WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2019 Theory — Question 4

Model answer

(a) HOW NEHEMIAH REACTED TO THE NEWS ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN JERUSALEM (Nehemiah 1:2-11) Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, was one of the Jews held in captivity, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. He served as cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia in Susa. While in Susa, a delegation led by his brother Hanani came to him with men from Judah. Nehemiah asked about the few Jews still in Jerusalem and about the city itself; Hanani told him that the survivors were in great trouble and shame, the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates destroyed by fire. On hearing this, Nehemiah was downcast — he wept, mourned and fasted for days. He prayed to God to hear the prayer of His servants, confessed that he and his father's house had sinned and had not kept God's commandments, statutes and ordinances, and asked God to remember His promise to Moses: that if the people were unfaithful they would be scattered, but if they repented and kept His commandments, He would gather and restore them. Nehemiah reminded God that He had redeemed His people by His great power, and finally asked God to make him successful and grant him mercy in the sight of the king. (b) VIRTUES THAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM NEHEMIAH'S REACTION i. Nehemiah is patriotic and bears love for his country — we should emulate this. ii. Nehemiah was prayerful; he fasted, prayed, and approached God on his people's plight — this attitude of prayer can be learnt from him. iii. Nehemiah interceded for his country — we should also pray for our country rather than sit idle. iv. We should confess our sins, as Nehemiah demonstrated — unconfessed sins attract punishment. v. We should share in the pain of others and be sympathetic, like Nehemiah.