1

King Uzziah got Leprosy by his Arrogance

2

Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in.They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God." (2Chronicles 17~19)

3

Uzziah became the king of Judah when he was only sixteen years old.

He became the tenth king of Judah.

4

The prophet Zechariah always taught God's words to help the young King Uzziah to follow correctly.

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Even though, Uzziah, who was taught by Zechariah, was young he did many right things that pleased God. God loved Uzziah so much.

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So, whenever King Uzziah went to battle, God helped him gain victory everywhere. Judah, the place where Uzziah ruled, became more and more a stronger country.

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God so loved Uzziah who did as he said that God made the border of Judah's country to become larger and stronger.

8

Uzziah was not lazy in keeping the country God made to be strong.

He built the town and the walls strongly and he prepared high towers and made weapons of war.

9

However, as his country became stronger, his heart began to be full of arrogance.

Uzziah did not serve God anymore. He began to think that he had done all the work on his own, no longer acknowledging God's help.

10

Uzziah thought that he could do everything because he was the king so he broke the law God ordered him not to do.

11

Even if the king was in Judea, there was a thing never to be able to do and a place never to be able to enter. That place was called the sanctuary among the temple. That place was only for the priests to enter.

12

But Uzziah entered the temple and tried to do what only the priests could do. They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense.

If you break that rule, you will be punished.

13

Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry.

"How dare you teach me?"

14

A terrible thing happened to Uzziah at that moment.

Leprosy broke out on his forehead. God punished the arrogant Uzziah.

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At that time leprosy could not be healed. Uzziah, who knew that he had leprosy, ran out of the temple. God punished Uzziah because he was arrogant.

16

King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died so he was separated. Also, after dying he could not be buried together in the ancestor's grave. This miserable thing happened to him because he betrayed God and broke the law that God had commanded.

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God lifts someone who does as God's words and makes someone rich. But God does not like arrogant people so he punishes them. Therefore, we should always acknowledge God and be faithful, humble people who get along with the Holy Spirit.