Monday, September 21, 2015

Uzziah's success and downfall

CHe sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear[b] of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success...16 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. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests,the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy[c] broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.

21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house[d]—leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.(Chronicles 26)

Thoughts:  Uzziah, known as Azariah, started out well.  He conquered many, got gis pride got in the way.  He contracted leprosy because  of his pride.  He cinquered long time foes like the Philistines, but in his pride he was not able to discern his limits.  He wanted to be a high priest too.  He started to offer a sacrifice in the Temple in the place reserved for high priests.  There he contracted leprosy and he spent the rest of his life in regret and misery.  When God blesses us, we should accept His blessings with humility and give Him glory, being content with our lives. 

Prayer: Hlep me to do your will and to not have prdie when you bless me Lord.

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