DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2014 November 8
St Clare with the Scene of the Siege of Assisi (First Half of 17th Century)
Giuseppe Cesari (1568-1640)
Mannerism Style
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: 2 Chronicles 26 describes the reign of Uzziah/Azariah who served the LORD well during the first part of his reign but incurred a judgment from God which made him a leper until the day of his death. The painting above depicts a siege which was overcome by spiritual power. Uzziah was noted, among other things for his siege weapons. But his pride lifted him up; and he fell before the power of the LORD -- not in war, but in his person, being afflicted with leprosy for his sin. [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: 2 Kings 13:5, 12-13; 2 Kings 14:23-29; 2 Kings 15:1-31; Jonah; Amos; Hosea; Isaiah].
The reign of Uzziah/Azariah (767-740 B.C.) of Judah wholly or partially overlapped the reigns of 6 of the last 7 kings of Israel: Jeroboam II (782-753 B.C.); Zechariah (753-752 B.C.); Shallum (752 B.C.); Menahem (752-742 B.C.); Pekahiah (742-740 B.C.); and Pekah (740-732 B.C.). His reign also partially, wholly, or nearly overlapped the ministries of the following prophets: Jonah (785 B.C.); Amos (760 B.C.); Hosea (760-720 B.C.); and Isaiah (740-681 B.C.). Further details and illustrations of the 6 kings can be found in the following DAWN pages: 2 Kings 14; 2 Kings 15.
Uzziah/Azariah (767-740 B.C.) came to the throne of Judah at the age of 16. He reigned for 52 years; and he sought God during the lifetime of Zechariah, an obscure prophet who lived about 200 years before the better-known prophet of the same name. While he sought God, God caused him to prosper (1-5). He successfully warred against the Philistines, the Arabians, and the Mehunims. Also the Ammonites became his tributaries. He engaged in great building projects, especially fortifications. He had numerous agricultural projects. He amassed a great army. And his men invented many ingenious weapons and instruments of war, including siege weapons. His reputation spread far (6-15). However, his accomplishments made him proud, and he presumed to try to burn incense on the altar of incense in the Temple. For this act the LORD struck him with leprosy, which he had until he died (16-21). The rest of his acts were written by Isaiah. And they buried him in a field which belonged to the kings (22-23).
2 Chronicles 26
1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 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.
16 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.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
ADDITIONAL AD LIB MATERIAL: Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image and explanation daily.
Please Email Comments and Questions To
AD LIB ARTS EMAIL
copyright 2014, Scott Souza
|
