Who Was Naaman?
Who was Naaman? There is quite a backstory to this healing, starting in 2 Kings 5:1. Naaman was captain of the host of the King of Syria, enemy of Israel, and he was also a leper. The disease of leprosy was highly painful, contagious, and noticeable. No matter how many battles he won or how much treasure or slaves that he took as spoils, he was still a leper. He suffered the pain and the shame that went with it. In his desperation, he went to the prophet Elisha who instructed him to dip in the Jordan River seven times.
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 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 present of thy servant.
(2 Kings 5:14-15)
It seems rather simple but the diseased man at first would not do as the prophet of God commanded. He reasoned that the waters in Syria are better. It is not until his servants point out that this is what the prophet said and he should do it. “And 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). Can you relate to that? The truth is that we all can. While we may not know what it is like to suffer from an infectious physical disease, we all have suffered or are currently suffering from the spiritual disease, which has a 100% fatality rate unless cured.
The Spirit of Naaman Today
It is not a surprise that many individuals in the world today have the same initial attitude of Naaman. While it is true this man wanted to be healed, he took issue with the manner in which the healing would be received. His initial denial was based on a view of superiority. His understanding of the cleansing power of water was that any river would do. He surmised that he knew better than the prophet of God. Can you imagine if you had a serious disease and someone offered you a simple but effective cure how foolish it would be to reject a treatment plan that was so simple? For example, sometimes a balanced diet, exercise, and sleep are too simple of treatments for the masses, so they do not practice those things. The plan for Naaman’s cleansing was simple. Regardless of the simplicity of such a plan, it required submission to it.
Would You Be Made Whole?
In our current era, many will hear the pure message of the Gospel of Christ and want the healing that is associated with obeying the Gospel, but their reasoning gets in their way. One might say, “but my pastor, priest, church says….” Those excuses echo that of Naaman. Would any river do for Naaman? No. Would any baptism do for you (cf. Eph. 4:5)? The answer is the same. If Naaman would have refused to dip seven times, he would not have been cured. If a man only believes and does not repent and be baptized, he will not be saved (see Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38; Rom 6:3-6; Gal 3:26-27, et al.). The healing is available, but obedience to the Gospel is required before one can be cleansed.
There is a similar situation recorded in John 5:6-9
When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.Now it was the sabbath on that day.
Jesus asked the man a question, “Wouldest thou be made whole?” The man responded with an excuse as to why he had never been healed before. Jesus gave a command, and the man obeyed it. Healing is available, we must receive it. Would you be made whole?
You Must Realize You Are Sick
We must first recognize that we are not whole when we are sick with sin. Like Naaman, we can be successful, have great power in this world, and be leaders of men in this life. However, if sin is not taken care of, we will walk around weakened by the disease of sin and it will be a hindrance to our full potential. Sin is painful, unsightly, and we can even lead others into sin if we do not seek the cure. The disease of sin will not just hinder our life, it will be the source of eternal death.
Naaman had a choice in the matter, and this is truly a great sign of the grace of God, even in the Jewish dispensation: God was willing to heal a foreigner and enemy. In like manner, we relate more to Naaman than we even imagine. We know we have a choice in the matter, and God has shown grace to us even when we did not deserve it. The Spirit said,
For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
(Romans 5:6-11)
Like Naaman, each one must understand that God's grace is offered, but it requires obedience.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
(photo credits: World Video Bible School)
