The Rise And Fall Of King Uzziah

THE RISE AND FALL OF KING UZZIAH

Text: II Chron.26: 4, 5, 16a

Intro: The biblical account of King Uzziah is a classic example of what happens to a man who gets too big for his spiritual britches.

Uzziah’s ascension to the throne had no doubt filled the hearts of the people of Judah with renewed hope. The last two kings of Judah had started well enough, but after a while, had led the kingdom back into idolatry, bringing judgment upon the nation. As a result, both of the former kings, Joash and Amaziah, met their death due to conspiracy.

Like his father and grandfather before him, Uzziah began his reign well. He showed much promise as a godly ruler that would lead Judah back to God and the restoration of God’s blessings. But over the years, as God blessed Uzziah, a secret enemy began to invade his heart ever so subtly. So subtle was this enemy that Uzziah likely wasn’t aware of what was happening to him until he had been dealt the fatal blow.

What was this subtle enemy that defeated Uzziah, you say? Basically, he let his V.I.P. status go to his H.E.A.D. In other words, Uzziah became proud and haughty. Somewhere amidst all the blessings, he lost sight of the fact that God was the source of his power, popularity, and prosperity.

Pride is a killer. It will kill your spiritual growth. It will kill your intimacy with the Savior.

Why is pride so spiritually fatal? It is because pride moves one to focus on self instead of Christ. Pride enthrones self rather than the Savior. That condition can produce but one result: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov.16: 18).

As we look into the life of King Uzziah today, we must be warned that God’s blessings can have the unintended result of pride if we are not careful. We must stay alert; ever staying focused on the true source of every blessing—God Himself.

Theme: Uzziah’s prideful defeat is made sadder by:

I. UZZIAH’S SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE

A. He Became King As A Youth.

II Chron.26: 1 “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.”

NOTE: One can only imagine how insecure a sixteen-year-old boy must have felt knowing that a whole nation was looking to him for leadership. No doubt this prompted him to seek God’s face often, and depend upon God for leadership and guidance. But that’s precisely what made him a good king.

B. He Reigned As King Many Years.

II Chron.26: 3a “Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem…”

NOTE: It’s very sad to think about the fact that Uzziah started his reign in humbleness and humility and ended his reign in humiliation. As long as he remained humble before God, he prospered. But the moment pride took over, it brought fifty-two years of blessing to a halt. Pride can destroy what humility and dependence upon God has built up.

II. UZZIAH’S SUCCESS IN SPITE OF TROUBLES

II Chron.26: 4 “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.”

NOTE: Notice that the basis of Uzziah’s success was the fact that he was humble and obedient before God. As long as King Uzziah stayed focused and dependent on God, he prospered in all that he did.

A. He Prospered In Battle.

II Chron.26: 6 “And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.

7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.

8a And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah…”

NOTE: As long as Uzziah walked with God, God fought his battles. Folks, we need to remember that we need to maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus if we are to be victorious in the spiritual warfare. James speaks of this when he says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4: 7).

B. He Prospered In Building.

1. He built cities in the land once occupied by the enemy.

II Chron.26: 6b “…and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.”

2. He built many fortifications.

II Chron.26: 9 “Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.