Altars in the Heart: A Reflection on 2 Chronicles 33:5
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 33:5
In 2 Chronicles 33:5, we encounter a powerful yet troubling image: "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD." This verse reflects the reign of King Manasseh, one of the most notorious kings of Judah who led the people astray and brought great spiritual decline to the nation. At first glance, this verse might seem simply historical, recounting the actions of a king long dead, but upon deeper reflection, it serves as a sobering reminder of the subtle ways we can drift away from God, even within the confines of His house.
Manasseh's reign was characterized by idolatry, a turning away from the worship of the true God in favor of the many deities of the surrounding cultures. By building altars to these false gods within the courts of the LORD's temple, he symbolically cramped the sacred space of worship with the profane. In doing so, he not only defied God but also misled the people of Judah, causing them to stumble in their faith. The very house that was intended to be a place of holiness became a marketplace for false worship.
This prompts a crucial question for us as modern believers: How often do we, intentionally or unintentionally, build altars in our hearts to things that compete with our devotion to God? In the span of daily life, it is all too easy to allow worldly interests, relationships, and ambitions to take the sacred space that rightfully belongs to God. We might not erect physical altars, but we can certainly elevate other priorities, turning our attention away from the divine.
Consider your own life. What might the ‘altars’ represent? Perhaps they are things of pleasure, like entertainment, social media, or material possessions. We become so consumed by our cravings and distractions that we inadvertently push our relationship with God aside. The deterioration of Manasseh’s reign serves as a warning that when we allow our worship to be divided, we jeopardize our spiritual vitality.
In Isaiah 44:9-20, the prophet critiques the folly of idol worship, challenging the people to consider the absurdity of creating gods from wood and stone. Despite the absurdity, it is not just the physical act of worshiping idols that leads to ruin; it’s the attitude of the heart that desires acceptance and fulfillment outside of God. Manasseh's tragic choice to worship the host of heaven led to disastrous consequences, not only for himself but for an entire nation that collectively followed his lead.
Yet, the story does not end with despair—there is hope and redemption. The legacy of Manasseh also includes his eventual repentance and turning back to God. In 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, we read of his humble cry for mercy: "And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom." This is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we stray, God is ever-ready to receive us back into His arms.
Therefore, let us examine our own hearts today. Are there altars we need to dismantle? Are there commitments and distractions that overshadow our devotion? Let us take courage and decide to recommit our hearts to God, uprooting every competing desire that may have found its way into our sanctuaries. May we echo the humility of Manasseh and seek God with all our hearts, returning to Him in trust and sincerity.
Every moment spent in His presence will dismantle those altars, and in their place, we will find the peace of true worship. Let us worship the Lord with undivided hearts and seek His kingdom first, knowing that His love and mercy are ever-present to guide us back to the path of righteousness.
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2 Chronicles 33:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 33:5
1 Chronicles 2:33 - "And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel."
2 Chronicles 33:10 - "And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken."
2 Chronicles 29:33 - "And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep."
2 Chronicles 33:24 - "And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house."
2 Chronicles 33:2 - "But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Chronicles 33:17 - "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only."
2 Chronicles 33:21 - "¶ Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 20:33 - "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 33:23 - "And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more."
2 Chronicles 33:1 - "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:"
2 Chronicles 33:12 - "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,"
2 Chronicles 33:4 - "Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever."
2 Chronicles 33:20 - "¶ So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead."
2 Chronicles 33:16 - "And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel."
1 Chronicles 2:5 - "The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul."
"And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken." - 2 Chronicles 33:10
"And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel." - 1 Chronicles 2:33
2 Chronicles 33:9 - "So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel."
2 Chronicles 33:25 - "¶ But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead."
2 Chronicles 33:13 - "And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
2 Chronicles 2:5 - "And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods."
2 Chronicles 33:11 - "¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon."
2 Chronicles 11:5 - "¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah."
2 Chronicles 33:15 - "And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city."
2 Chronicles 5:5 - "And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up."
2 Chronicles 5:4 - "And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark."
"And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep." - 2 Chronicles 29:33
2 Chronicles 33:18 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel."