I was reading through 2 Chronicles 26 the other day and did a little study on the life of King Uzziah. He reigned from 792 to 740 and was a powerful and godly king. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of the Lord. (I love that bit!) As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” (verses 4,5)
It then goes on to say that he built many towers and cisterns, and had many people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and fertile lands, for he loved the soil. That made me think of my Chris. 🙂
Sadly though, his pride became his downfall. He presumed to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. When the priests challenged him, he became angry. As he ranted at them, God struck him with leprosy. He was a leper to the end of his days. A sad end to an otherwise great man. Made me ponder again the importance of obedience in the little things; of integrity; of teachableness. I bet if he had repented when the priests confronted him, the account would have had a different ending.