This story of Naaman is one of the first stories my granddaughter remembered and learned. During bath-time when she was about two-years or so old, she would reinact the story of Naaman's cleansing by immersing herself seven times so that she too might be made clean.
Now we might think that the LORD has cursed Naaman because he has leprosy. But, the story doesn't actually say that. Actually, the story infers that he has been blessed by God because through him the LORD had given victory to Syria. But, he does happen to worship false gods and his victories have given him a big head. His victories, the kings favor, something seems to have given him a pretty good sized ego. He thinks that he can buy his health. He thinks that washing in the Jordan as Elisha directs him, is beneath him. Finally, his servants convince him. He listens, dips himself seven times, and is made clean. He turns and acknowledges that there are no gods except the God of Israel. He vows to never again offer sacrifices to any other gods.
There are so many things to learn from this story. First there's the trust that the king of Syria has that his commander will be healed if he goes to Israeel to see this prophet. And, then there is the fear of Israel's king that Syria's king is setting him up. But, Elisha hears and saves the day. It is interesting that kings got involved in the whole process in the first place.
And, then there is Elisha's servant, Gehazi's greed and deceit. Elisha would not take payment for healing Naaman, so Gehazi goes after Naaman and gets it for himself, by telling lies about his master. The consequences: Gehazi has just inherited Naaman's leprosy. Naaman has been cleansed, but his uncleanness will cling to Gehazi and his descendents forever.
The bottom line: The LORD has healed Naaman (through Elisha). Naaman is grateful for this gift of cleansing and he vows to sacrifice to no other gods but the LORD. We too have been cleansed, by the blood of Jesus the Christ. May we turn and give thanks for this gift of healing to the LORD our God.
LORD, help us to see, help us to understand the immense proportions of this gift, of your love for us.
Now we might think that the LORD has cursed Naaman because he has leprosy. But, the story doesn't actually say that. Actually, the story infers that he has been blessed by God because through him the LORD had given victory to Syria. But, he does happen to worship false gods and his victories have given him a big head. His victories, the kings favor, something seems to have given him a pretty good sized ego. He thinks that he can buy his health. He thinks that washing in the Jordan as Elisha directs him, is beneath him. Finally, his servants convince him. He listens, dips himself seven times, and is made clean. He turns and acknowledges that there are no gods except the God of Israel. He vows to never again offer sacrifices to any other gods.
There are so many things to learn from this story. First there's the trust that the king of Syria has that his commander will be healed if he goes to Israeel to see this prophet. And, then there is the fear of Israel's king that Syria's king is setting him up. But, Elisha hears and saves the day. It is interesting that kings got involved in the whole process in the first place.
And, then there is Elisha's servant, Gehazi's greed and deceit. Elisha would not take payment for healing Naaman, so Gehazi goes after Naaman and gets it for himself, by telling lies about his master. The consequences: Gehazi has just inherited Naaman's leprosy. Naaman has been cleansed, but his uncleanness will cling to Gehazi and his descendents forever.
The bottom line: The LORD has healed Naaman (through Elisha). Naaman is grateful for this gift of cleansing and he vows to sacrifice to no other gods but the LORD. We too have been cleansed, by the blood of Jesus the Christ. May we turn and give thanks for this gift of healing to the LORD our God.
LORD, help us to see, help us to understand the immense proportions of this gift, of your love for us.
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