Azariah king of Judah

[Scrobulous]

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In our day we accept that bad things happen to good people, with the usual caveats in place that no one is really good and that God uses suffering for various purposes. But under the old covenant there was a much more synchronized relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and disaster. In fact, the law is explicit about this relationship. The verses quoted do say that Azariah did not remove the high places, but none of the kings previously had done that either. This is a period in history where Judah only survives because of God’s promise to David. One gets the impression that were it not for this promise He would have blotted them out.
I draw the conclusion that if someone is born in a time of apostasy, even if he acts rightly, he could still be sucked down in the general malaise. I am thinking of Ezek 14:14 and Jer 15:1 when I say this.
So, it could be said that we live in a time of increasing wickedness. Could this be why the 21st century church does not manifest the power of the 1st century church?

 

[posthuman]

@Scrobulous you post such interesting threads ♥

 

[Journeyman]

I think Azariah is Uzziah. (2Chron.26:16-21)

Correction from God is never bad for believers. Painful maybe, but never bad for us. (Heb.12:11)

 

[dcontroversal]

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In our day we accept that bad things happen to good people, with the usual caveats in place that no one is really good and that God uses suffering for various purposes. But under the old covenant there was a much more synchronized relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and disaster. In fact, the law is explicit about this relationship. The verses quoted do say that Azariah did not remove the high places, but none of the kings previously had done that either. This is a period in history where Judah only survives because of God’s promise to David. One gets the impression that were it not for this promise He would have blotted them out.
I draw the conclusion that if someone is born in a time of apostasy, even if he acts rightly, he could still be sucked down in the general malaise. I am thinking of Ezek 14:14 and Jer 15:1 when I say this.
So, it could be said that we live in a time of increasing wickedness. Could this be why the 21st century church does not manifest the power of the 1st century church?

The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.....and judgment begins at the house of God.......sometimes the righteous do indeed suffer when God moves in judgment of a nation, family, empire, King etc......there are numerous examples from biblical history that can be cited to prove this point.....and sometimes, like in the case of JOB it is allowed by God even though it is the direct result of the enemy.......something to ponder for sure...

 

[Laish]

I think Azariah is Uzziah. (2Chron.26:16-21)

Correction from God is never bad for believers. Painful maybe, but never bad for us. (Heb.12:11)

Yea I believe your correct. You will also note that in 2nd Chronicles 26 that Uzziah aka Azariah took it upon him to burn incense in the Temple somthing only that a priest may do . That’s probably why he was struck with leprosy .
Blessings
Bill

 

[Deade]

The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.....and judgment begins at the house of God.......sometimes the righteous do indeed suffer when God moves in judgment of a nation, family, empire, King etc......there are numerous examples from biblical history that can be cited to prove this point.....and sometimes, like in the case of JOB it is allowed by God even though it is the direct result of the enemy.......something to ponder for sure...

Yes indeed Dcon, I keep telling folks God deal with all of us on different levels. Even those of us with life everlasting secured, we can still suffer when our communities are judged. We have numerous scriptures that tell us to deal with evil among us. Here is one example:

Hos. 4:1-6 "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

And yet another:
Deut. 21:21 "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."

 

[Nehemiah6]

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

You missed a key element and reason why Azariah became a leper: Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. (v 4).

The high places were centers of idolatry (and fornication connected with idolatry) in Israel and Judah. So the Jews were worshiping idols freely with no interference from Azariah. And he was not supposed to remain neutral. Other righteous kings destroyed all the high places of idolatry, the idols themselves, and even the priests who were committing these sins. So Azariah paid for this negligence with his affliction.

God expects religious leaders within the churches to deal with sins and idolatry. Instead today we are seeing more and more apostasy within Christendom. So there are consequences to this spiritual adultery.

 

[Scrobulous]

Thank you all for your interesting comments. I am reading the bible systematically from Genesis. I am in second Kings, so thanks for telling me about Uzziah in Chronicles. This will add some information. I thought we only had the 7 verses I quoted.
I am very tempted to try to say ‘this happened because of that’. But real life is often more complicated than this and the bible reflects the complications of the real world. This gives me confidence that I am not dealing with the work of men. Thanks to all on this forum. It is great to share ideas and see that we are all in this battle together!

 

[Adstar]

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In our day we accept that bad things happen to good people, with the usual caveats in place that no one is really good and that God uses suffering for various purposes. But under the old covenant there was a much more synchronized relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and disaster. In fact, the law is explicit about this relationship. The verses quoted do say that Azariah did not remove the high places, but none of the kings previously had done that either. This is a period in history where Judah only survives because of God’s promise to David. One gets the impression that were it not for this promise He would have blotted them out.
I draw the conclusion that if someone is born in a time of apostasy, even if he acts rightly, he could still be sucked down in the general malaise. I am thinking of Ezek 14:14 and Jer 15:1 when I say this.
So, it could be said that we live in a time of increasing wickedness. Could this be why the 21st century church does not manifest the power of the 1st century church?

