187. NAAMAN THE SYRIAN

"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel."

The scripture states that "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). Thus the healing of Naaman's leprosy is more than just an interesting story. It is recorded, like the rest of the Bible, that we might learn a lesson to help us in our understanding of God's word and His purpose. The story foreshadows the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles because of the unbelief of Israel. More than that, as our attention is focused upon Naaman, we see his failing — his faulty reasoning and pride — which attitude so often stops God from acting in the lives of those desiring to seek Him. We are shown that obedience is the key to unlock the door to God's power and bring joy and peace, and we are graphically shown that this obedience must stem from a humble and contrite heart. There are lessons for us all in this simple yet intriguing story.

2 Kings 5.

NAAMAN THE LEPER GOES TO SAMARIA. 2 Kings 5:1-5.

Naaman was captain of Syria's army — a proud man, a courageous soldier and held in high esteem by the King and the people. Although he was a popular and mighty man of valour he was plagued by the dreaded disease of leprosy.

To a thoughtful Israelite, the Law of Moses taught some important spiritual lessons concerning this disease. It was a symbol of sin and mor­tality, and any Hebrew who was smitten with the disease was put outside the camp and cut off from his people and the worship of the Tabernacle. It was in effect a living death! When a person had leprosy, his flesh would become a mass of putrid sores and ulcers which would disfigure parts of the body and ultimately bring death. When Miriam was smitten with leprosy because of her sin, Aaron said, "Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed" (Numbers 12:12). Just as a leper became weaker and his flesh decayed and eventually died, so mortal man grows old, decays and dies. God gave this disease symbolic meaning in order to impress upon Israel the fact that sin will inevitably cause decay and death. For the Gentiles however, it held no spiritual significance. It was inconvenient and obviously to be avoided because of its conse­quences, but not a matter of shame.

At the time at which this incident happened, Israel and Syria were not at war, although small bands of Syrians often raided towns in the north of Israel and took spoil and captives. One such captive was a little maid who became a servant to Naaman's wife. Knowing that Naaman had leprosy, the young Israelitish maid said one day, "Would God my Lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would recover him of his leprosy" (v.3). Before long Benhadad, the king of Syria heard of the young maid's confident statement about Elisha, the prophet of God in Israel and arranged for Naaman to take a letter of introduction with an explanation of his affliction to the king of Israel along with a present of gold, silver and clothing.

JEHORAM'S EMBARRASSMENT. 2 Kings 5:6-9.

When Jehoram, the king of Israel, read the letter he reacted with fear and anger. The king of Syria had asked him to cure Naaman of his leprosy. What a ridiculous request! How could he cure such a disease? Rending his clothes he exclaimed, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeks a quarrel against me." Jehoram was a faithless man and did not really care about God. He had obviously forgotten the power of God manifested through Elisha's hand earlier in his reign when he went up against the king of Moab (see 2 Kings 3:13-18). He would also forget this incident when some time later Benhadad attacked Israel. He only accepted and worshipped God when it was convenient for him to do so. The little captive maid in Syria showed much greater faith than did the king of her nation.

When Elisha heard of Naaman's visit he sent a message to the king say­ing, "Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel" (v.8). So the great warrior Naaman was sent to the house of the prophet of God. Until now everything had gone according to plan for Naaman, but he was soon to learn that God will work for man but only on His own terms.

NAAMAN'S PRIDE AND HUMILITY. 2 Kings 5:10-19.

There is no doubt that Naaman came to Elisha with preconceived ideas as to what would be required of him. He no doubt pictured in his mind how the prophet would hurry out to greet him, cure his disease and then in turn, be rewarded by the captain of Syria's host. However, his pride was offended when a servant was sent out to pass on a message from the prophet. Naaman had expected Elisha to come out himself and with a dramatic demonstration of power, call upon Yahweh his God to cure him. Yet all he received was the message, "Go and wash in Jordan seven times". Naaman was furious. Not only did the idea of washing seven times seem ridiculous, but the fact that it had to be the muddy river Jor­dan made it even worse. Were not the rivers of Syria better than the Jor­dan? And so he turned away in a rage. Had he returned to Damascus, he would have remained a leper, for as long as he remained stubborn and
refused to obey the command of Elisha he would retain his leprosy. Naaman had to learn, like all must learn, that before we can receive God's mercy, we must humble ourselves and obey his commands. Those who refuse to listen to God's word and be baptised, can never hope to be cleansed from sin.

