Finish Well

Kevin DeYoung post:  Kings of Judah: Uzziah’s Pride

2 Chronicles 26:1-23
But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. (v. 16a)

Proverbs 16:18 summarizes the sad life of King Uzziah–“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Uzziah is the third straight king who started out strong, but did not finish well. Joash was a good king so long as Jehoiada the priest was alive. But after his death, Joash stumbled to the finish line. Amaziah enjoyed some military success, but ignored the man of God and turned to idolatry. Uzziah was hugely successful and faithful as long as Zechariah instructed him. But in the end, pride was his undoing.

Uzziah’s reign started out well. He sought the Lord (1-5) and the Lord gave him success (6-15).  Uzziah defeated armies, built up cities, cultivated the land, and outfitted the army. “He was marvelously helped, till he was strong,” is how the King James Version puts it (15). “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction” (16). The pattern of Uzziah’s life–seek the Lord, receive blessing, forget the Lord–has been tragically repeated ten thousand times. From farmers to factory works, from pastors to professors, we forget who has brought us this far.

Pride is not our friend, which is why we need another Proverb in our life. “He [the Lord] mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble.”