Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Chronicles
Book: 2 Chronicles
Chapter: 26
Overview:
Uzziah's good reign in
Judah.
(1-15) Uzziah's attempt to burn
Incense.
(16-23)
1-15 As long as
Uzziah sought the
Lord, and minded religion,
God made him to prosper. Those only prosper whom
God makes to
prosper; for prosperity is his
Gift. Many have owned, that as
long as they sought the
Lord, and kept close to their duty, they
prospered; but when they forsook
God, every thing went
Cross.
God never continues either to
Bless the indolent or to withhold
his blessing from the diligent. He will never suffer any to seek
his
Face in vain.
Uzziah's name was famed throughout all the
neighbouring countries. A name with
God and good people makes
truly honourable. He did not delight in
War, nor addict himself
to sports, but delighted in husbandry.
16-23 The transgression of the
Kings before
Uzziah was,
forsaking the
Temple of the
Lord, and burning
Incense upon
idolatrous altars. But his transgression was, going into the
Holy place, and attempting to burn
Incense upon the
Altar of
God. See how hard it is to avoid one extreme, and not run into
another. Pride of
Heart was at the bottom of his
Sin; a
Lust
that ruins many. Instead of lifting up the name
God in gratitude
to him who had done
So much for him, his
Heart was lifted up to
his hurt. Men's pretending to forbidden knowledge, and seeking
things too high for them, are owing to pride of
Heart. The
Incense of our prayers must be,
By Faith,
Put into the hands of
our
Lord Jesus, the great High
Priest of our profession, else we
cannot expect it to be accepted
By God, Re 8:3. Though
Uzziah
strove with the priests, he would not strive with his Maker. But
he was punished for his transgression; he continued a leper to
his
Death, shut out from society. The
Punishment answered the
Sin as
Face to
Face in a
Glass. Pride was at the bottom of his
transgression, and thus
God humbled him, and
Put dishonour upon
him. Those that covet forbidden honours, forfeit allowed ones.
Adam,
By catching at the tree of knowledge which he might not
eat of, debarred himself of the
Tree of Life which he might have
eaten of. Let all that read say, The
Lord is righteous. And when
the
Lord sees good to throw prosperous and useful men aside, as
broken vessels, if he raises up others to fill their places,
they may rejoice to renounce all worldly concerns, and employ
their remaining days in preparation for
Death.