.. King Uzziah.... the golden boy of the kingdom of Judah.... the men respected and feared him.. the ladies loved him... children looked up to him as a faithful Leader who always sought God's will and direction.. he was a " WONDER".... after all.. he was just a boy of 16 when he was crowned king.. that's when the boy wonder immediately began showing Judah and ALL the World what " SUCCESS " REALLY IS!
check out these Headlines and " blurbs" from the famous Newspaper of the Day.. the JUDAH HERALD"
* King Uzziah's Army Wins Another Battle-defeats the Philistines AGAIN????
*" Uzziah's Javelin and Sling Factory" celebrates opening of new Facility in southern Judah-
* Downtown Judah to get historic make-over thanks to King Uzziah-
* School children hold appreciation rally for King Uzziah to thank him for the NEW history scrolls and scholarships to " King Uzzziah's Hebrew Academy "
yep.. you get the idea... when Judah and all the surrounding areas thought of " GODLY WISE KIND and GENEROUS leadership".. they thought of King Uzziah... he was CRUISING with No way of LOSING...then... something happened.. a TERRIBLE thing happened.. in Hebrew.... the Word for this tragedy is " YUCKY-NESS"
the Bible says.... " and his fame spread far.. for he was marvelously helped.. till he was strong"...but when he was strong.. he grew proud.. to his destruction'....
Uzziah could NOT be satisfied with being a rich.. successful King and military strategist.. a builder of buildings.. palaces.. and Kingdoms... so... One day... He went to the temple....
and he began doing the JOB of the PRIESTS.... He knew that God had CALLED the Priests to offer incense... it wasn't HIS JOB... Oh... the Priests were doing God's work faithfully...
it wasn't that... the problem was PRIDE... Uzziah thought he could do WHATEVER he wanted to do.. to WHOMEVER he wanted to... yep.. he could call the shots... but he was SO MISTAKEN..
you see... a MAN OF CHARACTER stood up to Uzziah... AZARIAH the Priest and 80 of his fellow priests STOOD UP to Him... and rebuked him... reminding Him that it was " NOT FOR YOU KING UZZIAH to burn incense to the Lord...but for the Priests.. the Sons of Aaron .. the ones who were consecrated for this job... in other words... " Uzziah... This aint your job Bro- Let the Priests DO THE WORK God has called them to do... "..
Uzziah wouldn't stop.. he wouldn't back down.. he " DUG IN DEEPER" ... Here's the call that was broadcast that day on the Judah Bulldogs Radio Network by Larry Munson BenAbraham
* ok... live at the temple... and there's Uzziah... slinging that incense thurible around like it's a slingshot... now he's headed straight to the front of the temple.... can he go all the way??? . wait a minute... the priest Azariah runs a BLOCK on him.. before he can get to the altar.. wow.. what a PLAY... but.. it looks like Uzziah is HUNKERING DOWN.. he is still slinging that incense around... but... there's Priest Azariah,,, stepping on Uzziah's Face with the hobnail Boot of TRUTH"....
yes... The Men of Character were blessed that day... Integrity and Truth won out... Uzziah lost his power... his fame... and his palace... and he became a frequent patient of the Leprosy Clinic of Judah...
here's a few crumbs from a Poor man's Table for you to munch on
.. pray for Leaders that God will protect them from Pride...
PRAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN of CHARACTER who are willing to speak up to the " UZZIAH'S of our time..remind them that YOU are praying for them... JOIN YOUR VOICE with theirs... FIGHT for truth.. integrity.. and honor.. remember... SILENCE IS CONSENT
I am sure that among those 80 priests.. there were some men who were afraid... they thought of "letting " Uzziah continue to do whatever he wanted to do... they were afraid they would lose their jobs as Priests,,, but no... they spoke up... they trusted God... and God honored them.... He blessed Character and Integrity....
He always does......
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