Background:

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was the king of Judah who reigned for 55 years, the longest of any king in the history of Judah or Israel. His reign is detailed in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh is often remembered for his initial period of extreme idolatry and wickedness, which included the rebuilding of high places, erecting altars for Baal, making an Asherah pole, and even practicing child sacrifice. His actions led Judah into sin, provoking the LORD to anger.

Idolatry and Wickedness:

Manasseh's early reign was marked by a stark departure from the religious reforms of his father, Hezekiah. He not only reversed these reforms but also exceeded the wickedness of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. According to 2 Kings 21:9, "But the people did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites." His actions included the desecration of the temple by placing altars for false gods within its courts and engaging in occult practices.

Divine Judgment:

Due to Manasseh's transgressions, the LORD spoke through His prophets, warning of impending judgment. As recorded in 2 Kings 21:12-13, the LORD declared, "I am bringing such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish—wiping it and turning it upside down."

Captivity and Repentance:

The turning point in Manasseh's life came when the Assyrian army captured him, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. This period of affliction led Manasseh to a profound realization of his sins. In his distress, he sought the LORD, humbling himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 recounts, "And in his distress, he sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea, so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."

Reforms and Restoration:

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Manasseh demonstrated the sincerity of his repentance by initiating religious reforms. He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the LORD's temple, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem, and he threw them out of the city. He restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship and thank offerings on it, commanding Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel (2 Chronicles 33:15-16).

Legacy:

Manasseh's repentance is a powerful testament to God's mercy and willingness to forgive even the gravest of sins when there is genuine contrition. Despite his earlier transgressions, Manasseh's later years were marked by a return to the worship of the true God, setting an example of humility and transformation. His account serves as a reminder of the potential for redemption and the transformative power of sincere repentance.