Fortunately, in Naaman's case, good sense prevailed, and his servants suggested he reconsider the words of Elisha. If he had been asked to do some great thing he would not have hesitated, so why then did he object to doing such a simple thing as washing in Jordan seven times? Naaman fortunately was prepared to accept the sound advice of his servants. Not only did this require the acknowledging of the foolishness of his actions before his servants, but also demanded humbling himself before God.

Six times Naaman bathed with no effects, but on the seventh time his body was wonderfully cleansed of the dreaded disease. Moreover, his at­titude had also changed. His pride and arrogance were gone and he returned to Elisha's house saying, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel". On this occasion the prophet was pleased to receive him, just as the Lord Jesus Christ will be pleased to receive all those who come to him with humble and contrite hearts through the waters of baptism.

The parallel between the cleansing of Naaman the leper and baptism (cleansing from sin) of those who seek to follow Christ is remarkable. Just as acceptance of what Elisha said and obedience by washing in Jor­dan were essential for Naaman to lose his leprosy, so today belief and baptism are essential for salvation. Jesus himself said, "Except a man be born of water (baptised) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God", and, "he that believeth (the gospel) and is baptised shall be sav­ed; but he that believeth not shall be condemned" (John 3:5; Mark 16:15-16, see also Acts 2:28, 41, 44; 8:12-16; 10;45-48; 18:8; 19:2, 4, 5; 22:16). Those who count baptism unnecessary resemble the proud, stub­born spirit of Naaman before he humbled himself.

GEHAZI'S GREED AND JUDGMENT. 2 Kings 5:20-27.

When Naaman returned to Elisha's house from the Jordan, he offered Elisha many gifts as a token of his appreciation for being cured. Elisha refused to take them, for he gave God the glory for this great miracle, and he sent Naaman on his way rejoicing. However, Gehazi, Elisha's ser­vant, looked on with disapproval at what his master had done, and said to himself, "Behold, my master has spared Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought; but as Yahweh lives, I will run after him and take somewhat of him" (v.20). Gehazi had witnessed the pride and humiliation of Naaman and had seen the reaction of his master to the Syrian general, and it all seemed so meaningless to him. He lacked perception of the principles upon which God acted — God's grace cannot be purchased with man's money (Isaiah 55:1-3). Gehazi was a type of Israel who with the power of God in their midst, did not recognise the principles contained in the Law. And so he ran after the chariot, and when the company had stopped he told Naaman that his master had sent him to ask for a talent of silver and two changes of raiment because two of the sons of the prophets had come to him. Although Naaman may have been a little surprised, he gladly gave Gehazi more than he asked for, and commanded two of his servants to carry the goods back to the secret place where Gehazi had arranged to hide them (v.24 margin).

However, Elisha exposed Gehazi's deceitful action when he returned and told him that the dreaded disease Naaman had been cured of would be transferred to him. As servant to the great prophet of God and having witnessed the power of God on so many occasions through Elisha's hand, we may think it impossible that Gehazi could have done such a thing. But apparently the riches of this present world meant more to him than anything else. He had greedily sought a reward, and although he gained a rich prize from a worldly point of view, it brought no lasting joy or hap­piness, but rather sorrow, pain and rejection.

LESSON FOR US:

We are all mortal, and like the leper, "diseased" and dying. We too must seek the God of Israel to be cleansed just as Naaman did. Before Naaman could be healed he had to humble himself in the sight of God and obey his commands; so must we. Faithless king Jehoram only believ­ed and recognised God when it suited him. We must take heed and act at all times as though God were at our side; not ignoring Him. We must be content with those things we have and not put aside the things of God to seek after this world's goods as Gehazi did.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) — Vol. 5, No. 5.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Explain how leprosy is used by God to represent sin.

2. Describe what Naaman had to do to be healed. Describe his necessary actions and attitude.

3. What is the parallel between the cleansing of Naaman and Baptism ?

4. Describe Gehazi's greed and its consequences.

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the healing of Naaman and show how Naaman found that humility and obedience to God were essential for his cleansing.

2. Describe Gehazi's greed and God's judgment and briefly show what we can learn from it.