July 23

From Manasseh to Josiah

Today's reading is pretty short, but still has some important things to teach us. Previously, we read about Manasseh and his depravity against the Lord. God would not allow it to continue so Manasseh was punished. In spite of all his past sins, Manasseh humbled himself and repented. Because of his genuine change of heart, God forgive and restored him. Throughout this year, I find myself being constantly amazed by God's ability to love and forgive flawed sinful people. It was not important that Manasseh had at one time deeply grieved God. All that mattered was his choice to return to Him.

Amon was like many of his predecessors and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. His reign started out just like his father Manasseh, but it ended very differently. Amon had the chance to choose God's way and did not. He refused to humble himself before God, which resulted in a violent end to his life.

Josiah was Amon's son and became king at the age of 8. Even though he was very young, he knew better than to follow the same path as his father. 2 Kings 22:2 says "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." He followed the command from Deuteronomy 6:5: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."