July 30, 2023

The account of the healing of Naaman

Preacher:
Passage: 2 Kings 5:1-19
Service Type:

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

We need to obey 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

God will teach Naaman

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