Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem ... And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

Here is a small hinge of truth upon which a tremendous door swings open to a profound question. Why is it that a merciful God one who is perfect goodness, absolute love, incarnate justice permits an evil man to live a long, successful life? At the same time, why do righteous individuals sometimes survive a few wretched years amid poverty and misery, finally meeting death via painful cancer or debilitating tuberculosis?

MANASSEH

Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah, a rather decent king. In 696 B.C., at age twelve, the boy Manasseh ascended the throne of Judah, scion of the line established by David and Solomon. A rule in ancient Juda…