2 Kings 4-5 Elisha’s Greatest Hits Pt 2

We continue on with Elisha’s greatest hits. The miracles God did through him for the people. Not only Israelites, but whoever comes to him seeking help.

The last time we were together we looked at the first two miracles of Elisha. These were both done for women. Today, we move on in this list of Elisha’s gifts to the people. I don’t know how many of them we will get through today, but we will keep going until we cover all that the Lord shared with us.

The miracles God did through Elisha’s hands were not limited to one life at a time. In our first miracle of today, he meets the need of around 100 people. Then his next story speaks of a gift to a man who isn’t even from Israel. God’s love knows NO bounds!

The actions of the recipients of God’s miracles are nothing more than “putting feet to their faith” by following Elisha’s directions. Any one of them would have missed out on the miracle if they refused to follow Elisha’s instructions. The actions taken in themselves were not responsible for bringing about the result. The faith in Elisha as a messenger of God made the difference. Let’s rejoin our story and see the faith in action and let the Spirit guide our journey, as He did Elisha’s.

♥ ♦ ♥

It has been a long hard three years. Israel is in the grips of another famine. This isn’t the first they have faced, and most likely not the last. After such a long time, food is scarce and water is in short supply. Elisha knows that the land’s health is tied to its spiritual health. And the spiritual health of Israel is in a sorry state. God’s mercy is the only reason Israel still exists. No matter what the difficulty though, Elisha continues to share the message of the Lord wherever he goes.

Elisha has a great love for those who are sharing his dedication to the Lord. Elisha knows that God provides for those who follow Him, but that doesn’t keep them from feeling the effects of His hand on the nation. Today, Elisha has come to Gilgal to strengthen the prophets of the Lord who live there.

As Elisha enters the city, his arrival creates quite a stir. The people know him on sight. He has come many times over the years to this city. Children rush over to greet him, people call out to him to pray for them, and even some shout hateful things at him, blaming him for the famine. Elisha takes it all in, keeps the best of his welcome, and shakes off the rest.

Elisha says in his heart; “I know your pain. I have been praying for you. For your souls and your bellies.” As he walks, he greets the children with smiles and pats on the head. He has nothing to give them this day though. His pockets and that of his servant Gehazi are empty.

Elisha and Gehazi make their way through the town to the place where the prophets of the Lord live. They all share a small community which keeps them safe, encouraged, and ready to step out into the world when the Lord calls them to service. While they are together, they spend a lot of time in prayer and learning of the Lord. They have dedicated their lives to the Lord and will bow down to NO other gods.

Elisha greets the prophets as they enter their community. “Shalom my sons. How is your day? What reports do you have to share? What needs can I meet?”

“Father Elisha, we have been working diligently in building the hope of the people. In turning their hearts to the Lord in this season of trouble. Today progresses like all the rest; an effort of love.”

“I have not heard you speak of your needs.”

The man who is the spokesman for the group bows his head in embarrassment. “We have the same need that the rest of the people do, my father. We are hungry. We don’t want to trouble you with this, as it is a common affliction among all the people.”

“Yet I asked your needs. It is not troubling to me to hear your needs. Let’s work together and meet that need.” Elisha turns to Gehazi; “Set on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets” (2 Kings 4:38).

Gehazi’s mind wants to call out “WHAT STEW!” but his heart knows to follow Elisha’s words wherever they take him. Gehazi is shown into the cooking area and given the largest pot available. He takes it to the cooking fire and places it on the stand above the heart of the fire.

“Where may I gather water from” asks Gehazi.

“There is only one place left right now. Follow me.”

Gehazi and his leader both bring water jars to the only stream that is still flowing. As they work to fill their water jars, the prophet makes small talk with Gehazi.

“This stream used to be three times this height. And there were several places to draw from it. Now it barely runs and this is the only place deep enough to capture clean water.”

