NAAMAN
- 2 Kings 5:1-14
Let's see what we can learn from the case of Naaman.
- Consider that a great man was humbled
- 2 Kings 5:1
He was "a great man", "also a mighty man of valor, but a leper".
- Numbers 5:1-2
As a Syrian, he was not subject to the law of Moses, so he probably was not quarantined, but his leprosy was certainly a social disgrace, not to mention a life threatening illness.
- Ecclesiastes 9:11
Chance befell him.
- Notice how a captive regarded her master
- 2 Kings 5:2-3
Imagine being stolen away from your homeland - at a young age, mind you - and not feeling resentment toward your captor. Imagine actually seeking out his best interest.
- Romans 12:17-21
Vengeance is the prerogative of God alone.
- 1 Timothy 6:1
Naaman had no reason to blaspheme God after meeting this Israelite.
- Colossians 3:22-4:1
This girl wasn't insincere. If she was, she could have done her master's will without ever volunteering the information necessary for his cure.
- Observe what faith and wisdom a young girl had
- 2 Kings 5:2-3
The word translated "girl" means a female from infancy to adolescence, and "young" is a diminutive, so this was no teenager, just a child, yet she was not afraid to defy the gods of Syria or inform such heathens of God's power.
- Matthew 21:14-16
Children are simple. Their thought processes are neither complicated nor corrupted. They know the truth when they see it and don't hesitate to say so.
- Ecclesiastes 4:13
One advantage of youth is that they're not past learning.
- Jeremiah 1:6-7
Youth must never be used as an excuse to stop one from speaking the truth.
- Understand that one cannot be cleansed by going to the wrong source
- 2 Kings 5:5-7
The little girl advised that her master should go to the prophet, but somewhere along the chain of communication he was sent to the king instead, who knew - rightly - that he could do nothing himself to heal Naaman.
- Acts 4:12
Many go to the wrong source for cleansing from sin - the Pope, Joseph Smith, Buddha, Mohammed, etc. - but only Christ can save.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
Christ is our only Mediator with the one and only God.
- Realize that leaders can be mistaken
- 2 Kings 5:7
The king of Syria was mistaken in sending Naaman to the king of Israel, and the king of Israel was mistaken in not knowing what to do next, and assuming a quarrel was sought. He had every reason to know Elisha could heal the man, but he despaired faithlessly.
- Acts 4:19-20; 5:29
The Jewish leaders erred in reproving the apostles.
- 1 Timothy 5:19-20
Elders in the church might sin.
- Galatians 2:11
The apostle Peter was withstood for his error.
- Recognize that actions prove identity
- 2 Kings 5:8
By going to Elisha and being healed, Naaman and would know there was a prophet in Israel. Do others know there is a Christian in Las Vegas based upon your actions?
- Matthew 7:15-20
"By their fruits you shall know them".
- James 2:18
Faith is evident only in action.
- Consider the error of presumption
- 2 Kings 5:9-11
Naaman thought he knew better than the healer how to be healed. He was wrong.
- Proverbs 12:15; 16:25
He was right in his own eyes, but that made him a fool.
- Isaiah 55:8-9
God's ways and thoughts are superior to our own.
- Notice that substitions are unacceptable
- 2 Kings 5:12
Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan, but Naaman preferred the rivers of Damascus.
- John 1:45-46
Similarly, Philip proclaimed the Christ from Nazareth, but Nathanael thought he knew better.
- Deuteronomy 12:32
Neither adding nor subtracting from God's word is acceptable, but Naaman tried both: taking away the Jordan and adding the Pharpar.
- Galatians 1:6-9
We should likewise be satisfied with the gospel without alteration.
- Observe the impotence of rage
- 2 Kings 5:12
Naaman's anger did not change the command one iota. When he stormed away, he was still infected!
- Proverbs 14:29
Naaman proved his folly by his impulsiveness.
- Proverbs 16:32
He had likely conquered many cities, but he was not slow to anger.
- James 1:19-20
His quick anger did not achieve righteousness.
- Proverbs 15:1
His servants deterred his wrath by a soft answer.
- Recognize the folly of turning away
- 2 Kings 5:12
"He turned and went away in a rage".
- John 6:60-68
Turning away from what is right leaves no acceptable alternative.
- Understand the reasonableness of God's commands
- 2 Kings 5:13
Had Elisha told Naaman the cost of his cure was the heads of a hundred Philistine giants, would he have balked? Probably not. It's the simple commands we find so difficult, isn't it?
- Isaiah 1:18
The salvation offered by God is so reasonable.
- See the results of obedience
- 2 Kings 5:14
When he finally did as he was told, Naaman was healed.
- 1 John 2:3-4; 5:2
Keeping commandments is what it's all about.
- Conclusion
- Psalm 119:89
God's commands stand long after man's opinions give way.
- Invitation
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