S) "4 He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem I will put My name.' 5 For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 21:4-5 (NASB)
O) This king, Manasseh, was a pretty terrible king. These particular sins show two major problems. First, there is the unfaithfulness to the LORD as God. Second, this profaned the name of the LORD, while attempting to bring His holy name down to the level of false Gods. That is taking the name of the LORD in vain, to try to make Him their equal. It is bad to serve other Gods, but it almost seems like God would prefer exclusive adultery, rather than to try to serve Him and a false God. This almost seems like it adds insult to injury. Not only did the Mannaseh unfaithfully turn to other Gods, but he maligned the name of the LORD, by attempting to serve God and gods, at the same time.
A) In many places, God relates His relationship to us, like a marriage. It would be bad for me to leave my wife, but it would be worse for me to cheat on my wife, pretending like she's fine with it, and refusing to see any problem with that. This was essentially what the people were doing. In a less dramatic way, this is why it's so important that I repent from my sins. This is why, if any of my sins become public knowledge (on any level), it is so important that I confess them as the sins they are. It is an affront to God when I sin, but it's even worse when I pretend He's okay with those sins. It conveys a false message about who the LORD is, and what it means to be a Christian. I cannot sin and malign the holy name of God.
P) Father, You are so good to love such imperfect, needy, faulty people like I am. My heart desires better devotion to You, and to honor Your holy name that I bear, in calling myself a Christian. Discipline me, Father God, to know when I am in danger of maligning Your name. Let me be open and honest about my sins, and make me aware of them, that others would recognize Your grace and mercy at work in me, instead of me living in hypocrisy. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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