12/28/2005

2 Chronicles 33 - Manasseh the humble?

Manasseh is an interesting guy. First, he is evil; he does more evil than the nations that the Lord drove out from Israel (2 Chrn 33:9). The chronicle of his deeds is a scary list (vv. 3-7b; 2 Kings 21:3-16), not to mention that because of his sins, Judah is deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:3-4). But here there is mention of Manasseh knowing the Lord (2 Chrn 33:13b), destroying idols (v. 15), restoring Temple sacrifices (vv. 16-17), his prayer (vv. 18,19), and his humility (vv. 19,23). In spite of his wickedness and the innocent blood he shed, he could still know the Lord our God and repent. There is no person beyond the grasp of our Lord; His mercy can reach anyone!