Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of II Chronicles Chapter 26
Metaphysically Interpreting II Chronicles 26:1-15
26:1And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 26:2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 26:3Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem. 26:4And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 26:5And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper.
26:6And 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 he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 26:7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Meunim. 26:8And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he waxed exceeding strong. 26:9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. 26:10And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry. 26:11Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. 26:12The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred. 26:13And 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. 26:14And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. 26:15And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
April 23, 1922: II Chronicles 26:3-5
What is the meaning of the king's name, Uzziah? Uzziah means, “Jehovah is my strength.”
August 27, 1939: II Chronicles 26:3-5
Interpret the name Uzziah. Uzziah means “Jehovah is strength.” The name is said to be a contraction of Azariah (help of Jehovah).
What fact is revealed in the words “He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah”? The name Zechariah means “Jehovah has remembered.” Since Uzziah set himself to seek God, he too remembered Jehovah, under the influence or teaching of Zechariah. Zechariah was probably the king's tutor.
What attitude have they who seek Jehovah? Humility and meekness characterize those who seek Jehovah God. To seek Him in all things is the best protection against pride, since the seeker looks to one higher than himself.
Why does God prosper those who seek Him? Because the act of seeking God opens the channel for God's good to flow to the seeker. “Seek, and ye shall find” is the law.
Metaphysically Interpreting II Chronicles 26:16-23
26:16But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 26:17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of Jehovah, that were valiant men: 26:18and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto Jehovah, 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 honor from Jehovah God. 26:19Then Uzziah was wroth; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy brake forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah, beside the altar of incense. 26:20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because Jehovah had smitten him. 26:21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Jehovah: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
26:22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. 26:23So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
October 3, 1915: II Chronicles 26:8-21
What does Uzziah typify? Physical strength.
What was his error? He went into the temple to burn incense upon the altar of incense. This was against the law because no one but the priests was allowed to minister in the temple.
What is the meaning of Uzziah's transgression? It symbolizes the error which the personal man follows when he cultivates physical strength and makes it dominant in his consciousness.
What is meant by the burning of “incense upon the altar of incense”? It is a process of transmutation that goes on in the body by which the animal nature is changed and refined. This transmutation is accomplished through the spiritual faculties (the priests).
What is one of the common forms of the sin of Uzziah? The practice of physical culture and athletics as a means of body building and body strengthening.
What is the effect of this sin? A temporary benefit apparently, but it is followed by a weakening of the body and short life.
What is a remedy? The understanding that strength is not physical, but spiritual.
October 20, 1918: II Chronicles 26:8-21
What do kings referred to in these lessons represent? Kings represent the ruling faculties of mind in the body-consciousness.
What is the meaning of “Uzziah” and of “Azariah”? “Uzziah” means “Jehovah is my strength.” “Azariah” means “Jehovah hath given me help.”
Why are these two names associated, or combined, in this lesson? So long as man recognizes that his strength is Divine and comes from Jehovah, he is marvelously helped by the Lord.
What in consciousness does “Judah” represent? “Judah” represents the inner life in the organism.
Why do different kings reign in Judah? Different kings (qualities of mind) reign in Judah (life forces), because changes in consciousness bring about changes in dominant ideas active there. When Wisdom dominates, Solomon is king. When Health dominates, Asa is king. When Judgment dominates, Jehoshaphat is king. When strength is dominant, Uzziah is king.
Where in the organism is the strength center of consciousness? The Strength center of consciousness in the body is located at the small of the back.
What change is necessary before the strength of the natural man becomes a permanent quality? The strength of the natural man is not a permanent quality until it is transmuted. This transmutation is accomplished by affirming that one's strength is Divine, and by consecrating it to the Lord, to be used in spiritual ways.
How is this transmutation symbolized in this lesson? The transmutation of strength is symbolized in this lesson by the “burning of incense” upon the altar.
Why did Uzziah fail to abide in the “lifted up” state of consciousness that is represented by the priesthood? “Uzzlah” represents the more physical side of strength. “Azariah” is the spiritual quality of strength. “Uzziah” cannot do the work of “Azariah,” and when he attempts it, he brings about disastrous results, because he lacks understanding. When strength is developed in the organism, it must be used in spiritual ways; man cannot appropriate these Divine qualities for more dominant personal attention and be protected under Divine Law.
How can man realize this divine protection, while bringing forth his perfect spiritual body? Man can have Divine protection and guidance by daily consecrating all his faculties to the realization and expression of Truth. When man follows the direction of the Spirit, he harmonizes all the faculties and gives them righteous expression, without experiencing the inharmonies and waste that result from an unbalanced consciousness.
August 27, 1939: II Chronicles 26:16-21
In what does the lifting up of the heart result? When the heart is lifted up in the ways of Jehovah, only good is the result. On the other hand, when it is lifted up because of the works or accomplishments of the man himself, the result is pride.
In what did Uzziah's “trespass” consist? Uzziah felt that, because he had long sought Jehovah and because he was king, he was fitted to “burn incense upon the altar of incense,” and he entered the sanctuary with this purpose in mind. Burning incense symbolizes a process of transmutation in the body in the course of which the animal nature is changed and refined. The priests, because they are in spiritual consciousness, are consecrated to burn incense. The king, who represents the ruling faculty in the body consciousness, is consecrated only to rule over his people. He is without authority to serve as priest.
Interpret Azariah’s action and that of the other eighty priests who followed him. Azariah (whom Jehovah aids) signifies the quality of spiritual strength, a quality that is superior to the ruling faculty of will in the body consciousness. It is therefore fitted to keep the will in its place and to protect the spiritual nature from profanation.
How does anger affect the body? Intense anger reacts violently upon the body. It has been known to cause a stroke of apoplexy. While Uzziah was wroth, leprosy broke forth on his forehead.
What is the metaphysical import of leprosy? He who by his error thoughts about life separates his life expression from its divine source brings about an impure relation of life activities in the body. This is leprosy.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-10-2014
