Counterfeits

Read 2 Kings 18:1–21; 18:26

1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.
2. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.
3. He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.
4. He built pagan altars in the Temple of the Lord, the place where the Lord had said, “My name will remain in Jerusalem forever.”
5. He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the Lord’s Temple.
6. Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. 2 Kings 21:1-6

How do you know that the money in your wallet isn’t counterfeit? You probably don’t—that’s the genius of counterfeits; they can pass for the real thing, fooling all but the most determined experts.

This section of Scripture focuses on kings of Judah, mostly Hezekiah and Manasseh. King Manasseh makes up his own religion and passes it off as legitimate. But this just means that Israel is going spiritually bankrupt. As you read, look for the differences between true and false religions.

In this passage, you will also find positive lessons from Hezekiah: standing up to bullies and people who try to intimidate you; an object lesson for the arrogant; and the difference one person can make.

Manasseh was an evil king, and he angered God with his sin (2 Kings 21:6). Listed among his sins are occult practices, sorcery, divination, and consulting mediums and spiritists. These acts were strictly forbidden by God (see Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9-13) because they demonstrated a lack of faith in him, involved sinful actions, and opened the door to demonic influences.

Today, many books, television shows, and games emphasize fortune-telling, seances, and other occult practices. Some people seem almost obsessed with knowing and controlling the future. Instead of trusting God, they read their horoscopes or consult their personal psychic. Others actually seek power through seances, black magic, and mysterious satanic rituals.

Don’t let the desire to know what will happen to you lead you toward the occult. And don’t believe that superstition is harmless. Occult practices are counterfeits of God’s power and are based on a system of beliefs totally opposed to him.