Lesson 21: Manasseh and Josiah

Introduction: Manasseh was the embodiment of evil.  During his 
reign, he sought to undo all the good his father Hezekiah had 
done.  In contrast, Josiah was the last good king of Judah.  
He was devoted to God and initiated many reforms.


I. Manasseh's Sins (2 Kgs. 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-11)
	A. Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord like the 
	   abominations of the heathen (2 Chron. 33:2).
	B. He built again the high places which his father had 
	   broken down.  He raised up altars for Baalim and made 
	   groves and worshipped and served all the host of heaven 
	   (2 Chron. 33:3).
	C. He built altars in the house of the Lord (33:4).
	D. He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two 
	   courts of the house of the Lord (33:5).
	E. He caused his children to pass through the fire in the 
	   valley of the son of Hinnom (33:6).
	F. He used enchantments, witchcraft, and dealt with a 
	   familiar spirit (33:6).
	G. He set a carved image in the house of God (33:7).
	H. He made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err 
	   and do worse than the heathen (33:9).
	I. He shed innocent blood (2 Kgs. 21:16).
	J. The Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of 
	   the kings of Assyria. They took Manasseh among the thorns 
	   and bound him with fetters and carried him to Bablyon 
	   (2 Chron. 33:11).

Principles:
	1. God is longsuffering and merciful; but He will punish 
	   those who persist in evil.
	2. God's judgments are righteous.
	3. By example, we can influence others to be evil.
	4. A good example can lead others to do right.
	5. God is no respecter of persons.


II. Manasseh Repents (2 Chron. 33:12-17)
	A. In affliction, Manasseh implored the Lord, and humbled 
	   himself (2 Chron. 33:12).
	B. God heard Manasseh's prayer and brought him back to 
	   Jerusalem (33:13).
	C. "Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God" (33:13).
	D. Mannaseh fortified the cities of Judah (33:14).
	E. He took away the foreign gods and altars; he also 
	   repaired the altar of the Lord and offered peace and 
	   thanks offerings upon it (33:15-16).
	F. The people still offered sacrifices on the high places, 
	   but only to the Lord (33:17).

Principles:
	1. People turn to God in times of trouble.
	2. God is merciful and is ready to forgive, if people will 
	   repent.
 

III. Josiah's Reform (2 Kgs. 22:1-23:27; 2 Chron. 34:1-35:19)
	A. In the eighth year of his reign, Josiah began to seek 
	   after the God of David (2 Chron. 34:3).
	B. In the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and 
	   Jerusalem of the high places, the groves, the carved 
	   images, and the molten images (34:3).
	C. He broke down the altars of Baal (34:4).
	D. In the process of cleansing the temple, a copy of the 
	   law was found and read before Josiah.  He caused the 
	   Word of God to be read before the people (34:14-30).
	E. The passover was observed with enthusiasm (2 Chron. 35).
	F. Josiah made a covenant to follow the Lord and to keep 
	   his commandments with all his heart and all his soul.  
	   All the people took their stand for the covenant 
	   (2 Kgs. 23:3).

Principles:
	1. Those who heed God's Word will prosper.
	2. The young can be active in God's service.
	3. Regardless of our efforts, some will not accept the 
	   truth.
	4. God's Word is to be valued.

  
IV. Josiah's Death (2 Kgs. 23:28-30; 2 Chron. 35:20-27)
	A. Necho, king of Egypt, came up by the Euphrates to fight 
	   against Carchemish; Josiah went out against him 
	   (2 Chron. 35:20).
	B. The archers shot king Josiah; the king said to his 
	   servants, "Take me away, for I am severely wounded" 
	   (35:23).
	C. So he died and was buried in one of the tombs of his 
	   fathers.  And all Judah, Jerusalem and Jeremiah mourned 
	   for Josiah (2 Chron. 35:24-25).

Principles:
	1. All men (righteous and unrighteous) will die.  We need 
	   to be prepared to face the righteous judge.
	2. God keeps His promises, Josiah's eyes would not see the 
	   calamity that God would shortly bring upon Judah.


Questions:
1. What is meant by the statement that Manasseh caused his 
   children to "pass through the fire" (Lev. 18:21; 
   2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6; Ezek. 23:37)?
2. What were the "hosts of heaven" that Judah worshipped 
   (Jer. 8:2)?
3. Is it possible for a child of God to be worse than the world 
   (2 Chron. 33:9; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Pet. 2:20-22; 1 Jn. 3:3-10; 
   Rev. 3:15-16)?
4. How does the length of Manasseh's reign compare with the other 
   kings of Judah?
5. God is longsuffering and merciful, but He will punish those 
   who persist in evil. Cite scriptures  that support this 
   statement.
6. Who is the most famous descendent of Josiah (Mat. 1:16)?
7. Describe the conditions of Judah in Josiah's time (Jer. 5; 
   7; 8:1-12).
8. How old should a person be when he seeks the Lord 
   (Eccl. 12:1)?
9. What is meant by "kill the passover" (2 Chron. 35:1,6,11)?
10. How can we be an example for good ?  For evil?
11. God is no respecter of persons. Cite scriptures that support 
    this statement.