Arrogance turns to obedience

2 Kings 5:1-27

Introduction: Today we come to the end of this series looking at healing in the Old Testament and to mind the best has been kept to last. Once again we look at this Old Testament passage against the background of turbulence in Arab countries today and through the lens of Jesus, the Son of God, and the absolute healing on offer through a relationship with Him.

This passage is set against the background of a declining Israel and Syria (Aram) that is growing in power. These two nations were then, as now, rarely on good terms. The Syrians used to make raids on Israel in an attempt to frustrate the people and create political confusion. Captives were often taken on these raids and returned to Syria as slaves, e.g. Naaman’s servant girl. Syria was in the ascendancy.

Let’s look first at…

The Soldier (vs.1-3): As I read this passage, the film ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ directed by Ridley Scott came to mind. I saw the film in its entirety just a few months ago. It is set against the intrigue surrounding the crusades, supposedly at a time when the ‘Christian’ western powers are in control of Jerusalem, but under threat from the Arab armies of Saladin. There is also division amongst the ‘Christian ‘ ranks, who are being held together, by the so-called King of Jerusalem, whose face is covered by a mask and body by long robes. He has a powerful will and vision for peace and obedience to God, having concern for justice – both for Arab and Christian – but is suffering from advanced leprosy.

In our account we have Naaman – an enemy of God, through whom God had given Syria victory (v.1). He was the commander of the Syrian army, successful in battle, highly regarded by the king and people alike. Perhaps a little like the military in Egypt today. Without a knowledge of God this man is the sort of person, who might well have high regard for himself and his own abilities. In this he is like many, if not all of us, when things are going well – thinking about what we have done and will do, rather than giving the glory to God – the one who prepares and equips us to do the work he has prepared for us.

However, there is a problem. The ‘why me/him???’ situation if you like. Naaman has leprosy – whether in the early, or more advanced stages this condition is a threat to his ongoing service of the king…it could take away his livelihood, even his reason for living.

The Ritual Approach (vs.3-7): As a result Naaman was prepared to try anything in search of healing. We have no idea what he had already tried, but in our passage we are told he listened to the advice of a young girl servant of his wife. She suggested he go to visit a prophet /man of God/Elisha in Israel. His desperation is shown by: his listening to the young girl, so often we/I assume children and young people can’t teach us anything and yet from my days of teaching I know that I learnt more from my classes than they ever learnt from me; his being prepared to go to enemy territory in search of healing and that he was prepared to go to the king and set in motion the political process/ritual necessary for his search to take place.

I know, and have read, of people who have travelled the world, or tried different religions to find healing for an incurable disease and yet the God who heals is with us all the time through an acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord and Saviour and decision to follow Him. We do not need to travel, unless instructed by Him, because He comes to us to work out His good and perfect plan.

The Syrian king writes the letter. Gives it to Naaman and tells him to deliver it to the king of Israel. The Syrian king’s action also shows his concern for Naaman, and a recognition that his condition is beyond the resources of Syria. There are times – if not all times – when we need to acknowledge our need for God’s help, or that of others to whom we would not normally turn. We need to remember that our God is in control over all and can work in extraordinary ways through extraordinary people. In this context I am thinking unexpected, rather than superbly gifted people.

Naaman goes to the king of Israel, presents the letter, which is read, and sends the king of Israel into a panic attack. He sees the request as some trick to engineer war, rather than thinking of Elisha, the prophet of whom the little girl had spoken. In his greater maturity, the king saw the potential problems before the presence of God. He was thinking of his inability to heal Naaman, rather than turning to God with the child-like faith of the servant girl. Let’s stop and allow God to speak to us individually about this…it may be that we need to repent of our attitude, which has grown over the years, to ask God to pull down the walls and enter a stronghold of self-dependency, or even godless interdependency…to turn the darkness into light and speak again those words of assurance…’Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!’ (Matthew 14:27). Jesus also told his followers, including us, that we should trust in Him.

The Solution (vs.8-10): Interestingly, Elisha heard of the king’s situation and sent a messenger saying, “Why have you torn your robes? Make the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel” (v.8). Of course Elisha is really saying send the problem to me and God will deal with it through me. The initiative is God’s. He prompted Elisha to send the messenger. Again, there have been many examples of God prompting people with an appropriate message, or offer of help at just the right time. Thanks to all those who have offered to dry clothes for us as we wait for the new boiler in the manse. How often have you, have I been prompted to write a note, pick up the phone, or e-mail someone at what has proved just the right time…when the words communicated, perhaps without much thought were just the right words for the other person in their situation. It is our openness to God in which we can either be, or can find the solution.

