Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years during the 8th century BC. His reign is documented in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26. Uzziah is remembered for his initial faithfulness to God, which brought prosperity and strength to the kingdom of Judah. However, his later years were marked by pride and disobedience, leading to his affliction with leprosy.

Early Reign and Success

Uzziah became king at the age of sixteen, following the assassination of his father, Amaziah. Under the guidance of the prophet Zechariah, Uzziah sought the Lord and was blessed with success. "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done" (2 Kings 15:3). His reign was characterized by military victories, economic prosperity, and significant building projects, including fortifications in Jerusalem and the development of agriculture.

Pride and Disobedience

Despite his achievements, Uzziah's heart became proud, leading to his downfall. His pride manifested in a significant act of disobedience against God's established order. Uzziah entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved exclusively for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This act of presumption was a direct violation of the divine law, as outlined in Numbers 18:7.

The priests, led by Azariah, confronted Uzziah, warning him of his transgression. "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully! You will not receive honor from the LORD God" (2 Chronicles 26:18).

Divine Judgment and Affliction

In response to his disobedience, God struck Uzziah with leprosy, a severe and isolating disease. "While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead" (2 Chronicles 26:19). This affliction was both a physical and social judgment, as leprosy rendered Uzziah ceremonially unclean and required him to live in isolation.

Uzziah's leprosy remained until the day of his death, and he lived in a separate house, cut off from the temple and the community. His son Jotham took over the governance of the kingdom during this time. The affliction of leprosy served as a constant reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience to God's commands.

Legacy and Lessons

Uzziah's reign is a poignant example of how initial faithfulness can be overshadowed by pride and disobedience. His life serves as a warning of the dangers of self-exaltation and the importance of adhering to God's established order. Despite his accomplishments, Uzziah's legacy is marred by his affliction, illustrating the biblical principle that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). His account is a testament to the truth that no earthly success can compensate for a heart that turns away from the Lord.2 Chronicles 26:19-21
Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
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The Antiquities of the Jews
... Of Their Country, And Experienced Great Afflictions; And When ... What He Did For The
Punishment Of The Wicked. ... Not Long After Was Slain, And Uzziah Succeeded In ...
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On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... Thus was Uzziah prevented from burning incense unto Jehovah ... from sinning, when they
see wicked men "wearied ... kingdom through the endurance of afflictions, as a ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

Questions.
... Who began to prophesy in Uzziah's time ... What of the dying among the wicked and the
burial?"Psalm 88:3 ... 2. How had they been told to meet their afflictions?"Matt ...
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The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... poverty and sickness, among the rage of wicked men, than ... Surely God sends thy
afflictions for this very purpose. ... Even as "the priests thrust king Uzziah out of ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... the Son, in which covenant this gift of the Father is most certainly comprised,
will be shaken, or at leastwise questionable, by erroneous and wicked men: for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

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