31/8/03 SALT : 2 Kings 5
1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 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." 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" 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? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." 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." 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage 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 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. Please accept now a gift from your servant 16 The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused 17 "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD. 18 But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also--when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this." 19 "Go in peace," Elisha said. After Naaman had traveled some distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." 21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. 22 "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, `Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.' " 23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. 25 Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered. 26 But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 27 Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.
PRAY
Can you think of the seven deadly sins?
Pride; Greed: Envy; Anger; Lust; Gluttony; Sloth.
What are the opposites? It has been suggested...
Humility; Generosity; Love; Kindness; Self-control; Faith and moderation; Zeal.
In today's reading we see most, if not all of these sins and some of the opposites. Naaman shows pride and anger, but also humility, faith and generosity.
Elisha's servant Gehazi shows pride, greed, envy, lust, gluttony, perhaps sloth, as well as lying to Naaman and Elisha.
The latter days of the reign of Israel's king Jehoram were marked by hostilities with the Aramean king Ben-Hadad II with the Arameans raiding Israel (cf. 2 Kings 6:8), culminating in an all-out military excursion into Israel (cf. 2 Kings 6:24-7:20). During the course of one such raid, a nameless Jewish girl had fallen into the hands of Ben-Hadad's field marshall, Naaman (vv. 1-2).
A king decided to set aside a special day to honour his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.
The first person presented was a wealthy
philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of
the honour because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his
wealth to the poor.
The second person was a celebrated
physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the
honour because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick
for many years.
The third person was a distinguished judge.
The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his
wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.
The
fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised
to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress.
She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honoured as the greatest
subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared
to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there was something
about her the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her
quiet confidence. The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat
puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: "You
see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!"
That woman had no wealth, no fortune, and no title, but she
had unselfishly given her life to produce great people. There is nothing
more powerful or more Christlike than sacrificial love.
This story occurs because of the intervention
of a slave girl. This, and the comments of Naaman's servants in verse 13
show that apparently insignificant people can be used by God to further
his purpose and to alter history.
We may not be famous, rich, important, or powerful, but God can still use us to change situations and individuals using his power that is at work within us. The Holy Spirit.
We may help someone on in their journey of faith. Even though Naaman was not a Jew and opposed the Israelites God was already at work in him. Verse 1, He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram.
We saw four weeks ago in 1 Kings 17 how God used and developed the faith of the Gentile widow who gave Elijah food and was rewarded with a continuous supply during the drought and who received her son back from death.
The faith of these Gentiles is a reminder that we have a God who works in ways that we do not expect and cannot predict. Therefore, we should be ready to live and witness for him in any circumstance.
In contrast with the girl and servants Naaman was a well known, brilliant commanding officer. However, he suffered from a serious and incurable skin disease. When he was informed there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him (v. 3 ) he spoke to the King, Ben-Hadad. He sent Naaman with rich gifts and a letter of introduction to King Jehoram of Israel so that the Syrian general might be healed (vv. 4-6).
King Jehoram, believing the situation to be impossible, thought that Ben-Hadad was seeking an occasion for renewed warfare (v. 7). Evidently no mention was made of Israel's prophet in the correspondence, so that Jehoram was unaware of the context of the request.
We must remember that nothing is impossible for God, so Elisha volunteers his services, verse 8. However, Elisha deals with Naaman in a way that appears rude and arrogant. He does not meet him face-to-face but sends a messenger to tell Naaman to wash seven times in the River Jordan.
Ritual washings were practiced among Eastern religions as a purification rite, and the number seven was generally known as a symbol of completeness.
Naaman is incandescent. He was used to giving orders why should he receiove them from some weird faceless, alien who wouldn't even meet him. This foreign river was no better than those in his homeland so why should he wash in it? He was a proud self-made man. Why couldn't things be done on his terms?
Why? Because this was what God required of him. Like the widow who gave her last food to Elijah it was a test of faith.
Sometimes God calls us to do things that may seem illogical because he wants to see if we truly belong to him. Where our faith really is. When we do trust and obey him then he can and will bless us.
As I mentioned earlier God used Naaman's servants to persuade him to go along with this simple request. Sometimes we would like things to be more difficult when all that is required is simple obedience. Perhaps the problem that we have about simple faith is that it requires that we trust in God alone whereas if we have to do something difficult we feel better because we have contributed something.
