The Old Testament chapter of 2 Kings 21 is dedicated to the most wicked king of Judah/Israel, who was named Manasseh.[1] His father, Hezekiah, had been one of the greatest and most faithful kings. What a horrible reversal in just one generation.
Now, the Bible knows nothing about environmental determinism. We all stand before God, and we are not free to shift blame to others as Adam and Eve attempted to do in the Garden of Eden. But Scripture does indicate that evil men and women can and certainly do encourage others to sin.
Verses 8 and 9 say the people did not listen to God’s law and Manasseh led them astray. Verse 11 says he led Judah into sin with his idols. And verse 16 again echoes the theme with the words, “the sin that he had caused Judah to commit.”
God’s people were guilty before the Lord. Sadly, their kings often encouraged their rebellion.
I share this history as a sad illustration and comparison to Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago. Unlike the kings of Judah, Mayor Johnson was elected by the people. And his election reveals the great confusion, blindness, and rebellion that characterizes the once-great city of Chicago.
LifeSiteNews recently reported on two of Mayor Johnson’s key initiatives—free abortion drugs and the prosecution of anyone who seeks to bring a witness of life outside of an abortion killing center. While I am not seeking to directly compare King Manasseh and Mayor Johnson, there is no doubt a connection we can make. Manasseh sacrificed his own sons in the fire. He wanted nothing to do with hearing God’s truth. Sadly, Mayor Brandon has a very similar agenda.
Mayor Brandon’s evil plans were recently revealed in a massive, 223-page-long document dubiously entitled, “A Blueprint for Creating a More Just and Vibrant City for All.”
On page 135, we find Goal #2: Establish Chicago as a premier city for gender justice. In this section, abortion is mentioned ten times. According to the text, taxpayer money will be used to fully fund the Office of Reproductive Health to promote and pay for free abortions, support abortion providers, and work toward even more wicked laws that lead to the death of innocents.
Further, Mayor Brandon wants to prosecute those who bring a peaceful witness to women outside abortion killing centers. This we learn at the bottom of page 135:
Work to enforce Chicago’s “bubble zone” ordinance, which bars individuals from approaching within eight feet of a person within 50 feet of an abortion clinic if their purpose is to engage in counseling, education, leafleting, hand billing, or protest.
Lord willing, these wicked laws will eventually be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, but for now, Mayor Johnson, who is soft on crime, wants to be hard on those with the courage to seek to turn women from making the horrible, regrettable, life-altering choice to end the life of her child.
2 Chronicles 33 is a parallel telling of the grim 2 Kings account of Manasseh. The same great evils are described, but 2 Chronicles details a powerful conclusion not shared in 2 Kings.
In 2 Chronicles 33, we learn that the Babylonians successfully raided Jerusalem and carried Manasseh into captivity. In great affliction, he was brought to a place of humility and repentance. The end of verse 13 powerfully states, “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.”
The Lord was gracious to Manasseh and returned him to Jerusalem, where he worked for true reformation. It is one of the most amazing stories of repentance and reformation anywhere in Scripture. This is the mighty power of God to judge, save, and restore.
While Mayor Brandon is in office, we must pray for his conversion and repentance, and that the judgment God is bringing to the city of Chicago also might bring Mayor Brandon to know that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Can I get an “Amen?” Will you also pray this way?
[1] The name Manasseh was first given by Joseph to one of his sons. The name means “making to forget.”
