“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem.” (2 Kings 15:1–2 ESV).
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was one of the longest-reigning kings of Judah. He began his reign at the young age of sixteen and ruled for fifty-two years during a time of relative strength and prosperity. The chronicler in 2 Chronicles 26 recorded how he sought the Lord in his early years and how God helped him, leading to military victories, agricultural expansion, and city-building. However, when he grew strong, pride filled his heart, and he overstepped his God-given role by entering the temple to burn incense. For this act of presumption, God struck him with leprosy, and he lived in isolation until his death. His story is another in a long line of leaders who started well but finished poorly. It adds to the recurring theme in Kings: even the best of Judah’s rulers ultimately fell short. Their failures stir in the heart of God’s people a deep longing for a righteous king who would reign forever with justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
As we reflect on Azariah’s reign, we are reminded that no earthly ruler can satisfy the deepest hopes of our hearts. Even the best fall short, revealing our longing for a better King. We long for the One who does not grow proud with power, who is not corrupted by sin, and who always obeys the will of the Father. Jesus is that King. He rules with righteousness and reigns in mercy. He is not only worthy of our trust but also our worship. Let us renew our hope in Him and submit every part of our lives to His good and perfect rule, longing for His soon return.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus, the true and better King. Earthly leaders come and go, and even the best among them fall short. But Your Son reigns forever with justice and grace. We long for His kingdom to come in its fullness. Teach us to trust in Him, to follow His ways, and to live as faithful citizens of His kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.