Today we continue to look at the downward spiral of King Manasseh of Judah. Only son of godly King Hezekiah. (Although Hezekiah did seem to weaken spiritually the last 15 years of his life!) Our Text will be 2nd Chronicles 33:4 which is virtually a repetition of 2nd Kings 21:4.

The Chronicler first: “Also he (Manasseh) built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.”

Now the historian of the Kings: “And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.”

God’s House, the Temple of Israel, was divinely designed to have just 2 altars. One near its front entrance made of brass. Another deep in its interior, made of gold. Both served legitimate (beautiful) spiritual purposes. Taught valuable lessons on living for God.

But Manasseh, influenced by the powerful nations around him (heathen Assyria being primary) … wanted TO ADD a touch of “politically correct” contemporary idol worship to the scene!

More than one god now is being acknowledged in the Holy Temple!

It’s a wonder God did not “kill” him on the spot!

A King, trying to keep up with the times!

Or trying to satisfy everybody!

Or trying to ward off “pressure” from his political “bosses!” (Yes, Judah then was basically a tributary nation, overrun by the Assyrian empire. Merely a vassal state. And Manasseh compromised … to stay in some good favor with his conquerors!)

He “sold out” to the “establishment.”

He introduced “competition” to Almighty God!

In a Place where God had explicitly stated: “In Jerusalem will I put my name.”

The Same God Who had earlier commanded: “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:2-5

So sad! “Also he (Manasseh) built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.”

Yet today the same thing is being done in many places!

What once was old-fashioned worship of the True God of the Ages has now been diluted to be merely a “One among many” theology. What do we call it now, “pluralism?” Broad mindedness? Lack of prejudice? An “unbiased” Worldview?

How about calling it … “selling out” the God Who saved us?

Let us rededicate ourselves to the exclusive, never bending position that avers: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

None like Him!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell