Tag: simple instructions
Reluctant Obedience
Scripture reading for July 30: 2 Kings 5:10-14 “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash
in the Jordan River 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 upon 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. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, had leprosy. He was told by a young servant girl he had taken captive about a prophet in Samaria who through God’s help would be able to cure him. The King of Syria heard the story, and sent Naaman to the King of Israel to seek help from their prophet Elisha. When the king read the letter, he was afraid that it was a trap and tore his clothes in grief and unbelief. (2 Kings 5:7)
When Elisha heard the story, he asked the king to send Naaman to him. When he arrived, Elisha sent a messenger with instructions as to how to receive his healing. He must wash seven times in the River Jordan. These instructions offended Naaman. He had his own ideas and he became angry. As he was leaving in a rage, his servants appealed to him to humbly receive the instruction and follow through. At their request, Naaman acted and he received the promised healing.
It is easy to have preconceived ideas about how God or those called by God should do their work. Naaman was a proud man, but he had leprosy. God placed a servant girl in his path to tell him of the man of God. God gave him favor with his king and the king of Israel. The biggest obstacle was his pride and stubbornness. His healing came only through humble obedience. Don’t let pride get the upper hand.
“Wash and be Cleansed”
Scripture reading for April 12th: 2nd Kings 4-8
When it comes to healing and other needed miracles, most people have a tendency to think in more complicated terms. If you traveled a great distance to a specialist and then he didn’t even look at you or talk personally with you, you would probably be upset. If the specialist told you something to do that was common and ordinary, you would also probably be skeptical. This is what happened in the reading for today!
Naaman was a commander in the army of Aram (Syria). He was an important man and a valiant soldier but e had a serious illness called leprosy. People with this disease have their skin turn white and begin to come off. They develop very painful sores and must live separated from others to keep from spreading the disease. Naaman had a servant girl who was an Israelite who knew of Elisha the prophet and told Naaman’s wife about this possible cure. Naaman set out for Israel with a letter from the king of Aram to the king of Israel requesting a cure.
The king of Israel was worried that this was an impossible thing and that Aram was picking a fight. Leprosy was not something that was easily cured. Elisha heard about the king’s dilemma and encouraged him to send Naaman to him. When Naaman arrived at the prophet’s residence, Elisha sent word to Naaman, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2nd Kings 5:10)
Naaman was furious because his expectations were not met. He had envisioned the healing taking place a certain way and this was so easy. Pride shows itself as anger often and this great man had some. His servants urged Naaman to listen and obey, however, and Naaman did go and wash as the prophet said and was immediately cleansed! Naaman returned to the prophet and tried to pay him but no pay was accepted! (2nd Kings 5:16) The healing was a gift from the Lord demonstrating that the Lord is God!
God loves to confound the proud and cannot be put in a box. Think about this simple example requiring faith and ask God for that kind of obedience to the instructions you already have. If you have a difficult problem or need healing, be open to the simple solutions God sends your way.