This chapter shows us the complicated state of Israel and its neighbours at this time –we live in times such as these too! King Joram full of fear when Naaman arrives with his letter seeking healing, seeing the request as some sort of provocation.
The person without fear is the captured Israelite girl, bearing witness to what God can do, even far away in a strange land. Bold enough, convinced enough, compassionate enough to want her captor to experience the power of Yahweh.
The witness of a captured Israelite child brings a powerful commander to faith and healing. The weak given boldness, the servants given words of wisdom, the king in a complete flap. Elisha keen not to promote his own greatness or position shows the path to healing via a servant with a message – like the slave girl – and it is Naaman’s servants who talk him round, talk him into doing something strange and extraordinary as an act of faith.
Lessons in living in a complicated world. And the winners seem to be those who ‘die to self’, risk all and point to what God can do. The losers are those who act in fear or greed – perhaps indications that they don’t have faith that God’s got it. Notice Elisha doesn’t directly advise Naaman about his duties involving the worship of other gods, he simply blesses him.
Where does our interest lie in this account? Who do we identify with?
Naaman is brave, respected, and close to the king, yet he can listen and be persuaded, he discovers God is real and heals. Joram is fearful, suspicious, paranoid and insecure – challenged by this event despite having prophets and Yahweh on his side. The slave girl and the servants like Naaman enough, trust God enough to courageously speak out. Elisha avoids any personal reputation building, simply gives a solution and blesses. And Gehazi wants riches for himself and pays the price – perhaps those articles were already infected with Naaman’s leprosy.
Prayer:
Thank God for the places He’s put you. Ask Him for boldness and influence to bless in that situation.
A note on 2 Kings 3 2 Kings 3 Dig Ditches
As a PGCE student at church in London, a worship leader sang this account as a prophetic word over us. I’d never heard this done before. The army in trouble, about to be overcome, hemmed in on every side, running out of supplies and most desperately, water. Dig ditches says the prophet. And the LORD fills the ditches with water, a heavy desert dew that refreshes the army BUT also causes panic amongst the enemy and victory for Israel. Dig ditches in the moments of direst need and watch what God will do! I have never forgotten it. Don’t just wring your hands and ask ‘Why’, dig ditches for God to fill; make a place, a space for God to fill and refresh and bring victory.