Original Publication Date
March 23, 2017
Updated
Mar 25, 2023 10:54 PM
Tags
2 ChroniclesChapter StudyAmonManassehJosiahJudahFalse Deities and ProphetsRepentance and Forgiveness
Bible References
2 Chronicles 33
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This page was originally posted on my Blogger version of the blog on June 1, 2015
The content below has a few minor tweaks for clarity, and additional references, and some updated information.
Introduction
After experiencing a power revival in Judah from the leadership of King Hezekiah, Judah plummeted back into idolatry under the reign of his son, Manasseh. Manasseh is described as one of the worst kings in the history of Judah.
Manasseh
Manasseh takes the throne at 12 years old, which is still a bit young by modern standards but not the youngest Judah had seen. His reign lasted for 55 years but was the complete opposite of Hezekiah's. Where Hezekiah inspired Judah to return to God, Manasseh drove them to idols. He turns the people against their covenant with God and takes part in pagan practices, including witchcraft and child sacrifice. Manasseh re-erects the false altars Hezekiah had destroyed, going so far as to place one inside the Temple of God.
As we would expect, God is not pleased with Manasseh's behavior. However, God never acts without giving us a chance to repent, so He sends a warning to the people. Unfortunately, the Israelites (and ourselves) don't usually heed is warnings because we are so preoccupied with our own interests. When the people refuse to listen, God allows Assyria to attack.
During the attack, Manasseh is taken captive into Babylon. It is only in this time of need that Manasseh repents. Nonetheless, God hears Manasseh's repentance and delivers him back to Judah safely. The key take away from God's mercy, however, is that Manasseh's repentance was sincere. When Manasseh returns to Judah, he doesn't return to pagan practices or forget that God has spared his life; he comes back a changed man and we are given evidence of this. He has repairs made to the Temple and gets rid of the false altars he constructed within God's Temple.
As with many things in life, however, our bad behavior may speak louder than the good we do and become our legacy and greatest influence. Manasseh's sudden change of heart was too late in terms of his influence over the people of Judah. They were now accustomed to worshipping at the false altars and continued to practice sinful traditions Manasseh had introduced earlier in his reign.
Relating to Today
African American's are well acquainted with this unfortunate cat and mouse game of good and evil. Just when the Union won the war and freed the slaves, Jim Crow became the law of the South. Similarly, the US went from electing its first Black president to electing Donald Trump, who ran a campaign that did nothing but incite racial hatred. In the Bible we see this same tug of war with Manasseh taking the throne after Hezekiah. Are we just destined for evil?
It's not that we're destined for evil, so much as the devil trying to trick us down that path. The last thing the devil wants to see is God's people worshipping God and behaving the way God wants us to behave. Once a revival begins, the devil is going to seek to squelch interest. He's going to do everything in his power to find a weak link and bring that progress to a halt. Anytime there is a shift in focus to maintaining a serious relationship with God, you can bet the devil is going to try to throw a monkey wrench in the plan. That could be on a large scale, like with the kingdom of Judah, or on a personal scale, like when we make changes in our personal lives. The only way to guard against such attacks is to expect them.
Amon
When Manasseh dies, his son Amon takes the throne. Amon is 22 when he becomes king and only reigns for 2 years. He, too, does much bad while reigning as king. Possibly responding to Manasseh's change of heart, the people do not appreciate Amon's step back toward paganism and ungodliness. This leads them to conspire against him and have him assassinated. Upon his death, his son Josiah takes over as king.
