July 8: 2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26

July 8, 2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26

2 Kings 15 Azariah is now the King of Judah, at the age of 16. He did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he did not take down the high places of false worship. He reigned 52 years. His name is often interchanged with Uzziah (Which the Chronicler refers to him as to avoid confusion). The Lord struck the King with leprocy and was put into a separate house and his son Jotham governed the land for him. We learn much more about him in 2 Chronicles 26…

Now we read about the beginning of the last days for Israel. God had promised Jehu that his sons would sit on the throne up to the fourth generation, and we are now there - the prophecy will be fulfilled. We have a list of 5 Kings in Israel that all did evil and were corrupt and most died deaths by those close to them.

The chapter ends with us being told that Jotham, the King of Judah’s son, begins to reign and did what was right (minus the high places again). The Lord began to send the Syrians and Israelites against Judah… stay tuned!

2 Chronicles 26 Gives us much more insight into the life of Uzziah (Azariah). He set himself to seek God. He went to war with the Philistines and God helped him against all his enemies. He was becoming popular throughout the lands. He had a very large and strong army. He invented machines that men could shoot arrows and stones. He was blessed until he became proud, which was to his destruction. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” The priests tried to stop him but he became angry with them and God struck him with leprocy - which explains why he got it. 

To sum it all up:

• The downward spiral of Israel is because they chose to sin and whore after idols instead of being obedient and pursuing God.
• Uzziah thought he was pretty cool stuff - until he was too proud and God put him in his place. Stay humble, even if you have fame/wealth/prosperity. None of that matters. All that matters is that you realize that you NEED a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ.