A Tale of Two Fathers WEEK OF March 15, 2015 2 Chronicles 33:1-17 Leader, as a rule, answering the questions in engage it should take no more than 10 minutes and are designed to generate conversation around the sermon s main themes. 1. Think about your father, grandfather, or a like figure in your life. How has he positively impacted you? 2. If you could pass on one piece of advice to the next generation, what would it be? Leader, unpack it questions help provide an understanding of what happened in the passage and a deeper analysis of certain themes in it, oftentimes, bringing in additional passages for comparison or support. Context: The books of 1 & 2 Chronicles retell the history of God s people decades after the Exile, emphasizing God s covenant with David, the proper place of worship, and the certainty of reward for obedience and punishment for sin. 1 In retelling the account of Judah, the Chronicler intends to convey the reality of immediate retribution that punishment for sin is not always deferred, but that each generation experiences blessing or judgment based on its own actions. 2 The text in 2 Chronicles 33:1-17 is a recounting of 2 Kings 21:1-18 the reign of Manasseh. Following the death of his father, Manasseh became king of the southern kingdom of Judah at the age of twelve and reigned 55 years in Jerusalem. His father, Hezekiah, was largely a godly king, who had made major advancements in 1 Howard Jr., David M. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody Press, 1993. p. 236, 263. Print. 2 Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. p. 176. Print.
driving out the idolatry that plagued the nation. Hezekiah destroyed the high places, where the people went to worship false gods. In contrast, Manasseh lived in complete and utter rebellion towards God during the first half of his reign, undoing his father s good works. As a result, God allowed the Assyrians to capture Manasseh and carry him away to Babylon. However, imprisonment in a foreign land caused Manasseh to have a change of heart, and he repented of the evil he had done before the Lord. When God forgave Manasseh, allowing him to return to Jerusalem, he began undoing his own evil works. While his son, Amon, walked in the evil ways of his father, His grandson, Josiah, would become one of Judah s most godly kings. This study examines the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Read 2 Chronicles 33:1-17 3. Comparing Deuteronomy 18:9-14 to 2 Chronicles 33:1-17, what command had God previously given to the Israelites, and what was purpose did it serve? In Deuteronomy 18:9, the Lord God had previously and explicitly commanded the Israelites not to learn or imitate (practice) the detestable ways of the nations they would encounter in The Promised Land He was giving them. The purpose of God s command was to keep the Israelites blameless before Him. Their focus was not to be on the nations around them, but on their relationship with God. 4. List the evil actions that Manasseh did during his early reign as king of Judah in 2 Chronicles 33:1-8? What impact did his leadership have on the people of his nation in verse 9? Verse(s) 2: King Manasseh followed the vile practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before Israel. 3: Rebuilt the high places that his father, King Hezekiah, had demolished; set up altars to the Baals (false gods) and made Asherah poles; worshipped and served heavenly beings. 4-5: Even built altars for heavenly (created) beings within the temple of the Lord. 6: Sacrificed his own sons as burnt offerings; practiced witchcraft through fortune-telling, omens, sorcery; consulted with mediums and spirits of the dead (necromancy). 7-8: Carved an image of an idol and put in the temple of God. 9: Led Judah and the people of Jerusalem away from God so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. King Manasseh s leadership resulted in widespread apostasy in Israel. 5. In 2 Chronicles 33:10-13, how did Manasseh and his people respond to the Lord, and what was the result? How does God s response to Manasseh in verse 13 reflect 1 John 1:9 and serve as an example of His power and love for us? 2
Verse 10: The people paid no attention to the word of the Lord. They neither listened to it nor heeded it. 11: The Lord would not tolerate Manasseh s or the people s sins against Him. As a result, He sent the Assyrian army against them, whose commanders captured and bound Manasseh, carrying him away to Babylon. 12: Captivity had a profound effect on Manasseh. He then humbled himself before the Lord and sought His favor. 13: Because Manasseh humbled himself before the Lord, the Lord forgave him of his great sins, allowed him to Jerusalem, and restored his kingdom to him. The Lord s ability to give and to take away confirmed to Manasseh that He alone is God. God s response to Manasseh s humility in verse 13 reflects His nature and character as described in 1 John 1:9. In faithfulness and justice, God forgave Manasseh because he had sincerely acknowledged and confessed his sins. Manasseh s story is an example of God s power and love in that even the most sinful of lives can be reconciled to God. We, too, have this hope that no matter how far our sin has distanced us from God, no sin is so great that God cannot and will not erase it. 6. As outlined in 2 Chronicles 33:14-17, what changes in Manasseh s leadership evidenced his repentance? What did he neglect to do that yet influenced his people? Verse 14: Manasseh built protections for his people, building higher walls and stationing military commanders. 15: Removed the foreign gods and idols from the temple of the Lord and the altars he had built on the temple mount in Jerusalem, throwing them outside of the city. 16: Restored the altar of the Lord and on it offered appropriate sacrifices and offerings; commanded Judah to serve the God of Israel. Verse 17 indicates that Manasseh neglected to remove the high places. Since his people were accustomed to offering sacrifices on these places, they continued to use them, but unto the Lord. The people s obedience to Manasseh and ultimately to the Lord is clear. Yet the Lord s full will was not yet being carried out, while the high places remained. 7. What multigenerational impact did Manasseh s sinful actions have on his son Amon as seen in 2 Kings 21:19-26? 2 Kings 21:19-26 is the parallel account to 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. 2 Kings 21:20-22 explicitly states that Manasseh s son, Amon, walked in the evil ways of his father, serving the idols his father had served. Abandoning the Lord (the God of his forefathers) altogether, he never humbled himself before God or repented of his sins, as his father had. Amon had reigned for only two years, when he was murdered by his own servants in his own house. 3
