God loves all
Uzziah the son of Amaziah in Matthew 1:8 mentioned as son of Joram jumping some generation which is common in the Bible. More important is why Matthew is writing that Uzziah is the son of Joram also called Jehoram. Uzziah is told to be a very good king that followed YHWH and God gave him victories and peace, however he is the “son” of one of the worst kings in the Bible, king Joram. Matthew is telling us not to judge children on behalf of their parents, God loves all and sent His son to give us an equal fair chance.
His fame spread
The story of king Uzziah is telling us about a good, successful and dedicated king loving his YHWH. and if he sought YHWH, God caused him to prosper. Uzziah beat the Philistines and conquered their cities and build his own cities there. God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabs and the Menuits, and the Ammonites paid him tribute. Uzziah became famous and known as far as the border of Egypt. He also built towers in Jerusalem and in the wilderness protecting his many cisterns watering his great livestock. He had farmers and vinedressers and a strong army to protect it all, 2600 officials and 307,500 valiant soldiers. And in Jerusalem Uzziah had machines of war made for the purpose of shooting arrows and large stones. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding countries because the mighty God helped him.
Leprosy
However, in his mighty fame and all his splendour he made a huge mistake, a common mistake when being rich and glorious in all what God has given. He had achieved so much, had won so many victories, conquered so much land that he forgot that it was given, he thought he had done it all because of his smartness and skill. One day king Uzziah felt the need of sacrificing to his God in the temple, to burn incense on the alter, he went in to do it himself, the priests followed him and warned him, “ It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who have been consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from YHWH” Uzziah got furious towards the priests, and suddenly leprosy broke out on his forehead and the priests hurried him out from the holy place in the temple he had no right to be in. In doing so the priests probably saved his life.
Comfortable and have enough
Then Uzziah lost everything he thought he had achieved, being a leper the rest of his life, living in a separate house away from people, his son taking over as king. In our lives the danger is not coming when we have little and are struggling in life, the danger is in ourselves and attacks when we are comfortable and have enough. A leper, however still on the line to Jesus.
Questions
- How do you treat people?
- Have you achieved something by yourself?
- Have you thought of giving up taking your own life?
- Did someone die for you?
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