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Manasseh and Josiah: the Worst and the Best
The kingdom of Judah was brought low once more during Man-
asseh’s wicked reign. Paganism had revived, and many were led into
idolatry. “Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before
the children of Israel.”
2 Chronicles 33:9
. Gross evils sprang up and
flourished—tyranny, oppression, hatred of all that is good. Justice
was perverted, and violence prevailed.
Yet the trying experiences that Judah had safely passed through
during Hezekiah’s reign had developed in many a strength of char-
acter that now served as a barrier against iniquity. They spoke up for
truth, and this sparked the anger of Manasseh, who tried to silence
every voice of disapproval. “Manasseh shed very much innocent
blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.”
2 Kings
21:16
.
One of the first to fall was Isaiah, who had stood for more than
half a century as the appointed messenger of Jehovah. “Others had
trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprison-
ment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were
slain with the sword.”
Hebrews 11:36, 37
.
Some who suffered persecution during Manasseh’s reign had
brought special messages of reproof from God. The prophets de-
clared that the king of Judah “has acted more wickedly than all ...
who were before him.”
2 Kings 21:11
. Because of this, the inhab-
itants of the land were to be carried captive to Babylon, there to
become “victims of plunder to all their enemies.”
Verse 14
. But
those who in a strange land would put their trust wholly in the Lord
would find a sure refuge.
Faithfully the prophets spoke to Manasseh and his people, but
backsliding Judah paid no attention. As an example of what would
happen to the people if they continued unrepentant, the Lord permit-
ted their king to be captured by Assyrian soldiers who “bound him
with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon.”
2 Chronicles
173