Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

"And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense."

Uzziah was the next king of Judah. He was doing great until he thought he was so great he could go into the temple and burn incense on the altar. Why was that such a grievous thing? Because he did not hold the priesthood. Burning incense was a duty of the priesthood and he did not have proper authority to do so. Only the priests that were the sons of Aaron were allowed to do this. Uzziah acted as if he had the priesthood when he did not. That was an offense to God. For it he was struck with leprosy and died a leper. Once becoming an leper he was cut off from the house of the Lord and could never enter it again.

This made me think of apostate groups that falsely claim they have special light and knowledge and a higher priesthood. Eventually, it takes them and their followers completely out of the church, along with any access to the temple or temple blessings.

Day 2552