But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. 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.”
Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, 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.
2 Chronicles 26:16-19 NIV
Observations from the life of King Uzziah.
1) Responsibility is something learned over time. Becoming king at age 16 might seem really cool, but it certainly led to a life of entitlement and pride. Teach your children responsibility . . . don't just thrust it upon them.
2) Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. As the king grew in power, it was somehow easy to forget the source of the power. When the source is forgotten, it is easy to place all your confidence in self and become full of pride.
3) When it becomes all about us, it is easy to set ourselves up as more important than God. Uzziah is now above the laws of God and takes the role of the priest upon himself.
4) Why is that when we are confronted with the sins of our life we must often respond in anger? Had Uzziah responded with humility perhaps the story would have ended differently.
What will you learn from Uzziah today?
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