Transformed & Transforming
Then he restored the altar of the Lord. . . and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:16
Tani and Modupe grew up in Nigeria and went to the UK to study in the 1970s. Having been personally transformed by God’s grace, they never imagined that they would be used to transform one of the most deprived and segregated communities in England—Anfield in Liverpool. As Drs. Tani and Modupe Omideyi faithfully sought God and served their community, God restored hope to many. They lead a vibrant church and continue to run numerous community projects that have led to the transformation of countless lives.
Manasseh changed his community, first for evil and then for good. Crowned king of Judah at the age of twelve, he led his people astray and they did great evil for many years (2 Chronicles 33:1-9). They paid no attention to God’s warnings and so He allowed Manasseh to be taken prisoner to Babylon (vv. 10-11).
In his distress, the king humbly cried out to God who heard his plea and restored him to his kingdom (vv. 12-13). The now-reformed king rebuilt the city walls and got rid of the foreign gods (vv. 14-15). “He restored the altar of the Lord and . . . told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel” (v. 16). As the people observed the radical transformation of Manasseh, so too were they transformed (v. 17).
As we seek God, may He transform us and so impact our communities through us.
By Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
REFLECT & PRAY
Your transformation by God brings transformation to others.
Heavenly Father, transform our lives that we may be used by You to bring transformation to others.
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INSIGHT
Second Kings 21:1-18 parallels 2 Chronicles 33:1-20, but the version in 2 Kings curiously omits Manasseh’s repentance. Both accounts share how Manasseh rebuilt the obscene shrines his father Hezekiah had destroyed, desecrating God’s holy temple and sacrificing his own son. Second Kings prophesies Jerusalem’s coming judgment (21:10-15), while 2 Chronicles shows us a larger story—the fulfillment of that prophesy and God’s hand in bringing Judah’s worst king to eventual repentance (33:10-17). Tim Gustafson
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