King Manasseh and The Case for Captivity
Hello Dear Friends and Readers! Do you remember wicked King Manasseh? I just realized something new about him this week, as I read in my "new" The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms book. I smile when I say "new," as it was published in 1728. But it is new to me :)
While reading in The Chronology, I noticed an historical fact that I had missed in reading my bible. King Manasseh of Judah, was captured (681 BC) by Assyrian King Asserhadon, and transported to Babylon.
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| King Manasseh was led by his nose to Babylon by the Assyrians |
According to The Chronology, there was some relationship between Assyria and Babylon through marriage at that time. Due to the death (or change of leadership in some capacity) of the Assyrian king, Manasseh was freed (673 BC) and allowed to go back to Judah. The Bible tells us that when Manasseh returned to Judah, he was a changed man. Previously, Manasseh had been one of the most wicked kings Judah had ever had. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that it was ultimately due to Manasseh's wickedness that Judah was forced into captivity by Babylon ( 2 Kings 21:9-18). However, upon his return in 673 BC, Manasseh removed all the idols from the Temple and fortified Jerusalem. We are told that he humbled himself before YHVH, and that he indeed knew that "YHVH, He is God." (2 Chronicles 33:11-17).
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| Manasseh tore down the idols upon his return to Jerusalem |
I've read this many times, and I've always realized that Manasseh cleaned up his act...but I had never really paid attention to why he cleaned it up.
It was his captivity by Assyria AND Babylon!
So why is that important?
I believe Manasseh's captivity was a test...and represented both Israel and Judah.
YHVH allowed wicked Manasseh to go into captivity to see if it would train him toward obedience. Did it?
Yes.
From that point, YHVH could use Manasseh as an example of why captivity was exactly what Judah needed.
So how did Manasseh also represent Israel? (Remember, at this point Israel and Judah are two different kingdoms, and Manasseh was of Judah).
Well, in 2 ways:
1) King Manasseh's very name would make one believe that he was of Israel. The original Manasseh was Ephraim's older brother. He would have been one of the northern tribes of Israel. So, this is just a little reminder in King Manasseh's name that he could represent Israel.
2) King Manasseh was taken captive TO Babylon (which is where Judah was taken). However, he was taken captive BY Assyria (which is who took Israel captive).
Manasseh is a "type" to prove that captivity (by both Assyria and Babylon) would bring about repentance for both Israel and Judah.
Could I be stretching? Perhaps. But, I believe that we see this principle proved correct in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. When Judah returned from Babylon, what did they do? They rebuilt the Temple, rebuilt Jerusalem, and they GRIEVED over their sin when Ezra read the scroll of The Torah aloud in their hearing (Nehemiah 8:9). Sounds a lot like what Manasseh did.
What about Israel (10 northern tribes)? We don't yet know, do we. I believe that Israel/Ephraim is indeed returning. Keep your eyes open friends. Watch for them. I am going to predict, for many reasons, one of which is King Manasseh and his "type," that we will see Israel return in humility and repentance. I believe Israel will tear down the idols of their "temples" and dedicate themselves to the ONE true God of their fathers. Time will tell. And I will be watching and praying as they come. Will you?
I hope you will continue to...
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