JAMB UTME - Christian Religious Studies - 1995

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In the gospel according to Matthew, the disciples could not heal the epileptic boy because they had little faith. When the boy's father brought him to the disciples, they tried to cast out the demon that caused the boy's seizures, but they were not successful. Jesus later rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, telling them that even a little faith is enough to move mountains. After Jesus cast out the demon, the disciples asked him privately why they were not able to do it, and he explained to them that it was because of their little faith.

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In the Book of Hosea, the valley of Achor is referred to as a "door of hope." This phrase represents a message of redemption and restoration, as Achor was the place where Achan and his family were punished for disobedience and sin. Through the prophet Hosea, God promises to transform the valley of Achor, which was once a place of punishment, into a door of hope and opportunity for the people of Israel to return to their relationship with God. Thus, the valley of Achor serves as a symbol of God's grace and forgiveness, even in the midst of sin and disobedience.

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When Jesus said that Lazarus would rise again, Martha thought that her brother would rise again at the last day. In the account of Lazarus' death and resurrection in the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise again. Martha believes that Jesus is talking about the future resurrection of the dead at the end of time, which was a common belief among Jews at the time. However, Jesus goes on to demonstrate his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead, showing that he is the resurrection and the life. Christians believe that through faith in Jesus, they too will experience resurrection and eternal life with God.

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The statement "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased" was made during the baptism of Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven declared that He was God's beloved Son and that He was pleased with Him. This event marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and demonstrated the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father.

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When David repented of his adultery with Bathsheba, he said "I have sinned against the Lord." David acknowledged his sinfulness and recognized that his actions were not only wrong but also against God's commandments. He sought forgiveness from God and repented of his sins.

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From the accounts in the First Book of Samuel, Eli's attitude towards his children showed parental weakness. Eli was a high priest and judge in Israel, but his sons were wicked and did not follow in his footsteps. They were corrupt and took advantage of their position as priests. Eli knew about their actions, but he did not take strong enough action to stop them. He only rebuked them lightly and did not discipline them properly. Eli's weak parenting allowed his sons to continue in their wicked ways, which eventually led to their downfall and the loss of their family's priesthood. Thus, Eli's attitude towards his children showed parental weakness, as he did not take the necessary steps to discipline them and guide them in the right direction.

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Actually, according to the Bible, God revealed Himself to Moses in the wilderness as the God of FIRE.

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According to Prophet Isaiah's vision, a minister of God must possess holiness, which is the state of being pure, blameless, and set apart for God's use. In Isaiah's vision, he saw God sitting on a throne, and the seraphim around Him were declaring His holiness. This emphasizes the importance of holiness in the ministry. Dedication and knowledge are essential attributes that a minister should possess, but they are not explicitly mentioned in Isaiah's vision. Anointing is also crucial, but it flows from holiness. In other words, a minister who is holy is more likely to be anointed by God for His service. Therefore, holiness is the primary attribute that a minister must possess according to Isaiah's vision.

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The disciples who were with Jesus during the transfiguration were Peter, James, and John. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it is recorded that Jesus took these three disciples up to a high mountain, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. Peter, James, and John were amazed by what they saw, and Peter even suggested building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Then a voice from a cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" After this, the disciples fell facedown to the ground, but Jesus came and touched them, telling them not to be afraid. Therefore, it was Peter, James, and John who were with Jesus during the transfiguration.

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Yes, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. In the Bible, the book of Matthew tells the story of Jesus' baptism. John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordan River when Jesus approached him and asked to be baptized. John was hesitant, as he believed that Jesus was already the Messiah and did not need to be baptized by him. However, Jesus insisted, saying that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Therefore, the correct answer is "to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' baptism was not to fulfill a prophecy specifically about him being baptized, nor was it for blessings or the descent of the Holy Spirit, although those things did happen as a result of his baptism.

