Prayer Journal
Sunday, October 15, 2000
As commander of the army of Aram, Naaman was a valiant soldier, but he had the dreaded disease of leprosy. Naaman heard that a prophet in Israel could heal him so he secured his master's approval to travel to Israel and purchase this healing power.
After a distraction before the king of Israel, Naaman eventually found his way to Elisha's house. Upon arriving there, the prophet sent a messenger to meet Naaman and deliver the prescription for remedy; "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." 2 Kings 5:10. Upon hearing this, Naaman became angry. It seemed he had an idea how this healing ought to work and he didn't like the way Elisha was going about it.
First, Naaman couldn't understand why Elisha wouldn't speak to him directly. He also believed Elisha should demonstrate some kind of visible hocus pocus effect. In addition, Naaman was angry that he was asked to dip in a river of Israel and not one of his own rivers. Finally, he couldn't understand why Elisha wouldn't accept payment for his services like every merchant does.
Naaman didn't know that Elisha, like his predecessor Elijah, was a mighty prophet for God. And Elisha even had a double portion of Elijah's power. Both prophets accurately analyzed situations and gave specific instructions as to how to receive God's mercy. Such is the man of God.
Naaman, on the other hand, is an example of the natural man who views every situation as an opportunity to question God. Doing an "end-around" God seems to be the first thing a man does when he doesnt know God.
Naaman must have asked himself, "What's so special about dipping seven times?" He probably thought after one dip, "If I sense any change at all, I'm out of here!" And after each successive dip on his way to seven, his frustration grew until he had but one dip left. At that point Naaman must either submit of quit. Finally, after the seventh dip he learned a lesson about obedience; "When God wants seven - six won't do!"
Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
