Uzziah, Seperated

By Heather Collver

There is a promise for us. It is the promise of eternal life. I don’t know about you, but I am not taking anything with me. I am going to leave it all behind. So I don’t put a whole lot of value on things of this world. Two years ago that would have been a different story. It wasn’t until I had a major garage sale that I realized there isn’t much value in our things unless we are emotionally attached. What one thing would you take with you if you could, what carry on would you bring with you? Most people answer this question with a who, not a what.

Uzziah was struck with Leprocy in God’s judgement against him. He was forced to live his life separate from what he had built up, from all that he knew. From everything he had.

At this time, his son was appointed the ruler over Judah while Uzziah was still alive.

He was separated from the temple of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 26:21King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house —leprous, and excluded from the temple of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land

Yikes!!! I think that would be close to his own personal hell. To have to be separated from everything you had placed so much value on. To watch as it is ruled by your own son, to be so unpopular that you are banished from your life. I think I would rather have died if I were him.

Without trying to be too morbid here, what things in life would you have trouble watching someone else take care of, enjoy. Would it be unbearable. Again, I think now is a good time to suggest that if there is anything in the darkness that needs to be brought out in the light, then do it now. Get on it. Now is better than when God decides it is just enough, that you are far more important to him than your stuff, title, popularity. You were created as a tool for him. No use in being a pencil if you were made to be a keyboard. (corny illustration).

Dear lord, okay, now that the big old pit has been dug into my soul, can I ask that you fill it up with you. What an uncomfortable feeling. The one that brings me to my knees in repentance from the things that do not please you. Let’s face it, flat on my face is not low enough for what sins I know I have committed against you and your Kingdom. I pray, Lord that I will not let pride build me up and that my focus is not on things, but on the people that you created for us to love, ultimately that I would do everything for your glory, I would focus on you.

Please share with us your stories of joy, praise or prayer. We are here to lift up your burden to God and to carry it along with you to ease your suffering. May you know that we are here for you and that God is ever present in all things. I look forward to sharing Praise and prayer tomorrow.

Today, I think maybe we just need some time to pray for God to reveal to us where we may be a bit prideful. It might be hard, but it will help us to see where God wants to reign in our lives. Take the time to listen, just praying is a one way conversation.

Uzziah, Pride

Uzziah, Pride

By Heather Collver

What is wrong with Pride anyway? Isn’t it okay to be proud of what you have, what you have become?

Uzziah was not satisfied being a mortal king. His success was certainly something to be proud of. He had it all. He had power, security, popularity, armies. He was the “man”, “big daddy”, the “bomb”. Although he sought the Lord for most everything, Uzziah was convinced he had a bigger purpose, he had better things to conquer.

2 Chronicles 26:8 The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.

Uzziah longed for more power, more influence. He had never destroyed the places of idol worship among those who did not worship God. Did he truly believe there was only one true God. Did he aknowledge his power was the strength of the Lord, by which he was named? Scripture does not tell us. But it does tell us that he was instructed in God’s Word.

2 Chronicles 26:16,18 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God."

It was at that moment God reminded him who he was. In that moment Uzziah was afflicted with Leprocy.

2 Chronicles 26:19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

There are other times that God chose to afflict those he put in high positions in order to bring them back down to their mortal levels. Daniel warned King “Neb” to turn from his sins and a year later Neb was afflicted with animalistic behavior with the mentality of a beast.

Can you think of a time you were prideful? What did it take to bring you back down to your mortal level? Are you still struggling with pride? What will it take? Can I be so bold here to suggest that you turn from pride, fast. In fact, why don’t you run from it now, fast!!!

Dear Lord, thank you for your example on Pride. Why we are always looking for something else just baffles me. Why we can’t be completely joyful and overflowing with where we are today, I don’t know. I am guilty of such acts myself. I do know you are asking us to do what we can with the gifts you give us, help us not get greedy. You are awesome, Lord. I praise you.

Please pray for those in your life that need a little knee time with God. Not as a judgement by all means, we all need work with pride. Keep in mind that this is a time to pray for them to be changed by the love of God.

Herodias

Herodias

Day 1

Herodias means "Heroic" and is the female form of "Herod"

Her Character: She was a proud woman, she used her daughter to manipulate her husband into doing her will. She acted arrogantly, from beginning to end, in complete disregard for the laws of the land.

Her Shame: To be rebuked by an upstart prophet for leaving her husband, Philip, in order to marry his half brother Herod Antipas.