Gehazi nods. “This same thing is happening all over Israel. I pray that the Lord acts soon and sends us rain. If not, …”

The two return to the cooking pot and pour in their water. What they have gathered fills the pot two-thirds of the way to the top. “Plenty of space for added ingredients” says Gehazi.

Gehazi fills the cooking ring with wood and starts a fire under the pot. Then the two of them scavenge the storehouse for things to add to the water. There is little, but what there is, they throw in.

“We need more ingredients” remarks Gehazi. “I will go speak with Elisha.”

Elisha is in conversation with one of the prophets when Gehazi finds him. He waits patiently until they notice him standing nearby. “Yes, Gehazi. Did you need something?”

“I do my lord. I need ‘ingredients’ for the stew. Otherwise, I will be serving hot water for dinner.”

Elisha laughs and slaps his thighs. “I suppose it is time to get up and get searching. Call all the prophets. We have work to do.”

After a few minutes, all the prophets are assembled together. Elisha looks out over them. Their hunger is apparent in their eyes. Elisha knows it is both a physical hunger and spiritual one. He plans to address the first now, and the second after their meal.

“My sons, it’s time to make dinner. Gehazi has water boiling and a few herbs in it, but we need more. Go out and scour the countryside for things to add to our stew.”

There is a great scramble as the men take off in every conceivable direction in search of something to add to the stew. As they locate things to add, they bring them back, prepare them, and add them to the pot.

One man finds a flock of birds and is able to knock five of them down. He kills, cleans, and cuts them up before dumping their flesh into the pot. Another man finds grub roots. He washes, chops, and adds these to the pot. Another man, who actually was searching for herbs, finds a vine rich in gourds. He picks a whole lap full. He cleans, chops, and adds these to the pot. So many different little things are thrown into the pot in the creation of this stew.

It is finally time to serve the stew. It is unlike anything the prophets have ever made before. As bowl after bowl are dished out to the men, the aroma fills their nostrils and their stomach’s protest at the delay in filling them. As bowls are placed in front of each man, they stir their portion to cool it before eating.

One man, as he is stirring his stew, notices a piece of vegetable flesh that alarms him. He picks it from his bowl, recognizing it immediately. He calls out so everyone can hear so that they don’t eat any of their stew.

“O man of God, there is death in the pot!” (2 Kings 4:40).

Everyone stops stirring. Their hearts fall as one. They were so excited to share a meal with Elisha, and to eat something of substance. And now, this announcement robs them of both.

Elisha calls out to them. “Return your stew to the pot.”

Every man walks over to the pot and pours his stew back into it. Heavy hearts abound. Elisha is not through though. As soon as the last bowl in emptied back into the pot, Elisha gives more directions.

“Then bring flour” (2 Kings 4:41a) Elisha instructs Gehazi.

Gehazi and his helper go to the store house and find a small bag of flour. They bring it back to Elisha. Elisha takes two handfuls of the flour and throws it into the pot. He stirs until the flour is dispersed within the stew, then calls out his final instructions for the stew.

“Pour some out for the men, that they may eat” (2 Kings 4:41b).

The stew is dished out again and each man sits with his bowl. The gourds that were the cause of the alarm are still in the stew, but the prophets begin to eat their stew. NONE of them are even bothered by the gourds. There is no longer any death in the stew.

Everyone went to bed satisfied in their bellies. The next day, as Elisha is satisfying their spirits, their hunger returns; as is to be expected. While Elisha is teaching, a man comes bearing his tithe of his firstfruits. In his bag are 20 loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain.

He bows low to Elisha and presents his offering. “Thank you, my son. I receive these in the name of the Lord. Your offering has been counted to you as a blessing.”

Elisha hands the sack to Gehazi. “Give to the men, that they may eat” (2 Kings 4:42).

Gehazi looks at the sack and then at the men gathered around. In a hushed voice for Elisha’s ears only, Gehazi says; “How can I set this before a hundred men?” (2 Kings 4:43a).

