2 Chronicles 32-33: The Chains of God

The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 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. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 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 Chron. 33:10-13 NIV

Why is rebellion so attractive?  Often, rebellion is directed at anything previous generations subscribe to, especially the beliefs of our parents.  Such was the case with Manasseh.  His father Hezekiah had followed after God so Manasseh did exactly the opposite.  But the rebellion he followed after became a hard taskmaster.  Manasseh ended up bound in shackles with a hook in his nose, the same way sin binds us when we rebel.  His distress was so great that he finally sought the favor of the Lord and God's response, unlike that of most of us, was forgiveness and restoration. 

The freedom we think we will find by following the world rather than God is nothing but an illusion.  We can be bound by love or bound by sin which binds us twice as hard as God ever would.  Fortunately, God's love can break even the chains of the world.

2010 Post - 2 Chronicles 32-33:  With Him is Only The Arm of Flesh