There was a very famous person whose story is told in the Book of 2nd Kings. The story is historically true, but it is included in the Bible for much more than to recount biblical history. As we will see, there are several important lessons that emerge from this story that God teaches us today. So, who was this famous man? The man’s name was Naaman. He is not so familiar to us today, but back then, everybody in the Middle East knew about Naaman. He was a man of great power in the kingdom known as Aram located in what is now modern-day Syria.[1] In fact, Naaman was the top general in the Aramean army. Many people don’t realize it, but God worked behind the scenes to make Naaman and his army victorious in their battles. In fact, Naaman even led raids against Israel and successfully took into captivity Israelites who were scooped up by his raiders. Now, why would God let something like that happen to the people of Israel? Why would he let a foreign general like Naaman be victorious over the Israelite? Well, we covered questions like this in a sermon a few Sundays ago. Remember what Paul said in Romans 8:28? He said: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NASB) That was what God was doing with Naaman. He was using him for the ultimate good of God’s plan to teach people some very important things. To see this, let’s consider the events as described in 2nd Kings, chapter 5:
1 The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 2nd Kings 5:1-6 (NLT2)
As you can see, Naaman had a problem. He had leprosy. Possibly, Naaman’s disease was on the scale of those patients that Erin Horn treated on her mission trip to Nepal. Parts of Naaman’s fingers and limbs may have begun to deteriorate. This dreaded disease of leprosy could have been eating away the skin on his face. Leprosy could prove fatal if allowed to reach advanced stages. We can safely assume that Naaman’s leprosy was quite serious. Otherwise, he would have never submitted himself to the treatment of his ailments in Israel. Nevertheless, the King of Aram urged Naaman to give it a shot and take the advice of his wife’s Israelite maid—go to Israel and seek healing from the prophet, Elisha. As we read on, we find this:
9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
There can be little doubt about it—Naaman was a prideful man. He loved displaying his great power for all the world to see. This becomes clear when we hear that he showed up on Elisha’s doorstep “with his horses and chariots.” In the Bible, whenever you hear about someone with a lot of “horses and chariots,” they were usually showing off in a prideful manner. Typically, they did this to display what they deemed to be their superior power and prestige. But, apparently, Elisha wasn’t impressed. He didn’t even give Naaman a reception. Rather, he had someone go outside and deliver a message to Naaman containing Elisha’s orders. But, Naaman was a general. He was the one accustomed to handing out orders. He certainly wasn’t used to taking orders from anybody else—particularly, when the order came from a mere servant of an Israelite prophet. Furthermore, when Naaman heard Elisha’s instructions, it offended him even more.
You see, Naaman had his own ideas as to how his healing should take place. He wanted things his way or no way at all. His way was the easy way. According to Naaman, all Elisha needed to do was wave his hand over his infected skin, say a few holy words to God, and presto, change-o: He’d be magically healed. Now, Naaman had brought quite a bit of silver to give Elisha in the event he successfully cured his leprosy. He didn’t intend to pay Elisha simply because Naaman was a nice guy. No—his motivation in paying Elisha was to cut ties with him. As one commentator put it, “He wanted to get the product, get the bill, pay it, and move on in life.”[2] Despite Naaman’s wishes, Elisha had a different process in mind—one that would take some faith on Naaman’s part for the healing to take place.
Elisha proposed a cure that would require humility. And, if there was one thing that Naaman was short on, it was humility. He didn’t like Elisha’s remedy because this proud Aramean general would have to strip down to his loin cloth before going almost naked into the waters of the Jordan River. In doing so, his best attempts to hide his leprosy would be exposed for all the world to see. With that being the case, the proud Naaman strongly resisted. Naaman thought that if this was what Elisha had in mind, then he could have stayed home and bathed in his own rivers near Damascus. After all, the Jordan River in Israel was a shallow, muddy mess compared to those crystal, clear rivers back home—or so Naaman thought. Rather than follow the instructions of this man of God, Naaman threw a temper tantrum and started to head back home.
