The Prodigal King

Introduction:

Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah. Manasseh became king at 12 years old & ruled 10 years as co-regent. After Hezekiah’s death – Manasseh rules some 55 years – longest in history of Israel/Judah. Manasseh had a godly father, lived through a time of spiritual vitality/prosperity. And yet....2 Kings 21:2-6 – here we have a complete list of his sins as noted by the Israelite historian. 2 Kings 21:9 – Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel.

I. The Sins of Manasseh

A.       2 Kings 21:3a – Manasseh rebuilt the high places.

B.       2 Kings 21:3b – Manasseh erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah.

C.        2 Kings 21:3c – Manasseh worshipped the host of heaven and served them.

D.       2 Kings 21:4-5 – Manasseh built altars inside the house of the Lord.

E.        2 Kings 21:6 – Manasseh practiced child sacrifice.

1.        He practiced witchcraft, used divination, dealt with mediums and spiritists.

F.        2 Kings 21:7 - Took the carved image of the Asherah and set it up inside the house of the Lord.

G.       In these verses…no mention of true worship – to Yahweh. God has been long forgotten.

H.       2 Kings 21:10-15

1.        21:11c – NIV – Manasseh led Judah to sin. 2 Chronicles 33:9 – Manasseh misled Judah. He alone was responsible. He brought Judah down. What a terrible legacy!

2.        21:16-18

II. What became of Manasseh?

A.       Did Manasseh ignore God for the totality of his life? No.

1.        2 Chronicles 33:10 – Is this an example of God pursuing a person into sin and guilt and pleading with him to turn back?

                                                                    a.       33:10b – Manasseh & the people pay no attention.

B.       33:11

1.        This Assyrian king was most likely Esarhaddon – son of Sennacherib.

2.        This would have happened sometime after 680 BC – which is the traditional date of the death of Isaiah.

3.        Could the death of Isaiah been the last straw with God?

III. The way back.

A.       Recovery begins with shame.

B.       Humility and contrition are keys to the heart of God.

1.        33:12 – prayed to the Lord HIS God.

2.        No denial. No excuses. No justification. No blame shifting. 33:12b

C.        33:13 – Manasseh was not forsaken. God heard him and took him back.

D.       33:14-17 – Manasseh moves to destroy the pagan gods and removes the idol from the temple. 

1.        33:16. Compare to Matthew 3:8 – fruit in keeping with repentance.

2.        True repentance involves a fundamental change in our outlook and attitude.

3.        He got 20 more years of rule and became a great king.

E.        What’s in a name?

1.        Manasseh’s name is from a Hebrew verb that means, “to forget.”

2.        God FORGOT Manasseh’s sins!

Conclusion:

A.       Will you come to God?