Once Naaman agrees to God demands he is immediately and completely cured. In this series we have seen the mighty power of God in providing for Elijah and the widow, in burning up sodden beef on Mount Carmel and now in healing Naaman of leprosy.
We have a God of power and undeserved favour who heals the sick, provides for the hungry, offers salvation for those who will humble themselves like Naaman.
Just as the nameless servant girl in verse 3 and the servants in verse 13 are in contrast to Naaman, so his faith is in contrast with that of the Israelites and their King. They worshipped a number of gods. Even after the defeat of Baal on Mount Carmel there was no revival and widespread repentance.
Naaman acknowledges the Lord as the only true God. 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. Please accept now a gift from your servant
This was the first time Naamna had met Elisha and, before his attendants he humbly
confesses a personal trust in this foreign God. He had changed from being proud and angry to being humble, reverent and generous.
Naaman offers a gift but Elisha refuses. It could be that Elisha wanted all the glory to go to God and that he doesn't want Naaman to feel that he has to give. Almost as if he were paying for his healing. Perhaps Elisha doesn't want the temptation of possessions, after all, God had provided for Elijah when human beings couldn't provide for themselves.
Naaman is immediately aware of the need to turn away from false gods and of the difficult position this would place him in. Naaman asked Elisha whether two mule loads of Israelite soil might be taken with him back to Syria so that whenever circumstances forced him to bow ceremonially to the Aramean gods with his king, he might in reality be placing his knees in the soil of the true God of Israel (vv. 17-18). Thus he might be a true though secret believer. His request granted, Naaman set out for home (v. 19).
This does not provide a way out for those who want to hide their faith. The normal way God wants people to exercise their faith is publicly, in their conduct and in their worship. Jesus said, Matthew 5: 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ringtailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it's simple and is based on knowledge of the animal. Their trap is nothing more than a melon growing on a vine. The seeds of this melon are a favourite of the monkey. Knowing this, the Zulus simply cut a hole in the melon, just large enough for the monkey to insert his hand to reach the seeds inside. The monkey will stick his hand in, grab as many seeds as he can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do. His fist is now larger than the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screech and fight the melon for hours. But he can't get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he refuses to do. Meanwhile, the Zulus sneak up and nab him.
From the faith and transformation of Naaman we focus onthe greed of Gehazi who saw the chance of personal gain from Naaman's gratitude. We see the hunlity and graciousness of Naaman who, when Gehazi catches him up, got down from his chariot and wonders if ssomething is wrong. 21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked.
The only thing that is wrong is Gehazi's heart. He inwardly criticizes his master and thinks that by obtaining goods from this foreigner Naaman he is doing God's will!
20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
Many people have followed this way. Of thinking that by pursuing possessions will lead to security and happiness. Perhaps Gehazi had visions of secretly using what he had received to build a new, easier life for himself. Jesus illustrated the folly of this when he told a parable about a man who was blessed with a bumper harvest and trusted in this rather than God, only to die.
As well as national pride Gehazi shows greed, envy, lust, gluttony, perhaps sloth, as well as lying to Naaman and Elisha. However, Gehazi couldn't hide any secret from God or His prophet, because God had shown Elisha what had happened. Just as the faith of Naaman had saved him from the leprosy, so Gahazi's trust in possessions led to his leprosy. Both men were tested and their true nature exposed.
God knows everything and will judge people for their sin. We all sin and fall short of God's perfect standard for us which is to love and trust him with our whole selves all of the time and to love other people as ourselves. Sin leads to separation from God and, one day everyone will be judged by God. Only those whose lives have been entrusted into Jesus' hands will escape condemnation. This involved recognising what God has done for us in Jesus and coming to him in repentance and trust, relying only upon God's mercy.
Nicolaus Copernicus was a famed astronomer born in Poland on February 19, 1473. He was a mathematician whose accomplishments changed men's ideas of the universe. He was also a well-known writer. When he was critically ill with his final illness, his book, "On Resolutions of the Celestial Bodies", just off the press, was laid in his arms.
At the close of his life, he did not think of himself as an astronomer or scientist, but as a humble sinner who needed the forgiveness of his Saviour. He asked that the following epitaph be written on his gravestone:
"Lord, I do not ask the kindness Thou didst show to Peter. I do not dare ask the grace Thou didst grant to Paul; but, Lord, the mercy Thou didst show to the dying robber, that mercy show to me. That earnestly I pray."
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