Naaman was commander of the king of Aram's army. So important was Naaman that his master, the king, leaned on his arm when entering the temple of Rimmon. Yet even with all of Naaman's success and importance, he had some type of skin disease. The "leprosy" must have caused him some degree of distress to the point that a young slave girl from Israel told her mistress about Elisha and how he could cure Naaman.
So one thing leads to another. Naaman, a military man, follows the chain of command. He first requests permission from the king of Aram to go see "the prophet", and a letter is sent to the king of Israel requesting that the king of Israel heal Naaman. (This is totally odd to me since Aram and Israel were at war off and on.) Now to me the kings involved knew exactly who the prophet was. The kings themselves and/or their father's had had dealing with Elijah and Elisha for years. Elijah and Elisha were constant sources of irritation to the kings of Israel and Aram. The king of Israel, definitely knew who Elisha was and where he was but he did not request for Elisha to come. Why??? Because he was Ahab's son and the nut doesn't fall far from the tree. Instead, the king of Israel tore his robes and threw a hissy fit complaining that his enemy was trying to pick a quarrel with him.
Can you imagine Elisha's face when he heard the account of Israel's king tearing his robes and carry on so? If I were Elisha, I would likely have to have a little laugh while I sent my message to the king. Remember Elisha's message to the king of Israel "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will see that there is a prophet in Israel?" I just see the king of Israel turn red in the face and fume when reading the message. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
We have heard the account of Naaman many times. After all, Elisha didn't even come out to talk to him but had his servant tell Naaman what to do which was to dip seven times in that nasty dirty river Jordan. So he headed home the same way as he arrived only he was in a rage on the way home. His servants finally talk some sense to him after they chip gently away at this ego. So Naaman finally followed Elisha's instruction and dipped seven times in the river Jordan and was healed. I agree with those who think that he wasn't healed until after that seventh dip. Naaman returns to thank Elisha and give him gifts. Elisha wants nothing to do with any of the gifts. Naaman vows to only sacrifice to Elisha's God, even to the point requesting as much dirt as two donkeys can carry so he can have a piece of land not defiled by all of Aram's idolatry. This shows Naaman has an idea of understanding of God's requirements of true holy offerings and relationship. Naaman also requests God's forgiveness ahead of time for assisting his master the king into the temple of Rimmon and bowing since his master leans on his arm. Elisha tells him to go in peace.
In 2 Kings 6:32-7:2 we read an account of a second officer on whose arm a king leaned but this time it is the king of Israel. We read how the king of Israel is furious at Elisha because of the famine God sent because of Israel's sin. The king sends a messenger. Elisha tells them that the famine in the city of Samaria will be totally the opposite in about 24 hrs; from famine to feast plus more. The officer on whose arm the king was leaning states" Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" Elisha tells him that he will see it with his own eyes but he will not eat any of it.
2 Kings 7:3-8 tells of the lepers findings the Aramean camp where they had fled and left everything behind. After enjoying themselves and taking what they wanted they decided that maybe they should share the good news to keep themselves out of trouble. So they headed for the palace but only got as far as the city gate and shouted the news to the gatekeepers. After a short investigation proved them right all of Samaria wanted a part of the pie. 2 Kings 7:17-20 tells us that the officer arm the king leaned was in charge of the gate and the prophecy regarding him seeing the abundance but not any of it came true as he was trampled by his own people as they rushed to get their share.
The first account shows God's mercy to an Aramean (basically a non believer and a non Jew). It shows how a young girl made a big difference in a leaders life. It shows that God doesn't care who we think we are or what "appearances" we like to maintain. God deals with Naaman directly in his heart.
The second account shows God's expectation of an Israelite. True, Israel had practiced idolatry for years but that officer was still one of Abraham's offspring. The officer's lack of belief in God's abilities cost him his life. The officer may not have seen God's blessings but he definitely had heard the accounts of the miracles of Elijah and Elisha.
When I read these events I pray that I will rightly discern what God is trying to teach me through His Word and through preaching. That I will rightly discern what He is trying to teach me through events that occur directly and indirectly in my life. I pray that I will have a heart like David.
God bless and Bon appetit
Jackie
When I read the account of Naaman, I'm always reminded of the fact the God's grace is there for anyone to receive, if they only believe in Him. Naaman almost missed out because God didn't do it the way he thought He should. Sometimes we miss out on the blessings of God, simply because we don't see Him operating in way that we think He should. God's ways are higher than our ways. Thank God He doesn't do like we would do. God Bless.
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