Friday, July 07, 2006

Manasseh: A Picture on How Old Testament People Were Saved

Reference: 2 Chronicles 33:

This is the story of Manasseh, ruler of Jerusalem. He became king at the age of 12.

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years."

He was evil in God's eyes. There was too much idolatry in this man.

"He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles."

In the book of 2 Kings it was mentioned that Manasseh...

"Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the LORD." (2 Kings 21:16)

The Lord punished Manasseh for these acts.

"The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon."


In this great time of difficulty, Manasseh called upon the God he insulted and asked for forgiveness.

"In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him..."

And surprisingly, the Lord still listened and forgave Manasseh.

"the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."


The Faith of Manasseh and his repentance on what He has done has brought His salvation through God's grace.

As proof here was the fruits of Manasseh's faith.

"He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings [b] and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel."

Manasseh was saved through faith alone. Even with His evil deeds, an all merciful God looks at our heart and knows if our repentance is true. That we indeed have a change of heart, humbly accepting that we are sinners. And asking for forgiveness and accepting God as our saviour makes us in fellowship with Him again.

Manasseh indeed showed through His subsequent actions that His repentance was genuine. But his acts of goodness were not criticial here. Remember that God blessed him and restored him to power even before he took out the idols.

Just like us today when we put our trust in Jesus Christ alone. Why Jesus Christ because He and the Father are one.

"I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

If we humbly admit to Jesus that we are sinners and through faith believe that His sacrifice on the cross is enough to save wretches like us then we will be with God come judgment day.

First Posted at Pinoyexchange

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posted by Henry Marcos @ 7:01 PM Comments: 1