Suffering; Enduring; Prisoners of War; Deliver Us From Evil; Crowned

Human suffering is due to our fallen world. Many people question Yahweh’s response to suffering. They wonder why he lets bad things happen or why he doesn’t fix bad situations. Seeing Yahweh as a puppet master is our first concern with this line of questions. What would it be like if we were sitting at a restaurant and we picked up a beer and were about to take a sip and the Lord slaps it out of our hand? Or what if we were at the grocery store and decided to buy a box of donuts. We select the donuts we want and put them in our shopping cart, but they disappear. We select another dozen donuts, and put them in our shopping cart and again they disappear. I recognize these are silly examples, but if Yahweh were to stop us every time we did something that wasn’t good for us, we would resent it. We would be like unthinking robots. Likewise if Yahweh stopped everyone who plans evil against the innocent, they would be robots. We certainly don’t mind bad people being robots, but we generally don’t want to be like robots ourselves. We like our freedom. As we saw with Hezekiah and Manasseh there is a payment that has to be made for sin. Someone has to pay the debt of sin. As sins increase in the world the debt grows, and the creation travails more and more. There is a wage to sin which is death. Paul writes to Timothy about the condition of our world. Let’s see what Paul says. Let’s also remember our studies of sporting with the devil. 

Job, Abraham, and Isaac, were not behaving in a sinful manner, yet they encountered accusations from the devil, so that they were plunged into situations that were difficult. There was a time when evangelists promised heaven on earth for new converts, yet that is never promised in the Bible. What is promised is suffering. Just as Jesus suffered to be the payment for our sins, we suffer in this world. Technically, there is really nowhere to live where there won’t be suffering in this age. The age of man was corrupted by the devil, the incorporeal satan, the fallen heavenly sons of God, and the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim. Everything has been corrupted; our air, our water, our food, which in turn corrupts our bodies. Our societies, our governments, our churches, have been corrupted which in turn corrupts our hearts’ with negative feelings. The Holy Spirit is our witness that we are children of the Most High God, even on days when we don’t feel like it.

Romans 8:16 G1473 [³itself G3588 ¹The G4151 ²spirit] G4828 bears witness together G3588 to G4151 our spirit, G1473   G3754 that G1510.2.4 we are G5043 children G2316 of God. 

There is one solution for the children of the Living God, which is to learn the truth which will then equip us for our time here on earth. As children we are heirs along with Christ and we will be glorified with our Lord Jesus. Paul explains.   

Romans 8:17 G1487 And if G1161   G5043 children, G2532 also G2818 heirs; G2818 heirs G3303 indeed G2316 of God, G4789 but joint-heirs G1161   G5547 of Christ; G1512 if indeed G4841 we suffer together, G2443 that G2532 also G4888 we should be glorified together. 

4841 LSJ Gloss:συμπάσχω to suffer together, be affected by the same thing

Dodson:συμπάσχω I suffer together with I suffer together with, sympathize.

Thayer:

1) to suffer or feel pain together 

2) to suffer evils (troubles, persecutions) in the like manner with another

συμπάσχω 

sumpaschō soom-pas'-kho From G4862 and G3958 (including its alternate); to experience pain jointly or of the same kind (specifically persecution; to “sympathize”) KJV Usage: suffer with.

3958 LSJ Gloss:πάσχω to receive an impression from without, to suffer

Dodson:πάσχω I am acted upon, suffer I am acted upon in a certain           way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

Thayer:

to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo 

1a) in a good sense, to be well off, in good case 

1b) in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight 

1b1) of a sick person

πάσχω, πάθω, πένθω 

paschō pathō penthō pas'-kho, path'-o, pen'-tho Apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) KJV Usage: feel, passion, suffer, vex.

We are living in enemy territory, a world hostile to the Living God. Once we claim our allegiance to Jesus, then we are enemies to all beings aligned with the devil, such as the incorporeal satan, the fallen sons of God, the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim and all humans who serve the evil usurpers. When one person in the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. Does it seem as if suffering is increasing? Paul continues to explain that our suffering is hardly anything compared to the glory about to be revealed in us. What does he mean? Consider verse 18 as a parenthetical phrase.

(Romans 8:18 G3049 For I consider G1063   G3754 that G3756 [⁶ are not G514 ⁷worthy to be compared G3588 ¹the G3804 ²sufferings G3588 ³of the G3568 ⁴present G2540 ⁵time] G4314 to G3588 the G3195 [²about to be G1391 ¹glory] G601 uncovered G1519 unto G1473 us. 19 G3588 For the G1063   G603 earnest expectation G3588 of the G2937 creation G3588 [²the G602 ³uncovering G3588 ⁴of the G5207 ⁵sons G3588   G2316 ⁶of God G553 ¹awaits]. )

3804LSJ Gloss:πάθημα anything that befals one, a suffering, calamity, misfortune

Dodson:πάθημα suffering, passion (a) suffering, affliction, (b) passion, emotion, (c) an undergoing, an enduring.

Thayer:

1) that which one suffers or has suffered 

1a) externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction 

1a1) of the sufferings of Christ 

1a2) also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured 

1b) of an inward state, an affliction, passion 

2) an enduring, undergoing, suffering

πάθημα 

pathēma path'-ay-mah From a presumed derivative of G3806; something undergone, that is, hardship or pain; subjectively an emotion or influence KJV Usage: affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

Paul is giving us a side note with verse 18. The pain we deal with now will be quickly forgotten when we, the sons of God, are revealed, apokalupsis. Paul’s vision was looking ahead to the time when all those who have confessed Jesus will be revealed from heaven.  If we suffer together, we are glorified together and the eager anticipation of the entire creation is waiting for the disclosure of the sons of God. In other words, whoever suffers together will appear together and the creation which was usurped nearly six thousand years ago will be freed from the slavery of corruption.

Romans 8:19 G3588 For the G1063   G603 earnest expectation G3588 of the G2937 creation G3588 [²the G602 ³uncovering G3588 ⁴of the G5207 ⁵sons G3588   G2316 ⁶of God G553 ¹awaits].  

The “uncovering”, the apocalypse of the children of the Most High God will bring freedom to the creation. On that day, the creation will be set free like the children of God. 

Romans 8:21 G3754 that G2532 even G1473 [³itself G3588 ¹the G2937 ²creation] G1659 shall be freed G575 from G3588 the G1397 slavery G3588   G5356 of corruption, G1519 unto G3588 the G1657 freedom G3588 of the G1391 glory G3588 of the G5043 children G3588   G2316 of God. 

  22 G1492 For we know G1063   G3754 that G3956 all G3588 the G2937 creation G4959 groans together, G2532 and G4944 suffers distress together, G891 as far as G3588 the G3568 present

As much as we, the children of the Living God, are in distress the creation is also in distress. Everything has been corrupted, but there will be a time when the revealing of the children who are joint heirs with Christ will be manifested and the world will heal. 

Jesus endured the cross so that he could release us from the devil by paying our ransom, this is literally what redemption means, a release effected by payment of ransom. The devil is holding people for ransom. Jesus suffered so that he could pay our ransom. Paul explains that even though Jesus is paying our price for sin we labor and are berated due to our hope in the Living God. 

