The Scriptures Are True To Life - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 26:19,

"Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead."

Uzziah was Judah's tenth king following Solomon. His reign in Judah had a wonderful start. We read in verse 4, "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done." However, we are told that pride became his undoing, "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."

It was this pride that led him into the temple to offer incense, something reserved by the Lord's command for priests. Uzziah was not a priest.

I note in the above verse that the culmination of his pride led to an angry outburst by Uzziah when he was confronted by the priests. The outburst led to the Lord striking him with leprosy, not only a medical issue but a huge humiliation for this king!

I have noticed in my own life that my own outbursts of anger have most always been precipitated by some kind of pride on my part, and, usually, an outburst leads to some kind of humiliation on my part in one way or another. Life is self-correcting at times: Pride can lead to angry outbursts and angry outbursts can lead to humiliation.

I mention this because I find the accounts in Scripture very insightful and true to life. I certainly find it so in my life!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.