Elisha, 2of3

~ A Man of God: Interactions With Sinners ~

The Book of 2 Kings provides three differing views in three successive chapters regarding Elisha—a “man of God”—and his relationships with others. 

In Chapter 4 we see Elisha’s interaction with the Savior.

In Chapter 5 we see Elisha’s interaction with the sinners.

In Chapter 6 we see Elisha’s interaction with the saints.

Elisha Was A “Man of God”  ~  Like Chapter 4 there are clear statements that Elisha was a “man of God” (2 Kings 5:8, 14 15, 20).

Elisha Interacts With Naaman  ~  “Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria.  He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.  And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel.  She waited on Naaman’s wife.  Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria!  For he would heal him of his leprosy’” (2 Kings 5:1-3).  Leprosy in that day was like a “dead man walking.”  It was symbolic of sin—and there was no cure except directly from God. 

As this historical account of the miracle of healing leprosy continues (5:1-19) we find some very interesting interactions.  First, note the words of witness from the captive young Jewish girl (5:2-3).  Next we find words of cleansing in the letter from the King of Syria to the King of Israel (5:5-6).  Next are words of assurance from Elisha to the King of Israel (5:8).  Then we see more words of assurance to Naaman himself from his servants (5:11-13). 

additional comments  ~  “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean’” (2 Kings 5:10).  Two quick comments.  First, the Jordan River is a muddy dead river, known as “the river of death,” which ends in the Dead Sea—hardly a place for cleansing from a human perspective.  Second, as is well known, seven in Scripture often represents completeness and perfection. 

applications  ~  First, as we see in verse 11 Naaman was expecting drama, but was given simplicity.  Second, verse 12 confirms what we often have to learn: God’s ways are different than man’s ways!  Third, in contrast to Captain Naaman who was a free man but dead the Israeli captive girl was actually the one who was free!  Fourth, Naaman was able to make a change in thinking based on evidence (verse 15, “now I know”).  Have you, like Naaman, come to know the One and only True God? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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