There are so many evil kings in Israel and Judah, but then there is Manasseh.
We read:
2 Kings 21:2-6
2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger.
Even sacrificing his own son on the altar of Molech.
He was evil.
Watch what happens:
2 Chronicles 33:10-11
The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
Can you imagine being bound with a hook in your nose? I think this would get our attention.
Watch what happens next:
Verses 12-13
12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.
Ridiculous! This evil king was finally getting what he deserved, and he did something.
He HUMBLED himself, he sought the favour of God and prayed.
“the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.”
Impossible!
Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!
Our God is the God of mercy.
Manasseh deserved more than death, but God granted him mercy.
I don’t know about you, but I realize I am in need of God’s mercy.
God wanted to give Manasseh grace and mercy all along, but he wasn’t listening.
God found a way to get his attention. It could have ended there, but Manasseh humbled himself, sought God, and repented his sin. God met him and restored him to the throne.
Wow!
2 Chronicles 7:14
God of mercy, we humble ourselves before you and seek your favour today. We acknowledge our sin and repent and seek to do your will.
