2 Chronicles 26:15b “…his fame spread afar for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.”
Observation: Uzziah was one of Israel’s very good kings. Just a lad of 16 when he ascended the throne, this chapter tells the story of his 52-year reign. He was faithful to seek god and as a result God prospered his efforts. He had cisterns hewn for great herds and hired vinedressers across the land. He built cities and in Jerusalem he raised towers and fortified walls. And he headed a skilled army and equipped them with all sorts of military equipment. A truly amazing ruler. V 15 even says he invented catapults as a weapon of war.
Until he became strong. He was marvelously helped until he became strong. Verse 16 tells the story of his downfall: “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 altar….”
He actually had a serious in-your-face warning when the high priest and eighty regular priests opposed him. They warned him of his sin, demanding that he leave the sanctuary. In his arrogance Uzziah became enraged, but in the next moment he was struck with leprosy. Instantly his kingship came to an end and he lived out the rest of his days in an isolated house while his son took over leading the country.
Application: What a tragic end for one who had not only begun well but who had actually served well for many decades. At every key turn for 50+ years he had made good decisions and God had blessed the results. But his end was utter devastation due to pride.
It seems that the Lord’s past favor can’t be paid forward like an accumulating bank account I can draw from during a future season of character deficit. The warmth of yesterday’s fire is no help when tomorrow’s wintry blasts approach.
No, He expects moment-by-moment reliance upon His provision, His goodness. Micah 6:8 comes to mind: “He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God.” Uzziah forgot that part about walking humbly. God forbid that I end as he did.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have charted a path for me that could not be clearer…to walk humbly before you. Keep me from arrogance, Lord. Give me a grateful heart for the things you have done in and through me. And if the result of your work has been to make me prosperous in the things of this world, cause me to hold them loosely. Your goodness is new every morning; that alone is all I can trust in. How I praise you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.