8. Following Amon s death, Manasseh s grandson Josiah ascended to the throne. Name Josiah s godly actions described in 2 Chronicles 34:1-8 and 29-33. What influenced his godly pursuits? Verse(s) 2-8: Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, walking in the ways of King David; began seeking the God of David; purged the entire land of high places, Asherah poles, and carved and cast images; cut down the altars of the Baals and incense altars; burned the bones of ungodly priests; cleansed the land; began plans to repair the temple of the Lord. 29-33: Assembled all Israel and read to them the Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses that was found in the temple; made a public commitment to follow the Lord and keep His commands, leading all of the people to do the same; removed all abominations in the people s possession and commanded all Israel to serve the Lord God. As noted in verses 2 and 33, Josiah s godly pursuits were influenced by the ways of King David and other godly forefathers. 9. Discuss the principles at work in Jeremiah 31:27-30 and Galatians 6:7-8. What are the implications of these principles multi-generationally from grandfather to father to son to grandson? Jeremiah 31:27-30 confirms God s sovereignty over punishment (plucking up, breaking down, overthrowing, destroying, bringing harm) and reward (building, planting). The old saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge suggested that the children would reap the fruit of their father s sins. Instead, God declares through Jeremiah, Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. In other words, each person is responsible for and will be held accountable for his own sins. Galatians 6:7-8 confirms the truth that a person reaps from his own sowing whether the sowing is to the flesh (that is, sin) reaping corruption and death or to the Spirit of God (that is, righteousness) reaping eternal life. The overarching principles in both passages are (1) moral choices are personal and made at the individual level, (2) choices have consequences, and (3) the consequences of our choices are experienced individual level. However, note the difference between consequence and influence. Multi-generationally, grandfathers and fathers will influence their sons and grandsons. Although each is responsible and accountable for their own actions and will reap the consequences of such, the actions of the older largely have the power to influence and shape the actions of the younger for good or bad. Manasseh s evil actions influenced and shaped those of his son, Amon. But the godly actions of David and those like him influenced and shaped the actions of Josiah. And God will hold us accountable for our influence on future generations. 10. How have you seen the godly or evil actions of leaders in various segments of society influence others? 4
Answers will vary. Examples include National or corporate leaders promoting fair trade (godly) or encouraging employees to use unethical or illegal practices to accomplish financial or other goals (evil). The gifts of spiritual leaders edifying their congregations (godly) or the sins of spiritual leaders causing divisions in churches and ministries (evil). Parents/Grandparents modeling self-control (godly) or substance abuse (evil); regular and active participation in church fellowship (godly) or rejecting God and providing no spiritual foundation for their children (evil. 11. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Psalm 78:5-8, what does God command us to do for the next generation, and how can we accomplish it? In both passages, God commands us to diligently teach our children (from young on) His words, commands, and works, seeing that they are followed, so that future generations will put their hope and faith in Him. We can accomplish God s command by first loving the Lord ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:5). Our own walk with God must encompass every aspect of our lives. This is the single most important characteristic of leaving a godly legacy. How we live our lives and relate with God will be the most influential imprint we leave on the next generation. Secondly, we are to show our children how God encompasses every aspect of their lives by spending time with them both in quality and quantity. Everywhere and anywhere together is a teaching moment. Leader, live it are generally designed for individual application after small group time; though, some may be appropriate for group discussion, if desired. 12. If you are a parent/grandparent, consider the spiritual legacy you are leaving for your children/grandchildren. Pray that the Lord will enable you to influence them toward godliness and following Christ wholeheartedly. Ask the Lord to reveal any sin in your life that needs to be repented of so that it will not hinder your influence on future generations. 13. In Psalms 32:5 and 51:1-2, what do you observe about God s forgiveness and love? These are psalms of King David. According to these psalms, God will forgive you, when you acknowledge your sins before Him and do not try to hide them. Forgiveness is possible because of God s constant love and extravagant mercy. 5
14. Consider your spiritual influence on others. What steps could you take to have a greater godly impact on your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, others? What are some ways you can teach the next generation to fear the Lord? Examples include Live and role model godliness in attitudes and righteousness in actions at home, at work, in the culture. Treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated, being considerate of noise levels, lights; reach out, when you see or are aware of a need (e.g. practical helps). Spend some quality time with a young family member. Share about your relationship with the Lord, and ask about theirs. Show them how you see God s hand in your life and in the lives of others around you. 6