[2CH:26:1-23].
Lesson 321 - Junior
Memory Verse
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).
Notes
A Young King
Among the kings of Judah was one by the name of Uzziah who was also called Azariah [2KG:14:21]). He was only sixteen years old when his father, Amaziah, was slain, and when he was made king. No doubt the people all wondered how the boy-king would rule. Would he seek the advice of those who had experience in giving counsel to rulers? Would he forsake the older ones, and seek evil counsel as Rehoboam, Solomon's son, had done? (). Could such a young king rule well?A Good Example
Uzziah proved that a young person can be trusted with responsibility. When he started his reign, he sought God and His wisdom, and soon won the confidence of the people. Uzziah must have realised that he was young to be king, and also that he needed the help of the Lord if he was to be successful. He followed the example of his father to do that, which was right in the sight of the Lord. No doubt Uzziah's father also taught him about the Lord and His commandments. The Bible teaches that there are promises to those who honour their parents. Solomon's advice to children was to heed the instruction of their father and to remember the law of their mother [PRO:1:8]). He said that their obedience would be rewarded with "length of days, and long life, and peace" [PRO:3:1-2]). As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him prosper. This is what could be expected because God had promised the Children of Israel that they would prosper if they were obedient to Him [DEU:29:9]). In writing of those who live righteously, the Psalmist said, "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [PS:1:3]).Prosperity
There are different kinds of prosperity. To be prosperous means to be successful. Some people prosper in a material way. They may have money, property, and success in the things of the world. God's people are more interested in spiritual prosperity. They want to grow in the Lord, and have an abundance of God's grace and love. They want to be successful in working for the Lord. God blesses His people both spiritually and materially, but spiritual prosperity is all-important.Seeking God
As for Uzziah, king of Judah, "As long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper." He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had an understanding of spiritual things. No doubt Uzziah went to him for advice and help. Among the prophets who lived in the days of Uzziah were Isaiah [ISA:1:1]), Hosea [HOS:1:1]), and Amos [AMO:1:1]). It was a wonderful privilege for Uzziah to be able to go to such men of God to hear and to heed their words.Building
As Uzziah prospered, he built cities for the people of Judah. One of those, Eloth or Elath, was located on the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom [2CH:8:17]). This was one of the seaports, which Solomon used for his fleet of ships [1KG:9:26]). Uzziah restored this to Judah, and probably used it as a port of trade with the countries of the East. Uzziah not only built cities but he also built towers for protection. In Jerusalem, the gates could be defended by the towers that he built. In the desert, no doubt the towers could be used for defence, for lookouts, and for shelters. Uzziah was interested in improving the land, too. He liked farming and cattle. He had many wells dug so there would be more water. On the hillsides there were vineyards. In the valleys there were herds. In those days the land of Judah became prosperous, wealthy, and famous.Against Enemies
Gold helped Uzziah to prosper against his enemies, too. He went to war against the Philistines, who were old enemies of the Children of Israel. The Philistines had built some forts between their land and Judah. These forts were destroyed by Uzziah as he tore down the strongholds of the enemies. Uzziah was successful in battle against the Arabians as well as against his other neighbours. The Amorites sent gifts of tribute, no doubt to keep on friendly terms with Uzziah. God helped him against his enemies until Uzziah's fame was spread abroad, even as far away as Egypt. Uzziah had a standing army, which was equipped in a manner that surpassed others at that time. There were shields, helmets, and coats of mail to protect the soldiers. Uzziah's men had both knowledge and skill. They invented "engines" which shot arrows and great stones. It is the first account of the use of machinery to throw materials in warfare.Spiritual Strength
In a spiritual sense, it is a good thing to pull down these strongholds of the enemy, too. As God helped Uzziah so will He help us, today, against Satan, the enemy of our soul. God is pleased to have His people put the enemy to flight instead of giving in to Satan. We are told to "resist the devil, and he will flee" [JAM:4:7]). Do you wonder how we can resist the enemy? We are told to "put on the whole armour of God" that we may be able to stand [EPH:6:11]). The armour includes the "shield of faith" and the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" [EPH:6:13-17]). Jesus Himself used the Word of God against Satan. When Jesus was tempted of the devil, He quoted Scripture, saying, "It is written," and Satan "departed from him" [LUK:4:4-13]). In order to know the passages of Scripture, we need to read and to study the Bible. It is valuable to us as the "Sword of the Spirit." Our faith can be strengthened by the Word of God because "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" [ROM:10:17]). Prayer is necessary, too, for a person to grow spiritually, and to be strong in the Lord. We read that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint" [LUK:18:1]). It is helpful for a person to talk about the Lord, to think about Him, and to testify of what God has done [MAL:3:16]; [PS:1:1-2]). In the last Book of the Bible we read about some people who will have overcome the enemy of their soul "by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" [REV:12:11]).Pride
