The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 2^nd Chronicles 33:10-11 (NIV)

King Hezikiah had been a good king during his rule over Judah, a righteous man who insisted the Jews follow the Law of the LORD. God blessed and prospered his righteous reign. His son and kingly heir, Manasseh, came to the throne at 12 years old at the death of his father.

Manasseh was given to a defiant nature and rebelled against God and his father’s spiritual leadership and values. His rebellious streak lasted years and he did great evil in the eyes of the LORD, undoing everything good his father had done. He led the nation into the most egregious apostasies from witchcraft, sorcery, and setting up an idol in the temple, to sacrificing by fire his children to a heathen god (2^nd Kings 21:7, 2^nd Chronicles 33:6). He brought unmatched defilement to the kingdom of Judah.

Even though God in His grace allowed Manasseh’s rebellion to go on for a time even when His warnings were ignored, the floodwaters of his choices finally closed over his head. The LORD allowed the king of Assyria to conquer him, and the once grand king was taken prisoner and led into captivity like an ox, with a nose-chain, and bound by bronze shackles (2^nd Chron. 33:11).

While a story like this can usually end in justification, accusations, and bitterness toward God and others, this story has a positive ending. Solomon’s wisdom of raising up a young child in the way they should go in the Lord is spot on (Prov. 22:6). It is altogether possible the memory and teaching of Manasseh’s godly father was the major catalyst to his later repentance.

For parents who have children who have moved away from what they were first taught in Christ, may this be an encouragement. If God could touch the heart of a Manasseh, He certainly can touch the heart of any wayward child. God says of His power and will, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11).

Manasseh cried out to the LORD in true repentance, not just because he wanted to be brought out of his bondage but because he got honest with God in wanting to serve and honor Him. It was a jailhouse conversion to be sure, but there have been many men and women who recognized and embraced the light they had been running from when it broke upon them in a prison cell. God not only forgave Manasseh but restored his throne and rule of Judah’s kingdom to him.

I am not teaching that God restores every penitent soul back to their former lifestyles and privileges. While that can happen, it is not always the case. We are dependent on God’s grace and plan for our lives. Whatever prison and brokenness He brings anyone out of, He will craft their life to His own purposes, designs, and glory. That is where the greatest blessing for anyone ultimately lies.

I once had a little maple tree that had been broken off close to the ground in a thunderstorm. I at first thought it was broken beyond saving and I was going to dig it up, but decided to wait and see what would happen. I pruned it and within three weeks it had amazingly sprouted new growth!

That was over twelve years ago, and at this writing that tree is around 20’ tall, healthy, and verdant. One would never know that at one time it had been so utterly broken and looked beyond saving. That life is not what it once was, but it is beautiful in its recovery now. So will we be in Christ’s care, no matter the pasts prison we have done time in.

Manasseh certainly did make a mess of things, but in His brokenness and contrite heart God in His grace picked up the pieces (Psalm 51:17). Manasseh did not need to clean himself up, before God would have him back, he just needed to come to Him as he was. When the Master Arborist finished pruning his life, He cleaned up the mess. A broken tree began to grow and budded into a life of beauty and strength that blessed a nation through which the Messiah would come. When life lets us down, that same Messiah, Jesus Christ, will lift us up, every time.

Maranatha,

Ken