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This statement was made in the context of the dedication of Solomon's temple. In 1 Kings 8:12-13, Solomon acknowledges that the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain God, but He has chosen to dwell in the temple built by human hands. He then declares that the Lord has set the sun in the heavens, but he will dwell in thick darkness, indicating that the glory of God's presence in the temple is so great that it cannot be fully comprehended or perceived by human beings.

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Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the city did not know the things that made for peace. In Luke 19:41-44, as Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it, saying that if they had known what would bring them peace, they would have recognized Him as the Messiah. However, their eyes were blinded, and they did not understand. Jesus knew that the destruction of the city and its people was imminent, and His heart was filled with compassion and grief for their spiritual blindness and the judgment that was coming upon them.

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The order of events at the second coming of Christ will be that the dead will rise first before the living are caught up. This is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where it says that the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And then the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and remain. This means that those who have died before the second coming will be resurrected first, and then those who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

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Jesus raised Lazarus to life to demonstrate to the people that He was the LORD of life and had power over death. This miracle was one of the most powerful signs of His divinity, and it helped convince many people to believe in Him as the Son of God. Jesus did not seek self-glorification, but rather He performed this miracle to show the people that He was sent by God and had the power to bring life to the dead.

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Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, explained that those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse because none can fully keep the law. He explained that the law was given to make people conscious of their sins and to lead them to Christ, who is the only one who can provide salvation. Therefore, trying to earn salvation through the works of the law is futile and puts a person under a curse, since no one can fully keep the law. Instead, salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ.

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The call "Come let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up" is an invitation to respond to God's love. The passage emphasizes the idea that even though God has punished the people, it is ultimately for their own good, so they can repent and turn back to Him. The call emphasizes the importance of repentance and returning to God, with the promise that He will heal and bind up those who come to Him. It speaks to the relationship between God and His people and the importance of responding to His love and mercy.

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The event of the day of Pentecost was prophesied by the prophet Joel. Joel prophesied that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all people and that they would prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. The day of Pentecost occurred after Jesus' ascension into heaven and was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. In the New Testament book of Acts, the day of Pentecost is described as a powerful and miraculous event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus, who were gathered in Jerusalem. The Spirit came with the sound of a rushing wind and appeared as tongues of fire, which rested on each of the disciples. They were then filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to people from many different nations. Based on the given options, the correct answer is "Joel." is the correct answer. The other options refer to different prophets from the Old Testament who made other prophecies, but not specifically about the day of Pentecost.

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In the Gospel according to Luke, the multitude that followed Jesus during the triumphal entry rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice because of the mighty works that they had seen done by Jesus. This means that the people had witnessed the miraculous things that Jesus had done, such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry. They were amazed and filled with joy at the power and goodness of Jesus, and they expressed their gratitude and adoration through singing and shouting praises to God. Based on the given options, the correct answer is "of the might works that they had seen done by Jesus." is the correct answer. The other options are not consistent with the account in the Gospel according to Luke and do not provide a suitable explanation for why the multitude was rejoicing and praising God.

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David demonstrated his submission to the will of God when he prevented the killing of Saul. In the Old Testament, Saul was the first king of Israel, and David was anointed to be his successor. However, Saul became jealous of David and sought to kill him. On one occasion, David had the opportunity to kill Saul when he was alone and vulnerable, but he chose not to. Instead, David spared Saul's life, saying that he would not harm "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6). David recognized that it was not his place to take matters into his own hands, but to trust in God's plan for his life and for Israel. David's actions demonstrated his submission to God's will, even in difficult circumstances. He chose to trust God's timing and his plan, even when it meant showing mercy to someone who had treated him poorly. This act of obedience and submission to God's will ultimately led to David becoming the king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. While the other options may also be events in David's life, they do not demonstrate his submission to God's will in the same way as his decision to spare Saul's life.

