NAAMAN

• 2 Kings 5:1-14
  Let's see what we can learn from the case of Naaman.

1. Consider that a great man was humbled
   1. 2 Kings 5:1
      He was "a great man", "also a mighty man of valor, but a leper".
   2. 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.
   3. Ecclesiastes 9:11
      Chance befell him.
2. Notice how a captive regarded her master
   1. 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.
   2. Romans 12:17-21
      Vengeance is the prerogative of God alone.
   3. 1 Timothy 6:1
      Naaman had no reason to blaspheme God after meeting this Israelite.
   4. 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.
3. Observe what faith and wisdom a young girl had
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. Ecclesiastes 4:13
      One advantage of youth is that they're not past learning.
   4. Jeremiah 1:6-7
      Youth must never be used as an excuse to stop one from speaking the truth.
4. Understand that one cannot be cleansed by going to the wrong source
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 1 Timothy 2:5
      Christ is our only Mediator with the one and only God.
5. Realize that leaders can be mistaken
   1. 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.
   2. Acts 4:19-20; 5:29
      The Jewish leaders erred in reproving the apostles.
   3. 1 Timothy 5:19-20
      Elders in the church might sin.
   4. Galatians 2:11
      The apostle Peter was withstood for his error.
6. Recognize that actions prove identity
   1. 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?
   2. Matthew 7:15-20
      "By their fruits you shall know them".
   3. James 2:18
      Faith is evident only in action.
7. Consider the error of presumption
   1. 2 Kings 5:9-11
      Naaman thought he knew better than the healer how to be healed. He was wrong.
   2. Proverbs 12:15; 16:25
      He was right in his own eyes, but that made him a fool.
   3. Isaiah 55:8-9
      God's ways and thoughts are superior to our own.
8. Notice that substitions are unacceptable
   1. 2 Kings 5:12
      Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan, but Naaman preferred the rivers of Damascus.
   2. John 1:45-46
      Similarly, Philip proclaimed the Christ from Nazareth, but Nathanael thought he knew better.
   3. 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.
   4. Galatians 1:6-9
      We should likewise be satisfied with the gospel without alteration.
9. Observe the impotence of rage
   1. 2 Kings 5:12
      Naaman's anger did not change the command one iota. When he stormed away, he was still infected!
   2. Proverbs 14:29
      Naaman proved his folly by his impulsiveness.
   3. Proverbs 16:32
      He had likely conquered many cities, but he was not slow to anger.
   4. James 1:19-20
      His quick anger did not achieve righteousness.
   5. Proverbs 15:1
      His servants deterred his wrath by a soft answer.
10. Recognize the folly of turning away
    1. 2 Kings 5:12
       "He turned and went away in a rage".
    2. John 6:60-68
       Turning away from what is right leaves no acceptable alternative.
11. Understand the reasonableness of God's commands
    1. 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?
    2. Isaiah 1:18
       The salvation offered by God is so reasonable.
12. See the results of obedience
    1. 2 Kings 5:14
       When he finally did as he was told, Naaman was healed.
    2. 1 John 2:3-4; 5:2
       Keeping commandments is what it's all about.

• Conclusion
  1. Psalm 119:89
     God's commands stand long after man's opinions give way.
  2. Invitation