Elisha turns and looks his servant straight in the eyes. “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left’” (2 Kings 4:43b).

Gehazi shrugs, turns to the table and begins laying out the bread and wheat. He keeps pulling, and pulling, and pulling from the sack. There seems to be no end to the bread and wheat coming from the sack.

The prophets come graciously and thankfully to the table and begin eating the bread. By the time they are finished, there are still more than fifteen loaves of bread and a half bushel of wheat heads. Elisha and Gehazi ate their fill as well. All that remains is taken to the storeroom for the servants of the Lord to eat later.

Elisha finished feeding their souls before he and Gehazi depart. The prophets, after seeing the miracles of Elisha’s faith, exercise their own faith a bit more. They trust the Lord to provide for them; and He DOES! They even begin sharing with their community the abundance that the Lord blesses them with in this difficult time.

As all things end, so does the famine. Things return to normal and those who sought God out of desperation turn again to the Baals and Asherah. This does not stop Elisha and the prophets of God from continuing to spread His word and urge the people to turn back to the Lord.

Now that the famine is over, great things are happening in various places throughout the known world. One such place of favor is Syria. The king of Syria has just had an amazing victory over those who would oppress them. The commander of Syria’s army is a man named Naaman. He is a master tactician and all his men love him and will follow him to the ends of the earth. The king keeps him as his right-hand man.

But Naaman has a problem. Naaman is a leper. His skin is as white as snow with boils breaking in the creases of his skin and even the backs of his hands. Naaman is careful to manage his condition. When he walks with the king, he keeps a barrier between his skin and the kings. In battle with his men, he wears extra layers under his armor. He eats alone, shares drinks with no one, and even sleeps alone in his own home. He has not touched his wife in years. It breaks both their hearts, but it must be this way to protect her.

One day, a group of slave traders who had made a raid in the land of Israel, bring their ‘wares’ to the market place. This happens to be the same day Naaman’s wife has requested a young girl to join their household slaves. Naaman chief servant is in the market when these slave traders are hawking the value of their slaves.

He sees a lovely young Israelite girl among the slaves. “This is the one” he says to himself. He waits for her to be brought across the auction block. He doesn’t offer an immediate bid, or he might look to anxious. He waits for the auctioneer to name the lowest price. He places his bid at that price. There are only a few others interested in the young girl, and Naaman’s servant quickly outbids them. The final price is fair and he is happy to have acquired this girl for his master’s wife.

The auctioneer hands Naaman’s servant the chain affixed to the collar around the girl’s neck. The servant is loath to see anyone tethered this way, especially a child, but he does not have the tools with him to release her from her bonds. He offers her his hand. She looks at it with hesitation, but finally reaches out and grasps it when it was not withdrawn. Holding the chain in one hand and the child’s hand in the other, the two leave the market.

The first thing Naaman’s servant does upon reaching the home of his master is remove the bonds of this child. Her eyes brighten immediately as the collar falls away. Next, she is given to the mistress’ personal servant.

“She is such a beautiful child” she says. “I’m sure my mistress will adore her.”

Naaman’s servant bows his head at the praise he is receiving for doing such an excellent job in choosing a girl for the mistress of the house.

“Come along little one. I’m going to give you a bath and some clean clothes. Then we will see about getting you something good to eat.”

Still reserved, the little girl gives this new lady a small smile and a head nod.

The bath is a little rough as there is a lot of grime from days in a cage to scrub from the child’s skin and hair. When it is over, her skin is a little pink but there are no abrasions or lice on her.

The child’s eyes go wide when she is given a clean new blue dress. The fabric is soft and feels good on her skin. The color is like the sky, and it is ALL hers! After a few tucks here and there, it fits perfectly. She is very proud of her new dress, even if it isn’t from her Ima.