1 Timothy 4:1-11 (KJV) 

1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 

3  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 

4  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 

5  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 

6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 

7  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 

8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 

10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

11  These things command and teach. 

1 Timothy 4:10 G1519 [²in G3778 this G1063 ¹for] G2532 also G2872 we tire in labor, G2532 and G3679 are berated, G3754 because G1679 we have hope G1909 upon G2316 a living God, G2198   G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G4990 deliverer G3956 of all G444 men, G3122 especially G4103 ones believing. 

3679 LSJ Gloss:ὀνειδίζω to throw a reproach upon

Dodson:ὀνειδίζω I reproach, revile, upbraid.

Thayer:

1) to reproach, upbraid, revile 

1a) of deserved reproach 

1b) of undeserved reproach, to revile 

1c) to upbraid, cast (favours received) in one's teeth

ὀνειδέζω 

oneidezō on-i-did'-zo From G3681; to defame, that is, rail at, chide, taunt KJV Usage: cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid.

We are berated, railed upon, or taunted, because we believe in the Living God. Yet the Living God, our Savior, is also berated, railed upon, and taunted.  Why would anyone berate the Creator, the Living God? It would seem more logical to berate the dead god of this world, as he only hacks and usurps, but cannot give life. Think about it, we humans are being held for ransom, and berating the Living God is simply an extension of berating us, or vice versa. Remembering our time period of Hezekiah, we see the king of Assyria and one of his servants, Rapsakes berate the Living God.  

4 Kings 19:4 Peradventure the Lord thy God will hear all the words of Rapsakes, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God and to revile him with the words which the Lord thy God has heard: and thou shalt offer thy prayer for the remnant that is found. 

5 So the servants of king Ezekias came to Esaias. 6 And Esaias said to them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of the Assyrians have blasphemed. 7 Behold, I send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a report, and shall return to his own land; and I will overthrow him with the sword in his own land.

Rapsakes says Hezekiah took down the high places and the altars of the Lord and that there isn’t a god who will deliver them from Assyria. Rapsakes also tells the people in the Hebrew language not to believe Hezekiah because the Lord sent him (Rapsakes) to destroy this place. What Rapsakes wanted was for everyone to surrender to him and go to Assyria. Rapsakes was claiming that he was more powerful than the Living God, Yahweh. Rapsakes leaves, finding that Assyria was at war, but sent a letter to Hezekiah saying not to trust the Living God. Hezekiah went to the temple and prayed. 

4 Kings 19:15 and said, O Lord God of Israel that dwellest over the cherubs, thou art the only god in all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherim, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 For truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have wasted the nations, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire: because they are no gods, but the works of men’s hands, wood and stone; and they have destroyed them. 19 And now, O Lord our God, deliver us out of his hand, and all the kingdoms of the earth shall know that thou alone art the Lord God.

Hezekiah did the only thing he could do, he prayed for deliverance. Isaiah prophesies to Hezekiah that the Lord heard his prayer. Then the angel of the Lord smote the Assyrians and Sennacherim was murdered by his own sons. Isaiah records this as well, Isaiah 37:4,17. 

Think about this. If this is the devil’s game, the way he sports with us, by chiding, berating, and reviling us and the Living God, shouldn’t we pray and ask the Living God to deliver us? Hezekiah didn’t direct the Lord in how to help, he simply asked for help. It was Yahweh’s prerogative to help by sending and angel to kill 185,000 Assyrians and Senecherim. 

An enemy berates, or reproaches, the Living God. Foolish people provoke His name. Picture this, humans held for ransom, being mocked and berated in a prisoner of war camp. The humans start to lose hope that they will be rescued. A Psalm of instruction for Asaph says this:

Psalm 74:1 Wherefore hast thou rejected us, O God, for ever? wherefore is thy wrath kindled against the sheep of thy pasture? 2 Remember thy congregation which thou hast purchased from the beginning; thou didst ransom the rod of thine inheritance; this mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt. 3 Lift up thine hands against their pride continually; because of all that the enemy has done wickedly in thy holy places. 

4 And they that hate thee have boasted in the midst of thy feast; they have set up their standards for signs, 5 ignorantly as it were in the entrance above; 6 they cut down its doors at once with axes as in a wood of trees; they have broken it down with hatchet and stone cutter. 7 They have burnt thy sanctuary with fire to the ground; they have profaned the habitation of thy name. 8 They have said in their heart, even all their kindred together, Come, let us abolish the feasts of the Lord from the earth. 9 We have not seen our signs; there is no longer a prophet; and God will not know us any more. 

10 How long, O God, shall the enemy reproach? shall the enemy provoke thy name forever? 11 Wherefore turnest thou away thine hand, and thy right hand from the midst of thy bosom for ever? 12 But God is our King of old; he has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth…..

18 Remember this thy creation: an enemy has reproached the Lord, and a foolish people has provoked thy name. 19 Deliver not to the wild beasts a soul that gives praise to thee: forget not for ever the souls of thy poor. 20 Look upon thy covenant: for the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of iniquity. 21 let not the afflicted and shamed one be rejected: the poor and needy shall praise thy name. 22 Arise, O God, plead thy cause: remember thy reproaches that come from the foolish one all the day. 23 Forget not the voice of thy suppliants: let the pride of them that hate thee continually ascend before thee.

Even though the prideful men do wicked things, the Lord has not forsaken us. He sent His Son. This song asks the Living God not to forget the humble, but instead to remember the prideful people who hate the Lord. The Lord is well aware of the evil and prideful people who speak out against him and us. Jesus even told us to rejoice in this.  

Matthew 5:10 G3107 Blessed are G3588 the ones G1377 having been persecuted G1752 because of G1343 righteousness, G3754 for G1473 of them G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens. 

  11 G3107 Blessed G1510.2.5 are you G3752 whenever G3679 they should berate G1473 you, G2532 and G1377 persecute, G2532 and G2036 shall say G3956 every G4190 wicked G4487 saying G2596 against G1473 you G5574 in lying, G1752 because of G1473 me. 

  12 G5463 Rejoice G2532 and G21 exult, G3754 for G3588   G3408 your wage G1473   G4183 is great G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens! G3779 for so G1063   G1377 they persecuted G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588   G4253 before G1473 you. 

Our payment is going to be substantial, just like the prophets. Are we going to be persecuted for being righteous? Are we going to be berated? Peter tells us that we are blessed because the glory and the Spirit of the Living God will give us rest. 

1 Peter 4:12-14 (KJV) 

12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

We are partakers in Christ’s suffering, and we will glory when he will be revealed, apokalupsis, at his apocalypse, appearing. We will reign with him. We are to endure, not suffer, but survive. 

2 Timothy 2:11-18 (KJV) 

11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 

12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 

13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

2 Timothy 2:12 G1487 if G5278 we endure, G2532 also G4821 we shall reign together; G1487 if G720 we deny, G2548 that one also G720 will deny G1473 us; 

5278LSJ Gloss:ὑπομένω to stay behind, survive

Dodson:ὑπομένω I remain behind, endure

(a) I remain behind, (b) I stand my ground, show endurance, (c) I endure, bear up against, persevere.

