THE PRAISE OF GOD FOR THE FAITH OF A HEATHEN BELIEVER (2 KINGS 5:1-14)

Dear Members in Christ,

The praise of God for the faith of a heathen believer (2 Kings 5:1-14)

We have read from the previous article how God’s grace is able to reach even the furthest corners of unbelief. In that case, we have Naaman, the captain of the host of a nation which often raided the nation of Israel. At that time, by divine providence, the household of Naaman was blessed with the presence of a captive slave girl. This girl told her mistress of a hope of cure for her husband’s leprosy, and it is by the grace of God through His servant Elisha, the prophet of Israel. The Syrian king wasted no time, and send Naaman with a letter pleading with the king of Israel to find the cure for Naaman’s disease.

“And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:6

When the king of Israel received the Syrian letter, he was faithless, and flew in a panic. Today, we shall meditate upon how we should maintain our faith in God. Despite the circumstances, we must trust in the true and living God. Sometimes, those who are looked upon as “immature Christians” or even “seekers” and “unbelievers” may surprise us when they turn and put their faith in God. The sincerity of their faith in God may cause some of us to be ashamed of ourselves and our weak faith, despite the many years that we have been a Christian. Therefore, we should take stock of our faith in God.

A.  The faithlessness of the high and mighty king confounded

The king of Israel is unnamed here, but commentators point to Jehoram as the likely candidate. What was his response? Well, his panic and despair was demonstrated by him tearing his clothes. Just like a child who throws a tantrum, the king ripped through his robes to show his anger and frustration. After all, leprosy was in ancient times an incurable disease. 

“And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.” 2 Kings 5:7

The fact of the matter was Jehoram thought that this was a political ploy by the king of Syria to stir up a conflict and to create war with Israel. His reaction was so typical of unbelief. This was why the Lord Jesus cited this example to show that Israel as God’s people had been a poor show as a testimony of faith towards others.

“And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:27

Dearly beloved, let us be watchful as God’s people. In the case of the king of Israel, faithlessness can reside right in the midst of God’s people. We must be watchful against unbelief even within the church. When we gather for prayer, pray with faith that God will hear our prayers and accomplish His will. Let us not falter in our faith in God.

B. The servant of God exhorts faith in God’s power to heal

Why is it that the king of Israel did not know of Elisha? There was no reason for him not to know. Chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Second Kings records the many miracles that Elisha had done. The miraculous defeat of the Moabites by the Israel/Judah alliance would be fresh in his mind. The miracles of the poison pottage made safe for consumption, and miracles of the abundant supply of oil for the prophet’s widow would have been a tale often told. So, in his despair, Elisha stood to be counted,

“And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 2 Kings 5:8

Elisha’s words speaks of the spiritual blindness of the king of Israel. He says to the king, “let him come to me and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” Israel was steeped in idolatry and spiritual blindness. If the king was spiritually ignorant, it must be that there was little or no spiritual vision or faith within the entire nation.

Dearly beloved, firstly, we must ask ourselves, who are the faithless who ignore and neglect the grace of God? In today’s passage, such faith is not to be seen in Israel, not even in their king who supposedly knows the law of God. There may be times when we are guilty of faithlessness, or not trusting fully in the arm of the Lord.

Secondly, let us be grateful for the rich salvation God has shown us. Believers, let us be warned, God does not regard the manner of man or his nationality or birth. Do not ignore the seeker who shows up at our doorstep. This person may well be the one God has brought into our lives so that the salvation grace of God may reach out to him or her. May God be praised. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor