Saturday, July 27
Read 2 Chronicles 33
Think About It:
- See 2 Chronicles 33:3-9. Manasseh opposed the reforms of his father Hezekiah and he brought Judah back into terrible idolatry. This shows us that repentance, reform and revival are not permanent standing conditions. What is accomplished at one time can be opposed and turned back at another time. Is it easier to lead people to repentance and wholehearted worship of God or to turn them away from God to the pursuit of the whims and desires of their own sinful natures?
- In 2 Chronicles 33:10-11, God has been thoroughly provoked by the unprecedented evil actions of Manasseh and the people of Judah, so He chastised them through the captains of the army and the king of Assyria. “This was the great mercy of God. He was under no obligation to warn or correct them; God would have been completely justified to bring judgment immediately. Instead, the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people.” How do you respond when you feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and are disciplined by the LORD?
- In 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, God graciously restored the late-repenting Manasseh. This gracious response to Manasseh was the final step in his return to the LORD (Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God). “Oh! I do not wonder at Manasseh’s sin one half so much as I wonder at God’s mercy” (Spurgeon). What does God’s response to the genuine repentance of a man as vile and evil as Manasseh teach you about God’s character? If someone says that they are too far gone in their sin for God to forgive them and renew their heart and mind, how would you respond?
Family Time:
- How old was Manasseh when he became king?
- Did Manasseh follow God in verses 2-9?
- What happened to Manasseh in verses 11? Why? (verse 10)
- How did Manasseh change in verses 12-13? No matter how many bad choices we make we can still repent (turn away from our bad choices) and be forgiven. Manasseh took away the foreign gods and idols. We have to remove the things that keep us away from God too. Pray about anything you might have or be doing that needs to go. Follow Manasseh’s example.