Thayer:

1) to remain 

1a) to tarry behind 

2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee 

2a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ 

2b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments

ὑπομένω 

hupomenō hoop-om-en'-o From G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere KJV Usage: abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

The idea is not to flee but to remain. Many people reject the Lord when  persecution comes upon them. The pressure of suffering makes some people believe that Yahweh doesn’t love them or is not helping them. This word usually translated suffering is really endure. In Hezekiah’s case, he had destroyed all the idols and altars of the devil-worshipping people. The country was in a better place even though there were plenty of intentionally evil people whose hearts and souls were incurably severed from Yahweh. One might think that Hezekiah should have had a special dispensation to not have to deal with evil. But when the children of wrath came against Hezekiah and mocked him as well as the Living God, Hezekiah did the only thing he could, he went to the temple, fell on his face, and asked for deliverance. He didn’t get mad at Yahweh, reminding Yahweh of all the things he did to try and get Judah back on track. He didn’t forsake Yahweh deciding that the pressure he was receiving was too hard. Hezekiah endured. Notice what David writes. 

Psalm 25:3 G2532   G1063 For G3956 all G3588 the G5278 ones remaining G1473 with you G3766.2 in no way G2617 shall be disgraced. G153 Let [⁴be ashamed G3588 ¹the G457.1 ²ones acting lawlessly G1246.1 ³without cause]! 

David says that if we stay put, if we don’t flee, if we simply remain in the midst of the storm, we will not be disgraced. Why should we have to endure hardship, shouldn’t Yahweh protect us like china dolls? Understanding that we are actually prisoners of war living in a p.o.w. camp, we remain steady in our salvation. We stand our ground in our firm belief that Yahweh is our Living God. And when the persecution seems too great, we ask Him for deliverance. David also says this.

Psalm 27:14 G5278 Wait on G3588 the G2962 lord! G407 Be manly G2532 and G2901 fortify G3588   G2588 your heart, G1473   G2532 and G5278 wait G3588 on the G2962 lord! 

Being manly means to be brave. This expression is used several times in the Bible. The devil has been beating the men of earth down to the degree that they don’t feel brave, but men are to be brave. We are to strengthen our own heart. Encourage one another to make hearts strong. Just as the adam had a personal relationship with Yahweh, all men and women should have a personal relationship with Yahweh. That is why men and women can be strong or manly. A manly person has the confidence and empowerment of the Living God within. That strength is a strong tower. This is not a loud boisterous bloviator, but a quiet strength like a brick wall.   

Paul suggests this as well 

1 Corinthians 16:13 G1127 Be vigilant! G4739 Stand firmly G1722 in G3588 the G4102 belief! G407 Be manly! G2901 Be fortified! 

In other words, just do it. Endure. In our age we can utilize the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit to activate and fortify our heart. 

Psalm 37:34 G5278 Wait G3588 on the G2962 lord, G2532 and G5442 guard G3588   G3598 his way! G1473   G2532 and G5312 he shall exalt G1473 you G3588   G2624.1 to inherit G3588 the G1093 land, G1722 in G3588 the one G1842 [³being utterly destroyed G268 ²sinners G3708 ¹you will see]. 

David encourages people to wait, endure, and remain; and if they do, they will see sinners being utterly destroyed. We will see sinners destroyed. It may not be in our lifetime, but it will happen when the incurably severed stand before the Lord at his white throne judgment. The heirs of Jacob who have endured will inherit the land during the millennial reign. Jesus will gather them from heaven and earth to populate Israel. The Body of Christ will rule and reign as kings and priests. Zephaniah tells us that the Lord wants us to wait on him for the day of His rising.  

Zephaniah 3:8 G1223 On account of G3778 this G5278 wait G1473 for me, G3004 says G2962 the lord, G1519 for G2250 the day G386 of my rising up, G1473   G1519 for G3142 a testimony! G1360 For G3588   G2917 my judgment G1473   G1519 shall be for G4864 a gathering G1484 of nations, G3588   G1523 to take G935 kings, G3588   G1632 to pour out G1909 upon G1473 them G3588   G3709 [³anger G1473 ²of my G3956 ¹all], G3709 the anger G2372 of my rage. G1360 For G1722 [⁵by G4442 ⁶ the fire G2205 ⁷of my zeal G1473   G2654 ⁴shall be consumed G3956 ¹all G3588 ²the G1093 ³earth]. 

  9 G3754 For G5119 then G3344 I will transfer G1909 upon G2992 the peoples G1100 one tongue G1519 for G1074 her generation, G1473   G3588   G1941 for all to call upon G3956   G3588 the G3686 name G2962 of the lord, G3588   G1398 to serve G1473 him G5259 under G2218 [²yoke G1520 ¹one]. 

The millennial kingdom will be for a race of people, not a group of people who lived during one particular period of time. Generation is not the best translation of this word. The race, or family, will be made up of people who call on the name of the Lord and they will serve him. This is why we are told to wait for Him. Endure and don’t flee. Jesus tells us to remain, or endure, and we will be delivered. 

Matthew 10:22 G2532 And G1510.8.5 you will be G3404 detested G5259 by G3956 all G1223 on account of G3588   G3686 my name. G1473   G3588 But the one G1161   G5278 remaining G1519 unto G5056 completion, G3778 this one G4982 shall be delivered. 

And again. 

Matthew 24:13 G3588 But the G1161   G5278 one remaining G1519 unto G5056 the end, G3778 this one G4982 shall be delivered. 

We see that the key here is to not walk away from the Lord if we expect deliverance. We have to choose to wait and stand strong in the middle of the storm. We are living as prisoners whether we like it our not. Those who sell out to the devil always get better treatment in prison than those who endure or stand their ground with the Most High God. Yahweh will not control us and make us stay, however James tells us that if we do endure, we will be blessed with a reward. 

James 1:12 G3107 Blessed is G435 a man G3739 who G5278 endures G3986 test; G3754 for G1384 [²unadulterated G1096 ¹becoming], G2983 he shall receive G3588 the G4735 crown G3588   G2222 of life, G3739 which G1861 [³promised G3588 ¹the G2962 ²Lord] G3588 to the ones G25 loving G1473 him. 

Only those who endure and love the Lord receive a crown of life. If one confesses Jesus as Lord, but runs from the Lord, that one may still be saved, but will not receive any rewards. It seems that if we must suffer and endure, and be berated, we might as well not flee, but should stand so that we can receive our reward. We all get beat up by the devil and his minions. We can either stand strong and strengthen our heart, or faint and not receive a reward. Either way, we will still get beat on by the devil. We might as well make it worth something. 

James 5:11 G2400 Behold, G3106 we declare happy G3588 the ones G5278 enduring. G3588 The G5281 endurance G* of Job G191 you have heard, G2532 and G3588 the G5056 end G2962 by the Lord G1492 you know; G3754 that G4184 [²very compassionate G1510.2.3 ¹he is] G2532 and G3629 pitying. 

The endurance of Job is a great example. James declares that we are blessed to endure because Yahweh is very compassionate and merciful. Yahweh doesn’t want us to suffer, but we have to learn how not to. He cannot control us like robots and then expect us to love Him. We have to learn, like Job, that Yahweh isn’t hurting us, the devil is. We have to learn that the things the devil tempts us with are not worth anything but momentary pleasure, while the things that Yahweh offers us will be eternal.  

1 Peter 2:20 G4169 For what G1063   G2811 fame G1487 if G264 sinning G2532 and G2852 [²being buffeted G5278 ¹you endure]? G235 But G1487 if G15 doing good G2532 and G3958 suffering G5278 you endure, G3778 this G5484 is favorable G3844 with G2316 God. 