Now, there is a lesson in this for us. Naaman thought he knew what he needed and how he should get it. But, God had something in store for him that Naaman could have never anticipated. Certainly, from Naaman’s perspective, jumping unclothed in the Jordan River was not a pleasant thought. But, God knew that this particular experience would be just the thing to address Naaman’s real problem. And, his real problem certainly wasn’t leprosy. No, what Naaman needed was to leave his pride behind and come to know the God of Israel. And, that’s the first lesson we can glean from this story: We might think we know what our needs are, but only God knows what we truly need. Sometimes we pray for things, and we don’t get what we want exactly when we want it. But, prayers that are in line with God’s plan for your life will always be answered. If it appears to you that what you prayed for is not being addressed by God, remember how God met Naaman’s needs. There is a good chance that God is working out things for you in a manner that you may not have wanted or on a timetable very different from your own. Nevertheless, God’s remedy is always the sure one. You cannot force your plans on God. He is the one who knows what you need, how to bring it about, and what the timing of all things should be. In difficult times when the answers to your prayers may seem to be unanswered, remember Naaman. But, also remember David. For in the 27th Psalm, David said, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NLT2)
Now as Naaman’s story goes on, it turns out that he did not immediately return to Syria. Rather, he stopped and reconsidered. As the story goes on, it explains why:
13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed! 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD. 18 However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.” 19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. 2nd Kings 5:7-19 (NLT2)
God’s hand was directly involved in all that transpired here. Just as God had influenced the Israelite maiden to suggest that Naaman visit Elisha, the LORD now touched the minds of Naaman’s subordinates. They, like the maiden, appealed to wisdom and common sense as a means to overcome Naaman’s pride. Naaman’s officers pointed out that Elisha didn’t ask him to do some great task but gave him a simple command instead. They realized that if Elisha had required him to do some impossible feat to be cured, it may have cured the physical disease of leprosy, but it would have only increased Naaman’s spiritual sin of pride. Elisha could see what God intended because he realized that a faith lacking in obedience isn’t any kind of faith at all.[3]
Here, Naaman learned a second lesson which we need to understand as well. He finally could see that when God says something, as He did here through Elisha—God means what He says. God’s instructions and commandments are to be taken seriously. They are not optional, nor are they multiple choices—where you choose to obey some, but not the others. If Naaman had dipped himself in the Jordan River once, twice, or 3, 4, 5 or 6 times, he would have remained a leper. He was directed to do it seven times—not one time less, not one time more. And note this: Elisha was not the one who came up with the idea of having Naaman dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. It was part of God’s plan for Naaman’s life, just as it was God’s miracle when Naaman was healed. Elisha was simply the instrument God used.
Those who repent and submit to the LORD in faith, following His commandments to the letter, will experience healing of something far more deadly than leprosy. Once Naaman dipped himself that seventh time, his skin was as clean as the day his was born. That is a valuable lesson for Christians today when facing a culture that has largely rejected God’s moral code. Those commands found in God’s Word must be followed without exception. When God said, “Thou shall not kill,”[4] He meant it with respect to the taking of all human life—including the lives of innocent, helpless, unborn babies. In today’s culture, He didn’t leave a loophole for abortionists. The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception[5] and that all human life is sacred and made in the image of God.[6] For this reason, purely elective abortions are both immoral and sinful. Granted, in those rare cases when the mother’s life is threatened by complications of a pregnancy, we must prayerfully call upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in those circumstances—and err on the side of life, not death. But, the wholesale killing of unborn children we see in this country today is a total disregard of God’s commandment. In the coming election cycle, voters will be going to the polls in at least 12 states to vote on legalizing abortion–including murderous late-term and partial-birth abortions. Current polling indicates that pro-lifers are going to take a beating when the votes are finally counted. The other grim news is that, although 14 states have legislated abortion bans following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortions hit their highest rate in 12 years during last year. Pro-life advocate, Chelsey Youman with Human Coalition, recently urged churches to become more responsive to the abortion debate and said: “We have to understand that the church needs to engage more than ever on this issue [because]we are losing on every front.” [7]
I do not condone violence or angry, ugly language to dissuade those who are considering abortion. But, I strongly stand with God’s Word on this issue and urge Christians to publicly voice their dissent to such atrocities when going to the ballot box. Also, be peaceful, respectful and compassionate in private conversations with those you may encounter who face such difficult decisions. The same goes for our culture’s rejection of God’s specific commands against same-sex relationships, same-sex marriages, and the total lunacy of the transgender movement.
