This reminds me of corporate America and hostile takeovers. In order to hold onto his position Manasseh Assyrianizes the cult pratice in Jerusalem. He rebuilds the high places and altars for Baal and places an Asherah image in the temple. Even human sacrifice, divination practices, familiar spirits and wizards are back. The D editor assures us that this evil king will cause exile for God's people and destruction of Jerusalem. The next king,Josiah, is the hero. He finds the book of the law. He calls in Huldah, the prophetess, displays penitence and sorrow, and attempts reform according to the book of Deuteronomy. The temple at Bethel is turnd to ashes and Jerusalem is the only legal place of worship. Josiah makes a misguided decision to oppose the Egyptian army at Megiddo and loses his life. Judah first becomes an Egyptian province and then Babylonian.
This reminds me of corporate America and hostile takeovers. In order to hold onto his position Manasseh Assyrianizes the cult pratice in Jerusalem. He rebuilds the high places and altars for Baal and places an Asherah image in the temple. Even human sacrifice, divination practices, familiar spirits and wizards are back. The D editor assures us that this evil king will cause exile for God's people and destruction of Jerusalem. The next king,Josiah, is the hero. He finds the book of the law. He calls in Huldah, the prophetess, displays penitence and sorrow, and attempts reform according to the book of Deuteronomy. The temple at Bethel is turnd to ashes and Jerusalem is the only legal place of worship. Josiah makes a misguided decision to oppose the Egyptian army at Megiddo and loses his life. Judah first becomes an Egyptian province and then Babylonian.
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