Sunday: The Reigns of Manasseh and Amon
However much we like to talk about objectivity, about viewing things as they really are, as human beings we are hopelessly subjective. We see the world not so much as the world really is, but as we really are.
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
And because we are fallen and corrupted beings, this corruption is going to impact our perceptions and interpretation of the world around us. How else, for instance, can we explain someone like King Manasseh of Judah (about 686-643 bc), especially those early years of his terrible apostasy? One can hardly imagine how he justified in his own mind the horrific abominations he allowed to flourish in Judah.
Read 2 Chronicles 33:1-25. What does this story tell us about just how corrupt a king Manasseh was? More important, what does this teach us about the willingness of God to forgive?
No question, being hauled off to Babylon with hooks and bronze fetters was certain to get a man to rethink his life. Nevertheless, the text is clear: Manasseh truly repented of his ways and, when restored to the throne, sought to repair the damage that he had done. Unfortunately, the damage was greater than he might have imagined.
But this repentance, remarkable though it was, came too late to save the kingdom from the corrupting influence of years of idolatrous practices. Many had stumbled and fallen, never again to rise.
-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 383. And, even more unfortunately, among those who had been terribly impacted by Manasseh’s apostasy was his son, Amon, who took the throne after his father died and who did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done; for Amon sacrificed to all the carved images which his father Manasseh had made, and served them
(2 Chron. 33:22, NKJV). Worse, unlike his father, Amon never repented of his ways.
Who doesn’t know personally the terrible consequences that can come even from sin that has been forgiven? What promises can you claim for the victory over sin? Why not claim them now before the sin brings its doleful consequences?
(24)
Heartrending it is when believers like Manasseh who have been the beneficiaries of great light, depart from the scriptures, or even use them to justify their errors and excuse their defects of character. Those of the remnant people who turn away from the Spirit’s counsel and thereby lose their love for the truth are eventually sent strong delusions by God (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
The Lord withdraws His Spirit from the professed Christian who persistently shuns truth. Without the influence of the Spirit and therefore no moral bearing the backslider piles up iniquity as occasion allows. Such may sink deeper in sin than the ungodly with whom the Spirit still works (2 Chronicles 33:9).
It is only the mercy of God and His restraining hand which prevents those in outright apostasy from committing the most grievous sins (2 Peter 2:20-22). When the restraints are removed many who call on the name of the Lord will turn with violence on the faithful (John 16:1-3)
Happily some may come to their senses (Luke 15:17) after experiencing calamity or punishment. Thankfully Manasseh having reversed his father, Hezekiah’s reforms would repent in time of trouble (2 Chronicles 33:11-13).
Still it was evident Manasseh did not go far enough on his return. He did not completely clean house, tearing down all the idols and associated remnants (Deuteronomy 12:2-4). His son Amon was able to pick up where Manasseh left carvings and vestiges of evil (2 Chronicles 33:21-22).
Converts are to cut ties with evil completely, leaving behind those things which were once appealing (Philippians 3:12-14). This might mean throwing out things which might be generally harmless but serve as a link to past corrupt conduct.
The convert should not be taught to hold onto former lifestyle, appetite, entertainment, or fashion as a bargaining chip to close the deal and secure baptism (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ask the Savior to preserve a love of the truth in the heart and it will have a sanctifying effect (John 17:17).
The promise given to us is "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."-1 John 1:9
We have to claim it, confess and forsake our sins by asking him daily for divine strength to overcome the sinful desires in our nature and he will fulfill his promises.
It is befitting for us to leave lasting legacies for our children. The best there is is the legacy of Godliness.
Although Manasseh repented, his son Amon still inherited the dangerous lagacy of idol worship and other sinful acts.
I must agree with Hugh. Manasseh should have completely destroyed and remove the remnants of his past, instead he left them where his son could see them and rekindle the fire of sin.
We should use these passages as guides to steer us on the path of righteousness, not just read and say it's a wonderful Bible story.
We as Christians need to be careful who we are following .Proverb 16:2 says all the ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighed the spirits. Ezekiel 22:28-31 makes it clear what Christ was angry with Israel Kings for doing. I pray our nation will not do those thing and live by the Golden rule. Love God and our fellow man.
The one thing I took from the lesson today is how patient God is with us. Manasseh was not only leading his people to do evil, but he was oppressing those who wanted to remain true to God. "Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to the other." 2Kings 21:16. Yet, when he was in adversity and humbled himself to the Lord, the Lord forgave him. What a merciful Father we serve! It gives me hope and courage to persevere. Even though I may falter, God would forgive me and pick me up.
It is indeed comforting to know that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), however, it is far better not to sin in the first place. Too often we figuratively put our heads in the sand and deceive ourselves into thinking we can't be seen; but God sees us continually. One of the reasons Jewish men wear the "yarmulka" i.e. skullcap, is to remind them of the Law and the fact that God is watching them.
Remember the story in genesis about Joseph in Potifar's house. Potifar's wife tried to seduce Joseph when no one was in the house and even grabbed his garment and said "lie with me", but Joseph pulled away from her and exclaimed "...how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9) What strength of character! most men would've succumbed.
But,let us also remember that the Holy Spirit is also with us to provide an escape from temptation if we call upon His name. He is watching us continually, let us therefore pray that we grieve Him not, and walk in the way of righteousness.
I see here God's mercy and grace extended to the sinner. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleasne us from all unrighteousness. I also see that the consequences of sin can have repercussions that extend to succeeding generations.
Just think, if Hezekiah had not asked Jehovah to extend his life, Manasseh and Amon would not have been born!
all time in this life it is good to hearken to the worlds of the lord because he makes his decisions based on his foreknowlegde of everything. If only hezekiah knew that the lords thoughts towards us are good and not of evil jeremiah 29:11 this great apostasy wouldnt have been
And Hezekiah would not have boasted about all the riches of Jerusalem to the Babylonian envoy. Isaiah had the task of pointing out his lack of understanding. The Babylonians had long memories and came back to plunder Jerusalem.
"However much we like to talk about objectivity, about viewing things as they really are, as human beings we are hopelessly subjective. We see the world not so much as the world really is, but as we really are." this hard topic
We all know the effect of sin. When we don't acknowledge that we need the forgiveness of God and the help of the Holy Spirit our lives become so mess up that we began to believe that what is evil we call good, and what is good we call evil ( To Holy or you think your better than me). We must confess and repent that our lives are a mess when we don't have Christ as the center of our lives. I need Jesus each and every moment of the day an hour and even every second of my life what about you. It a shame when others lead those they are responsible for to hell and that they knowingly and willingly do this horrible act in the present of an Holy God.