The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-07-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 80.
Subject: Manusseh's Sin md Repentance,
IL. Chron. xxxiii., 1-13-Golden Text,
Prov. xiv, 34-Mernofy Verses, 1913
-CamInnnfarx ON the llnpIa Iaaann.

documentary on the Day. Lesson.
L. Manasseh's excessive idolatries
Tvs. 1-Y. j. "AIanasseh." The thir-
teenth King Of Judah mot counting
Athaliah, the usurper), son of Heze-
kiah and Hephzibah, who was tradi-
tionally the daughter of Isaiah.
Twelve years old" He was born
three years after Hezekiah was mirac-
ulously restored to health. He rcigned
longer than any other King of Judah
or Israel. 9. "Did-evil." He fol-
lowed all the abominable practices Of
the nations of Canaan, but his sin was
greater than theirs because he had
light and knew about the true God. 3.
"Baalim." The plural form for Baal.
Made grooves" Made Ashcroft"
r. V. Ashcroft is one of the plural
forms of Ashrah, 4 heather goddess.
Eaal was Il male and Asherah Il female
divinity. An Asherah was. probably II
wooden pole which was planted be-
side an altar as d symbol Of a deity.
stars. 4. Affairs in the house" Hc
placed the heather affairs even in the
temple. Shall my name be- See
chapter {: l6.
S. In the two courts" Professor
Lumby thinks this verse explains the
preceding verse, and that The idola-
trous affairs were erected il the courts
of the temple and not in the holy place.
&. Through the fire There is rea.
son to believe that i'll certain rircunI-
stances the children offered to Moloch
were actually burnt to death. o. were
first slain and then burnt. See Pisa.
JOG: rs; Ter. Z: 81; . Kings II: 81.
"Yalley-Of Einnom." This was a IA.
lem, the southeast extremity Of which
Lad the name Of T0phet. observed
times" See Il. V. "Pructiced divina-
ton by the clouds" "EnchantmeutS.'
He used lamentations and charms. fla.
miIiar shirt" See l Sam. 2S: s. He
had III his service these who pretended
to raise the spirits. Wizards" Wise
or knowing ones who claimed to reveal
secrets. Many Of these impoStors came
f:om Chaldca to pursue their occupa-
tons and practice their dcceDtions. and
MarasSeh WIS their liberal patron.
Much evil" The heather rites and
ceremonies which ManaSseh observed
were often of the foulest character. {.
erah within the sacred precincts is
dwelt upon as the most aggravated
outrage OF this wicked king. S.
''Neitlcr will l." etc. God had prom
ised that this land should he theirs
forever - Sam. :: i0,. IF only" (R.
W All of Gods promises ere condi-
tional. This condition was expressed
at the very first. Had they obeyed
God they would never have gone into
captivity. but would still lave been in
possession Of the promised land. D.
ITO do worse" Through the PERM.
cious influence of ManaSseh they were
led into worse forms of sin than were
even practiced by the original Canaan
ties. Tradition says that under NAH
GSSeh Isaiah waS sawn aSunder.
IL. Manasseh's punishment Tvs. 10.
III. 10. THE Lord spake." We can
imagine the bitter grief and burning
Indignation Of those who loved the
God of Israel. And they were not ST.
lent. In 2 Kings 81: 1915 we see un.
named, prophets de%nouncing the apos-
tasy and threatening judgment in most
striking language.
II. King Of Assyria." Assyria was
Mt that time under E~sarhaddon.
Among the thorns." I'm chains +.
V. The sharp, thornlike nook DF
which prisoners were caught and held
like fish. ''Fetters." Probably mana.
cles for the hands and letters for the
feet. ITO Babylon" With this event
Judah was added to the Assyrian EG,.
pire.
III. Manasseh's repentance ". 12>.
II. "Resought the Lord" In the SOL.
tude of exile and imprisonment Man.
asseh had leisure for reflection. The
calamities forced ON him a review of
his past life. convincing him that tie
miserieS of his d"ethrOnement and cap
tivity were owing to his awful and un.
D~recedented apostasy from the God OF
his fathers. "Humbled himself great
ly.' Affections are our best friends
We should lever from upon them. In
their midst we see our nOthingness.
". Manasseh's restoration ". l3'.
IL. HE was entreated." 1t is .impoS'
sible that any sinner who desires to
forsake sin and turn to God will be re
fused mercy. after the record OF par.
Gon from God to q man like ManasSeh.
Does this not explain why ManaSseh
was permitted to live the life he did!
Would the Bible he the book it is if sin
were not %personified by such charac'
ters. and grace ~personifed in Jesus
Christ to meet their need? Heard"
Though afflictiou drives rs to God He
will not therefore reject US if we sin.
cerely seek Him. for Affections are sent
to bring us to. Him. Brought hiln-to
Jerusalem" When Manasseh is brought
back to God and his duty he shall soon
he brought back to his kingdom. See
how readily God is TO accent and wei.
come returning sinners, and how swift
to show mercy. Let not great sll:lers
deSpair when Manasseh himself. on re-
p%eutance. found favor with God: in
him God showed forth long suffering
Il Tim. ]: 16; lisa. !: 49,. "Manasseh
knew-God." No precepts of his faith
err: no teaching of priests and L1evites:
no act Of ceremonial circumcision nor
engaging in forms of religion: 10 list.
nning to sermons nor reading the
Scriptures brought him this kn0wl'
edge. He had to be brought to a posi-
ton where nothing but the almighty
power of Cod could deliver him. We
will bless God through all eternity for
the days of trouble that lead us to
obey (Psa. 80: 1Jl. But how much bet
Ter it is to obey at once. thus making
such Affections unnecessary.