It makes sense to be punished for doing something wrong. But to be punished without doing anything wrong and yet enduring, is called charis, “grace or favor with Yahweh”. Paul tells us why this is happening and why it seems that there are more intentionally evil people around.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (KJV) 

1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 

2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 

4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly vain women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 

7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 

9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 

People intentionally participating in evil to fulfill their own lusts bring sin, death, and destruction, to everyone else on the earth. Then there are those who intentionally plot evil towards others. They bring targeted hardships to the innocent. We must include the fallen heavenly sons of God, the devil and the incorporeal satan, who were not created as life-givers, but whom want our worship and attention. Earth seems rather messy for the children of the Living God. Let patient endurance prevail.

2 Timothy 3:10 (KJV) 

10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 

2 Timothy 3:10 G1473 But you G1161   G3877 have closely followed G1473 my G3588   G1319 instruction G3588 in the G72 conduct, G3588 in the G4286 intention, G3588 in the G4102 belief, G3588 in the G3115 long-suffering, G3588 in the G26 love, G3588 in the G5281 endurance, 

3115 Dodson:μακροθυμία patience, forbearance patience, forbearance, longsuffering.

Thayer:

1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance 

2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

For Synonyms see entry G5861

μακροθυμία 

makrothumia mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah From the same as G3116; longanimity, that is, (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude KJV Usage: longsuffering, patience.

Longsuffering is patient endurance. It is a nice way of saying “enduring for a long time”. But we are not alone in our struggle; the Holy Spirit helps us as we walk in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes long-suffering is translated leniency. This suggests that we are to let things go if others around us are behaving badly towards us, we simply let it go. It suggests being quick to forgive.

Galatians 5:22 G3588 But the G1161   G2590 fruit G3588 of the G4151 spirit G1510.2.3 is G26 love, G5479 joy, G1515 peace, G3115 leniency, G5544 graciousness, G19 goodness, G4102 belief, 

  23 G4236 gentleness, G1466 self-control; G2596 against G3588   G5108 such things G3756 there is no G1510.2.3   G3551 law. 

Paul tells us that he was persecuted, suffering pain. As Paul traveled preaching, the religious people were chasing him. They didn’t like the good news. 

2 Timothy 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 

2 Timothy 3:11 G3588 in the G1375 persecutions, G3588 in the G3804 sufferings, G3634 such as G1473 happened to me G1096   G1722 in G* Antioch, G1722 in G* Iconium, G1722 in G* Lystra-- G3634 of such G1375 persecutions G5297 I endured. G2532 And G1537 from out of G3956 all G1473 [³rescued me G4506   G3588 ¹the G2962 ²Lord]. 

5297 LSJ Gloss:ὑποφέρω to carry away under

Dodson:ὑποφέρω I endure, suffer I bear up under, endure, suffer.

Thayer:

1) to bear by being under, bear up (a thing placed on one's shoulders) 

2) to bear patiently, to endure

ὑποφέρω 

hupopherō hoop-of-er'-o From G5259 and G5342; to bear from underneath, that is, (figuratively) to undergo hardship

KJV Usage: bear, endure.

The Lord rescued Paul. The Lord delivered Paul. Paul had to suffer, but he endured patiently. Yahweh will make a way out of the suffering for us, but we need to remember patience. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 G3986 A test G1473 [³you G3756 ¹has not G2983 ²taken] G1508 except G442 what belongs to a human; G4103 [³is trustworthy G1161 ¹but G3588   G2316 ²God], G3739 who G3756 will not G1439 allow G1473 you G3985 to be tested G5228 above G3739 what G1410 you are able; G235 but G4160 will make G4862 with G3588 the G3986 test G2532 also G3588 the G1545 way out, G3588   G1410 [²to be able G1473 ¹for you] G5297 to endure. 

3986 LSJ Gloss:πειρασμός trial, temptation

Dodson:πειρασμός trial, testing, temptation (a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction.

Thayer:

1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving 

1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 

4:14) 

1b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy 

1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances 

1b2) an internal temptation to sin 

1b2a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand 

1b3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness 

1b4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness 

1c) temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men 

1c1) rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves

πειρασμός 

peirasmos pi-ras-mos' From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity KJV Usage: temptation, X try.

What is a test? It is an experiment. We are not lab rats for Yahweh  we are treated like lab rats by the devil. The devil accuses us before the throne of the Lord day and night. The devil puts the pressure on us. Every push and every shove by the evil one and his cohorts is an attempt to make us fall. If we truly had the vision of this we would see ourselves surrounded by evil spiritual beings and evil people, intentionally knocking into us, intentionally harassing us, intentionally tripping us. We would also see other evil spiritual beings and evil people surrounding us and tempting us with lusts such as drugs, sexual desires, foods, money. If we see it for what it is, we would understand that this tug of war is what we are to endure. There is nothing new under the sun. We all go through these trials and temptations. We do ourselves a favor when we resist the bait, but we have to endure the pushing, shoving, and tripping. Then the Lord will deliver us. If he protected us from the persecution we would not learn to spar or sport with the devil. If he shielded us from the calamities and affliction, we would not understand the depths of evil. If he controlled our behaviors, we would be robots. If we get pushed around and we fight back, we become stronger and wiser.   

2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

2 Timothy 3:12 G2532 [²even G3956 ³all G1161 ¹But] G3588 the ones G2309 wanting G2153 [²piously G2198 ¹to live] G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G1377 shall be persecuted. 

1377 LSJ Gloss:διώκω to pursue

Dodson:διώκω I pursue, persecute I pursue, hence: I persecute.

Thayer:

1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away 

2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after 

2a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal 

2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner) 

3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one 

3a) to persecute 

3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something 

4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone 

5) metaph., to pursue 

5a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

διώκω 

diōkō dee-o'-ko A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb δίω diō (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute KJV Usage: ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.

If you are a child of the Most High God, you will be pursued by evil. You will be surrounded by evil. One of the mistakes we make is to not even pray about it. We endure without asking for help. David sang his prayers to the Lord. 

Psalm 7:0 G5568 A psalm G3588 to G* David G3739 which G103 he sang G3588 to the G2962 lord, G5228 because of G3588 the G3056 words G* of Cush G5207 son of G* Benjamin. 

  1 G2962 O lord G3588   G2316 my God, G1473   G1909 upon G1473 you G1679 I hope. G4982 Deliver G1473 me G1537 from G3956 all G3588 the ones G1377 pursuing G1473 me, G2532 and G4506 rescue G1473 me! 

David asks for the Lord to deliver him and to rescue him. David asked. Hezekiah asked. Neither directed the Lord in how to deliver them. Neither directed the Lord in what to do to the enemy. They simply asked. It reminds us of the prayer Jesus told us to pray, “deliver us from evil”. Jesus told the disciples that they would be persecuted just like he was. 

John 15:20 G3421 Remember G3588 the G3056 word G3739 which G1473 I G2036 said G1473 to you! G3756 [³not G1510.2.3 ²is G1401 ¹A servant] G3173 greater than G3588   G2962 his master. G1473   G1487 If G1473 me G1377 they persecuted, G2532 also G1473 you G1377 they shall persecute. G1487 If G3588   G3056 [²my word G1473   G5083 ¹they give heed to], G2532 then G3588   G5212 [²yours G5083 ¹they will give heed to]. 

