How like the Syrian general we are! To give a synopsis of his story, found in the fifth chapter of Second Kings, it is: Naaman was the commander-in-chief of the armies of Aram (modern-day Syria), a position of great prestige and power. He had conquered cities, slain enemies by the thousands, come home covered in glory — and leprosy. One of the slaves he had brought home from Israel told him of a prophet in Israel who could cure him, and he set out for Samaria forthwith. When he arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha sent word out to him to go bathe in the Jordan River and he would be healed.
And this is where the words-on-paper Naaman reveals himself to be a real, live human being. His pride is outraged! He’s NAAMAN, for goodness’ sake! He expects to DO something in this equation, not just take a bath in a river in some stinky province! He goes stomping off for home, still covered in leprosy. Amazingly enough, he pauses to listen to common sense from his servants, and goes back in a huff to “jump in the river” as directed. And, of course, also to his amazement, he is completely cleansed of his leprosy.
Here I give him high marks: he acknowledges both his initial error in refusing, and the magnificent power of God that healed him. He vows to honor God with the rest of his life.
Before we say, “well, anyone would, after all that,” let’s set this in the thought processes of today’s living. How many of us would have said, “Well, how about that! Glad I did that!” and have gone back to our lives as before? Or had a moment there when we were blown away by the relief and then packed up and trotted off?
Naaman came to Elisha, wanting to be told to do something that would still allow him to retain his illusion of control over surrounding circumstances. Oh, no! – this sounds familiar! Am I willing to submit to God’s guidance only as long as I can see myself as the hero of the episode? Would I be willing to obey a nudge from the Master that pushes me into a position of possible ridicule or failure? What if He whispers that something needs doing which sounds foolish or useless to me? I think most of us would mount the donkey and head for Damascus with Naaman.
May our prayers always be that we, too, would dismount and do the thing that makes no sense to us. Naaman thought it was disgusting and stupid — until he did it — and while I couldn’t tell anyone what cities he conquered, or what spoils he captured, here we are, several thousand years later, reading about his obedience in this “simple matter.” Jesus tells us that “in this world, you will have tribulation,” and we do. He also reminds us that He has – gloriously! – overcome the world. It is our privilege and can be our joy to absorb those words into our souls, to learn in dark days of suffering that Almighty God has always been there with us, waiting for us to turn to Him for healing and restoration. May we find faith in the darkness that will guide our willing hearts into the light. May we, like Naaman, come out of our difficult experiences, changed forever.
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