“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” — 2 Chronicles 26:16

Pride in the heart can bring devastating consequences. Alexander Hamilton, whose face currently appears on the front of the United States ten-dollar bill, is an example. 

Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers, made many notable contributions to his nation. Numbered among the heroes of the Revolutionary War, he became George Washington’s chief of staff by the age of twenty-two. He was a zealous champion of a strong federal government and played a significant role in ratifying the U.S. Constitution. He served as the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and was instrumental in designing the nation’s banking, finance, and taxation system. He also championed the end of international slave trading. 

However, despite Hamilton’s abilities and his undoubted legal, political, and financial acumen, he had a flaw that sabotaged his career and ultimately cost him his life: the sin of pride. When a political rival, Aaron Burr, made it known that Hamilton had insulted him at a private dinner, Hamilton arrogantly refused to back down. Burr challenged him to a duel to settle the matter, and Hamilton’s pride kept him from declining, perhaps fearing that attempting to resolve the conflict or refusing to duel would cause him to be labeled a coward. 

On July 11, 1804, the two men faced off in Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton’s shot missed. Some historians suggest that he never intended to hit Burr but meant to “throw away” his shot, which was a common practice in a duel of honor. He may have assumed Burr would do the same. Burr’s bullet, however, mortally wounded Hamilton, who died the next day of his injuries. Hamilton was only forty-nine. What a tragic waste of the life of one who could have continued in service to his nation! 

As recorded in today’s text, King Uzziah of Judah was also a man of great influence and ability whose many achievements had caused his fame to spread far and wide. However, he too suffered from pride. Our focus verse records that “his heart was lifted up,” and that led to transgression. With a censer in hand, Uzziah went into the Temple to burn incense—an aspect of religious service that was strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law for anyone other than the priests. This act of prideful defiance was so serious that eighty valiant priests in the Temple endeavored to stop him. Uzziah responded with fury, and at that moment, God’s judgment fell—leprosy broke out on his forehead. As a result, he was isolated from society, and some years later, he died a leper. 

Pride can often make a person careless, egotistical, and bold, and seemingly that was the case with Uzziah. However, pride shows up in a variety of ways. For some, it is overconfidence in personal achievements or abilities. It may manifest itself in arrogance or the need to always be right. It sometimes is evidenced by a desire to receive recognition, by selfish ambition, or by intense competitiveness. Whatever form it takes, pride is a deadly sin. The Bible says God hates it! 

How can we avoid the snare of pride that brought ruin to Uzziah and Alexander Hamilton? We must ask God to help us see ourselves as He sees us. As we humble ourselves before Him and focus on what we can do to be a blessing to others, we understand more and more clearly that without God we are nothing—that all the glory for anything we are, have, or accomplish belongs to Him. As we stay close to God and maintain humility day in and day out, we can be confident that He will help us avoid the deadly sin of pride.

BACKGROUND

These chapters summarize the respective reigns of Uzziah and Jotham over Judah. 

Uzziah’s rule began when he was sixteen years of age, while his father Amaziah was in captivity in Israel. His fifty-two year reign was the second longest in Judah’s history. (Manasseh ruled for fifty-five years.) Uzziah is considered by Bible scholars to be one of the great reformers of Judah. He is also remembered for his connection to Isaiah the prophet, who was called to his ministry in the year that Uzziah died (see Isaiah 6:1). Uzziah is referred to as Azariah in 1 Chronicles 3:12 and in 2 Kings 15:1. 

The character of Uzziah’s reign is described in verses 1-5 of chapter 26, and his military prowess in verses 6-15. Uzziah had a positive beginning and accomplished a great deal of good for Judah, but pride was his downfall near the end of his rule. Chapter 26 concludes with a description of Uzziah’s sin in attempting to usurp the role of the priest, the divine judgment of leprosy that came upon him, and a record of his death and burial (verses 16-23). 

The prophet Zechariah, mentioned in verse 5 of chapter 26, is not the Zechariah who ministered in the days of Ezra and authored the Book of Zechariah. The Zechariah in this text is only mentioned in this account, but he clearly had a godly influence on the young king. 

Uzziah’s military successes, which were a result of his reliance on God, led to the expansion of his kingdom westward into Philistine territory. In verse 10, the “towers in the desert” built at his direction may have been for the purpose of defending the nation or for protecting his livestock from raiding tribes. The “wells” in this verse referred to cisterns designed to collect and store rainwater. “Carmel” refers to a region in Judah south of Hebron, not the mountain in Israel where the fire of the Lord came down in answer to Elijah’s prayer. 

While Uzziah’s army, described in verses 11-15, was not as large as other forces mentioned in Scripture, it was well equipped and included military armaments that were advanced for their time. “Habergeons” in verse 14 could be translated “coats of mail.” The “engines” referenced in verse 15 could also be translated “inventions.” Some commentators and historians believe these were similar to catapults; others suggest they were shielded or protected areas on city walls that enabled archers and military men to operate in comparative safety. 

The pride of Uzziah, alluded to in verse 16 by the phrase “his heart was lifted up,” led to his destruction. Seemingly, he was not content with the authority God had given him and wanted to add priestly functions to his royal power. Though warned by Azariah and eighty valiant priests, Uzziah took upon himself a function that belonged to the priesthood (see Exodus 30:7-8) and burned incense in the Temple. As a result, God smote him with leprosy—a disease that lasted for the remainder of his life. Because Uzziah had to be isolated from society due to his leprosy, during his final ten to eleven years as king, he co-reigned with his son, Jotham, who actually led the kingdom affairs. Uzziah’s death and burial are noted in the final verse of chapter 26. 

Chapter 27 concerns the reign of Jotham, who became co-regent with his father at the age of twenty-five, and ruled for a total of sixteen years. Based on verse 6, he is considered to have been a good king. Jotham continued the building projects started by his father (verses 3-4). The word “castles” in verse 4 could be understood as “fortresses.” Jotham’s military success against the Ammonites is noted in verses 5-6, and his death and burial in verses 7-9. His reign is also summarized in 2 Kings 15:32-38.

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

III. The history of the kings of Judah
     J. The reign of Uzziah (26:1-23)
          1. The character of Uzziah’s reign (26:1-5)
          2. The military prowess of Uzziah (26:6-15)
          3. The sin and leprosy of Uzziah (26:16-21)
          4. The death of Uzziah (26:22-23)
     K. The reign of Jotham (27:1-9)
          1. The character of his reign (27:1-2)
          2. The building projects during his reign (27:3-4)
          3. The military success during his reign (27:5-6)
          4. The death of Jotham (27:7-9)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. Who helped Uzziah in his military conflicts with the Philistines, Arabians, and Mehunims? (26:7)
2. What difference do you see between the satisfaction that comes as a result of a job well done, and the type of pride that God hates?
3. What are some ways we can guard against pride in our lives?

CONCLUSION

Although King Uzziah had pleased God in the early years of his reign, pride gained a foothold in his life. When he tried to perform the priests’ duties in defiance of God’s instructions, he was stricken with leprosy. The lesson for us is that even successful people must stay humble and obedient to God, or suffer the consequences.