Some of those who suffered persecution during Manasseh's reign were commissioned to bear special messages of reproof and of judgment. The king of Judah, the prophets declared, "hath done wickedly above all . . . which were before him." Because of this wickedness, his kingdom was nearing a crisis; soon the inhabitants of the land were to be carried captive to Babylon, there to become "a prey and a spoil to all their enemies." 2 Kings 21:11,14. But the Lord would not utterly forsake those who in a strange land should acknowledge Him as their Ruler; they might suffer great tribulation, yet He would bring deliverance to them in His appointed time and way. Those who should put their trust wholly in Him would find a sure refuge.

Nogle af de mennesker, der blev forfulgt under Manasse, fik befaling om at overbringe kongen særlige budskaber, som indeholdt irettesættelse og dom. Profeterne sagde, at Judas konge havde øvet "vederstyggeligheder, ja øvet ting, som er værre end alt, hvad amoritterne, der var før ham, øvede". Hans ondskab drev riget til randen af en krise. Landets indbyggere skulle snart føres til Babylon, hvor de skulle "blive til rov og bytte for alle deres fjender". 2.Kong. 21,11.14. Herren ville dog ikke fuldstændig forlade de mennesker, der anerkendte ham som deres konge, mens de opholdt sig i et fremmed land. Selv om de gennemgik store trængsler, ville han befri dem på sin egen måde, når hans tid var inde. De, der stolede fuldt og helt på ham, ville finde et sikkert tilflugtsted.