2
Kings chapter 21 tells the familiar story of a rebellious teenager
that rejected the religion of his father and the devastating effects
that has on his life and the those around him. Parents, please note
that nowhere does it say this was his parents fault, although it
might confirm the concept that a teenage boy needs a dad’s
involvement to help direct him. “Manasseh
was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem
fifty-five years… He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following
the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out
before the Israelites.”
In our culture we have lost the concept of personal responsibility;
we search for something to blame for reckless behavior. The entire
focus is on what the boy chose to do without any regard for anyone
else. “He
rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed…erected
altars to Baal…he built altars to all the starry hosts“.
As is always the case with sin, he keeps looking for a greater
“buzz”. “He
sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination,
and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of
the Lord, provoking Him to anger.”
I imagine this young man telling his mother, “Hey, it’s my
life”. Yet his actions had an effect on the entire nation.
“Manasseh
led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord
had destroyed before the Israelites“.
Speaking
through the prophet, God pronounced the consequences.
“Manasseh
king of Judah has committed these detestable sins… I am going to
bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah… I will wipe out
Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.
I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and hand them over to
their enemies… because they have done evil in my eyes and have
provoked me to anger“.
Parents feel guilty and ashamed when their children rebel, but
allowing them to experience the consequences of their behavior is
important. Titus 2:6 provides wisdom in how parents and mentors
should react. “Exhort
the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to
be
a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing
integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be
condemned“.
We should try to keep the communication open and continue to be an
example through our words and actions.
Perhaps
the scripture verse that gives all parents the hope is Proverbs 22:6
“Train
up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not
depart from it“.
While it might not seem possible during the difficult times, it does
seem that the Word of God does continue incubating even during the
“wander years”. The chapter mentions that “Manasseh
also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to
end“.
Parenting and mentoring can get messy and often the innocent
bystanders are hurt in the process. But according to 2 Chronicles
33:12
after
being taken captive; “In
his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled
himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to
Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so
He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh
knew that the Lord is God“.
Our God is quick to forgive and His grace is endless. No one is
beyond hope.