Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
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.” 2 Kings 5:10
Much to his displeasure, Naaman, the commander of the army of Syria contracted leprosy. However there happened to be an Israelite girl working as a slave in his house who mentioned there was a prophet in Samaria who could heal leprosy. Once Naaman got permission from his king he went to see Elisha.
Elisha would not come out when Naaman arrived. Instead, he sent a servant to tell him to go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman was beside himself at this nonsensical request. He told his servants he had expected some religious ceremony, but not this. Rivers in Syria were better than the Jordan to swim in. But his servants wouldn’t let him off that easily. They said, “Father, you’ve come this far, how hard could it be to do what the man says?” So Naaman went for a swim. After diving under the seventh time he came out cleansed of leprosy. The Bible says his skin was like that of a young boy. Talk about the fountain of youth!
Naaman returned to Elisha’s house to honor him with a gift. However, Elisha wanted nothing to do with any payment. This healing was for the glory of the Lord.
Ever wonder what the slave girl’s reward might have been? She heaped coals on her enemy’s head so God could be glorified. I’ll bet revival broke out in Syria when Naaman returned. God’s ways don’t always make sense to us, but as Naaman’s servants wisely counseled, they don’t have to. Obedience to God’s command is all we are asked. Sometimes that may be a challenging thing to do but just wait for the reward.
(As a companion to this devotional I wrote a song about Naaman. It is to be read, or sung, to the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.)
The Naaman Song (To the Tune of the Beverly Hillbillies Theme song)
By Mike Chaffin
Come and listen to my story about a man named Naaman.
A rich ol’ commander of the army of Aram.
And then one day he just came down with leprosy,
And his slave girl says, get thee away from me.
Elisha, he’s a prophet of God, go be healed.
Well, the first thing you know old Naaman hits the road.
Took his servants with him to carry his precious cargo load.
Slave girl said, Samaria is the place you ought to be,
So they loaded up the chariots and went to go see.
Elisha, that is, Prophet of God, miracle worker.
Well, now it’s time to say goodbye to Elisha and all his kin.
Said go swim in the Jordan if he wanted better skin.
Naaman didn’t want to listen but his servants said go,
And after dipping seven times he was clean from head to toe.
Healed, that is, listened to God; was obedient.
Y’all obey God now, hear?
