Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-08-03

not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance
III Peter 800. And finally, we can
account for 1t on the ground that God
permits these things to go on long In
order to vindlcate his justice when he
judges. He does not strike In judg-
ment until all hope Of repentance Is
past.
|. Manasseh's Sin wv. 1-9). Though
he had the example Of good father,
he with passionate endeayQr gave him
self up to the imitation of the heather
about him. This shows that grace Is
not inherited; good father may have
bad son. 1t also teaches us that 1t
is absolutely necessary to bring the
grace Of God into vital touch with our
children, for that grace Is absolutely
essential to their salvation. Oniy his
grace can counteract the downward
pull of sin.
/. He restored the high places which
had been destroyed by his father
". 81. 1t is thus seen that he sought
to undo the good work done by his
father.
2. He erected affairs to Baal ". 81.
The idols worshlped on these affairs
seem to have been images Of licen-
tious appearance, provoking the indul-
gence of the human passion. There
fore, with this worship was coupled
the grossest RIGHTEOUSNESS.
3. He introduced the star worship
Of the Chaldeans and Assyrlans ". 81.
He even erected these affairs In the
house of the Lord, placing them on a
level with God himself.
4. He set up Moloch in the Vale Of
Hlnnon ". o.. He not only encour-
aged this worship on the part of 9th
ers, but he even caused his own chill
dren to pass through the fire.
s. He practiced magic, witchcraft,
and dealt with familiar spirit ". o..
So gross were these practices that
they did even worse than the heather
whom God had destroyed before the
Children of Israel came into the land.
It seems to be true always that when
those who profess to worship God turn
away from him, they indulge In sin
In excess Of the unbeievers.
@. He rejected the Lords testimony
". 10). Doubtless the prophets had
again and again admonshed him, but
he seems to have turned entirely aside
from such 'remonstrances.
II. Manasseh's Chastisement wv. H.
13). The Lord In grace used the AS
syrians to chastise Manasseh, so as to
bring him to see his evil ways. He
was captured, perhaps while hiding
among the thlcket of thorns ". 11),
bound In chains and carried to Baby
lon. This was most humiliating. His
hands were manacled, his ankles fas-
tened together with rings and bar.
III. Manasseh's Repentance. wv. IL.
1877. Fortunately, the chastisement
had its desired effect. Manasseh was
brought to his senses and turned from
his evil ways. The steps In his re-
pentance are as follows:
l. Affection ". 12). This was most
severe. Bound with chains and dragged
to Babylon. While this was severe, 1t
was light In comparison with the sins
which provoked 1t. Many today are
groaning under the weight of Gods
chastisement who have not yet come
to realize that the weight is light COM
pared with the offense. Aflliction is
Gods love token (Heb. IL :6). It's pri.
mary design is to bring men back to
God.
2. Supplication ". 12). Manasseh
had the good sense to cry out to God
In this condition. II Is the unmlstak-
able evidence that Gods chastisement
is accomplishing its purpose. We are
instructed In James 8 10 In time Of af-
Fiction to pray.
D. huihhity ". l<Js ihiS 10 u SOm-
mon Characteristic Of penitent souls.
Those who come under the hand Of
God always recognize 1t In their hum
BILE walk.
4. Forgiveness ". 13). As soon as
God sees the signs of penitence, he
turns In mercy to the penitent and
grants dissolution for sin. No one
needs to walt long to receive his for
g!veness.
5. His kingdom restored ". 1877.
Manasseh not only was forgiven, but
he was actually restored to his king
dom. Those who truly repent. God
will not only forgive, but he will re-
store (Psa. 80 1867.
9. Apprehension Of God ". 1877.
Through this experience Manasseh
came to know God. He not only came
to know God as the jealous God, the
One who will not tolerate rival, but
he came to know him as a God of
mercy. He came to know him In a
new way. Happy are those who sub
NIT to the chastisement of God, who
opens their hearts to receive the new
revelation Of himself, even though Il
be through the hand Of chastisement.