We read in 2 Kings 5:14, “So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child.” (GNB)
Naaman the commander of the Syrian army came to the home of the Prophet Elisha, seeking to be healed of his leprosy, which troubled him a great deal. The prophet sent his servant out to meet Elisha with the instruction that he go to the river Jordan, and wash himself seven times. When Naaman obeyed the words of the prophet of God, he was healed of his leprosy, and his flesh restored to become healthy like that of a child. Naaman must have tried many things earlier to be rid of his leprosy, but it was only when he decided to obey the word of the prophet of God, did he receive his miraculous healing.
There are many who though they are doing well in many areas of their lives are still struggling in one area. Think about Naaman who had position, wealth and a good family, but his leprosy was a hindrance to him leading a joyful life. If there are those who have this one area in your life that you are constantly struggling with, wondering how you can overcome it, let me remind you that the miracle and deliverance will be yours, only when you choose to obey the word of God. The questions we need to ask is, ‘What are the areas we need to obey God?’ and ‘What are the things that we need to set right with God?’
The bible is filled with incidents of those who received their miracles when they chose to obey God. In the marriage at Cana in Galilee, when there was a lack of wine, Jesus asked the servants to fill the stone pots that were used to wash feet with water, and they received the astounding miracle of water turning to wine. Peter was a seasoned fisherman from his younger days, and on that particular day after toiling the whole night he caught no fish. However, when Peter obeyed Jesus, and cast his net into the deep, not only was his boat filled, his partner’s too has the joy of seeing their boat filled too. We read about Lazarus who was a friend of Jesus who had died and was laid in the tomb for four days. When Jesus asked the men to remove the stone, and they did so, Lazarus rose from the dead, and came out alive and well.
Instead of being bogged down with the problems that are constantly challenging us, we should stop and ask God to show us those areas of our lives where we need to walk in obedience to Him. We can be sure that when we set things in order, the hindrances will be removed and God’s blessings will flow unhindered in our lives.
• Naaman’s grateful offer
Once Naaman received the healing he headed straight back to the Prophet’s house, and these were his words as recorded in 2 Kings 5:15, He returned to Elisha with all his men and said, "Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel; so please, sir, accept a gift from me." (GNB)
The healing that Naaman received brought to him a divine revelation that there was no god in all the earth, but the God of Israel. The first step to this understanding commenced when Naaman stood in front of the house of the Prophet Elisha, and expected him to come out to grant him a miraculous healing. Instead, Gehazi the servant of Elisha came out, and gave the instruction to Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. Nonetheless, Naaman decided to obey, and therefore received the healing that he desired.
If Elisha had come out, and performed a miracle of healing Naaman, I am certain that Naaman would have given credit to Elisha, and would have declared that there was no prophet in all the earth like the prophet Elisha, instead of giving glory to God. Naaman had probably tried all sorts of medical treatment in his own country, and may have gone to many of his gods hoping that they could cure him of his disease. However, when he received the healing by obeying the prophet Elisha, Naaman fully comprehended that the God of Israel was the one true God.
Often times we give far greater importance the servants of God, rather than to God Himself. People go to a servant of God for prayer, and when they receive an answer, they tend to make a big deal of the minster of God, forgetting that it was God who wrought the miracle. Every minister of God must be reminded that we are just channels, and should never take the credit for anything that God accomplishes through us. It is a sad plight that many ministers of God have made themselves so prominent that people look only to them instead of looking unto God. Many of these men and women of God have fan clubs that are ardently following after them similar to that of sport stars and film stars.
Jesus too had many followers and fans who went after Him, but remember He only had twelve disciples. The fans only sought Jesus for the miracles and food, after which they left Him and went back to their homes. It was only the disciples of Jesus who stayed with Jesus, listened to all that He taught, and went into all the world to preach the gospel. Even today we only need disciples of Jesus, and not just a fan following. This was also the commission that Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, that they should go into all the world and make disciples of all nations and teach them about the Kingdom of God. Wistfully because people have given the glory that is due to God to mere men, it has led to the downfall of many ministers of God, and the people have also been led astray.
Have you noticed when you are travelling there are many sign boards to guide us to our destination. Just imagine if a person wanting to reach a certain place, got off and held on to one of the sign boards, because it looked good, and stood there appreciating it, you can be sure that he would never reach his desired destination. So also may we never give be allured by mere men who are just guides, but rather give our reverence that is due to God alone, who alone can take us to our eternal destination.
