Send Him to Me
II Kings 5: 1-14; 4 Kingdoms 5: 1-14
It is clear from reading the Old Testament, that God teaches us much through the lives of other people. From the life experiences of those who have gone before us, we are gifted with examples, guidance, warning and inspiration for our own journey through life. A short list would include Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Ruth, Samuel, David Elisha, etc.
Some are not so well known as those nor as prominent in Biblical history, but still provide valuable lessons for the people of God.
Such a one is the major character in this passage. His name is Naaman, and his story can encourage many of us who are seeking help from God.
The brief biographical sketch of Naaman in the opening verse is quite impressive. He was the commander of the army of Syria. In those times, Syria was a vast and prominent land – extending from the Mediterranean Sea eastward to the Tigris River. That would include the present-day nations of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. It was a wealthy nation, enjoying political dominance and economic prosperity. Therefore, Syrians were a very proud people and tended to look down on their neighboring countries. Within Syria, Naaman was recognized as an extremely successful person. He was “a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master (the king)” (vs.1). No doubt then, he enjoyed the admiration of the public and the applause extended him due to his military successes. All in all, Naaman was a man “on top of his world”. However, he was beset with a problem – likely unknown to all but a few. He had leprosy.
As most will recall, leprosy was considered to be a shameful condition in those times and warranted separation from family and society at large. Had his infirmity been exposed, it would have meant the end of his career and social status. So, we may assume that he took every precaution to hide his leprosy. When he clad himself in his military attire and stood in his glistening armor, no one would see the sores and skin lesions covering his body. But he, and those close to him, knew they were there. And those few kept very quiet. Yes, this “man of the world” lived every day with the fear that his hidden shame might be discovered and his illustrious life would fall apart.
Furthermore, leprosy has often been cited as an illustration of the effects of sin in a person’s spiritual life. Our sinfulness can separate us from family and friends; it leads us to hide the truth, deny the guilt and pretend it’s not there. It creeps over every part of our being, bringing a lingering fear of being exposed.
It is, at this point, we begin to see how God works in the small, simple things of life to bring about big changes for people. “For God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27).
From one of the Syrian raids into Israel, a young girl was captured and became a handmaid to Naaman’s wife. One day, she told her mistress that a prophet in Israel could heal her husband. When that word was passed to Naaman, he relayed it to the king who, in turn, was clearly overjoyed with the hope. Naaman was then given silver, gold and ten changes of clothes (a luxury in those times) to make payment for the service – the equivalent of more than 2 and a half million dollars – along with a personal letter to the king of Israel.
When the letter was given to the king of Israel, he became terribly disturbed, knowing that he could not provide healing for Naaman. Fear seized him; he began tearing his clothes in terror of the Syrian king.
News of this reached Elisha in Gilgal, whereupon he sent word to the king: “Why are you so afraid? Send him to me and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel” (vs.8).
Pausing here, let us be reminded that so many people with needs seem to think that only those in power and high places can aid them in the struggles of life. The kings of Syria and Israel were unable to help Naaman; they had no answers for him. So, he was left for years to hide his weakness and shame, without hope for wholeness. This world has much to offer through nature, culture, science, medicine, and the arts. However, (this is not meant to be critical nor cynical), neither governments nor universities nor entertainments can wash us clean from the sin and guilt which seem to grip our souls and threaten to corrupt our entire being. Naaman had to turn his back on the Syria he loved and turn his face toward the Israel he despised in order to find relief which had always eluded him. Israel was not as magnificent as Syria, but Israel had answers to the hurting in his life.
So, with us – the answers to the pain and guilt we hide in our sinful souls are not to be found in the secular world but in Christ and His Church.
A young, captive, servant girl knew the answer and a former farm-boy called by God had the answer. The word of hope came from this simple prophet in a small house in an obscure village near an unimpressive river emptying into the Dead Sea …. “Send him here to me” (vs.8).
Naaman, with certain doubt and disdain, led his entourage to the house of Elisha. Upon arriving, this mighty man of Syria was met with utter disappointment. The prophet, about whom he had heard so much, didn’t even answer the door! Instead, a messenger (perhaps one of the sons of the prophets) relayed a simple message, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (vs.10).
At that, Naaman “blew up”. First, he had come to this place beyond nowhere to an unknown prophet who would not even greet him. He had expected Elisha, with great fanfare, to come out, call on God, and wave his hand over him to be healed. Now, he was told to wash himself in the Jordan – just a common “creek” compared to the great rivers, Abanah and Pharpar, which serve the great city of Damascus. He wanted to be humiliated no more!
He was turning to walk away in utter disgust when one of his servants (again, a simple person) said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then when he says to you, “wash and be clean”? (vs.13)
Somehow, the appeal of the handmaid, the calmness of the prophet, and the humble urging of the servant seemed to unite within Naaman and melt his prideful heart. Perhaps he just stood in silent contemplation (listening while the Spirit of the Lord was speaking within?) as his arrogance was being transformed into obedience. Then, with the voice of a commander, he called to his men, “Go to the Jordan”.
With the Syrian soldiers standing by and likely, the sons of the prophets along with other local onlookers, Naaman removed his glistening armor and grandiose garments (exposing his leprosy) and stepped into the waters of the Jordan. One, two, three, four, …. six times he plunged himself beneath the surface. Then, seven ….. and he emerged with “his flesh restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (vs.14).
As we reflect on that momentous scene where God had brought Naaman, we may recall the brokenness of Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24ff) or the bleeding woman crawling in the street to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20-22); or the centurion who deemed himself unworthy of Jesus’ visit (Luke 7:1-10); or the tax collector who obeyed the call, “Zacchaeus, come down” (Luke 19:5); or Saul the persecutor, with his face in the dust of the Damascus road hearing the voice from heaven, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? …. I am Jesus …” (Acts 9:4-6). Yes, in these and so many others, God has mercifully brought people from places of pride to planes of humility in order to reach into those hurting hearts and make them whole.
Naaman, this “man of the world” learned the important truths that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) and that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). By the goodness of our Lord, Naaman stands among those who have obeyed His call: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (I Peter 5:6).
Grace, mercy and peace to each of you,
Fr. Andrew
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