Berean Standard Bible
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
To the beloved in the faith, scattered across nations and united under the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ, grace, and peace be unto you in abundance.
It is with great joy and a heart full of thanksgiving that I write to you, children of the living God, heirs according to His promise, and partakers in the unshakable Kingdom. As I reflect upon the generations that led to the birth of our Savior, a verse from Matthew's Gospel draws my attention: "Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah" (Matthew 1:10). In this lineage, we find profound reminders of God’s sovereignty, His mercy, and His ability to redeem even the darkest of stories.
Consider, beloved, the life of Hezekiah, a king who walked in the ways of the Lord, tearing down idols and trusting in God’s deliverance. Yet even in his faithfulness, Hezekiah stumbled, revealing his treasures to foreign envoys and planting seeds of future captivity. Does this not remind us of the frailty of our humanity? Even when our hearts seek the Lord, we are in need of His constant guidance and grace.
Now reflect on Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, whose reign was marked by idolatry, injustice, and defiance against God. His actions led Judah into darkness, provoking the Lord’s anger. Yet in his distress, Manasseh humbled himself, cried out to God, and found mercy. What a testament this is to the boundless reach of God’s forgiveness! No sin is so great, no heart so hardened, that it cannot be softened and restored by His love.
From Manasseh came Amon, a king who persisted in rebellion and did not turn to the Lord. His reign was brief, a somber warning that the choices we make have consequences, not only for ourselves but for those we lead and love. Let us not take lightly the responsibility entrusted to us as stewards of God’s grace.
Finally, we arrive at Josiah, the child-king who sought the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength. He rediscovered the Book of the Law, tore his garments in repentance, and led his people in a revival of worship and covenant renewal. Through Josiah, we see that no matter how broken the past, God can raise up a generation that seeks His face and walks in His ways.
Beloved, what then shall we say in response to these things? Is it not evident that God weaves His purposes through both the faithful and the fallen? The genealogy of our Savior reminds us that our own lives, too, are part of a greater story—a story in which God’s grace triumphs over our failures, His light pierces our darkness, and His love redeems our brokenness.
Let us, therefore, fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up. And let us, like Josiah, renew our commitment to the Lord, tearing down the idols of our hearts and seeking Him with undivided devotion.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you, sustain you, and empower you to shine as lights in a world that so desperately needs His hope. And may you always remember that you are loved, chosen, and called according to His purpose.
Grace and peace be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.