The Pride of Victory and Eventual Defeat
Reflective Reading: 2nd Chron 7:14
One of my favorite kings of Israel is Uzziah (also called Azariah). He reigned for 52 years, beginning when he was 16, serving the LORD with godly character and God’s blessing until a fatal error occurred. Before we learn more about king Uzziah, we need to first learn something about his family. Uzziah was the son of the prosperous and victorious king Amaziah, who reigned in Jerusalem for 29 years. These two kings had something in common. They were both successful in military conquests. Their victories in battle also elevated their pride which eventually led to God’s judgment.
It is said of king Amaziah that “he did right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart” (2nd Chronicles 25:2). The word “perfect” in Hebrew is the same root word for peace, Shalom. This word means much more than peace. Shalom שָׁלוֹם carries the idea of wholeness, completeness, harmony, and well-being. When used as a greeting or farewell, it is to wish someone complete prosperity and blessing in every area of life. It represents a state where a person is completely fulfilled in body, spirit, mind, and soul. It is the essence of a flourishing life in every area between God and man.
King Amaziah was successful militarily and economically, but there was something missing in his soul. He lacked that vital link that allows a person to be right with God—humility. Because he lacked in humility, he lacked in judgment and trust. This lack caused him to make decisions that placed his trust in his own strength, leading to his eventual downfall.
One serious lack of judgment came when he hired soldiers from a godless northern nation to help him in his fight against the Edomites. He favored his alliances with others more important than his alliance with God. After a prophet from God rebuked his decision to hire one hundred thousand foreign soldiers, Amaziah complained that he had already paid the soldiers 100 talents of silver in advance. His focus on the loss of money is another characteristic of a leader’s lack of humility and lack of a “perfect” heart toward God. When he is confronted by a prophet that his actions were opposed by God, he struggles with his financial loss. To help him regain his faith footing, the prophet says to him: “The LORD is able to give thee much more than this” (2nd Chronicles 25:9).
Submitting to God’s command to fight without relying upon others, Amaziah conquered his enemies handily. He killed 10,000 Edomite soldiers and then threw another 10,000 over a steep cliff. Some theologians believe the killing of the additional 10,000 upon the rocks was excessive, and it was one of the reasons why the rejected foreign soldiers came back and pillaged Ephraim, killing 3,000 Jews. Excessive punishment in war is a difficult balance when fighting against an evil depraved regime who commit such vile acts of depravity. King Amaziah had a righteous reason to fight against Edom but failed to maintain a righteous resolve to the end. Instead of fighting for a righteous cause, he embraced the plunder of his enemies which turned his heart toward idolatry. Maintaining a righteous moral cause in war while demonstrating genuine humility are the quintessential characteristics that are needed for God’s blessing in war.
Amaziah prospered for many years, but his pride would soon lead to his downfall. After such a sound victory over the Edomites, Amaziah not only confiscated their idols but began to worshipping them. The consequence of these actions was God’s judgment, which led to his kingdom being plundered and his own people murdering him.
This background lays the foundation for the next king—Uzziah, Amaziah’s son. He too was extremely victorious in military conquest and economic strength. He too would fall shamefully because of pride. While several kings struggled with pride, Uzziah’s story links his military conquests directly to his downfall. He was victorious over the Philistines and Ammonites, rebuilt cities, and built a well-trained army of 307,500 “mighty men of valor.” His conquests and built-up army gave him a false sense of security and strength.
As news of Uzziah’s fame spread to Egypt, 2 Chronicles 26:16 states, “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.”
His prideful and presumptuous actions were met with 81 protective and powerful (men of valor) priests who restrained his unauthorized acts of sacrifice in the temple. Believing himself to be above the law of God, he was struck with leprosy, which caused him to forfeit most of his leadership to his son. He lived as an outcast for the rest of his life.
King Uzziah is among a handful of kings whose military successes led to their prideful downfall. Of them all, King Nebuchadnezzar stands out as the most memorable. After his prideful boasting, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built... by the might of my power?” (Daniel 4:30) God judged him but spared his life. He lived like a beast for seven years, which would finally bring him to his senses and repentance. Of all the kings in world history, King Nebuchadnezzar teaches us the greatest lessons concerning military power and pride. Daniel writes:
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Dan 4:34-37).
My hope and prayer is that our current leadership might heed these lessons. While there are oppressed people who need protection from evil regimes, there is one thing we must not forget: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
It matters not how strong one’s military might be or how powerful a country’s economy is; what matters is how genuinely humble we are as a nation so that God might be glorified. One of the most powerful leaders in world history learned this the hard way. His last words to the world were: “and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” May we as a nation take heed and:
All be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (I Pet. 5:5-7).
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min
