Naaman, the Syrian Commander--2 Kings 5
Looking at the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, several gems of truth emerge. The first is that Naaman was a prideful man, but also he was, in some ways, more open to God than the leadership (Joram) of Israel. He sought relief from his leprosy and was desperate enough to take a chance on a servant-girl from another nation. He was willing to take direction from a prophet who treated him coolly, and although he at first refused the advice, he was open enough to take the advice of his servants, and follow out the simple directions Elisha gave him. Naaman was disgusted and frustrated to think that any good could come out of bathing in a muddy local river, yet it did.
For me, it's interesting to see God work around "the establishment" in this story. He is not inactive in times when culture has gone bad and leadership has lost its way. Instead, we see Him working through the faith of this young, female, servant girl. God patiently works around Joram, honors Elijah and the servant girl, and blessed this Syrian commander...mercy upon mercy in this story, but to the unlikely.
It's also a story of "the losers" amid this mercy. Elisha's servant clearly misses the point, and we find him chasing after the physical rewards that Elisha turned away.
On the attention paid to Naaman's case of leprosy (lovely wording and word choice here):
"It has ever been a sad fact in our history that we magnify both the trims and the virtues of the grandees, and think but little of the griefs and graces of the lowly." -Biblical Illustrator
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| Naaman Washes in the River Jordan circa 1521, Master of St. Severin, Germany |
For me, it's interesting to see God work around "the establishment" in this story. He is not inactive in times when culture has gone bad and leadership has lost its way. Instead, we see Him working through the faith of this young, female, servant girl. God patiently works around Joram, honors Elijah and the servant girl, and blessed this Syrian commander...mercy upon mercy in this story, but to the unlikely.
It's also a story of "the losers" amid this mercy. Elisha's servant clearly misses the point, and we find him chasing after the physical rewards that Elisha turned away.
On the attention paid to Naaman's case of leprosy (lovely wording and word choice here):
"It has ever been a sad fact in our history that we magnify both the trims and the virtues of the grandees, and think but little of the griefs and graces of the lowly." -Biblical Illustrator
Quite true. I think most of us have a subtle prejudice in this regard. We value the opinions of the more affluent or those in elevated leadership positions over the thoughts of the common man. In truth, although leaders should be more discerning, many get lost in their reputation and in the approval of man. And wealthy men generally seem to be a morally weak lot from my experience. In contrast, the common sense of the common man has been honed by life and his humbler vision is often the clearest.
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