Guest Author - Kathryn Free

Manasseh reigned 55 years in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 33:1) and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. When he became King he was 12 years old. His father was Hezekiah, a man who feared God. Hezekiah tore down the high places and Manasseh built them up again. What happened to Hezekiah’s son that would cause him to not only build again the high places, but use witchcraft, incantations and place carved images in the house of God?

Scripture tells us that his reason was ‘to provoke him (God) to anger.’ This phrase stopped me. It is a phrase I hear quite a bit, but what does it truly mean? ‘Provoking to anger’ is an act of intentional disobedience. We deliberately disobey our parents when we want our own way. Our provoking them to anger sometimes causes them to give into our wants and desires. However, if love abounds, the response to this provoking anger comes by way of direction and care.

Love is not provoked easily, and when it is provoked the response is just. The provoked response is from love and protection. In the garden God was provoked to anger from the disobedience of Adam. His response seems harsh, but in reality it was loving. God’s provoked anger caused Adam and Eve to be sent out of the garden. This act was for the protection of their eternal souls from everlasting separation. The amazing thing was what God did next. Not only did He cast them out of the garden, He provided a covering for their sins ~ Himself, Jesus, as a perfect sacrifice.

God is love so He is not easily provoked. Yet, it seems, when he is provoked it is at a point where our eternal souls are in danger of eternal separation and He responds then out of love at the perfect time in each our lives.

When one ‘provokes to anger’ they are simply disrespecting and demeaning of that person. They are selfish and self-serving individuals. The sad truth is that each of us has ‘provoked to anger’ another person. Each time we do not show love, kindness or compassion we are provoking anger from that other person. We want our way and in our efforts are really trying to control the person we are provoking.

In Manasseh’s case, he came from a believing father. He was simply disrespecting the God his father believed in. Maybe he was a young man thrown into a position he was not ready to take on. He might have been angry with God for taking his father when he was so young or he just was a twelve year old who was thrust into power and became captivated by greed. We do not know. What we do know is that he did evil in God’s eyes. His evil was the kind that did indeed ‘provoke to anger’ the God who so loved him.

Throughout the time Manasseh was doing evil, God was reaching out and speaking directly to him. ‘And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people; but they would not hearken.’ (II Chronicles 33:10) So often we see others doing vile disrespectful acts believing God is not doing anything when He is doing a miraculous thing. He is speaking to them personally, drawing them to His throne of grace. Manasseh was lost but God had not lost him. God, in His anger, used circumstances to humble Manasseh so Manasseh would hear His voice. When Manasseh was in affliction he humbled himself greatly before the Lord his God. He knew without a doubt that the Lord was God. His life changed. The idols were taken out of God’s house, the high places broken and God’s alter repaired.

When one ‘provokes to anger’ God, we can always be assured that God will respond in love and justice. He will bring each of to the point of decision. Many will choose to be separated by God, and this is so painful to see. God does not desire that any should perish but that all come to the saving knowledge of Yesuha, our Messiah.

Today, when you find yourself ‘provoking anger’ when you should be loving, stop and humbled yourself before the throne of grace and receive help in your time of need. Our anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Our anger and blaming is coming from fear and an anxious heart.

Today, when you find yourself fearful or anxious cast all your anxiety upon the Lord, for He cares for you, He loves you.

Today, spend some time meditating on the phrase ‘provoking to anger’ so you can grasp what God is wanting to share with you, to teach you.

‘Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you.’
I Peter 5:6-7