The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 2.2

The offering that both Saul and Uzziah had offered were fellowship offerings. In the case of Saul, it is apparent that his actions were based on fear as well as pride and arrogance; neither of which has any “fellowship” with God. What both of these men did, was spoil the alter with their presence.

They were not clean; they were not chosen to come before the Lord; they were not holy; they did not have “fellowship” with Him, because in these times, it was the prophets that had that fellowship, as well as some of the priests of the Levites, who had been set aside for this purpose.

Fellowship is a reference to sharing things in common. This is why scriptures say that darkness has no “fellowship” with light. This was the case here, and is especially evident in the pride and arrogance both of these men demonstrated.

The veil of the temple was not yet rent. Everyone did not have access, and therefore it was arrogant to think that, because these men had the “title” of king…this meant that at their own choosing, they could violate the sanctity of the temple with their presence. The fact that they were attempting to make a sacrifice is null and void, because what does God’s word always say? “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” There is no justification that can excuse someone who acts in this manner.

People are always trying to violate rules, regulations or ordinances, and they always have some self-justifying reason as to why their act of violation should be deemed acceptable. In this instance, it is clear that God accepts no such justifications, so for the “Christians” who try to water down the word to make it more acceptable to non-Christians, or even to justify their own mess; you do an injustice to yourself and others, because its not the truth.

This was the same reason that God did not accept Cain’s offering in Genesis. Because these men wanted God their way, and on their terms, and God doesn’t operate like that. He is the Almighty. What fool would dare to think that God will bow to them? To His own creation? Wealth and position on this earth means nothing, and makes you nothing and no one before God. He does not cater to the rich like poor and desperate people do. He is not impressed. There is nothing a rich man can offer God that will “get Him on their side/team” to do their bidding. God does not compromise. He is a God of integrity and if we don’t respect Him as such, He will bend our knees until we do. If we still resist and refuse in rebellion, He will separate us…isolate us away from Himself and everyone else. Away from Him, our existence will be sad, lonely and pitiful.

Azariah the high priest saw the tendency of such a daring act on the part of the king, and with a band of eighty priests he withstood him (2Ch 26:17), saying, “It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense.” Uzziah was suddenly struck with leprosy while in the act of offering incense (26:19-21), and he was driven from the temple and compelled to reside in “a several house” to the day of his death (2Ki 15:5,27; 2Ch 26:3). He was buried in a separate grave “in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings” (2Ki 15:7; 2Ch 26:23). “That lonely grave in the royal necropolis would eloquently testify to coming generations that all earthly monarchy must bow before the inviolable order of the divine will, and that no interference could be tolerated with that unfolding of the purposes of God, which, in the fullness of time, would reveal the Christ, the true High Priest and King for evermore.”

It’s interesting to see the punishments given because in this case, because Uzziah did not recognize that one must be separate, and put aside, sanctified and holy to come before the Lord, he was then made separate, and was put aside in his filth with one of the worse diseases known to men at that time period; a disease that made him an outcast. He was excluded from the temple. His former glory was gone, and he lived a sad and lonely existence until he died and was buried in a separate grave away from the burial place of the kings, and away from the other graveyards. He was buried near them but was not counted with them even in death.