’s movement or God’s voice. They are
therefore seen as signs of warning from God.
ix. Rocks and mountains are viewed as God’s manifestations to humankind and also
dwelling places for the living dead and spirits. Such places are used for the worship of
God and are treated as sacred.
x. Heavenly bodies help human beings to determine times and seasons
xi. Human beings depend on the sun for sunlight during the day and on the moon and stars
for light at night.
xii. Soil is used for swearing in traditional African communities

THE ROLE OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. The role of God

x. God cares for his creation and can be invoked in times of need
xi. He is the giver and sustainer of life, provides necessities of life e.g food, air, water and
fire
xii. He protects human beings from evil e.g Protects the weak and hears the cry of those
unjustly treated
xiii. He comforts the sorrowful e.g heals the sick
xiv. He is the guardian of morality and ethical order. He punishes those who do evil
xv. He controls the spirits which are more powerful than humans
xvi. He gives order to the universe and controls it.
xvii. He gives power to religious specialists e.g. medicine men, priests, kings and prophets
xviii. God answers prayers

b. The role of spirits

 viii. Spirits guard sacred places
ix. Some may be manipulated by human beings and cause harm to others e.g with
sickness and death
x. They intercede for people before God
xi. The religious specialists may also consult the spirits as part of their normal training
and practice
xii. The belief in the existence of spirits provides people with the explanation of many
mysteries which they find in the universe
xiii. Spirits relay God’s response to human beings
xiv. Bad spirits sometimes possess a person. This could cause the person to leave home
and go to the forests, jump into the fire and get burnt etc

c. Role of Ancestors
xiv. May cause illness or mental disturbances to human beings
xv. Give instructions to the family as to what should be done in certain areas affecting it
xvi. Rebuke and warn the living of the impending punishment to those who have failed
to honor their obligation to them
xvii. They request for something like animals to be slaughtered for them
xviii. They interact with the living
xix. Act as mediators between the living and God
xx. They inflict punishments on offenders in society
xxi. They bless the living members of the family
xxii. Avert consequences of curses
xxiii. Protect human beings against evil
xxiv. Provide names to new born
xxv. Preside over all religious ceremonies in the community
xxvi. Custodians of African traditional moral culture and religious values

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LIVING TOWARDS GOD, SPIRIT AND ANCESTORS

Responsibility of the living towards God

ix. To take care of God’s creation
x. To obey God’s instructions
xi. To set aside specific places of worship
xii. To appreciate God’s blessings
xiii. To make their request known to God
xiv. To Worship God
xv. To give their children names of God
xvi. To share God’s given resources with fellow human beings
 Responsibility of the living towards spirits

vii. Human beings are to respect places like shrines which are associated with spiritual
manifestation
viii. To appease the spirits by pouring libation to them
ix. Respect and honor the spirits
x. Protect sacred places
xi. Consult spirits on spiritual matters
xii. Obey the will of the spirits

Responsibility of the living towards ancestors

xiii. To show respect to them

xiv. Address them by their proper names and tittles
xv. Pour libation to them
xvi. Offer sacrifices to them and give them offerings to appease them
xvii. Obey their commands and wishes
xviii. Name their children after their ancestors
xix. Build shrines for them
xx. Pray to God through them
xxi. Invite them to social functions
xxii. Teach their children about their ancestors
xxiii. Consult them through diviners and medicine people
xxiv. Praise them through songs

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WORSHIP OF GOD

Worship is the means through which human beings communicate with God
Worship may be public or private, formal or informal, communal or individual, direct or indirect

Places of worship in African traditional society

ix. Under sacred trees e.g Mugumo tree
x. On hilltops and rocks
xi. In caves
xii. At riverbanks and on the shores
xiii. In the sacred forests
xiv. In graveyards
xv. At crossroads
xvi. In the homes of some religious specialists

Ways in which Traditional African communities worshipped God

1.They offered Sacrifices

 An animal is slaughtered in honor of God

 It involves the shedding of blood of human beings, animals or birds

Reasons why sacrifices are offered

viii. To appreciate God as the source of life
ix. To thank God for the blessings to the people
x. To appease God for the wrongs done
xi. To petition God for help during difficult times
xii. To invite God to participate in family and community functions
xiii. To maintain a good relationship
xiv. To avert evil e.g. drought, famine, floods or epidemics

Occasions when sacrifices were offered

viii. During rites of passage
ix. During disasters
x. After a good harvest
xi. During installation of leaders
xii. During cleansing ceremonies
xiii. During reconciliation ceremonies
xiv. Before going for war

2. They gave offerings

Offerings were given to God, spirits and ancestors
Offerings were given for the following reasons:
vi. In recognition of God’s absolute ownership of life and property
vii. To invoke God for special blessings to the clan at large
viii. To thank God for various reasons such as success in war or plentiful harvest by the
community or individual
ix. To express a person’s fellowship or communion with God
x. To avert evil

8. Offered prayers
Prayers always accompanied offerings and sacrifices so that the purpose of the occasion is
declared.

9. Singing and dancing

Singing and dancing was also done as a way of worship

10. Invocations – Short formal prayers e.g’ Help me, O God’, ‘O great God’
11. Blessings –Blessings by an elder constitute acts of prayer. It’s believed that the person
blessing is doing so on behalf of God
12. Salutations also formed part of African way of worship. E.g ‘Dear God’

VENERATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. Veneration refers to the way in which respect and honor is accorded to the ancestors and
spirits

WAYS IN WHICH TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITIES VENERATED THE SPIRITS AND

ANCESTORS
ix. Pouring libation of beer, milk and water to the spirits
x. Making sacrifices and giving offerings
xi. Naming children after them
xii. Praying to God through them
xiii. Address them by their proper names and tittles
xiv. Inviting them to social functions e.g. birth, initiation, and marriage
xv. Teaching children about them
xvi. Building shrines for them

f. Communication with the spirits

 Human beings communicate with spirits for a good or bad cause

 People communicate with the spirits through religious specialists e.g diviners and
mediums
 The religious specialists link human beings to the spiritual world
 The medium who normally works with a diviner gets “spirit possession” through
various means. For example, by;
 Sitting quietly in a place
 Singing
 Dancing
  Clapping of hands
 Falling into a trance
 The medium then loses his/her senses and become an instrument of the spirit. The
spirit begins to speak, giving requests sort and can also make demands on the living

WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE COMMUNICATE WITH SPIRITS

ix. Through divination
x. Singing and dancing to them
xi. Recitation/chanting and invoking their names
xii. By making sacrifices to them
xiii. By saying prayers
xiv. By giving offerings
xv. By giving sacrifices
xvi. Through burning incense

THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIET

a.THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES

viii. God is the source of life
ix. Life is a rhythm which recycles itself
x. Life is enhanced through observance of taboos, rituals and regulations
xi. Life is promoted through transitional stages e.g birth, initiation, marriage and death
xii. Life is perpetuated through marriage for the continuation of the community
xiii. Death transforms an individual from physical life to the spiritual one
xiv. Life has several dimensions e.g
 Physical Dimension-Material state of human beings
 Social dimension-relation of living with others in a community

 Spiritual Dimension-It links human beings with spiritual power e.g God
 Environmental Dimension-is the relation between the physical environment and
humans.

B.THE AFRICAN CONCEPT OF A COMMUNITY

xiv. The members speak one common language

 xv. The members of the community occupy the same geographical area/region
xvi. They carry out similar economic activities
xvii. The community is made up of smaller units/clans
xviii. They are related either by blood, marriage or adoption (same ancestry)
xix. The members include the unborn, the living and the living dead
xx. The community is made up of smaller units/clans
xxi. Each community is governed by specific rules, regulations and traditions
xxii. Members are expected to show concern for one another and foster the common good
xxiii. Members are expected to participate in the life of the community
xxiv. Survival of the community depends on God and other spiritual powers
xxv. Leadership is provided by heads of families, elders and religious specialists
xxvi. The community provides a sense of belonging and identity for its members thus making
its members feel secure

KINSHIP SYSTEM IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

African concept of kinship system

 Kinship refers to relationship between people through blood, marriage or adoption
 Kinship ties are strong bonds that exist among community members
 Those related by blood have common ancestors. They feel a strong bond towards each
other because they are tied by kinship relationships to one another.
 Blood relatives include parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and
grandparents
 Through marriage, the husband or wife acquire more relatives who are referred to as in
laws
 Every marriage brings new links thus increasing and strengthening the kinship ties.

FAMILY TREE

Great Grandparents Great Grand-parents

Grandparents Grandparents

Aunts Uncles Father Mother Uncles Aunts

Cousins Cousins Cousins Cousins

 Brothers Sisters

Nephews Nieces Nephews Nieces

IMPORTANCE OF KINSHIP TIES IN AFRICAN SOCIETY

The kinship system extended to ancestors who were seen as part of the living. Kinship was
important because:
xi. It determined how members relate to one another.
xii. They bond together the entire life of a community
xiii. They assist the people to live together in peace and harmony
xiv. They provide a sense of security to all members at all times
xv. They regulate marital customs, rules and regulations
xvi. They give an individual a deep sense of belonging /identity
xvii. They enable people to face hardship together
xviii. They safeguard the communities’ traditions and customs
xix. They enhance unity among community members
xx. They determine punishment for the offenders

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HARMONY AND MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE AFRICAN

COMMUNITY
These factors include:
x. Division of labor
xi. Communal worship
xii. Leisure activities
xiii. Rites of passage
xiv. Sharing
xv. Social norms/rules and regulations
xvi. Punishments for law breakers
xvii. Communal work
xviii. Virtues

1. Division of labor
Various tasks to be performed were fairly distributed among the people
Elders -they played political roles and they were the chief counselors
-they maintained laws and order
 -they settled disputes
Old women -they looked after the grandchildren
-They educated girls on their roles as future wives and mothers
Young unmarried men -They provided security for the community
Small boys -Helped in handling animals
-Teamed up with their fathers and young men in some of their activities
-They learnt through observation and acquired skills such as smelting, hunting
and building
Girls -They help their mothers in household duties like cooking, looking after babies, fetching
firewood and water
-they learn some skills such as weaving and pottery.

2. Sharing
They shared material things and participated in all activities depending on age, sex and status

3.Rites of passage
The whole community participated in ceremonies related to birth, initiation, marriage and
death.
All kinsmen, friends and neighbors actively participated in the ceremonies by sharing
responsibilities, eat and feast together.

