2 Chronicles is a repeat of the ups and downs of kings in Judah (mostly). This time through I noticed there were a few kings who actually started “well.” They followed God. They wanted to follow God. They tried to follow God.

Then… they faded in the stretch. Many ended poorly, often struck down by pride.

Then there is Manasseh. In 2 Kings, it’s all bad news. 2 Chronicles isn’t much better for awhile. Manasseh tore down all the good Hezekiah had done and led Judah in its worst period of idol worship. He built altars to foreign gods right in the temple. He even burned his sons as an offering.

And… Manasseh repented. God brought him to failure and Manasseh cried out to God. The worst part? God was moved. He actually heard Manasseh. All those years of spiritual abuse, and Manasseh cries out… and God decides to hear him! What a rip off. 

God a God of mercy. How crazy. In the Old Testament. Even crazier. Go figure.