Uzziah became king as a young man. He was only sixteen years old (2 Chronicles 26.3). Few reigned in Judah at such a young age. God gave him Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. Under Zechariah’s influence, Uzziah ‘sought the Lord’ (26.5) and God gave his success.

Uzziah inherited a nation is some disarray, just as other kings before and after him did.

His grandfather Joash, who also came to the throne very young, had started well, being supported by Jehoiada. But when Jehoiada died, Joash fell under damaging influences (see 2 Chron 24.17).

Joash was followed by Amaziah, who followed the Lord, but not whole heartedly (25.2). Later he turned away from following the Lord (25.27). Invariably, the faith, or lack of faith, of the king was reflected in the life of the nation.

It was into this chaotic situation that Uzziah came to the throne.

Part of his response was as an organiser. This is quite striking:

• he rebuilt towns (v6),
• he won battles (v7),
• Ammonites and, perhaps others brought tribute to Judah (v8),
• his reputation spread amongst the nations (v8),
• he became very powerful (v8),
• he built towers in Jerusalem and strengthened them (v9),
• he invested in agriculture, providing towers for protection and cisterns for irrigation (v10),
• he had fields and vineyards (v11),
• his army was well-equipped (v14),
• he constructed machines of war (v15).

Consequently, his reputation spread among the nations (v15) and, ‘he was greatly helped.’

But Uzziah became powerful and proud (v16). This was his downfall.

We are not to consider that his organisation and achievements were wrong. (Godly order is found in the nation in the wilderness and David’s administration, in particular.) But success can be a powerful temptation; Jesus spoke of the desires for other things entering in to make the seed unfruitful (Mark 4.19). Remember, temptation comes in many forms.

Power, fame, success, achievement can be dangerous. Phil 3.19 refers to those who love such things; their god is their belly!

^‘For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.’  (John 1.17)

John’s language is typically direct.

The law was given through Moses;

• The law was the message.
• Moses was the messenger.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ;

• Jesus Christ is the message,
• He brings grace and truth to all who receive Him.

The law announced; ‘do this and live.’ Observance of all the requirements of the law was essential for life. As James writes; ‘For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.’ (James 2.10)

Grace announces; ‘live and do this.’ We receive life through faith in Jesus Christ. And He calls us to good works (Eph 2.10, Titus 2.14). Good works flow from life – they are essential as evidence of this new life.

The Terry Virgo book, God’s Lavish Grace, is not recommended reading! It is essential reading to understand the way of life in Jesus Christ.

In the summer of 2024, the news media declared that Huw Edwards had ‘fallen from grace.’ In one single news piece, I heard this phrase used three or four times in a single news piece. Huw Edwards had been found guilty of serious wrong-doing, the details I need not repeat.

The journalist borrowed the phrase from Pauls’ letter to the Galatians. But she misapplied it!

My friend, Andy Moyle commented in his sermon on ‘Standing in grace:’  ‘We fall from grace when we return to the law to try and keep our standing before God.’

The apostle Paul reserved his most severe censure for those who tried to turn others back to the law as the ground of justification and acceptance before God. In Phil 3.2, he refers to them as dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh. In 1 Tim 4.1, he says they promote ‘doctrines of demons.’

Strong words!

So, if we fall from grace back into legalism, that is a serious matter. Don’t do it!