II Chronicles 32 – 33 and Where Were the Protestors?

II Chronicles 32 – 33

Today, we get a more in-depth look at Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Amon, all kings of Judah. It looks as if Hezekiah was a clever military leader. When he heard Sennacherib intended to attack Jerusalem, he took measures to make sure Sennacherib would not find water when he got to Jerusalem. He also erected towers and a second wall outside the first. He arranged his troops in the best way possible for the defense of the city.

Although those were all reasonable actions, the best and most effective thing he did was to encourage the military officers not to fear the Assyrians even though they had an army whose numbers and power greatly exceeded theirs. After all, Hezekiah knew that they had the Lord on their side.:“We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!”

Sennacherib taunted the people with his previous victories, with the fact that no one had ever been able to defeat him. He went so far as to mock the Lord. An angel of the Lord destroyed Sennacherib’s army and he had to return home in disgrace. As we know from our previous study, Sennacherib was assassinated by his own sons when he entered the temple of his god.

II Chronicles 32:32 speaks of a tunnel Hezekiah used to bring water down from the upper spring of Gihon into the west side of Jerusalem. Did you know that this tunnel is still in existence? A friend of mine told of walking through this tunnel playing “Marco Polo.” Isn’t that something?

We also learn a little more about Manasseh, from which we see a perfect picture of the redemptive power and forgiveness of our wonderful Lord. Manasseh did so much evil; he even sacrificed his own two sons in the fire. Of course, the Lord was exceedingly angry and spoke to Manasseh and the people. They ignored all his warnings. However, after the Assyrians threw Manasseh in prison, put a ring through his nose and took him to Babylon, Manasseh called out to the Lord and humbled himself before him. Our gracious Lord listened to his prayers and was moved by his request. The Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom, where Manasseh restored the altar of the Lord and encouraged the people of Judah to worship the Lord. How odd that “the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, though only to the Lord their God.”

His son Amon never did have a change of heart, did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, and was assassinated in his own palace by his own officials.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Nahum.

Where Were the Protestors?

Today, I made my third trip to Chick-Fil-A this week. Just like Wednesday, the place was very crowded with long lines inside and out. This was supposed to be the day that people who object to the stance taken by the CEO of Chick-Fil-A that he thinks traditions marriage is best. Well, I never saw a protestor, but I enjoyed my meal anyway.

Until next time…