03/17/2021 THE WATER HEALING
2 Kings 5 Naaman, Commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little maid from the land of Israel, and she waited on Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord [Naaman] were with the prophet [Elisha] who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord [the king of Syria]….So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and halted at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry, and went away, saying “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his GOD, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. [Revised Standard Translation]
Summary
Naaman is described as a great man, highly regarded, a man who had tasted victory; however, no matter what he did, he was saddled with a problem. No matter what great things people might say about him—skilled, warrior, mighty soldier, commander, fearless, they would always insert a “but”----“but he was a leper.” It bothered Naaman. It was visible. It was a dreaded disease and no matter what Naaman did, he was still a leper.
Naaman was also a military man. He understood the chain of command and military power. In Naaman’s mind, he reported to the king of Syria. As the victor over Israel, Naaman thought he had the right to “be respected.” He thought that if he went to see the prophet from Israel, the land he had defeated, the prophet should, come out and greet him, especially given Naaman’s credentials. That was the least the man could do, for a great military leader, like Naaman. But, what Naaman did not understand was that GOD was in control the entire time. He didn’t understand that Syria was victorious because GOD allowed Syria to be victorious over Israel.
Naaman also thought he could be healed on “Naaman’s terms.” He brought horses carrying silver, gold, and fine garments. Naaman was ready to give all this to the prophet Elisha in person in exchange for healing. He envisioned his healing would involve an elaborate ceremony or some “great words or gestures.” He expected the prophet would at least greet him, given how costly Naaman’s gifts were and how far Naaman had traveled. But, instead of greeting him, the prophet did not even meet face to face with Naaman. The prophet Elisha just sent a message by a messenger!
And, to add insult to injury, Elisha had told Naaman to dip himself in the dirty muddy Jordan River! Instead of being healed the way Naaman expected, Naaman felt insulted. In Naaman's mind, the thought was outrageous. After all, didn’t Naaman have servants who ran to him when he entered his home to wash the dirt and soil from his hands and feet? Wasn’t it one of the “perks” of command that the Commander, like Naaman, rode a horse into battle, above the lowly foot soldier, who ate dirt and mud daily? The idea that his leprosy could be “cleansed” with “mud” just seemed ridiculous and “backward,” in Naaman’s mind, especially since there were cleaner rivers around. So, Naaman flew into a rage. In his mind he thought, if I need to wash to get rid of my leprosy, I’ll just wash at home, in a cleaner river!
Fortunately, for Naaman, the story does not end here. Just as the simple faith of a servant girl convinced Naaman to go to the man of GOD for help, Naaman’s servants again intervened and convinced Naaman to have faith, obey and do what he was told to do and just dip himself in the water. After all, they said, if the man of GOD had told Naaman to do a great thing, with a lot of pomp and circumstance, he certainly would have done it. So, they said, so why not have faith and do what the man of GOD told you to do.
So, Naaman, did what he was told. Naaman simply surrendered. He gave in. He walked to the Jordan River, dipped himself in the water seven times, and was healed! Naaman could not buy his healing. His military status and all “his past great deeds” were entirely irrelevant. Nathan was not healed on “his terms” but because he listened and was obedient to GOD.
Nathan’s physical healing was a “gift” of GOD.