2 Chronicles 26
-After Amaziah’s assassination, his young son, Uzziah, was
made king of Judah at the age of sixteen. He ruled for 52 years in Jerusalem
doing a majority of things in righteousness. “He continued to seek God in the
days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long
as he sought the LORD, God prospered him (2 Chronicles 26:5).” He warred
against traditional enemies of the kingdom with success, and “his fame extended
to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong (2 Chronicles 26:6-8).” He
built towers for protection in Jerusalem and was innovative in new military
techniques. He reestablished Eloth to Judah (2 Chronicles 26:2), and built
towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns for water supply for the
livestock, which was multiplied both in the lowland and in the plain (2
Chronicles 26:9-15). He is described as a king who was marvelously helped until
he was strong with far reaching fame and respect (2 Chronicles 26:15).
-“But, when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he
acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the
temple of the LORD to burn incense on the alter of incense (2 Chronicles
26:16).” He exceeded his authority set up by the LORD through Moses, for the
priests of God had this honor and privilege. These priests, led by Azariah,
rebuked the king since he was not a consecrated person for the offerings and
told him to get out of the sanctuary. Further they awakened him to the fact
that he was being unfaithful and had lost his honor from the LORD God (2
Chronicles 26:17-18). In Uzziah’s anger and rebellion to this rebuke, he
contracted leprosy immediately on his forehead while beside the altar of
incense. The priest hurried him out of there because the LORD had smitten him
with this infectious disease, and the king obliged. “King Uzziah was a leper to
the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he
was cut off from the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 26:19-21a).” His son
Jotham ruled over the land in his absence and officially became king upon his
father’s death and burial, which was in the field of the grave which belonged
to the kings. In the end he was only known as “a leper (2 Chronicles
26:21b-23).”
-*Application* There are harsh penalties to pay when we are
willfully prideful and disobedient to the LORD’s commands in our own arrogance.
His expectations are high and we need to remain faithful and humble all our
days, no matter how successful we become. Remember who put you in position of
honor and authority. He can just as quickly remove you from your prestige and
place when you transgress His ways. Remember the lessons of King Uzziah’s life.
Verse to Memorize: 2
Chronicles 26:5
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