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Prophets and Kings
The proud spirit of Naaman rebelled against following the course
outlined by Elisha. The rivers mentioned by the Syrian captain were
beautified by surrounding groves, and many flocked to the banks of
these pleasant streams to worship their idol gods. It would have cost
Naaman no great humiliation of soul to descend into one of those
streams. But it was only through following the specific directions of
the prophet that he could find healing. Willing obedience alone would
bring the desired result.
Naaman’s servants entreated him to carry out Elisha’s directions:
“If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing,” they urged, “wouldest
thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee,
Wash, and be clean?” The faith of Naaman was being tested, while
pride struggled for the mastery. But faith conquered, and the haughty
Syrian yielded his pride of heart and bowed in submission to the
revealed will of Jehovah. Seven times he dipped himself in Jordan,
“according to the saying of the man of God.” And his faith was honored;
“his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was
clean.”
Gratefully “he returned to the man of God, he and all his company,”
with the acknowledgment, “Behold, now I know that there is no God
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in all the earth, but in Israel.”
In accordance with the custom of the times, Naaman now asked
Elisha to accept a costly present. But the prophet refused. It was not
for him to take payment for a blessing that God had in mercy bestowed.
“As the Lord liveth,” he said, “I will receive none.” The Syrian “urged
him to take it; but he refused.
“And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to
thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth
offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the
Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master
goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on
my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow
down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in
this thing.
“And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a
little way.”
Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, had had opportunity during the years to
develop the spirit of self-denial characterizing his master’s lifework.