II Chronicles 33 After Hezekiah died, his 12 year old son Manasseh became king.  Manasseh "did evil in the sight of the Lord."   His sins were many:

He rebuilt the  "high places" his father had torn down. He erected altars and Asherim. He worshiped the "host of heaven". He built pagan altars in the Temple. He sacrificed his sons. He practiced witchcraft, divination, and sorcery. He used mediums and spiritists. "He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger."

II Kings 21:16 tells us that "Manasseh shed much innocent blood until he filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah sin in doing evil in the sight of the Lord."

What the account in Kings does not tell us is that Manasseh repented.  The Lord sent the army of Assyria against him. He was taken captive and sent to Babylon. It is there "in distress"  that Manasseh "entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God." 

Manasseh removed the idols, rebuilt the walls, set up the altar of the Lord and offered peace offerings and thanks offerings there. He reigned for 55 years. 

Yet, after Manasseh died, his son Amon brought back all the idolatry.  He did not humble himself before the Lord but "multiplied guilt".  His own servants conspired against him and killed him in his own house.  They made his 8 year old son Josiah the new king. 

The fact that Manasseh had done so much evil after his father had done so much good is so sad. What caused this young man to turn completely away from his father's example? But, the fact that he turned back to the Lord is so wonderful and miraculous that it gives us such hope.. for we know all about rebellious sons and prodigal children. We see it over and over again in our world.. in our churches.. and in our own families.  

I wonder who prayed for Manasseh?  Who were the "seers who spoke to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel"? (v18)  Who reminded him to pray? After he returned to Jerusalem, did he pray for his son Amon?  Did he encourage his grandson Josiah?

What can we learn from the story of Manasseh?  It is never too late to turn back to the Lord.  No matter how great our sin... God hears our prayers of repentance when we humble ourselves before Him.  Yet, even then there are consequences to face.  Manasseh must have seen the ways of Amon. Perhaps he saw into the heart of Josiah too. 

Father, help us to pray and never give up on those who have gone their own way and are living in sin. We have children and grandchildren.. even great-grandchildren.. who need to humble themselves and turn back to You. We pray, that in Your great mercy and kindness, that You would reach out to them and call them back to Yourself. Bring believers into their lives to share the Love of Jesus with them. Open doors of opportunity so that we can speak Truth into their lives.  Give them hearts to believe and minds to receive the Truth of the gospel and find Life... we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.