The Parenting Problem

2 Kings 21

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.” In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger." (21:1-6)

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Hezekiah was the best king of Judah, a godly man who led Israel with wisdom. But one lesson that is shown in the Old Testament is that just because you are a good and godly person does not mean your children will be good and godly children. Salvation is not by family. It is of the individual.

But parents have a responsibility to raise their children in a godly home, preparing the soil of their hearts for the reception of the Gospel seed. Whether or not they accept that seed is up to them.

That being said, Hezekiah's son Manasseh had all the advantages of being raised in a godly home yet he turned out to be the most evil king of Judah. His 55-year reign, the longest for kings of Israel, was filled with idolatry, bloodshed, and abominations unspeakable. The author of Kings later said that Manasseh spilled blood from one end of Jerusalem to the other (v. 16). Wasn't his dad Hezekiah? Didn't his dad run into the temple when confronted by the king of Assyria and plead for the Lord's intervention? Didn't he pray for healing from his disease and receive 15 more years? Wasn't he a man of faith and action?

Yet in the Bible the best men often turn out to be the worst dads. Aaron fathered two rebellious boys and Eli and Samuel did the same. David fathered Absolom. Solomon fathered Rehoboam. What gives?

Maybe what we need to learn is a lesson in parenting. Assuming that your kids will grow up to become believers just because you raised them in church does not guarantee that they will believe. There is no magic formula here. You must watch carefully for the spiritual well being of your children in their adolescence and then, when they are of age, leave them in the hands of God. I tend to think Hezekiah and the other great men of the Bible failed to watch out for their children when they were young. Goodness, Manasseh took the throne at age 12. But most youths have formed their major life opinions by that age.

Watch your kids better than Hezekiah. Leave them with a godly foundation. And then pray that they may believe.

Be God's.