Humility and Healing
2 Kings 5:1-15
May 23, 2004
2 Kings 5:1-15
The king of Aram had high admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.
[2] Now groups of Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. [3] One day the girl said to her mistress, "I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy."
[4] So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. [5] "Go and visit the prophet," the king told him. "I will send a letter of introduction for you to carry to the king of Israel." So Naaman started out, taking as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. [6] The letter to the king of Israel said: "With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy."
[7] When the king of Israel read it, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, "This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can kill and give life? He is only trying to find an excuse to invade us again."
[8] But when Elisha, the man of God, heard about the king’s reaction, he sent this message to him: "Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel."
[9] So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. [10] But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy."
[11] But Naaman became angry and stalked away. "I thought he would surely come out to meet me!" he said. "I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! [12] Aren’t the Abana River and Pharpar River of Damascus better than all the rivers of Israel put together? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?" So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
[13] But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" [14] So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child’s, and he was healed!
[15] Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, "I know at last that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Now please accept my gifts."
What’s Your Condition?
We all have afflictions
Regardless of our place in life
Naaman had power and prestige
The Voice of Hope
The promise of redemption or restoration brings hope
The servant brought the message of hope
Isaiah 53:2-5
Isaiah 53:2-5 (NLT)
My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. [3] He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
[4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! [5] But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!
Overwhelming Challenges
The despair of challenges
Defeated
Ready to throw in the towel
Helpless
In the face of challenges, God’s presence becomes undeniable
A Simple Message
Obedience would lead to healing
The message of salvation is equally simple – Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9 (NLT)
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
A Simple Message
Obedience would lead to healing
The message of salvation is equally simple – Romans 10:9
Delivered through a servant – Elisha would not get the glory
Pride Gets In The Way
Naaman’s pride was hurt
He didn’t get personal service
He wasn’t being asked to do something big
A bitter seed was taking root
Many miss out on God’s best, because they want to do it their way
Voices of Reason
Naaman had to be reminded that he needed healing
No task is ever too menial
Be fervent for the small things, not just the grandiose
God Was Glorified
Elisha didn’t receive the glory
Naaman knew there was only one God
Naaman had a story to tell
What is your story?
**Powerpoint available on request
