2 Kings 5
-This chapter revolves around the foreigner from Aram (north
and east of Israel) named Naaman. This great man, who was highly respected and
a victorious man by the LORD’s choosing, happened to have leprosy. An Israeli
servant girl who had been captured in a raid by the Arameans encouraged Naaman
to go to Elisha in Israel for physical curing of his disease. Naaman sought
permission from the king of Aram and was sent with abundant provision. Naaman
first stop was with the king of Israel, who tore his clothes in disgust and
suspicion of his enemy with no concept of the LORD’s possible intervention and
miraculous work. Elisha somehow heard about the event and sent for the highly respected
Naaman to come to his house to prove that there is a true prophet and real God
in Israel. Naaman came with quite an entourage to the house of the prophet
expecting some huge and dramatic display of healing. Elisha had simply
instructed the leprous man to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. It
was Naaman’s servants who finally convinced him to give it a try at the simple
word of the LORD through His prophet. Naaman had been furious that such an easy
solution was offered for healing and thought some of the more northern rivers of
water would have been cleaner and more advantageous for purification (this is still
true today as the northern spring rivers come fresh and pure from the mountains
and drain into the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan filters out of the Sea of Galilee
with much more contaminants). Nonetheless, he ultimately obeyed the easy request
of the prophet and was dramatically and miraculously healed of his affliction!
Upon Naaman’s return to the man of God, Elisha, he claimed out loud, “Behold
now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please
take a present from your servant now.” Elisha refused any gifts and sent him on
his way back to Aram. Naaman swore to no longer offer burnt offerings nor
sacrifices to other gods, but only to the LORD (a transformation, a conversion
had happened, truth wins!). He asked to be pardoned from having to obey his
master, the king, when he went into Rimmon (a false god) to worship from the
LORD and the prophet gave him peace in this matter.
-The plot thickens a bit when Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, gets
greedy and tracks down Naaman on his way back home. He cons the respectful and
honored man into giving him two talents of silver and two changes of clothes.
Elisha knew of the lie of his servant in his heart and cursed him, as well as
his descendents forever, with leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27).
-*Application* This is a story about seeking the truth and
finding it with many morals. Great people are highly respected people, which
mean they have somehow earned the right to be considered favored. We see
admiration from people in regards to Naaman from all sides. The king of Aram
respected him, the servant girl wanted to help him, and the prophet wanted to
heal and bless him all for the glory of God. Naaman sought out things and was
not too proud to listen even to his servants in finding an answer to the
overarching problem. His disease was fatal and contagious. He was desperate and
came to the right source for healing and he eventually humbled himself to find a
solution. Sometimes the simple commands of God are the most potent. Listen to what
He tells you to do and don’t get angry or frustrated when they seem too effortless
or irrational. This is a great lesson from this passage. Also, be generous as Naaman
was, and not greedy and deceptive like Gehazi was.
Verse to Memorize: 2
Kings 5:15
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