The records in 2 Chronicles 29-32 walk us through the summary of the reign of Hezekiah over Judah. He was righteous and did what was good in the sight of the LORD. The fact that his son who took the throne after him was almost a complete opposite is a dramatic reminder for all of us that no one inherits a relationship with God from their parents. Each of us must establish this personally, recognizing of course that our parents can play an important role to help us get on the right path.
Manasseh Succeeds Hezekiah in Judah
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2He did evil in the sight of the LORD according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel. 3For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he also erected altars for the Baals and made Asherim, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4He built altars in the house of the LORD of which the LORD had said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.” 5For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. 7Then he put the carved image of the idol which he had made in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; 8and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them according to all the law, the statutes and the ordinances given through Moses.” 9Thus Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel.
Today’s scripture stands as a dramatic reminder of just how quickly a nation or family can turn from righteousness to wickedness in a single generation. It also gives a fairly specific list of some behaviors that are offensive to Yahweh, including idolatry, worship of false gods, witchcraft, divination, sorcery, dealing with mediums and spiritists. What is worse is that Manasseh led the people of Judah down this wrong path with him. I suppose that can also serve as a reminder that if we are to put Yahweh first, we cannot simply follow wherever our leaders go without questioning and challenging. We must focus on Yah and his ways first and when we can also hold our leaders accountable to do the same. A government or spiritual leader that is not submitted to Yahweh can lead many to peril.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please lead and guide Your people to stand firm in pursuing Your ways. Help us not be misled by leaders in government or religion. Help us to stand strong on Your word even in the face of opposition. Please raise up leaders that will be like Hezekiah in our nation today, that would lead people back to You! On a personal level, please help us to not be complacent, relying on a relationship with You that our parents or grandparents may have. Help draw us to You personally. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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