By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
GOD HEALS
2 Kings 5:1–14
Desperate (1–6)
Naaman was the commander of the army for the king of Aram (Syria). He had an impeccable reputation. He was successful in his military career. He was an important man to the king, highly regarded and a valiant warrior. Through him the Lord had given victory to Aram, Israel’s traditional enemy. Although startling to the reader, God is revealing He is sovereign over all nations and all people. The Lord had already laid claim to Aram’s political future (1 Kings 19:15).
But Naaman had a problem. He had a skin disease many translations call leprosy. The word was used for a variety of illnesses in the Old Testament and was not necessarily limited to Hansen’s disease. Naaman was clearly in the early stages of the disease since he could move about in public and continue his work.
There was a young girl from Israel serving Naaman’s wife, a casualty of one of Aram’s raiding parties into Israel. After hearing of her master’s sickness, she told her mistress Naaman could be cured if he would go to the prophet of God in Samaria. She shared the knowledge her master needed the most.
Naaman’s desperation was evident because he believed the word of the young girl. He told his king what his wife’s servant had said, and the king offered Naaman his full support and wrote a letter to the king of Israel. The letter asked the king of Israel to cure Naaman of his skin disease. Along with the letter, Naaman took hundreds of pounds of silver and gold and 10 sets of clothing. This was a huge amount of money. Naaman thought he could hire the prophet to cure him.
Directed (7–10)
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes. He understood the futility of the letter, for he knew he could not heal anyone. He thought like a king and suspected the king of Aram was looking for an excuse to renew old hostilities. He had no idea personal pain and a young girl’s pure motives had led to this trip.
Elisha saw Naaman’s presence as an opportunity to prove there was a real prophet in Israel. His message encouraged the king since he intended to show Naaman that while the king does not heal, someone in Israel could cure him. Then Naaman and his impressive entourage went to Elisha’s house, expecting to see the prophet. Elisha did not come out to meet him. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger to instruct Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River and he would be healed.
Disappointed (11–12)
It is not surprising Naaman was furious. He had come a long distance. He was prepared to pay. He had even left the palace and gone to Elisha’s house. In his vending machine theology he had put plenty of coins in the slot, but for what? No respect. No healing. It was humiliating.
Despite his pagan background, Naaman had expected the prophet to offer up a prayer to the Lord his God and perform some kind of religious action to heal him. If all he needed was to wash in a river to be healed, the rivers back in Aram had much better water quality than the Jordan River.
Delivered (13–14)
Once again Naaman’s servants came to his rescue. They challenged his foolish response to Elisha. They reasoned with him that if Elisha had asked him to do some great thing, he would have done it. Why not do this simple thing in order to be healed? Naaman took their advice and dipped himself in the Jordan River seven times and was healed immediately.
Since Naaman was willing to humble himself and obey what God had spoken through Elisha, he was changed. Not only was his skin healed, but his heart was transformed as well (v. 15). God knew Naaman was even sicker on the inside than he was on the outside. God healed Naaman from leprosy of the heart.
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