The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-04-20

1.ls; 1s; % Deu.. s:l1-l4; IL Kings 5:2o-27: Dan.
,,1,Isi PRIMARY RI, Top1c.-The story of
JUNIOR TOPIc.-A Man Who Forgot
God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPlC.-'Pride Goeth Before Dcstruc-
ton
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC.
The Perils Of Prosperity.
!. Uzzah Made King wv. 1-5).
/. His Age ". u. lie became king
at the age of sixteen.
2. Length OF His Reign ". 81. He
reigned tifty-two years. His mothers
name was Jccoljul, which means
Jehovah is able" or Made strong
Of jehovah"
8. His Character ". d. Hc did
that which Was right in the sight Of
the Lord.
4. His Prosperity tv. 81. He def
nitely sought God while Zeclariah
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 vSile when the in
| fluence Of the man Of God VAS re-
| moved.
u. Uzziah's Achievement wv. GID.
l. He Built Eloth (v. y. This was
port on the Red sen 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 rcStora-
ton his first duty. 1t was an i'm
portant trading point and the com
mercinl interests of the nation would
be greatly increased by its possession.
2. He Had Military Success (vv.
6-S). G) He conquered the Phils
tines ". g.. After subduing them he
dismantlcd their fortified cities and
built new cities In their stead. (2) He
defeated the Arabians tv. y. (3) He
made the Ammonitcs across the Jor-
dan pay tribute (v. 81.
3. He Fortified Jerusalem wv. g.
15). He took advantage of the peace
which was now enjoyed because of the
suhjugation OF his enemies to fortify
Jerusalem. He placed in the towers
great engines Of war for huring
| stones
4. His Civic Improvements (v. YO).
In the regions south and west OF
served thrcefold purpose, namely :
observation, defense and shelter for
his cattle. This enabled him to carry
on his stock-raising enterprises.
8. His Army (vv. 11-15). 1t numbered
3O1.50O 1t was thoroughly equipped
and drilled. God was with him, and
his fame spread far and wide. The
source Of his strength was God.
III. Uzziah's Transgression wv. 16-
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 countnracted
by divine grace. In his pride he pre-
sumptuously intruded into the priests
office. This act was not because OF
forgetfulness. but of deliberate pur-
pose. Azarah and eighty other priests
reconstructed with him. but this only
made him angry. This act was
trespass against God.
w. Uzziah's Punishment wv. 10
2D.
While raging in his wrath and about
to burn incense he was Smitten with
leprosy, dreadful, incurable and un-
clean disease. This Judgment came
upon him as consequence of his
overweening pride and vanity. He was
thrust out OF the Sanctuary-eXcludrd
from Gods house. Indeed, his own
conscience smote him, and he hurried
ly went out because he knew that the
Lord had smitten him. He not only
was excluded from the place Of wor.
ship. but was tethroned. His son
Jotham was made regent. His judg-
mcnt was:
l. Sudden. The Lord smote him
while attired as priest. with censersea
hand. Frequently Gods judgments
are speedy. 2. Severe. The leprosy
broke forth upon his forehead. The
same Judgment befell Miriam for
speaking against Moses (Nun 12IO),
and Gehazi for lying to Elisha (II
Kings 5:2O. Great sins demand
severe punishment. 3. Conspicuous.
AZariah and all the priests looked up
and beheld the leprosy (v. 2O). The
spot on Uzziah's forehead proclaimed
him as the object of Gods wrath.
How many today are bearing about
the marks OF sln-G0d'S Judgment
4. Humilating. He was henceforth
unclean-cut Off from the congrcga-
tion. This Is what sin always does
8. Fatal. 1t ended in death "rhe
wages OF sin is death" (Rom. 6 :23).