Naaman was so filled with gratitude to God and to Elisha that he desired to give a generous gift to the prophet of God. In case you are wondering what Naaman brought with him to offer to the prophet of God, we read in 2 Kings 5:5, "Well then, go," said the king of Aram. "And I'll send a letter of introduction to the king of Israel." So he went off, taking with him about 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes. (MSG)
If we were to give a rough assessment of its value in today’s currency would be about seventy five hundred thousand rupees. (75 Lakhs rupees)
• Elisha’s firm refusal
As Naaman begged Elisha to take a gift for the miracle that he received, this was the response of the prophet as recorded in 2 Kings 5:16, “Elisha answered, "By the living LORD, whom I serve, I swear that I will not accept a gift." Naaman insisted that he accept it, but he would not.” (GNB)
The prophet Elisha refused the gift that Naaman offered to him. As a man of God Elisha did not want to accept anything that would go against God’s approval or against His will. The prophet of God did not need to depend on man for his sustenance. Though Naaman urged Elisha to accept the gifts, Elisha would not be persuaded to do so.
We as children of God should not judge others, but it is important that we do not fall prey to some people’s claims. Remember that a true servant of God will not do or accept anything that does not have God’s assent on it. There is a word of caution I want share about the use of money. Nowadays, bribes have become acceptable practice, and there are those who believe that it is not wrong to give a bribe or even to take a bribe. However, if you sincerely desire God’s blessing on your life, you should refrain from taking bribes or giving bribes. Another practice that is prevalent is that some who are healthy, produce forged prescriptions, so that they can claim medical insurance from it. Let us avoid these practices so that the true blessings of God will remain on our finances, and learn to handle money the way God wants us to. When we do so, our needs will be met, and we will not be dependent on anyone.
• Gehazi coveted what Elisha refused
As Naaman proceeded to go back home we read that 2 Kings 5:20, “when Elisha's servant Gehazi said to himself, "My master has let Naaman get away without paying a thing! He should have accepted what that Syrian offered him. By the living LORD I will run after him and get something from him."” (GNB)
When Elisha was magnanimous to refuse the gift that was offered, his servant Gehazi was unable to digest this decision that his master took. It was not like they often had a wealthy man coming to their door step, and here was Naaman who had also received the healing who was offering an attractive gift. Gehazi was thinking that since his master refused that it was up to him to get some of the gift that was offered to Elisha.
If you want to live a life of integrity, be sure that not everyone will applaud you. Many will refer to you as a naïve person who does not know how to get along in this world. Do not be bothered about people’s opinions, but rather seek only the approval of the Lord at all times. Remember that if we are alive it is only the grace of God. We can do all we want to keep ourselves protected but let us always remember that it is the Lord who keeps us safe. No wonder we read in Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (ESV) We may take all necessary precautions but let us be certain that protection and good health are from the Lord alone.
• Gehazi ran after gain
We read in 2 Kings 5:21, “And Gehazi took off after Naaman. Naaman saw him running after him and jumped down from his chariot to greet him, "Is something wrong?"” (MSG)
Instead of running after God, we find that Gehazi was running after a man seeking his favors. When Naaman saw Gehazi, he jumped off his chariot to enquire if all was good with Gehazi. Here was a commander of the Syrian army, a man of prominence, who was humbling himself before the servant of the prophet.
Elisha was the servant to the prophet Elijah, and the heart of Elisha was one with that of Elijah when he was with him. Elijah’s heart was so in tune with God, and so also Elisha’s heart was set on God. Therefore, no material thing or human friendship could deter the commitment that Elisha had for God. An interesting note about Elisha was that when God called him to be a prophet, he sacrificed his oxen to the Lord, and destroyed all the equipment used for ploughing, and followed whole-heartedly after Elijah. Elisha was so fully committed to the Lord, that he was willing to give up everything knowing that the God whom he served was more than able to take care of him.
Just as Elisha was the servant of Elijah, so also Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha. It is therefore strange that Gehazi ran after Naaman, and coveted for the gifts that he offered to Elisha, which the prophet refused to accept. Gehazi’s fault was that he left God, and ran after a mere man. Gehazi got his priorities all mixed up wherein he should have had God first, the prophet next, and only then all other worldly things.
• Seek God first
Jesus was so forthright when He said in Matthew 6:33, “Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.” (GNB)
Jesus admonished that if one were to seek God first, and give Him the top priority, then all other things will be added to us as well. It is good for us to check if we give God the highest place in our lives. We strive and work hard for worldly things six days a week. It is therefore important that we at least set aside one day in the week solely for God. A day when we can spend time with God, in fellowship, with His word and in prayer. Honor God this way, and as is my experience, you will find the blessings of God in all that you do.
• The sins Gehazi committed
When Gehazi met Naaman these were his words to him. We read in 2 Kings 5:22, “"No," Gehazi answered."But my master sent me to tell you that just now two members of the group of prophets in the hill country of Ephraim arrived, and he would like you to give them three thousand pieces of silver and two changes of fine clothes."” (GNB)
When Gehazi’s eyes turned away from the Lord, and began to look for ways to satisfy his selfish desires, he committed sins one after the other. Firstly, he lied that there were two members from the group of prophets had come from Ephraim. He added to this by saying that Elisha sent him to collect the gifts to give to those men who had come to visit him. Gehazi was adding lie upon lie, and to make it sound more authentic, he even involved those from the group of the prophets.
Sadly, there are many who are false prophets who in order to attest the lies they speak, use the name of God so that people will believe them. Those who are gullible have accepted these lies wholesale, without even using their mind to reason out if they are reliable or not.
• Naaman honored Gehazi
This was Naaman’s response to Gehazi in 2 Kings 5:23, “"Please take six thousand pieces of silver," Naaman replied. He insisted on it, tied up the silver in two bags, gave them and two changes of fine clothes to two of his servants, and sent them on ahead of Gehazi.” (GNB)
Naaman trusted Gehazi completely, and immediately gave him six thousand pieces of silver and also two changes of fine clothes. Not only did Naaman give the gifts to Gehazi, he also honored him by sending his servants to carry these gifts to Gehazi’s home. We see that Gehazi acted unworthy of the honor that was bestowed on him, and he also thought that he had subtly achieved what he coveted after.
If you put out your hands to men, seeking their help, without God approving of it, be sure that it will hinder God’s blessings on your finances. Make a decision to seek God for your needs, to honor Him at all times, and more importantly to not let any lie proceed from our lips. If we are not cautious of these things, we will gradually find ourselves walking away from God.
• Gehazi’s pretense
After having left all of the things that he received from Naaman in his own house, Gehazi went to meet the prophet Elisha.
We read in 2 Kings 5:25, “He went back into the house, and Elisha asked him, "Where have you been?" "Oh, nowhere, sir," he answered.” (GNB)
Gehazi had become so used to telling lies that when the prophet enquired about where he had been to, he immediately lied to Elisha that he had gone nowhere. Judas Iscariot also did the same thing, and both of them we see were overtaken with the greed for money.
• The evils of loving money
This is what the word of God says about the love for money as written in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.”(GNB)
There are so many who are obsessed with wanting to become rich over-night. This has caused them to land up in loads of trouble. When a child of God is entangled with this obsession for money, they will primarily begin to backslide, and walk away from the faith gradually. They will also pierce themselves with many sorrows which they bring on themselves.
• One cannot serve two masters
This is the reason why Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "You cannot be a slave of two masters; you will hate one and love the other; you will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (GNB)
Jesus was categorical that one cannot serve God and money. Those who serve God sincerely will not go seeking for money, but the Lord will continuously take care of them, and provide for their needs. On the other hand if money becomes our priority, we will begin to serve money, and we will surely wander away from the faith. It is good for us to analyze our lives to see who we are serving.
• The evil that came upon Gehazi
When Gehazi went to Elisha after having hidden all the gifts that he received from Naaman, this is what happened.
We read in 2 Kings 5:27, “Naaman's skin disease will now infect you and your family, with no relief in sight." Gehazi walked away, his skin flaky and white like snow.” (GNB)
Gehazi used the healing of Naaman from his leprosy to his advantage, and deceitfully acquired the gifts from Naaman. The consequence was that the leprosy that left Naaman had now infected Gehazi, and all of his family. Gehazi thought he gained some good from Naaman, but the fact was that he got the dreaded disease that would be passed on to his descendants forever.
If there is the love of money rooted in our hearts, may we ask God to uproot it from our lives, so that we can stand firm in our faith. Each of us has to make a choice if we want to serve God or to serve money. If we make God our master, He will be faithful to lead us until the very end of our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
