Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-22


fore a falI."-PrOv. 16: Is.
Uzziah is one of the most inter
esting kings Judah ever had. he
began to reign when he was only 10
years of age, and reigned for %
years-with one exception the long
est reign any king of Judah or Is
rael had. Strange to say the excep-
ton is Nanasseh, the most wicked
king Of Judah. UZziah's reign was
characterized by great deal OF fine
constructive work. II any mere
man had been writing his biography
we should not have known anything
about the one serious blunder he
made: but the Holy Spirit tells the
truth about a man even though 1t
seems to spoil the otherwise perfect
biography. Indeed, this is true of
every good king of Judah with the
exception of Josiah.
Uzziah had the advantage Of a
godly ancestry. Joash, his grand,
father, and AmaZiah, his father, had
done that which was right in the
sight of God, so that it was easier
for this boy of Is to carry forward
the work of upbuilding the king
dom. He was also fortunate in
IldNluSy DIS Ills 81 oNSt'ohAt
had had, a wise and godly
counsellor. Zechaniah otherwise
known, was a man of God who
had understanding in the visions of
God" and it was in his days that
Uzziah sought God and prospered.
There was one other influence in
his life that probably counted for
more than the heredity and environ
ment just noted, for it was both
combined in one. The writer of the
kings and also Of the Chronicles
think it of enough Importance to
mention. it in both places-"his
mothers name also was Jecoliah OF
Jerusalem" Her name means "Je-
hovah is strong;" and she evidently.
taught the boy and encouraged the
young king to look to God for
strength. She even seems to have
foreshadowed this in the name she
gave him. UZziah means "the
might of Jehovah" and Azariah,
the name by which he is called in
the book of kings, means whom
Jehovah helps" It is possibly true
that his name was changed to pre-
vent confusion with the priest Aza-
ri,l, who thrust him out Of the tenn
pie for his impiety.
Uzziah's opportunities are those
Of many a mans today. You have
a godly ancestry back Of you: you
have the privileges of good en-
vironment now, and of "godly coun-
sellers" who have understanding in
the visions Of God" and back of it
all and more important is the godly
life Of your mother! What manner
of man, what manner Of woman
ought you to be!
Prosperity and Pride
Uzziah responded to these inf1u-
ences and sought God" Not Gods
help, although he got that. Not
Gods blessing. although he got that.
He sought God; he wanted God more
than anything God had or could give.
A man, in seeking a girl, wants the
girl herself, not her money nor her
social standing, nor her influence,
nor her personal charms, nor her
educational embellishments. He
wants the girl herself-if these other
things come also, all right; but if
not, it is equally all right. Uzziah
wanted God, God himself rather than
anything God had or would give. Too
often we are seeking Gods gifts
rather than Himself. You have the
utmost contempt for man that
would seek to marry a girl for her
money. Beware that you are not
seeking, God with as Interior, and
base a purpose!
LAS long as he sought the Lord,
God made him to prospect" This is
always true; true prosperity always
is found in the path Of Gods will.
We are not always correct in our, es-
Inmates Of prosperity. Too often it
is measured by bank account only.
In this instance, UzZiah had that
kind, too. He was successful in his
wars, conquering the Philistines to
the west and southwest, and the
Arabians to the south. The Am
monites to the east were brought I'M
der tribute to him, apparently with
out a fight. He fortified the city of
Jerusalem, and built towers in the
desert. He built up a reat army
and provided them with the most
up-to-date equipment. His men had
opportunities for study and as a re-
suit new inventions were created for
protecting his people. Never before
had such engines of war been known.
His fame spread far and wide.
Nor was it only in the arts of
war that he prospered. He loved
husbandry. He realized that agricul-
ture was the sinews Of the nations
strength, so he put into operation
irrigation systems that made his land
blossom like a rose, and provided
sustenance for his ever-increasing
hocks and herds.
The record of him is that "he was
marvelously helped true to his
name Azariah C'whom God helps'D
Possibly it was at this time that his
name was changed to Uzziah-the
might of Cod for "he was mar
velously helped till he was strong"
Pride and Punishment.
Like many a successor of his, he
began to forget the One who had
helped him and who was the real
cause of his strength, and began to
think that he himself was the cause
Of it all. lie became a case of big I.
And that was soon followed by
sin of presumption that could not
be overlooked. He presumed to do
what God had ordained should be
done by men set apart by Him for
that purpose. He assumed the
priestly function of going into the
temple to offer incense. Azariah,
the priest resented this, and he was
wise enough to take 80 other priests
with him, every one of whom was
valiant man.
Instead of taking their SlIpeestiOn