Neville Turley

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

If ever a royal was born with a golden spoon in his mouth, it was Uzziah. He was sixteen years old when he was crowned King of Judah.

The boy king did not put a foot wrong, he was popular: He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. (2 Chronicles 26:5) Under his rule, Judah enjoyed a period of unparalleled prosperity.  He expanded Judah’s territory and consolidated her borders.

Uzziah became renowned for his military prowess. His army was well trained and well equipped. He achieved victory after victory. 

In addition he spent much time developing Judah’s agricultural economy. He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. (2 Chronicles 26:10) 

As Judah became more prosperous, Uzziah’s importance and prestige grew. But no matter how gifted we are, we should never believe that our achievements are solely as a result of our own efforts. Uzziah did, he became proud and no longer feared God.

He went to the temple and wanted to personally burn incense on the altar. The priests blocked him as he was not consecrated to do so.  Uzziah lost his temper and started raging at the priests.  As he did so leprosy broke out on his forehead. They hustled him out of the temple.  He himself wanted to get away for he realised God had afflicted him.

King Uzziah spent his last years leprous, living in isolation and excluded from the temple.  The king who once had everything lost it all.

Pride is the deadliest of sins, it separates us from God and from enjoying genuine fellowship.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father keep us humble for Jesus sake. Amen