WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2022 Theory — Question 2

Model answer

(a) THE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF PUNISHMENT ON THE HOUSEHOLD OF ELI (1 Samuel 2:12-17; 22-36): i. The sons of Eli were worthless men. They had no regard for the LORD. ii. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and thrust it into the pan, kettle, or caldron; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. So they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. iii. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, 'Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw.' And if the man said to him, 'Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,' he would say, 'No, you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.' iv. The sin of Ophni and Phinehas was very great in the sight of the LORD, for they treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. v. Eli was very old and heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting. vi. Eli said to his sons, 'Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?' vii. However, they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to slay them. viii. A man of God came to Eli and carried out the pronouncement of God over his house. ix. God had chosen the house of Eli to be priests unto Him, but they had looked with greedy eyes at the LORD's sacrifices, and had also treated the sacrifice of God with contempt. x. The LORD declared that those who honoured Him He would honour, but those who despised Him would be lightly esteemed. xi. As a result of their sins, Hophni and Phinehas would both die on the same day. xii. The LORD would raise up for Himself a faithful priest who would do according to His will. (b) WAYS BY WHICH PARENTS CAN MAKE THEIR CHILDREN RESPONSIBLE: i. Parents should lead by good example in the home. ii. Parents should rebuke their children for their wrong doings. iii. Parents should not take with levity matters concerning their children. iv. Children should be taught the ways of the LORD from childhood. v. Parents should create more time for their children. vi. Training up children should start early enough.