2 Chronicles 26:15-16
“Uzziah’s fame spread far and wide, for the LORD gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.”
It frequently happens, that after the most promising appearances of abundance, the hopes of the harvestman are disappointed; some blast, or some destructive insect cuts off the fruits before they arrive at maturity, so that “the mower fills not his arms with them, neither he who binds up the sheaves his arms.”
Thus also it is too often found in the moral and religious world; people begin to “run well, and continue for a season; but are at last hindered,” and “come short of that rest” which they had professed to seek. This is particularly found in those whose hopeful conduct has been chiefly occasioned by external influence. We have seen in Joash, that “he did that which was right all the days of Jehoiada the priest;” but after his decease, he turned aside to wickedness, and brought the heavy judgments of God both on himself and all his people! 2 Chronicles 24:2; 2 Chronicles 24:17-18.
Thus it was also with his grandson, Uzziah. For many years “he sought after God, verse 5;” and was signally blessed, and prospered by the Lord during all that time; yet, through the influence of that very prosperity, he fell, and perished miserably under the hand of an avenging God.
The words of our text will naturally lead us to set before you,
I. The usual tendency of prosperity.
Doubtless, prosperity cheers the mind, but:
1. Prosperity tends to puff up with pride.
It is difficult to succeed in any enterprise, or any labor, without arrogating to ourselves a considerable portion of credit on account of it, “Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food, Habakkuk 1:16.” That this is the common influence of prosperity, appears from the cautions given to the Israelites respecting it, in an instance where it should seem to be impossible for them to do otherwise than give the whole honor to God! Deuteronomy 8:11-14. But pride, though so unsuitable to a fallen creature, is, alas! too powerful a principle in every man. Behold Nebuchadnezzar in the summit of his glory! Daniel 4:30-32; Daniel 5:20. Behold Uzziah, when he had been “marvelously helped, until he was strong.” How forgetful were they of the obligations which they owed to God! Even the pious Hezekiah fell, through the influence of pride, though afterwards he humbled himself for this transgression. Indeed it is very rare that people elevated by the acquisition of wealth or honor retain their former humility and simplicity; they rise in their own esteem, in proportion as they are looked up to by others, and account the homage that is paid to them a tribute due to their superior worth.
2. Prosperity tends to harden in iniquity.
It is not towards men only, that prosperity affects our conduct, but even towards God himself! We can scarcely attain any considerable advancement in the world, but presently we become “presumptuous, and self-willed;” we allow ourselves a greater latitude to follow the inclinations of our own hearts; and, if checked by any faithful monitor, we will not endure his expostulations or reproofs; but, like Uzziah, are “angry with him” for performing his duty, instead of being grieved at ourselves for transgressing our own duty! We think ourselves at liberty to act as we please; and that neither God nor man has any right to call us to account.
This is most justly depicted by the Psalmist, Psalm 10:4-6; Psalm 10:11; Psalm 10:13; and is traced by him to prosperity, as its proper source, Psalm 73:3-9; Psalm 73:11-12. Ah! how many such instances have we seen, of men once apparently modest and humble, but afterwards, like Jeshurun, “grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior!” Deuteronomy 32:15.”
We are apt to envy such people, when we behold their prosperity; but we shall see little reason to do so, if we duly consider the effects produced by it on their minds, Psalm 73:3; Psalm 73:16-19.
Rarely indeed has any spiritual good arisen from prosperity; but how awful is it to reflect on,
II. The frequent termination of prosperity.
Behold how it terminated in the case before us!
Uzziah, not content with the pomp of royalty, would usurp also the priestly office; and, when reproved for his presumption, was filled with indignation against his reprovers. But “while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy rose up in his forehead! verse 19;” and immediately “they thrust him out of the temple; yes, himself also hastened to go out, because the Lord had smitten him! verse 20.” Thus it is with many who “once made a fair show in the flesh;” “being lifted up with pride, they fall into the condemnation of the devil! 1 Timothy 3:6.” From their scenes of earthly happiness they are cast headlong into the lowest abyss of misery, like the rich man in the parable, whose surviving brethren, misled by his example, were following him there with hasty strides! Luke 16:22-23; Luke 16:27-28.
But, if we could conceive by any means that such a one as Uzziah had found his way into Heaven, the very transaction that took place in the temple would be renewed there; the inhabitants of those blessed mansions, indignant at his presumption, would instantly “thrust him out! Luke 13:28;” yes, “he himself would hasten to go out,” not being able to endure the countenance of his offended God! Isaiah 33:14-17; which show that the godly alone can dwell with God. Let it not be thought that this is an uncommon termination of prosperity; for both Scripture and observation teach us to regard it as its frequent and ordinary result! Proverbs 1:32, with Matthew 19:23-26.
Let us learn then from hence:
1. Let us learn to be moderate in our desire after earthly things.
We may desire prosperity, because it is a gift of God to men, verse 5; and is particularly promised to those who love him, Psalm 1:3; Psalm 122:6. But we should desire prosperity only in submission to the will of God. We know not what will be its ultimate effect upon our souls. We know not what advantage it will give to our corrupt nature to break forth, and to plunge us into everlasting misery! Let us be diligent in our earthly calling, whatever it may be; but, as to any anxious concern about it: “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory! Colossians 3:1-4.”
2. Let us learn to be patient and resigned under any trials that God may be pleased to send us.
Trials are “not at the present joyous, but grievous;” but they are promised by God as the choicest fruit of his paternal love, Hebrews 12:6-8. Even Paul himself needed a thorn in his flesh, “lest he should be exalted above measure, 2 Corinthians 12:7.” Who then are we, that we should think trials unnecessary for us? Trials are the furnace that is to purify us from our dross! Isaiah 27:9 Trials are the pruning-knife that is to render us more fruitful in good works! John 15:2.
We know how profitable it was to Manasseh to be taken among the thorns, 2 Chronicles 33:11-12. Just so, we have reason to hope that our afflictions also shall be sanctified to our good, Hebrews 12:10, and that we shall at the close of them adopt the language of David:
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word!” Psalm 119:67
“It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn Your decrees.” Psalm 119:71
“I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me!” Psalm 119:75
3. Let us learn to be thankful for the high honor conferred upon us.
To none of the Jewish kings was given the united honor of both royalty and priesthood. That was reserved for Christ alone, who was to be “a Priest upon his throne, Zechariah 6:13;” who yet, though a king, “glorified not himself to be made a High-priest, but was called to it of God, as was Aaron, Hebrews 5:4-5.” But that honor has our adorable Savior procured for us, “He has loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto our God forever and ever! Revelation 1:5-6.” Yes, we are “a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9;” and “by the new and living way which he has opened for us through the veil, we may draw near” even to the very throne of God himself! Hebrews 10:19-22. Our doing so in faith will rid us from the leprosy, instead of bringing the leprosy upon us; and, instead of arming the angels against us, will make them to rejoice! Luke 15:10; Luke 16:22. Let us then improve our liberty, and “offer up spiritual sacrifices to our God from day to day, assured, that they are acceptable to him through Jesus Christ! 1 Peter 2:5.”
Charles Simeon