(c) Anna M. K. Hazen (c) 2024
Based on 2nd Kings 5. KJV of the Holy Bible.
In the ancient lands of Aram, Syria, a region known for its strength and military might, there lived a renowned commander named Naaman. He was a figure of great importance; his victories in battle brought him prestige, and his bravery earned him the deep respect of the sovereign king Ben-Hadad II. Clad in shining armor and accompanied by a loyal retinue, Naaman was a man of stature, revered for his leadership on the battlefield. Yet, amid his many triumphs, Naaman bore a hidden wound—he was a leper, a condition that not only afflicted his body but also weighed heavily on his spirit. Leprosy was feared and shunned by society, rendering him an outcast, and forcing him to navigate life with sorrow and solitude.
In Naaman’s household, there resided a young girl, a captured Israelite who had become a servant to his wife. Though she was a prisoner in a foreign land, her heart remained compassionate and tender. Day after day, she observed the anguish and sorrow that leprosy inflicted upon her master and his family. One fateful day, she summoned the courage to speak up. “If only my master could see the prophet who is in Samaria,” she said earnestly, “he would heal him of his leprosy.” Her simple words, filled with genuine hope, ignited a spark of possibility within Naaman’s wife.
With her encouragement, Naaman decided to seek healing. He approached the king of Aram, sharing the girl’s suggestion and the hope woven through it. The king, understanding the gravity of Naaman’s affliction and wanting to aid his most prized commander, immediately penned a letter to the king of Israel. “With this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you,” the letter declared, “so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
Naaman set off for Israel, carrying gifts of silver, gold, and fine garments, intending to express his gratitude for the healing he hoped to receive. As he journeyed into the land of Israel, a range of emotions swirled within him. Would this prophet truly be able to heal him? Upon arriving at the palace of the king of Israel, Naaman presented the letter, but the response he received was filled with dread.
King Joram, ruler of Israel, read the letter and, tearing his robes in despair, exclaimed, “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 seeks a quarrel against me!” The king’s anguish was palpable; he interpreted this request as a cunning trap, a ruse intended to draw Israel into conflict with Aram. He lamented his helplessness, for performing miracles of healing was not within the king’s power or authority. He feared that if he failed to heal Naaman, the powerful Aramean commander would seek vengeance, and war would ensue.
News of Naaman’s arrival and the king’s dismay reached the ears of Elisha, the prophet of God. Without wasting a moment, Elisha sent a message to the agitated king. “Send Naaman to me,” he instructed, “and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” The calm assurance in Elisha’s words offered a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil.
Naaman was soon brought to Elisha’s humble abode. As he approached, he was undoubtedly expecting a grand spectacle fit for a man of his stature. However, Elisha did not appear in person; instead, he sent a messenger with simple yet profound words: “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” The prophet’s absence was a stark contrast to Naaman’s expectations, and his pride began to simmer.
Outrage welled up in Naaman as he stood there, disbelief clouding his mind. “I thought he would surely come out to me,” he fumed, “and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God. He would wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy!” The reality of his encounter did not measure up to his grand hopes. Worse still, he could not fathom why he should wash in the Jordan, a river he viewed as muddy and inferior when compared to the clear, pristine waters of Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus.
Anger surged within him. Why should he be subjected to the humiliation of dipping himself in such a dirty river? He turned on his heel, his heart hardened, preparing to return to Aram disheartened and defeated. Yet, as he stormed away, a voice of reason came from his loyal servants, who had traveled with him. Their words were gentle yet compelling. “My father,” they pleaded, “if the prophet had asked you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” Their calm demeanor and earnest concern pierced through Naaman’s pride, prompting him to consider the wisdom in their words.
As he stood there, wrestling with humiliation and doubt, Naaman realized that the simplicity of the directive was perhaps what made it divine. Through gritted teeth, he resolved to obey. With each step toward the river, the weight of his expectations bore heavy on him, yet a flicker of hope ignited in his heart.
