Naaman
161
It had been his privilege to become a noble standard-bearer in the
army of the Lord. The best gifts of Heaven had long been within his
reach; yet, turning from these, he had coveted instead the base alloy
of worldly wealth. And now the hidden longings of his avaricious
spirit led him to yield to an overmastering temptation. “Behold,” he
reasoned within himself, “my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian,
in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but ... I will run
after him, and take somewhat of him.” And thus it came about that in
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secrecy “Gehazi followed after Naaman.”
“When Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from
the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well.”
Then Gehazi uttered a deliberate lie. “My master,” he said, “hath
sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from Mount
Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray
thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.” To the request
Naaman gladly acceded, pressing upon Gehazi two talents of silver
instead of one, “with two changes of garments,” and commissioning
servants to bear the treasure back.
As Gehazi neared Elisha’s home, he dismissed the servants and
placed the silver and the garments in hiding. This accomplished, “he
went in, and stood before his master;” and, to shield himself from
censure, he uttered a second lie. In response to the inquiry of the
prophet, “Whence comest thou?” Gehazi answered, “Thy servant went
no whither.”
Then came the stern denunciation, showing that Elisha knew all.
“Went not mine heart with thee,” he asked, “when the man turned
again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and
to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and
oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of
Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever.” Swift was
the retribution that overtook the guilty man. He went out from Elisha’s
presence “a leper as white as snow.”
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Solemn are the lessons taught by this experience of one to whom
had been given high and holy privileges. The course of Gehazi was
such as to place a stumbling block in the pathway of Naaman, upon
whose mind had broken a wonderful light, and who was favorably
disposed toward the service of the living God. For the deception
practiced by Gehazi there could be pleaded no excuse. To the day