Engines and Prosperity

Uzziah's accomplishments

He fortified Jerusalem

2Ch 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.

Under the Lord's direction Uzziah reinforced the walls and built towers for defense.From these towers the war machines cast boulders and arrows at invading enemies. A portion of the wall had been destroyed by the Israelite King Jehoash during his father's reign.

The wealth of the temple and palace had also been taken.

2Ch 25:24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

One reason for this calamity was that Uzzuah's father had turned to foreign gods. The enemy was allowed to come in and to plunder. We are not to trust in anything more than our LORD. Our LORD is our strong tower and our defense as described by the Psalmist.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psa 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

2Ch 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

Towers in the desert probably were for watchng and for protection. When we are raised higher we can see further. We are raised higher in Christ Jesus and we are his watchmen. Many wells were dug to water the cattle. Water was also used for agriculture as food was required to feed the people and Uzziah enjoyed growing things. Many were employed to care for the cattle and agriculture, his time was prosperous. Water is symbolic of God's word, so we are to watch and hear the word of God and prepare ourselves to meet the enemy and to meet the LORD. The enemy will attack many times to discourage, but if we continue to trust in the Lord of our salvation we shall reap an eternal reward.

2Ch 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

2Ch 26:12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

2Ch 26:13 And 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.

Two thousand six hundred military leaders and three hundred seven thousand five hundred men of war for defence purposes. Sometimes they had to go into enemy territory to insure the peace. Victory is the LORD's.

Deu 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Weapons of war

2Ch 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.

¹⁴Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones to sling. (Amplified)

2Ch 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

Engines were mechanical devices, such as catapults to hurl stones. One type was like a giant crossbow to hurl large arrows.

"This is the very first imitation on record of any warlike engines for the attack or defence of besieged places; and this account is long prior to any thing of the kind among either the Greeks or the Romans. . . . The Jews alone were the inventors of such engines; and the invention took place in the reign of Uzziah, about eight hundred years before the Christian era. It is no wonder that, in the consequence of this, his name spread far abroad, and struck terror into his enemies." (Clarke)

The Jewish people are inventive. In World War 2 Hitler tried to exterminate all the Jews but it was a Jewish invention, the atomic bomb that ended the war. The Jewish military is making many new weapons in league with the United States. God will protect his people if they will seek his face. Uzziah was strengthened and helped by the LORD. When we are famous and at our best, we need to be careful that we not become prideful.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jer 13:15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

Jer 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.