Thinking about her Ima brings tears to her eyes. Over the last two weeks with the slave traders, she has come to accept that she will never see her Ima or Abba again. They were killed in the raid. But they live on in her heart. And so do the memories of her homeland.

After plaiting the child’s hair and giving her a modest meal, the child is taken to the mistress of the house.

The little girl stands as still as she can while the lady walks around her, touching her hair, lifting her chin, and inspecting her hands. Finally, the examination is over and she can breathe again.

The ladies talk together for a little while, and the girl begins to shift from foot to foot.

This gets the attention of the older lady. “Don’t fidget so child.”

The little girl freezes in place, afraid of what might happen if she disobeys. The slave traders were NOT nice when she didn’t obey. She doesn’t want to get the ladies mad at her.

After a few minutes the first lady that took her, takes her back out to the kitchen. She likes the kitchen. It smells like good things to eat, is warm, and the people in it are mostly smiling. She doesn’t know what she is supposed to do, so she stands quietly in a corner.

Finally, someone comes over to her and actually speaks WITH her.

“My name is Penelope. What is your name?”

“I am Deirdre” she says in a quiet voice.

“Deirdre, you will be my helper from now on. You will help me whenever the mistress calls us. We help her dress, bring her meals, take care of her dresses, and sometimes sit and talk to her if she is lonely. Do you think you can help me with these things?”

Deirdre nods. She likes the way this lady talks to her. She isn’t mean to her and doesn’t pinch her to make her pay attention. Deirdre will do whatever she can to help this lady.

After that quiet moment in the kitchen, the rest of the day passes in a flurry. When dinner time comes, Deirdre notices two different tables being set outside of the kitchen. She knows that servants at in the kitchen, so why is there another table she wonders. As she is helping to set one table, a tall man with white hands and face walks into the room with the other table. Deirdre has never seen anyone so white in her life. As she stands there staring, Penelope bumps into her as she is moving around the table.

“Deirdre, we have work to do.”

Deidre turns her body back to the table she is setting, but her eyes are still fixed on the man in the next room. He apparently feels her eyes on him as he looks up and stares at her. Deirdre jumps and then hurries back to her tasks.

When it is time for the servants to eat, Deidre has a burning question she has to ask. Once everyone is seated, Deirdre speaks up.

“Who was that white man? And why does his skin look like that?”

The adults all look at one another with a little fear in their eyes. Penelope is the one to answer. “That is the master of the house. His name is Naaman and he is the commander of the army of Syria.”

“But why is his skin so white? And why doesn’t he eat with the mistress? Isn’t he her husband?”

Penelope shakes her head. “Deirdre, you ask too many questions.”

Deirdre drops her head and focuses on eating her dinner. She doesn’t want to make Penelope angry at her. Penelope’s words also make her heart hurt. They are the same words her Ima used to say to her. And now she misses her Ima all over again. Soft tears fall from Deirdre’s eyes and land in her hand. She quickly wipes them away; hopefully before anyone sees them.

In the morning, the servants prepare two tables again. Deirdre keeps glancing into the second room to see if the man will come again. When he does, she works hard to keep her mind on her tasks, but she can’t help thinking about the man and his all-white skin.

Penelope can see Deirdre’s curiosity. “I will have to address it” she tells herself. She feels certain that Deirdre won’t be able to move on with her work unless her questions are answered.

As breakfast is served in the kitchen for the servants, Penelope takes Deirdre aside. “It isn’t polite to stare, but I understand your curiosity. Our master Naaman has a disease known as leprosy. It makes him unable to touch anyone or eat with them, because he might spread his disease.”

“I have heard of leprosy. It is a bad sickness.” Deirdre remembers home and hearing about how the prophets in Israel cure this sickness. “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3).

“No one can cure leprosy Deirdre.”

“The prophet can. He did it before.”

“Are you certain of this?”

“My Ima told me and she NEVER lies. He is a great man of God and he does lots of things to help people.”

Penelope believes Deirdre. She can’t explain why, but in her spirit, she knows that the girl speaks the truth. She has to share this information with the master’s servant. If there is hope for the master, she knows that he deserves it. He has been nothing but kind to all of his servants.

Before beginning morning chores, Penelope goes in search of the head servant. When she locates him, she approaches with respect. She waits until he gives her his attention before speaking.

“The little girl you bought at the slave market two days ago; did you know that she is from the land of Israel?”

“I believe I heard the slavers mention it. Why? Is it important?”

“Only that there is a man in Samaria; a prophet of God who is said to be able to heal leprosy.”

“Are you certain of this” the servant asks with guarded excitement.

“She says that her mother told her of him doing so and that ‘He does lots of things to help people.’”

“This is exciting news! I will bring it to my master’s attention.”

When Naaman returns home that evening, he can tell that his servant has something pressing to speak with him about. He is literally bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“What news do you have for me that has you so excited?”

“The little girl that was recently purchased comes from the land of Israel. She tells of a prophet in Samaria who can heal you of your leprosy.”

Naaman is dumbfounded. He wants to question his servant as to whether he believes the report, but he realizes that it would not have been brought to him if his servant thought it false. His mind begins to jump from track to track, trying to figure out what he should do. “Is it really possible?” “What will the king say if I go to Israel?” “Who will watch over things here if I go?” “I wonder what kind of magic spell he will cast?” “How much will he charge me, a stranger in his land?” “What if I go and it doesn’t work?”

Naaman shakes his head as if to shake loose all the thoughts running through it. He takes a deep breath to calm himself. Then he tells his servant; “Bring the girl. I want to hear it from her lips.”

Deirdre is helping to set the tables for the evening meal. Naaman’s servant speaks quietly to Penelope. “The master wishes to hear from the child’s own mouth about the prophet in Israel. Send her with me.”

Penelope puts a hand on Deirdre’s arm to halt her movements. Then she bends down to speak with her. “Deirdre, do you remember how you told me about the prophet in Samaria?”

Deirdre nods.

“And how that prophet could cure our master of leprosy?”

Deirdre again nods.

“The master would like to hear this from your own lips. He wants so much to be made whole, but is afraid to trust that it could happen. He wants to see if you truly believe what you are saying. You will go with this man here and he will take you to the master. Answer whatever he asks truthfully and no harm will come to you.”

“What if he thinks I’m not telling the truth? Will he hurt me?”

“Are you telling the truth about this prophet?”

Deirdre nods vigorously.

“Then you have nothing to fear. Our master is very good at knowing who is speaking the truth and who is speaking lies.”

Deirdre goes willingly with Naaman’s servant. “When we stand before the master, you must not touch him. But you also have no need to fear him. He is a good man and a fine master.”

Naaman smiles at Deirdre as she enters the room. Deirdre makes certain to stand still and not fidget. Grown ups don’t like it when children fidget.

“You told one of the other servants about a man in Israel who can heal leprosy. Can you tell me about him?”

“He is a prophet of God and he lives in Samaria. He helps people when they ask. I’m sure he can heal you if you ask him.”

“Has he ever healed anyone else with leprosy?”

“My Ima said he did. And she NEVER lies. …” Deirdre starts to tear up as she finishes her thought. “… or she never lied before the bad men killed her and Abba and took me away.”

Naaman quickly responds to the child’s hurt. “I’m so sorry they did that to your Ima and Abba. No one will hurt you here. We will protect you from any bad people.”

Only two tears escape before Deirdre pulls herself back from her sadness. She is then taken back to Penelope to complete her tasks.

“Did you tell him about the man in Samaria” asks Penelope when Deirdre returns.

“I did. He said he would protect me from the bad people too. My Ima and Abba can’t protect me anymore. The bad people killed them.”

Penelope bends down and enfolds Deirdre in her arms. “You are safe here little one.” Penelope wipes a tear from Deirdre’s face then holds her at arm’s length. “We had better get back to work though, or the cook will be angry and not make us a tasty meal.”

