From 1c7bd28a3fe9da91c1e0f2076f6d9d0bae0fe702 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:45:22 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] 2 Chronicles 33:10-20 --- content/bible_journal/2chronicles/33:10-20.md | 37 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 37 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/2chronicles/33:10-20.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/33:10-20.md b/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/33:10-20.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fd38e1d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/33:10-20.md @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ ++++ +title = "2 Chronicles 33:10–20" +date = "2025-07-23" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Chronicles33.10-20) + +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.