II Chronicles 33:1-20
What can we learn from Manasseh?
He was an idolater (vv 2-7)
Though we do not bow down before carved or sculpted images, how often do we elevate something in our life to a higher status than God?
Deuteronomy 5:7 -Do not make or worship idols
Colossians 3:5-11 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry
He committed murder (v 6)
While we may not have ever killed someone, Christ has some interesting things to say about murder, unrighteous anger, and how they will be judged.
Exodus 10:13 -Do not murder
Matthew 5:21-22 -Unrighteous anger is condemned
He failed to properly head his family (v 6)
To say that Manasseh failed to in a guiding leadership role in his family is gross understatement. Yet we must remember that there are proper roles for each member of the family to fulfill.
Ephesians 5:25-6:4 -Fathers, mothers, and children
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go
He was an evil influence on others (vv 9, 16-17)
We must be careful not to walk in the way of Manasseh, and lead others into sin. We must remember that we have an influence on others, and be careful of the example we set. Likewise, we must be careful not to allow others to influence us for evil!
I Corinthians 10:32-33 -Do not cause anyone to stumble
I Corinthians 15:33 -Bad company corrupts good morals
He was punished by God for his sin (vv 10-11)
As Manasseh was punished for his evil, so we too, if we follow in his way, will be punished by God. Manasseh’s punishment was temporal, ours will be eternal.
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment according to deeds
Galatians 5:19-21 -These will not reach heaven
He returned to God, and was accepted (vv 12-16)
Manasseh repented of what he had done, and turned back to God. When he did so, God forgave him and accepted his repentance. So it is with us. If we truly turn to God, it does not matter what sins we have committed in the past, they will no longer be held against us.II Corinthians 7:10 -Godly sorrow brings repentance, leading to
salvation
Luke 5:30-32 -Christ came to bring sinners to repentance
I Timothy 1:15-17 -Paul, chief of sinners, repented and was
accepted by God
There are other lessons we can learn from the account as well
Children do not always follow after their parents (v 3)
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had served God well. Yet Manasseh did not turn out that way. It serves as a reminder that just because we serve God and strive to teach our children to do so, we each much make our own decisions.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 -The word must be with us constantly, and we
must strive to impress its importance on our
children
Genesis 4:1-12 -Adam and Eve had two sons who were very
Different
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go is a
general statement
A person’s reputation and influence can outlast their actions (II Kings 21:17)
Manasseh repented and turned back to God. Yet he is still recorded as the worst king to ever rule of Judah. So too, we can be remembered for the wrong we have done. We must strive to do good instead!
Acts 9:10-16 -Ananias remarks on what Paul had been doing
against the church
Acts 9:19b-22 -The people are leery of Paul after his conversion
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