When a king or queen assumes the obligation of the office that he or she holds, the first obligation of that king or queen is the protector of the faith of that nation and land. This obligation has not changed from these early times, to these end times. The point that is stressed in the book of II Kings is that these kings and queens that we are reading about did not protect the faith of the forefathers of the tribes of Israel, neither in Judah nor Israel. We see over and over that these kings and queens allowed heathen religious practices to creep in and become their traditions. In many cases taking priority over the laws of God given through Moses. This is why God was so angry with both Judah and Israel, for even Judah had its high places to burn incenses and sacrifices on the Mount of Olives. Israel at the same time was bowing to their two golden calves and practicing their orgies in grove worship.

II Kings 15:3, 4 "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. according to all that his father Amaziah had done;" [3] "Save [but] that the high places were not removed: the People sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places." [4]

Today our whole nation is turning to all sorts of evil traditions, and allowing even strange practices such as abortion, sodomy and other traditions to come in their assemblies. God will deal with those shepherds that are allowing His children to stray from His instruction. God's elect know the Word and will hold there ground and not allow these forms to enter into their lives.

II Chronicles 26:1 "Then all the People of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah."

Azariah and Uzziah are one and the same person. II Kings 15:1 "In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam [Jereboam II] king of Israel began Azariah [Uzziah] son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign."

II Chronicles 26:2 "He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers."

The word "Eloth" in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary is 359; "Eylowth, (from 352), a grove, also a place on the Red Sea. Elath, Eloth." In any case it is well recorded that the high places were not taken away, and the phallic forms of grove worship and orgies continued in Judah under Uzziah.

II Chronicles 26:3 "Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem."

There is a difference in spelling of Uzziah's mother's name here, for it is "Jecholiah" in II Kings 15:2. "Jecholiah" in the Hebrew tongue means, "strong through YHVH [God]"

II Chronicles 26:4 "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did."

Uzziah did as his father did when he took and killed those that killed his father Amaziah, but did not kill their children. For most of Amaziah's life he did try to please the Lord, however, he also let the high places for sacrificing as his father also did. He allowed paganism in his kingdom to exist right along side of the Temple of God. Uzziah was not a good protector of the faith. But it must be stated "that the high places were not removed: the People sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places" under king Uzziah.

Those high places were on the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is that holy place where our Lord Jesus Christ would sacrifice His life for our sins. These high places were an insult to God Himself, and the people refuse to stop this wicked tradition. It all started when King Solomon took heathen wives, and allowed these Kenites to build their high places for their grove practices right along side of the house of God. The people grew use to seeing and accepting this wickedness down through the years, and in time it became a tradition to them.

In the name of religion, and Christianity, there has been many strange things enter God's house under the name of tradition. It has even become acceptable in many churches to allow Sodomite marriages within the walls of so-called houses of God. Many other filthy forms and religious practices are being modified and mixed with the teachings of the Scriptures, and in many cases are taught as being of God, when God's Word says that He hates them. In looking at the many practices going on today in Churches, we can see how these worldly things became acceptable in those ancient times. The prophet Amos warned us that we would see this in these latter days.

Amos 8:11 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."

That famine is here now, and it has left most Christians biblically illiterate, and unprepared for the events and times that we are living in.

II Chronicles 26:5 "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord God, God made him prosper."

In Uzziah's early days and for many years he did seek after YHVH the True God. As long as Uzziah sought after the understanding of the ways and laws of of God, and tried to follow those ways, "God made Him prosper". The "days of Zechariah" came about in the thirty eighth years of his reign. II Kings 15:8 "In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samariah six months." So we see that Uzziah [Azariah] was still trying to please God at the age of fifty.

Zechariah was king over Israel for a very short time, and was a very wicked king. This was not Zechariah the prophet. With the death of Zechariah ended the dynasty of Jehu. However with the end of Jehu's dynasty, starts another dynasty of kings over Israel. II Kings 15:10 "And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the People, and slew him, and reigned in his stead." This happened exactly as was prophesied to Jehu, in II Kings 15:12; "This was the word of the Lord which He spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation." And so it was in Israel.

II Chronicles 26:6 "And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines."

II Chronicles 26:7 "And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims."

As Uzziah continued to follow and strive to follow the ways of the Lord, God gave him victory on the battle field, as well as wealth and prosperity for him and the people of Judah. In the year of Uzziah's death, 649 BC Isaiah had his vision as recorded in Isaiah 6:1-9, and stated also in John 12:40; "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted and I should heal them." This was a quote from Isaiah 6:9, 10.

Isaiah 6:1-3 "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." [1] "Above it stood the seraphim's: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet and with twain he did fly." [2]"And one cried unto the another, and said, "Holy, holy holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory." [3]

This was a contrast with the coming Christ, to this Leprous king. Isaiah saw this vision clearly for there was no confusion in this prophecy. These celestial beings are named but not explained. Holy, holy, holy was the announcement given for this intense and solemn emphasis on these events of the coming Christ. Verse eight was a voice from the Temple concerning the scattering of the people that was to happen in the near future from Uzziah's time.

Isaiah 6:9, 10 "And He said, "Go and tell this people, "Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.' " [9] "Make the hearts of the People fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed." [10]

This prophesy was one of the greatest prophesies in Israel's history, as it is recorded seven times. Recorded by Christ in Matthew 13:14 as coming from Jehovah on the day a council was held "to destroy Him". Also by our Lord Jesus Christ in John 12:40, 41 telling as coming from Messiah in His glory after the counsel took Him to put Him to death. Then also by Paul, as coming from the Holy Spirit when after a whole day's conference, they still "believed not"; as recorded in Acts 28:25-27.

