The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-02
LESSON FOR AUGUST 5.
MANASSEH'S SIN AND REPENT.
 ANcE,

LESSON TEXT-II Chronicles 33:1-2o.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Let the wicked for. sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him. and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.-Isaiah 55:7.
 The reign of Manasseh was the long, est of any of the kings of Judah. It Is strange that wicked king should have the distinction of the longest reign. This can be accounted for, per- haps, by the fact that the nation was in such a state that their idolatrous corruption needed to go to its fullest development. It seems to be neceS- sary in a world of free beings, that their actions must go to certain stage of development. It was so with the inhabitants of Canaan before that land was possessed by Israel. Israel was kept in Egypt until the iniquity of that nation was full. In this case doubtless the Lord permitted this to go on until the iHolatrous practices would become extremely obnoxious.
 I. Manasseh's Sin (vv. 1-9). Though
  he with passionate endeavor gave him. self up to the imitation of the heather about him. This shows that grace is not inherited; a good father may have bad son. It also teaches us that it is absolutely necessary to bring the grace of God into vital touch with our children, for that grace is absolutely l io1 %n fhni grace can counteract the downward pull of sin.
 l. He restored the high places which had been destroyed by. his father l (v. 3. It is thus seen that he sought to undo the good work done by his father.
 ?. He erected altars to Baal (v. 3. The idols worshiped on these altars 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 licentiousness.
 1 3. He introduced the star worship l of the Chaldeans aud Assyrians (v. 3. He even erected these altars in the house of the Lord, placing them on a l level with God himself.
 4. He set up Moloch in the Vale of i Hinnon (v. 8. He not only encour- aged this worship on the part of oth- l CTS, but he even caused his own chill l dren to pass through the fire.
 5. He practiced magic, witchcraft, and dealt with familiar spirit (v. 6). So gross were these practices that l they did even worse than the heather whom God had destroyed before the i Children of Israel came into the land. l 6. He rejected the Lords testimony i (v. 10). Doubtless the prophets had again and again admonished him, but he seems to have turned entirely aside from such remonstrances.
 II. Manasseh's Chastisement (vv. 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 thicket of thorns (v. ID, bound in chains and carried to Baby lon. This was most humiliating. His hands were manacled, his ankles fas- tened together with rings and a bar.
 iii. Manasseh's Repentance. (vv. 12, 13). 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 .(v. 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 it.
 2. Supplication (v. 12). Manasseh had the good sense to cry out to God in this condition. It is the unmistak- able evidence that Gods chastisement Is accomplishing its purpose. We are instructed in James 5 :13 in time of af- fliction to pray.
 8. Humility (v. 12). This Is a con- mon characteristic of penitent souls. Those who come under the hand of God always recognize it in their hum- ble walk.
 4. Forgiveness (v. 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 wait long to receive his for giveness.
 3. His kingdom restored (v. 13). 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. 32 :3-5).
 6. Apprehension of God (v. 13). Through this experience Manasseh came to know God.
 W. Manassehs Reformation (vv. 14-20). Manasseh was not content with merely receiving Gods forgive ness and restoration to his kingdom, but he sought so far as possible to undo the mischief which he had done. l. He strengthened the Notifications -G ll