Question 2
(a) Now there arose a new king over Egypt. Who did not know Joseph.
Narrate how the activities of this new king affected the Israelites
(b) Outline three positive attitudes that leaders should have towards immigrants
Observation
A lot of candidates attempted this question. The B part was more challenging to the candidates as compared to the Apart. The weakness of the candidates is traced to how they missed valuable points by concentrating their efforts on writing on how the family of Joseph came into Egypt after his betrayal by the brothers, about how Joseph was imprisoned after the accusation of trying to rape Pharaoh’s wife and also about the famine story. Candidates were suppose to go straight to the answer and list out the ways the king afflicted the Israelites with heavy burdenOn the whole, the performance of this question was below average. Below are the highlighted points expected from candidates;
A. HOW THE DEEDS OF A NEW KING OF EGYPT AFFECTED THE ISRAELITES (EXODUS 1:1-22)
- Long after the death of Joseph, Egypt got a new king who felt threatened by the large population of the Israelites.
- This new Egyptian king thought of a way to subdue the population of the Israelites.
- He saw the strength and tremendous growth of the Israelites as a threat to Egypt’s security in times of war.
- He therefore decided to curb the Israelites growth by setting taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens.
- They built for pharaoh store cities- Pithom and Ramses.
- The Israelites were responsible for all bricks and mortar works and pumping of the Nile water to irrigate the land.
- However, the more Israel was oppressed, the more they grew and spread in Egypt.
- The king decided on another step of oppression to have all Israel male babies killed at the birth stool.
- Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives were charged to kill the baby boys at birth.
- But the midwives refused doing that because they feared God.
- When asked, the midwives answered that the Hebrew women delivered before the arrival of the midwives.
- Pharaoh went further to promulgate a new decree that any son born to the Israelites should be cast into the Nile river.
- But all female children were to be allowed to live.
- It was at this time that Moses was born.
Points expected of candidates in the B part includse;
B. POSITIVE ATTITUDE OF LEADERS TOWARDS IMMIGRANTS
- Leaders need to be well disposed towards immigrants like their own.
- Leaders should find a place of settlement for them.
- Leaders should register them to know their number and special needs.
- Leaders should screen them to know those with skills and expertise/miscreants among them should be deported / retrained/ rehabilitated.
- Leaders should tap into their skills and expertise through provision of employment opportunities.
- Leaders should grant them access to health care/ education and other social needs/amenities.
- Encourage them to abide by the laws of the land.