While success can be wonderful, it can also give us a sense of false confidence. Just because we were able to make a basket from behind the three-point line or score a strike while bowling, it doesn’t ensure that every other attempt will be equally successful. Sometimes we develop false confidence that the one success will guarantee victory in the future.

In chapter 15, the spotlight shifts back to the southern kingdom of Judah and the reign of Azariah (called Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26). A young man when he took the throne, he followed the Lord (v. 3). Yet for all his righteousness, Azariah did not destroy the high places (v. 4). As a result, the Israelites continued to worship in those places. After an introduction, we may be stunned to hear that God “touched” Azariah so that he became a leper and was forced to live alone until his death (v. 5).

What happened?! For the details we must turn to 2 Chronicles 26:1–23. There we have a presentation of the reign of this king, which gives us additional information. We find that Azariah (or Uzziah) achieved great success during his reign. He conquered enemies, took territory, built cities, designed defensive weapons, all the while becoming quite famous. Yet despite his many exploits, his success led him to assume he could do anything.

He was so confident, that he entered the Temple to burn incense to the Lord with his own hands! This worshipful act was reserved only for priests. Even the king was not permitted to worship this way. When he was rebuked, he became angry and rejected their challenge. As a result, the Lord punished him with leprosy. He ended his life separated from his people, a leper until death (v. 5). His false confidence led to his downfall.

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