Now, getting back to Naaman. Despite God’s mercy upon him and the healing of his withered skin, Naaman’s faith was only surface deep. His skin had been cleaned on the outside, but his heart needed a cleaning on the inside. What Jesus said to the Pharisees, He may well have said to Naaman: 25b “You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy. . . First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.” Matthew 23:25-26 (NLT2) You see, Naaman’s parting comments to Elisha indicated that the inside of his spiritual cup was still splattered with the disease of sin. Notice that when he left Elisha, Naaman said that he’d never sacrifice offerings to any other god but the One True God of Israel. Of course, that decision on his part was a good thing. Naaman even scooped up some soil from Israel to carry back home with him. Why? Well, in ancient times, it was believed by pagan cultures that their national deities actually permeated the soil of the land of the nations that worshipped them. If you departed from that land, it was thought that you would leave that god behind. To Naaman’s credit, he didn’t want to leave the God of Israel behind. So, he made sure to take some Israelite dirt back with him when he returned home to use at his personal altar.[8] But, as a new believer, Naaman still had much to learn about “cup cleaning” when it came to his soul. He needed to learn that a true follower of God can’t hide that Godly soil of a believer in a closet. Unfortunately, this seemed to be his plan when we consider his other remark to Elisha. He told Elisha that he would continue to bow down to the Aramean pagan god, Rimmon—who was essentially the Canaanite god, Baal.[9] Naaman was willing to bow down to a false god, simply to save face with the Aramean King. It was as if Naaman was saying: “I may accept your God, but when I get back to Syria, I’m going to be forced to live by the ways of my culture.”
Now, I can appreciate the bind Naaman was in, because once he was back in Syria, if he failed to worship the pagan gods of his homeland, he would face dire consequences. He faced the prospect of being stripped of his rank as general. He might be imprisoned or even killed if he stood firm in his new-found faith in God. Standing up for God when the entire world around you is calling for your head is an extremely difficult thing to do. But, isn’t that exactly what we are called to do? Years later, isn’t that what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did when the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, demanded that they worship the golden idol he’d built?[10] Daniel was thrown in the lions’ den for taking a similar stand on behalf of God.[11] The world turned bitterly against Jesus, and yet He was crucified for the sins of all humanity. But, before Jesus went to the Cross, didn’t He tell His disciples: 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NLT2)
Now, despite this, there are some very good Christian scholars who praise Naaman as the equivalent of a New Testament “born again” Christian.[12] They contend that Naaman’s dipping himself in the Jordan River “anticipates the baptism of thousands of future Gentiles” and that “Naaman’s baptism, like Christian baptism, also identified Him with God and His people.”[13] But, I respectfully disagree with their conclusion. Rather, it would appear evident that if Naaman’s plunge into the Jordan has any connection with Christian baptism, it is this: Those today who get baptized, but continue to willingly bow down to the “gods” of this world didn’t accomplish anything by their baptism other than to get wet. So, what lesson can we take from this?
This is the final lesson for us to consider—ONE OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE. The lesson is this: When it comes to believing in God, you are either “ALL-IN” in terms of your salvation, or “NOT-IN-AT-ALL”. You can’t be a saved believer if you merely acknowledge God with your mouth, but deliberately keep one foot firmly planted in the ways of the world. When Naaman told Elisha that he wanted God to excuse him in advance from bowing to false gods with the king, he was asking God to overlook sin. God did not do that for Naaman, and He certainly won’t do that for you. Those Old Testament scholars who seem determined to make Naaman out to be a true believer do so apparently because of Elisha’s parting words. As Naaman was leaving, Elisha told him “go in peace.” I expect when Elisha said that, he had an exasperated look upon his face. For as Bible commentator, James Burton Coffman, stated: “Elisha answered, ‘Go in peace,’ without thereby either approving or disapproving the religious intentions just expressed by Naaman. The clause, ‘go in peace,’ merely means farewell. Elisha's words here, ‘Go in peace,’ should be taken simply as Elisha's parting wish that the peace of God would accompany Naaman on his way back to Damascus.” [14]
When we consider the story of Naaman, it is a wonderful story of God’s grace. William MacDonald puts it this way: “In the story of Naaman we find a classic illustration of the gospel of grace. He was an enemy of God, being the [general] of the Syrian army. Humanly speaking, his condition was helpless and hopeless, since he was a leper (see Romans 5:6-10 [15]). Being a Gentile, he was a stranger to the promises and covenants of God and had no claim on His blessing (Ephesians 2:11-12 [16]). But God’s grace reached out to touch human need. All Naaman had to do was to humble himself and obey the word of the Lord. He eventually washed himself in obedience to God's word and came up a new man, with new skin…”[17]
Yes, even though Naaman was the ultimate “outsider” from the perspective of the Israelites, God’s grace was still available to him—just as it is available to everyone day, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or one’s social or economic status. God’s grace is even offered to those who are currently misguided and stand with God’s enemies. Yes, God’s grace is open to them as well if they will only repent and accept His gracious offer. William MacDonald is right to say that Naaman left Israel as “a new man, with new skin…” But, what he really needed was a new and transformed heart. That was something that he didn’t have yet. It is true that Elisha told Naaman to “go in peace.” But, for Naaman, and those today who are like him, there will be no real peace until they fully surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.
