By: Kevin Tyus
A Mighty Man with a Mighty Big Problem
II Kings 5:1-15
1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
Naaman was a mighty and honorable man with his king; that’s something we don’t hear a lot about these days. It’s one thing for a military woman or man to be great considering the nature of the business that she/he engages in, it’s a different thing if with their greatness they had the virtues of being; honorable, and mighty in valor, after you wouldn’t want a wimp as a leader of military personnel. Naaman was a mighty man of courage; he probably did things by the book, he was dependable, honest, and stood head and shoulders above his peers,
I say this because scripture tells us that God used him to deliver Syria, but he was a leper.Isn’t it amazing how we admire people for the high and lofty positions they obtain in life and forget that it is God who set’s up “the powers that be?” (Romans 13:1) How often do we hear “it was my hard work that got me here,” and hear nothing about “I thank God for giving me the ability to perform the hard work and for getting me in this position?” Somehow I don’t think Naaman had this problem.
The Nations of Syria and Israel Back in the Day
Syria was not a God-fearing nation; they were neck-deep in worshiping many gods and practiced human sacrifice! In Israel sin was considered BAD and offense to God, but according to the laws and customs in Syria almost anything was allowable.
Conversely, in Israel, they were to live according to the mandates of “The Lord Their God,” and there were definite SINS to be avoided! “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” Numbers 15:30.
Leprosy a Tale of Two Societies
Leprosy was a recognized disease in Syria, but the lepers in Syria were not cast out of society as they would have been in Israel’s culture! The concern over leprosy contamination was not prominent or present in their society. In Syria, there was no known cure for leprosy; it seems you lived the best you could until the disease took its toll on your body. In Israel, leprosy was also a recognized disease; by this, I mean God spoke to his children (Israel) about it and how to treat it, Leviticus chapters 13 & 14. In Israel, the leper was to be separated from the rest of the people of God until they were healed, once healed, they were allowed back into society.
What exactly is Leprosy?
According to the Center for Disease Control, Hansen’s disease (also known as leprosy) is an infection caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. These bacteria grow very slowly, and it may take up to 20 years to develop signs of the disease. The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). The bacteria attack the nerves, which can become swollen under the skin, this can cause the affected areas to lose the ability to sense touch and pain, which can lead to injuries, like cuts and burns. Usually, the affected skin changes color and either becomes:
- lighter or darker, often dry or flaky, with loss of feeling, or
- reddish due to inflammation of the skin.
If left untreated, the nerve damage can result in paralysis of hands and feet. In very advanced cases, the person may have multiple injuries due to lack of sensation, and eventually the body may reabsorb the affected digits over time, resulting in the apparent loss of toes and fingers. Corneal ulcers and blindness can also occur if facial nerves are affected. Other signs of advanced Hansen’s disease may include loss of eyebrows and saddle-nose deformity resulting from damage to the nasal septum. [End of CDC Information]
Photos of people affected by Leprosy can be found by following the link below (WARNING: this link will take you to an external site not connected to Words of Life Ministries International)
https://www.healthline.com/health/leprosy#pictures
As you can see, leprosy is an awful, devastating, debilitating, progressive disease that can leave a person disfigured for life.
Of Biblical Types and Shadows
What is a biblical type or shadow? Short answer: (In general a type is something that is a foreshadowing or representation of something else) For a more extensive study of types and shadows check out the link below: (WARNING: this link will take you to an external site not connected to Words of Life Ministries International)
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/type/
Example:
Leprosy is a type of sin that slowly destroys and brings disaster to those who live sinfully.
Syria is a type of the natural world, without concern for the things of God.
Naaman is a type of the “natural/worldly man” beset with sins, without God in his life.Naaman is also a type of those who acknowledge God, receives forgiveness for their sins, healing, and new life through God’s gift of grace.
A Little Girl and Her Big God
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid, and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would recover him of his leprosy. 4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. 5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. That little girl from the land of Israel had been taken captive during a battle between the two nations, but yet she still had the presence of heart and mind to testify of the power, greatness, and goodness of God! Even in captivity, she held on to her faith in a land and culture that was foreign to her, what a witness! Christian, are you being a witness for God? Do you tell others about His goodness, grace, forgiveness, mercy and love?
Of Letters and Torn Clothes
6 And he brought the 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. 7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, 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.
Listen, sometimes those at the top, the people in charge, will have no clue as to what God can and will do for you! This king, who was the leader of a God worshiping, God-fearing people, tore his clothes upon reading the letter how sad! Instead of looking outside of himself and calling on the prophets of God, he forgot about the God of his nation and took personal offense at the request within the letter. He was blind as to what God could do, and a little girl could see that God was able!
