Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/350



ZIAS was one  of  the  few  faithful  kings  who  reigned  in Juda. He reigned  fifty-two  years,  and  did  that  which  was right in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. And God  directed  him  in  all things. Unhappily prosperity  made  him  proud,  and  he  carried his audacity  so  far  as  to  usurp  the  priestly  office. One day,  going into the  Temple,  he  went  to  burn  incense  upon  the  altar. Eighty priests, with  Azarias,  the  High  Priest,  at  their  head,  opposed  the king, and  prevented  him  from  burning  incense.

Ozias, being  very  angry,  threatened  to  strike  the  priests  with the censer  which  he  held  in  his  hand. No sooner  had  he  raised  his hand than  he  himself  was  stricken  with  leprosy,  which  appeared on his  forehead  before  all  the  priests. And they,  seized  with horror at  this  sudden  and  awful  punishment,  took  hold  of  the king and  put  him  out  of  the  Temple.

The king  was  terrified,  and  feeling  the  leprosy  spread  all over his  body  hastened  away  from  the  Temple  to  shut  himself up in  a palace  apart  from  all  others. He remained  a leper  till the day  of  his  death. Such was  the  fearful  punishment  which God inflicted  on  an  otherwise  faithful  king,  because  of  his  sacrilegious attempt  to  perform  an  office  that  belonged  only  to  priests.

After pride  comes  a fall.  The  case  of  Ozias,  like  that  of  Saul, shows us  that  it  is  easy  for  a man  to  be  made  proud  by  prosperity, power or  riches. To be  king,  no  longer  satisfied  him; he  must  be