Why Does God Require Humility and Obedience?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26; 30 in a lesson titled “Our Eyes Are upon Thee.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

The Kingdom of Judah was surrounded. Armies from three powerful enemy nations were all advancing at once, prepared for battle. In this desperate moment of need, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, turned to the King of heaven and earth. Jehoshaphat gathered his people at the temple and prayed. He acknowledged their human weakness and pleaded for deliverance. In response, the Lord promised His protection: “Fear not, nor be dismayed” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

We might not have an invading army at our doorstep threatening to destroy us, but sometimes we do feel surrounded by adversity and evil. Our path to deliverance is the same one Jehoshaphat sought, and our prayer can be like his too: “O our God, … we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

In 2 Chronicles 14-30, you will read about Jehoshaphat and other kings in Judah. Consider how their faith-driven reforms, victories, and challenges can apply to your own life.

The scripture block contains the following principles: (1) Trusting in God will bring me peace             

(2 Chronicles 14-16); (2) I can defend the truth, even when it’s unpopular; (3) In difficult times, I can turn to God and his prophets (2 Chronicles 20:1-25); (4) Pride leads to destruction

(2 Chronicles 26:3-21); (5) I can be a peacemaker (2 Chronicles 30).

Study help with this lesson is to identify simple statements of truth. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: “The scriptures offer us so many doctrinal diamonds. And when the light of the Spirit plays upon their several facets, they sparkle with celestial sense and illuminate the path we are to follow” (“According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 21). As you study the scriptures, consider taking time to identify, mark, and ponder short yet power messages. Here are some examples found in 2 Chronicles 14:11; 15:7; 18:13; 20:15; 26:5. Look for other “doctrinal diamonds” in your scripture study.

This essay will discuss principle #4 Pride leads to destruction (2 Chronicles 26:3-21). One of the suggested “doctrinal diamonds” is found in 2 Chronicles 26:5:

5 And [Uzziah] 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.

As with numerous other kings of Judah, Uzziah’s reign began with great accomplishments but ended with tragedy. Uzziah was only sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem.

As long as Uzziah stayed humble and obedient to God, he prospered, and he became powerful. He built cities and towers. He had large herds of animals. He had a large and power army at his command that conquered their enemies near and far. His name and fame spread to foreign nations. However, he did not stay humble but became prideful. The story of Uzziah shows how “pride goeth before a fall.”

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 appertained 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. (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)

Uzziah was powerful and famous, and his life had purpose and meaning as long as he stayed humble and obedient. However, he became prideful and went into the temple to burn incense, a task that only priests – the sons of Aaron or Levites – were allowed to do.

Even though he was King of Judah, he did not have proper authority to burn incense. The result of his pride and disobedience – even as he was in the act – he got leprosy. He was a leper for the rest of his life, and his son Jotham became King of Judah.

God requires His servants to be humble and obedient. He blesses those people who rely on God for their blessings and prospers them. On the other hand, His Spirit withdraws from anyone who is prideful and disobedient, and the blessings stop flowing toward that person – just as it did with Uzziah.