2 Chronicles 26:16

 

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God

 

16살에 왕이 된 우시야는 52년간 예루살렘에서 왕으로 다스렸다.

그가 그의 아버지 아마샤처럼 하나님의 말씀을 잘 지키며 살았을 때는 그가 아주 큰 힘을 갖게 되었다.

그러나 성공하고 힘을 갖게 되자 위의 글에서 보듯이 교만해져서 패망하게 된다.

교만은 패망의 선봉이라는 성경 말씀이 여기서도 적용된다.

 

그의 전성기의 업적들이 26장 앞부분에 자세히 나온다.

그의 업적들을 자세히 살펴보면

* rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah. 

 

 * broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. 

 

* The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah.

 

* built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them.

 

* built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain.

He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. 

 

* had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials.The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600.Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army.

 

* In Jerusalem he made machines designed by skillful men for use on the towers and on the corner defenses to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful. 

 

위와 같이 그가 강력해 진 것을 성경은 4절에서 이렇게 설명한다.

He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

하나님을 찾았을 때 강력했지만 교만해질 때 패망했다.