the Penalty of Pride
The offices of priest and king were rigorously kept apart throughout the history of Israel. Melchizedek's dual office is typical of the priestly reign of Christ, and had no counterpart in the Mosaic and Levitical ritual. Zechariah's prediction indicated an absolutely new era, Zechariah 6:12-13. The rash act of Uzziah was resisted by the priests, and the issue was decided by the terrible brand of leprosy which appeared suddenly upon his forehead. As the result of his attempt to flout the solemn sanctions of divine origin and authority, he lost even the religious privileges which he had enjoyed before.
However great God's goodness, and whatever be the position of usefulness to which we may attain, there are prescribed limits beyond which we may not go. We must not cast ourselves in willful abandonment from the pinnacle of the Temple. God's dearest children must not presume on their familiarity, and take liberties with His rules and ways.