2 Kings 21:16 Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood until he had 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.
Manasseh was the son of King Hezekiah who shed innocent blood and stained the streets of Jerusalem! Manasseh was a cruel tyrant and a wicked ruthless king. The Bible doesn’t elaborate on it but Josephus says ‘He did not even spare the prophets, but even of these he slew some daily’. Traditions believe that Prophet Isaiah was slaughtered by Manasseh as he ordered the cedar tree to be ‘sawn asunder’ (cut in half), in which Isaiah had taken refuge. Manasseh also drowned himself in innocent blood by following the pagan dreadful tradition of child sacrifice to the Canaanite gods. And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood (Psalm 106:38).
Modern society and the current governments are also guilty of shedding innocent blood. The abortion law that legalizes fetuses to be killed is shedding innocent blood in the land. Our land is now polluted with the sin of murder and blood of the unborn children. This is the sacrifice that we make to the gods of adultery, debauchery and independent spirit!
The detestable deeds of Manasseh brought the invasion of the Assyrian army and he was taken as a prisoner with hooks on his nose, bound with bronze shackles. In his distress Manasseh repented and cried to the Lord for forgiveness. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God (2 Chronicles 33:13). God’s mercy is so incredibly vast that it could even forgive the despicable sins of Manasseh!
Many people live under the burden of guilt and shame. Guilt says “I did something bad” and shame says “I am bad” – and both are lies from the devil! God loves you, no matter your past, and He sent Jesus to forgive all your sins.
Guilt must lead to repentance:
1. Rebuke: God will always rebuke before He reprimands. The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention (2 Chronicles 33:10). Guilt is the aftermath of sin. If you don’t feel good about what you’ve done or said, don’t do it again. Repent when rebuked.
2. Reset: God warned Manasseh to reset his lifestyle but he persecuted the people who advised him. He killed the prophets and the people who repudiated his waywardness.
3. Renew: We don’t have to live in guilt. Guilt is only the soul’s security system that warns us that danger is lurking around the corner. A daily and constant renewal of our thoughts and ways will keep us close to the Master.
The blood of Jesus is the only cleansing agent for our sin-stained nations that is flooded with innocent blood.
2 Chronicles 33:12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors.
Prayer: Gracious God, your compassion is beyond my comprehension. Teach me to walk in your ways. Amen
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