Well said. We don't always know or understand the why or even what God will do when He asks us to do something. We are just to obey and leave the rest up to Him.
We as believers, must adhere to the instructions of God and God alone, while never, ever, leaning on our own understanding in allowing our carnal man to counsel us, as the Word declares. Once the man of God gave the Word of God with the instructions for Naaman on how to be healed, he was supposed to take that Word at face value, and obey it as we are to do right now today when it comes to what the written Word of God says to us! But instead Naaman got highly upset, and refused the Word from the man of God due to his own preconceived notion as to how God would heal him, and he walked away. Thank God for the men and women who has access to us and will share their beliefs with us like the servants of Naaman, Naaman's servants place their faith in the Word of God, and trust that His Word will perform all that it says it will, they shared their views with Naaman and stated to him that if it was something big the man of God was instructing him to do, he would of done it. So why not trust him in going to the river of Jordan, and he did, and his healing followed immediately! We cant concern ourselves with the specifics of how God will move on our behalf, our assignment is to just place our faith in the Word(s) of God, and trust the Word of God to work the work of God on our behalf. When we try to reason with the move(s) of God, is when the mistakes come, every time. Amen.
This story provides much edification for the believer today. As others have already pointed out, the maiden of Israel was mightily used by God. Though she was oppressed in a land not her own, she remembered the God of her people. When she saw the ailing of her master, she did not rejoice in his suffering but rather took pity. She shared with her mistress, her earnest desire for Naaman to be healed. She knew that the merciful almighty God of Israel would work through his man to restore Naaman if he were with him in Samaria.
Also, we see the simplicity of salvation pictured in the heathen Naaman and his instructions to be made whole of leprosy. The healing power was not in the waters of Jordan but in the power of almighty God that rewarded Naaman's faithful obedience to wash seven times in Jordan. God's only requirement of man for salvation is obedience to the gospel call. Notice this in Romans 10:9-13. This is also lovingly displayed in the story of the thief on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces that salvation is by grace through faith. The faith isn't even something we drum up in ourselves but rather is cultivation of the Word of God in our heart by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is of the Lord. Faith is of the Lord. He simply requires that man repent (take sides with God against yourself) and call upon him to be saved.
Notice how the pride and anger of Naaman nearly cost him his healing. Also, he longed for religious showmanship from the prophet. He wanted to see him do a mighty work and tantalize his flesh. This is not unlike the people of our world today that seek religious entertainment instead of sound doctrine and edification from the Lord. Thankfully, Naaman yielded to the humble entreaties of his servants and obeyed the man of God.
I would also draw attention to Gehazi and how he seeks to increase his personal wealth and to afflict Naaman. There are many that walk in Gehazi's spirit in the church world today, preying upon the flock of God.
There is a valuable lesson to be learned from 2 Kings Chapter 5. Naaman, a might warrior, was full of pride. The little maid, possibly a young girl in her teens, was a very humble servant was willing to share her faith--even with the people who were oppressing her. Her testimony about the God of Israel brought healing and wholeness to the captain of the Syrians; Naaman, on the other hand, almost missed his blessing because the prophet told him to do something he did not want to do. He went away angry, upset that the man of God would dare tell him to dip himself in the dirty Jordan. How many times have we missed our blessing because God told us to do something we did not want to do? Humility is a key ingredient in approaching the God of the universe. Naaman discovered that when he obeyed the instructions of the prophet that God healed him. It is a very powerful lesson. Obedience and humility are the keys to our miracles.
"Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." Since the days of Jacob and Laban, the Syrians have held a grudge; and the crossing of Israel over Jordan to possess the Promised Land has ever been the point of contention and hatred for Israel of all its neighbors. They are the same hostilities today! First repent, then will come the healing!
You know it's difficult to share things with people,people want to see to believe and its so hard to discuss or share with those who have no faith,if they do it's of what's in this world,so many don't know of the spiritual war fare going on,the war going on with n us for fathers purpose,and Surrendering All for his purpose and what we get in return,it's not bc of gold and mansions,its for JESUS!!!
Your healin can be in arms reach, the spirit of pride will hinder u from the blessins of God. When askin God to order your steps, sometimes God will allow your steps to go backward in which will lead u to be out before a living God. Naaman didnt want to go backwards to receive his healin. God is a dimensional God, what appeared to be filthy waters of Israel was the anointed water of Jesus Baptism!
We must trust God and obey. The dividends are plentiful. Namaan ended up trusting the great God of Israel and he was healed of his leprosy. Gehazi got the dividend of his greed.
What hit me was Elisha's response to Gehazi's lie: "Went not mine heart with thee?" When we stray from God's clearly-stated will, His heart still remains with us, though it is longing for us to return to Him in repentance.