Other Pages to View
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2 Chronicles 36: Captivity of Judah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyBabylonCaptivityNebuchadnezzarEliakim/JehoiakimAhaziah/Jehoahaz
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2 Chronicles 34-35: Josiah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyJosiahJoashEgyptPassoverTemple Furnishings
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2 Chronicles 28: Ahaz2 ChroniclesChapter StudyOdedFalse Deities and ProphetsSyriaAssyriaDivision of IsraelEdomPhilistineAhazJotham
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2 Chronicles 29-32: Hezekiah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyHezekiahMusicPassoverDeathIsaiah the prophetAssyriaLevi
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2 Chronicles 26: Uzziah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyEgyptAmmonPhilistineUzziahJothamEdom
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2 Chronicles 27: Jotham2 ChroniclesChapter StudyJothamUzziahLeadershipAmmon
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2 Chronicles 17-20: Jehoshaphat2 ChroniclesChapter StudyAmmonMoabJehoshaphatDivision of IsraelReconciliation
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2 Chronicles 21: Jehoram2 ChroniclesChapter StudyJehoramPlaguesDeathEdomElijahAhabFalse Deities and ProphetsMurder
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2 Chronicles 22: Ahaziah and Athaliah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyWomenAthaliahAhaziah/JehoahazJehoramMurderSyria
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2 Chronicles 25: Amaziah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyMurderFalse Deities and ProphetsDeathAmaziahEdom
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2 Chronicles 13: Abijah2 ChroniclesChapter StudyAbijahJeroboamDivision of IsraelGenealogy
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2 Chronicles 14-16: Asa2 ChroniclesChapter StudyAsaEthiopiaDeath
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2 Chronicles 10-12: Rehoboam & The Division of Israel2 ChroniclesChapter StudyRehoboamSolomonJeroboamEgyptAaronDivision of Israel
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2 Chronicles 8-10: Queen of Sheba2 ChroniclesChapter StudyWomenEthiopiaMoney
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2 Chronicles 1-7: Solomon Builds the Temple2 ChroniclesChapter StudyTempleTemple FurnishingsSolomonEgyptTyre
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Would You Rather?: Betray or DenyWould You RatherJudasPeterRepentance and ForgivenessLuke
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2 Chronicles 23-24: Athaliah and Joash2 ChroniclesChapter StudyAthaliahJoashProphecyDeath
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1 Samuel 15: Saul Sins1 SamuelChapter StudyAmalakitesSaulRepentance and ForgivenessSamuel
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1 Samuel 4-7: The Ark of the Covenant1 SamuelChapter StudyPlaguesBenjaminPhilistineFalse Deities and ProphetsTemple Furnishings
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Numbers 31: Spoils of WarNumbersChapter StudyClean and UncleanFalse Deities and ProphetsMidian
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Numbers 33: Record of the JourneyNumbersChapter StudyCanaanFalse Deities and Prophets
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Numbers 22-24: Balak, Balaam, and the Talking DonkeyNumbersChapter StudyMoabAnimalsMessianic ProphecyProphecyFalse Deities and Prophets
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Isaiah 59-66: The Program of PeaceIsaiahChapter StudyNew JerusalemFalse Deities and ProphetsMessianic ProphecyProphecyClean and Unclean
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Isaiah 40-48: The Purpose of PeaceIsaiahChapter StudyPeaceHyperboleMessianic ProphecyPovertyBabylonFalse Deities and ProphetsAbraham
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Isaiah 28: Donβt Drink and PreachIsaiahChapter StudyDeathSalvationRepentance and ForgivenessProphecyDrunkenness
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Isaiah 24: All the EarthIsaiahChapter StudyProphecyJudgementFalse Deities and Prophets
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Isaiah 6: A Glimpse of AngelsIsaiahChapter StudyAngelsRepentance and ForgivenessJudeEnoch
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Isaiah 9: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PeaceIsaiahChapter StudyEphraimManassehMessianic ProphecySatanJudgementRepentance and Forgiveness
IsaiahChapter StudyMetaphorParableJudgementMoneyFalse Deities and ProphetsProphecy
