And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And in his distressThe Hebrew word for "distress" is "tsarah," which conveys a sense of trouble, adversity, or affliction. Historically, this refers to the period when King Manasseh was taken captive by the Assyrians, a time of great personal and national crisis. This moment of distress is pivotal, as it often serves as a catalyst for spiritual awakening and repentance. In the broader biblical narrative, distress is frequently used by God to draw His people back to Him, highlighting His sovereignty and the redemptive purpose behind trials. he sought the favor of the LORD his God
The phrase "sought the favor" is derived from the Hebrew "chalah," meaning to entreat or implore. This indicates a sincere and earnest plea for mercy and forgiveness. Manasseh's action here is significant because it marks a turning point from his previous idolatry and rebellion. The use of "the LORD his God" emphasizes a personal relationship, suggesting that despite Manasseh's past sins, the covenant relationship with God remains accessible. This reflects the biblical theme of God's enduring faithfulness and willingness to forgive those who genuinely repent. and earnestly humbled himself
The Hebrew root "kana" for "humbled" implies a deep, genuine submission and contrition. Manasseh's humility is not superficial but earnest, indicating a profound change of heart. In the biblical context, humility is a prerequisite for receiving God's grace, as echoed in James 4:6, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This act of humbling oneself is a powerful demonstration of repentance, aligning with the biblical principle that true repentance involves a change in both attitude and action. before the God of his fathers
This phrase underscores the continuity of faith and the importance of returning to the God of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It highlights the covenantal relationship that God established with Israel's ancestors, which Manasseh is now acknowledging. By invoking "the God of his fathers," the text connects Manasseh's repentance to the broader narrative of Israel's history, emphasizing the enduring nature of God's promises and the call to return to the faith of one's forebears. This serves as a reminder of the spiritual heritage and the call to uphold the faith passed down through generations. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehThe king of Judah who initially led the nation into idolatry and evil practices but later repented and sought the Lord. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Manasseh reigned as king. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, whom Manasseh eventually turned back to in repentance. 4. Assyrian CaptivityManasseh was taken captive by the Assyrians, which led to his distress and subsequent repentance. 5. RepentanceThe act of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness, exemplified by Manasseh's change of heart. Teaching Points The Power of Distress to Lead to RepentanceDistress can be a catalyst for spiritual awakening and turning back to God. The Importance of HumilityTrue repentance requires humility, acknowledging one's sins and need for God's grace. God's Readiness to ForgiveNo matter how far one has strayed, God is always ready to forgive those who earnestly seek Him. The Legacy of RepentanceManasseh's account shows that a legacy of sin can be transformed into a testimony of God's grace through repentance. The Role of Personal ResponsibilityEach individual is responsible for their own repentance and relationship with God, regardless of past actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Manasseh's account illustrate the transformative power of repentance in one's life? 2. In what ways can distress or difficult circumstances lead us to seek God more earnestly? 3. How can we cultivate a spirit of humility in our daily walk with God, as seen in Manasseh's example? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our repentance is genuine and not just a response to immediate distress? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Manasseh's repentance to encourage others who feel they are beyond God's forgiveness? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21Provides a parallel account of Manasseh's reign, highlighting his initial sins and eventual repentance. Psalm 51David's psalm of repentance, which echoes the themes of humility and seeking God's mercy. Luke 15:11-32The Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrating repentance and the father's (God's) readiness to forgive. James 4:6-10Discusses the importance of humility before God and His willingness to lift up those who humble themselves. Jonah 3The repentance of Nineveh, showing God's mercy in response to genuine repentance. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Affliction, Appeased, Begged, Besought, Crying, Distress, Entreated, Exceedingly, Face, Fathers, Favor, Greatly, Humbled, Low, Sought, TroubleDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:12 1055 God, grace and mercy
1255 face of God
5559 stress
5561 suffering, nature of
6667 grace, in OT
8276 humility 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king 2 Chronicles 33:11-13 8150 revival, personal 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 6629 conversion, examples Library Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
'So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureManasseh
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem."--2 CHRON. xxxiii. l. Fifty and five years--he wore the crown a longer time than any other of the house of David. Of all the kings that reigned in Jerusalem, this man's reign filled the largest space; yet he is the one king of Judah about whom we are told least. In the modern city of Venice there is a hall which is adorned with the portraits of all the doges …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 33:12 NIV2 Chronicles 33:12 NLT2 Chronicles 33:12 ESV2 Chronicles 33:12 NASB2 Chronicles 33:12 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:12 Commentaries
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