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1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed.”

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So, he turned and went off in a rage.

13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

 

This scripture is one of my favorites! In this scripture Naaman has a normally unsolvable problem. Someone mentions seeking help from the king of Israel. Rather than turning to God, the one true King, he gathers all these riches, and trinkets, and clothing, and even a letter from the king and sets off to find his solution.

 

When he arrives, the king of Israel gets very mad at him, because he thinks Naaman is mocking him. Rather than the solution he seeks, Naaman receives more issues! Then, he is referred to the prophet Elisha. After receiving Elisha’s message, he finally listens and turns to true guidance sent from our true King through the prophet. Does he listen? Of course not. He doesn’t believe the prophet and continues to doubt. Only after the third time he is encouraged to do the right thing (which is a simple thing, at that!) he finally follows the guidance of God.

 

As promised, once Naaman follows the word of God, he is made new. His problem is solved. Gone forever. He didn’t need the help of false kings or his master. He didn’t need to try harder to figure it out himself. He didn’t need money, or riches, or things. He just needed to follow God. That’s it.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to always turn to you, even though we may feel like we aren’t enough. We thank you for making things new, healing what is broken, and guarding us from things that lead us astray. Amen.

 

Katelyn Reck

katiereck21@gmail.com

 

Prayer Concern: Comfort

 

Additional readings: Acts 15:1-21, Psalm 87