06.08.2014 Old Testament: 2Ch 26.21–23

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Chronicles 26–28 on June 8, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

King Uzziah had been a wonderful king, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, but when the king became powerful, he sought privileges for himself to which he had no right; he thought he could enter the temple and go right to the altar of incense and burn incense on it, although the Lord had only authorized priests from the tribe of Levi to do such, not kings from the tribe of Judah. He became angry at a priest who confronted him, but the Lord became angry against the king, smiting him with leprosy. The Bible says further,

King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. Then Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land. Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz wrote. So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” Then Jotham his son reigned in his place (2 Chronicles 26.21–23). 

The last thing the Bible says of this magnificent king was a serious mistake he made during his latter days. Friends, let us not think that we can sin when we have grown in wisdom, for no work exists, and no person exists, who can transgress the Lord’s will and not pay for it dearly.