Logos -- 2 Kings 5:1-14

One of the lectionary readings for this week is the story of the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-14. He was a commander in the ancient army of Syria, and had leprosy. Several thoughts in this passage jump out at me.

1. Naaman was by definition, an enemy of Israel. He was instrumental in their defeat in battle, and later tradition names him as the one who killed Ahab in 1 Kings 22:34. Even though he was an enemy, the Israelite servant girl told him of Elisha, Elisha healed him, which I think also says that God wished for him to be healed. It says something important about loving one’s enemies, even in the Old Testament.
2. Naaman hears about this prophet in Samaria from the captured Israelite girl in his household. This is a good example of poor circumstances – she has been taken from her home, and put to work for the enemy – not preventing someone from serving God.
3. Naaman approaches his king, who sends him with a letter of introduction, to the king of Israel. The Israelite king panics! Who is he to cure a man of leprosy? But Elisha sends word, and Naaman goes to see him. I love the picture painted by the scripture. Naaman arrives at Elisha (I’m assuming very modest) door with his horses and his chariots, and his gold and clothing. I imagine him strutting up to the door, very proud and very desperate. That’s quite a combination. How often to we approach God, proud of our accomplishments, but desperate in our need?
4. What Elisha asks him to do seems very simple, but in fact, is a very difficult thing for Naaman to do. In order to wash in the Jordon River, he has to lay down his pride. He has to humble himself to obey what Elisha tells him to do. Humility – placing someone else’s judgment above one’s own. At first he won’t do it. How sad if he had gone back to Syria carrying his pride and his leprosy because he hadn’t been able to set aside one to receive healing for the other. Don’t we do that sometimes?
5. It took a community to heal Naaman. The servant girl, telling him where to receive it. His king, sending him with the letter and permission to go. Elisha, who told him God’s word. Another servant, who convinced him to do as Elisha asked. Sometimes we need other people to help us when we need healing.

Who are you in this story? Are you Naaman, who needs healing? Are you Elisha, who has been called to deliver the word of God, even when it is not what the other person wants to hear? Are you the Israelite servant, who is asked by God to do his will, even in the worst of circumstances? Are you the King of Aman, who is used by God to send people His way? Are you the other servant, at the end of the story, who has to convince someone else to actually listen to God?

Where are you standing today, and what can you learn from the story of Naaman?

Image: Sand and water. Can you see the sky reflecting in it?