Manasseh’s Redemption Text: II Chr. 33:12-13

Intro Manasseh’s Redemption In all genres of storytelling some of the greatest successes have been stories of redemption Why do such stories capture our attention and our hearts? Why do such stories capture our attention and our hearts? People love a story of redemption (even in fiction): the rise and fall of a person

Intro Manasseh’s Redemption Why do we love such a story?  As Christians it is our story: Christ died and shed His blood to redeem us! (Eph. 1:7)  Redemption means = “to buy back,” “to purchase.” The main theme in God’s Word from the beginning is one of Redemption: the redemption of mankind from the fall in the Garden of Eden The main theme in God’s Word from the beginning is one of Redemption: the redemption of mankind from the fall in the Garden of Eden

Intro Manasseh’s Redemption The account of Manasseh:  II Chr. 33:1-10: The sins of Manasseh. God warned him thru the prophets.  II Kings 21:10-16: The judgment of the Lord on Manasseh predicted thru the prophets.  II Chr. 33:11: The fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Manasseh. He was captured by the king of Assyria and led away to Babylon as a slave with hooks through his nose. In Manasseh’s life we see the tragic rise and fall of a king, but also a beautiful picture of redemption and restoration! In Manasseh’s life we see the tragic rise and fall of a king, but also a beautiful picture of redemption and restoration! A sad end to the son of the righteous King Hezekiah! A sad end to the son of the righteous King Hezekiah!

Manasseh’s Sins Manasseh’s Redemption During the reign of King Hezekiah, Manasseh’s father, Israel (Northern Ten Tribes) was carried off into captivity by Assyria in 722/721 BC The reasons for their punishment are given in II Kings 17:7-23:  They built high places (altars) all across the land to other gods.  They built golden calves and altars and shrines to Baal and the Asherim.  They worshiped the whole host of heaven.  They served false gods and sacrificed their children as burnt offerings to them.  They practiced witchcraft and entreated Mediums and other false magic.

Manasseh’s Sins Manasseh’s Redemption Sound familiar? Israel’s paralleled Manasseh’s!  II Kings 21:16: He “shed very much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.”  Jewish tradition says Isaiah the prophet was killed being sawn in two – Heb. 11:37  God deported the nation of Israel for all same sins Manasseh caused Judah to commit in a very short period of time.  So God had him deported to Babylon. How could such a person as Manasseh ever be redeemed? How could such a person as Manasseh ever be redeemed? “How could I ever be redeemed from the things I have done?” (Rom. 3:23; I Jn. 1:8-10) Manasseh’s tale did not end in a Babylonian prison under Assyrian rule! Manasseh’s tale did not end in a Babylonian prison under Assyrian rule!

Manasseh’s Redemption Manasseh had been captured and led away as a slave to the city of Babylon! God heard his prayer and restored him to his Kingdom! II Chr. 33: When he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

Manasseh’s Redemption Could Manasseh be redeemed? He was by the mercy of God! He was by the mercy of God! Israel could have been redeemed too, but they did not heed the prophets, nor did they humble themselves before God! Israel could have been redeemed too, but they did not heed the prophets, nor did they humble themselves before God!

Manasseh’s Redemption Manasseh lived the part of the Prodigal Son in the parable Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32:  Manasseh lived according to his own will  He found himself in a foreign land, separated from his Father  He found himself at the bottom of the barrel; strength failed  He humbled himself – restored to his family with full honors God has made the same promise to us! (I Jn. 1:9) A repentant heart can be redeemed and restored! A repentant heart can be redeemed and restored!

Manasseh’s Reformation Manasseh’s Redemption Manasseh was not a foxhole convert! II Chr. 33:14-17: True Repentance! 14. Now after this he built the outer wall of the city of David on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance of the Fish Gate; and he encircled the Ophel with it and made it very high. Then he put army commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah. 15. He also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, as well as all the altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city. 16. He set up the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it; and he ordered Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. 17. Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, although only to the LORD their God. When we repent and change our ways, we need to get rid of the sin completely! When we repent and change our ways, we need to get rid of the sin completely!

Conclusion Manasseh’s Redemption Our lives were full of sin before we came to know Christ – We were no better off than Manasseh, separated from God! Christ shed His blood to redeem us, to purchase back our souls (Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19)  Through the blood of Jesus it is possible to be redeemed, no matter what kind of life we lived before! There was hope for Manasseh – There’s hope for us! There was hope for Manasseh – There’s hope for us! II Kings 24:3-4: Sadly, the people did not give up his sins!

Conclusion Manasseh’s Redemption Once redeemed: Must no longer live as our former ways! Manasseh did just that – His works glorified God Who had redeemed him! Titus 2: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12. instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13. looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14. who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Conclusion Manasseh’s Redemption Have you been redeemed? Christians are those who have been redeemed and must now live in such a way that the world, our former ways, may see our good works and glorify God (Mt. 5:16; Ps. 119:105)! Christians are those who have been redeemed and must now live in such a way that the world, our former ways, may see our good works and glorify God (Mt. 5:16; Ps. 119:105)!

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”  Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)  Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)  Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)  Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)  Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)  Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)