What Does Jehovah's Forgiveness Mean for You? - MANNASSEH SINS GRAVELY BUT REPENTS

Consider another Scriptural account that illustrates the extent of Jehovah's willingness to forgive.  Some 360 years after David began to rule, Mannasseh became king of Judah.  His 55-year-long reign was infamous for wickedness, and his detestable practices brought condemnation from Jehovah.  Among other things, Mannasseh set up altars to Baal, worshipped  "all the army of the heavens,"  made his sons pass through fire, and promoted spiritistic practices.  Yes, "he did on  a grand scale what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah." - 2 CORINTHIANS 33:1-6. 


Eventually, Mannasseh was taken from his homeland and thrown into a Bablonian prison.  There he may haver recalled these words of Moses to Israel:  "When you are in sore straits and all these words have found you out at the close of the days, then you will have returned to Jehovah your God and to listen to his voice." (Deuteronomy 4:30)  Mannasseh did return to Jehovah. How? He  "kept humbling himself greatly" and "kept praying" to God (2 Chronicles 33:12m 13) We have no record of the exact words Mannesseh uttered in those prayers, but we can imagine that the may in some ways have paralleled those of King David, as recorded in Psalm 51.  In any case, Mannasseh underwent a complete change of heart. 

What was Jehovah's response to Mannasseh's prayers?  "He let himself be entreated by [Mannasseh] and He heard his request for favor."  Like David before  him, Mannasseh recognized the seriouosness of his sins and was truly repentant.  That is why God forgave Mannasseh and restored him to the kingship in Jerusalem. As a result, "Mannasseh came to know that Jehovah is the true God." (2 Chronicles 33:13)  How heartening it is to have this further evidence that our merciful God forgives those who are genuinely repentant! 

Next time: What Does Jehovah's Forgiveness Mean for You? - IS JEHOVAH'S FORGIVENESS UNLIMITED?

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