2 Kings 5 introduces us to a man [a non-Israelite] who is mentioned only in this chapter and in Luke 4:27. Outside of scripture in his lifetime, he was a wealthy, prominent man. He was a leading officer in the military of King Aram.
The tributes scripture gave Naaman are striking. He was called a "great man" who was "highly respected." Most intriguing is the declaration that it was because of this man that God gave victories to his master, the king.
Naaman was a "valiant warrior." However, Naaman had a significant problem. He was a leper. In those days, having leprosy was like having an impossible medical problem. It was not a painful disease. It killed the nerve endings and skin pigment of the area infected by the leprosy. Instead of being painful, it made it impossible for the infected part of the body to feel. It also infected others through contact. Thus it was a disease that [if you were not an Israelite] you would give to those you loved the most--your family!
As a consequence of one raid conducted under Naaman's command, a small girl from Israel was captured. This captured Israelite girl became a servant who waited on Naaman's wife. Evidently, though a captured slave, she also was impressed with Naaman, her master. Though his troops had captured her and taken her from her home and family, she wanted good for Naaman.
One day she said to Naaman's wife, "I wish my master lived in Israel! If he did, he would have access to the prophet in Samaria. That prophet would cure him of his leprosy." The wife told Naaman, Naaman told the king, and the king said to Naaman, "Go! I will arrange everything!"
Naaman's king wrote a letter to Israel's king. He also prepared an impressive gift to honor the king of Israel--lots of silver, some gold, and ten changes of clothes [does that give you any idea of how expensive a king's clothing was?]. If one king was to make a request of another king, the king receiving the request must be honored!
Instead of being elated because he was given a gift, the king of Israel publicly expressed his grief by tearing his clothes. He said, "Who does that king think I am--God? Does he think the power of life is in my hand? No one can cure leprosy--certainly not me! Mark my word, that king is up to something! He seeks a reason to start a war with me!"
Amazingly, a little slave girl from Israel understood something the king of Israel did not know. She knew Israel's God was alive. She knew the living God expressed His power by doing the impossible through His prophet.
When the prophet Elisha heard the king of Israel publicly declared his grief by tearing his clothes, he sent a message to the King. "Why are you grieved by this request? Send Naaman to me, and he will know God's prophet is in Israel." [That is something the king did not know!]
One day Naaman arrived at Elisha's house in his chariot. He arrived with an impressive gift for the prophet. Having a gift for the prophet was customary--you did not ask something of a prophet without giving the prophet a gift! (See I Samuel 9:7 and 2 Kings 4:42.)
However, Naaman's expectations were shattered. First, the prophet did not even come out to greet Naaman! The prophet sent a messenger with his instructions. Here was a man who often held the power of life and death, a great man, a respected man, a valiant warrior! He was accustomed to pomp and ceremony! And this prophet did not even greet him! This prophet treated him like he was nothing special!
Second, a bad situation became worse! The prophet's instructions were totally unacceptable! Go to the Jordan River and dip seven times? Dip in the insignificant, dirty Jordan River? Were not the rivers back home cleaner? Did the prophet think that all that was necessary to cleanse leprosy was water?
How often we refuse obedience because personal expectations do not materialize! His minimum expectations: (a) The prophet would greet him appropriately as a man of his position deserved; (b) The prophet would personally call on his God; (c) The prophet would wave his hand over the leprous place; and (d) a cure would occur. None of this happened!
Naaman was furious! The fact he had come a great distance by chariot fueled his rage! In extreme anger, Naaman left certain he had been deceived. Coming to see Elisha was a waste of time! Just as expectations fail us, anger blinds us!
It declares much about this man's character that Naaman's servants could approach and speak to him when he was disappointed and angry. It declares even more about his character when his servants even could speak to him about the precise situation making him angry. It is a real tribute to him that he would listen to their reasoning, abandon his anger, and do as he was instructed.
They asked, "If the prophet made a significant request of you, you would do it? What is the harm in doing something insignificant?"
Naaman washed seven times in the Jordan River, and his leprosy was healed.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 6