A Sorry State

2 Chron 33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2 But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, "In Jerusalem shall My name be forever." 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.

We all have high hopes our children will follow in our footsteps, especially if we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Hezekiah was a man of God, led by God, who had been a great influence on the nation of Judah. But for whatever reason, he had seemed less of an influence on his own son Manasseh, who succeeded him.

And so one of the longest reigns for good, (29 years,) had been followed by the longest reign for evil, (55 years.)

Under Hezekiah, the nation had returned to God, had re-established the priesthood in its order and provision throughout the land, and had re-established the celebration of the Passover to the Lord. Under Manasseh, the nation dis-established all that had been established under Hezekiah in rapid order. It seems as though no stone was left unturned in seeking after evil, as if to do everything possible to cause offense to the Lord.

Was Hezekiah such a poor father that this was bound to happen? The Bible remains silent about Hezekiah’s fathering, and so we cannot make a judgment – but we do know this: Manasseh was living in full-on affront to the Lord - and he was leading the nation likewise. Judah was “Cruising for a bruising,” as my earthly father used to tell me when I was acting out. Manasseh soon found himself exiled to Babylon – one of the first to be taken. He was imprisoned, having been led away by hooks in bronze chains.

Alone with his thoughts in a Babylonian prison, we finally see the influence of his father Hezekiah. Here we see the importance of Godly fathering. We can never know when or where our influence will take hold, but we do know this – when we are at the end of ourselves, outside influences predominate. However and whatever had been done by Hezekiah to influence Manasseh did not show up until it was needed most – and only when Manasseh had been emptied of himself. Manasseh repented, and was restored to right relationship with God – despite all he had done for evil. He was TRULY sorry. God’s grace abounds when our sin is at an end.

- Pastor Bill