But, even when confronted with the solution there can still be…

The Resistance (vs.10-12): Naaman and his entourage have reached Elisha’s home. This is no palace, but an ordinary home. I wonder what the locals would have thought when this large, armed band of enemy soldiers and servants entered their area/space.  Having had to go to an ordinary house, imagine Naaman’s reaction when a servant comes out and tell him to go and wash seven times in the river Jordan. This is certainly a test of faith and as we read it was too much for Naaman. I wonder how often we have missed a word from God because it was delivered by a child, or by a particular person. Contrast these two examples. God gives a word through two different people in the same church on successive weekends. Some of the congregation rejected the word the first week, but accepted it on the second, because someone they regarded as more reliable had given the identical word. The second example is of the church in which God chose to deliver a message through a complete stranger. On this occasion the man walked in of the street in the middle of the service, walked to the front, where he talked to a couple of the leadership team. He was allowed to share what was on his heart with the congregation. Then he left. The word was spot on and received reluctantly by the church. I wonder what camp we would fall in to.

I also find it really hard, when people respond to a message, that God has speaking through me for months, given by a visiting speaker. Or if God speaks in a different church from the one you go to regularly. This is a bit like Naaman’s thinking that Syria is better than Israel.

The Saving (vs.13-19a): Fortunately, Namaan’s servants did not give up (v.13). Namaan listened and he washed, once…twice…three times…six times and nothing happened. Yet he did it the seventh time and the leprosy left him. He was cleansed physically and that in itself would be testimony to God’s power, but we read that Namaan also came to faith in Elisha’s God. The only example of saving healing in the Old Testament. He took some of the earth, on which to pray to God and he asked whether it would be OK with God if he could bow to Syrian gods in the presence of the king, if he prayed to the one true God. This is an amazing act of faith and submission of one’s life to the Lord. How would we individually and as a church measure up to Namaan’s example.  Namaan still wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha said he needed nothing for doing the Lord’s will. Jesus gave his life on the cross so that all who believe in him will not perish, but join Him in life beyond death. We don’t have to do anything but believe. Jesus has paid the whole price and by raising him from the dead on the third day, God the Father showed the price was accepted and that the way to Him is open and free.

The Robbery (vs.19b-24): The story doesn’t end there however, because Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, chased after Namaan to extract personal financial gain from God’s healing of Namaan. There have been examples of this through history. The money changers and sellers of sacrificial animals in the temple who were allowed to make a profit if they paid back handers to the priests, the indulgence system of the Middle Ages, the missionaries who worked with trading companies trying to make a profit in India, Africa and China; the church leaders, T.V. evangelists who have been found guilty in recent years of abusing their positions of power. Even those who claim to be responsible for the salvation of others are guilty of robbing God. If we withhold anything from God we are guilty of robbery.

The Sadness (vs.25-27): Although the robbery took place away from Elisha, God revealed Gehazi’s actions to Elisha. You see we need to be aware that our God is all seeing and in his way at his time He will exact justice. We may not understand his actions, but His way is perfect. Gehazi was sad, because he suffered from leprosy and was thus ostracised from society. He was excluded from the action around Elisha and his shame would have been known throughout the country.

Conclusion: Having looked at the soldier, the ritual approach, the solution, the resistance, the saving, the robbery and the sadness, let’s remember who is in charge – our all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, righteous God, who calls us to follow His Son Jesus Christ equipped by the Holy Spirit who lives in us, as a deposit for the inheritance that is laid up in heaven for all those who give their lives to Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Let’s once again say here we are wholly available for you, willing to do your will as you direct, when you direct. Amen.

For further discussion

Was Naaman a part of the nation of Israel? How does the Holy Spirit describe Naaman?

Was Naaman able to cleanse his own leprosy (vs.1-5, 9-14)?

Would Naaman have been cleansed of his leprosy if he washed (i.e., dipped) in the rivers of Damascus (vs. 1-5, 9-14)?

Can you think of any examples where God seemed to be asking you to do a ‘silly’ thing? What was your reaction?

Why was the King of Israel so scared about the message from the king of Aram? Can you think of any similar, modern political situations? (vs.5-7)? How might God be at work?

How was Namaan healed? Was it just physical?

Think about the role of Gehazi (vs.20-27). Do you ever feel people should pay for what God has done freely? Share examples. Is it a question of justice? Was it fair that Gehazi contracted leprosy? Why/why not?

What lessons can we learn about God’s mercy from Elisha’s not accepting Naaman’s gift? Compare with Gehazi’s action and treatment.

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