Her Triumph: That her scheme to murder her enemy, John the Baptist, worked.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:3 - 12; Mark 6:14 - 29; Luke 3:19 - 20; 9:7 - 9

Matthew 14:3 - 12
3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Mark 6:14 - 29
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or[a] like one of the prophets.” 16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Luke 3:19 - 20; 9:7 - 9
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[a] and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Day 2

The Herods

Both husbands of Herodias were part of the Herodian family of rulers, as was Herodias herself. Her first husband, Herod Philip, as well as her second husband, Herod Antipas, were her uncles as well as her husbands.
The family of the Herods ruled in Judea and the surrounding areas for over 125 years. The first Herod, known as Herod the Great, was king of Judea from 37 to 4 B.C. His reign was marked by division and domestic troubles, but also by prosperity. While in power, he built amphitheaters, palaces, fortresses, Gentile temples, and the Temple of Herod in Jerusalem. This temple was his crowning achievement, noted by the historian Josephus as Herod's most noble work. The literature of the rabbis of that time states: "He who has not seen the Temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building."
Herod's five wives produced seven sons, most of who went on to rule parts of the Near East for the Roman Empire. Herod's son by Mariamne of Simon, Philip, was Herodias's first husband. Herodias herself was a daughter of another of Herod's sons. That made her Herod's granddaughter as well as his daughter-in-law by marriage. Herodias wasn't the only one of Herod's children to form such relationships; Herod's great-granddaughter, Bernice, became the consort of her brother, Herod Agrippa II, aso a great-grandchild of Herod.
The events at the birthday banquet described in Mark 6 are the culmination of years of corrupt living by a family who had power and knew how to use and misuse it. Herodias's actions, though horrifying, are not really surprising. Each step along the way to requesting John the Baptist's death was perhaps a small one, little noticed, but each step made its relentless way down a path to sin, until what would have been unconscionable years before now seemed acceptable and reasonable. Sin is like that. One small lie leads to another bigger lie that leads to another even bigger lie. The path of sin is strewn with small, seemingly insignificant decisions that lead nowhere but farther along the path away from truth and God.

Day 3

Read Mark 6:17 - 29 (from Day 1, or click on link to bible gateway)http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:17%20-%2029&version=50

Why do you think Herod had John put in prison? Because he wanted to please his wife or because he was angry and afraid of John himself.

When someone confronts you with something that is wrong in your life, how do you respond?

Note the different responses to John recorded in verses 19 and 20. What do these responses tell you about Herod and Herodias?

Which response is more like yours when confronted with sin? Are you like Herodias - sulking and wanting to get even with those who reveal your sin or failings? Or are you like Herod - willing to listen, curious about what the other person has to say?

What do you think Salome's dance must have been like to produce such and extravagant promise from her stepfather?

Have you ever promised something to someone that you later wished you hadn't? What did you do?

Have you ever plotted, like Herodias, to get your own way? How does that make you feel about yourself? Are you pleased when you get your own way, or is the result less satisfying?

What other response could Herod have given? Was he obligated in some way to fulfill his promise, or could he have told her to come with another, more reasonable request?

When have you done something you later wished you hadn't simply because of the pressure of those around you to do it? What would have been a better response?


Day 4

Her Legacy of Prayer

For John had been saying to Herod, " It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife," So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. - Mark 6:18 - 19

Reflect on Mark 6:14 - 29

Praise God that he gives us opportunities to repent and turn back to him.

Offer thanks for the men and women in your own life who have had the courage to tell you the truth.

Confess any tendency to respond defensively to constructive criticism.

Ask God for the grace to respond to correction with humility.


Day 5

Lift your heart

Most of us hate criticism. Part of our defensiveness stems from our inability to see the connection between brokenness and grace. How differently we would respond if we understood that repentance is like a garden hoe breaking up the soil to make it ready for the seed. If we want to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- we must cherish the truth, however it comes to us. Being receptive to criticism doesn't mean we become persons of low self-esteem. It simply means that we will be open about our sins and faults, believing in God's desire to forgive and help us to change. This week, take some time for a little soul-searching. Is God trying to get your attention about something that is off-kilter in your own life? Is he raising up a prophet in your own family - a child or spouse who is trying to tell you the truth? If so, listen and then pray about what you hear. Resist the temptation to make the person pay for his or her words by sulking, holding a grudge, or criticising him or her in turn. Instead, be the first to say you're sorry. A habit of repentance will make your heart fertile soil for God's grace.

Father, I know how deceitful the human heart can be. Please give us the courage to be honest and the faith to believe in your forgiveness. May our hearts become a place of brokenness, where grace and truth can flourish.