His pride led to his downfall

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” (2 Chronicles 26:16)

 

This Bible text is a record on Uzziah the 10th king of Judah. He ruled the kingdom of Judah for 52 years since became king at the age of 16. By ruling for over half a century, he had done the power of king, but in his later years, he became a patient of leprosy and ended his life poorly. The root cause of his misfortune was arrogance. He became arrogant because he had been powerful, so he sinned against God. From Uzziah’s life we can see a typical appearance of so-called successful people. Success people know in general may not bring true benefit for oneself in the end. Not to sin against God the Lord is a successful life truly.

 

Human nature that has not been reborn in the Holy Spirit is positive toward evil, so there is always exposed to the risk of sin. Thus it is greatly dangerous thing for an immature child to take power. To see in general, how dangerous thing is it that Uzziah had taken the throne at the age of 16? Fortunately, yet, Uzziah had done king’s powers relatively well. After the death of his father the king Amaziah, Uzziah had taken over the throne, although young, and he ruled honestly according to his father’s actions. Not everyone does, but in general, good parents give birth and rear to good children. This is because children naturally grow up watching their parents’ actions. It does never make sense parents not living properly to want their own children to grow up right.

Parents’ support is important in growing, yet Uzziah who had not it lived in help by the prophet Zechariah in particular. Zechariah was an excellent prophet who knew well God’s revelation. How fortunate greatly is it to be properly educated by a good teacher? When looking at successful people without parental benefits, not a little of them got the help from a good teacher. As the case, we know in the Bible Paul the apostle taught Timothy well like a spiritual son. Among good teachers, specially the more precious teacher is the pastor who delivers Jesus’ name and teaches the Bible words. Those who attend church should know that and respect the pastor, and have a humble attitude of being politely educated. Uzziah could enjoy a prosperous life as long as time living in the will of God.

If anyone thinks oneself is standing firm, he should be careful not to fall, by the written in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Pride is a universal attribute of humans. If you has a lot of money, the environment is comfortable, popular with people, has excellent skills and knowledge, or is in good health, you may act to be haughty and will be someday ruined by arrogance in the end. Unfortunately, such that case was made to Uzziah. He entered the holy temple of Jehovah and made the mistake of burning incense to the incense altar. Azariah the priest stopped him, but Uzziah shook off and he got angry, so he had to bring on himself the wrath of God. The burning incense of the altar of Jehovah was a work to be only done by the priests Aron’s descendants. Even a king should not replace the work of a priest at his disposal. Likewise even if a person of good educational background, a layman cannot replace peculiar works of church pastor. And even if a pastor lacks knowledge, only pastor can carry out the peculiar duties as church pastor. Because of a chaotic era in depravity, it is so regrettable thing there are many people want to be pastors without a special sense of mission and calling.

Uzziah, who had committed illegal acts, was punished by God and immediately suffered from leprosy, had to stay in a separate palace until his death, and eventually failed even to enter the tombs of the kings. Anybody who believes in Jesus, who saved men with love and sacrifice, could be blessed wholly in spirit and body. So we praise the Lord, God of Love. We also express Jesus not only as the Savior, but as a friend. Even so, we shouldn’t act rudely and disorderly toward God like a child pulling a grandfather’s beard.

 

People have weaknesses that are easy to be rude when they get familiar one another. As arrogance is said the vanguard of defeat in Proverbs 16:18, but Uzziah, who had exercised his royal power for much longer time than other kings, had to spend his last year which was miserable due to arrogance. As a leprosy patient known as a so bad disease in ancient times, he was kicked out without being able to stay at his main palace. What’s the value the enjoying of splendor for more than half a century he had been blessed with in the past, in the miserable situation that he hasn’t even been able to enter the royal tombs after death? For real happiness of eternity, let’s achieve the salvation through humble faith within the name of Jesus Christ.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Mar 20th 2022)