Page 93 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

Although society has undergone They should ask for God’s forgiveness,
impressive socio-political stability unlike the people of Judah and other
and socio-economic enhancements states who God punished for continuing
in recent decades, this growth is not to sin.
evenly distributed and has been imbued
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with a lack of equality. Amos’ message Ministers from different denominations
of social justice and accountability in should condemn evils just as Amos
ancient Israel contains vital teachings condemned Israel and other nations
relevant to contemporary Tanzania’s for sinning against God. They
societal development. should practice justice to people and
neighbouring nations because God hates
Relevance of the message of Amos to injustices. That is why God punished
contemporary Christians other nations.
Building a better and fairer society
cannot be achieved by science and Additionally, they should respect
technology alone. Amos emphasises others and dead bodies; failure leads to
the importance of development in punishment, just as the Edomites were
human society—a society in which punished. They should provide for the
the moral obligation to God, others, poor and the needy materially instead
and nonhuman communities informs of oppressing them like the Israelites
economic activities. Amos’ message of exploited the poor to the extent of selling
social justice to 8 BCE century Israel them into exile or slavery.
th
teaches Tanzanians many lessons, which
can positively affect the nation’s life Since God is just, righteous and loving,
today. Christians should learn to demonstrate

Contemporary Christians should respect these virtues in relationships and dealing
the Ten Commandments and try their with our fellow citizens to sustain better
best to follow them entirely, unlike the development in Tanzania. Furthermore,
people of Israel who continued to break many Tanzanians practise religion as
the covenant law. They should also obey a matter of civilization without deep
the treaties of others made before God, spiritual attachment. Amos was clear to
unlike the people of Tyre, who broke the his people when he maintained that if
treaties they made with other nations. they wanted to maintain a relationship
with God, they had to keep their God-
In addition, some contemporary given orders for the common good of
Christians should show love for one all.
another to the extent of even loving their
enemies, unlike the people of Edom, For Amos, injustice, oppression and
who ruthlessly attacked the people of violation of divine human rights are not
Israel and killed their unborn babies. mere evil. They are barbaric, evil and in
sharp contrast with the call to sincerity
84 Form Five Student’s Book