Uzziah, King of Judah by Joseph Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1857

Uzziah, King of Judah

By Joseph Clarke

Was the tenth sovereign in succession from Rehoboam, and from the secession of the ten tribes, and in the life and history of Uzziah, are three things, worthy of our studious attention.

The first is found comprised in 2 Chron. xxvi, 5, "And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper," and to verse 16 is a glowing account of his success, both in the arts of war and of peace. "And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong." His power and fame spread far abroad. His wealth was abundant. What could he wish more? Why was not ambition sated?

The second part in the life of Uzziah, is his pride, the bane of his prosperity. "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." Verse 16. Thus far all had been prosperity, and wealth, and power, and popularity; these begat pride. Now, O Uzziah! thy pride shall be thy destruction. For as he went into the temple to burn incense, vanity and proud ambition impelling him, and the priests of the Lord's house resisting him, we now come to the third and final act of Uzziah, in verse 19, and the sequel. "Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand, to burn incense, and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy rose up in his forehead; and they thrust him out, yea himself hastened to go out, because the Lord had smitten him," and for the rest of his life he dwelt in a house by himself, being a leper. Oh, could we see the dire effects of pride upon our race, how humble we should be, how lowly, and meek. O Lord, help us to learn from this example.

JOSEPH CLARKE.