The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-07-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 80:
Subject: Manasseh's Sin and Repentance,
IL. Chron. xxxiil., 1.13-Golden Text,
Prov. XIV, 34-Memory Verses, 1918
documentary on the Days Lesson.

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 reigned
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.
"Baalm." The plural form for Baal.
Made grooves" Made Ashcroft"
r. V. Ashcroft is one of the plural
forms of Ashrah, a heather goddess.
Baal was a male and Asherah female
divinity. An Asherah was probably
wooden pole which was planted be-
side an altar as a symbol Of deity.
Host of heaven" The sun, moon and
stars. 4. "Altars in the house" He
placed the heather affairs even in the
temple. "Shall my name be-" See
chapter {: 1G.
5. In the two courts" Professor
Lumby thinks this verse explains the
preceding verse. and that the idola-
trous affairs were erected in the courts
of the temple and not in the holy place.
6. Through the fire." There is rea-
son tol believe that in certain circum-
stances the children offered 70 Moloch
were actually burnt to death or were
first slain and then burnt. Nee Psa.
1O6: IS; Jer. {: 81; Kings ": 81.
"Valley-of Hinnom." This was ra-
vine on the south and west Of Jerusa-
lem- the southeast extremity of which
had the name Of Tophet. observed
times" See X. V. "Practiced divina-
tion by the Clouds" "Enchantments."
He used incantations and charms. "Fa-
miliar spirit" See l Sam. 2S: s. He
had in his service those who pretended
to raise the spirits. Wizards" Wise
or knowing ones who claimed to reveal
secrets. Many Of these impostors came
(: ON Chaldea to pursue their occupa-
tons and practice their deceptions. and
Manasseh was their liberal patron.
much evil" The heather rites and
ceremonies which Manasseh observed
were often Of the fouleSt character. &.
"Set-image." The setting up the Ash
erah within the sacred precincts is
dwelt upon as the most aggravated
outrage of this wicked king. 8.
Neither will l." etc. God had prom
ised that this land should be theirs
forever q Sam. Z: 10. If only" (R.
W All of Gods promises are condi-
tional. This condition was expressed
at the very first Had they obeyed
God they would never have gone into
captivity. but would still have been in
possession of the promised land. 9.
ITO do worse" Through the perni-
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 Man
asseh Isaiah was sawn asunder.
II. Manasseh's punishment VS.. 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 si-
lent. In . Kings 81: 1915 we see un-
named prophets denouncing the apos-
tasy and threatening judgment in most
striking language.
II. king of Assyria." Assyria was
Mt that time under Esarhaddon.
among the thorns." ''In chains" r.
V. The sharp, thornlike nook by
which prisoners were caught and held
like fish. "Fetters." Probably mana
cles for the hands and fetters or the
feet. ITO Babylon" With this event
Judah was added to the Assyrian En-
pire.
III. Manasseh's repentance ". 12).
12. "Besought the Lord" In the soli-
tude of exile and imprisonment Man.
asseh had leisure for reflection. The
calamitieS forced on him review OF
ihiS past life. convincing him that the
! mSerieS of his dethronement and cap
tivity were owing to his awful and un-
precedented apostasy from the God of
his fathers. 'Humbled himself great
w." Affections are our best friends;
| we should never from upon them. In
their midst we see our nothingness.
". Manasseh's restoration ". 13).
13. 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
don from God to man like Manasseh.
Does this not explain why Manasseh
was permitted to live the life he did!
Would the Bible be the book it is II sin
were not personified by such charac.
ters. ard grace personified in Jesus
| Christ to meet their need? Heard
! Though affiiction drives us to God He
will not therefore reject us if we sim
cerely seek Him. for Affections are sent
to bring us to Him. Brought him-to
Jerusalem" When Manasseh is brought
back to God and his duty he shall soon
be brought back to his kingdom. See
how readily God is to accept and wei
| come returning sinners, and how swift
to show mercy Let not great sinners
despair when Manasseh himself. on re-
pentance, found favor with God: In
him God showed forth long suffering
| q Tim. 1: 16; Isa. ]: 1S). "Manasseh
knew-God." No precepts Of his faith
er: no teaching Of priests and LIevites
no act Of ceremonial circumcision nor
engaging in forms Of religion: no list
ening to sermons nor reading the
Scriptures brought him this knowl
edge. He had to be brought to posi-
ton where nothing but the almighty
power Of God could deliver him. We
will bless God through all eternity fol
the days of trouble that lead us to
obey (Psa. so: 15). But how much bet
ter it is to obey at once. thus making
such Affections unnecessary.