The most significant issue in the account of Naaman’s healing was when the Syrian general stated his new understanding of God.
Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant” (2 Kings 5:15).
Naaman had worshiped a pagan god in ignorance. He wasn’t convinced of the one and only God’s existence through persuasive arguments. He experienced God for himself and spoke of what he experienced.
Likewise, he easily could have joined the sentiment of the blind man who was healed by Jesus’ power and said: “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
When Jesus sent His disciples out to minister, he said, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
The same principle applied to Elisha. God’s healing power wasn’t his personal possession. He was God’s agent, and it was God who healed the general. When Naaman offered gifts to the prophet, he politely refused.
But he said, “As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!” He urged him to accept, but he refused (2 Kings 5:16).
Elisha represented the class of prophets who stood outside the system. He remained independent by refusing to be paid for his services.
Prophets like Elijah and Elisha are contrasted by court prophets who derive their power from connection to the king. This second class of prophets may be well funded and have access to power, but they can’t be trusted. Their words must always conform to the proclivities of the kings.
Not only did God demonstrate His reality to Naaman, but Elijah’s refusal to be purchased for his services added to the mix. The general asked the prophet for something in return. He requested two mule loads of earth.
Naaman wasn’t planning on starting a garden. When he returned to Syria, he wanted to kneel on earth that directed his attention to Israel’s God – the One and Only God. Taking the dirt, he began his journey to Syria.
Gehazi’s Greed
Gehazi was Elisha’s servant. He had seen God work miracles, such as raising a young man from Shunam from the dead.
Paul wrote many insightful statements about humanity. One of his best is about money: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (2 Timothy 6:10).
At the moment, Gehazi’s lust for possessions overcame all he had experienced as a servant to the prophet. He chased down Naaman, lied to him, and garnered a large payday for himself.
In the encounter between servant and general, we discover something about the change that an encounter with God’s love makes in a human being. Previously, Naaman was unwilling to step down from his chariot to ask Elisha for healing.
After experiencing God, he humbly “jumped down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is everything all right?” (2 Kings 5:21).
At this point, Gehazi told Naaman his lie and receive a bounty of gifts from the grateful general. One man was clean and humble, but the other was dirty of heart and deceptive. One represented an encounter with the Lord and the other pictured a case when the love of money revealed a flawed character.
Caught
Gehazi should have known that Elisha would know about his deception. God revealed many things to the prophet. Why shouldn’t he reveal the servant’s dishonest practices?
That was in fact what happened. Elisha confronted Gehazi over his sin and pronounced God’s judgment on him.
Therefore the skin disease of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he left his presence diseased, as white as snow (2 Kings 5:27)
Reflections
There is so much we can learn from this episode from the life of Elisha. Here are some thoughts that come to me. I’m sure you can add your personal observations, too.
(1) An Encounter Will Save: The most important event in a person’s life is the day when they encounter God. We may know about God, but a meeting with God opens the door for us to know God. It is imperative to strive for an experiential knowledge of God.
(2) Power and Privilege: Gehazi and the court prophets of the king represent a class of religious persons who are blinded by earthly power and possessions.
Elisha pictures the person who is able to look at another kind of power and privilege. The see the greatest privilege of all as being able to serve the One and Only God, Himself. They derive their power from this relationship.
They are free to speak truth to power, because they are connected to the true source of power, God.
(3) The Source of Humility: It is very hard to be anything but humble when you have had a face-to-face meeting with God.
You may be like me and have had a personal encounter with God. What I find is that encounter need to be renewed on a daily basis, lest pride creep back into my life.
An encounter with God during my daily prayer time reminds me of who God is and what I’m not. I’m only successful as God’s servant. Jesus is right, without Him I can do nothing (John 15:5).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 