Yes, I have entitled today’s Lesson from the life of King Manasseh “serial sinning,” or maybe better, “chain sinning.”

Seldom does one do wrong in just one area of life. Or just one little corner of a department of life. “Sin,” by its very nature, loves to have company! Paul the Apostle once said of evil men, of the propensity of iniquity: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2nd Timothy 3:13, where the verb “wax” means “to become.” They actually plunge “deeper and deeper” into sin!

“One little sin,” so-called, is not long just “one.” And not long “little,” for that matter. Sin aggregates, builds, worsens with the passing of time.

Now to the life of Manasseh. Using just one verse from 2nd Chronicles 33, at that! “For he (the king, still young too) built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.”

I count 5 of them, “tandem” sins! One right after the other! One “building” (or “destroying”) upon another! Yes, “chain sinning!”

Look:

1. He rebuilt the “high places,” mountaintop retreats for perverted religious practice.
2. He made abominable altars for the exclusive worship of Baal.
3. He cleared and planted and groomed the earth, creating “groves of trees” for the worship of the “nature” gods and goddesses of the surrounding heathen nations.
4. He worshipped the stars (sun and moon too, presumably) of heaven.
5. Then, he pattered his life (served, obeyed) those false gods, those idols.

If that’s not sinning “habitually,” I do not know the meaning of the term!

And the parallel account of the beginning of Manasseh’s reign, tells the same story. One sin leading to another! “For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.” 2nd Kings 21:3, so sad.

Remember King David’s sin?

Laziness (not going to battle with his army) then lust (looking at Bathsheba) then adultery (illicit sex with another man’s wife) then murder (killing her husband) then … on and on it goes!

What a reminder to keep “short sin accounts” with God!

If one sins (and we all do) … stop immediately!

Confess that sin!

Forsake that sin!

And do not let it attract other sins!

Proverbs 28:13 comes to mind. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Someone reading here this morning … Quit playing around with that little “sin” that seems so much fun, so exciting! Mortify that thing (meaning put it to death) … sin is dangerous!

Oh, that Manasseh had learned this lesson.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

If Manasseh began reigning over Judah at age 12 (and he did) … where did he get the “evil influence” that so permeated his life?

After all, he is the son (the only son) of godly King Hezekiah, one of the true “revivalists” of ancient history, especially Jewish history.

Read with me 2 Chronicles 33:2. “He (Manasseh) did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.”

Now read the parallel account from 2 Kings 21:2. “And he (Manasseh) did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.”

Both inspired historians tell us that he lived “after the abominations of the heathen.” The noun “heathen” means “gentiles” in this context.

Assuming the environment in which the boy was raised was relatively pure, holy, based on the Law of Moses … How did he get so acclimated to ungodliness? And that in 11 short years? He inherited the Throne of Judah when Hezekiah died, the lad being only 12 at the time.

By the way, an “abomination” (in Hebrew spelled “toebah”) is anything that “disgusts” Almighty God, something that makes Him “sick!”

Here’s what I think.

Not long after Hezekiah had been healed of his “sickness unto death,” a delegation from (wicked) Babylon visited the royal palace in Jerusalem. These would have been “heathen” I remind you. Isaiah the Prophet (and a friend of King Hezekiah) will tell us the story. Now this paragraph is somewhat lengthy. But you need to read it all. “At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” King James Version, Isaiah 39:1-7

Hezekiah was much too friendly (“glad of them”) to these wicked men!

And he showed them ALL he possessed!

He may have been flattered by their “gifts,” too!

And no doubt they left their “culture” behind, some of it. Maybe way too much of it.

This may also have been a case of “tit” for “tat.” Hezekiah received their gifts (favors), and gave to them all the state “secrets.” To his future enemies, nonetheless!

Now I realize that Manasseh may not even have been born yet when this “peace party” visited Judah. Or at least would have been quite young. But still … if the “ways of the wicked” were sown in the hearts of the people of Judah (from the King downward) at that time … young lives would have been impacted as well.

Remember what Paul later wrote to a way-too-worldly Church: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33

Yes, Manasseh’s sins as a King (still a young one apparently) may have been attributable to his own Father, King Hezekiah, in a weak moment!

Every day we live … we influence someone!

Don’t we?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The 2 Kings (chapter 21) account does not tell us this part of the story of Manasseh. Not like the Chronicles account does, for sure. In 2 Chronicles chapter 33 we learn of the King’s utter wickedness. So much so that God “turned” him over to the hand of an enemy. Now it’s Manasseh the “prisoner, slave.” BUT THEN IT HAPPENED. Amazing as it sounds.

