I’m still reading in 2 Kings and thought I’d share another interesting story with you.
If you finished reading the scriptures I shared on Thursday, you read that the boy that Elisha raised from the dead sneezed 7 times. Well, the number 7 appears in this story as well.
Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was well respected and a valiant soldier, but he had a very serious problem. HE HAD LEPROSY.
Naaman’s servant girl told him of a prophet in Samaria who could heal him.
2 Kings 5:4-7
Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. “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. 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.”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!”
When the man of God, Elisha, heard that the king had torn his robes — he sent the king a message to have Naaman come to him.
How many times have you expected things to happen a certain way, but God seemed to have a different plan? I can honestly say that MOST of my plans have turned out the opposite of what God had planned for my life.
Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Naaman discovered this the hard way.
2 Kings 5:9-12
So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 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.”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. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
Wow, how arrogant. It didn’t happen the way he expected. Isn’t that just like us? I know I have gone to certain functions with big name speakers — expecting God to touch me a particular way.
God was merciful though — even in Naaman’s arrogance (just like He is with us).
2 Kings 5:13-14
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’!” 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.
There is that number 7 again! Think of the deliverance he experienced! Leprosy was a death sentence. People were shunned and removed from society. Now he was given a second chance. Surely he followed God the rest of his days!
How wonderful of God to heal him and give him the skin of a young boy! God does above and beyond what we could ever imagine.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a happy ending for everyone involved in this story. If you continue reading, you’ll see that someone gets a SERIOUS punishment. Not only for himself, but for his descendants.
I walked away from these scriptures reminded that God’s ways are not our ways. We should remain humble and open minded about the things He might have planned for us.
I have enjoyed reading in 2 Kings again!
I thought this bulletin tied in with what I shared. Just as Naaman should have been flexible — so should we:
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns — June 25, 2010:
Be flexible, for I have places to take you and things to show you that you will miss if you are rigid and unyielding. Keep an open mind and an open heart, and I will give you nuggets of wisdom and spiritual truth in the most unexpected ways in unforeseen places. I want to extricate you from the grip of religious spirits that require you to be stern, precise, and in control. Spontaneity will give you the freedom to move with the wind of My Spirit, says the Lord.
John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Great post Beth. I have learned not to put God in a box anymore. He has the ultimate plan and perfect way for making things happen. Thanks for sharing dear one. Blessings.
Thank you Beth. God always has a perfect plan. His ways are higher than our ways. It's okay to have a plan, but we must learn to be flexible, to hear the voice of the Lord and to be willing to change course at any given moment.
Beth, my one year Bible has had me going through 1 &2 Kings this month. I recently read Naaman's story as well. It made wonder how many times I might have missed the miracle because I didn't like the method. Also I was curious as to how is that a leper how such close contact with the King. Anyway, I sure he was eternally grateful for divine contact with the King of Kings. BTW I love your new look 🙂
Such a wonderful post sis.
I have also been studying 2Kings! What powerful words from God! My blog today was the Shunnamite woman and her son that had died. These people of faith are examples to us!I am so blessed to read your blog. You are so truthful and real yet always encouraging to others. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you for this wonderful message. I know my own expectations get me every time. I need to work on humility. Thanks for reminding me that God's ways are not our ways, and that I need to be open to them to receive His blessings.