If religious people persecuted Jesus, religious people will probably persecute us. If some people listened to Jesus, some people may listen to us. Paul paints a gloomy picture for us. 

1 Corinthains 4:11 G891 As far as G3588 the G737 present G5610 hour G2532 we both G3983 hunger, G2532 and G1372 thirst, G2532 and G1130 are naked, G2532 and G2852 are buffeted, G2532 and G790 unsettled; 

  12 G2532 and G2872 we tire G2038 working G3588 with our own G2398   G5495 hands. G3058 Being reviled, G2127 we bless; G1377 being persecuted, G430 we endure; 

  13 G987 being blasphemed, G3870 we appeal; G5613 as G4027 the rubbish G3588 of the G2889 world, G1096 we were G3956 of all G4067 the sweepings G2193 until G737 now

Life doesn’t sound so grand does it? If we see people living a glorious life, we can be assured they are living for the devil. It doesn’t matter if they are movie stars, political leaders, or religious leaders. If we see people who are, hungry, thirsty, naked, buffeted, unsettled, tired, reviled, persecuted, enduring, blasphemed, we can guess that they are not living for the devil. When one person suffers in the Body of Christ, all suffer. Creation suffers. However, eternity is far more important than this age. 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 

15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

17  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

There is profit to the scriptures. People may become more evil, but we are to continue in the ways of the Lord. We can become perfect through our trials. We can become perfected through our endurance. 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV) 

1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 

2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 

Turning to fables within the Body of Christ is simply the devil’s game of attempting to get us off-track with Yahweh. In fact, as we see from studying the Bible, there are many subjects and many ideas that have been wrongly communicated over the centuries. Today we are prisoners of war. Jesus is coming to redeem us, releasing us from the bondage of the devil with the payment of His own blood, ransoming us. When the sons of the Living God are revealed at the end of the tribulation, the earth will start to heal. Suffering, berating, and enduring, are a part of our lives for now. How well we overcome determines our reward, a glory not to be compared to anything we see on the earth today. Remain, do not flee, do not falter. Be brave, be manly. The Holy Spirit is bearing witness with our own spirit that we are the children of the Most High, Living, God.

Manasseh; Cesarean Sections; Abortion; Minor Prophets; Redemption and Forgiveness

Who is redeemable and who is not? Last week we read about people who are irretrievably severed from Yahweh because of their own corrupt heart and soul. Yet redemption is possible before that point. Thankfully, with Yahweh, not everything is clear cut or cut and dried. We cannot determine who is spiritually incurable or irretrievably severed from the Lord, only Yahweh can. It is hardly appropriate for us to make a judgment of who may be severed, because we see some things written in the Bible that might challenge our own preconceived ideas. Yet we are to judge as to what is good and what is evil. Manasseh/Manasses was one of the most evil kings recorded in the Bible, yet he found repentance and redemption and forgiveness for his sins. He became someone to imitate. His father Hezekiah cleaned up the region of Judah, but the stronghold of corrupt people with evil minds and evil behaviors continued in their positions of power. The cleansing was not internal, it didn’t change the peoples’ hearts and souls, but was simply external as people went right back to their idolatrous sins when Manasseh came to power. We should look at some of the things that Yahweh points out to his prophets just prior to Manasseh’s reign. We see evil practices that Yahweh condemns. We also see bold prophets, who are considered minor prophets, speaking out against this evil. Micah calls out false prophets who seem very similar to people on public platforms today. Let’s consider Manasseh, and historical records of the time period.

2 Chronicles 33:1 Manasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 

Our first clue that things would turn out badly is Manasseh’s age. Twelve year old’s do not have the wisdom or life experiences to understand spiritual matters. Manasseh did not see his father cleaning up the high places, the booths of prostitution, and the fire pits of baal sacrifice, because that happened before he was born. At twelve years old did he really understand those things? Once he came to power his advisors and servants would counsel him. 

Hezekiah was twenty five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for twenty nine years, making him fifty four when he died. He cleaned out all the baal worship in Judah and Jerusalem. In Ezekias/Hezekiah’s day, Assyria took over Samaria. Then the Assyrians sent people to taunt Hezekiah in the Hebrew language. Hezekiah sent servants to Isaiah and twice Isaiah prophesied as a result. Then an angel of the Lord kills the Assyrians during the night. Hezekiah gets sick and Isaiah tells him to put his affairs in order because he was going to die. Then the Lord tells Isaiah to go back and give him another message. 

4 Kings 20:4 {2 Kings 20} And Esaias was in the middle court, and the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 Turn back, and thou shalt say to Ezekias the ruler of my people, Thus saith the Lord God of thy father David, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up to the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add to thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant’s David sake. 

The sign of the Lord’s word was the sundial receding ten degrees. Hezekiah rejoiced in his healing and then made a mistake. The Babylonians were on good terms with Judah. Some ambassadors came to see Hezekiah as they heard he was sick. Hezekiah rejoiced in his healing with them and showed the Babylonians the storehouses of the Lord. Now Isaiah prophesies that there will be a day when all the treasures will end up in Babylon along with some of his sons who will be made eunuchs. Hezekiah saw this as good for him and his time of peace instead of lamenting for the future generation. This is the time period that Manasseh was born, about three years after Hezekiah’s healing. 

What had been taking place in Judah prior to this time? The prophets Micah, Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah, were prophesying about some strange things. Most people don’t like reading the minor prophets because they do not understand the background of what was taking place. Their messages seem harsh and out of place with the fairytale stories we have been told regarding Israel and Judah. Since we have studied this over the last few weeks, we can gain a better understanding of the short directed messages these people were speaking to the people. 

Micah lived and prophesied during the time of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Micah speaks of the same type of people that Solomon did, people who plan trouble for the innocent.

Micah 2:1 They meditated troubles, and wrought wickedness on their beds, and they put it in execution with the daylight; for they have not lifted up their hands to God. 2 And they desired fields, and plundered orphans, and oppressed families, and spoiled a man and his house, even a man and his inheritance. 

The people were calculating evil or pain. They brought evil to their marriage bed. They did these things during the day, or in other words they were not hiding what they were doing. They lusted after other people’s land (remember Ahab and Jezebel?). They robbed and seized orphans, those without parents. What would they do with orphans? Think. They also overpowered and oppressed households. They stole everything people had inherited over the years. Property and possessions that had been in families for generations were being stolen. It sounds like a great society where everything the masses had was taken, and those who were dominant were showing loyalty to the baals with their deviant behaviors. Again, is there anything new under the sun? 

Micah 3:1 And he shall say, Hear now these words, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and ye remnant of the house of Israel; is it not for you to know judgment? 2 who hate good, and seek evil; who tear their skins off them, and their flesh off their bones: 3 even as they devoured the flesh of my people, and stripped their skins off them, and broke their bones, and divided them as flesh for the caldron, and as meat for the pot, 4 thus they shall cry to the Lord, but he shall not hearken to them; and he shall turn away his face from them at that time, because they have done wickedly in their practices against themselves.

