The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1922-05-25

n
T0PIC.-"Pride Goeth Before Destruc-
uy Young PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC.
The Perils of Prosperity.
l. Uzziah Made King wv. 1-5).
!. His Age ". u. He became king
at the age of sixteen.
.. Length of His Reign ". 81. He
reIgned fifty-twO years. His mothers
name was Jecoliah, which means
Jehovah is able" or Made strong
of Jehovah"
8. His Character ". ~. He did
the Lord.
4. His Prosperity ". 81. He def
niteIy sought God while Zechariah
lived. and because he sought him God
made him to prosper as long as he
continued to seek him. He, like Joash
before him, turned aside when the in
fuence of the man of God was re-
moved
Il. Uzziah's Achievement wv 6-15).
l. He Built ElotL ". p. This was
port on the Red sea which had been
lost to Judah. No doubt it was the
aim of the father to get possession of
this port. so the son makes its restora-
ton his first duty. 1t was an i'm
portant trading point and the COM
mercial interests of the nation would
be greatly increased by its possession.
2. He Had Military Success wv.
6-S). % He conquered the Philis-
tines ". 81. After subduing them he
dismanted their fortified cities and
built new cities in their stead. (2) He
defeated the Arabians ". y. CD He
made the Ammonites across the JOr-
dan pay tribute ". 81.
3. He Fortified Jerusalem wv. g.
15). He took advantage of the peace
which WAS now enjoyed because of the
subjugatiOn Of his enemies to fortify
Jerusalem He placed in the towers
great engines of war for hurting
stones
4. His Civic Improvements ". 10).
In the regions south and west of
Jerusalem he built towers which
served a threefold purpose, namely:
observation, defense and shelter for
his cattle. This enabled him to carry
On his Stockraising enterprises.
5. His Army (vv 11-15). 1t numbered
307500. 1t was thoroughly equipped
and drilled. God was with him, and
his fame spread far and wide. The
source Of his strength was God.
1S).
The prosperity bestowed upon him
by the Lord was too much for him
his heart was lifted up with pride.
This is always so unless counteracted
by divine grace. In his pride he pre-
Sunptuousy intruded into the priests
office. This act was not because of
lorSetfuIness, but of deliberate pur-
pose. AZariah and eighty other priests
demonstrated with him, but this only
made him angry. This act was a
ueSpass against God.
~. Uzziah's Punishment wv. 49,
2D.
While raging in his wrath and about
to burn incense he was smitten with
IrproSy, Il dreadful, incurable and I'M
cIean disease. This judgment came
upon him as consequence of his
oferWeening pride and vanity. He was
thrust out of the Sanctuary-eXcluded
from Gods house. Indeed, his own
conscience smote him, and he hurried
~ went out because he knew that the
mi
was excluded from the place of wor-
SNIP but was dethroned His son
Jojham >IxaS made regent His judg-
mont was:
l. Sudden. The Lord SmOte him
while attired as priest, with censor in
Aand. Frequently Gods judgments
are speedy. 2. Severe. The leprosy
broke forth upon his forehead. The
same judgment befell Miriam for
Speaking against Moses (Num. l. :10),
ana Gehazi for lying to Elisha QI
Alngs sgd. Great sins demand
severe punishment. 3. Conspicuous.
Azariah and all the priests looked up
end beheld the leprosy ". POI. The
SPOT on Uzziah's forehead proclaimed
nm as the object of Gods wrath.
HOW many today are bearing about
me marks of sin-GOd's judgment!
i. Illuminating. He was henceforth
Nnclean-cut off from the congrega-
uon. This is what sin always does.
O. Fatal. 1t ended in death. THE
wages of sin is death" (ROm. :23).