Repentance

 

    Repentance is a feeling of regret that leads a person to changing their mind and ways.  When we use the word in reference to God it is turning from sin to face God.  It is important that we all are capable of having repentance to be able to grow as a person.  It is vital that a leader has the ability of repentance otherwise they will be a tyrant.

    Manasseh was 12 when he became the King of Judah.  He reigned 55 years, so he had a lot of ups and downs as leader.  He did everything opposite of his father Hezekiah.  He was so young and probably a little angry.  The teen years are hard years and being thrown into that kind of role to lead while growing up in front of a nation is not ideal.

    Manasseh led the nation away from God.  God tried to talk to His people, but they ignored Him.  People are so fickle creatures.  God wanted to get their attention, so He allowed the Assyrians to invade and Manasseh was captured.  It took this humbling blow for him to turn to God.  When he finally called out in repentance, God listened and allowed him to return to Jerusalem.

    Manasseh did not repent to get out of trouble.  He repented in his heart and when he returned he restored Jerusalem to serve God.  He returned a changed man.  He had a close relationship with God for the rest of his life.  When he died, his son Amon became the king of Judah.  

    Amon was 22.  He was young, but old enough to know the difference between what was right and wrong.  He only reigned two years doing evil the way Manasseh had before he repented.  However, Amon did not humble himself and repent.  He rejected all the changes that his father had made and led his nation to a period of death.  His leadership led to his officials killing him.  Then the common people killed the assassins.  Amon's son, Josiah, became the King of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33