Manasseh

Joseph named his first son Manasseh meaning “to forget.” “God has made me to forget completely my hardship.” But I heard one preacher say that the name doesn’t mean “to forget,” but “to have the sting removed from the memory.” I like this because we all know that there are things you absolutely never forget.

Things like
childhood abuse
being made fun of in high school
divorce
disappointed hope
death of loved ones
assault
sickness
bad news

These can be things devastating enough to change your life. They can take your innocence, make you live in fear, even take your will to live. So many of us, like Joseph, have experienced things that are unfair, things that should never happen to anyone. But so many of us, like Joseph, have found that there is healing through Christ, even rest from the memory. There is not a sorrow in this world that is stronger than the love of God. There is not a single tragedy that is beyond His power to comfort and heal. I know this to be true, for I have seen Him do it in my life and in the lives of others many times. Victorious people with scars that more resemble beauty marks. Oh! The garment of praise that He gives in exchange for our heaviness!!

If you are in a place that is painful or are trying to help someone who is hurting, take comfort in this. These things will become Manasseh to you through God’s healing power. The sting will be gone. Let God work; open up your heart. He has good plans for you, none of evil—to give you a future and a hope. If you are trying to help someone else, be patient. Keep praying and refuse to give up.

Another interpretation that I really liked said that Manasseh came from the word “nashani” meaning “to cause to slip form it’s proper place” as in “it slipped my mind.” The purpose of the trouble was displaced and the memory given another purpose. It is now a representation of God’s faithfulness. Literally the name means “God has made my tragedy and my loss credit claims. From that which till now appeared to be tragedy and torment, God has made a tool to form my happiness. I am greatly obligated to my tragedy and loss.”