The story of Uzziah traces the success of a man marvelously helped by God—until vain pride caused him to plummet sharply into destruction. If we take God off the throne of our hearts, we are in danger of a similar demise. Alistair Begg urges pastors, as students of the Word, to remain ever vigilant of the dangerous sin of pride, especially in the conduct of religious affairs.
Uzziah Reigns in Judah
1And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 2He built Eloth and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers. 3Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
6He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. 7God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal and against the Meunites. 8The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread even to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong. 9Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them. 10And he built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. 11Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war, in divisions according to the numbers in the muster made by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders. 12The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses of mighty men of valor was 2,600. 13Under their command was an army of 307,500, who could make war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 14And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. 15In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.
Uzziah's Pride and Punishment
16But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, 18and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.” 19Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy1 broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, by the altar of incense. 20And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the Lord had struck him. 21And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king's household, governing the people of the land.
22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz wrote. 23And Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” And Jotham his son reigned in his place.
Series: The Pastor's Study, Volume 4
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 1
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume one of this series, Alistair Begg looks to Scripture for examples of biblical leadership. In Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls and Paul’s work to establish the New Testament Church, today’s pastors find patterns of God-centered leadership worthy of imitation. True leadership, the Bible reminds us, is about submitting oneself to God’s vision for His people.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 2
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume two of this series, Alistair Begg addresses practical aspects of preaching common to every pastor. Throughout Scripture and Christian history, we see God using biblical preaching to build His Church and save the lost. While methods vary and styles differ, a pastor’s practice in the pulpit should reflect his careful stewardship of God’s Word and point hearers to the cross.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 3
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume three of this series, Alistair Begg reminds pastors to stay focused on God’s Word as the source of inerrant truth. Preachers should teach the Bible in a manner that glorifies God, since He alone can change people’s hearts and draw new worshipers to Himself. Regardless of the challenges or changes that may come, a good leader places his trust in God’s strength, not his own.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 4
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
Volume four of this series addresses the value of evangelistic preaching for the modern pulpit. Drawing on biblical figures, personal experience, and known theologians, Alistair Begg explores the merits of biblical preaching that draws listeners to Christ. When pastors and congregations depend on God for strength and victory, His word is proclaimed and His name glorified.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 5
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume five of this series, Alistair Begg explores the Gospel’s central role in the pastor’s preaching ministry. If a preacher isn’t watchful, his pulpit can easily become a platform for chasing fame or sharing worldly wisdom that leaves the hearer without real hope. Only the Good News of God’s grace can truly kindle belief in the lost and ignite the Church for its holy mission.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 6
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume six of this series, Alistair Begg examines the Bible’s instruction on pastoral priorities. Scripture teaches that the pastor must give himself wholeheartedly to the preaching of the Gospel—a duty built on prayer and personal holiness. With this priority in view, pastors can equip their congregations in the confidence that God Himself empowers their work.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 7
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume seven of this series, Alistair Begg emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture in the pastor’s work. When pastors compromise the Bible’s truths or doubt its power, their ministry crumbles: God’s Word must be preached faithfully, regardless of the cultural climate. Pastors will be strengthened by these messages as they fulfill their callings and faithfully exposit Scripture.
