Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” –
2 Kings 5:9-10
Immediately Naaman heard the message from Elisha, he left the king of Israel’s palace and rode to the house of Elisha. Naaman went with a whole state protocol team from Syria. They got to Elisha’s house and could not enter.2 Kings 5:9-10
The story doesn’t tell us why Elisha did not come out to see Naaman. Could it be that Elisha was observing the law regarding lepers? Could it be that this was a prophetic action? Could it be a test of Naaman’s faith? We can’t tell for sure. What we can say for sure is that Naaman was not allowed to enter the home of Elisha nor did Elisha come out to meet him. From the natural point of view, this act was offensive on many levels for Naaman. He was a general from Syria with a letter from his king. The king of Israel had just granted him audience. Above all, he had his subordinates with him who could interpret Elisha’s action as a snob against their boss.
Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman. The message was straight to the point without any flowery language and told Naaman three main things.
The first is where to go.
The prophet Elisha instructed Naaman to go to the Jordan. Naaman might have felt that he was being given the run-around. His king sent him from Syria to the palace of the king of Israel. From the court of the king of Israel, he was directed to Elisha. Now, Elisha was sending him to the Jordan.
The second is what to do.
The prophet told Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times. These were precise actions that Naaman could not vary at will. For a general, used to giving out instructions to others, Naaman would have felt awkward receiving instructions from Elisha.
The third is what will happen.
The prophet promised Naaman a full recovery if he obeyed the instructions given him.
Obedience is an act of faith. When we believe in an instruction and consider it as valid, we obey what it says. Naaman had travelled all the way from Syria to Israel with an expectation to have his leprous skin healed. Though he was eager to be made well, he had to learn that eagerness is not a substitute for faith. God’s grace works through faith; without faith, it is impossible to please God. Elisha knew that Naaman needed faith for the miracle he sought to happen. To activate Naaman’s faith, he gave him a word to act on.
Are you ready to act on the authority of God’s word?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that Your word has the power to change my life. Help me to act on Your word at all times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!Scripture Reading:
2 Kings 5:1-19
CrossoverWithOtabil
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