We come to 2 Kings 5, which contains the well-known story of the healing of Naaman:

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. (2 Kings 5.1, ESV)

A great man, in high favor…BUT he was a leper. I’m reading The Message this year, and it uses “skin disease” and calls the country Aram. The story is often used as a metaphor for cleansing from sin – I can’t tell you how many sermons I’ve heard on that – but let’s just see what the obvious lessons are.

The first is a perfect example of “Be there, pay attention, do what you can, tell the truth,” which is the theme of my book Join the Adventure!

It so happened that Aram, on one of its raiding expeditions against Israel, captured a young girl who became a maid to Naaman’s wife. One day she said to her mistress, “Oh, if only my master could meet the prophet of Samaria, he would be healed of his skin disease.” (2 Kings 5.2, 3, MSG)

If a captured slave girl can “be there, pay attention,…” we all can.

But the real story of Naaman’s healing is a lesson in humility. Note how it sets up in verse 1: commander…great man…in high favor with his king. And so he goes to the king, an odd action since the little girl said “prophet in Samaria.” The king sends Naaman to his counterpart, the king of Israel.

Naaman went straight to his master and reported what the girl from Israel had said. “Well then, go,” said the king of Aram. “And I’ll send a letter of introduction to the king of Israel.” So he went off, taking with him about 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes. Naaman delivered the letter to the king of Israel. The letter read, “When you get this letter, you’ll know that I’ve personally sent my servant Naaman to you; heal him of his skin disease.” (2 Kings 5.4 – 6, MSG)

The king of Israel was greatly distressed. “How am I going to heal this guy?” Elisha steps in:

Elisha the man of God heard what had happened, that the king of Israel was so distressed that he’d ripped his robe to shreds. He sent word to the king, “Why are you so upset, ripping your robe like this? Send him to me so he’ll learn that there’s a prophet in Israel.” (2 Kings 5.8, MSG)

“We’ll handle this king to king…at the highest level. After all, you’re a great man.” Elisha won’t play the game:

Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: “Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you’ll be as good as new.” (2 Kings 5.10, MSG)

You have to love it: “Elisha sent out a servant…” Then Naaman has a bad case of “But I thought.“

Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, “I thought he’d personally come out and meet me, call on the name of GOD, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. (2 Kings 5.11, MSG)

His servants talk sense into him, and he is healed. (2 Kings 5.11 – 14) Another example of Elisha’s miracles involving some action – the action is superfluous to the miracle: he could have waved his hand over the spot – but in this case, it’s a lesson in humility and following directions.

And there’s one more lesson, but it’s too important to rush through. Stay tuned.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalm 25.9, ESV)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3.12, NIV)