Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Manasseh reinstituted the evil practices that his father, Hezekiah, worked to remove from Judah, including corrupt religious practices and social injustices. Though Manasseh later repented, God still promised to bring about the exile of the people of Judah because of Manasseh’s personal sin and the sin he led the people of Judah to commit.
Where do you see God’s presence in Manasseh’s story?
Christine L
I was feeling exactly the same way. It seems that there is evil, then Good, then evil and the Lord just keeps bringing them back.It would have been so confusing during those times. We see this today in the world, this is why bible studies with other Christians is so important so that we can be removed from the evil in the world and surrounded by the Lords will.
Reading about these kings who did evil and led the people in doing evil and who also are in the genealogy of Jesus, I’ve been thinking about how not only did God show them mercy if they did repent, He shows us all his mercy by making his plan for our salvation bigger than any one individual. What if the plan for Jesus coming to Earth could have been stopped by the failures of one person? What if God saw Manasseh’s behavior and said that’s it, I’m done with these people, no more messiah coming from this lineage. Thankful for God’s faithfulness even when people are unfaithful.
God is the God of second, third, fourth, etc. chances. As many times as Manasseh ignored God, he was not given up on by God. When Manasseh finally asks God for forgiveness and turns from the evil practices, God was there to help him restore the pieces that had been broken so many times. I know I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am so shocked that this was Hezakiah’s son! Manasseh grew up during a time where the people were worshipping to God alone, but Manasseh wanted to go back to the old ways. It reminds me that we can raise our children in an environment that is honouring to the Lord, but sin can still have its will and way! As much as I never want my children to stray from the Lord, stories like this remind me that it is out of my control, but redemption is also possible! I must give my children to the Lord and trust Him completely!
@Leslie Schell. Thank you for sharing those lessons learned from this reading. They are all important lessons that we need to remind ourselves of often.
Manasseh was like his evil grandfather Ahaz- even sacrificing his own children. Pure evil and so far removed from the will of the Lord. BUT God! When Manasseh earnestly repented, God forgave him and Manasseh was transformed into a new creation. Just like Jesus does for us!!! No matter how bad, how ugly, how sinful we have been, He is always waiting with open arms. I read that his mother was the daughter of Isaiah so growing up he must’ve been surrounded by positive spiritual influences. Those seeds planted by his parents and maternal grandfather finally took seed. This gives me hope as a parent and encourages me to keep speaking into my children even when I see no signs of them turning to the Lord.
Some lessons …. (Found with help online )When we do wrong, we also influence others to do wrong.
God Works Mercifully in our Lives, Even in our Wrongdoing
There are Consequences for our Sin and Stubborn Pride
No matter where we are at spiritually, we can always turn our hearts to God and receive His wonderful mercy.
When we do wrong, we need to take action to repair and do right.
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” – Psalm 103:10
Amen!
Manasseh humbled himself greatly, praying and beseeching God for mercy and grace. It was his point of conversion. “Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God” (v. 13).