2Chronicles 26.16-23 l UZZIAH’S UNDOING

Today’s reading: 2Chronicles 25-27

2Chronicles 26.16 “16 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 of incense.”

In todays reading, the chronicler tells us about the reigns of Amaziah (2Chronicles 25), Uzziah (2Chronicles 26), and Jotham (2Chronicles 27).

Uzziah was a great man who accomplished a lot in his reign of fifty-two years (2Chronicles 26.01-15). He is mentioned as Azariah in 2Kings 15.01.

The pride of Uzziah was his undoing, as it is for many people (Proverbs 16.18; Proverbs 18.12).

Uzziah’s pride went so far that he thought that he could go into the Temple of the LORD and offer incense in the Temple. This was a job that was only for the priests (Kohanim) descended from Aaron from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 30.07-08).

Azariah the priest (Kohen) and eighty priests (Kohanim) withstood King Uzziah (2Chronicles 26.16-18). Uzziah was enraged at this, but the rebuke by the priests (Kohanim) was justified and seen visibly by the leprosy that broke out on his forehead (2Chronicles 26.19).

The leprosy made King Uzziah ceremonially unclean, and he had to leave the Temple immediately (2Chronicles 26.19-20; Leviticus 13).

Pride has been the undoing of many a great man (1John 02.16).

1John 02.16 “16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Psalm 138.06; Proverbs 03.34; Matthew 23.12; James 04.06; 1Peter 05.05).