Naaman is pacing his room, thinking about the implications of the little girl’s words. “The first thing I need to do is speak with my master and ask permission to visit this man.”

Naaman wrestles with waiting until morning or going now. His excitement wins out and he puts his cloak back on and goes to the palace. The door guard announces him as soon as he sees him approaching.

The king’s anxiety level goes up. Why would the commander of his army be coming to him so late in the evening if not with bad news. The king motions the guard to let him pass.

Naaman walks into the king’s banquet hall and bows before him and waits for the king to speak.

“What brings you to my side at such a late hour?”

“I know I probably should have waited until morning, my lord, but I have heard and incredible story. We have recently purchased a new slave from the land of Israel. She is a young girl and she has some amazing things to say.” Naaman takes a breath, then launches into the girl’s tale; “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel” (2 Kings 5:4).

The king is excited for Naaman. He may finally be free of this disease. “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel” (2 Kings 5:5).

“I will return home and prepare for the journey. I will leave as soon as preparations are made. Most likely within two hours from now.”

“I will have the letter ready and waiting before you leave. The guard will hold it for you once I have composed it.

Naaman hurries home to prepare for his journey. The first thing he does is attend to the payment he will offer the man of Israel. He is a wealthy man and feels that any reward for healing him should reflect that. He has his servant bring out camels to carry all that he assembles. From his own stores, he pulls out ten talents of silver, six shekels of gold and ten changes of cloths. These are wrapped carefully and loaded onto the camels.

While these are being loaded onto the camels, Naaman begins assembling the supplies he will need for the journey. Naaman calls another of his servants. “Go to the garrison. Tell the guard on duty to wake the commander. I want six of the best men ready to travel with me tonight to the Samaria. Have them ready to leave in one hour. It is not a battle we are marching towards, but a miracle.”

True to his word, Naaman is ready to leave in just over an hour from when he left the king. He goes to the palace first to retrieve the letter that the king wrote. Instead of finding the guard holding the letter, he sees the king clutching it to his chest.

“My master, you do me a great honor by penning this letter. And you do me an even greater honor by placing it in my hands yourself. I pledge to return to you as soon as my business is complete.”

“See that you do” says the king. The seriousness of his words were well softened by the smile on his face and the excitement in his eyes.

Naaman and his small band leave for the land of Samaria. Naaman is so anxious to arrive that he has them move through the night. The moon is full and the sky devoid of clouds, so finding their way in the dark is no issue. They arrive in Samaria by noon the next day.

When Naaman is finally inside the gates of Samaria, he allows the caravan to rest. They drove hard all night and into the morning. Camels are slower than horses, but they can also be driven hard in the desert and survive the ordeal.

“Water the animals while I take the king the letter from our king.”

Naaman walks quickly to the palace and presents himself to the guard. “I am Naaman, commander of Syria’s army. I have come a great distance with a letter for your king from my king.”

The guard steps into the hall and announces Naaman. The king beckons him to come into the throne room. Naaman bows low, paying proper respect to the king.

“Good king of Israel, my master, king of Syria sends me with this letter to you.”

Naaman takes the letter from under his armor and hands it to the guard. The guard takes it to Jehoram. Jehoram carefully breaks the seal and reads the letter.

“When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:6).

Jehoram eyes go wide as he reads and by the end, he drops the letter as if it has scorched his fingers. Then he grasps his clothing in both hands and rips his robe. He cries out in fear and anguish.

“Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”

Naaman is stunned into silence by the king’s actions. “I knew it was too good to be true” he tells himself.

On the outskirts of the city on the other side of the wall, as Naaman arrives, God speaks to Elisha. “There is a man from Syria come to receive healing. The king of Israel has torn his clothes in anguish because of him. Send for him and I will show Myself through his healing.”

Elisha pens a message immediately to the king and sends it by messenger.

