READ: 2 Chronicles 33-34
Verses
chosen for meditation: 2 Chronicles 33:2, 12-13
2 And he did what was
evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations
whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.
12 And when he was in
distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself
greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him,
and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to
Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
REFLECT
Manasseh’s
atrocities in this chapter put him at the top of the podium for the evilest of
kings. He undid all his father’s good work, tearing down what Hezekiah built,
and built idol temples that Hezekiah tore down. This was a man with an audacity
of parading his sin, brazenly and unashamed. He did not set up idols in obscure
parts, but desecrated God’s sanctuary by setting up idol worship in the very
house of God, insulting God directly to his face.
As
if not enough, he dedicated his own sons to the devil, burning them alive, and
dabbled in the dark arts. Openly provoking God, he led the nation astray to do
more evil than previous eras. God, in his boundless mercy, still gave chances
by speaking to Manasseh through prophets, but he simply ignored (2 Chronicles 33:9-10).
These
atrocities were also recorded in 2 Kings 21. However, the chronicler included a
part not found in Kings: Manasseh’s repentance which led to God’s pardon. 2 Kings
took a long-term view of the historical consequences of Manasseh's actions.
No matter how repentant Manasseh was, the consequences of his sins remain. The
chronicler noted this as well, but gave insights on immediate/personal consequences
to show us other lessons. Manasseh, in the Chronicles account then, is not
about his sins leading to the fall of Jerusalem long after his death (Kings
account), but about his sins leading to his own personal distress, and finding
new life under God’s grace.
RELATE
This
represents one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the Bible (up there with
Saul of Tarsus, or the thief dying beside Jesus, saved at the last moment).
Such turnarounds should be celebrated, but I wonder how many of us are left
with a bitter taste, thinking people like Manasseh should die the worst of
deaths.
There
are martyrs who died undeservedly while standing up for God and righteousness,
yet Manasseh, just grovelling before God (with true repentance though), could
get pardon? However, this just shows even more how amazing God’s grace is. Make
no mistake, no one is angrier than God about what Manasseh did, but we will all
be relieved to know that there will always be a way back to God, should we ever
fall like that. This is important gospel message for us all, especially those
ridden with guilt. People must know that God’s grace is more than all our sins.
In
army, I led men from all walks, with most having low socioeconomic status. Hearing
their stories broadened the horizons of my microscopic world. I learnt of immense
sin from them, but also immense generosity. Unfortunately, there was immense
guilt too. Many can’t forgive themselves, and don’t think they should be
forgiven. There’s no lack of drama behind their guilt. Destroying futures by impregnating
an under-age girl. Plunging their families into debt. Foolishly getting
involved in gangs, doing unspeakable deeds and not able to get out.
Most
of them tried to find some sort of solace and move forward with their lives,
but there was one who could not do so. This man was turning over a new leaf,
but each time he tried facing life with new hope, his past sins would come back
to haunt him, reminding him of the monster he was. Something relating to his
past deeds always happens outside camp when he booked out, crumbling any
encouragement or sense of value he gets in training. Everyone looked forward to
civilian life each weekend but for him, the army camp’s a sanctuary. He contemplated
suicide several times and firmly believed he was beyond redemption.
Just
as I was planning to share about Christ, the heart-wrenching moment came. One
day, out of nowhere, the police (involved in secret society dealings) appeared
in his bunk and took him away. No info was given regarding the arrest. I had
this ominous feeling that I would never see him again, so I rather rashly, in
tears of anger and sadness, demanded info from the police, even questioning their
jurisdiction over the army’s within the camp, which of course I had no right
to. Efforts to reach him after were futile. Indeed, I never saw him again. I
had men getting into all sorts of trouble and I even accompanied some in
courtrooms. Each time, there was always info for us to work with. For this man,
it’s total secrecy, which speaks volumes of how complicated his past dealings were.
No info, no visits, no closure. It killed me then.
I
can only pray he finds Christ somewhere down the road, and learn of the sweet
grace that we know. The truth is all those men above need Christ. Like
Manasseh, they have been brought low and in distress. If they found God like
Manasseh and surrender, they will find peace over their troubled souls.
However, also like Manasseh, being saved this way does not erase the
consequences of their sins, and we see how their past catches up
with them. But they can face them with the strength and peace of God. No one is
too far gone to be welcomed back in the arms of our loving Father. If we know
of guilt-ridden people like that, share this important message with them!
For
the rest of us, we can’t rest on our laurels just because we don’t sin the way
Manasseh did. In fact, it is because we don’t commit the same atrocities that
we feel less need to humble ourselves and repent the way Manasseh did. 2 Chronicles 33:10 screams warnings of how hardened our hearts can become, often
ignoring the different ways God speaks to us due to our love for sin. In that,
we are the same as Manasseh. We often turn a deaf ear to many teachings because
of our love for our current lifestyle, maintaining status quo in our pursuits,
in hoarding instead of sharing, in ignoring the cries of the needy. We would then
fail to do what Manasseh did right, coming in full repentance and humbling
before God.
Manasseh
did many wrongs and few rights. However, the right he did was a most crucial
one. It doesn’t matter how many rights we do (for we are not saved by works), if
we don’t do that crucial one: surrendering and allowing God to be ruler of our
lives. Manasseh did, and the verses that followed showed how God blessed him,
and how he was really transformed, showing his repentance was real.
REST
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.
Chris
Chong
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