Uzziah had gained his fame, his strength, and his prosperity because the Lord helped him. He reigned well for many years. Then something happened. He began to think too much of himself. Instead of giving God the thanks and glory, he thought that he had done very well. He gave himself the honour for his success. He began to be proud, and was lifted up in his own eyes. We read in the Bible that there is danger in pride and self-exaltation. Here are some Scripture passages about pride: "When pride cometh, then cometh shame" [PRO:11:2]); "An high look, and a proud heart, . . . is sin" [PRO:21:4]); "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" [PRO:16:18]). About self-exaltation we read: "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased" [MAT:23:12]); "For men to search their own glory is not glory" [PRO:25:27]); "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" [1CO:10:12]); "He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction" [PRO:17:19]).Little and Big
Uzziah probably had heard about Saul who had been king over the Children of Israel. When Saul was "little" in his own sight, God made him king [1SM:15:17]). When Saul became so big in his own sight that he disobeyed and rejected the commandment of the Lord, then the Lord rejected Saul from being king [1SM:15:23]). This should be a lesson to all who hear or read about Saul. One day Uzziah decided that he would like to burn some incense unto the Lord. The altar of incense, or the golden altar [EXO:40:5]), was located in the Holy Place, "before the veil" in the Temple [EXO:30:6]). Every morning when the lamps were trimmed and every evening when they were lighted, incense was placed upon the altar so it would continuously burn as worship to the Lord [EXO:30:7-8]). Only the priests were permitted to go into the Holy Place, and only the priests were given the privilege of burning incense upon the golden altar (Number 16:40).Not His Work
One might think that Uzziah was very religious to want to burn incense unto the Lord. But, by so doing, he was taking upon himself a privilege, which God had not given him. It meant that he tried to fill a place that God had given only to the priests. Although God had blessed Uzziah and prospered him, God had not done away with the Law, which gave only the sons of Aaron the right to burn incense. Each person must fill the place that God has given him. When one is faithful and humble, God may grant other privileges to him. Although a person might have a great desire to do something for the Lord, he still must do that which is right and pleasing to God. The Prophet Samuel said, "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" [1SM:15:22]).Disobeying
No person, not even a king, can break God's law without suffering. When Uzziah entered the Holy Place, he disobeyed, not because he had a great desire to do something for God nor because he was ignorant of the Law. But Uzziah had exalted himself until he wanted to take the place of the priest. Azariah, the priest, along with 80 others, warned Uzziah, and tried to stop him. The priests called to him: "Go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed."Smitten by God
One would expect Uzziah to rush out of the sacred place and pray for forgiveness. But Uzziah was proud, and he defied the priests and God. As he stood there with the censer in his hand, angry at the priests, determined to burn incense, leprosy began to show on his forehead. He was smitten by the Lord, and this was the end of his greatness. Because of the leprosy, which was the punishment for his sin, Uzziah was "cut off from the house of the LORD." He was rushed out of the Temple, never to worship there again. Lest his family become leprous, too, he had to live apart from his family in a separate house, and "dwell alone," according to the Law [LEV:13:46]). Uzziah could no longer act as king -" his son, Jotham, judged the people of the land. Uzziah remained a leper the rest of his life. At his death, he was buried in a plot belonging to the kings. It seems that his grave was separate from those of the other kings, because "He is a leper," they said.Humility
There are accounts in the Bible that lepers were healed. We have studied about Naaman who was recovered from his leprosy when he humbled himself to obey God (). Miriam, the sister of Moses, was smitten with leprosy [NUM:12:10]). God healed her when the sin was confessed and Moses prayed for her. Perhaps Uzziah could have been healed. But we do not read that he even repented or asked for prayer that he might be delivered. This one sin, alone, is mentioned against Uzziah [2CH:27:2]). We see in his life that one sin will cause a separation from God. What damage was done by one sin -" exalting himself! How sad after reigning 52 years that his life should end thus, especially after such a good beginning! How much better to be "clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" [1PE:5:5]). One of the things that God requires of man is "to walk humbly" with God [MIC:6:8]). In Uzziah's life, the words of the Proverbs were proved to be true: "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit" [PRO:29:23]).