Preschool
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. Hebrews 11:30
Humbled by Affliction
Memory Verses
Primary
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. Hebrews 11:30
Junior
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. Hebrews 11:30
Background Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33
Lesson Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:1–6, 9–13
Introduction
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb 12:11). Although God allowed King Manasseh to suffer affliction, it was a work of grace. He did not destroy him for his wickedness; rather, he gave him time to humble himself and repent. The account of Manasseh is an example of a changed man through the mercies of God. We have this consolation: “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:18). This opportunity is still offered to all mankind.
Key Verse
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom. 2:4).
Lesson Scripture
2 Chronicles 33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
4 Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.
10 And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
11 Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
13 And prayed unto him: and was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
Studying the Lesson
Second Chronicles contains history of the kings of Israel and Judah from the time of King Solomon. This record acknowledges those kings who endeavored to please the Lord and of the blessings which followed them. It also records the evils that some kings allowed themselves and tells of the judgments that resulted. This history should have been available to each succeeding king either by word of mouth or in writing.
Second Chronicles 29–32 covers the twenty-nine years of King Hezekiah’s reign. He was the father of Manasseh, the king studied in this lesson. Early in King Hezekiah’s reign, he began to lead the people to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel and to trust in Him in all circumstances of life. His leading was very effective, and God abundantly blessed King Hezekiah. However, in the latter years of his reign, he was threatened by the king of Assyria, who also mocked him for trusting his God. The king of Assyria besieged Jerusalem and loudly advised the people that their king was deceiving them to believe that their God would deliver them.
In all that Hezekiah suffered, he humbled himself before the Lord, who gave him many riches and honor before the people. His son Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign. Being the son of a prosperous and honorable king likely caused him a certain pride and self-confidence. He knew that his father had received much criticism and mockery in the later years of his reign. This possibly set him on a course to try to prevent it from happening to him.
Manasseh set himself up to receive the praise of men and established in his kingdom many opportunities to worship the gods of the heathen. God warned Manasseh and his entire kingdom, but they disregarded his messages. God, in his mercy, allowed Manasseh to be carried into captivity by the king of Assyria, the very king who had mocked the power of God. In his bondage, Manasseh began to reconsider the warning that he had received and humbled himself before the Lord. Then God allowed him to return to Jerusalem. With that opportunity, Manasseh turned his worship toward God and removed the strange gods and idols from the land. He repaired the altars of God and sacrificed upon them.
We do not know the extent of his afflictions nor of his pleading with God. There is a vast difference when we compare his former life with his reign after he was humbled. Where he had lived a wicked life, he now humbly served God and offered his subjects the opportunity to do likewise.
Practical Truths for Today
There is much contained in the Scriptures that teach us how to live, but too many times we do not heed what is written. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” It is the duty of parents to teach and direct their children. Though some children, by their teen years, have learned to do what is right, others rebel and live disobediently to better knowledge.
The Bible teaches that judgment and destruction awaits those who do evil but salvation comes to those who yield to the will of God. Consider Psalm 73: “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked . . . Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end (vv. 2–3, 17).
“Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). We all face stresses in life. These could be mental, physical, financial, or some disappointment that hinders us. If any of these are troubling, there is direction in the Word: “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider” (Eccles. 7:14). Sometimes we may resist when God wants us to stop and take heed; however, “the wrath of man worketh not the righteous of God” (James 1:20).
Children often face disappointments in life because they do not get what they want. We may remember that as children not everything was to our liking, but we had to submit, or discipline was likely to come. If we learn that lesson well, life’s difficulties will be less troubling.
Sometimes a person may be humiliated by a lack of success in accomplishing his ideals. When these disappointments come, they either make us bitter or better persons. “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19). When we feel thwarted and find ourselves helpless, humbly asking for help and advice from God and our brethren may be the path to success. When the disciples thought they were about to perish, they cried out to the Lord, asking if He did not care. He cared very much and stilled the storm for them (Mark 4:35–41).
When we feel overwhelmed, God in mercy gives us opportunity to yield our cherished dreams to Him and receive his blessing. We may think of Jonah, Samson, or others who seemed to suffer undeservedly, but God used them as they submitted to his will. Noah was mocked by the people, but his humble obedience to God enabled his deliverance from the flood. We should not fear the ridicule of men but rather fear the judgment of God. Jesus taught that his followers would suffer trials and tribulation in this world, but He promised salvation to those who endure unto the end. When his disciples became mature Christians, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Lord’s sake.
The gospels record situations where those who were blind, lame, or leprous could not help themselves. Healing came when they did what they could, recognized their need, and sought help. Pride often hinders us from admitting our need and asking for assistance. The man Jesus met by the pool had an infirmity for thirty-eight years, but the fact that he desired to be healed made for the occasion to meet Jesus and be healed. Jesus also advised him to sin no more lest a worse thing come unto him (John 5:14). It is possible that some things that we consider afflictions are merely inconveniences. Self-pity is not likely to relieve us, nor is it ever the answer to our dilemma.
Questions
- Does living a humble life spare us from some affliction?
- Does being obedient to God’s Word prove our humility?
- What helps to see the value of affliction?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).