It is good to read the verses around to get the fuller picture of the situation..

2 Kings 15: KJV
1 "In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. {2} Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. {3} And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; {4} Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. {5} ¶ And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land."

So Azariah did not take part in the sacraficing and burning of incense on the High places.. But as King He should have torn down those places and prevented the people from doing so..

You will read in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23 of King Josiah of Judah who upon hearing from the Book of the Law went out and ordered the destruction of those high places..

 

[Scrobulous]

It is good to read the verses around to get the fuller picture of the situation..

2 Kings 15: KJV
1 "In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. {2} Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. {3} And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; {4} Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. {5} ¶ And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land."

So Azariah did not take part in the sacraficing and burning of incense on the High places.. But as King He should have torn down those places and prevented the people from doing so..

You will read in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23 of King Josiah of Judah who upon hearing from the Book of the Law went out and ordered the destruction of those high places..

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Lanolin]

It says according to all his father amazaiah had done, so what did his father amaziah do..?

Yes its true that many leaders and if we look at todays churches, just carry on with what their fathers have done but many fail to stop idolatry. In the OT they physically removed altars to idols. Ok now look what idols we have around us today in the high places. Billboards with images advertising junk we dont need? Pornography? What does it mean, the 'high places' and 'groves'. What these days are people still worshipping instead of God? TV? I know people who cant go a day without watching images on TV.

Some nations testify they never had such sin enter their land until after they got TV. For example, the cook islands, after they got tv people would just sit at home watching it all day everyday instesd of enjoying each other and the outdoors, and programs like soap operas etc would introduce sinful ways to their children who would copy the dramas and sinful behaviours on screen. They would want to look like the people on tv the way they dress and act. And then they would want all the products advertised on the commercials.

 

[Scrobulous]

It says according to all his father amazaiah had done, so what did his father amaziah do..?

Yes its true that many leaders and if we look at todays churches, just carry on with what their fathers have done but many fail to stop idolatry. In the OT they physically removed altars to idols. Ok now look what idols we have around us today in the high places. Billboards with images advertising junk we dont need? Pornography? What does it mean, the 'high places' and 'groves'. What these days are people still worshipping instead of God? TV? I know people who cant go a day without watching images on TV.

Some nations testify they never had such sin enter their land until after they got TV. For example, the cook islands, after they got tv people would just sit at home watching it all day everyday instesd of enjoying each other and the outdoors, and programs like soap operas etc would introduce sinful ways to their children who would copy the dramas and sinful behaviours on screen. They would want to look like the people on tv the way they dress and act. And then they would want all the products advertised on the commercials.

I agree. There is a definite downward moral spiral and technology seems to be speeding it up. The effects can be seen in the increased incidence of mental illness and people with low self esteem. There never was a sadder generation in the past, than this one is now.
I think Christians should be praying for the church. We need to be saving the lost, not hoping that judgment will fall. God wants to fill His banqueting hall, now that the harvest is so great.
Thanks for your comment.

 

[Lanolin]

This is when we pose a challenge to every member of this forum.

SWAYGDAI?

So what are you going to do about it????

 

[Scrobulous]

This is when we pose a challenge to every member of this forum.

SWAYGDAI?

So what are you going to do about it????

Praying for the church. Saving the lost. Like I said.

 

[Lanolin]

What about...actually getting rid of idols?
Im sure king azaraih was already going about praying and thinking he was saving the lost by ruling the kingdom.

 

[NayborBear]

Thank you all for your interesting comments. I am reading the bible systematically from Genesis. I am in second Kings, so thanks for telling me about Uzziah in Chronicles. This will add some information. I thought we only had the 7 verses I quoted.
I am very tempted to try to say ‘this happened because of that’. But real life is often more complicated than this and the bible reflects the complications of the real world. This gives me confidence that I am not dealing with the work of men. Thanks to all on this forum. It is great to share ideas and see that we are all in this battle together!

..."Sometimes?" "Killing for a CAUSE?" Is not murder!" "It's downright INGENIOUS!"

Could someone explain to me, that if we are NOT "in the days of Noah", as Jesus stated.

What "days" we ARE in?

Or, even as Paul stated if we are NOT in a "falling away" from the faith?

Just "WHERE" are we?

 

[Scrobulous]

What about...actually getting rid of idols?
Im sure king azaraih was already going about praying and thinking he was saving the lost by ruling the kingdom.

Dear Lanolin,
I must confessed to being somewhat irritated by your post. But the Lord has laid it heavily upon me that you are indeed right. I therefore apologise to you and affirm that what you say is very true. Many of us, it would seem, are trying to keep a foot in both camps. It cannot be.