In this chapter, we are given a bird's-eye view of God's master plan working intricately in the lives of those faithful to him on behalf of all of humanity. God's orchestration allows unexpected people to be placed in unexpected places to make extraordinary changes.
5:1 The commander of the Syrian army is a powerful and renowned man. His power and renown however, has been achieved through his military defeats over Israel and Judah. Frequently, we read about God delivering the enemies of his children into their hand. In this chapter, God chooses a different approach. Rather than defeat Naaman, this powerful commander, God chooses to convert him. For a former enemy, well-respected by his people, brought into the faith would speak loudly to a new audience about the true God.
Naaman's only issue is that he suffers a severe skin disease. His ailment is symbolic of fundamental issue: he is a follower of false gods and therefore a proponent of corruption. But God is able to cure both, and He begins arranging the pieces in order to do so.
5:2 Under Naaman's command, the Syrian army pillaged Israel. While doing so, they took captive some of the Israelites. One of the captives, a young girl, becomes the servant of Naaman's wife. But the young girl is also a servant of God, fulfilling His will perhaps without even realizing it. For the girl mentions to Naaman's wife that if he were to be brought to a prophet in Samaria, he could be healed. The girl reveals her faith because she knows with absolute certainty that God could heal this affliction.
5:3-4 Naaman learns of this and sends a letter to the king of Israel.
5:5-6 The king of Israel is informed of Naaman's intent to be healed. Naaman even intends to pay for the healing.
5:7 Ironically, the king of Israel is baffled by the letter. The king does not have the same faith as the little girl and therefore does not trust in the prophets' ability to heal. The king is unfaithful but many of God's children remain faithful to Him (largely due to the work of the prophets). And while the prophets are leading people to God, so are the less-celebrated like this little girl. We all have opportunities in life to be vessels through which God's will and word come into the world. The prophets' work is extraordinary, they are returning God's children to Him. But this girl's work is equally spectacular, the strength of her faith is converting enemies and opposition. Something even the prophets are often unable to accomplish. God's strategic positions allows the meek and humble to shake and change the world.
The king of Israel is frustrated. He is annoyed that such a request has been asked of him because indeed, he has no healing powers. He feels that Naaman is antagonizing him.
5:8 Elisha is informed of the king's frustration and Naaman's request. As a faithful child of God, Elisha does not understand the king's anger. For God, it is a simple matter to heal a man. Elisha likely understands that this healing will also provide an opportunity for Naaman to choose to rid his other affliction: faithlessness. Elisha is not keen to do work for the corrupt, 2 Kings 3:14. Therefore, since we find him willing in this verse to work on the commander of Syria, we know that God sanctioned it.
5:9 Naaman is therefore sent to Elisha and he arrives at his door.
5:10 Elisha delivers the same nature of instruction he gives to the faithful: a task that leads to healing but requires faith. He instructs the commander to wash himself in the Jordan seven times.
5:11 Naaman finds this instruction ridiculous. He expected the prophet to wave his hands over his body and heal him. But God requires us to use our free will to choose Him, to trust Him. We must take the steps toward our blessings, participate in a mutual effort with God.
So often people walk away from blessing in a huff because it does not happen when or how they expected. People make the mistake of believing that they know better. Because they are unable to see God's master plan, they become distraught, frustrated or even angry like Naaman. But a mutual effort with God, every step in faith, makes blessing inevitable in perfect time and condition.
When we allowed God's will to heal, restore and bless our lives, we are able to understand the intricacy of the work. Every moment in the journey matters. God's presence and instruction heals from the core outward, flowing out into the world. When we put in an effort, we appreciate every result of the work. God could enable Elisha to heal Naaman with a wave of his hand but instead He wants Naaman to participate in his healing. He wants Naaman to have a personal relationship with God, no middle man required.
5:13 But Naaman is stopped by his servants (who were likely also placed by God). They essentially tell him that he is crazy to walk away from the instruction of a prophet. A miracle of an opportunity has been proffered to him, he must not disregard it.
5:14 And so Naaman takes the steps into the Jordan and dips into the water seven times. The seven dips are representative of persistent faith. Trusting God again and again and again. Throughout the entire journey, regardless of whether we can see the blessing at the end or not.
Naaman is healed, his skin as healthy as a child's.
5:15 Indeed, now i know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Naaman has come to the personal, confident conclusion that the true God is the God worshiped in Israel. An enemy converted. Naaman is so grateful that he wishes to present a gift.
5:16 But Elisha declines a gift. To Elisha, doing to work and will of God is the blessing of his life. Elisha refuses to take anything, no matte how much Naaman urges him to.
5:17-19 Naaman finally relents and requests to take some of the earth (dirt of Israel) back to his home. For him, it is symbolic to bring back some of this holy land with him. He is a new believer, not yet understanding the spiritual presence of God. But fully intents to worship God upon his return home. Though he will worship in the temple of the false gods, he will disregard them and open his heart to God. Elisha sends him off in peace.
5:20-21 But Gehazi is not as content to send Naaman home in peace. Gehazi is not as easily able to be generous with this former enemy. It is often difficult to be magnanimous. God offers his love and healing freely but Gehazi feels that Naaman should pay for the great blessing he received; he pursues the king with the intention of getting something from him.
5:22 Gehazi lies and tells Naaman that he was sent by Elisha. Gehazi invents a story and asks Naaman for silver and garments.
5:23 Naaman is more than happy to give Gehazi more than he asks for. The problem is deeper than Naaman's inability to be generous. By asking Naaman for something, he implies that God's love requires payment. His selfish actions taint the faith of a new believer. As believers, we represent the faith and have the responsibility of honoring God's true nature.
5:24-25 Gehazi tries to hide his actions (and the silver) from Elisha. Elisha is already informed but gives Gehazi the opportunity to be truthful. But Gehazi lies.
5:26 Elisha reveals to Gehazi that he knew of his selfish actions as he was committing them. Elisha is deeply upset because Elisha considers his life to be a life of serving rather than receiving. Elisha is not interested in material goods; his sole and passionate focus is on delivering God's will and living as a vessel through which His blessings reach others. He is disgusted by the thought of being paid or rewarded for his work. Elisha tries to impart this truth: our time on earth is not supposed to be a time of acquisition. Our time on earth is a time of servitude to God and generosity to His children.
5:27 Gehazi's faithlessness is an affliction and along with it, he receives Naaman's leprosy (and his corrupt descendants as well).