Micah wants to know if the people of Jacob can understand crimes and the law. Can they make a decision as to what is criminal under the Mosaic and societal law? Can they judge the people who hate, detest, and persecute the things that are beautiful, good, and intrinsic? Can they decide against those who are desiring evil, harm, and oppression? These evil people are seizing the skin off their bodies and the flesh off their bones. In other words these evil people who are planning wickedness are skinning and filleting the people. They were devouring the innocent masses. Physically they were practicing cannibalism as that is part of ritual baal worship, and figuratively they were consuming them so completely there was nothing left of them. 

Maybe we have been taught not to “judge” people, but that has been taken completely out of context. Micah wants people to judge these things. We should be able to discern and make rational equitable judgements regarding people who intentionally plan evil. As Solomon wrote many years before, the twisted heart and the corrupted soul may become irretrievable from eternal death. Now Micah is going to rebuke the false prophets. 

Micah 3:5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that lead my people astray, that bit with their teeth, and proclaim peace to them; and when nothing was put into their mouth, they raised up war against them: 6 therefore there shall be night to you instead of a vision, and there shall be to you darkness instead of prophecy; and the sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be dark upon them. 7 And the seers of night-visions shall be ashamed, and the prophets shall be laughed to scorn: and all the people shall speak against them, because there shall be none to hearken to them. 8 Surely I will strengthen myself with the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of power, to declare to Jacob his transgressions, and to Israel his sins.

The prophets were causing people to be led astray. To relate that to today, we are not only speaking of prophets in the church, but in government as well, who promise a chicken in every pot and free benefits if we let them lead us. Although history has never proven that to be successful. Who are the false prophets misleading? Yahweh’s laos, the laity. The false prophets are biting the laity with their teeth, or cleaning the meat off their bones, while heralding public peace. Yahweh says that these words were not given to them. The false prophets are even making war against the people a holy thing. In other words, the false prophets are claiming their words are from Yahweh and they have to fight the people who are resisting the false prophets. 

Isn’t it interesting that we see this today in our own political arenas. Somehow there seems to be a war against women, because the false prophets believe infanticide should be the right of everyone except the newborn baby. Anyone disagreeing with infanticide is said to be waging a war against women. Why is this being done? Both then and now it is for baal worship, the sacrificing and eating the flesh and drinking the blood of babies. It is also for harvesting organs and fetal tissue, and ritual purposes. But it is also a strategy of war. Now we may think that this is a new tactic, but as we see Micah calling it out we recognize that it is not. Neither is cutting open the womb/matrix to remove a baby, or in our terms, cesarean sections. In our recent history we have this type of war exposed with The Negro Project (see the foundation of “Planned Parenthood”). 

Let’s read what Amos says. Amos lived and prophesied during the time of Uzziah and Jeroboam II (of the northern kingdom) which was during the time of Jotham and Ahaz. As a side note in history, see Uzziah and the earthquake. https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/04/uzziah-and-earthquake-son-of-perdition.html

The Galaadites were people living in Gilead, the mountains east of Jordan combining the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Gilead is a large region from the river Jabbok to Lake Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee). North of Gilead is Damascus Syria, and south of Gilead is Ammon, a tribe derived from the incestuous relationship of Lot and his daughter. The region was known for a balsam or oil called “lord or chief of oils” from the Balsamodendron opobalsamum (Commiphora gileadensis or Amyris opobalsamum of Linnaeus). This was a healing oil which also may have been used in the temple for its fragrance. It is not a resin, but is said to weep, as in liquid form. People made an ointment out of this oil. Keep this in mind. 

Amos 1:3 And the Lord said, For three sins of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away from it; because they sawed with iron saws the women with child of the Galaadites.

Yahweh seems as if he would be merciful overlooking three or four sins but he will not turn away from this sin. The Syrians sawed through, or cut in two, with iron saws, the pregnant women. What did they do? They preformed cesarean sections on pregnant woman. We don’t know exactly why the Syrians did this. Was this a ritual or were they experimenting? There was a healing oil in Gilead. The Ammonites did the same thing to the Galaadites. 

Amos 1:13 Thus saith the Lord; For three sins of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away from him; because they ripped up the women with child of the Galaadites, that they might widen their coasts.

The people of Ammon wanted to increase their population so that they could increase their borders. They stole babies who were in utero, and added to their population. People were not supposed to be cutting open the womb/matrix and taking out the babies of the Galaadite women. The northern enemies were sawing open women and taking the babies and the southern enemies were ripping open women and taking out babies. This was probably not a “new” type of surgery, but one used for dominance. They had a healing oil that was well known in those days and they probably used it medicinally. At this same point in history we see the northern kingdom, Samaria dealing with the same practices. 

Hosea lived and prophesied during the time of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He married a prostitute as a prophetic analogy for the people. In his prophecy of the destruction of Samaria he notes this practice which sounds like our modern day abortion. 

Osee 14:1 {Hosea 13:16}  Samaria shall be utterly destroyed: for she has resisted her God; they shall fall by the sword, and their sucklings shall be dashed against the ground, and their women with child ripped up.

This is the incident. Elisha prophesied regarding Hazael/Azael. Ben-hadad II, king in Damascus, sent Hazael to Elisha to find out if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha tells Hazael to say to Ben-hadad that he would recover, but he really would not recover. Elisha tells Hazael that he sees what he is going to do. Hazael goes back to Ben-hadad and tells him that he will live, then takes a wet cloth and suffocates him. Hazael then is ruler in Damascus.  

4 Kings 8:12 {2 Kings 8:12} And Azael said, Why does my lord weep? And he said, Because I know all the evil that thou wilt do to the children of Israel: thou wilt utterly destroy their strong holds with fire, and thou wilt slay their choice men with the sword, and thou wilt dash their infants against the ground, and their women with child thou wilt rip up. 

After he became king in Damascus, Hazael went to Gilead and cut open women there as Amos told us. This was Hazael’s act of war. We don’t know if he was killing the babies in Gilead, or taking them to Damascus, but in Samaria he was ripping them up, which is one way we abort babies today, piece by piece. Murdering babies, whether as an act of sacrifice to baal or in an act of war, is once again the devil’s plan for being a life destroyer instead of a life giver. As we have noted in previous weeks, humans are created as life givers, like our Heavenly Father. The devil is a life destroyer. If people are inspired to murder, especially babies in the matrix/womb, they are driven by demonic spirits, and ultimately the devil. This practice happened once again in Israel.  

During the years of Uzziah (southern kingdom), king Menahem killed king Shallum of Samaria and took over the reign of Israel. 

4 Kings 15:16 {2 Kings 15:16} Then Manaem smote both Thersa and all that was in it, and its borders extending beyond Thersa, because they opened not to him: and he smote it, and ripped up the women with child.

These were the events that were taking place just prior to Manasseh’s birth. Evil people were either aborting babies or cutting them out of their mother’s womb and kidnapping them. Now Manasseh was young when he took over the kingdom. Let’s go back to Manasseh. 

2 Chronicles 33:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord destroyed from before the face of the children of Israel. 3 And he returned and built the high places, which his father Ezekias had pulled down, and set up images to Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord, concerning which the Lord said, In Jerusalem shall be my name for ever. 5 And he built altars to all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 He also passed his children through the fire in the valley of Benennom; and he divined, and used auspices, and sorceries, and appointed those who had divining spirits, and enchanters, and wrought abundant wickedness before the Lord, to provoke him. 7 And he set the graven image, the molten statue, the idol which he made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name for ever; 8 and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I gave to their fathers, if only they will take heed to do all things which I have commanded them, according to all the law and the ordinances and the judgments given by the hand of Moses. 9 So Manasses led astray Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to do evil beyond all the nations which the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel. 

