Topical Bible: God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion

◄ God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion ►

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Introduction

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was the king of Judah who reigned for fifty-five years, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the kingdom. His reign is notably marked by a dramatic transformation from one of the most idolatrous kings to a penitent servant of God. The account of Manasseh's conversion and subsequent restoration by God is a profound testament to divine mercy and forgiveness.

Manasseh's Idolatry and Apostasy

Manasseh ascended to the throne at the tender age of twelve, and his early reign was characterized by a flagrant departure from the ways of his father, Hezekiah, who had been a faithful servant of the Lord. Manasseh's actions are detailed in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, where he is described as having rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed, erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, and worshiped all the host of heaven. He even went so far as to place a carved image in the house of God, an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.

The Scriptures recount that Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, causing them to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. His reign was marked by bloodshed, as he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and he practiced witchcraft, divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists.

Divine Judgment and Captivity

In response to Manasseh's egregious sins, the Lord spoke through His prophets, warning of impending judgment. The Lord declared that He would bring such disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who heard of it would tingle. Despite these warnings, Manasseh did not heed the call to repentance.

As a result of his persistent rebellion, the Lord allowed the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria to capture Manasseh. They took him with hooks, bound him with bronze shackles, and led him to Babylon. This period of captivity was a turning point in Manasseh's life.

Manasseh's Repentance and Prayer

In his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to Him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this pivotal moment in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13: "In his distress, he sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty, heard his plea, and brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that the LORD is God."

Restoration and Reforms

Following his sincere repentance, God restored Manasseh to his kingdom in Jerusalem. This act of divine grace underscores the boundless mercy of God, who is willing to forgive even the most wayward of His children when they turn back to Him with a contrite heart.

Upon his return, Manasseh demonstrated the authenticity of his conversion by initiating significant religious reforms. He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem. He cast them out of the city and repaired the altar of the Lord, offering peace offerings and thank offerings upon it. Manasseh commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.

Legacy

Manasseh's account is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of repentance and the readiness of God to restore those who earnestly seek Him. Despite his earlier transgressions, Manasseh's later years were marked by a return to the worship of the true God, leaving a legacy of hope for all who have strayed from the path of righteousness. His life serves as a testament to the enduring truth that no one is beyond the reach of God's redeeming love.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 33:12,13
And when he was in affliction, he sought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
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Library

Hezekiah
... Hezekiah and his associates were now restoring, Solomon had ... through the country of
Ephraim and Manasseh even unto ... a close, it was evident that God had wrought ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ...
... act as the great Physician of souls, in restoring them to ... upon their God: (John
1:6:) like Manasseh, they are ... continue their proper race; but that God is the ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... had respect to the Jewish law of restoring four-fold ... We, like Joseph, are for setting
of Manasseh before Ephraim ... stands upon a supposed conversion to God; "I am ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... had begun his reign by restoring the sanctuaries ... praying before the image of his
god, two of ... in this Sharitir-assur, Sharezer enthroned after his father's death ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... has respect to the Jewish law of restoring four-fold ... We, like Joseph, are for setting
of Manasseh before Ephraim ... stands upon a supposed conversion to God; "I am ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner ... she in her descending
hath 'the glory of God,' and also ... same that he saw again at the restoring of it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... be light." As here, the light of this world; so in conversion, the light of ... "And
God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind" (v ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm