2 Chronicles 33:1-20
This chapter covers the life and reign of Hezekiah's son, Manasseh. He was only 12 years when he came to the throne and reigned for 55 years. He started his reign revoking the godly practices which his father had instituted:
We are told he caused Judah and Jerusalem to live worse than the heathen Canaanites who used to live in the land, whom the LORD had destroyed.
God mercifully sent prophets to Manasseh and the people warning them that they were living evil lives, but they wouldn't listen. The Assyrians invaded, took Manasseh prisoner, chained him up and took him to Babylon. At this point Manasseh prayed to God and 'humbled himself greatly' (verse 12 - Strong's concordance enlarges that this is associated with repenting before God). From the way verse 13 reads, it could be that he actually prayed to be restored to his throne in Jerusalem.
Manasseh's prayers were heard and answered. He was set free and returned to his throne in Jerusalem. We read, 'then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God' (verse 13). Now Manasseh commanded that Judah served the LORD. He removed the pagan idols and alters from the temple and had them thrown out of the city. He had the alter of the LORD repaired and offered peace and thank offerings.
I can't help wondering if he, like the Apostle Paul, had been 'kicking against the pricks' of conscience. Had he been like the Prodigal Son, determined to have his fling and turned his back on his father's house? Although only 12 when he came to the throne, he must have been familiar with the worship of the LORD in which his father was so sincere - this is borne out by his turning to God - 'the God of his fathers' (verse 12).
Some of us may feel to be like this - perhaps we have been brought up to worship God, but as soon as we have got old enough we have left home and gone our own way. When I left home to start my nurse training I remember particularly fretting at being found lodgings with a godly Pastor and his wife because I felt it hampered my freedom greatly.
We don't read intricate details of Manasseh's repentance, but know that he 'besought' or 'entreated' God (Strong's concordance). It gives a sense of begging, with anguish and deep distress. He humbled himself (repented) 'greatly'.
Here is an example of God hearing a broken and a contrite heart - a man who had turned from God in every way he could, ignored the warning messages God had sent him, and committed enough murders to 'fill Jerusalem with blood' including having his own children burnt in ungodly sacrifices.
It would be easy to be like Jonah here, and think such an awful man didn't deserve to be forgiven and that he got what he deserved. How different God is from us! How full of love! Love so great that God as man actually came and allowed himself to endure a poor human life, unspeakable suffering and crucifixion on our behalf - that we might be forgiven.
Do you know yourself to be a sinner, dear reader?
Perhaps you are trying to be better and fail every day. Or perhaps you believe that Jesus died for you and has forgiven you but you have sinned again and feel you have sinned him away - how can you keep asking for forgiveness? - won't he say he's forgiven you enough times now and you still haven't learnt to be good?
As Jesus tells us to forgive each other seventy times seven, so his forgiveness to his children is immeasurable. Look at the sins of Manasseh! Yet there was hope even for him. Be encouraged - come to him just as you are, with all your guilt, your analysing, your tumultuous thoughts and despair of self - lay it all at his feet, roll it on him in prayer - he knows how you feel, he knows your thoughts - give it all to him and ask him to help you leave it all with him.
'For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee' (Psalm 86:5).
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