BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

If the generational whiplash in yesterday’s reading made you dizzy, brace yourself. It gets worse.

After Hezekiah dies, the monarchy corrupts into chaos. Hezekiah is the best southern king yet, according to biblical authors, but his son Manasseh is the worst. Like, the worst.

Throughout Judah, Manasseh rekindles the idol-worship culture his father worked to eradicate. Manasseh assembles altars for other spiritual beings. He sets an idol in the middle of Yahweh’s temple. It’s like spitting in God’s face and then laughing at him.

Predictably, Canaanite idolatry comes with devalued humanity, allowing for murder, sorcery, even child sacrifice (again). Manasseh’s violence and injustice pollute the whole city with innocent blood. It’s the last straw. Yahweh warns that a flood of divine justice is coming to wash the land of Judah clean.

Fortunately, David’s line goes through another reversal two generations later with Manasseh’s grandson, Josiah. The young king orders a reconstruction project for the temple, during which the priests discover an old Torah scroll. Its words move Josiah to tears.

Yahweh has always been calling his people to a way of life that is tov—a Hebrew word that, as you’ll learn in the video, describes what is good, beautiful, and life-giving. By reading the Torah once again, Josiah realizes the people have abandoned Yahweh’s good way to follow their own wisdom.

Which way will this young king choose?

Reflection Questions

• Compare Josiah’s reign to that of his predecessor Joash (also called Jehoash, 2 Kings 11-12). What similarities and differences do you notice?
• Meditate on the definition of tov in today’s vocab insight video. How does this help you understand what it means that Yahweh’s instructions are good?