As the king’s cry of anguish is dying on the wind, and Naaman’s despair is settling, Elisha’s message to the king is being delivered to the guard. When he realizes the sender, he rushes to the throne room.

“My king, I have a message from the prophet Elisha for you.”

Jehoram shakes his head. “What more can go wrong” he thinks. To the guard he says; “Bring it here.”

The king begins reading the message. “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

All the fear drains from Jehoram. He looks up and addresses Naaman. “Go to the home of Elisha, the prophet of God. He is the man you are searching for.”

Naaman bows low and exits the palace. He goes to one of the guards. “Can you tell me how to find the home of Elisha, the prophet of God.”

“I know right where he lives. I will draw you a map. It is not far from here.”

With map in hand, Naaman continues his journey to his healing. He arrives at the home of Elisha no more that half an hour after leaving the throne room of Jehoram. Naaman stands at the door of Elisha. All his chariots and camels wait behind him. Elisha’s servant Gehazi emerges from the house. He speaks Elisha’s instructions to Naaman.

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10).

After saying these words, Gehazi turns and walks back into the house, exactly as Elisha had instructed him to do.

Naaman’s mouth drops open. “That’s it? He is not going to do anything else?” he thinks to himself. Anger at being treated with such disregard boils up within him. “I came all this way and he can’t even be bothered to do any more than THAT” he seethes silently.

Naaman turns on his heals and walks back to his chariot. He Climbs in and snaps the reigns. He gives vent to his anger. “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:11-12).

Naaman’s servant drives his chariot alongside Naaman’s and he calls out to him. “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (2 Kings 5:13).

Naaman sighs and shakes his head. He has come all this way; he might as well do as the prophet said. It takes the rest of the day for Naaman and his company to reach the Jordan river. The light is fading, but there is still enough to see by.

Naaman walks out into the river. He dips himself in the river once, going up to his chin. He stands back up and looks at his hands. There is no change. Naaman dips a second time to his chin. When he stands again, there is still no change.

Naaman looks over at his servant and shakes his head. His servant calls out to him; “The man of God said seven times. Keep going my lord.”

Naaman dips a third time, up to his mouth this time. Still no change. He dips a fourth time to his chin and splashes water on his face. Still no change. He dips a fifth time, water to his nose. Still no change. He dips a sixth time, water to his eyes. STILL no change.

Naaman looks over at his servant again. The servant nods.

Naaman takes a deep breath and plunges himself all the way under the water. When he stands, he shakes his hair and wipes water from his eyes. When he opens his eyes, he sees skin as brown and fresh as a new born babe. He holds his hands before his face and examines them. He pushes back the sleeves of his tunic and sees the same clean skin.

Naaman slaps the water and begins to dance about in it, throwing handfuls of it in the air over his head. His servant rushes into the water beside him. Naaman shows him his arms and he can clearly see his master’s face.

“The man of God was right! You are healed!”

The two men dance around in the water for a moment more before walking back to shore. The men with Naaman welcome him back on shore.

“As it is already night, should we make camp here?”

“Yes. This is a perfect place to make camp.” He claps his servant on the shoulder. “We can change into dry clothes as well. The chill is setting in and I don’t want to exchange one ailment for another.”

The men sit by the fire warming themselves and Naaman continues looking at his new skin. He compares the color of his skin with those with him and sees a perfect match. “The God of Israel is TRULY God. No other god could heal me. And, here I sit, in the land of the One True God.”

When morning comes, Naaman and his band are at the door or Elisha’s home again. Elisha steps out with Gehazi at his side to greet Naaman.

“The Lord has honored your obedience” Elisha says as Naaman stands before him.

“Thank you! I am so sorry for ever doubting and for my anger. Please forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive. Your worked through your reluctance to trust and the Lord honored it.”

“Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant” (2 Kings 5:15).

Elisha shakes his head. “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none” (2 Kings 5:16).

