October 12, 2011
Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah. He was king of the Judah nation. An account of his reign can be found in II Kings 21:2-12 and II Chronicles 33 and II Chronicles 33 (Continued). Manasseh was king for 55 years. "He did what the LORD said was wrong." He was doing the very things the other nations were doing in the land before God forced those nations out and gave the land (the Promised Land) to Israel. God was very clear about why and how much He hated those other nations because they had no respect or understanding of who God was. Manasseh was "saved" by the LORD, but he reverted, and he returned to the actions of the nations before him—doing the very things that God said He hated! In fact, he did more evil than the Ammorites who didn't even know the LORD. He led others down the path of destruction as well.
The LORD had Solomon build the temple in Jerusalem. Not just "a" temple—THE temple. The temple of the LORD; the place where He was to be worshiped; the place where "I will put my Name"; the place where the presence of the LORD lived; a holy place; and the temple of the LORD! And Manasseh defiled the temple. With total disregard of who the LORD was (is), he built altars to other gods IN the LORD's Temple. He worshiped anything and everything but God. He did the very things God said He hated. The words of God were totally ignored and God's words were "lost" in the very place that He was to be worshiped. (See II Kings 22:8 - 23:3) He carved idols to Asherah and put those in the Temple.
We can read this and think—how awful! How could he?!? But, the exact same thing happens today.
When we confess our sins and surrender our lives to Christ and acknowledge Him as our LORD and Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and our bodies become the temple of the LORD. I Corinthians 6:19–20 - "You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies."
As Christians, when we allow unrepented sin to remain in our lives, we are doing the exact same thing Manasseh did. We are building altars of pride, self-centeredness, greed, revenge, the pursuit of wealth, prosperity, (fill in the _________), in our lives, the very place the LORD's Name is to be residing. In the process of our disobedience, the LORD's teaching—His Word—becomes lost. We defile the Temple of Christ. We disregard the price He paid when He died on the cross, and we shame Him over and over again. (See Hebrews 6). We arrogantly abuse His grace and think there won't be consequences. But there are consequences. Sin requires judgment.
II Kings 21:11 - "I will bring so much trouble... (people) will be shocked."
Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah. He was king of the Judah nation. An account of his reign can be found in II Kings 21:2-12 and II Chronicles 33 and II Chronicles 33 (Continued). Manasseh was king for 55 years. "He did what the LORD said was wrong." He was doing the very things the other nations were doing in the land before God forced those nations out and gave the land (the Promised Land) to Israel. God was very clear about why and how much He hated those other nations because they had no respect or understanding of who God was. Manasseh was "saved" by the LORD, but he reverted, and he returned to the actions of the nations before him—doing the very things that God said He hated! In fact, he did more evil than the Ammorites who didn't even know the LORD. He led others down the path of destruction as well.
The LORD had Solomon build the temple in Jerusalem. Not just "a" temple—THE temple. The temple of the LORD; the place where He was to be worshiped; the place where "I will put my Name"; the place where the presence of the LORD lived; a holy place; and the temple of the LORD! And Manasseh defiled the temple. With total disregard of who the LORD was (is), he built altars to other gods IN the LORD's Temple. He worshiped anything and everything but God. He did the very things God said He hated. The words of God were totally ignored and God's words were "lost" in the very place that He was to be worshiped. (See II Kings 22:8 - 23:3) He carved idols to Asherah and put those in the Temple.
We can read this and think—how awful! How could he?!? But, the exact same thing happens today.
When we confess our sins and surrender our lives to Christ and acknowledge Him as our LORD and Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and our bodies become the temple of the LORD. I Corinthians 6:19–20 - "You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies."
As Christians, when we allow unrepented sin to remain in our lives, we are doing the exact same thing Manasseh did. We are building altars of pride, self-centeredness, greed, revenge, the pursuit of wealth, prosperity, (fill in the _________), in our lives, the very place the LORD's Name is to be residing. In the process of our disobedience, the LORD's teaching—His Word—becomes lost. We defile the Temple of Christ. We disregard the price He paid when He died on the cross, and we shame Him over and over again. (See Hebrews 6). We arrogantly abuse His grace and think there won't be consequences. But there are consequences. Sin requires judgment.
II Kings 21:11 - "I will bring so much trouble... (people) will be shocked."
"Jerusalem, you have left me," says the LORD. "You keep going farther and farther away, ("You love to wander.") so I have taken hold of you and destroyed you. I was tired of holding back my anger... your wealth and treasures I will give to others free of charge... I will make you slaves to your enemies... my anger is like a hot fire, and it will burn against you." Jeremiah 15:6–14
Disobedience and disregard for the LORD should NEVER be taken lightly. No wonder Jeremiah carried such a heavy burden. His eyes were wide open. He could see the truth. But the people of Judah were blinded by the lies they'd become accustomed to. Not only was he carrying the burden for them, he was also attacked by the very people he was trying to save. They didn't want to hear or face truth, so they were angry with the messenger.
"LORD, you understand. Remember me and take care of me. Punish for me those who are hurting me.Don't destroy me while you remain patient with them..."
The LORD says, "If you change your heart and return to me, I will take you back. Then you may serve me. And if you speak things that have worth, not useless words, then you may speak for me. Let the people... turn to you, but you must not change and be like them. I will make you as strong as a wall to this people, as strong as a wall of bronze. They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, because I am with you. I will rescue you and save you," says the LORD. "I will save you from these wicked people and rescue you from these cruel people."
"I will rescue you and save you; I will save you from these wicked people and rescue you from these cruel people." The promises God gave to Jeremiah. Psalm 140 (Her Name Was Jane) the promises God gave to us.
Addendum: "They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, because I am with you. I will rescue you and save you," says the LORD. "I will save you from these wicked people and rescue you from these cruel people."
Thank you, LORD. We claim your promises of protection from "the storm." Like Jeremiah we say,
Next Entry: Jeremiah 14:1 – 17:27 (Continued)
Addendum: "They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, because I am with you. I will rescue you and save you," says the LORD. "I will save you from these wicked people and rescue you from these cruel people."
Thank you, LORD. We claim your promises of protection from "the storm." Like Jeremiah we say,
"LORD, you understand. Remember me and take care of me. Punish for me those who are hurting me. Don't destroy me while you remain patient with them..."LORD, You DO understand. You HAVE absolutely taken complete care of us. Vengeance IS yours and not ours. Continue to bless us. Thank you for being patient and continuing to extend grace. You are a Good Good Father.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 14:1 – 17:27 (Continued)
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