Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Tuesday – 2nd Chronicles 33 - Ruination... Ruined Nation

M
anasseh was the nail in the coffin of the Davidic line and Judean dynasty.  You don't see the decree in this chapter, but the events recorded in here certainly were the cause of the downfall of Judah (Jeremiah 15:4, 2nd Kings 23:26 & 24:3).  Hezekiah's son Manasseh was perhaps the worst king Judah ever endured.  He was in charge from the time he was 12 until he was 67...except for his brief absence from the throne while he was a captive in Babylon.  In his 55 years as monarch, he crossed every line God had ever drawn in the sand.  Idolatry, blasphemy, sacrilege, human sacrifice, the occult; you name it, he was guilty.  2nd Chronicles 33:9 says that he was actually worse than the Canaanites who had been regurgitated from Palestine back in the days of Joshua.

Now, even though you and I would surely have written Manasseh off; God didn't.  He made advances toward Manasseh (2nd Chronicles 33:10).  And, when he wouldn't listen to God's word, God got rough with him.  2nd Chronicles 33:11 describes generally the severity of Manasseh's capture and confinement.  To be sure, it was harsh enough that it got the wicked king's attention.  This man who had formerly blasphemed God suddenly began to pray humbly to Him.  Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that God not only heard Manasseh's repentant petitions, he returned him to Judah and put him back onto his own throne.  Truly, God's mercy and grace is infinite... and He does indeed dwell with those who have a contrite heart.


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