Pride and ambition are two different things.
Samuel Acevedo
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The story of King Uzziah in Second Chronicles 26 teaches us about the dangers of pride and ambition, even in the midst of a revival. Uzziah, a king of Judah, became powerful and successful, but his heart was lifted up in rebellion against God. He entered the temple to burn incense, a job reserved for priests, and when confronted by the high priest, he became angry and was struck with leprosy on his forehead. This symbolizes the spiritual numbness and insensitivity that pride can bring. The lesson for us is to examine our hearts, ask the Lord to fill any voids or insecurities, and be willing to submit to correction and obedience to God's will.
The story of King Uzziah teaches us the importance of heeding warnings and being sensitive to God's nudges. Uzziah was a successful king, but his pride led him to enter the temple and offer incense, a task reserved for priests. God struck him with leprosy as a consequence. Uzziah lived the rest of his life in isolation, and his son had to rule in his place. However, the lesson is not that God is harsh, but that if Uzziah had humbled himself and asked for cleansing, God would have healed him. The story teaches us to approach God with humility, and to be open to His power and miracles.
The story of King Uzziah teaches us the importance of heeding warnings and being sensitive to God's nudges. Uzziah was a successful king, but his pride led him to enter the temple and offer incense, a task reserved for priests. God struck him with leprosy as a consequence. Uzziah lived the rest of his life in isolation, and his son had to rule in his place. However, the lesson is not that God is harsh, but that if Uzziah had humbled himself and asked for cleansing, God would have healed him. The story teaches us to approach God with humility, and to be open to His power and miracles.
Second Chronicles 26. We are not going to read this entire chapter but certain sections in particular, beginning with the first verse: “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in instead of Amaziah, his father. Uzziah built Elot and restored Judah after King Amaziah slept with his fathers. Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem, and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. And he persisted in seeking God in the days of Zacharias, understood in visions of God and in these days that he sought Jehovah, He prospered him”.
Verse 8: “And the Ammonites – all this story is consistent and these verses are supporting this story – gave gifts to Uzziah and his fame spread to the border of Egypt because he had become highly powerful.” The story continues: “And he made machines in Jerusalem invented by engineers to have in the towers and in the bulwarks to steal arrows and large stones. And her fame spread far because she was marvelously helped until she became powerful."
Verse 8: “And the Ammonites – all this story is consistent and these verses are supporting this story – gave gifts to Uzziah and his fame spread to the border of Egypt because he had become highly powerful.” The story continues: “And he made machines in Jerusalem invented by engineers to have in the towers and in the bulwarks to steal arrows and large stones. And her fame spread far because she was marvelously helped until she became powerful."