Although Naaman’s parting words were not what Elisha may have hoped for, the Holy Spirit may have still worked upon Naaman if he truly continued his pursuit of God. For God promises all those who sincerely want to know Him: “Seek and you shall find.”[18] Perhaps one day, Naaman had the courage to stand up against the culture surrounding him and refused to bow down to idols. Who knows—he may have grown to experience the kind of “costly grace” Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of, rather than the “cheap grace” Naaman had gravitated to when leaving Israel. I surely hope that one day Naaman had the courage to obey, not only Elisha’s instructions, but also God’s demands found in the 1st and 2nd Commandments that were handed down to Mose.[19]
Today, we are faced with cultural pressures similar, in many ways, to those faced by Naaman. In his culture, it was expected that he would bow down to the same worldly idols like everyone else. He would have faced great risk if he refused to bow down. It’s pretty much the same in America today. Our society has many “false idols” to which it demands everyone to bow. When Christians refuse, they too are beginning to pay a price. We don’t know what Naaman ended up doing upon his return to Syria. When he escorted the king to the pagan temple, perhaps he bowed. But, maybe not. Just maybe his faith grew enough to buck the system. Maybe he poured out that soil he taken from Israel, fell to his knees in it and worshipped the God of Elisha—thanking God for His mercy and grace in not only healing his leprosy, but for saving his soul in the process. We can learn a lot from Naaman’s story. But, most of all, it teaches us that there is a God who will heal us in His own way, in His own time, if we will only give Him the chance to do so.
This morning, you may be like Naaman when he first arrived at Elisha’ doorstep. You too may be in need of healing. Our God who healed Naaman knows exactly what you need for your restoration as well. And what you need is faith in Jesus Christ. We all suffer from the leprosy of sin, but only Jesus has the healing touch. His blood shed on the Cross is your true miracle cure. Come to Him today. Only then can you truly “go in peace”!
Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor
Forest Hill Baptist Church
June 23, 2024
©2024 All Rights Reserved as follows:
Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.
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[1] Tim Turnham, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), s.v. “ARAMEAN or ARAMAEAN,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
[2] Eli Lyzorkin-Eyzenberg, “The Syrian in Israel’s War Story (Naaman & The Gospel), Preach It Teach It,
https://preachitteachit.org/articles/the-syrian-in-israels-war-story-naaman-the-gospel/ (September 2, 2013).
[3] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.
[4] Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.” (KJV)
[5] Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:2, Luke 1:41.
[6] Genesis 1:27 “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (NLT2)
[7] Brody Carter, “Pro-Abortion Blowout Warning for 12 States in November: ‘The Church Needs to Engage,’”
Christian Broadcasting Network, https://www2.cbn.com/news/politics/pro-abortion-blowout-warning-12-states-november-church-needs-engage (June 20, 2024).
[8] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Daniel 3:16-18 16 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (NLT2)
[11] Daniel 6:13, 16 “Then they told the king, ‘That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day...’” So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, ‘May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.’” (NLT2)
[12] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.
[13] Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.
[14] James Burton Coffman, Coffman Commentary: 2 Kings: Vol. 10, (Abilene, Texas: ACU Press, 1993), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 9.
[15] Romans 5:6-10 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. (NLT2)
[16] Ephesians 2:11-12 11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:11-12 (NLT2)
[17] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: A Thorough, Yet Easy-to-Read Bible Commentary That Turns Complicated Theology Into Practical Understanding, ed. Arthur Farstad, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 396.
[18] Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)
[19] Exodus 20:3-5a 3 “You must not have any other god but me. 4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5a You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” (NLT2)
