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PAGE 23
Naaman
The Great Syrian Commander
Naaman
went away angry, thinking: "I thought that the prophet would surely
come out to me and stand, and call on the name of the Lord, his God, wave
his hand over my body, and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and
Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of
Israel? Couldn't I'd wash in them and be cleansed?"
Bible Study Article Covers : 2 Kings 5:1-18
Short Recap
In the last article, we'd learned that while Elisha was visiting one of his prophet academies, from within the town, that was known as Gilgal. We'd learned that it was during this time, Elisha told one of the student prophets that was there, to go out and gather up some ingredients, so that they could prepare a meal, for all the student prophets that were there at the academy. Needless-to-say, the student would do as he was instructed. But what he didn't know, is that while he was out picking the ingredients, he had accidentally pick some poisonous wild gourds. And it was for this reason, the meal that was prepared later that day, would end up being poisoned.
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But fortunately for the students, before they had taken a bite, they were able to tell that something wasn't quite right, when it came to their meal. So they ended up telling Elisha about it, and after he had heard this report, the prophet would be able to miraculously quell the poisonous danger that was lurking from within pot. And it was for this reason, the prophets' meal would now be safe to eat.
Nonetheless, we now begin to move forward from within our journey. Now it would be at this point, where we find ourselves being introduced to Naaman. For the Sacred Record informs us, that he was a celebrated Syrian commander. And not only that, but he was also a great man that was rich, and very successful, when it came to both his personal life, and military campaigns. But unfortunately for this man, we also learned, amongst all of his achievements, and accolades, they weren't enough to keep him from suffering from a devastating diseased affliction, that was known as leprosy.
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Have You Heard of Elisha?
Nonetheless, as we move forward, we find that later on, Naaman was
conducting a military campaign against Israel. And it was during this
campaign, an Israelite girl was taken prisoner. Now this girl was made
to be a servant, for the Syrian commander's wife. And although this
servant was taken against her will, the Naaman household would benefit
greatly from having her around. For you see, this young Israelite girl
would be able to witness first hand, Naaman's personal battle, when it
came to his diseased leprosy affliction.
Be that as it may, there would be a
day, in which the Israelite servant girl, would say to Naaman's wife:
"If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria, He would
cure him of his leprosy." Now this statement would definitely get
Naaman's wife's attention. So much so, the next time she
would see her husband, she ended up telling him about the prophet, the
young servant girl had just told her about.
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Naaman Gets Permission from His King
After hearing this, Naaman would then
go, and tell his king, Ben-Hadad, about this prophet that the servant girl
had mentioned. And after Ben-Hadad had heard what his top commander had
just told him, he responded by saying: "By all means go, I will send a
letter to the Israel king on your behalf." After all, Naaman was
Ben-Hadad's favorite, and most celebrated commander, so it made sense
that the king wanted him to be healed.
Now after getting Ben-Hadad's permission, to be able to seek out the prophet that was known as Elisha, we find that Naaman would begin his journey without delay. But he wouldn't go empty handed, for we learned that Naaman had taken with him, $20,000 in sliver, $60,000 in gold, and ten sets of expensive clothing.
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The Nerve of This Guy!
Now maybe Ben-Hadad the Syrian king felt, that since Jehoram was now the
king over the lands, that the prophet resided at; maybe, just
maybe, the Israel king could command Elisha, to heal Naaman. It's
presumed that this was the case, because of what Ben-Hadad's letter had
stated: "With this letter, I'm sending my servant Naaman to you, so that
you may cure him of his leprosy."
Now when the Israel king had
read Ben-Hadad's letter, needless-to-say, he became very upset and
fearful. And it would be at this time, he began to tear his royal
robe, saying in disgust: "Am I God? Can I kill, and bring back to life?
Why does this fellow send someone to me, so that they could be cured of
their leprosy? Take heed to how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Send Naaman to Me
Nonetheless, a short while later, word had gotten back to Elisha, when
it came to how the Israel king had torn his robes, behind the request of
Ben-Hadad the Syrian king. So the prophet sent Jehoram a message,
asking him: "Why have you torn your robes? Have this man come to me, and
he will surely know, that there truly is a prophet, of the Lord, in
Israel."
Now after reading what Elisha had to say, Jehoram would
do as the prophet had advised him. So he went ahead, and sent Naaman to
the prophet's house. So the great Syrian commander set out to where
Elisha was residing, traveling with his chariots, and horses in tow. Soon
he would arrive at Elisha's front door.
Now instead of the
prophet coming out to meet the great commander in person, the prophet
sent his servant, to give Naaman a message: "Go and wash yourself seven
times in the river Jordan; and your flesh will be restored, and you will
be cleansed."
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Elisha... How Dare You! : Don't You Know Who I Am?
Now Naaman, a man who was found to be of high reputation, and position,
felt like he had been disrespected by the prophet, especially since Elisha didn't take the time to
come out, and meet with him personally. So he'd walked away, very angry;
saying: "I thought that the prophet would surely come personally out to
me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord, his God; wave his hand
over my body, and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the
rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I
had just washed in them, and been cleansed?"
Note:
The two rivers that Naaman spoke of "Abana" and "Pharpar," were the two
main rivers that flowed through the great Syrian city that's known as
Damascus. I also like to point out that these two rivers, would
eventually flow into the great Greek river, that is known as the "The
Golden Stream." Understand that Naaman had thought very highly, of these
rivers in particular, but he didn't think very highly of the rivers ,
that were found from within the land of Israel.
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Naaman Humbled Himself
So Naaman soften his heart, as he'd
listen to his servants. And after doing so, he went down to the river
Jordan, so that he could dip in it seven times, just like Elisha had
instructed him to do. Then all of a sudden, while he was dipping himself
in the river Jordan, his flesh was restored, and it became new, like that
of a young boy.
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I've Been Restored!
Now after Naaman had realized this, he became happy and joyful. So the
Syrian commander, and all of his servants, went back to Elisha's house.
Now when Naaman had finally stood in front of the prophet, he spoke
these words: "Now I know that there is no God in all the world, except
in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant." Now after
hearing what Naaman had to say, Elisha replied: "As surely as the Lord
lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing."
So after hearing this, Naaman asked the prophet: "If you will not, please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again, make burnt offerings, and sacrifices to any other god, but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant, for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant of this."
Note: Rimmon was one of Syria's pagan storm deities, that Ben-Hadad had made a constant effort to serve. And with him being in the very important position, Naaman was serving in, he was required to accompany the king, whenever he had entered into this temple, that was being dedicated to this deity.
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
In The Next Upcoming Article :
Now that Naaman has finally been victorious, when it came to his personal battle with leprosy (thanks to Elisha and the miraculous healing that he'd received by the God of Israel.) Naaman departs from Elisha's presence, and it's during this time, we find that there's an onlooker who believes that Elisha allowed Naaman to get off a little bit too easy. Now who was this onlooker, and what does this person intend to do about it? How will Elisha respond to the actions of this person?
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