Alistair Begg – The Weakness of Strength

Uzziah’s Reign: A Story of Prosperity and Downfall

In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 26, we read about the reign of King Uzziah, who became king of Judah at just 16 years old after his father, King Amaziah, passed away. Uzziah’s reign lasted 52 years in Jerusalem, and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, following in his father’s footsteps. He sought God’s guidance through the prophet Zechariah, and as long as he stayed faithful to God, he prospered.

Uzziah waged war against the Philistines, conquering the cities of Gath, Ashdod, and others, with God’s help. His military success extended to defeating the Arabians and the Meunites. The Ammonites paid tribute to him, and his fame spread to Egypt due to his growing strength.

The king focused on building Judah’s infrastructure. He constructed towers in Jerusalem and fortified key locations, including the valley gate and the corner gate. Uzziah built towers in the wilderness and dug many wells for his large herds of cattle. He also supported farming, with vineyards and fields in the hills and plains, showing his love for agriculture.

In addition to his agricultural success, Uzziah had a powerful army of 307,500 soldiers, ready for battle. He provided them with shields, spears, helmets, and other equipment, ensuring they were prepared for war. Uzziah even invented machines for the towers to shoot arrows and stones, further strengthening his defenses. His fame continued to grow due to his military prowess and innovations.

However, as Uzziah grew stronger, his pride led to his downfall. Despite being a king, he entered the Temple of the Lord to burn incense, a task reserved for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. The chief priest Azariah, accompanied by 80 priests, confronted Uzziah and told him that only priests were allowed to offer incense. Enraged, Uzziah refused to leave, but as he stood there with a censer in his hand, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

The priests quickly rushed Uzziah out of the Temple, and he realized that the Lord had struck him with leprosy. From that moment on, Uzziah lived in isolation, away from the Temple, and was excluded from the house of the Lord. His son, Jotham, governed the people in his place.

The story of Uzziah’s reign ends with his death. The prophet Isaiah, the son of Amos, wrote about Uzziah’s life and reign. Uzziah was buried in a royal burial field, but the people of Judah remembered him as a leper. His son, Jonathan, succeeded him as king.

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