Day 204, July 23 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Kings 20:20-21; 2Kings 21; 2Chronicles 32:32-33; 2Chronicles 33; Psalm 82
Turning Away From or Toward God
Most parents try to raise their children with good values. They give them love, attention, and moral guidance. Many realize the importance of taking their children to church so they may be taught about God and have good influences from caring Christian people. It is, therefore, upsetting when parents later see them rebel against everything they have been taught in the home and at church. What are their children thinking? Do they not know their “friends” could lead them into trouble? What are parents to do?
In today’s Bible reading, we return from the book of Isaiah to the history of the kings of Judah. It is one hundred years before Babylon attacks and conquers the people, exiling them from their land.
When good King Hezekiah dies, his twelve-year-old son, Manasseh, reigns. Immediately, he reverses the reforms of his father. The young king leads the nation of Judah into worshipping idols, and that with a perceived vengeance. He is a rebel.
He rebuilt the high places [of worship] his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists.
He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. He took the carved image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon,
“In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your forefathers, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and ordinances given through Moses.”
But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention (2Chronicles 33:3-10, NIV).
How do we deal with strong-willed children and stubborn adults? Counseling does little good—they need to be humbled. Stubborn people usually have to learn life lessons the hard way. We have to allow life’s harsh realities to smack them against the head, so they wake up and learn not to be foolish.
King Manasseh does not listen to God, so the LORD takes strong measures. One day, Babylonian commanders capture Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose, bind him with chains, and take him to Babylon as their prisoner (2Chronicles 33:11).
Does this rough treatment get Manasseh’s attention? Yes! Manasseh is greatly humbled and humiliated. He prays to God, and the LORD listens and has mercy. He brings Manasseh back to Jerusalem, and he is king once more.
Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God…. He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city.
Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel” (2Chronicles 33:15-16, NIV).
What a radical change! Perhaps, after the LORD disciplines some of our obstinate loved ones, they will also experience a real transformation in their lives. We need to keep praying for them; God may yet turn them around (James 5:16-20, NIV). The LORD is merciful and gracious, especially to those who have a personal relationship with him.
Despite Manasseh’s repentance, after he dies, the people of Judah return to their evil ways. Manasseh’s son, Ammon, who succeeds him, is just as wicked as his father. After only two years, Ammon’s officials assassinate him. Although the people now “worship the LORD” (at least ceremonially), they worship him on the high places instead of Jerusalem. The pattern of Manasseh’s wicked living is imprinted in their hearts.
Because of the sins of Manasseh, God will eventually destroy and expel the people of Judah from the Promised Land—their sins are worse than the Amorites (another name for Canaanites). God will remove the filth of Judah, wiping her out like washing out a dish with a rag, and then turning it upside down (2Kings 21:13). This will happen in 586 B.C. when Babylon destroys Jerusalem.
Like the results of Manasseh’s sins, we cannot predict how our sins might affect future generations. It is best to turn away from them to God while he is still merciful and gracious.
Discussion
What are parents to do if their children turn into rebels? What is the danger in it?
Can we help those who are strong-willed? How?
How can those who are stubborn be transformed?
Focus Verses
2Chronicles 33:12-13 (NIV)
In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.
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A Look Ahead:When we mess up and repent, God is merciful and defends us. See how he brings Vengeance and Comfort in our Next Lesson.
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