In 2 Kings 5:10 , the prophet Elisha sent instructions – through a messenger – for a man named Naaman to follow, in order for Naaman to be healed of a physical condition. If Elisha’s instructions were to test Naaman’s faith or obedience, it looks like Naaman was about to fail that test.
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? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
2 Kings 5:11-12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.5.11-12.NIV
Naaman had traveled – first to the king and now to Elisha’s house – to be healed, and I suspect that during that trip, Naaman had thought a lot about how this would all play out. At this point, though, Naaman’s expectations had not been met.
And, let’s be frank: I think that Naaman’s pride was a little wounded, here. Remember that he was a pretty important guy back in Aram, and he was probably used to being treated with respect and deference. So, when he finally showed up to the house of a prophet where he was pretty sure that he would finally be healed, not only did the prophet not even come to the door (to meet him: Naaman, the famous military commander of Aram!), but Elisha’s instructions probably felt kind of demeaning.
For instance, the first word (in many English translations) of Elisha’s instructions was “Go”. Elisha didn’t even come to the door, and now he’s telling Naaman to go leave and do more “work”.
And, rather than Elisha doing work himself (including not even coming to the door, not to mention performing any healing), Elisha told this powerful military commander to go and repeat a routine, menial task. Elisha didn’t even ask Naaman to go out and do something heroic or bold. Instead of a private bath, Naaman probably needed to strip down at this river in public (probably with people watching), and enter the Jordan river seven times. Can you imagine what people would think? They’d probably laugh at this Aramean guy doing something repeatedly when a single bath should have been enough to get clean.
Furthermore, if this was merely a matter of getting clean, why couldn’t he wash somewhere else (like back home)?
For that matter, if washing in the Jordan River didn’t work, what would happen next? Would Naaman storm back to Elisha’s house, giving Elisha time to leave, laughing? Would Elisha mock Naaman for going through a stunt that didn’t change anything? Was Elisha punishing Naaman for his attacks on Israel? I can only imagine what might have been going through Naaman’s mind. As a result, his being furious doesn’t seem out of line for his situation. It may not have been justified or humble or trusting, but it is understandable.
Now, we only learn so much about Naaman from this chapter in the Bible (he also gets a brief mention in Luke 4:27). However, Naaman and his wife seem to have found smart people to surround themselves with.
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’!” 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 5:13-14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.5.13-14.NIV
I don’t know if the wise advice from Naaman’s servants here (along with that of his wife’s servant girl mentioned in 2 Kings 5:2-3) was their insight or God’s provision (or a combination of both), but Naaman’s servants were looking out for him here, and they rationally pointed out that Naaman was prepared to do just about anything to be healed, so what was keeping him from doing something simple?
To his credit, Naaman listened to his servants, followed Elisha’s instructions (at least to some level – I’m not sure if the difference in words is significant), and what do you know? Naaman was healed!
And, when God healed Naaman, it wasn’t just a minimum amount to get him by. His skin was practically brand-new! Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve collected my share of scars, blemishes, and other skin issues over the years, and I suspect that a battle-hardened warrior like Naaman had plenty of those, too. It sounds like Naaman received a full “reset”, though!
So, if you are seeking healing from God, don’t let your pride or your own preconceptions get in the way. When God asks you to do something, do it the way He tells you to. You might feel a little awkward or be a little embarrassed, but whose opinion do you really value more: God’s favor, or the thoughts of random people around you? And, in doing so, don’t limit God to solving your problems in the way that you think that He should do so. We might want a big check in the mail to pay our bills, or a single pill to fix our medical condition. God may take us down a different path, though, even when He is answering our prayers favorably!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 29, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
- Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Matthew Henry. 1706, via BibleGateway.com.
Those Who Sin Differently 