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In the statement, "let us make man in our own image," 'man' refers to both male and female human beings. This statement is from the book of Genesis in the Bible, and it refers to the creation of human beings by God. The phrase "in our own image" indicates that human beings were created with a special purpose and identity that reflects the nature and character of God. The phrase "man" in this context refers to all human beings, both male and female. This is because the creation story describes the creation of both male and female humans in the image of God. Thus, the use of the word "man" in this context is meant to include both genders. Based on the given options, the correct answer is "male and female." is the correct answer. The other options do not accurately reflect the context and meaning of the statement from Genesis.

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The Jews sought all the more to kill Jesus after healing the man at the pool of Bethesda because they thought that He made Himself equal with God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath day. This caused the Jewish leaders to become angry and to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus responded by saying that He was doing the works of His Father, and that He had authority to do so. He also said that He and His Father were one. The Jews then picked up stones to stone Him, saying that He was making Himself equal with God, which they saw as blasphemy. Therefore, it was Jesus' claim to be equal with God that led the Jews to seek all the more to kill Him after healing the man at the pool of Bethesda.

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The parable of the lost sheep teaches much about God's love. In the parable, a shepherd leaves his flock of 99 sheep to search for one lost sheep. When he finds it, he rejoices and calls his friends to celebrate with him. Jesus tells this parable to illustrate how God loves and cares for each and every one of His children, even those who may be lost or straying from His path. It shows that God is willing to go to great lengths to seek out and save the lost, and that He rejoices when they are found and return to Him.

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According to the temptation narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus overcame Satan because He depended on the word of God. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He went into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days and nights. Satan then came to Him and tempted Him in three ways. In each temptation, Satan tried to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus responded with a quote from the Scriptures, saying "it is written." Jesus was able to overcome Satan's temptations because He depended on the word of God, which gave Him the strength and wisdom to resist the devil. Therefore, it was Jesus' dependence on the word of God that helped Him to overcome Satan in the wilderness.

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God gave Ezekiel a scroll to eat in his vision. This happened in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, chapter 3, where God gave the prophet a scroll with words written on it and told him to eat it. The scroll represented the message that God wanted Ezekiel to preach to the people of Israel. By eating the scroll, Ezekiel was internalizing the message and making it a part of himself, demonstrating his complete obedience to God's will.

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Joseph was hated the more by his brothers because of his dreams. Joseph had two dreams in which he saw himself in a position of authority over his brothers, and he told them about it. This made his brothers jealous and angry, and they already had some resentment towards Joseph because he was their father's favorite and he had a coat of many colors that their father gave him as a gift. The dreams were the last straw for his brothers and they plotted to get rid of him.

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According to Paul, spiritual gifts, if properly employed, help in edifying the church. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the importance of using spiritual gifts for the common good of the church. He compares the church to a body, with each member having a specific function and gift to contribute. He stresses that gifts like prophecy, wisdom, and tongues should be used to build up the church and not for personal gain or showmanship. Therefore, spiritual gifts are seen as a means of edifying or building up the church, allowing it to grow in faith, unity, and service to others.

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In the first three chapters of the Book of Hosea, his main teaching is that God loves us despite our sins. Hosea was a prophet who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during a time when the people were turning away from God and worshipping idols. Hosea's own marriage to an unfaithful wife was used as a metaphor for God's relationship with His people. Hosea's wife, Gomer, repeatedly committed adultery, yet Hosea continued to love her and take her back. This demonstrated the unconditional love that God has for His people, even when they sin against Him. Hosea used this metaphor to show that God would continue to love and forgive the Israelites, even though they had turned away from Him. While the other options could be teachings found in the Bible, they are not the main message that Hosea was conveying in the first three chapters of his book. The focus is on God's unconditional love for His people, despite their sinfulness.

