Wednesday, September 15: 2Kings 21- Bad leaders, personal responsibility.

Manasseh was a vile king, probably the worst in Judah’s history. He did unspeakable things. For example, the comment in verse 6 reads, He sacrificed his own son in the fire… that is a polite way of saying that he sacrificed his sons (yes, human sacrifice) to certain ancient gods for favor or blessing. That’s how low it got for Manasseh personally. And as king he led Judah into sin.

Reading on verses 7-9 tell more of the story. He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. … if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them." But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

As despicable as Manasseh was, the people followed him. I was struck by the underlined words. God charged the people with sin not simply Manasseh. Why? Because they followed Manasseh and they too forsook the Lord and worships false gods.

Leaders are important, very important, but everyone will stand or fall on for their own faith and faith-driven actions. People had a choice and they chose to follow the king into sin.

Contemplating this suggests two lines of questions:

1)              Who are you and I following… religiously? Who is teaching and leading and exampling the way to God? Are they biblically faithful or are they going another way?

2)              How are you living? Are you living faithfully and honorably before God Almighty?

Leaders are very important.  Following God honoring, God teaching leaders puts us on the right path and feeds us truth for living. But we stand or fall before the Lord by our own faith and the life that results from our faith. Good leader or vile leader… what we believe and how we live as a result matters.

How are you doing?  Are you following Jesus?

Lord Jesus, I believe in You and I pledge to follow You. In You and You alone will I stand on judgment day… Amen.