2 Kings 5:1-15 ~ a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper

Elisha refuses Naaman's gift, painted by Pieter Fransz. de Grebber - Elisha knew not trade God's works for financial reward.


2 Kings 5:1-15

Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version

1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper [Leviticus 13 describes the skin diseases] 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”

So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels [A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms; a shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams] of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”

8 But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana [Amana] and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.


15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.”

Joram's last few years as King of Israel were filled with illnesses, war, siege, famine. Joram has forgotten he serves the Living God.

How mighty was Naaman? Jesus knows Naaman.

Luke 4:27
"And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

How did the people of Capernaum react to Jesus when reminded of God's favor outside of Israel? Remember Jesus had chosen Capernaum as his adult hometown....

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

What did Jesus and Elisha see - that Jesus' generation, King Joram, Elisha's generation and Israel today are missing? A lesson we can learn today because the Scriptures are living and active?

A neighbor of mine vacationed and visited the Middle East. She visited Egypt, Jordan and Israel. She said much of the Arabic countries look very poor. Dust in the streets, poverty. When you see Israel - it is a white, glowing jewel. There is no doubt you are seeing Israel. Beautiful buildings, green grass, trees. You readily see God's blessings on His chosen people. Israel holds more patents today per person than any other nation on earth. Israel owns more books per person, more computers. The cell phone was an Israeli invention.

Where are we going with this:

The wedding band is a symbol of a circle of unending love. Like a wheel. We love God because He Loved us first. Jesus calls the Church His Bride. What God is asking of us is this.... when we receive a blessing, we are to give back. Just like a wheel.... we receive a blessing... the wheel turns.... we give a blessing.... when God reaches into our heart, we receive a Word from Him.... we act upon that Word.... Love in motion.

Yes, we can point to acts of heroism and valor Israel points to for philanthropy. What did we learn from the Word, not just for Israel, for our own lives?

Matthew 6:3-4
When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Who is to receive your good deeds?
Luke 10:25-37 The people you see in need. Your neighbors. Not just going on a trip to another country. Your community, your neighborhood. The people you do not rush to love.

Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Matthew 5:41
And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

.. a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife the girl who wanted to help God's love be the wheel in motion, who walked the two miles when only one mile was required.

Be the Word of God in motion.

Father God, help us to see clearly beyond our own cares to the needs of others. With Your Grace open our eyes and ears, that we are not merely listeners to the Word, help us not to deceive ourselves, but to be Doers of the Word. Doing what You say.

Jesus says come to Him, hear His words, and put them into practice. Luke 6:47. Father, those who hear Your words are not righteous in Your sight, but it is those who obey You who will be declared righteous.

Jesus' brother said: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?"

Father God, in Jesus' sacrifice, You accept us into Your family. Give us the opportunity to give. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.