3. Communal worship
During such occasions, people come to thank God for a good harvest or after victory in battle.
In such a function, sacrifices are made and prayers offered.
During such times of crisis, for example, when there is a disaster, an epidemic or serious
sickness, people gather and offer sacrifices to God and to the ancestral spirits in order to
appease them.

4. Leisure activities
In African Traditional Society, leisure is integrated with other activities although after work;
people rest and share jokes.
People are occasionally entertained by the youth through singing and dancing during times
when there is little work to be done.
In the evenings, men are entertained by the youth. As the elders watch the youths perform,
they encourage and correct them accordingly and also they identify certain talents among the
performers

5. Social norms
In A.T.S, people grow up knowing what is right and wrong.
Rules and regulations are established to govern and regulate people’s behavior.
Everybody understands the virtues they should uphold such as friendship, love, honesty,
courage, bravery and b compassion.
People are also discouraged from developing vices such as cheating, theft, selfishness, greed
and dishonesty.
Social norms keep the community from disintegrating and they provide peace to the individual
and the society.

6. Communal ownership of property

Land and other resources are owned by community

7. Marriage
Marriage strengthens and fosters closer ties among different families
Exchange of gifts is a sign of friendship, acceptance and mutual responsibility

8. Political ties
Power and authority is exercised and shared among clan leaders and elders
This enhances a peaceful co-existence among community members

9. Rules and regulations

Rules dictate and govern the roles and duties of all members in the community depending on
age, gender and social status
Breaking of rules results to punishment
Elders maintain law and order by settling disputes and reminding members of what is expected
of them.
10. Belief of a common ancestry
This promotes a sense of brotherhood among members of a community

11. Observation of taboos

They guide individuals in moral behavior and maintains discipline and harmony
g
12. Rites of passage
Rites of passage are important stages in a person’s life.
Such rights are turning points which make changes from old to new stages in one’s life.
They include:-
v. Birth and Naming
vi. Initiation
vii. Marriage
viii. Death
N/B Each individual involved in each stage goes through a number of ceremonies with three
main characteristics.
d. Separation –being secluded/cut off from the rest of the people around for a period of
time
e. Transition –this is a period of change brought about by new knowledge given during
seclusion period
f. Incorporation –This is a return to the ordinary community.
Ritual performed, assumed both social and religious values. It is through these rites that
kinship ties are strengthened.

5. BIRTH AND NAMING

i)Conception and Pregnancy
The unborn child is very valuable to the larger community hence the pregnant mother is greatly
taken care of. The expectant mother is not referred to directly as expectant. Terms like:-
 She is heavy
 She is full
 She is satisfied
Direct reference to this stage can easily affect the unborn child. It can lead to miscarriage or
other abnormalities.
Special treatment given to the expectant Mother
xii. She had to avoid being in the company of people with various disabilities such as the
blind and the lame.
xiii. She had to keep off from metallic objects
xiv. She had to avoid doing heavy work like splitting firewood, carrying heavy luggage
xv. In some communities, the expectant mother had to refrain from sexual intercourse
xvi. She was supposed to abstain from certain food such as eggs and fatty meat.
xvii. She was supposed to wear protective charms
xviii. She was not supposed to speak to the husband directly. It had to be through an
intermediary
xix. In some communities, she was to return home to give birth there and coming back
after weaning her baby
xx. She is supposed to be checked frequently /counseled by traditional midwives
xxi. She’s to be given special herbs to keep the health of the bay/unborn baby
xxii. She was expected to offer sacrifices to appease spirits /ancestors
 ii)Birth of the Child
 The birth of the child is a community affair as the child belongs to the whole
community.
 It is witnessed by elderly women who act as midwives.
 Men are not allowed to go near the delivery place.
 When the baby arrives, its sex is announced in various ways such as shouts and
ululations.
 This is because everybody is eager to know the sex of the baby.
 Some communities like Gikuyu, give five ululations for a baby boy and four ululations for
a baby girl.
 The placenta is disposed of ceremoniously:
 In some communities, it is thrown into a running stream or river.
 In others, it is dried up and kept for rituals to be performed later.
 In others, it is carefully buried near the homestead or in uncultivated field or in a
shamba with bananas or cereals.
 In some, it is hung in the house to symbolize the continuity of life.
 All these ceremonies are observed so that the womb may remain fertile to ensure
continuity of life.
 The umbilical cord is also disposed of ceremoniously.
Where birth took place
 A special house has to be built for that purpose
 In the house of the expectant mother
 In the home of the expectant mothers parents

