We continue to consider various lessons from the lives of the kings of northern Israel and southern Judah. What is pertinent is that these lessons are very close to home and very relevant to us in our present context.
We look at king Amaziah (2 Kings 14), son of king Joash, the only surviving royal offspring from the killing of all the offering by queen Athaliah and king Uzziah (also known as king Azariah), the son of king Amaziah.
For these sharings, the cross-references are from 2 Chronicles chapters 25 and 26.
King Amaziah did what was right before God but not wholeheartedly. In his military campaign against Edom, besides depending on his own army, he hired 100,000 soldiers from Israel. A man of God counselled him not to let the soldiers from northern Israel to join his army as God was not with Israel. Amaziah listened to the counsel and dismissed the soldiers from Israel although he had paid them.
King Amaziah secured a great victory against Edom but unfortunately, he brought back the gods of the Edomites and worshipped them. When a man of God questioned his foolish action, before the man of God could finish his communication, king Amaziah stopped him with this question: “Have we appointed you as an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”
King Amaziah would not listen and God subsequently delivered him into the hands of the king of Israel.
King Amaziah’s son, king Uzziah, was outstanding and successful in various military campaigns and became famous, receiving tributes from many countries. He had a large well-trained army and a formidable array of military hardware.
However, after becoming famous and powerful, king Uzziah was unfaithful to God and entered the temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. The high priest and eighty other courageous priests confronted him and did not allow him to do so, as this task was only reserved for consecrated priests, descendants of Aaron.
King Uzziah became very angry and while he was raging, leprosy broke out on his forehead and he had to be hurriedly ushered out. He had leprosy until the day he died.
What is common to these two kings, father and son?
It is arrogance and pride. Both forgot that there is a king above them, the King of kings, God Himself. They both sought to put themselves above God. Amaziah was not willing to listen to God’s Word communicated through His servant and, in fact, he wanted to harm the servant of God. King Uzziah similarly raged against the high priest and priests who rightly and courageously stood in his way. He could have been killed before the altar of incense and the outbreak of leprosy may in fact be God’s mercy to him.
Whatever success we can achieve in our service to God, we must always remember that the glory and honour belong to God alone. Scriptures remind us that although God dwells in the heavenly places, He also dwells with those who are humble and contrite in spirit. We must never assume that we have accomplished much in ministry and service through our own abilities. We must continue to nurture a humble spirit and refrain from exalting ourselves. At the same time, we must be open and teachable to God’s instructions and even rebuke. Otherwise, pride will be our undoing as it has been to many who have gone before us.