Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- The account of the healing of Naaman
- Reading v14
- A remarkable story about God's grace and kindness to Naaman
- He was the second most powerful man in the world - to the King of Syria
- It is a wonderful thing that he came to know God
- What kind of people does Jesus use to bring people to faith?
- Not focussing on Naaman or Elisha, but the little girl
- This is an example of God's purpose for the gospel to go to all nations
- Jonah / Nineveh is another example
- We should not assume that we know what will happen in the future
- A little unknown girl and a man with Naaman's status
- Elisha's ministry to Naaman points forward to Jesus
A Proud Man
- v1 - though they did not recognise the hand of God
- Naaman had succeeded in everything he desired
- He had bravery and courage
- He had leadership
- He was successful
- He was rich and wealthy (v5)
- People wanted to be like Naaman
- People want to 'succeed' in this world
- 'But' he had leprosy
- There was a shadow over his life
- We may know great encouragements but there may be a 'shadow' over us
- He was diagnosed with leprosy
- Like being told he had cancer
- A fatal disease
- The greatest 'but' is sin - it spoils and mars our life
- Everything we touch is contaminated by sin
- For Naaman his greatest sin was pride
- Perhaps he wept with anger - but there was nothing he could do about it
- A great man - but with a shadow across his life
- He is far from God
- His riches in one sense separated him from God
God's Providence
- The little girl was a slave - captured by Naaman's armies
- Far from home
- Likely taken in a raid
- Taken to a strange land, not understanding the language
- Example
- Taking the girl was harsh and uncaring
- As she was there, she became aware of a shadow over the house
- She became aware that Naaman was dying
- The normal human response would be 'good - he deserved this'
- She wanted Naaman to believe in God
- She spoke to him (via his wife) and prayed for him
- She felt a sadness because Naaman and his wife did not know God
- Not a normal human response
- Not bitter
- Not questioning God's work in her life for her suffering
- She was a wonderful witness to speak boldly and graciously about God
- She wanted Naaman to see Elisha
- Elisha was not healing lepers
- But she had great confidence in God
- We can have great confidence in Jesus
- The wife spoke to Naaman
- Naaman speaks to the King
- The King writes a letter to the King of Israel (v6)
- Both Kings think it is on them
- The King of Israel did not think about the man of God
- However, the little girl knew (and had confidence in God and Elisha)
- Naaman thinks he has to pay for his cure
- Elisha is a "man of God" (v8)
- Example
- Elisha was God's man
- The king did not know of God's man - but Naaman would
Naaman's Healing
- Naaman comes to a small house and Elisha does not even come out to meet him
- Elisha sends a message for his cleansing
- Jesus sends a message - 'believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved'
- People want to make things complicated - but it is straightforward
- Naaman is still a proud and angry man - despite having leprosy
- He becomes furious
- He shows an ignorance about religion
- Expecting a great show/ritual but not believing a simple word
- He wants to bathe in his own rivers
- He knows nothing about the true God
- His servants speak to him
- Naaman is humbled and obeys
- He obeys the man of God
- He dips in the waters 7 times and is healed
- He is overjoyed
- Naaman gladly goes back to Elisha (v15)
- He offers payment
- Elisha declines as the gospel is free
- Naaman has a changed heart
- He requests earth from Israel
- Because he thinks that if he stands on earth from Israel he can meet with God
- He is humbled
- He would bow to God in the temple of Rimmon
- Elisha does not give a Bible Study
- When God saves, the work of salvation continues
- Naaman returns to Syria and all are overjoyed
- The little girl is thrilled
- Naaman is glad
- Both the little girl and Naaman know the one true God
- Because Naaman believed
- We need to believe the message of the gospel