2 Chronicles 33

Commentary

In 2 Chronicles 33, we read about the reign of Manasseh, King of Judah. Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah and was twelve years old when he began to reign. He reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem and did evil in the sight of the Lord. He followed the abominations of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed before the children of Israel. He built altars for Baal and made Asherah poles and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. He even sacrificed his own sons in the fire. The Lord was very angry with Manasseh and his people and sent prophets to warn them to turn from their wicked ways. But Manasseh would not listen and continued in his evil ways. Finally, the Lord sent the king of Assyria to take Manasseh captive and bind him in chains. In his distress, Manasseh humbled himself and prayed to the Lord. The Lord heard his prayer and restored him to his kingdom. Manasseh then removed the foreign gods from the land and restored the worship of the Lord. He also built a wall around Jerusalem and strengthened the fortifications. This chapter of 2 Chronicles shows us the consequences of disobedience to God. Manasseh was taken captive and humbled before the Lord. But when he repented and turned back to the Lord, the Lord restored him to his kingdom. This is a reminder to us that God is always willing to forgive us when we turn to Him in repentance.