We’ve been looking at 3 lessons I found in 2 Chronicles 33. Remember, it’s a bad news, good news, bad news story. Today the last bad news. Sorry to end this way, but this is how the story goes.
Manasseh had been a wicked king, but after his consequences--repentance--prayer God forgave him and re-established his kingdom where Manasseh was able to lead the people back to God.
The bad news is that he was not able to lead ALL the people back to God...and this included his own son who followed him as king.
2 Chronicles 33:21-24 (NIV) Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. 22 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. 23 But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the LORD; Amon increased his guilt. 24 Amon's officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace.
The bad news here is actually not that Amon was assassinated, but that he ignored his father’s sincere and humble change and return to God.
Lesson #3: Kids make their own decisions. Manasseh didn’t follow the example of his father (who was good) and Amon didn’t follow the example of his father (who had become good).
Bonus lesson: We aren’t guaranteed X number of years in this life to change. Amon was “taken out.” Car accidents, cancer, etc. You name it and we are very aware that tomorrow is not always going to happen. That’s why these words are so powerful:
2 Corinthians 6:2b (NIV) I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Don’t wait. You’re life depends on it. More than that, your kids, friends, co-workers, neighbors and many more are watching you TODAY.