The Rise and Fall of Uzziah

INTRODUCTION: Uzziah was a prosperous king until he allowed himself to swell up with pride. His prosperity turned to his fall when he tried to take the work of the priests upon himself. A king that started with so much potential died as a leper because his heart was lifted up with pride.

1. THE BEGINNING OF UZZIAHS REIGN (2 Chronicles 26:1-4; 2 Kings 15:1-4)
1. The Details of the Reign (2 Chronicles 26:1, 3; 2 Kings 15:1-2)
1. Began in the 27th year of Jeroboam, king of Israel (2 Kings 15:1)
2. Began when he was 16 years old (2 Chronicles 26:1, 3; 2 Kings 15:2)
3. He reigned 52 years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:3; 2 Kings 15:2).
4. His mothers name was Jecoliah (2 Chronicles 26:3; 2 Kings 15:2).
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Chronicles 26:4; 2 Kings 15:3-4)
1. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did (2 Chronicles 26:4; 2 Kings 15:3).
2. However, he failed to remove the high places. The people sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places (2 Kings 15:4).
3. His First Order of Business (2 Chronicles 26:2; 2 Kings 14:22)
1. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah.
2. He did so after the king (Amaziah) slept with his fathers.
2. UZZIAHS PROSPERITY (2 Chronicles 26:5-15)
1. The Reason for His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:5)
1. He sought God in the days of Zechariah.
2. As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper (Psalm 34:10).
2. The Areas of His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:6-15)
1. He was prosperous in battle (2 Chronicles 26:6-7).
1. Against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6-7)
1. He broke down walls in Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod (2 Chronicles 26:6).
2. He built cities amongst the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6).
2. Against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal (2 Chronicles 26:7)
3. Against the Mehunims (2 Chronicles 26:7)
2. He was prosperous in foreign relations (2 Chronicles 26:8).
1. The Ammonites gave him gifts.
2. His name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt.
3. He was prosperous in national security (2 Chronicles 26:9-15).
1. In construction (2 Chronicles 26:9-10)
1. He built towers in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:9).
2. He built towers in the desert (2 Chronicles 26:10).
2. In agriculture (2 Chronicles 26:10)
1. He digged many wells.
2. He had much cattle.
3. He had husbandmen and vine dressers.
3. In military might (2 Chronicles 26:11-15)
1. The military was organized (2 Chronicles 26:11).
2. The military was strong in number (2 Chronicles 26:12-13).
1. The number of the mighty men of valour numbered 2600 (2 Chronicles 26:12).
2. The army numbered 307,500 (2 Chronicles 26:13).
3. The weaponry was increased (2 Chronicles 26:14-15).
1. For hand to hand combat (2 Chronicles 26:14)
1. Shields
2. Spears
3. Helmets
4. Habergeons
5. Bows
6. Slings
2. For arial attack (2 Chronicles 26:15)
1. Engines to sit upon towers and bulwarks
2. To shoot arrows and great stones
3. Note: This would be a total of seven different weapons.
3. The Result of His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:15)
1. His name spread far abroad.
2. He was marvelously helped.
3. He was strong.
3. UZZIAHS FALL (2 Chronicles 26:16-20; 2 Kings 15:5)
1. The Reason for His Fall (2 Chronicles 26:16)
1. He was strong. Note: We are often more vulnerable in times of strength.
2. His heart was lifted up to his destruction.
2. The Transgression of Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-20)
1. He went into the temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16).
2. Azariah and 80 other priests went in after Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:17).
3. The priests withstood Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:18).
1. They told him that the burning of incense did not appertain to him.
2. They told him that incense should only be burnt by the consecrated sons of Aaron.
3. They told him to leave the sanctuary.
4. They warned him of the judgment of God.
1. He had trespassed.
2. It would not be for his honour from the LORD God.
4. The Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:19-20).
1. Uzziah was wroth with the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19).
2. Leprosy rose up in his forehead before the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19).
3. The priests thrust him out of the sanctuary (2 Chronicles 26:20).
4. Uzziah hasted to go out, knowing he was smitten of the LORD (2 Chronicles 26:20; 2 Kings 15:5).
4. THE END OF UZZIAHS REIGN (2 Chronicles 26:21-23; 2 Kings 15:5-7)
1. His Last Days (2 Chronicles 26:21; 2 Kings 15:5)
1. He was a leper unto the day of his death.
2. He dwelt in a several house.
3. He was cut off from the house of the Lord.
4. Jotham, his son, was over the kings house and judged the people.
2. The Rest of His Acts (2 Chronicles 26:22; 2 Kings 15:6)
1. Some found in 2 Kings 15
2. Some found in 2 Chronicles 26
3. Some found in Isaiah 1-6
3. His Death (2 Chronicles 26:23; 2 Kings 15:7)
1. Uzziah slept with his fathers.
2. They buried him in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings.
3. He was remembered as being a leper.
4. Jotham, his son, reigned in his stead.

CONCLUSION: Uzziah was a great king and was greatly blessed of the Lord. At the peak of his strength, he began to trust in himself. His strength led to his fall. It is often in times of perceived strength that saints of God become most vulnerable.