“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.” 2 Kings 21:1-2 NKJV
“The Lord said through his servants the prophets: 11 “Manasseh king of Judah has committed these detestable sins. He has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him and has led Judah into sin with his idols. 12 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; 15 they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.” 2 Kings 21:10-15 NKJV
Lord of heaven and earth,
The people of Judah are certainly in for some of the promises of God. But not the ones for keeping the covenant. The ones for breaking it constantly and with purpose. This was no accidental slip say God’s Your prophets. Manassa and Judah have continually tested Your patience Lord, but now this is a step too far. Jerusalem will be wiped out, forsaken, looted and plundered. It will become a godless place of disaster.
Sin and its judgement. We like to concentrate on the deliverance from sin in church. Telling people about Your deep, wide, high all encompassing love God. How You sent Jesus to deliver us. We do not very often talk about Hell, the godless place for those who do not trust in Your Son. Godless and loveless. We cannot know what a person goes through in those last moments before they die. Do they meet with You and have a last chance to repent?
Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves of the choice at the cross. To enter death with Jesus and find life or to choose endless death without God or fellowship or love. Jesus spoke about outer darkness and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13). We cannot nice hell away. Knowing Jesus, and what we are saved from, that keeps us witnessing. As I grow older this also is a reason to be grateful, in anticipation.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 23rd June 2026
A somber song but I like it and the lyrics are from many portions of scripture: Ephesians, Isaiah, Psalms, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy . . .
For our God spared not the angels
When they sinned and fell astray,
Bound for hell and chains of darkness
To their doom on Judgment Day
There the fire is everlasting
And the worm will never die
There the smoke goes up forever
From their torment, day and night
Fear not them who kill the body
But can never kill the soul
Fear the One who can destroy you
Soul and body both in hell
In a lake of fire and weeping
Where the cursed have sealed their fate
Beyond all imagination
Vengeance from the Lord awaits
We were dead in our transgressions
Children of the wrath of God
But the Father, rich in mercy
Gave His Son to shed His blood
Praise the God of our salvation
For His love which took our place
Sinner, tremble and adore Him
Who has saved you by His grace
Lyrics: Abe & Liza Philip
https://songsfromscripture.com/for-our-god-spared-not-the-angels