THE EARLY REIGN OF KING UZZIAH
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 26:1-5
Introduction: When the kingdom of Israel divided following the death of Solomon, the kings of the northern kingdom, which kept the name Israel, immediately began to go into apostasy. However, in the southern kingdom, known as Judah, there was a mixture of some good, some not so good, and some positively evil kings.
There were some kings, such as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, who are remembered primarily for their godly reigns. However, others like Ahab and Manasseh, are basically noted for their rebellion against God’s ways.
Still others demonstrated a combination of good and bad, often starting out righteous but later on turning away from the Lord. One such king was Uzziah, also known as Azariah, the son of Amaziah who had been murdered by a group involved in a conspiracy.
Read TEXT. The fact that Uzziah was allowed to reign 52 years is indicative of the fact that he was mostly faithful to the Lord.
The purpose of this lesson is to see what we can learn from an examination of TITLE.
I. He did what was right, v. 4
A. “According to all that his father Amaziah had done: 2 Chr. 25:1-4 (cf. vs. 14-15)
B. God wants us to do right instead of wrong: Ps. 1:1-2
C. While we don’t earn heaven just by doing right, we can’t go to heaven without it: Matt. 7:21, Rev. 22:14
II. He sought God, v. 5a
A. God wants us to seek Him: Isa. 55:6-7
B. Jesus promises that if we seek, we shall find: Matt. 6:33, 7:7-8
C. How do we go about seeking God?: Acts 17:24-31; cf. 1 Thess. 1:9-10
III. He listened to Zechariah, v. 5b
A. Zechariah—prophet “who had understanding in the visions of God”: Prov. 29:18 (NKJV=“revelations”)
B. Why do we need revelation from God?: Prov. 14:12, Jer. 10:23
C. While we don’t have prophets today, we do need to listen to those who teach us God’s word: Prov. 1:8-9, 11:14, 24:5-6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
IV. God made him to prosper, v. 5c
A. “As long as He sought the Lord”—there are things which we must do to make our way prosperous: Josh. 1:7-8
B. Being prosperous suggests getting profit—cf. physical to spiritual: 1 Tim. 4:7-8
C. So we must decide in our lives which kind of prosperity and profit is more important: Matt. 6:19-20, 24; 16:24-26
Conclusion: Be nice if story ended there—but it doesn’t; note 2 Chr. 26:16-21
Because of such possibilities, we have numerous warnings and exhortations: 1 Cor. 10:12, Heb. 3:12-13, Rev. 2:10
However, the lesson that we can learn from the early reign of Uzziah is that—
If we do what is right in the sight of the Lord;
Seek God;
And listen to those who teach us God’s word;
Then God will prosper us.
Are you seeking the will of the Lord?

By Wayne S. Walker

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