2 Kings 5: 2, 3 “And the Syrians had gone out on raids and had brought back a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress. ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.’”
Dear God,
I wish to give thanks for my life and this new day; and with the birds, greet this new day with happiness, and sing thanks to You; even though the sun does not shine.
It would seem in the Syrian household of Naaman, the Israelite young girl was like a light in this household. She had not harboured hard or dark thoughts toward her captives, and had stayed true to her beliefs, in this pagan country, (Naaman mentions the god Rimmon, 2 Kings 5: 18). She also sounded helpful in her place of residence, and concerned for the welfare of her captor. As “Naaman the commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honourable man in the eyes of his master”….”but a leper.”
Please be my light and strength, so that Your love shines out of me in all situations, whether pleasant or adverse for me.
It would seem that both the Israelite maid and Naaman were honourable people that were believed when they communicated knowledge or a request to their respective masters.
Firstly Naaman believed the maid, to such a degree, in V4 “And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, ‘Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.” As he had hoped, his master did not delay in helping him. V5 “Then the king of Syria said, ‘go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel’………”
The bible account tells me that the king of Israel thought it was a trick by Syria to start a quarrel with his country, for he certainly had no power to heal anyone, and he was not on close terms with the God of Israel anyway. Just as well Elisha heard of the visitor from Syria and the king’s dilemma, and V8……”he sent to the king, saying, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.’”
It must have been off putting for this man of status, who no doubt was accustomed to respect and deference in all interactions. Firstly he was bundled off from the palace, and arrives at the humble dwelling of Elisha, who did not even come out and greet this ‘great and honourable man’, but instead a messenger was sent to him, saying, V10 “…’go and wash in the Jordon seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you and you shall be clean.’” It would seem God that You were testing this prideful man of power, for he needed to put aside his pride, and an in humility go and wash in the dirty Jordan, as instructed. He almost did not, but his men persuaded him, it was worth trying something so easy, V14 “So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
Elisha did not accept any payment. Healing comes from You, is never dependent on our actions or payment, and is always a free gift from God. And this is how easy it is for us to be washed clean of our leprosy of sin no matter what sins they are. All we need to do is seek You out; then with true hearts, humble ourselves, and with belief, ask Jesus for forgiveness for our sins, and accept that they are cleansed. Then we like Naaman need to turn our backs on worshipping any other god, only the true, living God in heaven.
Please keep me true to You, God, so that no one or anything becomes more important above You. Thank You for cleansing my sins.
Amen