When Naaman reached the Jordan, he felt the coolness of the water lapping at his feet. Hesitant for a moment, he removed his armor and garments, revealing his leprous skin, pockmarked and discolored—evidence of his affliction, a mark of his suffering. Taking a deep breath, he submerged himself in the Jordan for the first time. The water’s chill enveloped him, and he felt a strange mixture of fear and anticipation.
One—he emerged, nothing felt different. Two—he immersed himself deeper, still nothing. The third and fourth immersions brought similar results. Doubt gnawed at him as he began to question whether this humble river could wash away years of isolation and pain. With determination, he dove beneath the surface for the fifth and sixth time, but it was only when he emerged from the seventh dip that he looked down in disbelief.
Naaman’s skin transformed before his eyes, renewed and restored to the purity of a child. His heart swelled with joy and amazement as he felt deliverance wash over him. For the first time in years, he stood free of leprosy, and the realization hit him: it was the God of Israel who had performed this miracle.
With overwhelming elation, Naaman raced back to Elisha’s home, filled with gratitude. Finding the prophet, he proclaimed, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel!” His voice resonated with sincerity and wonder. He offered gifts of gratitude to Elisha, but the prophet held his hands up, refusing any material reward. “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve,” he declared, “I will accept nothing.”
This refusal struck Naaman deeply. The healing he had received was a divine act, not something to be bought or sold. In that moment, Naaman recognized the authenticity of the prophet’s heart and the true nature of his God, who provided freely and abundantly.
Then, in a moment of inspiration, Naaman made an unusual request. “If not, please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry,” he implored. “For your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord.” The significance of his request was profound; he sought to create an altar on the soil of Israel, ensuring that he could worship the God who had miraculously healed him.
Elisha granted Naaman’s request with a newfound understanding, directing him to go in peace. Naaman departed, humbled yet confident in his faith, ready to testify to the God of Israel back in his homeland.
However, behind the scenes, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, observed all that transpired with jealousy and greed. His heart darkened as he realized Naaman was leaving without offering material wealth to their household. The spark of avarice ignited a desire within him. Watching Naaman depart in his chariot, Gehazi pondered his own ambitions. How could he let this opportunity slip away?
Ignoring the truth he had witnessed, Gehazi chased after Naaman. “My master has sent me to say,” he lied, “Two young men have just arrived, and he wants you to give them a talent of silver and a couple of changes of garments.” He framed his deceit expertly, concealing his true intentions.
Eager and grateful, Naaman immediately complied, offering two talents of silver and garments. Gehazi accepted these with delight, stashing the spoils away and returning to Elisha’s home, his heart racing with excitement. He felt clever and vindicated, believing he had outsmarted his master.
Yet, when Gehazi stood before Elisha, the prophet’s eyes narrowed, filled with divine insight. “Where have you been, Gehazi?” he asked in a measured tone that left no room for deception.
Caught off guard, Gehazi stammered, “Your servant went nowhere.” But Elisha, undeterred, replied, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept garments, olive groves, vineyards, sheep, or oxen, or male and female servants?” The potent words cut through Gehazi like a dagger, exposing his greed and dishonesty.
“Elisha’s stern voice filled Gehazi with dread. “The leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” The weight of judgment hung in the air, a warning about the severity of Gehazi’s choices. In that moment, Gehazi understood the implications of his actions—a single lie and a moment of greed would cost him his future.
As Gehazi left Elisha’s presence, he was marked by leprosy, the very disease that had taken a toll on Naaman’s life. No longer just the servant of a prophet, he became a pariah in his own right, destined to bear the consequences of his greed. His heart, which once beat with ambition, now fluttered with despair and regret.
The stories of Naaman and Gehazi illuminate profound lessons—the power of humility and faith versus the destructive nature of greed and deceit. Naaman came to Israel seeking healing and left transformed, not just in body, but in spirit, forever praising the God who redeemed him. Gehazi, on the other hand, stepped off the precipice of opportunity and into a life of shame, forever defined by his choices.
This poignant narrative reflects the timeless themes of redemption and consequence, deepening the understanding of God’s grace in the face of human frailty. As these stories intertwine, they remind us that true healing comes not from status or wealth, but from faith and obedience—leading to a life marked by sincerity and integrity.