The crushed and broken man has an opportunity peculiar
to himself ; if he seizes it, he may see into the depths of



MANASSEH BROUGHT TO REPENTANCE.
109



divine wisdom and love as he never has seen before. He
may use his trouble to know God ; and that is eternal life.
3. We fearn the power of a single man when he has
turned from sin to God. Manasseh's restoration was but a
temporary check to the downward course of Judah, but it
is a. grand sight, — this one man humbled to the dust in
repentance, and then lifting a nation from its tremendous
downward impetus up to God. Sin is an incubus on the
soul The consciousness of being wrong paralyzes our
noblest faculties. After true confession and forgiveness
accepted, men find it easy to do what before was impossi-
ble. The blood that cleanses from sin imparts a divine
strength.
4. We learn the necessity of solitary communion with
God. Manasseh might have said, " It will do no good.
Every one has gone after his idols. The country is
doomed." The country was doomed. Yet its doom was
averted for a time. Great blessings were bestowed. He
himself was saved, and many were saved with him. It was
good for him that he was carried into captivity. He was
separated from the influence of bad men who had gained
control over him. He found time and place to see where
he stood, and what he needed to do. A voluntary solitude
has often saved men from an enforced captivity. If we
often withdraw from human society to meet with God, we
shall be independent of the evil influence of men.
