2 Chronicles 33:1-13, "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hin2 Chronicles 33:1-13, "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."nom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
In this brief meditation I want to emphasize three important points. These points are not a little like the environment in which the Christian has to operate today. First,
THE MAN GOD LOVED
Who was Manasseh? He was king of Judah, and he came to the throne at age 12. Can you imagine a king of the Nation of Israel coming to the throne at the age of 12? He reigned for 55 years and died at 67. The fact is that he had wandered away from God. In fact many expositors say that he was the worst of all the kings. He did not follow in the foot steps of his father He was wicked and built idols to satisfy all his own hearts lusts. Manasseh was the kind of ruler that they asked for and God gave it to them. It is amazing that God would identify him as a man after His heart.
God's dealings with Manasseh magnifies the grace of God. Our salvation in totality finds its origin in the Love of God. He loves us. That should be enough to satisfy the hungry and thirsty soul of king Manasseh and all who follow in His steps. The problem is that people do not want to get right with God and become enemies to those with whom they used to party.
Manasseh is the prodigal come home in the Old Testament. It teaches us that God is always ready to cleanse and restore the wandering saint. Are you wandering today? It is time to come home.
THE METHOD GOD EMPLOYED
The LORD let him have his fling so that he would come to the end of himself. This is exactly what the prodigal son in the New Testament did. Luke 15:17 says, "And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" It is a sad thing to see a child who is reared in a Christian home cast it all aside. It is sad first of all to see the real nature of sin and see how it degrades the humanity of man. It is sad next to see one who trades the permanent on the altar of the immediate (Dr. Bob Jones Sr.). Next we see,
THE MIRACLE GOD WORKED
2 Chronicles 33:12-13, "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
God sent affliction to turn Manasseh around and it worked. The king repented and came back into the blessings of God.
Have you ever seen a miracle such as this. Most of those who turn their back on God never come back.. A lot of Bible scholars would argue that the word "miracle" as I have used it here is incorrect. The fact is that if Manasseh were your father, you wouldn't mind calling it a miracle.
In Christ
Bro. White
