Fools Rush In

One Year Bible (June 29)

2 Kings 15:1-16:20

“Fools Rush In”

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” (English poet, Alexander Pope)

Where exactly would an angel fear to tread?

That is an interesting question as the most quoted words of angels throughout the Bible are, “Fear Not!” In fact, the Bible uses words related to this phrase about 365 times. This is one time for every day of the year. So, it must be important! Very important!

However, there is another meaning for the word, “Fear” in the Bible and that word is “Respect”.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Fear God and obey his commandments.” Perhaps, this helps us understand “where angels would never tread”. They would never cross over the line of obeying God!

Unfortunately, we have some kings that were not so wise as to “Fear the Lord”!

Do you have trouble “Keeping up with the Kings”? It can certainly be a bit confusing as in today’s story. King Uzziah is also known by the name of Azariah, and he is the tenth king of Judah following his father. He was known as a “good king” but was stricken by God. Why?

“He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. BUT he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. The LORD struck the king with leprosy, which lasted until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house. The king’s son, Jotham, was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.” (2 Kings 15:3-5)

First of all, I am wondering why do so many of the kings follow God but they are afraid to take down the pagan shrines of the people?

Secondly, many of them failed to do that, so why is this king struck with leprosy?

Today’s passage doesn’t really tell us why this happened. The reason for this is that the book of Kings is “just the historical facts, Ma’am”, while Chronicles takes a special interest in Judah’s kings. So we will look at more of the relational details when we get there.

King Uzziah (Azariah) became king at 16 years of age and reigned in Jerusalem for 52 years. Uzziah was one of the most effective kings of Judah. He expanded its territory and followed the Lord for most of his life. Then something went awry…

He “sought God… and God made him prosper. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.” Then “his heart was lifted up” with pride. ( 2 Chronicles 26:5,15-16)

Uzziah’s pride led to a grievous sin that the priests tried to stop. He overstepped his authority as King and set himself up as Priest and King. (No one but Jesus Christ is allowed to step into this dual role.)

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “FAST & FURIOUS”.

This describes Uzziah. He foolishly rushed in to usurp the role of the priest which was not his to hold and then he became “FURIOUS” when confronted by the priests. “Then Uzziah became furious… And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead.” (v. 19) Right there inside the Temple, Uzziah faced judgment for his foolish pride.

Uzziah had CROSSED THE LINE in his role as King!

Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was also known as a good king. He also did not destroy the pagan shrines which was a compromise like this father did. He rebuilt the gate of the Temple of the Lord. Jotham’s son, (Uzziah’s grandson) was “Accommodating Ahaz”. (King #12)

While Grandpa Uzziah CROSSED THE LINE as king, Ahaz MOVED THE LINE completely!

Here is what is said about him, “In DEFERENCE to the king of Assyria, he also removed the canopy that had been constructed inside the palace for use on the Sabbath day, as well as the king’s outer entrance to the Temple of the Lord.” ( 2 Kings 16:18)

Ahaz did not just change the outside of the temple, he changed the altar and all of the sacrifices inside of the Temple away from what God had required to please a pagan Assyrian King named Tiglath-Pileser.

When Ahaz was in trouble, he did not seek the Lord for answers or rescue. Instead, he sought a wrong alliance and let his enemy "free him from his enemies" while becoming his "enemies’ slave".

“Accommodating Ahaz” was so weak and without a moral compass that he basically ‘sold his soul’ and handed over the keys of the Temple of God to the enemy of God!

How do our kings’ situations differ in today’s story?

While Uzziah was “at the top of his game” he became prideful and CROSSED THE LINE usurping the role only given by God.

While Ahaz was in a time of desperation. He was “At the Bottom” and didn’t seek the Lord to rescue him. Instead, he compromised all that he knew about God and his Temple from the laws of Moses.

Ahaz MOVED THE LINE completely to demolish the Temple by remaking it as a foreign religion. In fact, he took the bronze altar for his own use for divination.

What do both of our kings have in common?

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Neither king was listening!

Unfortunately, “Fools Rush In” where angels fear to tread."