Here is a list of Manasseh’s sins. 

1. Built high places

2. Set up an images/altars to the baals

3. Made groves as Ahab did 

4. Worshipped the angel armies of heaven

5. Served the angel armies of heaven

6. Built altars in the temple

7. Built altars to the angel armies of heaven in the two courts of the temple

8. Passed children through the fire in Hinnom/Benennom

9. He divined, a form of deduction

10. Used auspices, prophetic tokens

11. Used sorceries

12. Appointed diviners

13. Appointed enchanters, a sorcerer who puts people under spells 

14. Brought wickedness before the Lord provoking Him

15. Set graven images, molten statues, idols in the temple

16. Shed innocent blood

Manasseh came to be known as the Nero of Palestine. Power can corrupt people, yet in Manasseh’s case his heart and soul were not irretrievably corrupted. 

4 Kings 21:10 {2 Kings 21:10} And the Lord spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, 11 Forasmuch as Manasses the king of Juda has wrought all these evil abominations, beyond all that the Amorite did, who lived before him, and has led Juda also into sin by their idols, 12 it shall not be so. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I bring calamities upon Jerusalem and Juda, so that both the ears of every one that hears shall tingle. 13 And I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measure of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Achaab {Ahab}: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a jar is wiped, and turned upside down in the wiping. 14 And I will reject the remnant of my inheritance, and will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; and they shall be for a plunder and for a spoil to all their enemies: 15 forasmuch as they have done wickedly in my sight, and have provoked me from the day that I brought out their fathers out of Egypt, even until this day. 16 Moreover Manasses shed very much innocent blood, until he filled Jerusalem with it from one end to the other, beside his sins with which he caused Juda to sin, in doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. 

We see that the practice of shedding innocent blood did not end in the previous generation. Yahweh wants to clean Jerusalem, like wiping a jar with a dish towel, holding the jar upside-down. Josephus adds some details. 

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 10:3:1.  When king Hezekiah had survived the interval of time already mentioned, and had dwelt all that time in peace, he died, having completed fifty-four years of his life, and reigned twenty-nine. But when his son Manasseh, whose mother's name was Hephzibah, of Jerusalem, had taken the kingdom, he departed from the conduct of his father, and fell into a course of life quite contrary thereto, and showed himself in his manners most wicked in all respects, and omitted no sort of impiety, but imitated those transgressions of the Israelites, by the commission of which against God they had been destroyed; for he was so hardy as to defile the temple of God, and the city, and the whole country; for, by setting out from a contempt of God, he barbarously slew all the righteous men that were among the Hebrews; nor would he spare the prophets, for he every day slew some of them, till Jerusalem was overflown with blood. So God was angry at these proceedings, and sent prophets to the king, and to the multitude, by whom he threatened the very same calamities to them which their brethren the Israelites, upon the like affronts offered to God, were now under. But these men would not believe their words, by which belief they might have reaped the advantage of escaping all those miseries; yet did they in earnest learn that what the prophets had told them was true.

The Works of Flavius Josephus.

The blame for all of these things resides with Manasseh. Yet he was probably not the one carving idols, building altars, and planting groves. Josephus says that Manasseh took on the transgressions of the Israelites. This tells us that even though Hezekiah cleaned out all the evil baal worship, the people went back to those practices. By the time he was older, Manasseh did worship the baals. His senior officials were probably suggesting these things as the people wanted them. Therefore Manasseh allowed these things to be built. In this instance an adolescent king was probably taken advantage of by political and religious leaders. However, the blame for turning Judah and Jerusalem back to evil rests with Manasseh.

Manasseh threatened the prophets and spilled innocent blood. Isaiah might have been one of the innocent prophets Manasseh sawed asunder in the trunk of a carob tree. Every religion and form of worship was acceptable in Israel except the worship of Yahweh. 

2 Chronicles 33:10 And the Lord spoke to Manasses, and to his people: but they hearkened not. 11 And the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, and they took Manasses in bonds, and bound him in fetters, and brought him to Babylon. 

Manasseh was probably hooked through the nose, lips, or jaw, and led to Babylon. We might wonder why the Assyrians brought Manasseh to Babylon. There had been an alliance between Judah and Babylon. Yet Babylon was under Assyrian authority at this time. There were very few years that Babylon was its own nation. In fact, throughout Babylonian history it was usually under someone else’s authority, typically Assyria or Egypt. Later Babylon would be its own nation when Judah would be taken captive, but then Babylon would come under Assyrian control once again. 

2 Chronicles 33:12 And when he was afflicted, he sought the face of the Lord his God, and was greatly humbled before the face of the God of his fathers; 13 and he prayed to him: and he hearkened to him, and listened to his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom: and Manasses knew that the Lord he is God. 

This incident was surely an attention getter for Manasseh. Josephus tells us that Manasseh realized he was the cause of his own captivity. This shows humility. 

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 10:3:2.  And when they persevered in the same course of life, God raised up war against them from the king of Babylon and Chaldea, who sent an army against Judea, and laid waste the country; and caught king Manasseh by treachery, and ordered him to be brought to him, and had him under his power to inflict what punishment he pleased upon him. But then it was that Manasseh perceived what a miserable condition he was in, and esteeming himself the cause of all, he besought God to render his enemy humane and merciful to him. Accordingly, God heard his prayer, and granted him what he prayed for….

This is Manasseh’s prayer. 

Prayer of Manasseh 1 O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornament thereof; who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious name; whom all men fear, and tremble before thy power; for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable: but thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for thou art the most high Lord, of great compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot lift up mine head, neither have any release: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities: wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquites. Be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What a remarkable prayer. Yahweh appoints repentance to the sinner, not to the just. If we think about this from the context of the fall feasts, we realize that the ten days of atonement are not for those who do not sin, but for those who do. It is the time for sinners to be reconciled to God. Manasseh was repentant, he bowed the knee of his heart. This is where we realize that if he had been incurably severed he would not have bowed his heart because his heart would have been twisted. He asks for forgiveness. He asks not to be left in Hades. He says that he will praise Yahweh for the rest of his life. Then it seems that he really did turn around. 

2 Chronicles 33:14 And afterward he built a wall without the city of David, from the southwest southward in the valleys and at the entrance through the fish-gate, as men go out by the gate round about, even as far as Opel: and he raised it much, and set captains of the host in all the fortified cities in Juda. 15 And he removed the strange gods, and the graven image out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars which he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and without the city. 16 And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and offered upon it a sacrifice of peace-offering and thank-offering, and he told Juda to serve the Lord God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, only to the Lord their God. 

18 And the rest of the acts of Manasses, and his prayer to God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the God of Israel, 19 behold, they are in the account of his prayer; and God hearkened to him. And all his sins, and his backslidings, and the spots on which he built the high places, and set there groves and graven images, before he repented, behold, they are written in the books of the seers. 20 And Manasses slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the garden of his house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

Josephus adds to the story. Manasseh became a pattern for imitation. 

