When Fame Catapults You Beware: Ask Uzziah!
2 Chronicles 26
KJV
15 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.
16 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.
One of the most ingenious kings of Israel, Uzziah is credited with introducing innovations into warfare that never were. As the passages above and the following indicate,
2 Chronicles 26:11,14-15
NIV
[11] Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers
[14] Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army.
[15] In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls.
His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.
Uzziah’s downfall is highlighted by the line “ until he became powerful “
Read a paragraph the historian recorded in his biography;
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction:
When you grow in fame and popularity watch your steps; I’ve seen and read of many a young person fallen from grace because his heart was lifted!
In the case of Uzziah read what he did “for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense”
He forgot the limits set by God who made him who he was and thought he could walk over the boundaries set! This behaviour is very common among leaders because they feel there is no one to stop or hold them in check. As it is said “ they are the monarchs of all they survey!” There is none above them!
When Uzziah was challenged, he became annoyed and offended, the priests challenged him, as most leaders today he felt the priests were his employees and so who are they to challenge him.
Many leaders in the church see their ministers as mere employees and subordinates so they refuse to take advice from them. In the case of Uzziah, read what his pride brought to him
2 Chronicles 26:19
NIV
[19] Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
With the result ;
2 Chronicles 26:20
NIV
[20] When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
Pride indeed goes before a fall! But how many know this? Pride blocks our ears, it rather strengthens our eyes and hearts to feed on grandeur! The praise of men becomes more important than the rebuke and correction from godly people!
Read Uzziah’s end
2 Chronicles 26:21
NIV
[21] King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house---leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
Dearly beloved when fame and popularity knock at the heart of your door, let lowliness and humility surround and put them under check 24/7! Let them not get near to you, do not abandon the ethics and morals you learnt from your father.
A thought to share! He who has ears to hear let him do so.