1-4- He was a “great man” “in high favor” “ a mighty man. Seemed to have it all. How could anyone like him have any problems? Yet, he did- He had leprosy- v.1

 Regulated- Lev. 13:47; 14:14  Nodular growths, parts of the limbs often fall off.  Slowly progressing skin disease characterized by scabs and crusts of skin.  Transmitted by blood, secretions and by mere contact in advanced stages.  About lepers in U.S  Hanson’s Disease in modern times.

 This mighty man was fighting something he could not conquer on his own.  He had a slave who took pity on him and told him of one who could heal him.  The slave is notable because she did not look forward to him dying but wanted him healed.  Naaman’s character, ability in battle, and men’s respect did not prevent his disease. He needed One more powerful than all!

 The young slave girl was unafraid to talk of Jehovah and His prophet (2 Ki. 5:2-4).  She understood God’s power as a young person  She stated without reservation that if Naaman went to Samaria he could be healed.  She was not afraid of defying the Syrian gods and speaking of Almighty God.  Similar to Joseph, Daniel, Esther- all subjects of heathen powers, but still servants of God.

 Going to the wrong source will not save from disease (2 Ki. 5:7- the king of Israel could do nothing.  Naaman was going to the wrong source and the king knew it.  The king did not try to fool Naaman and pass himself off as something he was not.  We must go to the right source for healing today.

 2 Kings 5:8- Once Elisha had heard about this he went to the king “let him come to me and he shall know there is a prophet in Israel.”  How would Naaman know this? By introduction? No- he would know when he was healed by Elisha.  Do others know there are Christians meeting in Newton based upon our actions?  See Prov. 20:11- “even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.”

 Getting mad at What God says will not change His commands ( 2 Kings 5:9-11).  1 Kings 5:12- he left in a rage. What made him so mad? He was told go wash in the Jordan 7 times. Getting mad at the messenger of God for proclaiming the healing truth does not change God’s commands.  Naaman when he left was still a leper regardless of what he thought about Elisha. He had to submit to the commands to be healed.

 Naaman was mad because the cure for healing was not what he thought it would be 2 Kings 5:  What you or I think about what God commands has no bearing on His Word.  Naaman made a terrible mistake in assuming God would heal him in a certain way. Isa. 55:8-9- “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…”  Prov. 14:12- “there is a way that seems right…”

 Substitutions will not change God’s law.  Naaman’s solution- Abana and Pharphar rivers in Damascus. He was trying to suggest a substitution for the command he heard. If it was water he needed then why not other rivers? (why not a horse trough, bathtub, Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea…). Many options so why did it matter?  Because God said through Elisha- “go wash in the Jordan 7 times.” It has not changed because Naaman got mad, or voiced his assumptions, nor when he tried to make substitutions.  We cannot change the plain statements of Scripture (Ps. 119:89- “forever O Lord Thy Word is settled in heaven”).

 Only when we submit our will to God’s will does healing take place.  2 Kings 5:13- his servants showed him he was acting foolishly. If the prophet had told you some great thing you would have done it.  2 Kings 5:14- he submits and goes does what Elisha had told him and only then is he clean.  Only when we submit to God can we be cleansed ( Heb. 5:9- “being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”).

 Let us never try to substitute God’s word for our own words.  Let us simply hear it, believe it, repent of our sins and obey it.  When Naaman did what God said he was saved from his leprosy. In like manner when we humbly submit to God, and only then, can we look forward to a home in Heaven when this life is over (1 Cor. 15:58- be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…)

 Truth does not cease being truth nor does it cease to exist just because it is ignored. God’s Word will stand- with or without our obedience. If we want relief we will submit to Him, not argue with Him.  Naaman’s new status- he goes home clean for the first time in a while. He is going to live. How grateful he must have felt and how silly he must have seen his resistance after the fact.