Sermon notes (Sunday, April 18, 2010) ... begin with the story of Hosea, who prophesied for God for around 70 years. Hosea suffered in his marriage to Gomer, and this suffering gave him a sense of the pain of God who suffered in that time over his 'wife' Israel. Before Hosea died, he saw Israel taken into captivity under the reign of Manasseh, who undid all the good of his father who reigned before him, Hezekiah. Thankfully, the story does not end there.
Even though we may make serious mistakes during the course of our lives, God can make effectual a life that is repentant of those mistakes. 2 Chronicles 33 is about Manasseh King of Judah who began his reign at 12 and reigned 55 years.
But 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. For he 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. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. -2 Chron. 33:2-6
That is an evil sandwich...which Manasseh made his people eat. But...
...the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. -2 Chron. 33:10-13
Please read all of 2 Chronicles 33 to absorb the entire amazing true story, and to see that Manasseh made a complete turnaround in his last years. And it is highly probable that he had a favorable influence on his grandson, Josiah.
But, as drama would have it, before Josiah reigned, Manasseh's son Amon...
...was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them; And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. -2 Chron. 33:21-23
Amon trespassed more and more, and...
...his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house. But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead. -2 Chron. 33:24,25
Now for a breath of fresh air, enter 2 Chronicles 34...
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. -2 Chron. 34:1,2
Josiah's physical grandfather was in fact Manasseh, through whom the heritage of his lineage father David was passed down to him. Please read all of 2 Chronicles 34, for it ends gloriously in verse 33...
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois,
and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
-2 Timothy 1:5
And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
-Galatians 6:9-10
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
-1 Corinthians 15:58
But none of these things move me,
neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
-Acts 20:24
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