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2 Chronicles 31-33 – From Very Best to Very Worst
From the very best to the very worst; that is, from godly parents to ungodly children. “How does this happen?” This discouraging conundrum is seen several times in the Bible where a very good and godly parent raises a very evil and devilish child. Or as happens more often, how could godly parents have spiritually indifferent children? The Bible does not specifically explain how this always happens. That makes this conundrum even more baffling…and frightening. Could this happen to any of us? Yes. Let’s look specifically at just one family. Not knowing the exact dates of some of these events, I do not know if Manasseh himself witnessed all of these, or only heard about them later from his father Hezekiah or some other source. Nevertheless, this family serves as a good case study.
One of the very best is Hezekiah. His son, Manasseh, is sadly one of the very worst (2 Kings 18:3-6; 21:2-9)
As parents we can either frustratingly throw up our hands in confusion, or look for clues as to how such a godly man could produce such an ungodly son. We need to look at Hezekiah’s life – and our own. Remember, nothing occurs in isolation. What might have happened in Hezekiah’s life that started Manasseh done his horrific road?
Hezekiah’s Righteousness (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)
Yes, you read that right. Hezekiah’s righteousness could have led to Manasseh’s unrighteousness. This isn’t an excuse or reason to be less godly on the part of the parents. But it is an important lesson to be learned and applied.
Have you ever noticed how some children want to do and be the exact opposite of their parents? They are called “The Strong Will Child.” Their “independence” can be so driven as to drive them straight to hell! Why and how does this happen? Could such an independent streak be innate? Yes. We all inherit traits from our parents, whether good or bad. Could this inborn independence lead to intentional rebellion? Yes. If the rebellion is done to spite us parents, we need to examine our own lives to see if we could have caused such a damning attitude (Luke 17:2).
If the child’s “independence” is part of their nature, then do we have any hope? Yes. Teach them to believe based upon the evidence God gave for the truth; that way they believe, but not because you do. Encourage them to study and challenge what you believe, but as the parent channel the study productively. After all, this should be done any way, to any child. Do our children know why we believe what we believe? Do they know why we have chosen the righteous path? Have we shared with them our own struggles that led to us following God?
Hezekiah’s Riches (2 Chronicles 32:27-29)
Riches themselves are neither bad nor evil, or else God would not have used them as a reward to Hezekiah and others (i.e., Abraham). God’s blessings, at best, can lead to a greater trust and appreciation…or, at worst, we can take them for granted, or be filled with self-accomplishment. Notice what questionable action that even the good king Hezekiah did – he “showed off” his possessions causing God to become displeased. How much emphasis do our children see in us and in our lives on physical things? How much importance does “getting ahead” have in our choices? How often have parents spoiled their children? (1 Timothy 6:10; 17-19)
Hezekiah, I am sure, did not continue this spiritually dangerous thinking (2 Kings 20:15-17). But could Hezekiah’s “riches and honor” (2 Chronicles 32:27) have adversely affected Manasseh? Could even this one time where Hezekiah “showed off” have had a detrimental effect on little eyes watching from the background?
Hezekiah’s Punishment – God miraculously saved Hezekiah’s life from a deathly illness (2 Chronicles 32:24). Amazingly, and uncharacteristically, Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:25). Thankfully, However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart…(2 Chronicles 32:26). But as the old saying goes, the same sun that melts butter hardens clay. Granted, Hezekiah’s illness happened before Manasseh was born, but the effects of sin, the consequences and punishments, have an effect that can be long lasting. While Hezekiah humbled himself, did Manasseh harden his heart?
Hezekiah’s Pride – Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heard was proud (2 Chronicles 32:25). How long did this pride last? Is this show of pride the only time Hezekiah’s ego got the best of him? Is it possible that Manasseh saw this pride in his father later on? Could Manasseh have inherited this weakness from his father, but did not learn to control it, or better yet, let God control it? One of my greatest fears is that my children will be just like me…in my weaknesses. I see them imitating my failures, my sins…and I have to apologize to them that I set a bad example. Together, we pray that God will help us both. Yes, even the very best like Hezekiah is not perfect. And neither are any of us. Is it possible that Manasseh imitated his father’s bad example?
Hezekiah’s Age – Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king and reigned for 29 years, making him 54 when he died. Since Manasseh was age 12 when he became king, this makes Hezekiah 42 years old when Manasseh was born. That’s late in life to have a child – even if not his only child (Zephaniah 1:1). Hezekiah became mortally ill (2 Chronicles 32:24), but God allowed him to live another fifteen years. Had this not happened, Manasseh would never have been born. What does all of this have to do with anything? Have you ever noticed that sometimes – no, not always – but sometimes when a child is born to parents late in life, they…spoil the child? Especially can this be true with that child is their first and only child. Have you ever noticed that sometimes – and again, no, not always – parents who had been strict disciplinarians with their earlier children are…tired and too lenient with those children born late in life?
Hezekiah’s Death – Manasseh became king at age twelve because his father died. That is young to lose your father. Traumatizing situations can cause disturbing and damaging reactions in a child. Did he blame God? God prophesied Hezekiah’s death through Isaiah, who incidentally tradition says Manasseh had sawn in half. Again we ask…did Manasseh blame God? We don’t know, but what we do know is that oftentimes, when a loved one is suffering or dies, people – even their own children – often blame God. Did Manasseh?
Looking back, which one of these adversely affected Manasseh? None of us know for sure— but never doubt the power of even just one event in a child’s life. Even one event can shape our lives – and our children’s lives. Amazingly, one event can be that “defining moment” in our relationship with our child, and their relationship with God. Therefore, when our children witness us sin – and they will – we need to do our best to overcome the damage, not only in our lives but in the lives of our children.
Could Manasseh’s disinterest in God have been a combination of any of the above? Yes, absolutely. Often the paths we choose are based upon cumulative events.
Could it have been something completely different? That’s a possibility too. In fact, in talking with parents of wayward children, they often had no idea what went wrong. But they often started noticing the change when their children became teenagers. That means that the pre-teen time is very dynamic.
Yes, the very best can have the very worst. But lest we parents become hopeless, notice one more fact from Manasseh’s life—he repented (2 Chronicles 33:10-13).
Pray God will put our unfaithful loved ones in whatever situation needed to turn them around, no matter how difficult that situation might be. Yes, that is a hard prayer. But eternity is forever. Tough love is still love. Never lose hope. Remember, the very worst became very good.
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