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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S he was a leper unto the day of his death and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham, .the king’s'son, was over the house, judg ing the people of the land.” as He struck Miriam for speaking against Moses, and Gehazi for lying. The purpose of God's sudden judg ments is to reach mdn (2 Cor. 5:11) “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your conscience.” Uzziah lived a life of shame and sor row, a living death, cut off from the house of the Lord. He could truly say, “ My.sin is ever before me” (Psa. 51:3) So will it be, in that larger sense, for those who presume to- set aside God’s Son, our Great High Priest, and seek to offer incense from their own brazen altars. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) The man who plays the priest fools with fire. ( 2 ) Uzziah broke through the hedge and the serpent bit him. (3) “ The proud heart and the lofty mountain are always barren.” (4) The force that was behind Uz- zriah’s prosperity, was the favor of God. v. 15. (5) Some men outlive their useful ness. (6) The peril of prosperity is its development of pride. (7) The duration of punishment is in direct proportion to the crime. ; (8) A king is as good as his sub jects as long as he behaves himself as well. (9) There is but. a step between prosperity and adversity. (10) No flesh can glory in His pres ence. ili? v. 7. God helped him. Ps. 105 •4 Whatever we.have must be viewed as a talent given us for helping forward Christ s kingdom.— Sum. Bible. v. 8. He strengthened himself. The
Prosperity begets pride, and pride be gets arrogance. (1 Sam. 15:23) «For rebellion is as the sin of witch- i 1 stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being: king:.” This is the spirit of the antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3, 4) “Let no man deceive you by any means $ for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man »e revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that Is called God or that Is worshipped; so that he as God sltteth In the temple of God, showing himself that he Is God.” The lesson is an old one, but hard to learn. Every honor, every favor be stowed upon us should humble us. Why should any man presume that his riches can be preserved, or his position main tained? (Prov. 27:1) “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for forth n° f what a day may bring There is but a step between man and the grave. We are what we are by God’s grace. There is no room for pride. The garment of humility is best suited to the believer (1 Pet. 5:5) “Yea, all of yon be subject one to an other, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to tbe humble.” (3) UZZIAH’S PUNISHMENT, vs. 19- . 21 Censer in hand, the king went into the temple and sought to burn incense. Azariah, the priest, withstood him. He rebuked him. He gave him God’s Word. He exercised his authority. He was not afraid of the king. Thus Elijah denounced Ahab (1 Ki. 17:1). Hanani rebuked Asa and went to prison (2 Chron. 16:7-10). John the Baptist stood face to face with Herod (Matt. 14:1-12). Paul looked Felix in the face and warned him (Acts 24:25). God looked on during the controversy (2 Chron. 7:16) „ . . J " »ow have I Chosen and sanctified this house that my name may be there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart snail be there perpetually.” and struck the hand that bore the cen- ser (2 Ki.- 15:5) “And the lord smote the king so that
prosperity of the wicked (Ps. 37: 35-37; 92:7 ); of t h e righteous (Ps. 1:2, 3). The Beveridge.
MANY SOURCES COMMENTS PROM Keith L. Brooks difference (Ps. 1:6).
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