The Story of How Naaman was Healed, Part 2 (2 Kings 5)

Elisha heard about the king tearing his clothes because he believed he was in deep trouble, and he requested that Naaman be sent to him. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. A messenger meet him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” Boys and girls, we are now going to see a part of Naaman’s personality that was not good. Instead of doing as he was told, he became very angry. He thought the prophet should show him more respect. After all, he was in charge of the army of Syria. He thought the prophet should put his hand over the leprosy and pray for his healing in the name of the Lord, but Elisha didn’t even talk with him face to face. Instead he sent a messenger telling him to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. To Naaman, that was beneath his dignity, and he turned away in a rage of anger. Do you think there will be a war between the two countries as the king of Israel feared? There could have been, but the servants of Naaman were wise men, and they persuaded him to do as the prophet had said. They suggested to Naaman that if the prophet had requested of him some great thing he would have done it, then why not wash and be clean. In time, Naaman did humble himself, and he dipped in the Jordan River seven times. His leprosy was healed, and his flesh became just as clean and healthy as a young child. Naaman was a changed man, and he pledged that he would worship no other God but the God of Israel. I also think the prayers of the little slave girl in Syria were answered, don’t you?