Uzziah the ruler

2 Chronicles Chapter 26

Amaziah's son Uzziah became the next king of Judah. He did what was pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God and as long as the king sought the Lord, God gave him success.

Uzziah declared war on the Philistines and broke the walls of several of their major cities. God helped him with his wars against the Philistines and also with his battles against the Arabs of Gur and with war against the Meunites. The Meunites paid him tribute and Uzziah's fame spread even to Egypt. So he continued to fortify towers and build forts in the wildeness. He kept great herds of livestock and he was a man who loved the soil and had many farms and vineyards. His military might was well-trained warriors and they had the finest shields, spears etc. He produced machines that were mounted on the walls of Jerusalem, designed to shoot arrows and hurl stones from the towers.

As Uzziah became powerful, he also became proud. He sinned against God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord's Temple and personally burnt incense on the altar. Azariah, the high priest went in with eighty other priest to confront Uzziah and told him to get out of the sanctuary because he had sinned.They told him God would not honor him for this sin.

Uzziah was furious and refused to put down the incense burner, but as he stood there before the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah saw this, the king was rushed out, because the Lord had struck him. He had leprosy until the day he died and lived in isolation. His son Jotham was put in charge of the palace and governed the people.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The machines used by Uzziah's army were similar to the catapults later used by the Romans and were capable of slinging stones or arrows a great distance.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? God hates pride. Even today while we feel elation for an accomplishment, we must remember to give credit to God for what we have. We must use our gifts in ways that please God. Uzziah's story reminds us that nobody is above the law, no matter how powerful. It is sad that Uzziah is remembered more for being struck with leprosy than for the great reforms he did throughout the land. I hope you will be of consistent faith and be remembered for this trait. Praise God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.