I really admire the courage this little girl had to stand up and express her faith in Jehovah. She must have heard about all the past miracles of Jehovah and this helped to strengthen her faith.
v2 little handmaiden should love and concern. It was her faith that made it all happen. v7 v8 King is arrogant, unbending, non caring. v11 Naanam was too honorable to get in dirty water until his servant showed him the error of his ways. v20 Gehazi means vision but even though he had been with the man of God he lost his vision and sinned as we all do at times. He had an eager and selfish desire.
He seems that,he has made up him mind not to worship any other gods again except the God of Elisah and decidede to bring the sand of the land of Israel along with him so that he can use it to make small altar to worship GOD ALMIGHTY.
Many times we become like Naaman and come just in site of our healing, but our pride can blind us to it. Even in our hardest of times and afflictions we won 't allow ourselves to do the simplest things.
Naaman ' wife, even Naaman himself must have been dealing fairly with d little girl from Israel that was why she pointed him to Elisha. We shd learn not to deal harshly, but fairly wt others who may appear insignificant to us today. God can use anybody to help us in future. Also, Elisha is not a covetous man of God, unlike today 's men of God who seek to make merchandise of God 's pple. May God help us.
All things of this world can not give you salvation,only the name of JESUS CHRIST our Lord that is all.We must obey only....We receive free the power of GOD and we do something in the name of JESUS CHRIST FREE for salvation of all...when you are a disciple,you never need the world ,because it will pass...we need the HOLLY SPIRIT,to guide your life on each step,each decision,to give you light....
Elisha was telling Gehazi that he had been caught up in the sins of the general populace who bought vineyards and servants out of greed..Gehazi had been tempted by the "sins of the times " and had behaved opposite to his humble call. Being a servant of the man of God he was supposed to act according to the stipulations of His master who had sworn before the Living God that He will not receive anything from the hands of Naaman.
Naamen is an example of us until we receive salvation. Though your sin be as scarlet they will be made as white as snow. Gehazi also lets me know who we work among, as the bible tells us. Maybe that's why in THE earlier chapter, when Elisha sent him with his staff to raise the women's dead child he wasn't able god knows the heart he wont bless over sin.
Naaman was told by the messenger of Elisha, to go and wash seven times in the river Jordan, then his flesh would return to him clean. Instead Naaman is angry that Elisha did not come out to him, and tell him to do some great thing. Then God uses a child to correct Naaman, and then Naaman goes ahead to wash in the Jordan seven times. Once Naaman obeys, his flesh returns to him as a child, and he is clean. Then Naaman wants to give a gift to Elisha, but Elisha says as the Lord lives I will not have it. Go in peace is the command to Naaman, but Gehazi follows after him. Gehazi ask for one talent of silver, and two changes of garment. Then Naaman gives two talents of silver, and two changes of garment. Once Elisha confronts Gehazi about where did he go, and Gehazi denies it. Elisha curses Gehazi, and his descendants with the leprosy of Naaman forever. We see that God delights in obedience, and not sacrifice. Naaman obeyed the man of God and he was blessed; while Gehazi coveted after money, then he, as well as his descendants were cursed. God has set before us life, and death. Therefore choose life, that ye, and your descendants may live. The love of money is the root of all evil. We are told godliness, with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing in this world, and we will take nothing out. Trust God with all thine heart, and lean not unto thy understanding, and in all thy ways acknowledge Him, the He will direct your path. Beware of covetousness for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he has.
Well said. We don't always know or understand the why or even what God will do when He asks us to do something. We are just to obey and leave the rest up to Him.
You want Naaman's stuff, you end up with the whole package. By extension your seed too.
Be content and wait for God. His blessings maketh rich and added no sorrow.
Also, we see the simplicity of salvation pictured in the heathen Naaman and his instructions to be made whole of leprosy. The healing power was not in the waters of Jordan but in the power of almighty God that rewarded Naaman's faithful obedience to wash seven times in Jordan. God's only requirement of man for salvation is obedience to the gospel call. Notice this in Romans 10:9-13. This is also lovingly displayed in the story of the thief on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces that salvation is by grace through faith. The faith isn't even something we drum up in ourselves but rather is cultivation of the Word of God in our heart by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is of the Lord. Faith is of the Lord. He simply requires that man repent (take sides with God against yourself) and call upon him to be saved.
Notice how the pride and anger of Naaman nearly cost him his healing. Also, he longed for religious showmanship from the prophet. He wanted to see him do a mighty work and tantalize his flesh. This is not unlike the people of our world today that seek religious entertainment instead of sound doctrine and edification from the Lord. Thankfully, Naaman yielded to the humble entreaties of his servants and obeyed the man of God.
I would also draw attention to Gehazi and how he seeks to increase his personal wealth and to afflict Naaman. There are many that walk in Gehazi's spirit in the church world today, preying upon the flock of God.