“UZZIAH” MUST DIE

“IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED, I saw the LORD SITTING ON A THRONE, HIGH AND LIFTED UP, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1)

Right in the year of King Uzziah died (740-739BC), Isaiah saw the Lord. God showed His existence to Isaiah with an absolute statement that He is the KING OF KINGS and THE KING ABOVE EVERYTHING. A vision that took Isaiah to a deputation to be a God’s voice for his people. Thenceforth Isaiah walked in the call as a prophet more specifically.

Who was King Uzziah? Why does the prophet Isaiah to record the death of Uzziah, specifically as A TIME MARKER, namely: “IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED, I saw the LORD SITTING ON A THRONE…?”  Once again to ponder, why does the year of Uzziah’s death so important??

Uzziah was 10th king of Judah. He reigned for 52 years. His History is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 and 2 Kings 15:1-7. Uzziah became king when he was sixteen years old, was so young and inexperienced. At the beginning of his reign, he was under the guidance of Zechariah who taught him to live in fear of the Lord. That was a piece of the life of Uzziah which he sought the Lord with all his heart. And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. The bible noting, “He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions[a] of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. (2 Chronicles 26:5) 

During the years of his reign, Uzziah successful, especially in the field of animal husbandry, agriculture and defense. Uzziah managed to build a strong military. Under the leadership of Uzziah, Jerusalem capable of producing sophisticated war equipment at that time, so that the kingdom of Judah highly renowned and respected.

“So his fame spread far and wide, for he was MARVELOUSLY HELPED till he became strong.” ( 2 Chronicles 26:15b)

The life journey of Uzziah was the same as the meaning of his name, that is “Strength of Jehovah”. In 2 Kings 14:21 Uzziah called by the name Azariah means “Yahweh has helped”.

Nothing is a coincidence! God has designed the life of Uzziah like that since his first step in this world. If only Uzziah continued to live in fear of the Lord, he will always experience God’s works till the end amazingly. But unfortunately, all his achievement has made him change. He chose a wrong step!

“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.”(2 Chronicles 26:16 NIV)

Uzziah was haughty. He forgot that the source of its success is the “Power of Jehovah” as his meaning name. He forgot that “Yahweh has helped” him with very magical way.

Uzziah CHOSE to be proud and CHOSE to be unfaithful. I use the word “CHOOSE” because sometimes we know if we do something wrong, but we choose to harden our hearts and continue to live in our wrong ways. God has a wonderful plan for us since we were created. But every step we CHOOSE today will DETERMINE OUR FUTURE.

“Because they hated knowledge And did not CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.” (Proverbs 1:29-31 NKJV)

Likewise Uzziah. His choice to become haughty and not fear of the Lord eventually led him to downfall for the rest of his life. With the success and power as king, Uzziah feel able to do everything, including the burning of incense in the temple that should only be performed by a priest. But when reprimanded by the priest, Uzziah instead repent but angrier. Since that time Uzziah had leprosy and had to stay at seclusion until his death. Uzziah was not only lost his position and authority as a king, but he was also excommunicated from the house of the Lord!

Why did Uzziah have to pay a terrible price for his mistakes? Because Uzziah not only no respect the priests, but he did not fear of God. Uzziah not only underestimated the ordinances of worship, but he did not honor the holiness of God.

Not respect the leader is the same with not honor God, because God who choose and anoint leaders

“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1 Thessalonian 5:12)

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Hebrews 13:17a NKJV)

God anoints and uses us as His instrument, yes it’s true! But our authority only as far as God allows us, not more. When we overreact and even break the authority over us, it means we begin to rebel against the Lord.

Now let’s look at ourselves, if we unconsciously also behave like Uzziah?? Let us reflect from life of Uzziah and see from the two sides:

FIRST: Whether there is “THE SPIRIT OF UZZIAH” in ourselves, namely arrogance and unfaithfulness ??

In all the success and blessings that God gave to us, sometimes UNCONSCIOUSLY we boast such a way so that all ATTENTION, ADMIRATION, and PRAISE addressed TO OURSELVES and NOT TO GOD, until PEOPLE CANNOT SEE GOD is behind all of our achievement.

People who are proud to themselves will not be able to recognizing the greatness of God, honoring God’s name, and obey to the Lord. For the pride make them just admiring and focus on themselves. In the end, they will be unfaithful to the Lord. People who are proud of themselves is not possible to worship God, while at the same time they “adore” themselves.

Beware! Whatever the form, God’s blessing can change a person. Success can make us arrogant and unfaithful like Uzziah if we do not keep our hearts carefully. Therefore, keep looking for the Lord, not His blessings!

If we desire to see (to know) God and we want others can see (know) God through our lives, then “THE SPIRIT OF UZZIAH” should not be there in our lives !!!

SECOND: Whether there is “Uzziah” reigns in our hearts??

Let’s go back to Isaiah 6:1 for a moment: “IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED, I saw the LORD SITTING ON A THRONE, HIGH AND LIFTED UP, and the train of His robe filled the temple.”

Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, not Uzziah!!!

All the king certainly has their throne. But God’s throne is high and exalted throne surpassed all thrones. Even God is ruling to removes and raises up kings. God is the King above all kings.

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21)

In this time, whether Uzziah currently reigns in our hearts? Who or what is becoming “uzziah” in our life? Uzziah means all things (WHOEVER AND WHATEVER) that  interesting and control of our lives more than God, who made our eyes are not focused on God. Career, self-esteem, money, fame, hobby, or someone.

If we are not keeping our hearts, ministry can be “Uzziah” that occupying our hearts. Many people are more give priority to ministry activities than personal relationship with God. Slow but sure their spirituality becomes “dry” and missing intimacy with the Holy Spirit. And what about the servant of God? Yes…. Even servant of God or our spiritual leader could be “Uzziah” in our lives, that is when we more believe in him and more hope to him, rather than to God !!!

Let’s we are learning from  Uzziah…He sought the Lord only during the life of Zechariah: “He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions[a] of God…” (2 Chronicles 26:5a)

Uzziah relied his knowledge of God on Zechariah. Uzziah did not know God personally. He just closed with Zechariah, but not closed with God. Finally Uzziah became unfaithful to God when Zecharias died.

As long as there is something or someone who becomes “king” and occupied the “throne” in our hearts, then we are certainly not making God as King of kings in our lives.

To could see God as King of kings, then the entire “uzziah” in our life must “die”!!!

Dear readers, let’s be humble if we are very successful and blessed. Grateful and give all the praise we have received to the Lord.Let’s acknowledge in our hearts and say it with our mouths that all only because of the Lord. Keep living in the fear of God and love Him more, so OTHERS CAN SEE THE LORD WHO EXISTS WITHIN US and who does everything in us.

We may and even have to chase a dream, building a career, serving the God’s work, doing the best for those we love, and respect to servants of God. But we must put God as the foremost above all.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23 NIV)

Do it all not for self-satisfaction, and not for recognition from others, but solely to glorifying and pleasing God. The source of all is in the heart. If the source is not true, then our attitude and behavior will also not be in harmony with the truth.

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)

The problem is we often not knowing our deepest hearts.  So let’s pray like David:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; (Psalms 139:23)

Let’s invoke the Holy Spirit so that He shows us if there is a part of our hearts and minds are not pleasing to God. If we continue to build an intimate and strong relationship with the Holy Spirit, then day by day we will grow in the knowledge of God to be His witnesses. Amen.

 

Oleh: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Posted in English: UZIA HARUS MATI (click here)

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