Yahweh Is My Strength

There are so many kings in Israel’s history that we tend to overlook them, skipping from Solomon to the prophets, with just a few lessons in between. We are neglecting excellent lessons by doing so. I was reminded of this recently with an introduction to Uzziah, one of David’s descendants listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.

His name means ‘Yahweh is my strength.’ We are introduced to him at age sixteen.

Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 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. [2 Chronicles 26:3-5 KJV]

A great start, isn’t it? He listened to others, selecting those who could achieve what was needed.

Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. [2 Chronicles 26:10 KJV]

Strong. Powerful. Capable. All attributes of a great leader.

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. [2 Chronicles 26:15 KJV]

Lord Acton’s dictum comes into play right after this. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. [2 Chronicles 26:16 KJV]

As Saul did before him, Uzziah made the mistake Lucifer stated aloud.

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [Isaiah 14:14 KJV]

Authority is granted by God, not taken from Him.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [Romans 13:1 KJV]

Uzziah did not have the authority given to the priests to burn incense upon the altar. Usurping that authority cost him his health and his kingdom.

And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. [2 Chronicles 26:21 KJV]

He forgot that as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. [2 Chronicles 26:5 KJV]

Detail of Uzziah from Michelangelo Buonarroti's Sistine Chapel, Vatican (1511)