“Lessons From Naaman (#1)”

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Learning Lessons From Naaman The Leper

Jarrod Jacobs

            Beginning with this article, I intend to write a series of articles concerning lessons we can learn and apply from Naaman the leper. II Kings 5:1-14 records this event and teaches many lessons which can be applied to us today. In context, we see that a man named Naaman, captain of the army of Syria (Aram), had leprosy. His slave girl told his wife that the prophet in Samaria could heal him (v. 2-3). In this account, we see that he went to the king of Israel first before finally going to the right man, Elisha the prophet. Elisha’s servant told Naaman to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times in order to be healed (v. 10). He refused, and went away very angry. He thought he should have been healed in another way (v. 11-12). Naaman’s servant finally calmed him down and spoke reasonably that if he was told to do a “great thing,” he would have done it; why not wash and be clean (v. 13)? Naaman consented, and when he did as he had been told, he was cleansed of his leprosy (v. 14). What lessons can we learn from this account?

            One thing we learn is that young people can understand God’s will. Remember, Naaman would not have been cleansed were it not for the actions of this young Israelite slave girl (II Kings 5:2). She is a good example for us, for she displays no hatred toward her master, but concern for his illness. She has the attitude of such people as Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who served God in captivity. She not only didn’t hold a grudge, but she knew who could heal Naaman, and wasn’t afraid to speak. This young girl spoke openly about the prophet of God. Syria (Aram) had their own gods and prophets, yet she didn’t tell Naaman to go to them! He was to go to Elisha, the prophet of God in Samaria, to be cleansed of his leprosy! Young people, are you listening?

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