In Search of the Great Thing
Read 2 Kings 5:1-19.
Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master. He was a mighty man of valor. When we read these noble descriptions how do you envision the man they describe? Maybe you see a tall, commanding presence of a man with great confidence. Well, there’s one more thing about Naaman you should know. He was also a leper.
In that day, it was terrible being a leper. You would be shunned from society, family and friends. You will be sent away to live in a leper colony. No one would ever touch you again. You will live in complete isolation from those you loved. It was a dramatically sad, discouraging and hopeless existence living with leprosy for there was no cure.
But not for Naaman, this man had connections with the king of Syria. He had power, position and prestige despite having leprosy. Somehow the rules didn’t apply to him.
One day, his servant tells him of a prophet in Israel who could heal him. So he goes to his master asking permission to visit the land of Israel in search of this prophet. Getting ready for the trip, Naaman packs ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothing. Naaman was loaded! Look how much money he brought. Look at how much clothing he had. In those days, people were lucky to have two changes of clothes and Naaman was packing ten!
Naaman, with all his pomp and entourage, stood at the door of Elisha’s house. Naaman was probably expecting a royal welcome seeing how he was such a great, honorable and mighty man of valor. But Elisha sent out a messenger instead of speaking face-to-face with Naaman. Instead a mere messenger to spoke the word of the prophet to Naaman saying “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
Look at Naaman’s response in verses 11-12: “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.”
We are told in verse 11 Naaman became furious. It appears he was furious for two reasons. One reason was the prophet would not come out to see him personally. The second reason was the ridiculous instructions he was given. For you see the Jordan River was not the cleanest river around. In fact, it was filthy. This prophet expected Naaman to dip in the dirtiest water around.
How interesting he has a chance to be cured from leprosy but he doesn’t like the method he’s told to use. He wanted a big show. He wanted something miraculous. He wanted something worthy of his position, his prestige and his power. He was told to dip seven times in the Jordan. How unappealing, low, and boring this was not how he wanted to be healed.
Using a humble servant, the Lord gets Naaman’s attention. The servant says: “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” The servant is trying to get Naaman to see he was willing to go to great lengths to be healed but unwilling to do something as simple as wash himself in the Jordan.
Apparently it worked for he went to the Jordan and dipped seven times, just like the man of God said. His flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. Naaman came back to Elisha’s house saying: “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” But the man of God would receive nothing for this miracle. Naaman urged him to take it, but he refused.
Then Naaman asked for two mule-loads of earth to take with him so he could worship the God of Israel in his own land. The man of God said “Go in peace.” Naaman departed.
What we learned from this story:
- Pride makes us think we’re above the law. Naaman had connections and as a result he wasn’t sent away to a leper colony. When we have connections with people of power, we might think the rules don’t apply to us.
- Eagerness is not the same as obedience. Naaman was eager to go see the prophet, but when he got there he refused the advice. Did you notice how he wanted to substitute his own way to get clean? How often are we eager to hear God’s way, but we choose our own way instead?
- Pride thinks more of self than is true. Expecting the royal treatment, Naaman is disappointed when he receives the “healing message” second hand. Did you notice the pride in Naaman’s internal dialogue? Seeing how great I am, “He will surely come out to me” he thought. When our focus on “me”, then I know I’m being prideful.
- Pride leads to disobedience. Naaman received simple instructions, but didn’t want to follow the advice because it didn’t match his idea of how this healing should take place. He wanted something extravagant, extraordinary, and special. When our expectations are “grandeur” rather simple, we might be thinking too highly of our self.
It’s your turn. What about this story resonated with you? Did you see yourself in this story? Have you noticed pride in your life? If so, talk to God about it and being willing to do whatever He leads to do about it.
Lord God Almighty, they don’t call you Almighty for nothing. You alone have all power and might. There is no one greater than you. Help us identify pride in our life so we may confess it and be forgiven. Thank you for cleansing us from all unrighteousness when we seek you. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.