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In the Parable of the Sower, the seed which fell on rocky ground refers to people whose conversion is superficial. In this parable, Jesus compares the Word of God to seeds that are sown in different types of soil. The seed that falls on rocky ground represents people who receive the Word of God with joy but do not have deep roots. They may initially believe and follow God, but when trials or persecution come, they quickly fall away because they have not developed a strong foundation of faith. This type of conversion is superficial because it is based on temporary emotions or circumstances rather than a genuine desire to follow and obey God. Christians believe that a lasting conversion requires a commitment to continually grow in faith, to seek a deeper understanding of God's Word, and to develop a strong relationship with God through prayer and worship.

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According to Matthew's account of the gospel, Jesus charged the twelve disciples to give without pay because they had freely received. Jesus was instructing his disciples to go out and spread the good news and help those in need without expecting anything in return. He wanted them to understand that they had been given a great gift by God, and it was their duty to share it with others without seeking personal gain. By giving freely, the disciples would also demonstrate their trust in God to provide for them, rather than relying on payment or other forms of compensation. Jesus believed that their selfless actions would be rewarded by God in due time.

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The parable of the lost sheep teaches much about God's love. The story tells of a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to search for the one that has gone astray. When he finds it, he rejoices and celebrates with his friends. This parable shows us that God loves us so much that He seeks us out when we are lost, no matter how far we have gone. It also shows that God values each and every one of us and is willing to leave everything else to find and save us.

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The Christian concept of justification is that through faith in Jesus, the sinner is now regarded by God as guiltless. This means that by believing in Jesus and accepting him as Lord and Savior, a sinner is declared righteous and is no longer condemned for their sins. It is not through one's own efforts in keeping the law or through one's natural wisdom that a person is justified, but through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a gift from God, not something that can be earned or achieved through personal merit.

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A man who was a co-witness of the resurrection was elected to replace Judas Iscariot. After Judas had betrayed Jesus and later hanged himself, the eleven remaining apostles decided that they needed to choose another disciple to take his place. They wanted someone who had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry until His resurrection. They chose two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. They prayed and cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, so he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Therefore, the man who was elected to replace Judas Iscariot was Matthias, a co-witness of the resurrection.

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The covenant of Abraham stipulates that an uncircumcised male shall be cut off from his people. This means that an uncircumcised male is not considered a part of the covenant community and is excluded from the blessings of the covenant. In the Old Testament, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and later his descendants. So, an uncircumcised male was seen as not being in a right relationship with God and His people.

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According to the Bible, James described the commandment "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" as the royal law. This commandment is found in the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 19:18. Jesus also referred to this commandment as the second greatest commandment, after the commandment to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. James referred to this commandment as the royal law because it summarizes and encompasses all other commandments. If one truly loves their neighbour as themselves, they would not do anything that would harm them or violate any other commandments. This commandment emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or social status. By following this commandment, Christians believe that they are fulfilling their duty to God and showing love to their fellow human beings.

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Christians believe that they are children of God because through faith, they were baptized into Christ and put on Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that by putting their faith in him, they become adopted into God's family. This adoption is made possible through baptism, where they are cleansed of their sins and become new creations in Christ. By being baptized into Christ, Christians believe that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and are given the power to live a new life in obedience to God. This new life is marked by a desire to follow Christ's teachings and to love God and others as themselves. Thus, Christians believe that they are children of God, not because of their own merits or works, but because of God's grace and their faith in Christ.

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When the Hebrews left Egypt, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines because He did not want them to see war and return to Egypt. The Philistines were a fierce people who were known for their military might. If the Hebrews had gone through their land, they would have encountered battles and been discouraged from continuing their journey to the promised land. Instead, God led the Hebrews by a longer route that took them through the wilderness towards the Red Sea. This route allowed them to avoid any conflicts with the Philistines and gave them time to prepare for the battles they would face in the future. While the other options could also be factors in God's decision to take the longer route, the biblical account specifically states that He did not want the Hebrews to see war and return to Egypt. Therefore, this is the most likely reason why God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines.

