Preacher: Rev Gavino Fioretti
Reading: 2 Chronicles 33: 1 – 20
Manasseh
Introduction:
The book of kings does not mention Manasseh’s repentance. Why is this?
1. His father:
Zealous against idolatry: Manasseh’s father was extremely zealous in purifying the land from the idols. We read: he trusted in the LORD the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.
Zealous for God’s house: Especially in the book of Chronicles we find that Ezekiah restored the temple and the worship of God.
Prosperous: As a result of his obedience and faithfulness God made Ezekiah prosperous.
MH: “Parents may give many good things to their children, but not grace”!
2. His kingdom:
Evil in the sight of God: Idolatry (v 3-5), false religion (v. 9); believed the words of mediums and fortune-tellers and sacrificed his sons.
God’s evaluation of Manasseh era is: more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel.
Rebellious: He rebelled against his father example. He was rebellious because he did not pay attention to the prophets of God and their proclamation.
Defeated: The result of such a sinful conduct is that he brought disaster on himself and the people (v. 11).
3. His legacy:
Personal: He was not buried with the other kings, but in his garden.
National: His name is associated to the exile. Josiah served God will all his strength and yet we read: Still the LORD did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh provoked him. He was remember for his sins.
4. His repentance:
He humbled himself: The Holy Spirit told us that he humbled himself greatly. His repentance was more than saying a prayer. His repentance was a profound humiliation.
He acknowledged God: He trusted in many gods but no one of these gods was able to deliver him. So he learned that YHWH is God!
He is transformed: Manasseh is radically transformed. He has become a new creature. The apostle Paul: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things are passed away; behold the new has come.
He commends the LORD: He wants others to repent!
5. His God:
The only God: (v. 13). This is Manasseh’s acknowledgement. The false gods he served so zealously have become nothing. God says: I am God and there is none beside me!
A long suffering God: God was very patient with Manasseh. His kingdom, notwithstanding his many sins was very long. Even in his judgment God showed his kindness.
A forgiving God: In verse 13 we read that God was moved by the prayer of Manasseh.
