The Healing of Naaman – 3

2 Ki. 5

We have been discussing the sickness and healing of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram for the last two days now. We will continue that discussion today. We have highlighted eight points; today we will continue from point number nine:

9. How fortunate was Naaman because he listened to his servants! Though he turned away in anger, he returned and did what Elisha asked him to do. That saved him. That healed him. If he remained stubborn, he never would have been healed of his sickness. Today, we have become so insolent and proud of ourselves that we refuse to acknowledge the LORD. Yet, let us return to Him to be healed of the innumerable sicknesses that has engulfed us. He is waiting.

10. When God heals us and cleanses us, we are completely healed. In fact, we are transformed. God does not simply <i>repair</i>, He changes, He transforms. Naaman’s skin was also completely healed and became completely clean. Salvation involves complete transformation.

11. Salvation is free. “Mercy there was great and grace was free, Pardon there was multiplied to me.” Naaman tried to give gifts to Elisha who refused. For us, salvation is free. Everyone and anyone who comes to Jesus Christ will be saved.

12. Continuing the transformation, Naaman said to Elisha, “your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the LORD” (2 Ki. 5:17). It is a wonder to see many people who profess to be Christians returning to the filth they came from.

13. Gehazi, meanwhile, sinned, because he was filled with greed. He took gifts from Naaman by telling lies. How dangerous it is to try to make personal gains from the word of God!

There are so many other things to learn from this story – the faith and love of the Israelite captive girl, the knowledge of Elisha about the conduct of Gehazi, the gifts of Naaman and others. But let the reader ponder upon them and understand the love of God (even for Israel’s enemies) for us, and the perfectness of our salvation.