Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33
Through the life of Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, we see again that God loves a repentant heart. But to fully understand just how merciful our God is, we need to fully understand just how ugly sin can be; to fully grasp the reach of God’s grace, we must recognize how destructive rebellion against God can become.
Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king; he reigned in Jerusalem for 55 years. He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father had destroyed, and even went so far as to build pagan altars inside of the temple of the Lord. The very place that had been created for God to dwell and be worshiped was now dedicated to the worship of false gods.
Manasseh was so deeply steeped in idolatry that he sacrificed his own sons in the fire (2 Chronicles 33:6). In an attempt to get what he wanted from life, Manasseh killed his own son because he was somehow convinced that his life would be better if he sacrificed the life of his child.
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THE ONE WHO ORCHESTRATES THE DEATH OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN?
“If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death. I myself will turn against them and cut them off from the community, because they have defiled my sanctuary and brought shame on my holy name by offering their children to Molech. And if the people of the community ignore those who offer their children to Molech and refuse to execute them, I myself will turn against them and their families and will cut them off from the community. This will happen to all who commit spiritual prostitution by worshiping Molech.” – Leviticus 20:2b-5
God’s strong word of warning in these verses was not just directed towards the parent who sacrifices their child, but towards the community who ignores the sin. If child-sacrifice is allowed and not punished, the result of this spiritual prostitution will be felt by the entire nation. If the leadership looks the other way or celebrates the child sacrifice in the name of the individual’s right to do whatever they want with their children, God’s judgment will be felt by all.
Manasseh also aroused God’s anger by practicing sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, consulting with mediums and psychics. He murdered innocent people until the city of Jerusalem was filled from end to end with the blood of those who had been murdered. He caused the people of Judah to sin, leading them to do what God had clearly defined as evil (2 Kings 21:16).
HOW DOES GOD PUNISH THE LEADER WHO ORCHESTRATES THE DEATH OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE?
“King Manasseh of Judah has done many detestable things. He is even more wicked than the Amorites, who lived in this land before Israel. He has caused the people of Judah to sin with his idols. So this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who hear about it will tingle with horror. I will judge Jerusalem by the same standard I used for Samaria and the same measure I used for the family of Ahab. I will wipe away the people of Jerusalem as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down. Then I will reject even the remnant of my own people who are left, and I will hand them over as plunder for their enemies. For they have done great evil in my sight and have angered me ever since their ancestors came out of Egypt.” – 2 Kings 21:11-15
The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and SINCERELY humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. – 2 Chronicles 33:10-12
HOW DOES GOD RESPOND TO THE SINNER WHO SINCERELY REPENTS OF THEIR SIN?
Manasseh, one of the most evil kings Judah experienced, cried out to God for forgiveness and God listened. That’s the kind of God we serve — a God who is holy and punishes sin, but who is also merciful and forgiving for those who SINCERELY repent. The prophet Nahum, who we will study tomorrow, helps us understand that our God is both loving and just. God is patient and forgiving but also a holy God who punishes sin. He is calling out to us but we must turn to him; He wants to lavish us with His love and grace, but we must be sincere in our confession of sin and fully commit ourselves to Him.
“I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’
to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths
and their own crooked schemes.
All day long they insult me to my face
by worshiping idols in their sacred gardens.
They burn incense on pagan altars.
At night they go out among the graves,
worshiping the dead.
They eat the flesh of pigs
and make stews with other forbidden foods.
Yet they say to each other,
‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me!
I am holier than you!’
These people are a stench in my nostrils,
an acrid smell that never goes away.” — Isaiah 65:1-5
Oh God, may our lives be a pleasant fragrance to you. Give us the courage to speak truth without casting judgment; give us the wisdom to speak of your grace while also drawing others to a place of sincere repentance. Forgive us for turning our back to the sacrifice of your children, and give us the opportunity to influence the turning of this nation back to you. Amen.