II Chronicles 26:8 "And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly."

II Chronicles 26:9 "Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them."

II Chronicles 26:10 "Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in carmel: for he loved husbandry."

II Chronicles 26:11 "Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, on of the king's captains."

Uzziah had formed an army of fighting men and when they went out to battle, they did well. With God's help, the nations around Judah at this time learned to respect Judah and it's king, and they gave gifts to Uzziah seeking his favor.

II Chronicles 26:12 "The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred."

II Chronicles 26:13 "And under their hand was an army. three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy."

II Chronicles 26:14 "And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones."

These are weapons that man holds in battle for fight against the enemy. The "habergeons" are bucklers, or coats of mail or metal worn for protection. Uzziah had his men well equipped for the battles that went into.

II Chronicles 26:15 "And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong."

These "engines" were as the Romans had in their Roman ballista, or catapults. These engines would cast stones 300 pounds for a quarter of a mile. Cunning men have always existed trying to devise more ways to take control over their enemies, as well as their own protection. Then it was rock throwing devises, arrows, towers, and things to fight at a distance of less than a mile. Today our arrows travel thousands of miles, or towers for watching for the enemies are floating in space, and the rocks carry nuclear weapons, and came destroy a city in the moments notice. Sure the way we fight wars has changed, but God still allows His people of Judah, America or where ever they follow His Word, the wisdom and strength to withstand their enemies. That is the blessings of doing it the right way, and seeking to trust and follow Him.

II Chroncicles 26:16 "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense."

God has allowed our nation the right to be the pillar of the world in these end times. Just like in the days of Uzziah, our military strength is matched no where in the world. The key to understanding this verse is verse 15. Uzziah took the help of God who built him to a point that no one would think of attacking him, and then he stopped looking to God for protection. God placed Ussiah into that position. When he was strong, then his heart or mind turned to himself, and that was the start of his destruction.

As long as our nation is one nation under the Almighty, YHVH, and looking to Him as the author and finisher of our faith, we will be strong. But the moment that we start dangling our rockets, ships and planes as the strength of our line of defense, than that is the start of our fall. When we as a nation start thinking in our minds that we are the ones that placed ourselves as then superpower of the world; the fall is not far behind. We have allowed heathen nations to share in the decision making of our borders and actions. This is like Uzziah asking the Philistines, Arabians, and all the other nations of his day to make decisions that must be made in Jerusalem.

II Chronicles 26:17 "And Araziah the priest went in after him, and with him forscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:"

Araziah the high priest took eighty valiant priests with him and they went in before the king to state their case, and call attention to the King what was happening in Judah.

II Chronicles 26:18 "And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, "It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God."

King Uzziah of Judah had become so strong that he was starting to transgress the line between what God would allow and what God would not allow. Under Moses, God set the standard as to who could come into the house of the Lord, make the burnt sacrifices and offerings and burn the incense unto the Lord. That right was placed on the sons of Aaron, and Uzziah was violating that line that God had set. The Levites of the Sons of Aaron were the only ones that were to preform these duties in the Temple.

Exodus 28:41 "And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office."

These men were not to serve in the military, but focus all their minds on the duties of their office. They were set apart [consecrated], and anointed for this service only. These priests of God, sons of Aaron came in before the king and were telling him that we was not to do those things that he had set out to do in the Temple.

II Chronicles 26:19 "Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar."

Uzziah was standing there before these 81 men of God at the altar of incense in the Temple of God. He had in his hand the censer of incense and was ready to burn incense on the altar of incense. When he had heard what the priests had to say, he became angry with the priests. As he was going to speak out against them, leprosy started to form in his mind, and while as he started to talk, the priest saw the leprosy spreading quickly throughout Uzziah's body.

Sure, Uzziah served God faithfully for many years and God made him a very rich man. He had the wealth of the world, armies that the world nations feared, yet here in his latter years, he turned his back on God and God's ways.

II Chronicles 26:20 "And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him."

If God gives you authority and power to tend to His business, and lead his people; as long as you tend to the duties that are before you, God will bless you. When you start thinking that it is you that has the power by your own might, then you are in trouble before the Lord. The Lord sets up kings and nations, and the Lord takes them down. Uzziah was going to violate the strict orders of God's law, and he thought that he was powerful enough to get away with it.

II Chronicles 26:21 "And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the People of the land."

Uzziah the king was no longer the ruler of Judah and the most powerful man on earth, but confined to a leper's house, and doomed for the rest of his life. When you think that there is no one that can replace you, then it's time for your removal; it's time for the next generation to step in and set a new direction for the land.

II Kings 15:5 "And the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the People of the land."

Uzziah is not judging anyone anymore, but living in a house with other lepers, tending to their sores. Jotham his son is now out at the city gates of Jerusalem, sitting and judging the people and ruling over the nation of Judah. By his own mind Uzziah became unfit to rule, for he lost sight of where his strength came from, and just how feeble he was. God is the creator of our souls and He sets up those to be in power for His Will, and He brings down those that step outside of That Will.

II Chronicles 26:22 "Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write."

II Chronicles 26:23 "So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, "He is a leper:" and Jotham his son reigned in his stead."