2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 33: The LORD hears Manasseh's prayer

Begin in prayer

Before we open 2 Chronicles 33, a hard chapter, let us pray. Ask God to show us how great His mercy is, and to lead us to Jesus, who came to save sinners.

For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.

Isaiah 57:16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your mercy is greater than our sin, and lead us to Jesus, who came to save sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Manasseh is twelve years old when he becomes king, and he reigns fifty-five years. He does great evil in the LORD's sight. He rebuilds the high places his father Hezekiah had broken down, and builds altars to other gods in the LORD's house. He makes his children pass through the fire, and under him Judah does more evil than the nations did. The LORD speaks to Manasseh and his people, but they do not listen, and the Assyrians take him in chains to Babylon. In distress he begs the LORD, humbles himself and prays, and the LORD hears him and brings him back to Jerusalem. Manasseh knows that the LORD is God, takes away the idols, and tells Judah to serve the LORD.

As you read 2 Chronicles 33, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD heard the prayer of Manasseh, who had done great evil, and brought him home to Jerusalem.

Manasseh became king at twelve, and he reigned fifty-five years (verse 1). He rebuilt the high places Hezekiah had broken down, and built altars for other gods in God's house (verses 3 to 5). He made his children pass through the fire, and under him Judah did more evil than the nations (verses 6 and 9). The text says, “Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they didn’t listen” (verse 10). So the LORD brought the captains of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains to Babylon (verse 11). In his distress he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself before the God of his fathers (verse 12). He prayed, and the LORD heard his prayer and brought him again to Jerusalem (verse 13). Then the text says, “Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God” (verse 13). This shows that the LORD's mercy reaches even a king who did great evil, and who humbled himself and prayed.

How does 2 Chronicles 33 show us that the LORD heard the prayer of Manasseh, who had done great evil, and brought him home to Jerusalem?

Manasseh did great evil, and he did not listen to the LORD.

Manasseh built again the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down (verse 3). He built altars for other gods in the LORD's house, where the LORD had put His name (verses 4 and 5). Under him Judah did more evil than the nations (verse 9). The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen (verse 10).

Manasseh humbled himself in Babylon, and the LORD heard him.

The captains of Assyria took Manasseh in chains to Babylon (verse 11). In his distress he begged the LORD his God and humbled himself before the God of his fathers (verse 12). He prayed, and the LORD was entreated by him, heard his prayer, and brought him again to Jerusalem (verse 13). Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God (verse 13).

Manasseh turned Judah back toward the LORD.

He took away the foreign gods and the idol out of the LORD's house (verse 15). He built up the LORD's altar and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and thanks (verse 16). He commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel (verse 16). His son Amon did not humble himself as his father had done (verses 22 and 23).

Jesus came to save sinners, and the worst are not beyond His reach.

Paul says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he was foremost (1 Timothy 1 verse 15). He says Christ showed him patience, as an example to others who would believe (1 Timothy 1 verse 16). Manasseh's mercy shows what Christ does for sinners who come to Him.

Memorise

He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.

2 Chronicles 33:13

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I humbled myself before God, and asked Jesus for mercy?

Manasseh did great evil, yet when he humbled himself, “he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication.” Paul says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1 verse 15).

The worst sin in the world has a price, and Jesus paid it. At the cross He died for His sheep, and the debt of their sin was paid once for all. He rose from the grave alive.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, as Manasseh was heard.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD heard Manasseh's prayer and brought him home, and that Jesus came to save sinners. Parents, verses 6 and 9 tell of dark sins, so please keep to the main story and tell these verses gently. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His mercy is greater than great sin, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

Hosea 11:8

Father, thank You that You heard Manasseh and brought him home. Thank You for Jesus, who came to save sinners, died for them and rose again. Please humble each of us, and lead us to trust Him. Amen.