RITUALS OBSERVED DURING BIRTH

xiii. Cutting of the umbilical cord-symbolizes the separation of the child from the mother
xiv. Burying of the placenta /umbilical cord in a special placeeg banana plantation –for
continuity
xv. Shaving of the mother /baby’s hair signifies new beginning
xvi. Treatment of the baby /mother with herbs/wearing of charms is done for protection
xvii. Ululations are made according to the sex of the baby to announce the sex of the baby
xviii. Mother/baby are secluded for a period of time to give the mother time to heal
xix. There is celebration/singing and dancing /feasting to welcome the new member of the
community
xx. There is presentation of gifts to the mother /new born babay to celebrate them
xxi. Sacrifices/offerings/prayers are made to God as a sign of thanksgiving
xxii. Rituals for purification are carried out to clean the mother from the process of child
birth
xxiii. The baby is given a name for identity
xxiv. The baby is given sweet and bitter substance to symbolize good and bad experience

iii)NAMING OF THE CHILD

Ways of naming children in African Traditional Society

xii. Some of the names given reflected the problems that the parents faced.
For example, a special name is given to a child who is born after many years of childless
marriage. In some instances, if many children have died before the arrival of another,
such is given the name of an animal or ugly name as an indication that they have little
hope that this one will survive.
xiii. Some reflected the conditions of weather and seasons or the time of birth.
For example, floods, drought and famine. Others reflected certain activities within the
community such as planting, harvesting or hunting. Names like Wanjala and Nanjala
show that these were born during famine. Some also describe important or strange
events that are current among the people such as wars or the invasion of locust. For
example Nasiche for Luhyas' and Ngige for Kikuyu’s showing the invasion of locusts
xiv. Some names have religious connotations for example Were for Luhya God.
xv. First born child of a family could have a special name
xvi. Some are named after important historical events
xvii. Named after great leaders and heroes
xviii. Some are named depending on the internal qualities of a child
xix. Some are named after living relatives like grandparents, aunts ancles e.t.c
xx. Other names reflected the difficult time the mother went through during delivery
xxi. Twins are given special names e.g Mulongo and Mukhwana , Luhyah name for twin
baby boys
xxii. some names are given to remember the departed relatives. After ancestors
This is so especially when the new born baby shows features of such a person. Names of
the dead relatives show gratitude to the ancestors and retain links between the living
and the dead.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMING

vii. Indicates that the child is an accepted society member

viii. Through naming, they show gratitude to God
ix. Gives the new born baby an identity
x. Reflects part of the personality of the child
xi. Naming children after the departed relatives appeases the spirits
xii. The name can reflect a remembrance of a certain event that was memorable at the
time of birth.
 MORAL VALUES ACQUIRED THROUGH BIRTH AND NAMING
viii. Respect- The mother is respected
ix. Love- Gifts are presented to the baby/mother
x. Care/responsibility- Baby and mother are cared for
xi. Obedience-To the community’s traditions
xii. Harmony-Harmony is restored as people come together
xiii. Unity-The people come together to celebrate the birth of a new child
xiv. Patriotism-The people name their children after community heroes

METHODS USED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CHILDLESSNESS IN TRADITIONAL

AFRICAN COMMUNITIES
viii. Offering sacrifices to ancestors to appease them
ix. Seeking the services of a diviner to find out the causes and offer solutions
x. Marrying another wife
xi. Praying to God to reverse the situation
xii. Allowing the woman to get children with a relative of the husband if the problem is with
him
xiii. The couple may adopt children
xiv. Children may be given as a gift a gift to a childless couple by relatives

CHANGING ATTITUDE TO BIRTH AND NAMING

viii. Women attend antenatal clinic and eventually give birth in hospitals and health
center. Doctors play the role of midwives
ix. The mother and the child are not secluded from the rest of the family members
x. The sex of the baby is casually announced by attending doctors and midwives in
hospitals. It is not accompanied by ululations
xi. The birth of the new baby is no longer a community affair but rather a family affair.
xii. Shaving rituals are no longer practiced
xiii. Wearing protective charms is no longer a common practice
xiv. Some naming patterns /modules are no longer adhered to.
As regards naming, many communities have retained their traditions so that the name given
reflects the character and personality of the child or the person they are named after.

6. INITIATION RITES
 It’s the transition from childhood to adulthood
  It prepares someone to face adulthood and gain skills

Forms of initiation
f. Circumcision
g. Removal of teeth
h. Tattooing
i. Piercing the chin and ears
j. Clitoridectomy

Rituals observed during initiation

ix. Offering sacrifices to ancestors to appease them and bless the initiates
x. Blood was left to drain on the ground as a connection between the initiates and
ancestors
xi. Gifts and presents were given as a sign of appreciation and congratulation.
xii. Washings and shaving is also done
xiii. Education is offered to the initiates on issues such as sexuality, responsibility e.t.c
xiv. Giving names and wearing new clothes
xv. Singing and dancing is done during initiation
xvi. Seclusion is done during initiation for some reasons

Give reasons why initiates were put in seclusion for some time
ix. To give them an opportunity to share experiences
x. To enable proper feeding for all
xi. In order to undergo some rituals to bond them together
xii. It was easy to guide and counsel them on adulthood responsibilities and customs
xiii. Seclusion kept them from women and children
xiv. They were secluded to cement their brotherhood relation
xv. To help in proper check-up and monitoring of their healing
xvi. To learn the community secrets, customs and traditions of the people.

