OVERVIEW:
Healing of Naaman; miracles of Elisha; a great famine and deliverance; further decline of Israel and Judah.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
The healing of the leprous Gentile, in 2nd Kings 5, is one of the best-known stories of the Old Testament. He was a very impressive man, as 5:1 details. He was “captain of the host of the king of Syria”; he was a “great” and “honourable” man; he had been used as a “deliverer”; and was a “mighty man in valour”. Wow! Those are some pretty incredible accolades! All of the great statements made about Naaman in verse 1, however, mean absolutely nothing after reading the last phrase of the verse: “but he was a leper.” None of his earthly positions and accomplishments could overcome or heal his dreaded and incurable disease. Keep in mind that leprosy in the Bible is consistently a picture of sin. The practical application of verse 1 is, quite simply, that none of our accomplishments or greatness have the ability to overcome the reality of our sin. As reveled in this account of Naaman, the cure for sin is always and only a gift from God (Romans 6:23), expounded by a servant of God. (Romans 10:14)
After Naaman is told of his potential healing in Israel, he packs up his great possessions, assembles his entourage, and departs for places of power and influence. What he discovers, is that there was no remedy there. Had God’s man, Elisha, not called him to his house, Naaman would be left with no hope. Though Naaman’s pride initially caused him to reject the remedy offered to him, his ultimate obedience brought healing. It resulted in Naaman going home in peace. (5:19) Hallelujah! Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The rest of the story reveals the heart of the servant, Gehazi. As has been discussed on previous occasions, there is a haunting word that often precedes men’s names in scripture, that we must avoid at any cost, the word “But”. “But Adam… But Noah… But David…” etc., etc., and here we find it again in 5:20; “But Gehazi…”! The entire verse says, “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.” Since Naaman was quite willing to offer great merchandise for his healing (5:5), Gehazi was quite willing to take it! (5:20) After the deception and lies of Gehazi, the judgment of God came upon him. Do recognize, that even in the 21st century, the WORD and WORK of the Lord are still being tarnished by the greed, deception, and lies of some so-called “servants” of the Lord. (5:20, 25)
In 2nd Corinthians 4:18, Paul teaches us that if we can see something with our PHYSICAL eyes, it is TEMPORAL. He goes on to reveal to us, that the things we see through our SPIRITUAL eyes (the eyes of FAITH) are ETERNAL. Paul said that it was that realm into which he was constantly “looking”! Sadly, the eternal realm is one into which few Christians today have eyes to see even though we daily find ourselves in the middle of a real, eternal, spiritual battle. Spiritual beings both dwell and work in the unseen world above our heads as well as on the earth. (Ephesians 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:15; Romans 8:38) Job 1 tells how they can cause physical effects on the earth and can influence people. Take refuge in the fact, however, that 1st John 4:4 assures us, “…greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” The Lord Jesus Christ has conquered our enemy in the unseen realm! Colossians 2:15 says, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he (Christ!) made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” But not only does Satan have powers that do his bidding in the unseen realm, God likewise has ministering spirits that do His work!
In 2nd Kings 6, Elisha and a young servant are in a city surrounded by bands of Syrians. Elisha had previously warned King Jehoram of the locations of the Syrians, and on multiple occasions. The Syrians had now compassed the city, terrifying the young man. Without fear, Elisha tells him, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (6:16) With his eyes opened to the spiritual realities surrounding him, the young man was then able to see the reality of the battle that Elisha had already seen. The attackers are drawn into the city, blinded, and led to the middle of Samaria. The Syrian bands are surrounded by Israel, given provisions, and sent back to Syria.
A famine then comes to the kingdom of Israel and is blamed on Elisha. It is an interesting case of “like father, like son!” King Jehoram blamed Elisha, just as his father, Ahab, had blamed Elijah for the troubles in Israel. In chapter 7, however, the Lord will cause the Syrians to hear the noise of a great army, causing them to flee, leaving behind a surplus of food and other provisions. God provides plenty for all of the people of the nation, but judges the one man who rejects Elisha’s prophecy in unbelief. Note that the Lord can deal with groups and individuals simultaneously!
Chapter 8 continues with the decline of both Israel and Judah. Benhadad, the king of Syria, is murdered by Hazael. Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, begins a short, but very evil reign. The chapter ends with Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram, over Judah; and Joram, the son of Ahab, over Israel. As promised in 1st Kings 19:15-17, judgment is coming! The wicked house of Ahab will soon be destroyed. God’s judgment is sure.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As ONE SENT TO THE GENTILES –– 2nd Kings 5:1–14 (Luke 4:27)
As HEALER OF LEPROSY –– 2nd Kings 5:10 (Matthew 8:2-3; Mark 1:40-41)
As POWERFUL PROTECTOR –– 2nd Kings 6:16 (Luke 12:7; 1st John 4:4)