Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1915 — "PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION"

• Chronicle* tS.S~tl.~Dcc. f. Israel a Typical Nation—Messiah to Establish the Antitype—Uzziah’s Political and Military Success Becomes a Snare to Him —His Sin of Presumption—lts Punishment—A Lesson For Church and World—lgnorance of God’s Law Not Acceptable Excuse. "-A nan's pride shall bring him lotc; but he that l* of a lately spirit shall obtain honor.” —Proverbs CSSS. R. V. a GREAT and prosperous king In Jerusalem was Uzziah. He made a good beginning, was reverential toward God, and put his entire kingdom into good condition for defense against enemies. When thinking of Israel's wars, we are to remember that for a time this nation represented God’s rule in the earth as no other nation has ever done. Israel's kings were anointed by Divine commission and authority, as were no other kings; and they were said to “sit upon the Throne of the Kingdom of the Lord,” as no other

kings before or since have held dominion. Theirs was not, however, the Kingdom for which we pray, “Thy Kingdom come,” but merely a typical arrangement. God’s Kingdom will realty come to earth aft e r Messiah shall establish it. For a thousand years

lie shall reign, to uplift the humble, to bless all who seek righteousness, to punish and correct all others, and finally to destroy the incorrigible in the Second Death, It was, therefore, quite In line with the arrangements of that time that Israel's kings should defend the land which the Almighty had especially given to their nation. Having accomplished great things from a political and a military standpoint. King Uzziah essayed to a religious distinction. lie evidently felt that God was proud of him and would be pleased to have him enter the Temple and offer incense at the Golden Altar, as did the priests. lie kue\v of the regulations governing the Temple service, but considered himself above them. He would gO direct to God and not recognize the jiriest.

Incense at the Golden Altar. . Those whose eyes of understanding have not been opened to the fact that Jesus is the Divine Appointee for the reconciliation of the world to God may be excused if they approach tied in prayer aside from Him. But as King UzzLah knew of the Divine arrangement that incense could be offered on the Golden Altar only by the priest, so those who have now come to a realization of the fact that Jesus is the great antitypical Priest, through whom communication with the Father has been opened up, would come under condemnation should they Intrude into the Divine presence otherwise than as Divinely arranged, even as King Uzziah was smitten with leprosy for his presumption and. pride. Leprosy, Scripturally considered, Is a type of sin. King Uzziah’s experiences, therefore, signify that whoever having a knowledge of the impropriety would approach God aside from His ordained Priest would come under Divine sentence as a wilful sinner. The penalty would be proportionate to the degree of enlightenment previously enjoyed.

Fourscore Valiant Priests. When the king entered the Holy of the Temple to offer Incense at the Golden Altar, the high priest and eighty of the under priests followed him, protesting against his sacrilege. Although this was only their duty, nevertheless it marked them as courageous men; for in ancient times a king had great power, and King Uzziah was likely to resent any interference with his kingly prerogatives. Their words of protest voiced what the king already knew respecting the restrictions attached to the Temple

service. But they added, “Go out; for thou hast trespassed! Neither shall it be for thine honor from Jehovah G o d.” True honor, true blessing, true prosperity, cannot be found in opposition to the Dlvinfe arrangements. The king’s course, therefore.

must bring him dishonor. Had he hastened to glorify God, doubtless he would have received a blessing. But the violation of the Divine Law brought him a curse instead. Humility the Great Lesson.

The lesson seems to be one of humility, both for the Church and for the world. Some are bora humble-minded; others are bom self-conceitedL The latter, therefore, are handicapped as respects humility, though advantaged as respects courage to battle against present adversities. On the whole, our handicaps through imperfections of the flesh are not so unequal as to make it easier for one than for another to enter the Kingdom under the call of this Gospel Age. The Divine Judgment will be according to the heart, the will, the endeavor and not according to the weaknesses and failures of the flesh. Therefore meekness and humility shouhl he cultivated.

King Uzziah Stricken with Leprozy.

King Uzziah Offering Incense.