Reasons for Singing and dancing during initiation ceremonies in Traditional African
Communities
 To celebrate the occasion/it’s a form of entertainment
 To encourage the initiates
 Songs teach the initiates important moral values
 They inform the participants of the history of the community/preserving
culture/importance of initiation
  As an act of worship/form of prayer
 To expose those with leadership qualities e.g singing, drum beating e.t.c
 To express the solidarity of the community members
 Through singing and dancing people exercise their bodies
 The songs educate the participants on their gender roles/relationships
 To praise the heroes
 To mock the cowards

Reasons why initiation rites are important in A.T.S

xi. The initiate gains a new status in life; he/she moves from childhood to adulthood
and is considered a mature and full member of the community.
xii. After initiation, a person acquires new rights and privileges. For example, he or she
qualifies to marry. The man can also own property and has a right to inherit his
father’s property. A man can now bury his father, defend his family and the
community.
xiii. Initiates receive special education from sponsors during the seclusion period.
They’re instructed on how to behave as adults, warriors, future husbands and
parents
xiv. Initiation ceremonies bring families, relatives and friends together. They help
strengthening kinship ties for example the shading of blood binds the initiates to the
land and to the ancestors
xv. Initiation ceremonies are looked at as an occasion for prayers to God for the well-
being of the initiates and the property of the whole community.
xvi. In some communities, initiation rites help in structuring the community through age
or groups.
xvii. In some communities, like among the Maasai and Poket, the initiation rite is a sign
of courage and bravery. It helps to identify the warriors.
xviii. The pain endured during initiation prepares the initiates to face the difficulties and
challenges of adult life.
xix. It’s a gate way to marriage
xx. Initiates are linked with the ancestors through shedding of blood

Moral values acquired /inculcated during initiation

viii. Respect
The initiates gain respect and they are also expected to show respect to the
community members
 ix. Loyalty
Its developed through the initiates keeping the community secrets

x. Endurance/courage
Its developed through pain bearing, tolerance and perseverance

xi. Sharing
Through sharing ideas, food and resources during seclusion

xii. Chastity
Through the sex education they receive. Female are cut to reduce sexual
desire in women

xiii. Self-control
Through being taught against unhealthy sexual relations
Through pain bearing, endurance, tolerance and perseverance

xiv. Solidarity/unity
The community come together to sing and dance and to prepare the
celebrations

Changing attitude towards initiation rites

x. It is no longer possible to gather together all those undergoing rituals such as

circumcision and keep them in seclusion for long periods. This is mainly due to
demand of formal education
xi. Boys are taken to hospitals individually by their families for the operation for
hygienic and safety reasons
xii. The rites are less elaborate due to economic reasons
xiii. It is difficult for those circumcised at the same time to know one another and even
form age groups or sets
xiv. Parents organize to circumcise their children when much younger unlike in the past
when this was done at puberty.
xv. Circumcision is being practiced by some communities which never practiced it
before for example the Luo
xvi. Education offered during such rites in the past is now being offered formally through
subjects such as Biology, CRE, SEE and Home Science
xvii. Many Kenyan communities have abandoned the practice of circumcision of girls
xviii. It is carried out at family level and not communal level in most cases

7. MARRIAGE RITES
 In A.T.S marriage is looked upon as sacred and ordained by God
 It’s a requirement and an obligation for any normal person to get married and have
children

Importance of marriage in African Traditional Community

xv. Through marriage, new social relationships are created between families and
relatives. As a result, the web of kinship is expanded
xvi. Marriage ceremonies (where there is feasting and rejoicing) brings the whole
community together and everybody in the community has a role to play
xvii. The new couple is provided with an opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills,
for example, how to build a family, how to fulfill sexual needs and how to love and
be loved. It is in marriage that a man and a woman find mutual love and
companionship
xviii. It improves the status of individuals in society. They are more respected and
accorded social responsibilities. Their status increase further when they get children.
The survival of the community is ensured through the children born within marriage
xix. Marriage was a source of wealth for the man and the family as a whole. In
polygamous marriage for example, the many wives and their children provided the
necessary labor that was required. The more children the couple had, the more
prestigious they become in society.
xx. Sons born in marriage inherit their father’s property
xxi. Children promote the social status of their parents. If a family has many children,
the man and his wife will be accorded more respect than in cases where there are
few or no children.
xxii. Children make the marriage complete and strengthen the bond of unity between
husband and wife.
xxiii. Children take care of their parents in old age and give them a decent burial when
they die
xxiv. Children provide security for the home collectively. The young unmarried men were
expected to defend the community against any aggressors
xxv. Through marriage, the living, the dead and the yet to be born are brought in
harmony. Marriage makes it possible for the African to regain the loss immortality
through the children born and who are named after dead relatives.
xxvi. Gives identity, a sense of belonging and completeness
xxvii. Allows the individuals to have sex
xxviii. Gives men and women new roles and responsibilities

Ways of choosing a marriage partner in African Traditional Society

x. Parents chose the partners when the boy/girl was young or not yet born
xi. Some young people made their own choices and then informed their parents
xii. It was made by an intermediary
xiii. In some communities, the girl was waylaid on her way home
xiv. Senior wives made a choice of another wife/wives for her husband
xv. In some communities, twin boys married twin girls
xvi. In other communities, marriage was done through inheriting the wife of the dead
brother.
xvii. In some communities, rich men/leaders were given wives as gift
xviii. Some debtors would give her daughters as a wife for the creditor

Moral values inculcated by marriage

xi. Respect
Creates respect and confidence since it promotes the social status of those
involved

xii. Co-operation
Promotes co-operation when two families come together to help sustain it

xiii. Hospitality/sharing
Promotes hospitality and sharing when two families visit each other, share
food, services and bride wealth

xiv. Unity
Brings people together to celebrate hence creating unity

xv. Loyalty
Those dishonest in marriage are punished

xvi. Obedience
Marriage is compulsory to all which creates unity

xvii. Chastity
 It promotes chastity since sex is only allowed in marriage

xviii. Responsibility
Marriage comes with new roles and duties thus promoting responsibility

xix. Honesty/integrity/faithfulness
Adultery is forbidden and couples have to follow all the rules of marriage

xx. Love
The first duty is procreation which calls for hard work so that harmony is
maintained

Changing attitude to marriage rites

xii. Western culture, such as formal education and Christianity have changed marriage
attitude to some extent
xiii. It used to be an obligation for all normal persons to get married and have children. This
is not happening today because there are many individuals who decided not to get
married.
xiv. In A.T.S, pre-marital sex was not permitted and offenders were severely punished. They
also valued virginity among girls and girls of this kind fetched a lot of bride-price on
wedding day. today, the society has become permissive and morality has declined.
xv. The more children a married couple had, the more prestige they gained in society.
Today most couples prefer small families because of economic constrains
xvi. Today, young people get into serious relationships before they have time to know each
other’s background
xvii. Today, divorce cases are on the rise and marriage vows are not taken seriously by
people
xviii. Marriage in A.T.S was basically for procreation but today a couple can decide to stay
together even without children
xix. Bride price has been highly commercialized today to an extent that it has lost meaning
xx. Today, people prefers monogamous marriages as opposed to polygamy
xxi. In the past, marriages were carried out within tribes but today there are inter-tribal and
even interracial marriages which have diluted cultural practices.
xxii. Today, young people get married late in life because they have to complete formal
education, vocational training and look for employment before they can think about
settling down in marriage

8. DEATH RITES
Death was the final stage in one’s life. It was a community affair and was seen as inevitable.
Death is a sorrowful event because the dead person is physically and permanently removed
from the living members of the family

Causes of death in African Traditional Society

xii. Sorcery/witchcraft/evil magic
xiii. Curses of the old
xiv. Breaking of taboos/oaths
xv. Punishment from God
xvi. Failure to respect the ancestors
xvii. Eating poisoned food
xviii. Accidents
xix. Diseases
xx. Natural calamities for example drought or floods
xxi. Neglecting the ancestors
xxii. Lack of reverence to God

State five rituals performed during the funeral rites in African Traditional Society
xii. The corpse was washed in some communities using water and herbal medicine in
order to preserve it and send it clean to the spirit world
xiii. In some communities, the dead are buried with their belongings such as food stuffs,
animal, bows and arrows. Such communities believe that the dead will need these
things in the next world.
xiv. Pregnant women and children are not allowed to touch or come in close contact
with the corpse so that misfortunes do not befall them.
xv. The dead are buried in a carefully selected places in the ancestral land so that the
spirit continuous to be close to the family
xvi. The body is also carefully placed in the grave facing the appropriate direction
according to the customs of the people
xvii. In some communities, the bodies are properly dressed before disposal while in
others, like the Luhya, they are buried naked in the belief that they will be reborn in
the spirit world
xviii. The grave which is a symbol of separation is respected by being protected and made
a family shrine in the cases when the dead were the head of the family. People
avoid walking over it
xix. Before and during burial, the members of the family and all relatives enter a period
of mourning. Normal activities temporarily are halted. In some, people smear their
body with white clay, others stop washing their bodies, refrain from sexual
intercourse or stop eating
xx. During the same period, there is singing or mourning songs and dancing as a way of
expressing sorrow and sending off the departed to the next world
xxi. In some communities, there is feasting and drinking of bear
xxii. After burial, close relatives share their hair as a sign that one of their members has
been separated from them and for cleansing impurities. The new hair that grows
shows that life continuous after death.

Ways of expressing solidarity during funeral rites in African Traditional Community

x. Everyone took part in ceremonies performed by the bereaved family for example
eating and dancing
xi. They helped to prepare home duties for example cleaning and cooking
xii. They brought the food to be eaten during the mourning period
xiii. They came to mourn with the family of the dead to give them moral support
xiv. They came to prepare the grave/digging is done by young men
xv. Members of the bereaved family in form the friends and relatives in the event of
death
xvi. They attend the funeral to bid farewell to the dead
xvii. They sing/dance and sacrifice to the ancestors to express their solidarity
xviii. They give the Eulogy to praise the diseased and his/her contribution to the
community

Ways in which African Traditional Society demonstrated their belief in life after death
xi. Burying the dead with their belongings to enable them to continue with life in the
spiritual world
xii. The dead is buried in his best estate as a sign that he’s with the family
xiii. Continued care for the dead through attending of grave
xiv. Offerings of sacrifice/libations to the dead are offered to appease them
xv. Preparing the corpse through washing in water and herbal medicine to send it clean
to the spiritual world
xvi. Purification ceremonies after burial were performed as a sign that no misfortune
has been left
xvii. Burying the dead without cloths to ensure quick re-birth in the spiritual world
xviii. Singing and dancing to send away the departed peacefully to the next world
xix. Children are named after the ancestors/dead
xx. The ancestors were the intermediaries between men and God. they were consulted
to give solutions

Reasons why death is feared in Traditional African communities

 xii. It disrupts the rhythm of human activity/life
xiii. It is irrevocable/inescapable
xiv. It brings impurity to the family
xv. It deprives the community of members
xvi. It involves too many rituals
xvii. It comes unannounced
xviii. Separates one from the loved ones/end of life on earth
xix. Nobody knows about the after life
xx. It may cause misunderstanding in the community
xxi. Death rites reveal people’s characteristics
xxii. It may bring poverty to the family
Moral values inculcated during death ceremonies
ix. Co-operation
The whole community is involved thus creating co-operation

x. Obedience
By following all the wishes of the dead person, death promotes obedience

xi. Self- control/Chastity

In some communities, the affected are not supposed to indulge in sexual intercourse
encouraging chastity and self-control

xii. Perseverance
Members of the deceased mourn and have to come to terms with their grief promoting
perseverance

xiii. Respect
The dead body is carefully disposed of to avoid any haunting and the grave is respected
promoted respect

xiv. Responsibility
Children, pregnant women and witches are not allowed near the corpse and this shows
responsibility.

xv. Love
The society takes care of the widows and orphans which is a sign of love

xvi. Hospitality/sharing
 All mourners are given food supplied by the family of the deceased or outsiders also
help in providing and promoting hospitality and sharing

Changing attitudes to death and funeral rites

vii. Funeral rites are still taken seriously by all Africans Communities.
viii. Most of the dead are still being taken to ancestral land for burial. Others are buried in
cemeteries in urban centers or wherever they’ve purchased land
ix. The major method of disposing bodies is still by burying although some communities
prefer cremation
x. Among Christians, although death is sorrowful and painful, it is also looked at as a
gateway to joining the savior in heaven for the righteous. Sinners go to hell where there
is eternal suffering
xi. However, in Traditional African Religion, there is no concept of heaven or hell. Those
who die join the world of spirits
xii. Christians believe in the resurrection of the body but Africans do not have these beliefs

THE ROLE OF SPECIALISTS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

 Specialists are people who have undergone training and have acquired great knowledge
and skills in a certain occupation or study.
 In African Traditional Society, specialists are people who have special knowledge and
skills on different subjects in the community.
 The specialists included:
 Rain makers
 Elders
 Diviners
 Mediums
 Prophets /seers
 Priests
 Healers/Medicine people
 Blacksmiths

Ways through which the Religious Specialists acquire their skills

vii. Inheritance
viii. Apprenticeship
ix. Dreams and visions
x. Being possessed by spirits
xi. Receiving a call from God/ancestors
xii. Observation of the work of other specialists
 1. The rainmakers
 They were normally responsible for bringing rain.
 Rainmakers normally pray for rain.
 They plead with God for rain and they tell the people when the rain will fall.

The role of rainmakers in African Traditional Community

vi. They prayed for long hours for rain
vii. They performed rituals when asking for rain or stopping the rain
viii. They advised people about the time to expect the rain
ix. They acted as mediators between God and the people. They offered
sacrifices/prayers/offerings to God. this was done with the help of priests
x. They acted as diviners and prophets

Outline the methods used to acquire the rain-making skills in African Traditional Society
viii. By consulting other rain-makers
ix. Through studying the skies
x. By studying the habits of trees and plants
xi. They studied the habits of birds for example sparrows, animals or insects
xii. By studying the heavenly bodies for example the moon, the sun, the clouds and
stars
xiii. Use of common sense
xiv. There are those who were called by the ancestors

2. The elders
The role of elders
xi. They settled family and land disputes
xii. They make major decisions affecting families and the community
xiii. They stipulate rules and regulations to be followed for the purposes of maintaining
law and order
xiv. They ensure that traditional values and cultural practices are observed and
maintained by all through the education given to the youth and members of the
community
xv. They play a leading role during important functions in the community; for example,
during the rites of passage
xvi. They assist priests in preparing and performing rituals of sex and marriage
 xvii. They lead the members of their families in religious functions such as sacrifices or
pouring of libation
xviii. They pick dates for community ceremonies and rituals such as initiation ceremonies
xix. They console the community in times of distress such as war and famine
xx. They offer guidance and counseling services to all the members of the community

3. The healers/Medicine men

These were also referred to as medicine men.
They inherited the profession from their parents

The role of healer’s/ medicine men

xi. They were responsible for the combating(preventing) sickness and misfortunes
xii. Advising people on prevention methods by pointing out the possible causes of
death such as witchcraft, curses, sorcery and magic, bad omen
xiii. Aid in increasing productivity-related aid to people, animals or farms
xiv. A times they presided over religious functions
xv. They averted the effects of a curse
xvi. Controlling spirits/ancestral powers which could harm the living.
xvii. They gave protection and security from evil forces
xviii. They issue protective charms that guard against any illness or misfortunes
xix. Guaranteeing prosperity and good fortunes
xx. They were responsible for cleansing harm and impurity

4. Diviners
 The main role of the diviners is to find out the hidden secrets or knowledge and then
convey the same to other people. They also work as medicine men
 The diviners communicate with the spirit world directly or through mediums.

