Readings for the week of 7/19-7/25/2009

2 Kings 2 Chronicles

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Isaiah speaks to those who refuse to hear or see. Some will reject the message because they are willfully stubborn, and others because they are caught up in material pursuits, or pleasurable diversions, or even false religious worship. Perhaps saddest of all, God’s message will sometimes be hidden from the common people by the very ones who ought to bring understanding—the religious leaders. Once again Isaiah singles out these leaders for special judgment. It is quite possible that this very condemnation proves to be the death knell for Isaiah, for tradition holds that Isaiah was sawn in two by his enemies during Manasseh’s reign.

As a result of his wicked leadership, Manasseh is taken captive to Babylon by the Assyrian army but while in exile with many of his fellow countrymen, he is conscience-stricken and sincerely repents. Consequently, God reestablishes Manasseh on the throne in Judah, and Manasseh does what he can to abolish the very idolatry he introduced. The historical record begins with a note about the Assyrian coup in which Sennacherib is assassinated by his own sons.

It is bout 650 B.C. and Sennacherib returned from defeat in disgrace to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. He was assassinated in 681 B.C. and was followed by his son Esarhaddon, who reigned for 11 years. The barbarous Ashurbanipal, who takes his army deep into Palestine and Egypt and destroys the Egyptian city of Thebes, succeeds Esarhaddon. The hallmark of the Assyrians at this time is not merely military success but ruthlessness and cruelty. They take great pride in maiming their enemies, and even boiling them in tar or skinning them alive.

Perhaps because the Ninevites have not shown appreciation for his mercy God now displays his wrath. While Manasseh is bringing about reforms in Judah, Nahum prophesies against Judah’s archenemy, Nineveh, and predicts her fall. Nineveh will be destroyed so completely that it will be some 2500 years before archaeological traces of this great city will be found. Before Nineveh’s fall, Manasseh’s reign will come to an end with his death. Manasseh’s son, Amon, supports idolatry and wickedness and is assassinated after a brief rule of 2 years. Josiah, the most godly King that Judah has ever known, succeeds him. Josiah takes the throne when he is only 8 years old and initiates sweeping reforms when he is 16.