Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah—did—Isaiah—write— It appears probable from this, that Isaiah composed an entire history of the reign of Uzziah, which has not reached our times. See 2 Kings 14:25.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Uzziah followed the best ways of his father Amaziah; and under the influence of Zechariah, a man favoured with prophetic visions, or deeply conversant with the writings of the prophets before him, kept close to the worship of the true God, and prospered in all his undertakings.
1. He was victorious in all his battles. God enabled him to vanquish the Philistines and Arabians, and seize their country. The Ammonites, fearing his arms, sought humbly to obtain his favour with presents, and his spreading fame overawed the neighbouring nations. Note; As long as we cleave to God, he will help us against all our foes.
2. He repaired and fortified Jerusalem; the wall of which, in his father's time, had been broken down; and built cities or garrisons in the conquered countries, and places for the protection of his cattle in the wilderness; for he abounded in flocks and herds, and was a great lover of husbandry, an employment and amusement not unworthy of the greatest king.
3. He kept up a great army, ready for any emergency, parties of which were sent out against the neighbouring people, who made inroads on the borders; the rest served to garrison the cities. They were well armed, men of great courage, and provided with warlike engines, either for defending or assaulting besieged cities. Such forces and mighty preparations for war exceedingly strengthened his kingdom, and made him feared and respected.
2nd, Puffed up with the prosperity to which he was advanced, Uzziah blots his fair character by an act of daring intrusion into the priest's office: so busy a sin is pride, and so ready to creep into the hearts even of pious men!
1. He would offer incense upon the golden altar, and enter that holy place to which all access was forbidden, except to the priests alone; and, as his transgression was wilful and obstinate, his sin was great against the Lord.
2. Azariah the high-priest, with fourscore of his brethren, bravely opposed the profane attempt; not by violence, but by a serious remonstrance. They urge the king to an immediate departure from the place into which he had intruded; warn him of the transgression that he had already committed; remind him of the unlawfulness of the service that he intended; and threaten him with the danger to which he was exposed: far from contributing to his honour, it would end in his perpetual shame and disgrace. Note; (1.) God's institutions are sacred, and it is at our peril if we violate them. (2.) They who at all hazard will gratify their pride, often bring themselves to deserved shame.
3. Uzziah, far from submitting, was angry at the remonstrance, and refused to quit his censer. Note; The wisest and most just rebuke often exasperates the wilful.
4. God therefore appeared to decide the controversy. The leprosy, foul and incurable, seized him, and the marks of it were visible in his forehead: emboldened hereby, the priests hurried him forth from the holy place; and, far from resisting, the stroke that he felt bowed his stubborn heart, and he hasted to be gone, lest worse evils should overtake him: and now he no more dares approach God's house; nay, he is excluded from his own palace while he lives, and from the sepulchre of his ancestors when he dies; a punishment admirably suited to his sin, and to deter others from imitating so bad an example. Note; (1.) They who will not submit to admonition rush on their ruin. (2.) When we feel God's displeasure, it is madness to persist: humiliation is the only door of escape that remains. (3.) Though our iniquity may be pardoned of God, some sins leave a disgrace among men which is indelible.