We finished looking at the life of Samson a couple of weeks ago. Do you remember what we said about his life? His life could be characterized by one word, 'Wasted'. Wasted time, wasted strength, and wasted opportunities. Tonight I want us to look at another character whose life serves as a vivid reminder that we must be faithful, and not waste what God has given to us.
Last week I saw a photo in the newspaper of the IU bench during their embarrassing loss in Wisconsin. I looked into the face of a young man named, George Leach. He was there, not in uniform, sidelined due to an injury. He wanted to be in the game, he wanted to participate, but had to sit by and watch his team be humiliated!
The sad truth is that there are many folks who have 'sidelined' themselves! They are "used to be" Christians. They 'used to be' involved, they 'used to be' faithful, or they 'used to be' servants of God! There are far too many church members who have voluntarily been sidelined in the work of God.
The development of leadership in Israel had taken a giant step downward since David was a man after God's own heart. Solomon's sons split the kingdom. Our main character this evening is the tenth king of the southern kingdom down the line from Rehoboam.
His name is Uzziah, also known as Azariah in 2 Kings 14:21. Perhaps best known due to Isaiah's mention of him in death. (Is. 6:1) Uzziah reigned fifty-two years, taking the throne as a teenager. For many years his reign was impressive, but something happened and the results were tragic, both nationally and personally. Note: 2 Chronicles 26
I. Uzziah as a Youth. v1-5
A. His beginning. (1-3)
1. By unanimous vote of the people of Judah, he was made king.
2. His father, Amaziah, had been murdered as a result of a conspiracy in Jerusalem.
3. His father's life story is told in one sentence.
2Ch 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
4. His mother was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. (there is no other mention of her in Scripture)
B. His godliness. (v4-5)
1. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord...like his father before him.
2. He sought God...
3. As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
C. His example to us.
1. It is important that we do that which is right in the sight of the Lord, but not half-heartedly!
2. We must learn to seek the Lord
a. in decisions today
b. in plans for tomorrow
c. in everything we do
3. We will realize the same blessing on our lives as well.
II. Uzziah as Ruler. v6-15
A. National accomplishments.
1. Away from home. (v6-8)
a. he won a decisive victory over Israel's longtime enemy, the Philistines.
b. he rebuilt the cities after his victories.
c. God helped him win against others as well, and his name and power became well- known.
2. At home. (v9-10)
a. he fortified Jerusalem against invasion.
b. he developed the land agriculturally.
c. he was a farmer at heart.
B. Military strength.
1. He developed his army numerically. (v11-13)
2. He developed his men through training and preparation. (v14)
3. He incorporated the latest technology in defense of the kingdom. (v15)
4. Once again we see that his fame builds far and wide.
III. Uzziah as a Rebel. v16-18
A. Inwardly: Pride v16a
1. "When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction...
2. "When pride cometh, then cometh shame..." Prov. 11:2
3. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Pr.16:18
4. He began to think of himself more highly than he ought...
5. 1 Co. 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
B. Personally: He forgot that it was God who had promoted him.
1. He began to read his own press releases.
2. We better be careful not to believe everything others may say about us!
3. He didn't think he needed God any more.
a. people ask me to pray about things...
b. some people I know who have been in need of work...others ask for prayer for health…
c. then they forget God when it comes to giving to God's work here and around the world.
d. they forget God when it comes to church attendance and service.
e. oh how prone we are to forget the blessings of God!
f. NOTE: Ps. 103:2, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:"
C. Outwardly: Corruption. v16b-18
1. He crossed boundaries that God had set.
2. Even as king, he had no right to cross them.
3. God had established that only the high priest was to burn incense on the altar of incense.
4. Azariah and all of the priests warned him that he was violating God's standards, but he wouldn't listen!
a. God still has standards for His people.
b. we find them in this book
c. pride will cause us to not care what God has to say.
d. pride will prompt us to violated God's Word without regard for the consequences.
IV. Uzziah at the end. v19-23
A. God judged him for his pride.
1. As he turned in rage toward the man of God...he began to turn into a leper.
2. Leprosy was, and still is, a dreaded disease without cure.
3. When it became apparent that God was judging him with this horrible condition the priest threw him out of the temple.
B. Uzziah lost it all.
1. He lost his kingdom and all of his power ... Jotham, his son, was placed in control.
2. He lost his favor with God and man.
a. remember that he had been unanimously elected as king.
b. now he was an outcast from society.
c. he was cut off from the house of the Lord...he couldn't even enter to pray.
3. He lost his fame and honor.
a. once he was known for his great accomplishments both at home and abroad...
b. now he was known as a leper unto the day of his death.
c. and even in death he was to be remembered as a leper.
What can be learned from this tragic account of one who held much promise in the beginning and had such a disappointing finish? It does make a difference how we end our race in life! There is only place in the Bible where we find the word "success".
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
The Lord who blesses is also able to bruise and to break. As we begin this New Year for the Lord, let's remain faithful.