As we survey the political landscape and see world leaders rise and fall, it is so often the case that their fall is related to their own pride.  As we know from Scripture, God repeatedly addresses the issue of pride in the life of mankind, particularly when it comes to rulers.  When speaking about the danger of pride, D.L. Moody once said, “I have never met a man who has given me as much trouble as myself.”  Although the majority of mankind is indifferent to their pride, God is not. 

In the Bible we are introduced to a king by the name of Uzziah.  He was a very popular king and one who began his reign seeking the Lord.  Uzziah was his royal name, but his birth name was Azariah (not to be confused with a priest of the same name).  The name Uzziah means “Yahweh is my strength”, while the name Azariah means “Yahweh has helped”. His names give a fitting and accurate testimony of his early life and kingship – Yahweh helped him and Yahweh was his strength.  But 2 Chronicles 26:15 ends by alerting us to a change in Uzziah’s character (emphasis added): “So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.“

If we applied the world’s standards to Uzziah’s reign, many would say he had every reason to be proud of his achievements.  Militarily, Uzziah was very powerful, and he defeated many of Judah’s enemies.  Yet, Proverbs 21:31 says: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD.”  Economically, the land blossomed, stock numbers grew, and wealth increased.  Yet, Deuteronomy 8:18 says: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Creatively, he manufactured unique weapons systems.  Yet, when God was giving instructions to make the Tabernacle in the wilderness, Exodus 35:31-33 says: “and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship.”

All that Uzziah had, all that he had achieved, all that he designed, all that he conquered, all that he grew, all that he was, was because of God.  But pride crept in.     

In the Scriptural account of his reign, we are told that when Uzziah became strong he became proud.  2 Chronicles 26:16 records this: “But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”  What is the problem with these actions?  The Altar of Incense was in the Holy Place and only a priest was permitted to burn incense.  As Uzziah was a king, he was not permitted to take on any priestly functions.  The Scriptures were very clear – the office of King-Priest is reserved for one Person – Messiah.

There are important lessons which believers and unbelievers may learn from Uzziah’s life.  First is the lesson for believers: Uzziah sought to take upon himself a role that God did not intend for him to have. This is one of the many ways that pride manifests itself in our lives – it can cause us to seek a position, whether of authority, ministry, or influence that God did not intend for us to have.  I like what one commentator had to say on this point: “When you’re not content with your gifts, you’re really not content with your calling; and when you’re not content with your calling, you’re really not content with God’s calling; and when you’re not content with God’s calling, you’re really not content with God.”   

The second lesson involves a warning for unbelievers: there is great danger in earthly kings also becoming priests.  In other words, when people see themselves as their own ruling authority and their own moral authority, there are dangerous consequences, some which I have listed below:

1. If man is his own priest, he can declare his own standard of righteousness.  In other words, man decides what is morally acceptable behaviour.   In our society, we have now reached a point where social and political consensus is the driving force behind what man views as morally acceptable.  If that is the formula we are prepared to adopt, it is as dangerous as building a house on shifting sand.  Because as mankind’s heart moves further away from God, so too his benchmark of morality will slide further and further away from the standard of behaviour that God desires for mankind.
2. If man is his own priest, he can declare his own standard of right and wrong.  The consequence of that is concluded in Isaiah 5:20 – good is called evil and evil is called good; darkness is light and light is darkness; bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.  How does this happen?  How can you look at evil and call it good?  Because in the minds of many there is a denial of fixed truth and a denial of a fixed standard of morality from a higher authority.  So, in order that mankind may feel morally justified in their sinful, depraved and wicked actions, they claim that neither God nor His Word should be the governing authority over the affairs of mankind.  But there is not only a denial, but a substitution.  Because men loved darkness rather than light, guess what?  God’s Word, which reveals the depravity of man is thrown out and man’s word, which appeals to the depravity of man, is brought in.  
3. If man is his own priest, he can absolve himself of responsibility for wrongdoing.  They have an attitude like that of the Babylonians.  Isaiah 47:10: “For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, ‘No one sees me’; your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; and you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’”  The “little I am” has put himself in place of the Great I Am and therefore thinks he is accountable to nobody but himself!  But the terrifying reality for unsaved mankind is that there is a righteous Judge who will exercise judgement against all wickedness. 

Although we have seen prideful kings and rulers come and go, we are reminded that the most prideful of them all will soon rise to prominence.  Of course, his rule will not affect us as we will have been raptured before he is revealed to the world.  But for those who remain on the earth, they will come to see that he is one who epitomises what I have written above: his pride will determine his actions, he exalts himself, he rejects God’s ways and he substitutes his own system of governance and morality.  Daniel 11:36 affirms this: “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.“

Dean Dwyer serves as a Senior Columnist at Harbinger’s Daily, where his thought-provoking articles engage a global audience of millions. With more than two decades of leadership as Pastor and President of Eiser Street Baptist Church in Toowoomba, Australia, Dwyer brings sophisticated Biblical discernment and analysis to examine world events and issues through the lens of God’s Word.