The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 2.1

Today, we’re looking at the first of the Kings mentioned here:

Isa 1:1 

THE vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Uzziah: (2 Chr 26)

A contracted form of Azari’ah the Lord is my strength. (1.) One of Amaziah’s sons, whom the people made king of Judah in his father’s stead (2Ki 14:21; 2Ch 26:1).

For clarity’s sake, Amaziah was one of the wicked kings that ruled in that time, which is why the reference here mentions that the people made Uzziah king in his stead. It’s that they willingly elected to have him despite his father, who they killed (2 Chr. 25:25-28; 2 Ki. 14:17-20) for his idolatry and wickedness.

His long reign of about fifty-two years was “the most prosperous excepting that of Jehosaphat since the time of Solomon.”

Uzziah or Azariah, son of Amaziah, and 11th king of Judah, came to the throne at the age of 16. The length of his reign is given as 52 years. His accession may here be provisionally dated in 783 BC. His father Amaziah had met his death by popular violence (2Ki 14:19), but Uzziah seems to have been the free and glad choice of the people (2Ch 26:1).

He was a vigorous and able ruler, and “his name spread abroad, even to the entering in of Egypt” (2Ch 26:8,14). In the earlier part of his reign, under the influence of Zechariah, he was faithful to Jehovah, and “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2Ki 15:3; 2Ch 26:4,5); but toward the close of his long life “his heart was lifted up to his destruction,” and he wantonly invaded the priest’s office (2Ch 26:16), and entering the sanctuary proceeded to offer incense on the golden altar.

While reading this story in 2 Chr. 26, I saw that it was pride and arrogance that brought about the fall of this king.

2Ch 26:16   But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Word for transgressed in the NIV is “unfaithful” and took me to this:

1Sa 13:9   So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 

1Sa 13:10   Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 

1Sa 13:11   but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 

1Sa 13:12   So I said, `The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” 

1Sa 13:13   “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have disobeyed the command of the Lord your God. Had you obeyed, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 

1Sa 13:14   But now your dynasty must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the Lord’s command.”