Week 8
February 17 – Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26
As long as Uzziah sought to please the Lord, God made him to prosper. He became great through science and inventions. God blessed him with a very smart mind. Uzziah became strong and well known among other kingdoms. The problem came through his strength. As with other kings before him, he forgot why God blessed him. With success, popularity, and influence comes a dangerous dose of pride. If pride is not dealt with properly, it will destroy you (Proverbs 16:18).
Uzziah’s specific downfall was when he lowered the holiness of God. In verse 16 we see him disrespecting how holy God is. The priests had to go through a cleansing process and meet specifications before they approached the altar. Uzziah thought himself holier than he was, implying God did not deserve being treated so holy. Uzziah’s punishment came after 81 priests told him to leave, and Uzziah got angry at the priests.
God is holy! He deserves us to be holy and set apart from the world. When our prideful actions are pointed out, let’s respond with a tender heart instead of an abrasive irritation. Uzziah never set out to make God angry, but he lost focus on pleasing God instead of himself.
