Day: June 25, 2025

2 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 26

In our house, we’re movie nerds, and one of our go-to movies is “The Lorax,” based on the story by Dr. Seuss. In the movie, the Lorax is an orange furry mythical creature who tries to protect a forest full of adorable animals from a character called the Once-ler. Now, the Once-ler is a young man who is full of dreams. He wants to do good things, find success, and make his family proud. At first, he does just that! He has a successful start to his business, and things are looking great. However, in his arrogance, he goes back on his promise not to destroy the forest and begins chopping down trees, all while singing a very catchy song called “How Bad Can I Be?” The Once-ler is so blinded by his ambition that he can’t see the wrong he is doing.

The Once-ler and King Uzziah have a lot in common. He became king at a young age and sought out God’s wisdom to establish his reign. He fought to give his kingdom success, and he made his people proud. He even gained fame beyond his borders for his strength and valor. However, this fame and strength went to his head and corrupted his heart. He became proud and arrogant and dismissed the law. In 2 Chronicles 26:16, we see him enter the temple of God and burn incense on the altar of incense. It was not his right or place, even as a king, to do this. In verse 18, Azariah and eighty of his fellow priests enter the temple and rebuke him for these actions. And yet, Uzziah did not listen and repent. Instead, he was enraged and defiant, so God struck him with leprosy on his forehead. Only then did King Uzziah rush to leave God’s temple.

King Uzziah, much like other kings we have read about, started with great intentions and ambitions. Yet because of his pride, he lived the rest of his life in a separate house infected with leprosy, while his son Jotham took over running his house. Don’t follow the Once-ler and don’t follow King Uzziah. Seek and listen to wisdom.

-Lacey Dunn

Reflection:

• If you’ve never seen it, check out “The Lorax” and see if you think King Uzziah and the Once-ler led a similar life.

• Imagine you are one of the priests confronting King Uzziah. Close your eyes and picture the temple around you and breathe in the scent of incense. How does it feel to confront the king? Do you have the courage to stay and rebuke the king as Azariah did?