The man repented!

And, Glory, God forgave him!

And to a large measure … restored him to the Throne of Judah!

Where he lived out the rest of his years, trying to do right. Seeking to correct the terrible perversions he had earlier created!

In the lessons ahead, we’re going to get to enjoy this study of the amazing (forgiving) Grace of God!

Also … we’re going to notice the terrible (and in some senses irreversible) consequences of sin!

Don’t miss a single day.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Most people know first hand about the impact of a Mother on one’s life, especially a godly Mother.

Therefore I sought information about Manasseh’s Mother. Who would have been, of course, the Wife of King Hezekiah, the “Queen” Mother.

She is mentioned only once, best I can tell. In 2 Kings 21:1 we are told: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzibah.”

The name is (apparently) relatively rare in Israel.

“Hephzibah” means (from “chephetzs” in Hebrew) “pleasure” or “delight!” Adding the suffix, “My delight is in her!” Pretty impressive!

The noun itself is so heavy with meaning that Isaiah used it once to describe a redeemed Israel! What a bright prospect: “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” Isaiah 62:4

I guess you could say that Jehovah God “named” His Wife (the people of Israel) “Hephzibah” too, meaning “one in Whom God takes ‘delight!'”

Wow!

This is Manasseh’s natural Mother, of course. Because the noun “mother” is simply spelled “em” in Hebrew, basically meaning “parting.” He is the fruit of her body, of her womb, he was “parted” from her at birth.

Well, I thought maybe the lady was a bad influence on the ultimately wicked young King Manasseh. As Jezebel certainly had a negative impact on her children. But really, I can find no trace of any heathenism in her life. And she is not a gentile at all, but a Jew.

I have even come across a few commentators who believe Psalm 45 is a description of Hezekiah’s and Hephzibah’s Wedding! If so, she was a godly lady indeed! Beautiful and graceful as well!

There may be a sermon here on Christian Marriage, folks!

Plus this, after Hezekiah was expected to die … and God miraculously added 15 years to his life … our godly Monarch still had no children! No heir to the throne!

And it took (at least) 2 years, if not a little more, for the Queen to become “with child.”

All I’m saying is this. The child (Manasseh) was wanted, no doubt cherished, loved no end … and maybe even a little bit “spoiled!”

BUT HE DID HAVE AN APPARENTLY GODLY UPBRINGING.

A revivalist Father, King Hezekiah.

A delightful Mother, Queen Hephzibah.

STILL .. .WITH ALL THE OPPORTUNITY PLACED BEFORE HIM … HIS ABILITY TO INFLUENCE A WHOLE NATION FOR THE GLORY OF GOD … MANASSEH SPURNED EVERY BIT OF THAT POTENTIAL!

He sinned and sinned and sinned!

Worse than the prodigal son.

Worse than most other kings of Judah.

A life, a long life (55 years on the throne) used to the detriment of the cause of Christ!

Oh today, let’s pray for our children and grandchildren!

That they will be molded and formed by the godly parenting they receive.

That they will not rebel against the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Like Manasseh did.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Let’s claim and pray Proverbs 22:6 for our posterity. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Grant it, Lord.

 

We are currently studying King Manasseh of Judah, just beginning the series.

First let’s get a one verse summary of the quality of Manasseh’s time ruling over Judah. “Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 33:9

Yes, he was a wicked King!

Now, who was his father? Surprisingly, godly King Hezekiah was! And 2 Kings 18:21 tells us of this good man: “He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.”

A proper, “right-with-God” Daddy brings an ungodly (very much so) son into the world!

Oh, by the way, this is the family of King Hezekiah who was about to die … but earnestly prayed … and then God added 15 more years to his life. Remember? See 2 Kings 20:6, for the specifics.

Here’s my point today. Ponder the following fact. Had Hezekiah not lived those extra 15 years … the most wicked King ever to rule Israel would have never been born!

Wow!

This, folks, may be a case of a man getting the desire of his heart … to the detriment of those around him!

We should be careful what we ask of the Lord!

This reminds me of Psalm 106:15 where Israel selfishly demanded a certain kind of food. “And he (the Lord God) gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

They got their lustful desires … but paid a dear price spiritually for their stubbornness.

In this light I am so glad Paul never had his “thorn” removed!

He (the Apostle) was not granted that specific request (though he asked 3 times) … but, goodness, how his soul prospered because of the resultant (unremoved) pain!

There’s a lot to learn about prayer.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell