A compelling example of divine mercy and grace is found in the life of King Manasseh of Judah—arguably one of the most stunning cases in Scripture of radical evil followed by radical grace (2 Chr 33:1-20). If ever there were a poster child for undeserved favor, Manasseh qualifies. He ascended the throne at the age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years, the longest of any king in Judah. But his legacy was not longevity—it was depravity. He did “evil in the sight of the Lord” beyond measure (2 Chr 33:2).
Tag: idolatry
Solomon: The Saved King Who Worshiped Idols
Solomon stands as one of the most fascinating and tragic figures in biblical history. His life began with divine favor and spiritual clarity, but ended in failure and divine discipline. Yet the biblical evidence supports the conclusion that Solomon was regenerate—a child of God who, despite his later-life apostasy, remained eternally secure in God’s grace. His story illustrates both the high privilege of being chosen by God and the severe consequences of spiritual compromise. But it also affirms the unbreakable nature of God’s saving promises—that a believer, once saved, is always saved (John 10:28; Rom 11:29; 2 Tim 2:13).
Beyond the Fragrance: The Enduring Legacy of a Good Name
Solomon wrote, “A good name is better than a good perfume, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth” (Eccl 7:1). A good name speaks of a good character, and a good character is more desirable than a good perfume. The death of the righteous is like the setting of the sun on a beautiful day, with bright rays shining through the clouds and lighting the sky on fire for all to enjoy and revel in its glory.
Babylonianism
Babylonianism is a philosophy of human autonomy. It is a system of values that start and end with man, and is embraced by the vast majority of people who assign no serious thought of God to their discussions, plans, or projects, and who seek to use His resources independently of His wishes.
The Sin of Idolatry
Idolatry is the selfish sin of substitution in which we devote ourselves to worship something or someone in the place of God. It is foremost a sin of a covetous heart that leads us to desire more than what God provides, and to trust something or someone lesser than God to satisfy our wants and needs.