King Uzziah, also named Azariah, was a good king and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. At the beginning of this chapter, there is a long list of his accomplishments, "He sought God in the days of Zechariah." "He went forth and warred against the Philistines." "His name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly." Besides his seeking the Lord and success in military campaigns he was also a man of industry, "Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem," and "Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel." Yet in our verse today all of the positive things about Uzziah's life are shaded by what they said of him in his death, "He was a leper."
They could have said he sought God, he was a warrior, he was a hard worker or many other positive things but something happened at the peak of his success. His success made him presumptuous, and proud. "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his 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." [vs.16] This of course was strictly forbidden, he was not a priest and therefore he was not consecrated unto that service. Perhaps his friendship with Zechariah, his success in military campaigns, his wisdom in industry, and all the other success of his life had puffed him up to think that he also would make a fine priest, yet it stepped over the line. While he was offering this unholy offering leprosy came upon his forehead, "The leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar." From that day forward he lived in a several house,[ an alone house]. The days of walking the palace were over, the days of fellowship with the royal court were over, his kingship was now by proxy through his son and he lived the rest of his days alone until the day he died, and what was said of him was "He was a leper."
With such a successful life, and with all the good he had done as a king he would have been honored to be buried in the Sepulchres of the kings, yet for his leprosy, he had to be buried in the field. Instead of taking his place among David, Solomon, and other great kings who were permitted to be buried in that place of honor he was buried in the field like those kings who had dishonored themselves. All of this should be a lesson to us, that no matter the good we do in this life, we can be lifted up in pride and a spot of sin, an instance of passion, a presumptuous season, could ruin the good reputation and honor that took years to establish. King David was remembered for his adultery, Solomon was remembered for his idolatry and Uzziah for his leprosy. He could have spent the last years of his life with his children and grandchildren, enjoying the fruits of his life, instead, by pride he spent them alone until he died and all that was said was "He is a leper." What will they say of you when you leave this earth? Who will you be "buried with?" I want my life to be remembered for something more than the sin I fell into in a moment of weakness. Sin, like leprosy, destroys everyone that it touches, it will separate you from your loved ones, destroy your quality of life, deform you, and then kill you and when you are gone they won't remember the positive aspects of your life, but how hideously your sin destroyed and disfigured your life.
On resurrection day there will be a group of Kings from the family of David whose bodies will rise from the Sepulchres of the kings and then there will be those whose bodies rise from the field. Even in the life to come the consequences of decisions made here carry over. In the life to come what rewards will be lost if we live in sin now? Less crowns to throw at his feet, less glory to give to him! Oh Lord, may it not be said of us "He is a Leper."
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