THE EVILS OF KING MANASSEH (2 Kings 21:1 ff)

Circumstances that led to Jeremiah's call and King Josiah's reforms) Manasseh became a king of Judah at the age of twelve and was able to rule in Jerusalem for fifty five years. However, his rule was such a disappointment to the Lord. He got involved in the disgusting practices of the nations whom the Lord had driven out of the land as his people advanced. In doing so, Manasseh sinned greatly against the Lord in the following ways.

Manasseh was involved in a foreign alliance. He entered in an agreement with the king of Assyria in order to secure Judah's protection from the threat of the Babylonians.

Manasseh rebuilt the pagan places of worship which father Hezekiah had destroyed during the prophetic ministry of Isaiah.

Manasseh built alters for the worship of Baal. This encouraged pagan worship among the people of Judah.

Manasseh made images and worshipped goddess Asherah just like way King Ahab had done before. This was against the monotheistic faith of Israel.

Manasseh went on to worship stars yet this was also contrary to the monotheistic faith of the chosen people of God.

King Manasseh sacrificed his own son as a burnt offering. This was against the rules and regulations governing sacrifices in Israel. Accordingly, only selected animals, birds and agricultural products had to be offered.

King Manasseh practiced divination and magic. This showed his lack of trust in the Lord. Manasseh went on to consult fortune tellers and mediums thus he stirred up the Lord's anger.

Manasseh placed the symbol of goddess Asherah in the Jerusalem temple- a place the Lord had told David and son Solomon that he chosen to be worshipped. This defiled God's holy place.

He killed so many innocent people that the streets of Jerusalem flowed with blood (2 Kings 21: 16).

He led the people of Judah in the idolatry. In doing so, the king made the people to sin against the lord.

He was involved in apostasy. He copied foreign behaviour particularly from Assyria especially as entered into an alliance.

Manasseh revived the cultic practices of respecting the spirit of the dead. This made encouraged the people to consult the spirit of the dead.

Manasseh continued to be unrepentant. He continued with his sinful ways despite the Lord's warnings through his prophet

Manasseh rejected the Lord, the God of his ancestors and disobeyed all his commands. Manasseh ordained his own priest basing on earthly standards. By doing so, he sidelined the Lord's priests.

Because of his continuous sinning, the lord abandoned his people and promised to punish them.

The law book disappeared in the temple during the reign of King Manasseh. Its absence meant that the people were forced to be without hearing the teachings of the lord.

Revision Questions

1.  Comment on the evils of King Manasseh

2.  Discuss the circumstances that led to the reforms of King Josiah in Judah.

3.  Justify the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah during the reign King Manasseh

4.  Justify King Josiah's reforms in the kingdom of Judah.

5.  Account for the reforms of King Josiah in Judah.


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