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!