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Isaiah 3: Judgment of Israel (Pt. 2)IsaiahChapter StudyFalse Deities and ProphetsWomenProphecyJudgement
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Isaiah 2: Judgment of IsraelIsaiahChapter StudyJudgementTempleProphecyFalse Deities and Prophets
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Isaiah 1: Judgment for Israel is ComingIsaiahChapter StudyCaptivityRepentance and ForgivenessJudgement
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Deuteronomy 5-26: The Second Address (Part 2)DeuteronomyChapter StudyFalse Deities and ProphetsLeviPriesthoodIsraelJusticeJudgementTithesClean and Unclean
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Deuteronomy 5-26: The Second Address (Part 1)DeuteronomyChapter StudyCommandmentsLawIsraelLeviFalse Deities and ProphetsCovenant
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Deuteronomy 1-4: The First AddressDeuteronomyChapter StudyMoabAmmonFalse Deities and ProphetsCommandmentsMosesJoshuaRepentance and Forgiveness
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Numbers 25: Idolatry & IsraelNumbersChapter StudyFalse Deities and ProphetsMoabRelationships
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Numbers 35: Special CitiesNumbersChapter StudyMurderPovertyLeviRepentance and Forgiveness
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Leviticus 17-18: ImmoralityLeviticusChapter StudySacrificeFalse Deities and ProphetsSexual Imorality
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Exodus 33-35: Repentance & The Second Set of TabletsExodusChapter StudyRepentance and ForgivenessClean and UncleanIsraelIntercessory PrayerFeasts & Holy DaysMoses
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Exodus 32: The Golden CalfExodusChapter StudyFalse Deities and ProphetsMosesAaronCommandmentsRepentance and ForgivenessIntercessory Prayer
CommandmentsLawFalse Deities and ProphetsExodusDeuteronomy
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Genesis 37-50: The 12 Tribes of IsraelGenesisChapter StudyJosephBenjaminLeviJudahRuebenSimeonZebulunIssacharGadDanManassehEphraimAsherNaphtaliRepentance and ForgivenessFamineEgyptWomenSexual ImoralityGenealogyIncestTamarDreams and Visions
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Genesis 27-36: Jacob & Esau, Two NationsGenesisChapter StudyWomenJacobLeahEdomRachelTithesFalse Deities and ProphetsDinahSexual AssaultCircumcisionLeviSimeonGenocideTheft
Character StudyRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesPsalms
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Nehemiah 7-11: Restoration of JerusalemNehemiahChapter StudyTithesGenealogyRepentance and ForgivenessSalvationFeasts & Holy Days
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Do Not Bear False WitnessCommandmentsFalse Deities and ProphetsLaw
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Judges 2: Provoking GodJudgesChapter StudyFalse Deities and ProphetsCommandmentsCanaan
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Judges 3: Othniel and EhudJudgesChapter StudyCanaanFalse Deities and ProphetsRelationshipsCaptivityBenjaminMoabAmalakites
JudgesChapter StudyManassehMidianAmalakitesHoly SpiritEphraim
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Judges 17-18: Micah and the Tribe of DanJudgesChapter StudyDanMoneyLeviFalse Deities and ProphetsTheft
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Acts 9: From Saul to PaulActsChapter StudyPaulRepentance and ForgivenessHoly SpiritTheft
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Acts 15: Disagreements in the ChurchActsChapter StudyPaulPeterLeadershipCommandmentsSalvationCircumcisionRepentance and Forgiveness
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Acts 6-8 & 10-11: The TransitionActsChapter StudyCommunicationPaulLeadershipBaptismThe ChurchPeterEthiopiaFalse Deities and ProphetsSymbolism
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2 Samuel 13-19: Absalomβs CoupChapter Study2 SamuelDavidRelationshipsTamarWomenSexual ImoralitySexual AssaultRepentance and Forgiveness
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Would You Rather?: Marriage vs. SinglenessWould You RatherRelationshipsLoveRepentance and ForgivenessHoseaPaul
CommandmentsLawFalse Deities and Prophets
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PSALMS to God is a blog, podcast, and YouTube channel that discusses many topics and issues, always keeping YHWH as the anchor. Hosea 4:6 says βMy people are destroyed for lack of knowledgeββhere, the aim is to always ask questions and study to find the answers. You can keep up with new content by signing up for the weekly newsletter.