Topical Encyclopedia
Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative found in
2 Kings 5. Despite his high status and military prowess, Naaman suffered from leprosy, a condition that not only affected him physically but also socially and spiritually. His account is a profound illustration of how pride and anger can obstruct divine healing and blessing.
Naaman's journey to seek healing begins with a young Israelite girl, a captive in his household, who suggests that the prophet Elisha in Samaria could cure him of his leprosy. Acting on this advice, Naaman secures a letter from the king of Aram and travels to Israel, laden with gifts, to seek the prophet's help.
Upon reaching Elisha's house, Naaman is met not by the prophet himself but by a messenger who delivers Elisha's instructions: “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean” (
2 Kings 5:10). This directive incites Naaman's anger. The text describes his reaction: "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. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?' So he turned and went away in a rage" (
2 Kings 5:11-12).
Naaman's anger is rooted in his expectations and pride. He anticipated a grandiose healing ceremony befitting his status, not a simple act of washing in the Jordan River, which he considered inferior to the rivers of his homeland. His reaction highlights a common human tendency to resist divine instructions that seem too simple or beneath one's dignity.
Despite his initial fury, Naaman's servants approach him with wisdom and humility, urging him to reconsider: “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’?” (
2 Kings 5:13). Their counsel prompts Naaman to set aside his pride and follow Elisha's instructions. As a result, he is miraculously healed, his flesh restored like that of a young boy.
Naaman's account serves as a powerful reminder of the barriers that anger and pride can create between individuals and God's blessings. It underscores the importance of humility and obedience in the face of divine guidance, even when it challenges personal expectations or societal norms. Through Naaman's eventual compliance, the narrative reveals the transformative power of faith and submission to God's will.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 5:12Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
Nave's Topical Index
Resources
Does God have emotions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Simeon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites? | GotQuestions.orgAnger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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