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| Naaman healed of his leprosy |
What is obedience? Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionaries say the Greek word for obedience is “hupakoē” pronounced hoop-ak-o-ay' meaning attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission.
The Oxford dictionary also defines obedience as a “compliance with an order or law or submission to another’s authority.”
Obedience is, therefore, to listen to someone carefully and carry out his orders. Attentive listening is very important, without that, no one can satisfy the will of another. Every citizen of any country is required to abide by the rules and regulations as entails in the constitution. Every setup has its own code of ethics and members are under obligation to obey.
Obedience is two-fold; performing what is commanded and avoiding what is prohibited. The Bible teaches that we should obey our parents, our authorities and most importantly, God. In this post, we shall discuss the obedience of Naaman to the word of God that cleansed him of his leprosy. This story can be found in the book of second Kings chapter 5, the entire chapter.
Who was Naaman? Naaman was the captain of the host of the King of Syria. It is thus obvious that he is not an Israelite. Through him, many victories have been won for Syria. The Bible tells us that the deliverance was by the hand of God.
The Syrians have regained their independence from the Assyrians. Probably, it was during that time that Naaman excelled. We may learn that even though Israel is God’s chosen nation, He does care about the heathen too.
Now, notice the attributes of Naaman. He was a great man, mighty of valor and honorable, and most importantly, the hand of God was upon him. However, he had one negative remark. He was a leper. It was an unfortunate condition for Naaman. Not only is leprosy loathsome but also a disgraceful disease in ancient days. (2 Kings 5:1)
What is leprosy? How does it work? Leprosy is an infection caused by the bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. When infected, it is very difficult to detect any symptoms for a number of years. It attacks the nervous system and other sensitive parts of the body such as the eyes and the nose and later the entire body.
The bacteria attack the coolest part of the body slowly. Symptoms that develop over time include granulomas of the nerves, skin, and eyes. Others include Stuffy nose and nosebleeds, ulcers on the soles of the feet, and muscle weakness. This results in an inability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of the extremities due to repeated injuries. (Source: Wikipedia)
Leprosy was greatly feared in ancient days especially by the Israelites. Not only of the physical damage but also the strict isolation laws applying to it. Making patients feel like feared outcasts of society.
It was very necessary for Naaman to find a cure for his ailment. It is probable that he could not find anyone in his homeland to help heal him. The Syrians, in one of their raids carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, who became an attendant to Naaman’s wife. (2Kings 5:2)
This little house help doubtlessly was brought up in a very good home. She was thought the way of the Lord and surely, she did not depart from it at all. She mentioned to her mistress, "If only my master were to visit the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." (2Kings 5:3 ISV) What a recommendation! Take note of this verse.
What a conviction in the Almighty God! Christians need to learn from here. No matter the situation and the circumstance we find ourselves in, we need to proclaim the goodness of God to others. We must not renounce God in hardships. The maid did not say that she is now a slave so she would renounce the name of God Almighty. She had a very strong belief that only God could heal such a disease.
The information was relayed to Naaman of the recommendation of the maiden. Since Naaman was honorable in the sight of his King, he sent a letter to the King of Israel saying "Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy." (2Kings 5:6)
The King of Israel upon reading the letter rent His clothes saying "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me."
The King of Israel thought that the King of Syria was finding grounds to make war with him. A raid has been conducted already, in which the maiden who gave the recommendation was part of the captives.
In the ancient days, it was generally believed that God is the only one who could cure leprosy. As there was no known medicine that could cure the disease. To the King of Israel, he cannot assume the position of God to kill and make alive, even to recover a man of leprosy. (2Kings 5:7)
The prophet Elisha demanded that Naaman should be brought to him. "... and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel." This is the meaning of What Elisha said: “Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a God in Israel." Elisha was not seeking vainglory. (See 2Kings 5:15)
Naaman, upon reaching the door of the prophet Elisha, was sent a message. In fact, it was a command. "...Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." The command did not come alone it came with a promise which will happen if he obeys. “And thou shall be clean”. (2Kings 5:10)
Naaman was wroth. This was not what he was expecting from the man of God. He thought the man of God would surely come out to him and stand, call on the name of the LORD his God, strike his hand over the place, and recover him. Of course, the man of God had the power to strike his hands over the place and recover him of his leprosy. However, Naaman had to play a role, the test of obedience to the commands of God Almighty.
“There are better rivers in Damascus, Abana, and Pharpar,” he thought. These are the rivers he must dip himself not the dirty river Jordan. Therefore, he went away in anger. (2Kings 5:11-12)
How can a man like me dip myself in the dirty river Jordan? He might think. If he were to dip himself in the aforementioned rivers in his homeland, nevertheless, he would not be cured. Because that was not the method of God. At this stage, Naaman failed to obey the command of God Almighty through the Prophet.
We must not prefer our own ways to God’s model. In everything, especially in matters of salvation, we must accept and obey God’s pattern and design even if it does not make sense to us! A proud Naaman almost came home unhealed because he was too big, honorable and mighty to dip himself in the filthy river Jordan.
God’s plan tends to humble the pride of man. Naaman thought there was some royal cure for a royal patient and an honorable way to deal with an honorable man
He preferred his ways rather than God’s, the yielded result was just frustration. His greatness is nothing before God. Those who wish to get help from God must be humble enough to obey him. Self-righteousness can never save us.
Naaman’s servants advised him “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? ” (2Kings 5:13)
So, Naaman “dipped himself seven times in 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.” (2Kings 5:14) Note here that Naaman was healed of his leprosy when he used the way approved to him by the prophet Elisha.
Summary of lessons learned so far
- The power of salvation belongs to God alone.
- God’s plan of salvation is demeaning to the pride of the sinful heart.
- God’s plan is contrary to the expectations of man.
- God’s plan of salvation is the easiest of anything but the most difficult for humankind to obey.
- Man would incline to find ways and means for salvation other than Gods but cannot.
- There is no preferential treatment when it comes to salvation; all are equal before God.
- Self-righteousness and self-sufficiency will never save us!
Naaman’s story is an illustration of the great truth, the requirement of conforming to God’s plan to secure salvation. Leprosy is a type of sin. Sin destroys us spiritually. Just as God gave Naaman simple command to obey through the prophet, Elisha, to be healed so it is with sin. God designed a pattern of salvation for us in order to obey and be healed of our spiritual leprosy.
We all have spiritual leprosy because we “…have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) God’s command with a promise to Naaman is “...Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” So did Naaman and he was cleansed.
Note below God’s plan of salvation for the healing of spiritual leprosy for man
Hear the gospel message (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ) (1Corinthians 15:3-4)
(Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”
(Acts 2:36-37) “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do?”
Believe (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Repent of our sins (Acts 17:30) “And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”
Confess our faith in Jesus Christ that He is the son of the living God (Rom 10:10) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.” (Acts 8:37) “ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Act 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
(Acts 8:38) “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
The salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, has always been an obstacle to men because of its simplicity. Sinners dislike the plan of the Gospel; they dislike the way and means to be used. Many have rejected the Gospel, observing innumerable rituals of men’s invention. You can wander in far-off lands in search of salvation, peace, and comfort for your soul; you can survey the heavens, and descend to the lowermost parts of the earth, there is no other way aside God’s!
Will you turn and go in anger or obey and be cleansed?
Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures are from the King James Version (KJV)
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