2nd Kings 5 SIMPLY BELIEVE AND OBEY North of Israel is Syria that seldom has ever had peaceful terms with Israel. The Arameans under the military leadership of Naaman was the dominant force in that area when Elisha was a prophet in Israel. When David was king of united Israel, tribute was paid by the Arameans, but by Elisha's time the weakened tribes of the north were raided by them, and it was then Naaman got a captive girl to serve his wife. Of interest is the fact that it was the Lord who had given the victory to the Syrians. In the sovereignty of God, He uses who He will no matter what nation or religious persuasion to fulfill His purposes. When His own people fail to fulfill their responsibility, He may use the unconverted to accomplish His sovereign intentions. God has not limited Himself to a particular group of people or to some protocol to follow. He is Lord over all.
A person with leprosy was thought to be contagious, and was isolated from society when that disease became obvious. Likely a number of the diseases we have today would be called leprosy then. Some are extremely contagious and some are incurable. That is why leprosy is often spoken of as a type of sin. People think some sins are worse than others because of their effect on society, but open or private, blatant or subtle, inward or outward - sin is sin. The consequences of sin are death. Separation from society because of leprosy is like the separation of sinners from God. By nature, we are "Dead in trespasses and sins" which describes the condition of unbelievers. "You hath He quickened (made alive) whom were dead ..." is what happens when faith takes root and one is born again into the family of God.
An unnamed child was used to bring hope to the mighty general Naaman. In God's plans He arranged for a little girl to be placed in a particular place, at a particular time to give lessons to us that need to be learned, not just to bring healing to a leper. When God works through people, there is no reason for pride to enter no matter how great or small the position one may hold in life. In His sovereign grace, He provides opportunities for us to pass on our faith to others who are in the place of spiritual death. We may never know in our lifetime the results of one act of faith or how it has been a benefit to others.
The maid to Naaman's wife did not hold bitterness against her master but had the spirit that is expected of a child of God in any situation in which we may be found. To bless others is our calling in the world today. There are answers to the problems and needs that people have. What people need is what we have already found in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that "There is no respect of persons with God," and that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..." The need of salvation and eternal life for every man, woman and child in the world should motivate us to pass on what we know, even if our understanding of divine things is limited. The maid knew who represented God and that moved her to pass on a message of hope.
We cannot help the misunderstanding of people when they hear the Gospel because most people have preconceived ideas about how God works in the lives of people. Even though Naaman took matters into his own hands and did things in his own way, his step of faith to leave Syria and go to Samaria was a start in the right direction. People still think in their own frame of reference, but our sovereign God can use even a wicked king to give some understanding of a matter, even when it is in the negative. Worldly wealth, a wrong idea about God, opposition from others can all be used in a way to open the door to seeking the Lord with all of one's heart. We may never know what word or action will be used when God saves a soul, but we know He knows the thoughts and intents of one's heart and can direct one to the humbling of pride and obedience to a simple thoughtful comment.
The instructions from Elisha who was under divine authority; the attitude of a proud man; the caring words of a simple man were all used to bring the proud man down to yield his will to the will of God. When that happens, God is willing to reveal Himself in saving power, and in this case healing power, to the humbled soul. One has well said, "God is determined to bring the proud man down, and He is determined to bring the humbled man up." God "gives grace to the humble" regardless of who they are or what they might have done. There is a preciseness in the divine order of salvation. "Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," cannot be substituted with "I did it my way."
"Seven ducks in a dirty river" was a simple instruction. Some people, think it is "too easy" to be saved by grace alone "and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." They seem to think there should be some physical or metaphysical reaction from themselves to give them the assurance of the value of that which Christ has done for them. To not accept the gift of eternal life without some emotional response to make it real, or physical experience to assure one, of the reality of the offer, is to doubt the words of the Giver. Naaman had to act on the authority of divine instruction, not on his perception of what should be done. There are some who want salvation and ask for that assurance by the word from a preacher. They want him to say, "You are saved." If they could see a light or hear an audible voice or feel some unusual emotion they would be satisfied. But it is by grace alone we are saved. It is through faith in Christ we are saved. It is the work of Christ that saves and the word of God that makes faith real.
The results of Naaman's action of faith were obvious the moment he did what God said through the prophet. It is not a gradual process that brings the healing of one's soul. It is the instantaneous action of a satisfied God that produces life. The evidence of this new life is then seen in the changed life of a one who has believed in Him. The change is the result, not the reason nor the process. A whole new attitude was seen in Naaman when he went back to the house of Elisha. Now he was able to speak directly to Elisha and testified as to the reality of his faith. No longer was he looking for some magic power to maintain this new life he had received. Now he got assurance from the prophet that God would be with him and he was told to "Go in peace." Rest to the soul is a result of knowing one has been accepted by God.
Obedience to God begins with humility. God's ways are best and He wants our obedience to Him. Then He can accomplish His will in a way most suited to Him. God's salvation cannot be earned by works, paid for by labor or money nor bargained for. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ - His Person and His work is what He expects of the seeking sinner. Naaman did not add God to his worship of other gods. He testified to his faith in the one true God, but knew he still had his duty to perform to his king. We may have obligations from which we cannot escape but there is a way to please God when we are willing to submit to His divine authority in living as well as for salvation.
Elisha's servant Gehazi was involved in serving God's man but his motivation was not love and devotion to God. It is impossible to 'serve God and mammon" at the same time. He accepted money that had been offered to someone else. He thought God's blessing could be valued by money. He was willing to lie to cover his motive of getting what did not belong to him and he had no right to claim. Greed and deceit are in direct contrast with grace and faith. Naaman was blessed by God's grace and responded in faith. Gehazi was cursed by greed and responded with deceit. Both of these are lessons of which we need to be reminded.
2Kings 5:11. “But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, behold I thought, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”
OBEDIENCE BEGINS WITH HUMILITY. The plans of God are so different than ours – What we often overlook is in every fact – As it unfolds in our life, from His hand there pours Blessings on many to complete one act. A little captive maid had learned in her youth Of the one true God who can meet every need. Her parents, though absent, had taught her the truth – Of humility and obedience when to God we pay heed.
As we get older, pride raises its mean head – So, we think we are in full control. We forget the consequences when by pride we are led, To where pride brings damnation to the soul. But even then, if we stop to listen To one who can see beyond here to the end - It may be with humility and even tears that glisten – God will act for us when our head and knees bend.
Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, nor our ways His – Obedience demands our submission to His will. It begins with humility and obedience follows this – The path of faith seldom leads downhill. So, when people of faith pass on what God says – We are wise when in silence we wait to hear God’s voice. It may come through a child or through unusual ways – But obedience with humility guides to the right choice.
It happens every day in things both big and small – I have to act in faith about many things. The just who live by faith will consider that they all – Are allowed or directed by God who blessings bring. I need to start each day with this thought engraved on my heart, “It is God who is in control of each unfolding event.” When humility is there, and obedience at the start – I will rejoice in whatever result my God has sent.
“Father, I am reminded of the meekness and lowliness of Christ. It makes me ashamed to think I often fall into the deep pit of self-exaltation. ‘Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust.’ Amen.”