The objective of this lesson: To look at Naaman's obedience in riding himself of leprosy; to emphasize the role of humility in obedience.
2 Kings 5 introduces us to a man [a non-Israelite] who is mentioned only in this chapter and in Luke 4:27. Outside of scripture in his lifetime, he was a wealthy, prominent man. He was a leading officer in the military of King Aram.
While Naaman has traditionally played an important role in the development of our concept of obedience, it is not a "high profile" example of obedience in scripture.
Note and stress Naaman's importance in a prominent gentile nation.
The tributes scripture gave Naaman are striking. He was called a "great man" who was "highly respected." Most intriguing is the declaration that it was because of this man that God gave victories to his master, the king.
Often the kinds of tribute given to Naaman are reserved for notable Israelites. This man (1) was a prominent person and (2) was used by God. It is fascinating to note the even at this time God worked through a non-Jewish person. Though he was a gentile, God used him.
Naaman was a "valiant warrior." However, Naaman had a significant problem. He was a leper. In those days, having leprosy was like having an impossible medical problem. It was not a painful disease. It killed the nerve endings and skin pigment of the area infected by the leprosy. Instead of being painful, it made it impossible for the infected part of the body to feel. It also infected others through contact. Thus it was a disease that [if you were not an Israelite] you would give to those you loved the most--your family!
Naaman's problem with leprosy was significant in any society. In Israel it was especially devastating. Naaman could not have held his position were he a part of the kingdom of Israel or Judah--if they followed God's instruction (see Leviticus 13:45-59 and Number 5:1-4.) Teachers, do some research on leprosy. In Jesus' lifetime, leprosy was often considered as irreversible as death.
As a consequence of one raid conducted under Naaman's command, a small girl from Israel was captured. This captured Israelite girl became a servant who waited on Naaman's wife. Evidently, though a captured slave, she also was impressed with Naaman, her master. Though his troops had captured her and taken her from her home and family, she wanted good for Naaman.
Stress the fact that though the young girl was captured and made a slave, she felt compassion for Naaman.
One day she said to Naaman's wife, "I wish my master lived in Israel! If he did, he would have access to the prophet in Samaria. That prophet would cure him of his leprosy." The wife told Naaman, Naaman told the king, and the king said to Naaman, "Go! I will arrange everything!"
Note the progression of the information--slave attendant to wife, wife to husband, husband to king. The fact that the king would arrange for Naaman to go to Israel says much about Naaman's relationship with the king.
Naaman's king wrote a letter to Israel's king. He also prepared an impressive gift to honor the king of Israel--lots of silver, some gold, and ten changes of clothes [does that give you any idea of how expensive a king's clothing was?]. If one king was to make a request of another king, the king receiving the request must be honored!
Naaman's king did everything appropriately with good intent and motive.
Instead of being elated because he was given a gift, the king of Israel publicly expressed his grief by tearing his clothes. He said, "Who does that king think I am--God? Does he think the power of life is in my hand? No one can cure leprosy--certainly not me! Mark my word, that king is up to something! He seeks a reason to start a war with me!"
The king of Israel was distressed by the approach. (1) To him it was an impossible problem. (2) To him he was asked to resolve a situation that could not be reversed. That is an indication of how serious the problem of leprosy was. (3) He thought only of himself, the danger he was in, and the loss he would suffer if a war was declared. He obviously is thinking like the weaker ruler.
Amazingly, a little slave girl from Israel understood something the king of Israel did not know. She knew Israel's God was alive. She knew the living God expressed His power by doing the impossible through His prophet.
The slave thought of what God could do through His prophet. The king did not even consider the prophet or the God he represented.
When the prophet Elisha heard the king of Israel publicly declared his grief by tearing his clothes, he sent a message to the King. "Why are you grieved by this request? Send Naaman to me, and he will know God's prophet is in Israel." [That is something the king did not know!]
In our words, Elisha said, "I can handle this situation. Send him to me! I will teach them something about God."
One day Naaman arrived at Elisha's house in his chariot. He arrived with an impressive gift for the prophet. Having a gift for the prophet was customary--you did not ask something of a prophet without giving the prophet a gift! (See I Samuel 9:7 and 2 Kings 4:42.)
Naaman was doing what was done in his time--honoring the prophet. One did not ask without giving something significant. What was considered significant would be determined by the situation and the people involved.
However, Naaman's expectations were shattered. First, the prophet did not even come out to greet Naaman! The prophet sent a messenger with his instructions. Here was a man who often held the power of life and death, a great man, a respected man, a valiant warrior! He was accustomed to pomp and ceremony! And this prophet did not even greet him! This prophet treated him like he was nothing special!
Naaman was accustomed to expressions of respect that recognized his significance. He had so customarily received such responses that he just expected such a reception. That was not necessarily arrogance, but expected (by conditioning) lifestyle. What happened was not at all what he expected.
Second, a bad situation became worse! The prophet's instructions were totally unacceptable! Go to the Jordan River and dip seven times? Dip in the insignificant, dirty Jordan River? Were not the rivers back home cleaner? Did the prophet think that all that was necessary to cleanse leprosy was water?
People commonly think things back home are better. Naaman regarded the instructions as (1) insulting, (2) demeaning, (3) disrespectful, and (4) insignificant.
How often we refuse obedience because personal expectations do not materialize! His minimum expectations: (a) The prophet would greet him appropriately as a man of his position deserved; (b) The prophet would personally call on his God; (c) The prophet would wave his hand over the leprous place; and (d) a cure would occur. None of this happened!
Often we do not receive the benefits of obedience because our concept of obedience produces certain expectations. When those expectations do not become reality, we are either disillusioned or insulted.
Naaman was furious! The fact he had come a great distance by chariot fueled his rage! In extreme anger, Naaman left certain he had been deceived. Coming to see Elisha was a waste of time! Just as expectations fail us, anger blinds us!
Do not miss the fact that the source of the information was a slave girl, not a king, not a priest, not someone respected for great wisdom. When we feel foolish and deceived, we often get angry.
It declares much about this man's character that Naaman's servants could approach and speak to him when he was disappointed and angry. It declares even more about his character when his servants even could speak to him about the precise situation making him angry. It is a real tribute to him that he would listen to their reasoning, abandon his anger, and do as he was instructed.
Slaves commonly did not approach a master with a suggestion unless he was invited by the master to do so. Slaves surely did not approach a master when he was angry! As far a Naaman was concerned, this horrible situation started when he heard the word of a slave and had hope!
They asked, "If the prophet made a significant request of you, you would do it? What is the harm in doing something insignificant?"
"Would you not have done something important if he asked you to do it?" We do not have difficulty when troubled by the significant request. We have difficulty with the insignificant request. "That is beneath me!"
Naaman washed seven times in the Jordan River, and his leprosy was healed.
The power of the instructions were not in their significance, but in the God who worked through Elisha.
For Thought and Discussion
Scripture described Naaman as a great man, a highly respected man, a valiant warrior through whom God worked.
The slave girl (an Israelite) who served Naaman's wife told the wife, who told Naaman, who told the king, who made the arrangements. The message: The prophet in Israel could heal Naaman's leprosy.
He received it as credible information and reported it to the king.
He thought King Aram was seeking a reason to be upset and disappointed with him--which could be used as a reason for attacking him in war.
"There is no problem! I will take care of the situation and teach a lesson about God and His prophet."
He was not pleased. He expected respect and a ceremony that would result in a cure. His expectations betrayed him!
At first he was extremely angry and ignored the instructions.
They asked, "Would you have not done something significant if the prophet requested it of you?"
Our personal expectations are not met.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 6