I am reading a book about the Devil. In preparation for a series of Sermons on that Liar! (I want to use Isaiah chapter 14 and Ezekiel chapter 28 as my basic Text material.) But my point: last night in chapter 2 of that Monograph I came across an unforgettable sentence. “Sin triggers the law of ‘unintended consequences!'” I underlined that clause, placed (drew) a red “heart” by it at the bottom of the page, and initialed my little “Worth the Whole Book” symbol there as well!
To me that powerful little line … Sin triggers the law of unintended consequences … means that when one sins, there is “no telling” what the consequences might be, of that unwise act! The “wages” of sin are, in many cases, extreme! (Even in your garden this Summer … you will reap MORE that you sow! Just 2 kernels of corn, the “seed,” planted in the ground will … hopefully … yield a thousand-fold, many whole ears on the stalk in just a few weeks!) The “seed” of sin is no less prolific! You can’t sow your “wild oats” then pray for “crop failure!” (Someone right now may be smirking and saying: “I sinned and got by. No heavy grief to bear, no loss of reputation, no tarnishing of character” … BUT YOU WOULD BE WRONG! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:9, a clear promise from God.)
Well, all that to say this … about King Manasseh of Judah.
Though he “was humbled” and repented of his many sins … and tried to make things “right” in the eyes of God and the Jewish people … his evil deeds brought a “bumper crop” of consequences nonetheless!
Let me show you what I mean, in part. “So Manasseh slept (died) with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; and humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.”
Though “Dad” tried to “reverse” all his wrongdoings … the Son did not heed those “come-too-late” actions!
So his Boy continued in sin.
Continued in those very sins his Father had introduced (taught, modeled, maybe even encouraged by example) in front of all Judah!
I read this once, or heard it in a Semon: “That wrong thing a Parent does in moderation … a child well may do in excess!”
Wow!
Far better to not sin in the first place … than sin and repent … only to discover many followed you down the wrong path … and did not turn around (come back to God) as you did … but continued to their destruction!
It’s still wise to pray: “Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13
Manasseh ended strong.
His Son Amon did not.
Reader, and writer today, take heed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell