Question 3
Did I not go with you in Spirit when the man turned from his chariot to meet you?
(A) Narrate the circumstances that led to this statement.
(B) Identify four causes of greed in the society.
Observation
This question was less popular among the candidates. A vast number of the candidates avoided it due to the part A. The performance of the candidates in this question was below average. It was obvious candidates did not get themselves familiar with this story line. The part B was easier and it helped boost the scores of candidates. In regards to this question, the ways candidates were expected to have answered the question are detailed below;
- Circumstances that led to the above statement
- Naaman, the Syrian army Commander had leprosy
- An Israelite maid suggested to her mistress that a prophet in Israel could heal him
- Upon her recommendation, Naaman went with a letter to the King of Israel
- Naamen took along gifts to be presented to the Prophet
- Upon receiving the letter, the King of Israel got angry and said he was not God to heal
- Elisha heard about it and sent for Naaman
- Naaman honoured Elisha’s call and was asked to wash himself in the Jordan seven times
- Naaman hesitated and said that there were better rivers in his home town
- His servants persuaded him to obey, which he did, and was healed
- He returned to Elisha to show appreciation by presenting a gift
- Elisha refused to accept the gift.
- Naaman, however, requested a portion of soil from Israel to signify his new faith in Yahweh
- Gehazi was not happy about his master’s refusal to accept the gift
- He secretly pursued Naaman to collect the items Elisha had rejected
- Gehazi lied to Naaman that he had been sent to collect some of the gifts for his master’s visitors
- Naaman willingly offered Gehazi his request.
- When Gehazi returned, Elisha asked where he had been.
- He told a lie and Elisha pronounced a curse upon him.
- Causes of Greed in the society
- Covetousness
- Lust
- Envy/Jealousy
- Selfishness
- Extravagance
- Materialism/worldliness
- Lack of fear of God
- Poverty