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Paul advised Christians in Thessalonica to keep away from any brother who is living in idleness. In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul was encouraging the believers to work and not be idle, just as he had set an example for them. He warned them about those who refused to work, but instead, they were living in idleness, being busybodies, and not working for their own living. Paul instructed the church to avoid such people and not to associate with them, so that they may be ashamed of their behavior and repent. Therefore, it is living in idleness that Paul advised Christians in Thessalonica to keep away from any brother.

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"Follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead" is a statement made by Jesus in the Bible. By this statement, Jesus means that following Him should come before anything else. When Jesus invited someone to follow Him, it was an invitation to leave behind their old life and commit themselves fully to Him. In this case, Jesus was responding to a man who wanted to follow Him but also wanted to go and bury his father first. Jesus was not saying that disciples should not attend burials or that there is no life after death, but rather emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their commitment to Him above all else. Jesus was challenging the man to let go of his attachment to his family and trust in God's care for them, while he followed Jesus on his mission. Thus, the statement means that following Jesus should be the priority in a disciple's life, even if it means leaving behind other obligations or attachments.

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The disciples became terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the sea because they thought He was a ghost. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that the disciples were in a boat on the sea when a great storm arose. They saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and because they had never seen anything like it before, they thought He was a ghost. This caused them to become even more frightened. Although the other options could also be possible causes of fear in a different situation, the biblical account specifically states that the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost. They were not expecting to see Him walking on the water, and their minds could not comprehend how it was possible. It was not until Jesus spoke to them and reassured them that they recognized Him and their fear subsided.

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In the covenant with Noah, God equates blood with life. In the Old Testament, blood was seen as a symbol of life, representing the very essence of a person or animal. The shedding of blood, therefore, was a serious matter because it meant the loss of life. After the flood in Noah's time, God made a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. As a sign of this covenant, God instructed Noah to offer sacrifices of clean animals and birds, and to pour out their blood on the altar. By equating blood with life in this covenant, God was emphasizing the importance of the sanctity of life. It was a reminder that life is a gift from God and that it should be valued and protected. It also served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would shed his blood to save humanity from sin and death. While the other options may also be related to blood in different contexts, they do not reflect the specific meaning of blood in the covenant with Noah.

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Christians ought to be humble because Jesus Christ demonstrated it. Humility is an essential characteristic of the Christian faith that is modeled by Jesus Christ himself. Jesus lived a humble life, serving others and putting their needs before his own. He did not seek fame or glory for himself, but rather sought to bring honor and glory to God. His humility was demonstrated in his willingness to humble himself by becoming human, living a life of poverty, and ultimately sacrificing himself on the cross. As followers of Jesus Christ, Christians are called to imitate his example of humility. Humility is a key aspect of living a life that is pleasing to God and demonstrating love and care for others. Through humility, Christians can better serve others, live in harmony with others, and be open to God's guidance and direction. Based on the given options, the correct answer is "Jesus Christ demonstrated it." is the correct answer. The other options are not consistent with the teachings of the Christian faith and do not provide a suitable explanation for why Christians ought to be humble.

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Pharaoh set Joseph over the land of Egypt because he was discreet and wise. Joseph had proven himself to be a capable and trustworthy administrator when he helped Pharaoh interpret his dreams and manage the country during the years of plenty and famine. He was also able to provide practical solutions to complex problems, such as storing food during the good years and distributing it during the lean years. Joseph's wisdom and discretion made him a valuable asset to Pharaoh and enabled him to effectively lead the nation.

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Jesus did not appeal to His Father for legions of angels to fight for Him because He wanted the scriptures to be fulfilled. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was in great agony, knowing that His hour had come, and that He was about to be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. He prayed to His Father and asked Him to take the cup of suffering from Him, but He also said, "not my will, but yours be done." Jesus knew that His mission on earth was to save mankind by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day. He knew that the scriptures had foretold of His suffering and death, and that it had to be fulfilled. Therefore, He did not appeal to His Father for legions of angels to fight for Him, but He surrendered Himself to the will of God, knowing that it was necessary for Him to die in order to save humanity.