THE PRAISE FOR THE FAITH OF A GENTILE (2 KINGS 5:1-14)

Dear Members in Christ,

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

What exactly is the faith of a believer? The Bible has a concise answer for us, it is the “substance of things hoped for”.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

In the past articles we dwelt upon how the king of Israel was shown to be faithless. And he went into a flurry of panic when he read the Syrian king’s letter asking him to heal General Naaman of the disease of leprosy. This disease in ancient times is known to be an uncurable disease. It takes great faith for someone in ancient times to believe that a cure is possible. In today’s meditation, we shall consider the faith of the heathen General Naaman. His actions demonstrated that his faith is genuine and the result of his faith is the blessing of healing for his otherwise incurable condition. It is little wonder that in Luke 4:27, the Lord Jesus taught Naaman as an example of faith in rebuke to the people of Israel who did not readily receive the message of the Gospel. 

A.  The initial surprise at the simplicity of Prophet Elisha's counsel

When Naaman came to prophet Elisha, he was disappointed at the reception that he received. Firstly, instead of coming to greet him personally, Elisha sent his servant to speak to Naaman at the door. After all, Naaman was a General of the Syrian army, a man of great status, and therefore deserving of a grand reception. It may be that Naaman, a man of status and great authority could have felt slighted when given a cold shoulder by the prophet. The Bible records that,

“And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” 2 Kings 5:10

Secondly, instead of a spectacular show of healing by the prophet of God, the servant was the one who issued the instruction for Naaman to follow. What an insult to this great man! Perhaps he was wishing that God’s prophet would appear before him and wave his healing hands over his leprosy sores, or perhaps anoint him with some healing potion. Perhaps Naaman was hoping that Elisha would pray out loud for the God of Israel to heal him. Well, none of that happened according to what Naaman had wished, and the Bible records the feelings of Naaman. 

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” 2 Kings 5:11

The Bible tells us that “Naaman was wroth”, he was angry! What a cheek! A leper seeking a cure, yet wanting things “just his way”. That is not how God deals with unclean sinners. I am reminded of the song we sometimes sing “Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.” Dearly beloved, when we come before God, we are pleading for His mercy and grace upon us. We have no right to demand things, “just the way we want it.” We come to God with contrite hearts, begging forgiveness and cleansing for our sins. This is what God requires of a man. Naaman was about to learn something about the workings of God in his heart.

B.  The expression of faith of one who is converted

Naaman was a General in Syria, which was an idol worshipping nation. He would have been mesmerized by the priests of the idol cults and their display of tricks. The similar situation the Prophet Elijah had encountered when he challenged the priests of Baal at Carmel. So perhaps Naaman was wishing of some spectacular display of healing, so he was disappointed. But, God used his servants to convince him to obey Elisha’s instruction. Thus, he changed his mind because, “his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” 2 Kings 5:13.

When he obeyed the prophet’s instruction, he was healed, “and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” His conversion was as instantaneous as his healing.

“And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.” 2 Kings 5:15

He declared that there is no God but in Israel. Naaman knew that the true and living God of Israel had healed him. He promised not to sacrifice to any God but to the God of Israel. He even requested to cart two mules’ load of earth, this was a curious request. Some commentators suggest that the earth would be for building an altar for 2 Kings 5:17 mentions Naaman’s pledge to offer sacrifice and burnt offerings to none other but the God of Israel. He had become thoroughly converted to the faith of the Israelites.

Dearly beloved, how wonderful it is to witness the faith of a soul saved! Faith in the heart of the believer is a demonstration of the working of God’s Holy Spirit. We have no claim to any merit for our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Pray that our members, our loved ones will treasure this faith, for this is God’s grace and mercy upon us. May His name be praised. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor