2 Chronicles 33 - School of Hard Knocks

Manasseh learned from the school of "hard knocks."  He worshipped other gods, and when the mess got bigger than he could handle; when he found himself in bondage; he repented.  He turned to the LORD, the one true God, for help.  That's the good news.  Manasseh learned at the school of "hard knocks."

His son, Amon, did not.  He did the evil that his father, Manasseh, had done before Manasseh learned from the school of "hard knocks."  Amon did not live long enough to learn a better way.  His officials assissinated him.

Amon followed in the ways of his father.  Were those ways learned?  Were they just a product of the evil within the community?  Maybe there were no outside influences and the evil that Amon did was born in a vacuum?  I doubt it.  Bad behaviors are usually learned.  Just as we can be taught to do what is good, someone teaches us to do what is evil.  Someone entices us and way too often we listen. 

In the beginning... Adam and Eve were alone in the garden.  Not!  Their sin was encouraged by someone or something.  The serpent enticed them and they listened. 

What are we teaching our sons and daughters?  What have we taught them?  Most of us have been to the school of "hard knocks."  Let us pray that our children will not follow us there.  May God help us to teach them, to show them, the way in which they should go.

2 Kings 21 - Children Follow In The Way

Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of God.  Hezekian's son, Manasseh did not did not do what was right.   Manasseh's son, Amon did not.

Sometimes, when children stray away from doing what is right in the sight of God, people will point fingers at the parents.  It's their fault.  The parents must have taught them - this or that.  I have even heard:  "it's in their genes!" 

So what happened to Hezekiah's son?  Hezekiah was a faithful man.  He worshipped only the one God.  Manasseh did not follow what his father taught.  But, Manasseh's son did.  Amon did what his father taught.  Who can tell for sure who will follow in "the way" and who will not? 

There are just too many variables to know why.  All we can do is teach our children what we would have them know and pray.  Lot's of prayers!!!  This Sunday four of our young people at Zion will be affirming their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation.  They are excited and I am nervous.  I am not nervous about the service.  I am anxious for their futures?  Do they actually know enough, do they know Jesus well enough, so that once they are confirmed they will actually trust him, so that they will follow in "His Way?"

All we can do is pray for them today, tomorrow, always.