2 Chron. 33-34
We see it over and over again – no matter how much evil someone has done, God takes them back with mercy and compassion when they genuinely humble their hearts before Him. If anyone ever thinks that God could never accept or forgive them for all the evil they have done, they need look no further than Manasseh. 2 Chron 33:9 says, “Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel.” He was as bad as they come!
And yet God did not abandon Manasseh. God first spoke to him. When Manasseh did not listen, God disciplined him by turning him over to Assyria. That got his attention, and he turned earnestly back to God. God’s response? He returned Manasseh to Jerusalem and restored his kingdom. “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.” (2 Chron 33:13b). And he showed it by making a complete 180 with his life. God does not desire to destroy anyone. He wants us to be with Him so that He can bless us and care for us.
Acts 23:16-35
If Paul was from Cilicia, what was his nephew doing in Jerusalem? Perhaps he was studying as a Pharisee, like Paul had done (Paul studied under Gamaliel – a very prominent Pharisee). This could certainly explain how he was in a position to hear about the plot against Paul. At least a few of the Pharisees secretly believed in Jesus, and one of them might have worked with Paul’s nephew in order to save Paul. Though we don’t know the backstory (and I’m sure it’s a good one), we do know that the right person (or people) was in the right place at the right time to do what needed to be done for Paul. And that is nothing short of the hand of God at work.