MANASSEH'S RESTORATION
“And prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God" (2 Chron. 33:13 NKJV).
One of the wickedest kings to reign over Judah was Manasseh. He reigned fifty-five years, longer than any other kings. Because of his great wickedness, God sent judgment upon him in the form of captivity. He was bound in chains and taken to Babylon as a prisoner. But, in an amazing turn of events, Manasseh was eventually restored to his throne in Judah. Our verse is a great picture of the work of the Gospel and speaks of the supplication, salvation, and sanctification of Manasseh.
Supplication - “Prayed to Him.” Affliction did its work on Manasseh, and it humbled him; finally he sought the Lord in prayer. This prayer should encourage every sinner to seek God’s help. It makes no difference how great a sinner they are, they can still pray to God and seek His forgiveness.
Salvation - “Heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom.” There are two things to note about Manasseh’s salvation:
First, the greatness of his salvation - It was a most dramatic change to see a king that was hauled off in chains to Babylon, set free and be king again. The Lord is able to do great wonders. And the greatest of wonders is soul salvation.
Second, the grace of his salvation - If ever a man did not deserve to be restored to his throne, it was Manasseh. But God’s grace abounded. It works this way in salvation, too. The worst of sinners can be marvelously saved by God.
Sanctification - “Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” Salvation increased Manasseh’s spiritual knowledge. Whenever a person experience salvation, their knowledge will become sanctified with spiritual truths. They will grow in the knowledge of the Lord. Then the Bible will no longer be a closed book.
(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Quotation of the Week
“True humility is not looking down on yourself but looking up to Christ!”
Anonymous
Word Study
Distinction
In Rom. 3:22 we read, “Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction” (NKJV).
Distinction (difference) is the Greek word diastolē (διαστολή = dee-as-tol-ay'). It is made up of two words: “dia” which means asunder, and “stello” which means to set, place, arrange. Thus the word means a setting asunder, hence a difference, distinction, a separation. The word is also used to describe the different sounds musical instruments make. Literally, diastolē means to send two ways, divide, and distinguish. Metaphorically diastolē describes a clear and marked distinction or difference.
In Classical Greek, diastolē was used to describe the dilatation as of the heart or lungs. In medicine diastolē (diagram) is the stage of the dilatation of the heart during which it fills with blood, the stage preceding ejection. In the Septuagint diastolē carries the idea of division or difference. In the New Testament, Paul uses diastolē to refer to the lack of difference between Jew and Gentile because of the “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe.”
When it comes to needing salvation, there is truly “no distinction” (difference) between people. There is “no distinction” between the morally bankrupt and the morally upright. All are sinners, all need salvation since both are lost and separated from God.
Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus
Old Testament Prophecy – The Messiah would be the stone which the builders rejected which became the headstone (Psalm 118:22-23; Isa. 28:16)
New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 21:42; I Peter 2:7.
Bible Facts
Law of Biogenesis explained (Gen. 1). Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution imagines). Therefore life, God’s life, created all life.
Bible Quiz
When Christians suffer because of their faith, how are they to react?
**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to the Book of Matthew, when will Jesus separate the sheep from the goats? When He comes in His glory (Matt. 25:31-32).
That’s in the Bible
"Deaf as an adder”
“Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear?” (Psalm 58:4 KJV).
“Deaf as an adder” - The expression “deaf as an adder” mean not good of hearing. This refers to their arrogant refusal to listen to correction or counsel from others. It is blocking the ears against all outside influences, especially to the rejection of the Lord and His instructions. It is true, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
Did You Know - Christian History
Timothy Dwight was born May 15, 1752 in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was an American academic and educator, a Congregationalist minister, theologian, and author.
Dwight graduated from Yale in 1769, Dwight spent two years rector of the Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, CT. He was a tutor at Yale College from 1771 to 1777, licensed to preach in 1777, and was appointed by Congress chaplain in Connecticut’s Continental Brigade. He served with distinction, inspiring the troops with his sermons and the stirring war songs he composed, the most famous of which is “Columbia.”
Dwight was also a founder of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences and Andover Theological Seminary. He was also an early member of the American Antiquarian Society. In 1810, Dwight became a founder of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, which launched its first mission to Hawaii in 1819 under Hiram Bingham.
Dwight was elected president of Yale in 1795. At this time, students and faculty had drifted far from the Christian faith upon which the college was founded. Dwight then fired all of the faculty members who favored the anti-Christian ideas of French rationalism. Under Dwight, Yale caught the spirit of the Second Great Awakening Subsequently, about one third of the student body were converted to Christianity.
Dwight died of prostate cancer, on January 11, 1817. He was buried in New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery.
A Little Humor
On a very cold, snowy Sunday morning in February, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the village church. The minister observed, “Well, I don’t guess we’ll have service today.” To which the farmer replied, If only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it.”
Thought Provoking Church Sign
“Money will never buy repentance!”
