2 Chronicles 33:1-9: a reflection

1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, made Asheroth, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. 4He built altars in the LORD’s house, of which the LORD said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.” 5He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of the LORD’s house. 6He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did much evil in the LORD’s sight, to provoke him to anger. 7He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in God’s house, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever. 8I will not any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law, the statutes, and the ordinances given by Moses.” 9Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah, and his sin was not his alone; the account says he seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than did the nations. His own evil was grievous, restoring idolatry, defiling the temple, practicing sorcery; but he also led his people into it, seducing a whole nation into wickedness. As king, his influence spread his evil to the people under him, and he drew them into sin. The harm he did was not contained to himself; through his influence, he led a whole people astray, causing them to do great evil.

Notice the harm Manasseh did through his influence: he led a whole people astray. His own wickedness was grave; but the account emphasizes that he seduced Judah, drawing his people into evil, so that they did more evil than the nations before them. His influence, as king, spread his sin to those under him; he did not sin in isolation but led others into it. The harm of leading others into wrong is great: through his influence, Manasseh caused a whole people to sin. Our influence can spread our evil to others, drawing them into wrong; and to lead others astray, as Manasseh led Judah, is a grave harm, adding the sin of others to our own. The corrupting influence of a leader reached a whole people.

That is worth taking to heart, for our influence can lead others into wrong, and this is a grave harm. We have influence over others, in our families, our positions, our example; and our sin can spread through that influence, drawing others into wrong, as Manasseh seduced Judah into evil. To lead others astray by our influence is a grave harm, adding their wrong to our own. Do not let your influence lead others into wrong; be mindful that your example and your leading can draw others into sin, as Manasseh seduced a whole people. Be mindful of the harm your influence can do in leading others into wrong, guarding against drawing them into your sin, as Manasseh seduced Judah into doing more evil than the nations; for our influence can spread our wrong to others, and to lead others astray is a grave harm, so that we do well to use our influence to lead others toward good rather than into wrong.

Lord, Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah, and his sin was not his alone; the account says he seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than did the nations. His own evil was grievous; but he also led his people into it, seducing a whole nation into wickedness. As king, his influence spread his evil to the people under him. Show me the harm Manasseh did through his influence: he led a whole people astray. His own wickedness was grave; but the account emphasizes that he seduced Judah, drawing his people into evil, so that they did more evil than the nations before them. His influence, as king, spread his sin to those under him; he did not sin in isolation but led others into it. The harm of leading others into wrong is great. Our influence can spread our evil to others, drawing them into wrong; and to lead others astray is a grave harm, adding the sin of others to our own. Take that to my heart, for my influence can lead others into wrong, and this is a grave harm. I have influence over others, in my families, my positions, my example; and my sin can spread through that influence, drawing others into wrong, as Manasseh seduced Judah into evil. To lead others astray by my influence is a grave harm. Keep me from letting my influence lead others into wrong; help me be mindful that my example and my leading can draw others into sin, Lord, as Manasseh seduced a whole people, and help me use my influence to lead others toward good rather than into wrong.