Naaman has a request of Elisha then. “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. ¹⁸ In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter” (2 Kings 5:17-18).

Elisha smiles at him and says; “Go in peace” (2 Kings 5:19).

Gehazi does all he can to keep his shock and disappointment hidden. He watches as Elisha goes back into the house and Naaman turns his company around and leaves. He keeps looking back and forth between the two for several minutes.

When Elisha doesn’t come back out, he starts thinking about himself. “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him” (2 Kings 5:20).

Gehazi slips out the gate then takes off running to catch up to Naaman. When Naaman sees someone running after him, he begins to worry. He stops his company and gets down out of his chariot as Gehazi approaches.

“Is all well?” (2 Kings 5:21), Naaman asks Gehazi.

“All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing’” (2 Kings 5:22).

Naaman is more than happy to help. He signals to his servant to begin withdrawing what was requested. “Be pleased to accept two talents” (2 Kings 5:23).

Gehazi watches greedily as the money and the clothing are extracted from Naaman’s cache. “Too bad I couldn’t have come up with a reason to receive it all” he thinks to himself.

Once everything is gathered, Naaman puts the talents of silver and the changes of clothing into the arms of two of his servants. They walk before Gehazi back towards Elisha’s home. Gehazi stops them before they reach the gate and takes the items from them. “Thank you for your assistance. I can take it to where the prophet waits with our guests.”

The servants bow and return to Naaman. Gehazi sneaks around the back of the house and hides his treasures. Then he goes back around to the front of the house and steps into Elisha’s presence.

Elisha looks up at him.   Elisha keeps his voice free of accusation. “Where have you been, Gehazi?” (2 Kings 5:25a).

Gehazi’s eyes start to dart about and the back of his head tingles as he answers Elisha with a lie. “Your servant went nowhere” (2 Kings 5:25b)

Sorrow fills Elisha’s voice as he begins to address Gehazi’s sin. “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? …” Elisha’s voice takes on a tone of accusation and rises in pitch with each word. “… Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? …” Elisha’s tone is now firm. “… Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever” (2 Kings 5:26-27).

Instantly, Gehazi’s skin becomes white as snow. He screams and runs from Elisha’s presence. Before he leaves completely, he retrieves the ‘gifts’ he extracted from Naaman. Elisha does not stop him. These things that he takes with him have damned him and his future generations. They have become his god.

Elisha shakes his head and silent tears make their way down his face as he watches Gehazi go. He had loved this man once. Truth be told, he still does, but Gehazi is lost to him. He will pray that he finds his way back to the Lord someday. That is all he can do for his once faithful servant.

Elisha walks back in the house and shuts the door. “Tomorrow is another day” he tells himself.

(to be continued)

Elisha’s stories both deal with faithfulness today. In both stories we see a willingness to do ALL that God commands and a reward for obedience. We also see the difference between faithfulness to the Lord and disobedience. Those who cling to the Lord are safe in His hands. That doesn’t mean that they (we) won’t feel the ravages of the world around us. But our hope is not in this world. It is in Him.

When Gehazi took the ‘payment’ from Naaman, he was putting his hope in material things. ALL THAT TIME walking with Elisha, and he chooses THIS path!

There is a verse that popped into my head just now. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Our ‘reaping’ isn’t always of this world. Some struggle all the way through. Others seem to sail on by. Either way, when our ‘well doing’ is done in His name, He holds our ‘reward’.

Often the road is hard. We cannot make it on our own. Only by holding fast to the Father’s hand can we rise above the circumstances. He can make beauty come from the hardest places. And He makes flowers grow in the valleys.

Father God, thank You that I am NEVER alone. That You are ALWAYS with me and know my every need. You take me along paths that help me grow, strengthen me, give me a testimony of Your faithfulness, and even provide me with rest. You know EXACTLY what I need and when I need it. Keep me trusting and walking in Your ways Father God.