115. 2CH 33:12, 2CH 33:13. MANASSEH

2Ch_33:12, 2Ch_33:13. Manasseh

"And when he was in affliction he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers."’972Ch_33:12, 2Ch_33:13.

God has given us the most express declarations of his mercy in various portions of his word. And in addition to these, he has given us many blessed examples, where his mercy has been embodied, in sparing the unworthy, pardoning the guilty, and making happy with his favor the most rile and degraded of our race. Among the many striking instances recorded, none are more astonishing, or deserve our particular attention, than Manasseh.

Let us then consider his history, I. As to his career in crime; and II. In his penitential return and acceptance of God.

Let us notice Manasseh,

I. As to his career in crime.

Here we have before us a very lamentable and gloomy scene. Depravity seems to have effected its utmost in him, and we behold guilt of the most daring and aggravated character darkening the whole man.

1. He was notoriously wicked.

"He did that which was evil, &c., like unto the abomination of the heathen;" ver. 2. He paid no regard to external decency; he made no pretence to the principles of common morality; he was vile, and manifestly so in the face of the people. He excelled in crime; for not only did he display in his life the evil practices of his own countrymen, but he debased himself, by imitating the crimes of the dark and corrupt heathen, "whom God had cast out before the children of Israel."

2. He was a gross idolater.

"He built the high places, reared altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the hosts of heaven;" ver. 3. He thus abandoned the God and religion of his fathers and of his nation, and yielded himself up to the debasing infatuations of idolatry. What a prostration of the soul’97of the understanding’97of judgment’97of reason!

3. He was a monster of cruelty, and a ferocious persecutor.

Caused children to pass through the fire, &c.; his own son among the rest; 2Ki_21:6. Shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to the other; 2Ki_21:16. And this blood was the blood of the righteous’97the faithful servants of God, who rather feared Jehovah’s frown, than the impious and bloody laws of the wicked PrMa 1:4. He was a public corruptor of the people.

"He made the people to err, and to do worse than the heathen," ver. 9. He did this in the way of allurement, by his elevated, influential example; and by despotic force in placing his cruelties before the people. And thus the air became thoroughly infected; and a torrent was opened upon the nation which threatened to sweep away all that was excellent in morals’97all that was amiable and useful in goodness’97and all that was pure and holy in devotion.

5. He attempted to ally himself to the spirits of the infernal world.

Hence "he observed times, used enchantments, and witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards;" ver. 6. What cool, systematic wickedness! What deliberate and deep-toned hostility to God and his religion!

6. He did all this under peculiarly aggravated circumstances.

Manasseh did this, who was a king, not a private individual; king of Judah, not a pagan monarch; the son of the excellent and pious Hezekiah’97religiously educated’97surrounded by pious priests and prophets; yet, thus exalted of God, he threw off his yoke, abandoned himself to all that was insulting to God, and vile and ruinous to himself and to his people.

And what was the result? Did not God’s displeasure wax hot against him? Was not Divine Providence clearly seen in his signal ruin? This might indeed have been expected; but "God’s ways are not as our ways; nor his thoughts as our thoughts," &c.

Let us then turn and contemplate his history,

II. In his penitential return and acceptance of God.

Notice,

1. The means employed.

Two things are specified; it is said,

(1) That God spake to Manasseh; ver. 10. Perhaps by powerful appeals to his own conscience’97by overwhelming fears’97by scaring visions of the night’97or, more probably, by the priests and prophets. See 2Ki_21:10. Most likely, at first, by exhortation and reproof; then, by threatening, &c. But neither he nor his people would hearken. Then,

(2) God brought him into affliction. He was led captive to Babylon, bound with fetters, and thrown into the solitary prison. And here he had an opportunity of seeing what his gods would do for him’97if Baalim could deliver him’97if the hosts of heaven could save him. Here he had time for retrospection’97for reflection. Here he felt his weakness; and here he was made to drink of the cup of affliction and sorrow.

What a reverse of condition, of circumstances! And the afflictive hand of God was made a blessing to him; it was the means of his repentance and salvation.

2. Observe the signs of his penitence.

(1) He humbled himself greatly. He had before exalted himself against God: he is now abased before him, and this greatly. Great humiliation should follow great and aggravated sin.

(2) He besought, prayed unto, and earnestly supplicated God; ver. 13. All these expressions are applied to him. He besought God, acknowledged his patience and forbearance, and desired his pity and forgiveness. He prayed to him, continued to present himself before him; and he supplicated, he earnestly entreated and implored his forgiveness, with all importunity and contrition of heart.

3. The gracious results of his penitence.

(1) God was entreated of him; did not spurn him from his footstool; inclined his ear unto him; condescended to notice his entreaties; forgave his sin, and made him the happy recipient of his accepting love.

(2) He brought him again to hie own kingdom. "When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him." "Who shall harm us." &c.

4. The happy fruits of his penitence

(1) He became the enemy of idolatry and vice’97took away the strange gods, &c.; ver. 15.

(2) He became an example and patron of righteousness; built up the Lord’s altars, and offered peace and thank-offerings thereupon; and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. He lived several years alter his restoration to his kingdom, and ruled, and lived, and died in the fear of God.

APPLICATION

Learn, 1. The lamentable depravity and wickedness of the human heart. 2. The invaluableness of afflictive dispensations Many have had to bless God for afflictions. 3. The freeness, fulness, and efficacy of divine grace. 4. The true and only way to escape the divine displeasure. By humbling ourselves and repenting; by prayer and supplication for the mercy of God.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS