MODELS OF IMPACT FROM YOUTH (4)

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-five years in Jerusalem” – 2 Chronicles 33:1

Of the youngest kings in the Bible, Manasseh typified the Negative MODELS of IMPACT from YOUTH: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-five years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel” (2 Chr.33:1-2). People often express the idea of the youth leading better than the older generations. The witness of scriptures does not absolutely validate this notion. Israel’s eight youngest kings began to reign at these ages: Jehoash (7); Josiah (8); Manasseh (12); Uzziah (16); Jeconiah (17); Solomon (20); Ahaz (20); Zedekiah (21). Let’s examine the youngest four and their kind of impact.

First, we examined Josiah’s story in yesterday’s devotional. Next, Jehoash (of Joash), the youngest king in the Bible, became the eighth king of Judah at the age of seven, and reigned for 40 years: “Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. But the high places were not taken away…” (2Kgs.12:1-3). He was the only surviving son of Ahaziah, as his grandmother, Athaliah, ordered a massacre of his siblings, but was hid in the Temple for seven years to protect him from Athaliah’s rampage (2 Kgs.11:1-3). His aunt had him crowned in a coup d’etat against his grandmother, who was killed soon after (2Kgs.11:11-16). Jehoash’ reign however ended sadly (2 Kgs.12:17-20).

Uzziah (or Azariah) began to reign at the age of 16, for 52 years. Initially influenced by the prophet Zechariah, he followed God’s commands, and was an impactful and respected king, leading Judah to a period of prosperity and military success. Under him, the Kingdom of Judah experienced great growth, defeated tough foes, and had the defensive wall of Jerusalem fortified with machines designed to shoot arrows and throw large stones at imminent enemies. He also improved the army and engaged in agricultural pursuits. However, his reign was a tragic conclusion to a promising life, due to pride and disobedience. He entered the Temple to offer incense to God, usurping the priest’s prerogatives and became a leper for life (2Chr.26: 1-23).

Manasseh became king at age 12 and reigned for 55 years, the longest in the history of Judah, but one of the most lamentable! The oldest son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, he reversed some of his father’s reforms by reintroducing local shrines, legalizing idolatry, including the worship of Baal and Asherah in the Temple, sponsoring the Assyrian astral cult – a form of astrology that associated gods with stars and planets – and diverse occult practices throughout the Kingdom of Judah (vv.3-9). Upon being afflicted, the Merciful God however restored Manasseh after repentance, sparing him a tragic ending (vv.11-20).