An Enemy's Heart
11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean
like that of a young boy. (2 Kings 5:11-14)
Naaman was a well respected commander in the king's army in Aram. He was considered a valiant soldier despite having an obvious skin condition (broadly described as leprosy). Naaman's wife had a kind servant girl - only recently taken captive by those who raided Israel along side Naaman's army - who mentioned that there was a prophet in Samaria who could cure Naaman. With his king's permission, and gifts galore for the prophet, Naaman and his entourage set out for enemy territory in hopes of a healing. The journey was almost in vain when they arrived in Israel and presented a letter of request to Israel's king, who misunderstood and thought either that he was expected to perform this miracle, or that he was being taunted into starting another conflict. Thankfully, word of the king's distress reached Elisha, the prophet, and he sent for Naaman. However, upon Naaman's arrival, Elisha did not come out to greet him, and only sent instructions through a messenger to go and
dip himself seven times in the Jordan river.
We don't know if Elisha was intentionally slighting Naaman, attempting to humiliate this enemy of Israel, under whose command so much devastation had occurred, but we know that Naaman felt it as a slight - so much that he almost ignored his cure. Once again kind servants stepped in - this time persuading Naaman to follow Elisha's instructions - and Naaman's skin was restored. Upon seeing his healing, Naaman returned to Elisha proclaiming Elisha's God to be the only God, and attempting to show his gratitude with a gift. But Elisha would accept nothing from Naaman. Completely humbled, Naaman then referred to himself as Elisha's servant and requested to take as much dirt from Israel as his mules could carry so that he could make appropriate sacrifices to God.
A proud leader, kind-hearted servants, a powerful prophet - all moved in generous obedience through a tumultuous situation. The servants could have decided that Naaman's skin condition was the least of what he deserved for the harm he'd directed, and said nothing. Elisha could have used this opportunity to get revenge on an enemy. Naaman's pride could have kept him from listening to his servants and obeying Elisha. But God! God's version of justice was Naaman's changed heart and humbled spirit.
It can be easy to want a vengeful justice for those who've harmed us, and a compassionate justice for ourselves. May God heal our hearts and humble our spirits, so that where we would see enemies we find
other hearts in need of healing.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." 7 By your favor, O LORD, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I cried, and to the LORD I made supplication: 9 "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!" 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give
thanks to you forever. (Psalms 30:6-12)
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