Learning Lessons From Naaman The Leper (#5)

Jarrod Jacobs

            As we study about Naaman in II Kings 5:1-14, we have learned that the key to Naaman’s cleansing was the young Israelite slave girl who told Naaman’s wife about Elisha. We also learned that it was not money that would cleanse Naaman, nor was he cleansed of his leprosy when he went to the king rather than Elisha. We learned that Naaman would “know there is a prophet in Israel” after Elisha told him what to do to be cleansed. What was Naaman told to do? He was told, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times ... and you shall be clean” (II Kings 5:10).

            Unfortunately, Naaman responded in anger (v. 11, 12). He was angry because this was not what he wanted to do. Naaman said, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper.” Further, Naaman tried to offer a substitution to God’s commands saying, “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (v. 12). Regardless of Naaman’s responses, God’s command still stood: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times ... and you shall be clean”.

            Man’s response to God’s word has not changed. When men don’t like what God has said, they will get mad (many times at the preacher!); they will try to follow their assumption, or offer a substitution. This happens often -- just look at the religious division today! This is the result of men not wanting to accept God’s word. Rather than becoming mad, following assumptions, or substituting our will for God’s, let us simply do as God says. In so doing, we will be accepted with Him (Acts 10:34-35).

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?

Receiving An Answer You Do Not Want

Jarrod Jacobs

            An old saying often repeated is: “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” In like manner, be careful when asking a question, you just might get an answer that you do not want! This is what happened when the rich young man asked Jesus a question about eternal life. Jesus answered him, but the man received an answer he did not want, so he abandoned Jesus (Matt. 19:16-22).

            What about us? Do we sometimes get an answer from God that we do not want? How do we react when we learn that the thing we have been doing (or would like to do) is not authorized in the Bible? Do we say, “I’m going to do it anyway”? Do we get mad, or sad? Do we say, “God’s way doesn’t make sense to me”? Yet, when we are honest, we know that such responses do not change God’s word. Getting mad or sad, or protesting, or substituting our ideas for God’s does not change what has been written.

            There are several “answers” from God that folks have not liked in the past. For example, some do not like God’s answer to their question, “What must I do to be saved?” The Lord’s answer is faith in Christ, repentance of sin, confession of faith, and baptism (Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:10; I Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:22-38; etc.). People have been told various theories, and so when they hear the truth, there are some folks who do not like God’s answer.

            Another “answer” not accepted by folks is God’s answer to the question, “What kind of music do You accept in worship?” God’s answer is vocal music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15; etc.). Is this the answer men give to us? If not, then whose answer will we accept?

            What is the proper response when we get an answer from God’s word that we do not want? The answer is to be honest, and to accept what the Lord says. Yes, there are times when the answers do not make “sense” to us. This does not give us license to change the answer, though! “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

“What Gospel Preaching Can Do”

Preaching Divine Creation stirs the Evolutionist.

Preaching the one true church stirs the denominationalists.

Preaching against liquor stirs the drinker.

Preaching on modesty stirs the immodest.

Preaching on attendance stirs those unfaithful in attendance.

Preaching on pure speech stirs the gossip.

Preaching on dedication stirs the uncommitted.

Preaching on honesty stirs the cheat.

Preaching against sin stirs the guilty.

Preaching on Christ stirs those who love Him.

Preaching on Heaven stirs the hearts of those who want to go there.
 

 Come visit the Caneyville church of Christ and hear soul-stirring Gospel preaching (Acts 17:6; Rom. 1:16; II Pet. 1:13, 3:1)!!

Hearing Problems Or Heart Problems?

            There are many that teach that in order to be saved, one must have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6). Many agree also that repentance and confessing our faith in Christ is necessary just as the Bible says (Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10). However, when there is talk about a person being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), many people deny that baptism is necessary. Why is this? Could I suggest that when folks deny baptism’s necessity, it is because they have either a hearing problem or a heart problem. Why do I say this? Let us study Acts 16:14-15 and see this truth.

            In Acts 16:14-15, we read, “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” Notice that before Lydia was baptized, she “heard” the gospel being preached. Her hearing would have produced faith (Rom. 10:17). Not only did she pay attention, but the words she heard also opened her heart, and then she was baptized. She laid aside all preconceived ideas, and simply listened to God’s word. Therefore, as a result of the words she heard, and her open heart, she was baptized.

            Thus it is today. When folks declare that baptism is not necessary for salvation, we see they either have a hearing problem or a heart problem. Let us make sure our hearing is sound and our heart is open to the word of God (I Pet. 3:21). This obedience to the Lord will result in our salvation (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 2:14)!