Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God

“And prayed unto him: and he was entreated 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 Chronicles 33v13

There could not be two kings more different than Hezekiah and Manasseh. When Manasseh became king he undid all the good that Hezekiah had done. Among other things he sacrificed his children to Molech, had the high places rebuilt, allowed idols in the Temple courtyard, and even allowed an idol to be brought into the Temple itself. God tried to speak to Manasseh, but he would not listen.

Finally God allowed the Babylonians to capture Manasseh and take him away captive back to Babylon. There, while he was afflicted he prayed and humbled himself before God. God saw his repentant spirit and restored him to power back in Jerusalem where Manasseh acknowledged that Jehovah truly was God.

Manasseh set about setting things right. He tried to restore proper worship and he rid the Temple of idols. However the people had been corrupted and they still chose to worship the Lord at the high places in violation of God’s plan.

Sin always has consequences. We can rejoice in the fact that God does forgive sins by His grace and in His mercy, but we must also understand that sin will have an impact and that this is not removed by sins being forgiven.

May we realise just how serious sin is, even forgiven sin.