A Free Gift Part 2

The sequel to the healing of Naaman from leprosy was his sincere attempt to pay for it and the yielding of Elisha’s servant to temptation. (See 2Kings 5:15-27.). Naaman had millions of ‘dollars’ and several expensive garments, with which he intended to pay for the gift. Elisha was poor and certainly could have used the money to his advantage. I wonder how many of us today would be able to withstand a temptation of such magnitude. He that serves God for money will serve the devil for better wages. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, became satan’s employee for what he considered better wages.

The young man’s base character was not revealed until Naaman came along. After Naaman left for home, Gehazi’s greedy spirit got the better of him. His heart was packed up in Naaman’s chest of wealth, and he had to run after him to fetch it. He became a liar, a cheat, and a thief.

He made up the plausible story of two young men needing money and clothes. Careful not to be too greedy, Gehazi requested money and two suits. Being appreciative, Naaman doubled the gift of cash and commanded two servants to carry the load. Coming to the last hill before home was in sight, Gehazi took his ill-gotten gains and hid them.

He appeared before Elisha as though nothing had happened. Gehazi was able to hide the money, but he could not hide his sin. One lie led to another, and in answer to his master’s question about where he had been, he denied leaving the house. Instant punishment was his reward for such a greedy deed of duplicity. The leprosy of Naaman became his. He left the presence of Elisha a leper “as white as snow,” (v27). The way of the transgressor is never easy. Whether a sinner’s reward comes now or later, it inevitably will come!

The scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, all focus on one person and one plan. Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation are the main pillars of the gospel temple. You cannot truly understand the Bible unless this concept is ever kept in mind when you study it.

The story of the healing of Naaman beautifully illustrates the essential elements of the gospel. His condition as a leper represents the affliction of the entire human race with the leprosy of sin. It was incurable! The witness of a little slave girl started his life in a new direction. So with us – our testimony can start someone on the path of eternal life.

Naaman went first to the king of Israel but found that he must go to an obscure person for help. Elisha, a poor man, represents the One who became poor for our sakes to bring us salvation (healing.)

Notice 2 Kings 5: 5. He left in pomp and glory as if going on a holiday, with the modern equivalent of over $4 million dollars.

Naaman came to God’s prophet with an enormous sum of money to pay for his cleansing. But Elisha made it clear that money cannot buy God’s favour. So it is with salvation. Righteousness by faith means just that. It is God’s free gift. With what would you pay God for eternal life anyway! His beautiful cloaks demonstrated how he covered his sin (leprosy) with his own greatness. Sometimes our ‘religion’ is nothing more than a performance treadmill of works. God had to cut him down before he could lift him up. The gift of the cloak of Righteousness by faith has not one stitch of human devising in it.

Naaman’s faith was tested when Elisha, without seeing him, sent instruction to him for cleansing. It is so with us. We cannot see our saviour, but his instructions are unmistakably clear and understandable. It is the same with the gospel. Even the unlearned and ignorant can by faith understand God’s steps in salvation.

The despised Jordan was the avenue for cleansing. Salvation is not by man’s might or wisdom. “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” (1 Cor. 1:27-28.) Notice v14. Naaman was born again like new, with flesh like “the flesh of a child.” This is Justification by faith without the works of the law.

Naaman received encouragement from his servants to try God’s way. So also, God works through others in mysterious ways to inspire us along the path toward the kingdom. Of course, Naaman had to surrender his will and choose to believe and obey. There is no other way to be saved. It is not by might, or by fight, but by dying to self that will bring us into the light.