Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Uzziah

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Uzziah ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned in the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for the temporal blessings he received from God, which were manifested in various aspects of his kingdom and personal life. Uzziah's account is primarily recorded in 2 Chronicles 26 and 2 Kings 15.

Divine Favor and Military Success

Uzziah ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His early reign was marked by a strong commitment to seeking God, which brought about divine favor. "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success" (2 Chronicles 26:4-5).

Under Uzziah's leadership, Judah experienced significant military success. He waged successful campaigns against the Philistines, breaking down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and built cities in the territory of Ashdod and among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines, the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunites (2 Chronicles 26:6-7).

Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Development

The temporal blessings extended beyond military achievements to economic prosperity and infrastructure development. Uzziah's reign saw advancements in agriculture and construction. "Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them. He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil" (2 Chronicles 26:9-10).

Uzziah's innovative spirit was evident in his development of military technology. He equipped his army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows, and sling stones. Moreover, he invented machines designed by skillful men to be on the towers and corners for shooting arrows and large stones (2 Chronicles 26:14-15).

Fame and Strength

The temporal blessings from God also resulted in Uzziah's fame spreading far and wide. "His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful" (2 Chronicles 26:15). His strength and the prosperity of his reign were a testament to the blessings he received as a result of his initial faithfulness to God.

Spiritual Decline and Consequences

Despite the temporal blessings, Uzziah's account also serves as a cautionary tale. His success led to pride, which ultimately resulted in his downfall. "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense" (2 Chronicles 26:16). This act of presumption led to his punishment by God, as he was struck with leprosy and lived in isolation until his death (2 Chronicles 26:19-21).

Uzziah's reign is a profound example of how temporal blessings from God can lead to prosperity and success when one seeks the Lord, but also how pride and unfaithfulness can lead to downfall. His life underscores the importance of humility and continued faithfulness to God.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 26:5-15
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 made him to prosper.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Prayer
... God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests. ... when our prayer is not so
much for temporal mercies as ... that we may have more communion with God and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

The Priest of the World and King of Men
... into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.' That message ... in which the struggles of
the temporal and spiritual ... would seem to be a very doubtful blessing for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the priest of the world.htm

Zechariah
... days of joy and gladness, and the blessing would be ... distinction, which is more than
a temporal one, between ... powers and the establishment of the kingdom of God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... for the things which are seen are temporal, but the ... What a prophetic blessing had
dying Isaac and Jacob ... heart, which have the badge of God's prohibition upon ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

Of Preparation.
... "The cup of blessing which we ... of his sins, and the reconciliation of his soul unto
God, his soul ... than bread and wine can nourish his body to this temporal life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... It can scarcely be doubted that the earthquake under Uzziah, the fearfulness of ... of
the highest and fullest revelation of God to the temporal and spiritual ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

The Works of John Cassian.
... How a monk should not look for the blessing of patience ... not given to be subjected
to those temporal temptations ... Of the fact that nothing is created evil by God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the works of john cassian /

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
... muzzled, and forbidden to speak of any but temporal matters. ... I, for one, say, God
forbid ... Think what an immense blessing one single layman like Lord Shaftesbury ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvii phil 1 1 the.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... such took place in the time betwixt Joash and Uzziah. ... the more so, because the wrath
of God had not ... of the verse, must denote a divine blessing different from ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up ... He
was promised in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm