2 Chronicles 26 could be summarized by Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall“. Simply put, pride causes us to believe that we do not need God. The chapter begins, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years… He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God“. We also read that he sought God “Just as his father had done“. He relied on the relationship with the priest instead of the Lord. We clearly have a responsibility to share our faith, but ultimately, each individual must personally develop a relationship with God. King Uzziah did great things for Judah. “God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs… and his fame spread… because he had become very powerful“. He rebuilt Judah’s military, “Uzziah had a well-trained army… of 307,500 men trained for war. And they had the best equipment possible, “Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows… he made machines designed by skillful men… to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful“. Finally we read the words we have been anticipating, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God“. In our society, it is so easy to trust in our wealth, possessions and gadgets. Have you become powerful in your own mind?
The king crossed the line when he took on the role of the priest. The king “entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense“. Azariah the priest followed him in. The priests confronted him and said, “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“. This is not the first time one of the rulers felt entitled to act as priest, but God is Holy and we are not. There was only one King and Priest, one intercessor between God and Man. The sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ was “once and for all”. The king could have asked for forgiveness, but instead, he became angry. “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.” In an instant, his priorities changed. Immediately he realized his power was limited. Physical power will fade, mental power will dull and gadgets wear out, but peace with God is eternal. Romans 5:1 reminds us, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God“.
The chapter ends with a sad commentary, “King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house leprous, and excluded from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land“. We tend to think he was humbled through this affliction, but there is not one word of the king’s repentance. We can be so stubborn! Luke 15:7 reminds us that it is God’s great delight when the “lost sheep” responds to the Lord’s call. Jesus said, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance“. Are you living without God’s peace? All you need is enough faith to ask for His forgiveness. You are God’s delight.