2 Kings_5
Scripture
2 Kings 5:13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
Observation
2 Kings 5:5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
Naaman wanted to be healed so he went to see Elisha but when he got there he didn’t receive the treatment he has hoped for.
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
Understanding
Naaman wanted to be transformed into a new person free from all the disease that was causing decay. He wanted the clouds to part and the light to shine down from heaven, with all the fireworks, and angels singing, the whole nine yards, and poof your healed!
Yes! That’s what I want too! And why shouldn’t I have instant transformation? I’m a pretty good Christian (allegedly), I serve and do good deeds, I don’t want to have to do anything extra, just give me the “poof” so I can go on with my life…
Naaman had to wash seven times. He probably had to go into the Jordan, dunk, scrub, rinse, walk out of the Jordan, repeat.
It can become mundane and discouraging to have to do the same thing over and over until you eventually see new growth. Like teaching your kids, over and over and over again. Like going to the gym, over and over and over again.
It’s interesting that he had to go to the Jordan River, the place where the Israelites had to change their mind before they had enough faith and courage to cross over and go into the promised land. They had to leave all of their old slave mentality behind in order to receive the new blessing God had already planned for them. A place of faith in God to move forward.
I believe Naaman’s faith was growing each time he dunked and washed. He had to have faith each time he followed the instructions and saw no change to keep going and not give up...because on the seventh time...if he just stayed obedient… he would see his transformation.
Application
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When I was a young parent I did not want to pass on ugly words to my kids the way I had experienced as a child. It was first nature to me. I was also a new Christian and I wanted it to be gone from my mouth. I remember being impressed by the Holy Spirit to control my tongue, just don’t say the bad words when the opportunity arises. Each time there was a stressful situation, as there are many when you have a toddler and a baby, I would consciously make the decision not to curse, or degrade, but to speak with patience and good correction, or just not say anything at all. It was really hard!
It took awhile… but I had enough faith in my heart to believe that God had something better for my children and I. I believed that this was a curse that would be broken!
And so… I kept on dunking in the river, over and over, until one day, I was transformed! The disease that was causing decay was gone!
We come alive in the river!!! Keep on dunking!
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.