An army commander who had to learn the correct way to come before God – with nothing he could give the prophet.
We saw yesterday that Naaman was a man of good character and God had given him honour before his king.
He was a valiant soldier, but HE HAD LEPROSY. 2 Kings 5
Naaman had a problem he couldn’t resolve, a horrible disease. His wife’s servant girl knew someone who could help and shared it with her mistress. Maybe the lowest ranked person in the house, but she knew a Man of God in her native land. We as Believers can help people, no matter how grand they are, TO LOOK TO GOD if they’re willing.
Naaman sought the permission of his king, who gave him a letter for the king of Israel, and made ready to visit there.
5 ‘By all means, go,’ the king of Aram replied. ‘I will send a letter to the king of Israel.’ So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: ‘With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.’
Naaman probably followed the custom of the day and brought lavish gifts for the Favour he was seeking. The king of Israel couldn’t do anything and tore his clothes on reading the letter, asking for Naaman to be healed. Following the customs of the day wouldn’t work, but Elisha heard and responded to the request.
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: ‘Why have you torn your robes? Make the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.’
Naaman was redirected to God’s prophet and arrived at his house with great pomp – he made a grand entrance and was promptly ignored. Was that a deliberate snub, would the army commander humble himself and obey the instructions given him?
9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’
Naaman was angry at this treatment, but his servants talked to him and persuaded him to do as Elisha had told him.
13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, “Wash and be cleansed”!’ 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
People who usually give orders might not like to take them, especially when they’re just told to get on with it. We may receive instructions that grate on us, but sometimes the best thing is just to get on with them – Naaman’s obedience brought his healing and a new attitude towards the God who’d healed him.
15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, ‘Now I know that THERE IS NO GOD IN ALL THE WORLD EXCEPT IN ISRAEL. So please accept a gift from your servant.’
Naaman, the proud soldier, had humbled himself and became a believer in the Living God. His flash of temper completely forgotten and a new, peaceful understanding in his heart and life.
God bless and keep you today.