There is a Prophet in Israel
8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
When in need of healing, don’t stop at the first person who can’t help you, no matter their title or position! Go and find that person who lives for Jesus every day and can testify as to what God has accomplished in their life and can tell you what He can do for you!
Anger Management 101 – Wash – Dip – Clean
10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman wanted a grand show; he wanted a display worthy of his position, NOT! God is not a man. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our limited thoughts. If you want your needs to be met by God, do things the way He says, to do it! Naaman went away angry, with no justification for his anger; he wanted God to do something for him but wanted God to do it according to the way he thought God should do it. If you need or want anything from God, humble yourself and do it God’s way! On top of everything, he went away not healed.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, 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? Naaman thought that the rivers of his country, that he was already familiar with, were better than that muddy Jordan River in Israel, but there was no healing to be found in what he already knew. In the same matter, there is no physical or spiritual healing, nor forgiveness of sin, or restoration of life outside of the shed blood of Jesus! Let go of your old way of life! Stop thinking that this belief or that religion is better than accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior!
Wise Counsel Overcomes a Moment of Pride
Naaman allowed a moment of pride to enter into his thinking; this moment almost caused him to miss out on his healing. Now Naaman showed himself to be a wise and prudent man by surrounding himself with faithful and wise servants that weren’t just “yes men!” Naaman’s servants who had only his best interest in mind came to him and advised him to follow the instructions of the prophet. Isn’t it good to have great family members or friends in your life who can give you honest advice that’s best for your life? His faithful servants apparently had the freedom to give wise counsel when needed, there was no push back or argument, Naaman submitted himself to their advice. In today’s pressure packed fast moving world we more than ever need positive encouragement from people we know and trust who can influence us to make the best choices and wise decisions. In surrounding ourselves with people we must be careful not to accrue to ourselves people who are negative, and who will tell us whatever they think we want to hear! Naaman surrounded himself with devoted, positive, truthful servants who convinced him he had nothing to lose by dipping in the Jordan River.
From Anger to Adoration
14 Then went he down, and 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. 15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.
Naaman was a man deep in heathen lifestyle, culture, and worship! He went to the temples to pray to demonic gods and participated in the dark ungodly rites associated with those practices.
But when Naaman had a real experience, an encounter with the prophet of the only TRUE GOD, he was a changed man. He dipped himself in that muddy Jordan River seven times (the number of completeness and perfection) Two things took place;
- Naaman had new skin like a little child’s and was healed of his leprosy.
2. Naaman was healed spiritually of his sin; he said that going forth, he would only worship the God of Israel.
COME NOW!
Listen, when that man of God is preaching the gospel message of Jesus Christ and extends the invitation for you to come to Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, don’t hesitate to go to the altar!
When there is an altar call for the renewal of your life to Christ, COME!
When there is a call for repentance, to get things right with God the Father through God the Son Jesus, to ask for forgiveness of the sin that is slowly destroying your life, COME!
Like Naaman, God will heal your spiritual condition that will last throughout all eternity. He may improve your physical health, BUT REMEMBER PHYSICAL HEALING IS ONLY TEMPORARY!
The bible says in Hebrews 9:27 that it been appointed to everyone once to die and after death JUDGMENT! Be like Naaman and be forgiven and washed of your sins, your guilt, pain, and heartache! Be free from the destructive forces of sin! Come to the cross of Jesus and let God pour His blood out on your life seven times and be washed, healed, cleansed, forgiven, and enjoy your new spiritual life in Christ Jesus like a small child. You can have a new ETERNAL life through and in Jesus! Naaman would not have been healed had he not followed the instructions of the man of God! You will NEVER, EVER, find forgiveness of sin and have peace with God outside of Jesus Christ, who died for your sins paying the sin debt owed to God in your place!
Ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior
If you have never asked Jesus to become your Lord and Savior, give your life to Jesus today; ask Him to come into your life, pray this prayer from your heart;
God, I have not done right in my life
I have done bad and sinful things
I have broken one or more of your commandments
I deserve eternal punishment in hell and eternal separation from you
God, you said Jesus died for my sins on the cross
God, you said if I accept by faith His death as a substitute for what I deserve you would forgive me
God, I accept Jesus’ death as payment for my sinning against you
I ask Jesus to come into my life as my Lord and Savior, and to wash me and cleanse me from my sin
I give my life totally to you; I will follow and serve you all the rest of my life, I am now your child
Thank you, Lord, God Almighty!
Peace, Ty