Theme: THE PRACTICE OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Text: “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.
Comment: Uzziah was the king of Judah who did the will of God at the beginning of his reign and prospered. (2 Chronicles 26:1-5) But having been established, he left the practice of God’s righteousness and started practising personal righteousness. In this regard, he went into the temple of God to burn incense upon the altar which was not lawful for him to do since he was not of the tribe of Levi nor a descendant of Aaron whom God had given that sacred duty alone (Numbers 16:40) He was immediately accosted by Azariah the priest and 80 priests and was told pointedly that he had transgressed the law of God for it was not his duty to burn incense a that was the duty of the sons of Aaron. Hence he was asked to go out of the sanctuary (2 Chronicles 26:16,17) King Uzziah became very angry at the priests for pointing out his errors while still holding a censer in his hand to burn incense. Consequently, God struck him with leprosy. – 2 Chronicles 26:18-21.
God Almighty is a God of order and decency (1 Corinthians 14:33,40) When one plays a role or duty that is not spiritually meant or assigned to one, it amounts to presumptuousness and self- righteousness which is a sin in sight of God. This we should pray to avoid. – Psalm 19:13.