Rev. David Holwick I
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
February 28, 1993
2 Kings 21:1-9
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I. Is it ever too late to turn to God?
A. Documentary on Hitler brought to mind the classic question -
could Hitler repent and go to heaven?
(Goebbels and dead kids)
B. A "yes" answer would bother many people.
1) Hitler defines evil in our century.
2) He is one person (and only person?) hell is made for.
C. It is never too late to turn to God. Except...
II. The reign of Manasseh: too much, too late.
A. Manasseh had a lot going for him.
1) Had a good father, Hezekiah.
2) Ruled longer than any king. 55 years.
3) But assessment is sad. Among the worse.
B. Perverted religion.
1) Asherah poles and idols in Temple itself.
a) High places.
b) Son sacrificed in fire.
2) Occult and astrology.
a) It is forbidden by God, show lack of faith, open door to
demonic influence.
b) Occult is counterfeit of God's power and has at its root
a system of beliefs totally opposed to God.
3) He ignored prophets from God. 33:10
C. Unparalleled violence. 2 Kings 21:16
1) Innocent blood shed.
2) Tradition tells us the prophet Isaiah hid in a tree, and
Manasseh had him sawed in half. Heb 11:37
3) America as a violent nation.
In 1988: Great Britain had 7 murders by hand gun
Australia had 13
Sweden had 19
Canada had 8
U.S.A. had 8,915
#2443
D. Eternal ramifications.
1) More evil than Canaanites.
2) Prophesied that Exile was due to his influence.
3) Effects lasted until third generation. 2 Kg 23:26; 24:3f
III. What God will do to get your attention.
A. God's justice in Manasseh's life.
1) His sin had to be punished.
2) Manasseh captured and humiliated. 33:11
a) Assyrian records describe Manasseh as a faithful vassal.
b) Why to Babylon? He may have been plotting with them.
B. God's mercy in Manasseh's life.
1) Manasseh prayed and humbled himself. 33:12
a) Catholic Vulgate and "Prayer of Manasseh."
2) God accepted his repentance, forgave and restored him. 33:13
a) Restoration was physical and spiritual. 33:13
b) Manasseh showed his sincerity by cleaning out idolatry
and reinstituting proper worship.
C. God prefers to deal with us in love, but he can deal otherwise.
1) Distress is a great motivator.
a) Bob (Patty Brown's husband) and turning to God following
an alcohol-related accident.
b) Also a manipulator: Moonies and "love bombing."
2) What crisis has God used to reach you?
a) [Tom Grabosky] turns away from Lord, fears he'll catch
a bullet or something as God tries to reach him.
IV. Deathbed conversions.
A. It is human to want to wait to the last minute.
1) Bill Cosby on crashing elevators - just jump up when it is
a foot from the ground.
2) Human understanding is that sin is fun, but hell isn't.
Deathbed conversion gives you the best of both.
B. Deathbed conversions don't seem fair.
1) "Holy Joe" comic book. Gross sergeant gets saved moments
before death, but good private doesn't.
2) Not our works, good or bad, but God's gift.
a) No one is good enough for God.
b) Deathbed conversions are ultimate example of grace.
3) They can also be a form of "chicken." Doesn't work that way.
V. What heritage do we leave behind?
A. Manasseh changed at the end, but not soon enough to save nation.
1) His religious cleansing was genuine but superficial.
a) Idols removed, but not destroyed.
1> Notice "got rid...removed...threw out." 33:15
2> Josiah went farther: "torn down...cut to pieces...
smashed...broke...scattered...burned." 34:4
b) Manasseh's son Amon easily brought them back.
1> Probably reason 2 Kings does not mention his change.
2> (Liberals say it is to justify long reign)
2) Half a century of idolatry could not be undone in half a
dozen years.
a) His family and his nation were scarred for good.
b) Even after repentance, he received blame for fall.
B. Saved, but as by fire? 1 Cor 3:12-26
1) Many are interested in minimum to get saved.
a) Such a focus leads to wasted lives.
2) Many Christians are leaving destroyed families.
a) Sexual molesting.
b) Addiction that robs family of time and attention.
3) Salvation must not be our only spiritual concern.
a) What heritage are we leaving for our children?
b) What impact will our faith have made on the world?
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