Pride before fall

In the Old Testament, in the books of Kings and Chronicles, kings were supposed to be powerful. Especially if God helped them, they would become both popular and powerful. But no matter how powerful a king was, there were things that he was not allowed to do because of God’s restrictions. So their power was not absolute.

King Uzziah was the one who outstepped his bounds. Probably he thought that God was so good to him he may do what God prohibited. He put the Lord to a test. Here is what Uzziah did:

“But when King Uzziah became strong, he grew arrogant and that led to his downfall. He defied the Lord his God by going into the Temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest, accompanied by eighty strong and courageous priests, followed the king to resist him. They said, “Uzziah! You have no right to burn incense to the Lord. Only priests who are descended from Aaron have been consecrated to do this. Leave this holy place. You have offended the Lord, God and you no longer have his blessing.” (2 Chronicles 26:16-18)”

God helped Uzziah become powerful. But when he did something only the priests were qualified to do, God punished him. He became a leper for the rest of his life, divested of power and replaced by his son while still alive.

This probably was the basis for the present principle of separation between Church and State. And also the Biblical passage that “pride cometh before a fall.”--Chito E. Germino of Paknaan, Mandaue City

Is there an investigation?

My neighbor recently asked me if there is an investigation being conducted on the landlide in Barangay Tina-an in Naga. Morag wa man lagi. I agree.--Deo Balabagan, Cebu City