21/08/2022 - SHOWED WHY HE BECAME A KING

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Now he went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities around Ashdod and among the Philistines.  2 Chronicles 26.6

The kings of the past had war as a source of income. When they defeated a country, they took possession of the spoils, and these were taken to the battlefield. In many cases, they made use of vassalage, when the defeated nation became tributary to the victor. This was part of the economic plan of many nations that were growing. Therefore, the people already expected that their king would use this “trickery” so that they would live well at the expense of others.

In 2 Kings 15.2, it is recorded that Uzziah’s reign lasted 52 years, and in 2 Chronicles 26 (ARC), that it lasted 55 years. It is also said that he built Elath and restored it to Judah after his father’s death. The way the facts are narrated leads us to understand that the king was still Amaziah, who had fled and taken refuge in Lachish, because of a rebellion that occurred against him in Jerusalem, being Uzziah his coregent.

Probably the rebels could not take over the kingdom, and Uzziah was put in the place of his father, the fleeing king. When the latter was killed, the son began to rule fully. Certainly, he was assisted by capable people. Judah went to war against the Philistines and defeated them, so Elath was retaken, built up and became part of the kingdom of Judah again. Uzziah means Jehovah is my Strength. For a long time, he proved that this was real. Is the Most High also your Strength?

The lesson given to the Philistines, eternal enemies of the Israelites, made Philistia stop tormenting the sons of Jacob. When you are saved, you already receive two titles, bestowed by Jesus on Christians, that of king and priest: And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5.10). It’s good to assume your position in Christ soon, so that the enemy can see who you are before the Lord. Remember: we are subject to the King of kings!

He didn’t sit on his throne or cry somewhere, waiting for God to do the work, but went out to show that in Judah there was a king who stood up for his rights and made the enemy taste the power of those who serve the Lord. The entire defense structure of the Philistines, built around their largest cities, was thrown down. From that moment on, things would become more and more difficult for them.

In His infinite wisdom, God used a young man with no experience, but with determination in his heart, so the victory came. The previous days were days of shame and sadness. The fury of the Philistines had been against Israel for centuries. Someone had to put an end to that, and Uzziah was that person. So, the razed city of Elath was taken and built up, yet the Philistines would still see more of the strength of the king’s wrath.

Besides the destruction of the walls of several cities, Uzziah, the new king, built cities among the Philistines. The people of Philistia had to feel the boldness of the Israelites in taking over part of their land. The Philistines had taken and razed Elath, but now Israel would show them how much it pays to believe in and serve the Most High. Do everything to show Who the Lord is!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares