10/22/2008
2 Kings 24:1 - 4 (HCSB) 1During his (Jehoiakim’s) reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. 2The LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim. He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD He had spoken through His servants the prophets. 3This happened to Judah only at the LORD’s command to remove them from His sight. It was because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all he had done, 4and also because of all the innocent blood he had shed. He had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not forgive.
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Manasseh was Jehoiakim’s great grand-father. Manasseh had built more shrines to false gods than any other king of Judah. He had even put pagan shrines inside the temple of God. Manasseh was also known for his malevolence. Innocent blood was shed all over Jerusalem. For these acts, God promised to disperse Judah and Jerusalem.
However, Manasseh’s son, Josiah was righteous and went throughout Judah not only destroying, but defiling the shrines and idols his father had set up. He removed the shrines and idols from the temple of God and killed all the pagan priests. He defiled the shrines with the ashes of human bones so that the very places would be detestable to everyone. Josiah pleaded for Judah, but God’s verdict had been set. Yet, God promised that the destruction would not come in Josiah’s lifetime. Jehoahaz, Josiah’s son reigned only briefly as Egypt controlled Judah. Eliakim, Josiah’s grandson was set up as provisional king (by Egypt) and his name was changed to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim returned to the ways of Menasseh.
This brings us to the passage above. Babylon attacked Judah and through a series of raids, Judah and Jerusalem were reduced to rubble.
Two things that I want to bring to your attention. Look at verse 3: “This happened to Judah only at the Lord’s command.” Although Judah had sinned greatly and had repeatedly provoked God, He never left them. The destruction came only at God’s command.
Likewise, when we belong to God, He will never leave us. Although things may befall us, His presence is still there. This is not to say that God wants bad things to happen, but rather, of the many horrible things that could happen in your life, they are limited by what God will allow. Some things come in your life as the result of sin. Other things come as tests (training) of your faith. Your faith can only grow stronger by encountering greater tests. Just as a weightlifter puts on a few more pounds every time he lifts, he does this to increase his ability. God also places challenges in our lives that give us the opportunity to grow in our faith and to grow closer to what He wants in us.
Secondly, we read in the final verse that God would not forgive. This is significant, because Manasseh never repented nor did he seek forgiveness. God is faithful to forgive, but we must humble ourselves before Him and seek His forgiveness. His forgiveness is not automatic. We must also remember that sin always has consequences. You cannot break the law and expect no consequences – even if you truly regret the event. You will be held responsible and must bear the consequences. So it is with our lives. We will bear the consequences of our sin.
When we say that God forgives, it does not mean that we are relieved from the consequences of sin, but rather it means that when we appear at the judgment, He will bring out the “file” of our lives and will see one big blot of blood covering all the sins we have committed (and for which we have asked forgiveness). He will see no sin, only the blood of Jesus.
Manasseh did not ask forgiveness and repent. Will you?
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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