Week 20 2 Chronicles
The chronicler says that when Uzziah became king: he did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight…(He) sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of the Lord. So the young king had a mentor who helped him along in revering the Lord. Uzziah learned that being top dog in Jerusalem didn’t mean he was top dog.
Over time he gained reputation as a capable domestic & international ruler: his fame spread far and wide, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful.
So that was good. Nothing wrong with a little fame. Nothing wrong with a little power. Nothing wrong with a couple of social-status assets in your back pocket.
But then the chronicler says: when (Uzziah) became powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.
Power that’s sitting there as an independent and neutral factor is okay.
Power gets less okay when it hooks up with pride.
I don’t get the feeling at all that power necessarily connects to pride – it’s like when I buy a hamburger I’m not legally obligated to buy fries.
And you gotta think Uzziah had other options. He could have been powerful-humble. Powerful-selfless. Powerful-compassionate. Powerful-kind & helpful.
But for Uzziah pride seemed like such a perfect natural desirable irresistible companion for his power. An unfortunately whatever it seemed to be it turned into a marriage made in hell.
Note: quotes from 2 Chronicles 26:4-5, 15, 16 (NLT)