Wicked King Manasseh has repented!
And has furthermore attempted to restore godly worship to Judah, his Country.
And has succeeded, to a great extent.
Yet today we read of a “compromise” in the area of “obedience” to the King, more so … obedience to the Lord! The people did NOT fully comply with the Word of God, the Mosaic Law.
“Nevertheless the people DID SACRIFICE STILL IN THE HIGH PLACES, yet unto the LORD their God only.” 2nd Chronicles 33:17
The “high places” indicate former “idol worship” locations!
“High places,” simply meaning “elevated areas” … because the ancient mind figured that was closer to the heavens, the places where their many false gods and goddesses lived (and fought and cheated and lied and died)!
If you’d like to know God’s real Feelings about those despicable “high places,” read Leviticus 26:30. “I (the Lord) will destroy your HIGH PLACES, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.” This is pretty clear, isn’t it?
So … here’s what happened in our Text today.
They (the people of Judah) worshipped the RIGHT God now. Or maybe I should say they again worshipped Him. BUT … in the vile places where they previously worshipped the heathen gods!
And the Lord was not fully pleased!
Moses (but behind Moses’ words, God Himself really) would not accept worship from (even) the wrong kind of altar! Much less a polluted sanctuary. Read with me Exodus 20:23-26. “Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. AN ALTAR OF EARTH THOU SHALT MAKE UNTO ME, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. AND IF THOU WILT MAKE ME AN ALTAR OF STONE, THOU SHALT NOT BUILD IT OF HEWN STONE: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. NEITHER SHALT THOU GO UP BY STEPS UNTO MINE ALTAR, THAT THY NAKEDNESS BE NOT DISCOVERED THEREON.”
Wow!
All those “rules” (each for a good purpose) about altars!
So, obviously, God’s prescribed altar was quite easily polluted!
Easily “profaned, desecrated,” the Hebrew verb “chalal” being used here, carefully framed in the Piel stem … meaning an intense and vigorous polluting! Especially obnoxious to the Lord!
Based on these observations, I say today’s verse presents only a partial obedience to the Lord God, our Heavenly Father. “Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.”
I say the “idols” of Manasseh’s “wild days” … though now expelled from all the Land … have still made an “impact” on Judah!
Sadly so.
God never has (still doesn’t) appreciate half-hearted Service in His name.
Paul may have stated this truth more clearly than anyone in scripture. “And whatsoever ye do, DO IT HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
The expression “heartily” translated two Greek words, “ek psuche.” Meaning “out of one’s soul!” With all one’s mind! With all one’s will! With all one’s emotion!
TOTAL obedience!
Of this He is Worthy!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell