Naaman – An OT Story Of God’s Grace and Mercy to Those Who Obey Him
2 Kings 5:1-19
Main Characters:
Naaman - Israelite slave girl - Naaman’s wife - king of Aram (Syria) - king of Israel (Jehoram) - Elisha - Yahweh
INTRODUCTION
. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 we are told that the events in the OT [especially of Israel] were examples for NT Christians – 1 Cor. 10:11 reads: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
. This passage concerning Naaman from 2 Kings 5 is one of those events that we can learn much from.
. Naaman – is an OT example of how God’s Grace and Mercy is given to those who submit to His Word and obey Him.
v.1 Naaman introduced
Highly important and successful individual:
1. Captain of the army of Aram (Syria)
2. Was a great man with his master
3. Was a highly respected man
a. Because Yahweh had given him victory to Aram
4. Was a valiant warrior
5. But … he was a leper (leprosy was a picture of sin)
NOTE: No matter how successful or important one becomes – they still have an incurable problem: sin.
Mark 10:17-22 - [The rich young ruler]
As He [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments …” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” [The Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him (NKJ)], “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
Romans 3:23
[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
v.2-5 Israelite slave girl introduced
Insignificant – no name mentioned contrast to the great captain of Aram (Naaman)
1. taken captive
2. made a slave to Naaman’s wife
3. witnessed concerning the faithfulness of God
NOTE: There are no insignificant moments in the life of one of God’s children – God is sovereign over all things; none can stay His hand.
Genesis 50:19-20
… Joseph said to them [his brothers], “Do not be afraid … you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result …”
Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; [God] does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?” [NKJ]
Acts 17:26
… He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.
v.6-7 King of Israel introduced
King over a rebellious people – Israel (Jehoram)
NOTE: The king was the wrong man.
Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
v.8-10 Elisha the prophet – spoke “The Word of God”
NOTE: The prophet was the right man with the right cure.
In fact – this disease was something only God could cure. This is the same way with sin. No man can cure himself, only by God’s grace are sinners saved.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
John 14:6
Jesus said … I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. [KJV]
v.11-16 Naaman’ reactions
A. Became furious – (11-12)
NOTE: Usually the first reaction to hearing the good news of God is that it is foolishness. Just as Naaman’s pride would not let him receive God’s instruction – so too today, sinful men/women’s pride refuse to accept the simplicity of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
cf. – Acts 17:32
Now when they [Athenians] heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer …
B. Reason prevailed – (13-14)
NOTE: Again – God used insignificant servants to reason with this great and powerful man.
Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.
C. Humility set in – (15-16)
NOTE: Once Naaman understood that he had let his pride get in his way, he humbled himself and followed God’s command.
1 Samuel 15:22
… Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obey the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice …
v.17-19 The Lord’s (Yahweh) mercy –
NOTE: Naaman was a new convert and probably held onto some old customs – much like we do today. Sometimes it is not easy to give up everything at once – it takes time to conform to the image of Christ. It is a process called sanctification.
1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
NOTE: God is merciful – He knows we are not perfect.
1 John 2:1-2
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
CONCLUSION
Can you relate to this story of Naaman found here today in our text?
. Just like Naaman we too are stricken with a sickness that we cannot be cured of – i.e., “SIN.”
. Just like Naaman we can listen to God’s Word and find out what we need to do to be cured.
. Just as Naaman followed the perfect directions (dip yourself 7 times in the Jordan) and obeyed God - so too are we to obey God’s Word and follow His perfect way – Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:10, 12
[L]et it be known to all of you … that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead … there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
November 12, 2006
