Unit 6, Lesson 7

Manasseh

I.Define these 2 terms

I. Legacy Reputation

Legacy vs. Reputation

1. What kinds of things make a reputation?

2. Why do people change and become concerned with legacy at the end of their lives?

3. What was the legacy of Hezekiah?

Undoing the legacy

A. Hezekiah’s son was Manasseh. He became king at 12 years old and reigned with his father for 10 years.

B. Instead of following in his father’s footsteps, he gave in to the threat of Assyria; he adopted the policies of his grandfather, Ahaz and became a vassal once again to Assyria.

C. He probably did not think he had much choice, as he had witnessed the downfall of Egypt to Assyria’s leaders Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal.

Big Consequences

A. Manasseh ruled as a vassal for 55 years.B. Although there was peace, his policies had disastrous _religious and spiritual consequences for Judah.

i. Built altars to pagan Assyrian gods IN THE TEMPLE!

ii. Magic, divination (using mediums to tell the future), and the worship of the sun, moon, and _stars became popular.

iii. Blended together with their beliefs in Yahweh.

C. At the end of his reign, Manasseh found saving grace, but it was too late for Judah.

D. His son, Amon, encouraged Judah’s pagan practices—he was assassinated after only 2 years.

Bad Comparison• How does the Bible describe

kings like Manasseh (see 2 Kings 21:2)?

• The Cycle of Manasseh’s life

2 Chronicles 30:6-9

How does the story of Manasseh illustrate the pattern found in Hezekiah’s advice to the people of Judah?

C. Long Reigns

Major Difference:

• Although they both shared the dishonorable legacy of plunging their nations into exile, we know that a remnant of Judah eventually returned to Jerusalem.

• In Matthew 1:10, Manasseh is included in the list of Jesus’ ancestors.

• Manasseh repented. However, even repentant peoples till suffer consequences of their sinful choices.

Answer the following questions in 4-5 sentences:

– In what ways does Manasseh represent all of us?

– Read 1 John 1:1-2. Why might those words have comforted Manasseh? What do these verses mean for us?

– What difference did it make to Manasseh that the Lord had forgiven him and restored him?