DEVOTIONAL

Today, the story continues with Judah. King Hezekiah dies, and his son Manasseh becomes king at the young age of twelve. Manasseh reigns almost twice as long as his father Hezekiah. Does Judah continue the path of single devotion to God? Where is the presence of God in Judah during the next fifty-five years under King Manasseh? Take a look with me to find out together.

The account in 2 Chronicles is where I will camp out because it includes the repentance of Manasseh that 2 Kings 21 leaves out. Although Manasseh repents to God, he is still remembered as one of the evil kings in Judah. Manasseh leads Judah away from God which is one step closer to exile that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:16-19. My hope for Judah was building as they made their way back to God under Hezekiah, but what happens under Manasseh is like that dance one step forward, three steps back, or maybe more. Things turn dark. Why? It shows me how dark and rebellious my sinful heart can be apart from God. It reminds me how much I need God. I am nothing without Him.

As king, Manasseh turns Judah away from the holiness of God to give their attention and resources to worship other gods. It reads like reckless behavior for Judah to give abundant offerings to the Lord in the temple after Passover and then, what feels like overnight, Judah burns incense to Baal and a carved Asherah who is the goddess of fertility. The only mention of the temple of God is when Manasseh has altars built inside for idol worship. The actions of Judah are astounding. How could they? Was their worship to Yahweh under Hezekiah’s leadership false devotion? Well, ask yourself the same question for your life. Is your corporate worship on Sunday’s a repeat song and dance or is it rooted with heart-felt devotion to God lived out the other six days of the week? The carved Asherah in the temple is the equivalent of you or I walk into church clinging to how others value us, a marital status, our bank account, or success as a parent. There are others, but you get the point. Our bags can be heavy with idols we carry into church on Sundays that get in the way of single devotion to God like Judah. This reminds me of a prayer from one of my pastors recently in the service. He prayed for believers in the city to not let the desires of this world to choke out the Gospel in their lives. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 provides deeper meaning to the situation happening with Judah in 2 Kings 21 that states, “But they did not listen.”

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Matthew 13:20-23

Before you give up hope, jump to 2 Chronicles 33:13. The story shifts in a surprising way. Well, for me I am shocked. The people of Judah do not listen to God’s warning, but who does listen? God. I cannot believe it. And at the same time, I am grateful God is gracious and merciful. Manasseh provokes God to anger, but God chooses to listen and rescue him. When Manasseh prays to God in captivity in Assyria his posture is a weak, powerless man empty of hope and at rock bottom. The passage does not tell us Manasseh believes God has the power to rescue him when he implores God. However, look at the end of 2 Chronicles 33:13 which says, “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.” The word “Lord” used here is Yahweh which is the proper name of the God of Israel. In the most hopeless place in his life, Manasseh experiences the powerful rescue and mercy of God and his response is specific to say Yahweh, the God of Israel, He is the One True God.  The mercy of God in Manasseh’s life reminds us forgiveness is possible even for the one who defiantly pulls away from God. It is the power of God that softens hardened hearts. He is the one to turn our heart of stone into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

God shows up in the dark years while Manasseh is king of Judah. Even though their idol worship provokes God to anger, we see God be merciful. Manasseh hits rock bottom and experiences the greatest rescue of his life. He experiences the power of Yahweh that is unlike Baal, Asherah, and every other idol exalted on the high places. As a believer in Christ, we get to respond like Manasseh to our family, friends, coworkers, etc. We have experienced the greatest rescue of our lives. My sin provoked God to anger, but in His great mercy He sent His Son Jesus to rescue me. And by the grace of God, this good news cannot be choked by the idols and fleeting desires of the culture around you and me. The presence of God did not leave Judah. And He will not leave you and me either. Rest in this truth today.

 

Q: What are the idols weighing you down from single devotion to God? Confess them to God.

Q: How has God been merciful in your life in the last month of year? Tell God you are thankful.

Additional Reading: 2 Kings 21