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Manasseh: Flawed, But Not Failed
One of the best ways that we can learn from Biblical figures is by studying their failures. Not only to learn examples of what not to do, but to ultimately learn that we don’t have to be defined by our failures. We can repent and turn back to God. That message is so inspiring to me. Flawed, but not failed. This is especially true when we consider characters like Jacob, Moses, or Ruth. We recognize these figures of faith because although they sinned, they are not defined by their sin. Rather, they are defined by their faith and repentance.
The fourteenth king of Judah is a different story. Manasseh is known for his wickedness. His sins were plentiful and devastating to Judah’s identity as God’s people.
But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.
2 Kings 21.9
Manasseh’s leadership led to evil that exceeded that of the nations. That is such a significant statement. What is more telling about this phrase is that Israel had just entered Assyrian captivity because of their sinfulness. Manasseh literally had an example in his father’s lifetime of the consequences of sinning against God. Yet, he continued to sin and led the people to do the same. And this sin was so bad that it led the author to describe it as “more wicked than the nations.” This is the first time this specific phrase was used to describe the Israelites. More wicked than the nations. And it is because of the wickedness of Manasseh that God determines to eventually take Judah into captivity (Jeremiah 15.1-4). What a perfect way to describe the legacy of Manasseh’s sin: the king who led Judah to do more evil than the nations. The king who led Judah to their own destruction.
This would be a very depressing story if it ended there. Thankfully, there is a glimmer of hope in Manasseh’s story with his repentance (2 Chronicles 33.9-17). Captivity caused Manasseh to humble himself before God. In his distress, Manasseh prayed to God, perhaps for the first time in his life. He prayed to “the God of his ancestors” (2 Chronicles 33.12). This change in perception led to change in action.
Manasseh was perhaps the worst king in Judah’s history. And yet, if his life teaches us anything it’s that ANYONE can repent. When faced with dire circumstances, Manasseh humbled himself before God. And God heard Manasseh’s cry.
I'm pretty sure none of us are as evil as Manasseh was, unless one of us secretly is a wicked monarch engaging in idolatry, child sacrifice, or necromancy. We often attribute certain levels or severity to different sins. And this usually isn't a conscious thought, but we think: “I might have lied a little bit, but at least I didn't steal.” Or we could think: “At least I'm not as bad as that person.” That is not the way we should be thinking. We should not be thinking of sins as comparisons of severity. Rather we should look at sin the same way God does: as the violation of His standard. I think Paul puts it best in Romans where he says,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3.23
This verse speaks to the universality of sin. It’s the problem that all humanity shares: we have all fallen short of God's glory, His expectation of us. And notice how this verse doesn't highlight levels of sin. Paul makes it plain and clear. All sin is a violation of God's holy standard. Paul later talks about the consequences of sin when he says,
For the wages of sin is death,
Romans 6.23a
This puts all of us in the same boat: sinners who have fallen short of God's glory and are subsequently deserving of death. It doesn't matter if we're the king of Judah. It doesn't matter wherever we're working. It doesn't matter who we are. We are all in that same position. But that's not where the story ends. That's not even where verse 23 ends.
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6.23b
Paul elaborates on this free gift:
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5.6-11
Sin is what separates us from God. Christ reconciles us to God. And this reconciliation was followed with the price of death. Even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us to allow for an opportunity of reconciliation.
You have the opportunity to be reconciled to your God. I understand you might be afraid. You might feel that you were so sinful that God would never forgive you. That is not true at all.
This is why I love the story of Manasseh so much. It perfectly illustrates that anyone can repent. Anyone can turn back to God. I assure you, you are not as wicked as Manasseh was. But even if you were, even if you commit every single sin that he had committed. I promise you that God will forgive you if you turn to Him sincerity.
Because God forgave Manasseh. And He will forgive you too.
Our God is the God of those who repent.
