King Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years (697-642 B.C.), including a ten-year co-regency (697-686) with his father Hezekiah. This was the longest reign of any king in either Israel or Judah. His kingship was a commission, entrusted to him by God, to lead God’s people as a shepherd-like king. But he squandered it.

The main cause of his failure was his idolatry (vv. 2-7). His idolatry led him to do detestable things, murdering godly people (v. 16), and even sacrificing his own son in the fire (v. 6a). His idolatry led God’s people astray (vv. 9,11) eventually to their captivity in Babylon (24:2-3). It was a tragic period of the nation’s history.

Living in the 21st century, we don’t usually carve idols with wood, stone, metal, etc. Yet, if that makes us think we are immune from idolatry, we are badly mistaken. Whatever we love more than God is our idol. John Calvin said, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” But we are not hopeless. The blood of Jesus sets our hearts free from idolatry if we plead with God for mercy and forgiveness of our sins.
Application: Father, thank you for your words that warn me against the danger of idol worship. I pray that the Holy Spirit sanctify my heart and set it free from idol worship in your Son, Jesus’ name. Amen.
One Word: Love the Lord, not idols