Audacious Humility

15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused. 17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “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. (2 Kings 5:15-17)

Naaman was a respected commander in the Syrian army, and he had leprosy - a skin condition that made him ritually unclean, but not necessarily contagious. We don't know how many doctors or treatments Naaman had tried, or how much money he had spent in the process. But he must have been nearing the end of his rope to heed the suggestion of his wife's young servant. This unnamed servant girl said there was a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman.

Naaman eventually arrives with a full entourage, bearing excessive gifts, at the door of Elisha. But Elisha didn't treat Naaman with the honor he was accustomed to - Elisha would not accept any of Naaman's gifts and sent a servant to tell Naaman to go and dip himself in the Jordan river seven times and he would be clean. Naaman was so angry at the apparent lack of respect that he almost didn't go to the Jordan at all. But his servants convinced him to at least try. The seven dips did restore Naaman, and he was so thankful that he returned to Elisha, begging him to accept something, but Elisha refused. So instead Elisha asked to take some of the land of Israel back to Syria enabling Naaman to always worship God on holy ground.

As stubborn as Naaman was, his servants respected him enough to try to help him. And as proud and arrogant as Naaman was, he was humble enough to listen to those servants. As servants of the Most High, we must have the audacity to invite and encourage others to experience the awesome power of God. As people of pride and privilege we must have the humility to hear and heed the voice of God through the vessels of God's choosing.

9“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30)