Repentance, In Exchange for Forgiveness

Introduction

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:9

1. Manasseh was evil

“1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.” —2 Chronicles 33:1-2

“3 Here built the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts.” —2 Chronicles 33:3-5

“6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing His anger.”
— 2 Chronicles 33:6-7

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
—Psalms 145:8

“9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.” —2 Chronicles 33:9

2. Manasseh was confronted and later Humbled

“10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.”
—2 Chronicles 33:10

“11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.”
—2 Chronicles 33:11

“12 In his distress he sought the favorof the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him,the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so, He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.”
—2 Chronicles 33:12-13

3. Manasseh repented and turned from his wickedness

“15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. 17 The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.”
—2 Chronicles 33:15-17

Conclusion

I stated this verse at the beginning!

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:9

“Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah.”
—Matthew 1:10