Beech Tree News Network

II Kings 5:1-14 records the healing of Naaman of Syria. In this text, we learn that Naaman was an honorable man. In verses 2-4, we learn that even his slave girl was concerned about his leprosy. She wanted this honorable man healed. The young girl understood how powerful God is and stated that if Naaman was in Samaria, he could be healed. She was not afraid of speaking of the power of Jehovah to these heathen people.

 The slave girl’s words were told to Naaman (II Kings 5:4), and he was sent to the King of Israel to be healed (v.6). Look at the King’s response: “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me” (v.7). Oh, that men today would be as honest as this King! Naaman went to the wrong one for healing. The King did not try to fool Naaman and pass himself off as a “healer.” He was upset that someone thought he could heal. Thus, when Naaman went to the King, it did not heal him.

 Once Elisha heard of Naaman, he sent a message to the King of Israel and said, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (II Kings 5:8). How was Naaman going to know there was a prophet in Israel? He would know by Elisha healing him! We need to remember that we are known by our actions, good or bad!

 Elisha told Naaman to go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and he would be clean (II Kings 5:9-10). After hearing this, Naaman was very angry (v. 11-12). Yet, God’s command, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times” (v.10), did not change when Naaman got angry. He left Elisha’s house, still infected with leprosy.

 In his anger, Naaman said, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper” (II Kings 5:11). Naaman made a terrible mistake by assuming things. Regardless of what we think about God’s commands, we must obey them (Isa. 55:8-9). Remember, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).

 Naaman also tried to make a substitution for God’s command. “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (II Kings 5:12). Naaman could find substitutions for God’s word, but what does that matter? When he was mad, when he voiced his assumptions, and when he tried to make substitutions, God’s command was still, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times.”

 After Naaman’s servants convinced him to obey (II Kings 5:13), “He went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (v.14). Only when Naaman submitted to God was he cleansed. It is no different today. Only when we submit to God’s commands can we have salvation.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167