Character Of The Week- Uzziah
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(Ecclesiastes 7:8 KJV)
We are never closer to failure than during our greatest successes. If we fail to recognize God’s part in our achievements, they are no better than failures.
Uzziah or Azariah (2 kings 15), whose name in Hebrew means “the Lord is my strength or power” lived his name to the fullest as the Bible records that he was marvellously helped by God till he became strong (2 Chronicles 26:15).
He was Judah’s tenth ruler who though ascended to the throne at age sixteen was remarkably successful as king. He began strong and well.His achievements brought him fame, being successful in war and peace, in planning and execution, in building and planting.
But Uzziah overestimated his own importance in bringing about the achievements he experienced. He did so many things well that a consuming pride gradually invaded his life like the leprous disease that finally destroyed his body.
By taking on the role reserved for priests, he had forgotten not only that God had given him everything he had but also reserved certain roles for others that he needed to respect.
In a way, Uzziah’s pride was rooted in his lack of thankfulness, for nowhere in Biblical account was it recorded that despite his level of success, he ever showed appreciation to God for His marvelous gifts.
Our Accomplishments may not compare to Uzziah’s, but we still owe a debt of Thanksgiving to God for our very lives.
Who is getting the credit for your successes?
Strengths and Accomplishments
• Pleased God during his early years as king.
• Successful warrior and City builder.
• Resourceful king, taking special care for the livestock and equipping his Armies with the latest in military devices (2 Chronicles 26:14-15).
Weaknesses and Mistakes
• Developed a prideful attitude due to his great success.
• Tried to perform the priests’ duties, in direct disobedience to God.
• Failed to remove many of the symbols of idolatry in the land.
Lessons To Learn From His Life
• Lack of gratitude or un-thankfulness can lead to pride.
• Even successful people must acknowledge the role that God has for others in their life. We must endeavour to know the things that are freely given to us by God and not overstep our boundaries.
• When we reach the apex of our success, we must remain humble to the praise and honour of our God, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
• Notably mentioned in Isaiah chapter 6 because his death marked the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry. Isaiah saw the Lord. Probably because of his many achievements which made Judah a prosperous nation under him, king Uzziah had become the symbol that many in Judah looked unto, and not God anymore. It’s instructive that Isaiah only saw God after Uzziah died. Who is the Uzziah in your life?
• His toleration of idolatry and his pride set the stage for his undoing.
• Even though Uzziah had a very long reign of 52 years, he was remembered not for his great achievements, but sadly, as Judah’s “Leper-king”.
