Legacy
In 2 Kings 20:1-6 we learn that Israelite King Hezekiah became mortally sick and asked God to grant him more time to live. God granted him fifteen more years. In those years Hezekiah fathered a child named Manasseh. Be careful what you pray for. Manasseh is known as the most wicked king in the Old Testament (21:11). He worshiped many pagan gods, practiced witchcraft, and even sacrificed his own son (21:6).
God spoke to Manasseh, but the king and his people paid no attention (2 Chronicles 22:1-13). God allowed Manasseh to be captured by the Assyrians. He was taken to Babylon and bound in chains and hooks. He, who had been king, was now a prisoner.
Through this trouble the king turned to God.
“When he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13).
This is salvation. The most evil king of the Bible got saved and escaped hell. God brought him back to Jerusalem where he tore down the pagan alters and restored worship that honored the Lord (15-16).
There are consequences to our sin even after salvation. Amon, Manasseh’s son, succeeded him to become king. In 2 Chronicles 33:21-23 we learn he did evil in the sight of the Lord as Manasseh his father had done and he was king for only 2 years before his own servants killed him.
Ammon was young when Manasseh was so wicked. He remembered the evil legacy of his father. That legacy is what he imitated. What will others imitate of you?
Becky DeBerry
God spoke to Manasseh, but the king and his people paid no attention (2 Chronicles 22:1-13). God allowed Manasseh to be captured by the Assyrians. He was taken to Babylon and bound in chains and hooks. He, who had been king, was now a prisoner.
Through this trouble the king turned to God.
“When he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13).
This is salvation. The most evil king of the Bible got saved and escaped hell. God brought him back to Jerusalem where he tore down the pagan alters and restored worship that honored the Lord (15-16).
There are consequences to our sin even after salvation. Amon, Manasseh’s son, succeeded him to become king. In 2 Chronicles 33:21-23 we learn he did evil in the sight of the Lord as Manasseh his father had done and he was king for only 2 years before his own servants killed him.
Ammon was young when Manasseh was so wicked. He remembered the evil legacy of his father. That legacy is what he imitated. What will others imitate of you?
Becky DeBerry