The role of diviners

viii. They reveal secrets and expose thieves or witches in the society
ix. They help the community to interpret the messages from the spiritual world
x. They act as mediators between people and God or ancestors
xi. At times, they preside over religious functions such as offering sacrifices
xii. They assist in fighting social evils like magic and witchcraft
xiii. They settle disputes among the members of the community
xiv. They predict future events that may affect the society

5. Prophets/Seers
In African Traditional Society, prophets are also called seers.
The role of prophets/seers

viii. They interpret messages from God, the spirits and ancestors
ix. They pray and seek God’s intervention on behalf of the people
x. They act as mediators between God and members of the community
xi. They advise people on religious matters and tell them what God expects of them
xii. They lead the community in worship
xiii. They foretell future events in the community hence prepare them for them
xiv. They warn people of impending danger and guide them on how to avoid such.

6. Priests
A priest is a person who is qualified to conduct religious duties and ceremonies

The role of a priest

xi. They offer sacrifices on behalf of the people
xii. They preside over religious ceremonies such as rituals and prayers
xiii. They take care of religious places such as shrines and oracles
xiv. They act as judges and experts in matters concerning traditional societal laws
xv. They act as mediators between the people and God or ancestors
xvi. They perform cleansing and purification rituals to allow people to be accepted back in
the community
xvii. They assist in reconciling warring families or individuals.
xviii. They advise people on the right ways of social living
xix. They install kings and chiefs in the society by praying and protecting them from harm
xx. They are custodians of the community’s knowledge, taboos, religion and history

7. Mediums
They are men and women through whom the spirits and the ancestors communicate with the
living in the society
They also perform the role of medicine men

The role of mediums in African traditional society.

ix. Mediums are people through who the spirits and ancestors communicated to the living.
They played the following role in African traditional society:
x. They received messages from ancestors and spirits, which they then relayed to the
living.
xi. They served as medicine men.
 xii. They explained unusual and serious happenings.
xiii. They offered solutions to problems of life.
xiv. They were consulted by other specialists e.g. prophets.
xv. They gave information concerning theft or lost articles.
xvi. They only acted when they were spirit possessed.

Explain the factors that undermine the role of religious specialists today.
vii. Modern education.
viii.Modern medicine.
ix. Discoveries in science and technology.
x. Christianity.
xi. Urbanization.
 xii. Many conmen in the same field.

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OF SOME ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURE

These deals with the continuity and change of some aspects of traditional African
understanding of:
viii. Community land
ix. Property
x. Worship
xi. Medicine
xii. Old age
xiii. Dressing
xiv.
Changes in African lifestyles have been brought by:
vi. Modern education
vii. Urbanization
viii. Individualism
ix. Modern Religion
x. Science and Technology

1. Community land
 In most communities, land was a gift from God and it was communally owned and
inherited from ancestors
 Land would not be transferred from one family to another
 Land provided food, building materials, firewood, herbs
 Family land fixed boundaries and nobody could interfere with it.

Changes
vii. Today, land is still believed as God given, it is a source of livelihood. However, land is like
any other property
viii. It is a source of wealth which can be sold when need arises
ix. Land is individually owned and title deeds are evidence of individual ownership
x. It is subdivided among individuals in different families
xi. Greed has resorted in land grabbing or conflicts
xii. Women and children can own land

2. Property
In the African Traditional Society property was acquired through:
 vi. Inheritance
vii. Gifts-cattle
viii. Winning in wars/raiding
ix. Payment of dowry
x. Individual effort

Wealth was seen in terms of land, cattle, wives, and children. Property was a source of security
and social prestige. Property was commonly owned.
The shareholders were;
 The family
 The clan
 The tribe and
 The living dead

Changes
ix. Property is individually owned
x. There is competition for property even among family members
xi. The poor are neglected
xii. Women and children can own land
xiii. Wealth takes different forms: money, houses, land etc
xiv. Daughters are no longer seen as a source of wealth because many do not get married
xv. Wealth can be acquired unethically through stealing, land grabbing
xvi. Wealth is measured in terms of commercial buildings, types of vehicles, number of plots
and the amount of money a person has instead of livestock, wives and children.

3. Worship

 The African had a clear concept of the God they worshipped and they called upon
Him at all times to help them. God would be worshipped at individual, family or
community level
 The purpose of worship was to petition God, thank Him and appease ancestral
spirits. God was worshipped through sacrifices, offerings, prayers, singing and
dancing
 Places of worship such as forests, hill tops and caves were regarded as sacred and
set aside

Changes
Today many Africans follow the Christian faith and other foreign religions. They have integrated
certain aspects of traditional religion with the Christian faith, for example:
vi. Prayers at individual, family and community level
vii. Congregational or communal worship is regularized at least once a week where
people meet in the house of God for worship
viii. Although God can be worshipped everywhere, there are certain places (buildings)
set aside for worship
ix. Offerings in form of money and material gods
x. Christians no longer sacrifice animals to God as the case was in the past

Factors that have contributed to change in traditional African understanding of the

community.
ix. Influence of Western nations.
x. Excessive permissiveness.
xi. Effect of formal education.
xii. Media (Print and electronic) influence.
xiii. Effect of urbanization.
xiv. Influence of Christianity and other world religions.
xv. Influence of human rights movements.
xvi. Influence of science and technology.

THE END