JAMB Christian Religious Knowledge 2010 Past Questions & Answers

The question asks about God's purpose for creating man, which is found in the creation account in Genesis. In Genesis 1:28, after creating man and woman, God blessed them and gave them the first command: 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth'. This shows that a primary purpose for humanity's existence was to procreate and populate the world He had made.

Common mistake: Students often choose option A, 'To be master of all creation,' because having dominion is also a key instruction in Genesis 1:28, but the command to multiply and fill the earth is presented as the means by which humanity would spread and then exercise that dominion.

The story in Genesis 25:21 shows that when Rebekah could not have children, Isaac prayed to God for her. This action of praying to God to solve a major problem like barrenness demonstrates his strong belief and trust that God could intervene and provide for them. Therefore, his prayer was a clear sign of his faith in God's power and providence.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'truly loved her' because praying for someone is an act of love, but the key element is turning to *God*, which specifically demonstrates faith in His power.

The correct option is C. The covenant God made with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, often called the Mosaic or Sinai Covenant, was conditional. God promised to be their God, to protect and bless them, but in return, the people were required to obey His laws and commandments, which were given to them through Moses. This makes obedience the central theme and condition of their relationship with God under this covenant.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'circumcision' because it was the physical sign of the covenant with Abraham, but the covenant with the entire nation of Israel at Sinai was centered on obeying God's laws.

This question refers to the call of Moses at the burning bush in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. When God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh, Moses felt unworthy and gave several excuses. One of his key excuses, stated in Exodus 4:10, was that he was 'slow of speech and of tongue,' which means he was not a fluent or persuasive speaker. This specific reason for his hesitation shows that his resistance was based on his perceived lack of eloquence.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'incompetence' because the phrase 'Who am I...' suggests a general feeling of being unqualified, but 'lack of eloquence' is the more precise answer as it was a specific and major excuse Moses gave to God.

The question asks about the major achievement of Samson as a leader. Samson was one of the Judges of Israel, raised by God specifically to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. His entire life story in the book of Judges is filled with his conflicts against the Philistines, making their suppression his primary role and achievement.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D, but Samson's actions only suppressed the Philistines for a time; he did not win permanent independence for Israel, as their threat continued until the time of David.

The correct answer is D because it is the most comprehensive option. God's guidance for the Israelites included several supernatural events, such as the pillar of cloud and fire, the parting of the Red Sea, and providing manna from heaven. All of these are miracles that showed them the way and protected them, making 'miracles that gave them direction' the best overall description.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C because the pillar of cloud and fire is a very specific and well-known example of God's guidance, but it is only one of the many miracles He used to lead them.

This question comes from the story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Despite Absalom trying to seize the kingdom and kill him, David's command to his army to 'deal gently' with Absalom shows his deep and overwhelming love as a father. This type of love, which overlooks serious faults, is best described as indulgent.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, 'willingness to forgive his competitors', because it sounds like a noble quality, but it misses the specific and intense father-son relationship that is central to David's command.

The question asks how King Asa showed he was a godly ruler. According to the Bible in 1 Kings 15, Asa demonstrated his obedience to God by carrying out major religious reforms in Judah. He removed the idols and the male shrine prostitutes from the land and even removed his own grandmother from her position as queen mother because she had made an idol. These actions showed his commitment to worshipping God alone, which is the mark of a godly king.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, but it was the prophet Elijah, not King Asa, who killed the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.

The question refers to the story of the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, in Exodus chapter 1. They were commanded by Pharaoh to kill all male Hebrew babies, but they feared God and disobeyed this wicked order. As a direct reward for their obedience to God, Exodus 1:21 states that God was good to them and gave them their own families.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'favour from all the Israelites' because it is a logical outcome of their actions, but the Bible specifically states that God's reward to them was giving them their own families.

This question refers to the story in 1 Samuel 15 where God commanded King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. Saul disobeyed by sparing their king and the best animals to offer as a sacrifice. When Prophet Samuel confronted him, he said that God prefers complete obedience over religious rituals, famously stating 'to obey is better than sacrifice'.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, but that curse ('the sword would never depart from his house') was given to King David for his sin with Bathsheba, not to King Saul.