Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2016 Theory — Question 1
SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT 1(a) Describe how Moses responded to God's call (b) State three reasons why people refuse to accept leadership roles
Model answer
(a) (Exodus 3:1-22; 24:1-17) While Moses was tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro, he encountered God in a bush at Mount Horeb/Sinai. God told Moses that He had seen and heard about the afflictions on the Israelites in Egypt and had come down to deliver them. God charged Moses to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of bondage to Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses was afraid. He said, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" In response to Moses' excuse, God gave him the assurance that He would be with him. He also gave him a sign that he would bring the people back to Mount Horeb to serve Him. Moses asked God what he should say in case the people asked him about His name. God revealed His name as "I am who I am". In addition, God told Moses to tell the Israelites that the God of their fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had sent him. God told Moses to assemble the elders and go to Pharaoh for a permission to worship their God/Yahweh in the wilderness as a three-day journey. Moses further complained that the Israelites would not listen to him nor believe that God had appeared to him. God acknowledged that Pharaoh would not let them go unless by a mighty hand. God gave Moses signs to perform and his hands becoming leprous when placed in his armpit. Besides, Moses should pour water from the Nile on the ground to become blood if the people would not believe the first two signs. Moses further complained that he was not eloquent and would not be able to respond to Pharaoh but God promised to be with his mouth since He was the one who created it. Moses gave up and told God to appoint another man and God approached Aaron, his brother, to be his mouth piece before Pharaoh. (b) Reasons why People Refuse to Accept Leadership Roles: i. Fear of criticism ii. Lack of confidence, lack of trust, fear of failure and low self-esteem iii. Lack of knowledge or expertise iv. Lack of vision or mission v. Lack of integrity, sincerity and honesty