Thoughts on Second Kings Chapter 5 – Part 2

In the previous article we considered the revelation of the little maid for the cleansing of Naaman, her master.

Verse 5 of the chapter informs us of the king’s actions for his well-respected soldier/servant. The little maid had not mentioned the king or any price that needed to be paid for Naaman’s cure, but this is the message that was delivered to the king of Israel. Was this the king of Syria seeking a quarrel which could have possibly brought the nations into conflict? Here we have the wrong place, the wrong person, and the wrong price. God’s message is without money and without price.

However, Elisha heard of the king’s reaction and urged him to send Naaman and his entourage to him and to know ‘there is a prophet in Israel’, v. 8.

Naaman arrives at the prophet’s house and fully expects a personal audience. Clearly, Naaman had a problem not only with his leprosy but also his pride. Ross gives four helpful points regarding Naaman:¹

• ‘The plague that haunted him -“he was a leper”, v. 1.
• The pride that hindered him - “he … went away in a rage”, vv. 11 and 12.
• The plea that helped him - “his servants came near”, v. 13.
• The power that healed him - “now I know”, v. 15’.

The cure was not what Naaman thought or expected. This reminds us of the man in John chapter 9. The Lord says only seven words to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’, v. 7. He obeyed and came back seeing. Elisha’s message was similarly simple, straightforward, and sufficient. The message of the gospel is just the same. Sadly, men still have ideas of getting cleansing from sin by their own methods but to no avail. We note verse 10 of our chapter:

• Where to go - Jordan.
• What to do - dip seven times.
• What would happen - ‘thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean’.

Elisha never touched or saw the leper. The words of the preacher may be eloquent, but the hearer needs to act by the leading of the Spirit and be cleansed from sin.

Naaman had servants who pleaded with him to do what the prophet said. Think of the battles in his professional life in which he had been victorious. But here was his own personal battle, and his tactics did not match that of the instructions given. It certainly was wise counsel, to urge. The servants also came near and reminded Naaman it was a simple act - ‘Wash, and be clean’, v. 13. So, he acted accordingly. The man who had frequently given orders received an order. What was the result? He was cleansed.

• He had a new skin, v. 14 - outward.
• He had a new heart, v. 15 - inward.
• He had new paths, v. 19 - onward.
• He had new worship, v. 18 -upward.

It reminds us that the gospel is for the whole man, ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature’, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

God had given deliverance to Syria but also to the man Naaman. What a difference it made to him. Note, ‘I thought’, v. 11, becomes ‘I know’, v. 15. His cleansing was followed by a clear confession, cp. John 9. 25, ‘one thing I know’. There was also a change in his conduct, v. 18 - the living God was to be worshipped and He alone. Thus, Naaman left in peace, something he had not known since his leprosy was discovered.

It is sad to think that the story does not end there. We note the attitude and actions of Gehazi. He was Elisha’s messenger of what was required for Naaman to be cleansed, v. 10, but now seeks to seize the opportunity to pursue Naaman for the bounty his master had refused, v. 20.

As Elisha knew what action was needed by Naaman for cleansing, he was aware of the covetousness of his servant. Gehazi’s sin is revealed; he coveted and concealed, but the man of God rebuked his sin. Naaman went away from the presence of Elisha cleansed whilst Gehazi went away from his master’s presence with leprosy cleaving to him. A man so close to the prophet of God, He had seen much evidence of God’s power at work through Elisha. He had witnessed his master’s refusal of the gold and gifts, but they had captured his mind. To his condemnation he lied and became a leper. The sin of covetousness is seen; hidden for a while, but not to the man of God.

Following Naaman’s cleansing, he had a desire to worship the living and true God, and we are reminded of Paul’s words regarding the Thessalonians, ‘ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God’, 1 Thess. 1. 9. We may not be much in the eyes of the world, but the Lord can use even a little service for Him to bring others to cleansing from sin.

‘O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share’.²