Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Moreover, Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows and sling stones. In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. (2 Chronicles 26:14-15).

We're going to look at the story of Uzziah. He is introduced in 2 Chronicles 26:1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father, Amaziah.  Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 52 years.  That is the second longest reign of any of the kings of Judah in their history.  Can you imagine a 16 year old taking the throne, ruling over a few million people and to do that now for 52 years until he's 68 years old.

He was spiritually dependable as a leader.
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. 2 Chronicles 26:4  Zechariah was a prophet, by the way, who instructed him in the fear of God.  The best thing you can say about Uzziah was that he sought after the Lord.  He wanted to be God's man.  And if you look at the rest of verse 5, there's a little axiom there that he followed that you and I ought to never forget.  The next line says, As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. So he was spiritually dependent on God. Now because of that, look at what God did for him.

1. He was an agricultural and architectural genius.  He built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.  (2 Chronicles 26:10)  Uzziah was gifted and used to bless God’s people.
2. He became a great military conqueror.  He went to war against the Philistines and when he broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, he conquered their most powerful cities.  Uzziah developed a strong army of three hundred and seven thousand, five hundred men; maybe the largest army that Israel had ever known.  And not just a large army, but a well-equipped army.  The Bible then says Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and sling stongs for the entire army.

This man was a great king.  Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. (2 Chronicles 26:15)  Here is the proof that God will bless a man who seeks His face and commits to His will.  Uzziah is the picture of the perfect king. 

 

Scripture to Claim:

"It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:25)