Mercy for the Vilest

Who were the worst kings of Israel and Judah? The most wicked and godless? Was there any hope of redemption for them? Could God even hear such wicked people?

Ahab, king over Israel, is probably the first name that comes to mind. The Bible confirms this choice. "Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him" (I Kings 16:30). "Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him" (I Kings 16:33). "Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD" (I Kings 21:25).

Ahab was so wicked that he became the model or definition of evil from then on. Future kings who were wicked were identified with Ahab in descriptions like "He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab had done" (II Kings 8:27).

The most wicked king of Judah was probably Manasseh. He was involved in witchcraft and sorcery, and he went so far as to erect heathen altars in the temple itself and to sacrifice his sons to false gods. "Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed" (II Chronicles 33:9).

Manasseh was so wicked that God exercised "the fierceness of His great wrath ... because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him" (II Kings 23:26). God identified Manasseh's wickedness as the final straw that prompted His destruction of Judah (II Kings 24:3, Jeremiah 15:4).

These vile men would seem to have been beyond any favorable consideration from God. Amazingly, as wicked as they were, both men had episodes of receiving mercy from God.

Ahab's moment came after he had seized the vineyard of Naboth. God was so displeased that He sent Elijah with a message of harsh rebuke: "Thus says the LORD, 'Have you murdered and also taken possession?'" (I Kings 21:19). Elijah foretold the wretched death that Ahab would face, the destruction that would come to his household, and the dishonor that would cling to his legacy.

"It came about when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently" (I Kings 21:27). When God observed such a change of heart and such humble contrition, He spoke to Elijah again. God said, "Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son's days" (I Kings 21:29).

Manasseh's moment also came after his response to judgment. Because Manasseh paid no attention to God's warning, God brought the Assyrian army against Judah. Manasseh was captured, bound, and taken into exile in Babylon.

"When [Manasseh] was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers" (II Chronicles 33:12). Amazingly, God "was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom" (II Chronicles 33:13). Manasseh actually got to be king again and led a revival in Judah.

These two evil men were not beyond the mercy of God. It is easy to think that their wickedness was so great that their opportunities should have been lost forever, but God was still watching them. God saw the humble contrition of both men, and He responded very graciously. God held back His hand of judgment and gave these men another opportunity, one that Manasseh used wisely and well.

What is the message? That man can be as evil and godless as he wants to be, and then repent when he faces God's judgment? Is this a indication that such a practice is acceptable or guaranteed?

Oh, no! God is indeed merciful, even to the worst of sinners, and these passages display that truth in a wonderful way. God does respond to truly humble hearts and often gives a reprieve. Such a response should not be taken for granted, however.

In the first place, there are times when God's judgment is so severe that it is final. Many times, God took people's lives for far less serious acts of evil than these two men did; there was no possibility of redemption for those people. Secondly, there are often consequences that cannot be reversed. Although forgiveness is granted, sometimes irreversible effects have already occurred. Third, man's evil never affects himself alone. As with these two kings, the evil influence of one man negatively affects those around him, and sometimes others are drawn into both the sin and the consequences.

These stories provide hope. Even the worst and most rebellious can return to God and receive His forgiveness. They might be given new opportunities and even be able to do some good. These stories also provide caution. These men did face severe consequences for their evil deeds. Those consequences affected many others, and those consequences could not be completely reversed. Their reputations were forever tarnished.

How much better to live for God from the beginning - to have the maximum blessing of God and the fullest opportunity to serve Him! If it's too late for that, there is still hope. Humbly repent and start fresh.