Elisha’s Ministry - Naaman, Almost The Reject - 2 Kings 5:1-19 Series

ELISHA’S MINISTRY - NAAMAN, ALMOST THE REJECT - 2 Kings 5:1-19

SERIES – MESSAGES ON ELISHA – HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY Number 14

When we consider chapter 5, the focus here is on Naaman, not so much on Elisha, but it is Elisha we are studying. Along the way we will also look into the motives of Naaman and his interaction with Elisha. We will consider correct procedure as it was obviously demonstrated by Elisha.

THE HONOUR OF THE PROPHET: Let us look at how the account begins - 2Kings 5 v 1 [[Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. 2Kings 5:2 Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel, and she waited on Naaman’s wife, 2Kings 5:3 and she said to her mistress, “I wish that my master was with the prophet who is in Samaria. Then he would cure him of his leprosy.”]] Right, now, “What can we derive from this?”

1. Verse 1 is an amazing verse. The Aram in the Bible is in the area of Syria today. The top military man of Syria/Aram was naturally, a powerful man who had the army at his disposal. He is called “captain” in the verse but today would probably be known as “general”. There was no threat of a coup that might have happened at that time when army officers overthrew the king and replaced him, because of the expression, “was a great man with his master”. Naaman seemed to have all he wanted - power, honour, respect, and self esteem through military victories as a valiant warrior. That verse is full of the glowing credentials of Naaman. The truth about Aram was that it was often at war with Israel.

2. The initial reading in verse 1 of the part the Lord played, might be strangely worded – “because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram”. The Lord gave victory to Israel's enemies, but I am sure that Elisha knew the reason for this. The enemy will always have the ascendency when those named of God, as His people, are in sin and failure. Israel was in failure for it had forsaken the Lord, and promoted the gods of Baal, and followed the heathen nations. A perfect example of this state of good and evil is provided in Exodus 17 in the battle against Amalek where the arms of Moses had to be held up to God. Do you remember that incident? Aaron and Hur had to hold up Moses hands until sunset, which is the time when the battle was won. It was a hard, disciplined effort on the part of the two men who must have become exhausted with that task, and for Moses who was absolutely worn out. He was an old man. There were two choices – up for victory and down for failure. It is no different in our day. When we follow and obey God we see His victory but when our walk is impure or selfish or self-centered, then the enemy gains the victory. Could it be said, that the enemy’s victories feed on the Christian’s defeat.

3. Most preachers emphasise the final word of verse 1 – “leper” and proceed to a gospel application, and that is correct. After all the glowing descriptions, we read the word “but” as if the balance of this man’s life had been tipped on the scales by a single word. As a leper, Naaman was not rejected by Aram but he would have borne the increasing stigma of the leprosy until he finally had to be rejected from public associations, when the leprosy made him a social outcast. It is a desperate man who seeks a solution to his dilemma, and with some people that is the only time they might consider the Lord God. He is a very present help in trouble for those who know him, but for those who don’t, and call upon Him in humility, then God will hear a repentant soul. Rather than give all the focus to “leper” we have to consider obedience, humility, and commitment in trust, for that is what the story of Naaman is all about.

4. God did supply a solution for Naaman in the form of a slave. I think God’s timing is just wonderful. The provision of God is wonderful. God allowed a little girl captured from a raid in Israel, and now a servant of Naaman’s wife, to be the instrument of hope for the leper. Blessed be God’s instruments. Blessed be those who speak up for God. Blessed be God who goes before in every situation. Naaman could ever be thankful for a small girl whose faith led to his healing. The instrumentality of faith in another’s healing and conversion, is one of the workings of God in people’s lives. This girl spoke out and her message passed from the wife to the husband and to the king. What a treasured witness this small girl was. We speak of a childlike faith, but this girl had believing faith, if that is not a repetition. She knew of Elisha, of his fame and of his walk with God.