2 Chronicles 33:10–20

Read the passage.

But Manasseh’s story is also one of hope. Manasseh did great evil before the Lord, leading the nation to all kinds of unrighteousness. The Lord spoke to the king and the people (Through prophets or visions? We don’t know), but they did not listen to Him. So the Lord raised up the Assyrian army again to attack Judah, and Manasseh was captured and taken to Babylon. At this time, Babylon was a vassal state of Assyria, though that situation would change in the next hundred years. While in captivity, Manasseh “humbled himself greatly” by entreating the Lord to do good to him again. He repented of his sins and trusted in the Lord to save him. Sound familiar?

We must keep in mind that our own sins are very great, just like Manasseh’s. Child sacrifice to the gods of wealth and self are rampant today. We chase after things and ideas that promise success and pleasure but do not satisfy as full as the One who made us. We think we are in charge of our own destiny, and no one can deny us our due.

The Lord conquered Manasseh’s heart when it seemed unassailable. He is gracious, willing and able to do the same to us and for us so that we will recognize His goodness and glory. Then we will be saved from our own foolishness that earned His holy wrath, covered by the blood of Jesus who paid our penalty.

Manasseh returned to Jerusalem to reign as its king again. I really wish I knew how that worked out. It lines up with the time that Babylon rebelled against Assyria, so releasing Assyria’s political prisoners from Babylon may have been a calculated move. Whatever the human motivations, it is clear that the Lord’s hand was in it because of the change in Manasseh’s heart towards Him. Manasseh built a new, tall wall around Jerusalem. He took down the idols and altars he had set up before he was captured. He reinstated worship of the Lord, alone, at the temple, and instructed the people to do likewise. They still gave offerings at the high places, which they should not have done, but it wasn’t to the host of heaven any more.

You are sovereign over kings and you turn our hearts to You.