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 10:3:2…So Manasseh was released by the king of Babylon, and escaped the danger he was in; and when he was come to Jerusalem, he endeavored, if it were possible, to cast out of his memory those his former sins against God, of which he now repented, and to apply himself to a very religious life. He sanctified the temple, and purged the city, and for the remainder of his days he was intent on nothing but to return his thanks to God for his deliverance, and to preserve him propitious to him all his life long. He also instructed the multitude to do the same, as having very nearly experienced what a calamity he was fallen into by a contrary conduct. He also rebuilt the altar, and offered the legal sacrifices, as Moses commanded. And when he had re-established what concerned the Divine worship, as it ought to be, he took care of the security of Jerusalem: he did not only repair the old walls with great diligence, but added another wall to the former. He also built very lofty towers, and the garrisoned places before the city he strengthened, not only in other respects, but with provisions of all sorts that they wanted. And indeed, when he had changed his former course, he so led his life for the time to come, that from the time of his return to piety towards God he was deemed a happy man, and a pattern for imitation. When therefore he had lived sixty-seven years, he departed this life, having reigned fifty-five years, and was buried in his own garden; and the kingdom came to his son Amon, whose mother's name was Meshulemeth, of the city of Jotbath.

The Works of Flavius Josephus.

To compare and contrast the people Solomon was warning us about with Manasseh, we see the first liability was his age. The second was the lack of training in spiritual matters, and the third was the prophecy that because Hezekiah was showing off the riches that the Lord bestowed on the nation, Manasseh would suffer. Solomon’s reference to people who plan and plot to harm the innocent is a crooked heart and an unclean soul. But Manasseh is a wonderful example of redemption. His heart was not crooked, although he promoted evil baal worship. His soul was not unclean even though he shed innocent blood. Somehow Manasseh is not incurable 

or irretrievable. 

Thirty years after Micah died Jeremiah mentions one of his prophecies in the days of Hezekiah. He says that Hezekiah did not kill Micah when he prophesied Zion would be ploughed like a field. The unspoken incident Jeremiah might be referencing is that Manasseh may have killed Isaiah for his prophetic words. Jeremiah’s own life was in danger in prison and in the pit as the people mocked the prophets. 

Jeremiah 33:17 And there rose up men of the elders of the land, and said to all the assembly of the people, 18 Michaeas the Morathite lived in the days of Ezekias king of Juda, and said to all the people of Juda, Thus saith the Lord; Sion shall be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become a desolation, and the mountain of the house shall be a thicket of trees. 19 Did Ezekias and all Juda in any way slay him? Was it not that they feared the Lord, and they made supplication before the Lord, and the Lord ceased from the evils which he had pronounced against them? whereas we have wrought great evil against our own souls

Just before the second wave of captives went into Babylon, Jeremiah tells us that Judah will be scattered because of the sin of Manasseh. By this time Josiah had also cleaned up Judah and Jerusalem, but the people were not clean. The people refused to change their ways and again went back to worshipping the baals’. 

Jeremias 15:1 And the Lord said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before my face, my soul could not be toward them: dismiss this people, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall be, if they say to thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord; As many as are for death, to death; and as many as are for famine, to famine; and as many as are for the sword, to the sword; and as many as are for captivity, to captivity. 3 And I will punish them with four kinds of death, saith the Lord, the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the wild beasts of the earth, and the birds of the sky to devour and destroy. 4 And I will deliver them up for distress to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasses son of Ezekias king of Juda, for all that he did in Jerusalem. 

5 Who will spare thee, O Jerusalem? and who will fear for thee? or who will turn back to ask for thy welfare? 6 Thou hast turned away from me, saith the Lord, thou wilt go back: therefore I will stretch out my hand, and will destroy thee, and will no more spare them. 7 And I will completely scatter them; in the gates of my people they are bereaved of children: they have destroyed my people because of their iniquities. 

This is an unusual idea to us. Judah and Jerusalem’s sins are attributed to Manasseh. Manasseh repents and is granted favor. He serves the Lord the rest of his life. Yet the payment for his sins is weighed like a debt. Why? Because Manasseh allowed evil to flourish. The people did not follow Manasseh in piety and humility before Yahweh when he changed his ways. Even though Manasseh had become a pattern for imitation, people didn’t follow him. What does this tell us? This tells us that the people with the corrupted hearts and unclean souls continued in their crooked ways, but in the shadows. While Manasseh’s sins allowed the people to behave in evil ways out in the open, once Manasseh repented, those people continued their evil underground. 

This is how we know that the people with corrupt hearts and unclean souls were still around. Amon, Manasseh’s son, restored all the baal worship with images and idols. He was twenty two when he started to reign, yet his own servants killed him. Amon reigned two years. They had probably been the servants of Manasseh. Then the people rose up and killed those servants who killed Amon. They then made eight year old Josiah king. 

There is something else we should note about these people. Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus our Messiah, came from this family heritage. As an adopted son of Joseph, Jesus came from the Kingly line, and Jesus came from the priestly line through Mary. Jesus is a King Priest. 

Matthew 1:10 (AMP) 

10  Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 

One might think that the Heavenly Father could have found a better family line for Jesus’ stepfather. This shows us that even when our families are not right with the Lord, our heritage does not seal our destiny. There is redemption and forgiveness available for people no matter our family lineage.

Today, our only redemption is through Jesus because of his own blood sacrifice. He cleansed us. Repeated sacrifice on our part is not necessary. If one is far from the Lord in one’s own heart and soul, imitate Manasseh, seek redemption. Do what Manasseh did in his repentance. The apostle Paul is also a great example of redemption. Paul tells us this:

Ephesians 1:7 (AMP) 

7  In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 

The forgiveness of our sins and offenses is mitigated through Jesus. Jesus is holding the redeemable coupon for all those who confess him as Lord and Savior. Jesus has a coupon wallet ready to give to the god of this world at the time of the fulfillment of the nations entering into the sheepfold.

Colossians 1:14 (AMP) 

14  In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins. 

The point of the story of Manasseh is redemption and forgiveness. But there is a wage for sin that had to be paid. Today, Jesus made the payment for us. The story of evil is not black and white, or cut and dried. There are gray areas that we cannot see, that only Yahweh sees. Solomon tells us that some people will be incurably and irretrievably severed from Yahweh for eternity. The story of Manasseh tells us that redemption is a possibility before becoming severed. If there are people that are intentionally committed to evil, they may work in the shadows or they may work in the open. It depends on the ruling leaders. 

The horror of aborting babies or cutting them from their mother’s womb to kidnap them is a murderous practice, the opposite behavior of our life-giving Most High God. Our goal is to make disciples of all people, and like Manasseh and the apostle Paul, sometimes a bad experience wakes people up. We will see the evidence of the Holy Spirit in people who are redeemed; and in our age the apostle Paul is our example. Micah wants us to be able to judge behaviors. While Paul murdered Christians, people of the Old Covenant times were skilled in aborting babies. What a horrid time in history, a practice that moved into the shadows. This is why the minor prophets sound harsh. This is why the minor prophets are ignored. Micah gives us some wisdom to live by. There is nothing new under the sun.

Micah 6:8 Has it not been told thee, O man, what is good? or what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, and love mercy, and be ready to walk with the Lord thy God? http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Michaeas/index.htm