2 Kings 5-8
Second Kings chapter 5 includes another miracle performed by God through Elisha. Yesterday we considered four miracles from chapter 4, today we will consider one from chapter 5, the healing of Naaman of leprosy. Rather than focusing on the miracle, let’s focus on the heart of Naaman.
In Second Kings 5:10 we find the words of Elisha to Naaman of how he can be cured of leprosy, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” These seem like simple, albeit specific, instructions. In the next verse we read, “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.” Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life. In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him. Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself. This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3).
Naaman goes on to communicate what he assumes will happen before he has an encounter with God. He assumed Elisha would stand, call on God’s name, and wave his hand. This might seem unique to Naaman, but are we sometimes a lot like Naaman. Take a moment to consider how you expect to meet with God in worship. Are there things you anticipate will happen before you experience God during a worship service? Do you assume there will be songs led by a guitar or piano? Do you think the speaker must have a dynamic presence on a stage? Do you think God will show up if the singers have perfect voices and the lighting is ideal? Is there a simple, albeit specific, formula that you expect to occur in worship before you think God will show up?
I would challenge you today to consider breaking free from your expectations of how to experience God and to lean into the method that is consistent in Scripture and historically. Naaman experienced God when he followed God’s direction. This is when we will experience God as well. When we follow God’s direction for our lives or for our church, we will experience God and the blessing He has in store for us. By Second Kings 5:14 Naaman was talked into obeying God and it says, “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.” It was obedience to God that brought about an encounter with Him. It is our obedience to God, that brings about an encounter with Him today.
-Michael Cisler
Reflection Questions
What are your assumptions, or even preferences, of how you expect to encounter God?
What are the areas in which you need to continue to move toward obedience to God, rather than following your own path?
How can you begin to make that step of obedience today, or what is the first step you can make today?
Seek Grow Love 