Naaman Healed of Leprosy
August 12, 2020
Commentary
Probably one of the best known accounts from the book of Kings is the one in this passage concerning a Gentile who had leprosy and was healed. This person was a well-known Syrian army officer named Naaman. An Israelite girl who the Syrians had taken prisoner was serving in Naaman’s home as a servant to Naaman’s wife. She told her mistress, who told her husband, that a prophet living in Israel could cure leprosy. The girl apparently had heard of Elisha and assumed he could cleanse leprosy by his supernatural power. No leper in Israel, however, was healed in Elisha’s day.
When Naaman heard about Elisha, he went to his king asking for permission to go to Israel to visit him. The Aramean king was anxious for his valuable commander to be cleansed so Naaman soon set out to visit King Jehoram. He evidently assumed that the king would order Elisha the prophet to cure him. What he didn’t know was that the Israelite king had no use for the prophet.
When Elisha learned that Naaman wanted to see him he sent a message that he would be glad to have him come and he would cure him. Before long Naaman and all his servants arrived at Elisha’s door. Elisha was not awed by the great general so he didn’t go to see him personally, but sent a messenger to tell Naaman to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman was upset because Elisha had not seen him personally and now wants him to dip in this muddy river. However, his servants convince him to do as Elisha said, and as he obeyed, he was cleansed.
Application
It has been said that “Faith is living without scheming.” That is what Isaiah was saying to Judah and Jerusalem; and that is what He is saying to me today. Is my life made up of trusting or scheming?
Isaiah 31:1– 9 (NET)
1 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead; those who rely on war horses, and trust in Egypt’s many chariots and in their many, many horsemen. But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel and do not seek help from the Lord.
2 Yet he too is wise and he will bring disaster; he does not retract his decree. He will attack the wicked nation, and the nation that helps those who commit sin.
3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God; their horses are made of flesh, not spirit. The Lord will strike with his hand; the one who helps will stumble and the one being helped will fall. Together they will perish.
4 Indeed, this is what the Lord has said to me: “The Lord will be like a growling lion, like a young lion growling over its prey. Though a whole group of shepherds gathers against it, it is not afraid of their shouts or intimidated by their yelling. In this same way the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will descend to do battle on Mount Zion and on its hill.
5 Just as birds hover over a nest, so the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; as he passes over he will rescue it.”
6 You Israelites! Return to the one you have so blatantly rebelled against! 7 For at that time every one will get rid of the silver and gold idols your hands sinfully made.
8 “Assyria will fall by a sword, but not one human-made; a sword not made by humankind will destroy them. They will run away from this sword and their young men will be forced to do hard labor.
9 They will surrender their stronghold because of fear; their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” This is what the Lord says— the one whose fire is in Zion, whose firepot is in Jerusalem.
Illustration: Bill McCartney Evaluates His Priorities
Bill McCartney retired as the head coach of the Colorado football team several years ago. His reason for retirement was not because he was unsuccessful as a coach. His teams had won the national championship. They had been in the top 10 many times. McCartney said that he was retiring because he wanted to reevaluate his priorities. He said, “I’m leaving coaching, & I’m going to take a whole year to re-evaluate my priorities. Is God first? Is my family second? Is my work third?” And when that year was over, Bill McCartney had dedicated his life & talents to Christ, & threw his efforts into founding the great men’s renewal gatherings that we know today as “Promise Keepers.” (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author)