HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN! PT. 3
FROM ROYALTY TO LEPROSY
...But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord...to burn incense. So Azariah the priest went after him...Then Uzziah became furious;...while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead. King Uzziah was a leper
We are still learning from the Biblical characters, men of mighty standing, who Fell at last. It is aimed at helping us adjust our life as we walk daily with God, giving us the right consciousness of who we are, and where we are going.
Our text is a picture of one of the most successful kings of the Southern Kingdom, the eleventh and the second longest serving king in Judah (52 years). His name was Uzziah, called Azariah in 2Kings 14:21. His tragic biography ended on the note of failure. Instead of being buried in the sepulcher of the kings in Jerusalem, he was buried in a field outside the city. It is this ironic twist in his career that deserves our focus. That was a man into whose grave marker a marvelous accolade would have been chiseled. However, he had in his eulogy a four simple words, “Here lies a leper.”
Our text is a picture of one of the most successful kings of the Southern Kingdom, the eleventh and the second longest serving king in Judah (52 years). His name was Uzziah, called Azariah in 2Kings 14:21. His tragic biography ended on the note of failure. Instead of being buried in the sepulcher of the kings in Jerusalem, he was buried in a field outside the city. It is this ironic twist in his career that deserves our focus. That was a man into whose grave marker a marvelous accolade would have been chiseled. However, he had in his eulogy a four simple words, “Here lies a leper.”
UZZIAH’S MIGHT, A PRODUCT OF GRACE FROM GRASS
He was made king at age sixteen (vv.1, 3; 2kings 14:21)
He did not choose himself, but God did through all the people (vv. 1; 2kings 14:21).
He was a popular choice for divine purpose: Israel had many enemies, and he was to be God’s extension for deliverance, from the Philistines (vv.6,7), the Arabians, the Mehunims (v. 7), and the Ammonites (v. 8).
As Children of God, our calling is a call to divine might and accomplishments, and all that we are is by grace and to grace (see John 3:27; 1Cor 15:10). Nebuchadnezzar learnt this lesson, but in a hard way (Daniel 4:24-37).
UZZIAH’S MIGHT, SUSTAINED BY THE RIGHT INFLUENCE AND INSTRUCTION
He had a father and predecessor (Amaziah), who did what was right in the sight of the LORD... (2Chr. 25:2; 2kings 14:3) in his earliest days.
He also had Zechariah, the unpopular priest, whose instruction of God’s word, in the initial stage of his reign, made the young king outstandingly mighty and prosperous (v. 5). Indeed, Uzziah was surrounded with and impacted by great effective influence. The more he embraced the influence and instructions, the more greater he became.
There are questions to reflect on here: Who do you seek? Who is your influence? Who are you influencing and instructing, and how do you influence and instruct them? How best are you influencing and instructing the younger generation? Who do you take directives from, God or man? What do you teach people; the Word or the world? Your influence makes your difference and your affluence.
He also had Zechariah, the unpopular priest, whose instruction of God’s word, in the initial stage of his reign, made the young king outstandingly mighty and prosperous (v. 5). Indeed, Uzziah was surrounded with and impacted by great effective influence. The more he embraced the influence and instructions, the more greater he became.
There are questions to reflect on here: Who do you seek? Who is your influence? Who are you influencing and instructing, and how do you influence and instruct them? How best are you influencing and instructing the younger generation? Who do you take directives from, God or man? What do you teach people; the Word or the world? Your influence makes your difference and your affluence.
UZZIAH’S AREAS OF MIGHT IDENTIFIED
Politically, his armies were victorious (vv.6-8).
His projects and programs were successful (vv. 9-10).
Militarily, his leadership was superb (vv. 11-15). He was an amazing military mind - organized, prepared, and inventive. everyone studied his maneuvers and learned brilliant strategies of warfare.
Personally, his fame spread throughout then entire known World. His strength was envied by other kings (vv. 8b, 15b).
What feat are you known for? What is the record of your greatness in God? What would you be missed for?
His projects and programs were successful (vv. 9-10).
Militarily, his leadership was superb (vv. 11-15). He was an amazing military mind - organized, prepared, and inventive. everyone studied his maneuvers and learned brilliant strategies of warfare.
Personally, his fame spread throughout then entire known World. His strength was envied by other kings (vv. 8b, 15b).
What feat are you known for? What is the record of your greatness in God? What would you be missed for?
UZZIAH’S MIGHT TWISTED HIS MIND
He lost consciousness that God was responsible for his success. He became a victim of PRIDE. It blinded him to the need of humility (v.16a).
He became a rebel (vv. 16-18), and a victim of Deut. 8:11-20. He shared same identity with his father (2Chro. 25:2), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:24-37), and Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-16). All of his godly obedience was erased! All of his successes were eclipsed by folly!
He was struck with LEPROSY. And he died a leper! In the place of a marvelous accolade chiseled into his grave marker was rather four simple word eulogy, “He was a leper.” How are the mighty fallen!
Thou mighty man beware! You cannot afford the disaster of a fall. The shame is unequal! Hold on to God! Follow God’s command! See how God repulses PRIDE (Prov.6:16-19).
BLESSINGS.
REV. IZUCHUKWU UWA
