Azariah king of Judah

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In our day we accept that bad things happen to good people, with the usual caveats in place that no one is really good and that God uses suffering for various purposes. But under the old covenant there was a much more synchronized relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and disaster. In fact, the law is explicit about this relationship. The verses quoted do say that Azariah did not remove the high places, but none of the kings previously had done that either. This is a period in history where Judah only survives because of God’s promise to David. One gets the impression that were it not for this promise He would have blotted them out.
I draw the conclusion that if someone is born in a time of apostasy, even if he acts rightly, he could still be sucked down in the general malaise. I am thinking of Ezek 14:14 and Jer 15:1 when I say this.
So, it could be said that we live in a time of increasing wickedness. Could this be why the 21st century church does not manifest the power of the 1st century church?

I think Azariah is Uzziah. (2Chron.26:16-21)

Correction from God is never bad for believers. Painful maybe, but never bad for us. (Heb.12:11)

The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.....and judgment begins at the house of God.......sometimes the righteous do indeed suffer when God moves in judgment of a nation, family, empire, King etc......there are numerous examples from biblical history that can be cited to prove this point.....and sometimes, like in the case of JOB it is allowed by God even though it is the direct result of the enemy.......something to ponder for sure...

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In 2 Kings 15:1-7 we are given a very short description of the life of this king. We are told in verse 3 that he did right in the eyes of the Lord, then in verse 5 that the Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.

In our day we accept that bad things happen to good people, with the usual caveats in place that no one is really good and that God uses suffering for various purposes. But under the old covenant there was a much more synchronized relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and disaster. In fact, the law is explicit about this relationship. The verses quoted do say that Azariah did not remove the high places, but none of the kings previously had done that either. This is a period in history where Judah only survives because of God’s promise to David. One gets the impression that were it not for this promise He would have blotted them out.
I draw the conclusion that if someone is born in a time of apostasy, even if he acts rightly, he could still be sucked down in the general malaise. I am thinking of Ezek 14:14 and Jer 15:1 when I say this.
So, it could be said that we live in a time of increasing wickedness. Could this be why the 21st century church does not manifest the power of the 1st century church?

It is good to read the verses around to get the fuller picture of the situation..

2 Kings 15: KJV
1 "In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. {2} Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. {3} And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; {4} Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. {5} ¶ And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land."

So Azariah did not take part in the sacraficing and burning of incense on the High places.. But as King He should have torn down those places and prevented the people from doing so..

You will read in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23 of King Josiah of Judah who upon hearing from the Book of the Law went out and ordered the destruction of those high places..

It says according to all his father amazaiah had done, so what did his father amaziah do..?

Yes its true that many leaders and if we look at todays churches, just carry on with what their fathers have done but many fail to stop idolatry. In the OT they physically removed altars to idols. Ok now look what idols we have around us today in the high places. Billboards with images advertising junk we dont need? Pornography? What does it mean, the 'high places' and 'groves'. What these days are people still worshipping instead of God? TV? I know people who cant go a day without watching images on TV.

Some nations testify they never had such sin enter their land until after they got TV. For example, the cook islands, after they got tv people would just sit at home watching it all day everyday instesd of enjoying each other and the outdoors, and programs like soap operas etc would introduce sinful ways to their children who would copy the dramas and sinful behaviours on screen. They would want to look like the people on tv the way they dress and act. And then they would want all the products advertised on the commercials.

This is when we pose a challenge to every member of this forum.

SWAYGDAI?

So what are you going to do about it????

Thank you all for your interesting comments. I am reading the bible systematically from Genesis. I am in second Kings, so thanks for telling me about Uzziah in Chronicles. This will add some information. I thought we only had the 7 verses I quoted.
I am very tempted to try to say ‘this happened because of that’. But real life is often more complicated than this and the bible reflects the complications of the real world. This gives me confidence that I am not dealing with the work of men. Thanks to all on this forum. It is great to share ideas and see that we are all in this battle together!

What about...actually getting rid of idols?
Im sure king azaraih was already going about praying and thinking he was saving the lost by ruling the kingdom.