Demanding Some Respect

Read 2 Kings 1:1–8:15

9. Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house.
10. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”
11. But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!” . . .
13. But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’”
14. So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, . . . and he was healed! 2 Kings 5:9-11, 13-14

Cures are seldom pleasant. Usually they involve taking pills, getting stuck by needles, having surgery, enduring nauseating side effects, or getting into embarrassing positions. It’s no wonder our aversion to doctors and dentists can be as strong as our dependence on them.

In this reading, Naaman has great trouble with the cure offered to him, even though his disease is terminal, not to mention degrading. The problem is not needles or side effects—it’s something else. As you read, learn a lesson about obeying God and finding his sure cures.

This section of Scripture is loaded with other lessons, such as talking about your faith; making fun of God’s appointed messengers; listening to God’s appointed messengers; showing concern for hurting people; blaming others; and sharing good news with others.

Naaman, a great military hero, was used to getting respect and was outraged when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person (2 Kings 5:9-15). A proud man, he expected royal treatment. To wash in a great river would be one thing, but the Jordan was small and dirty. To wash there, Naaman thought, was beneath a man of his position. But Naaman had to humble himself and obey Elisha’s commands in order to be healed.

Obedience to God begins with humility. We must believe that his way is better than our own. We may not always understand his ways, but by humbly obeying, we will receive his blessings.

When confronted with a choice of doing something God’s way (that may seem unusual or could prove to be embarrassing) or your way (that may seem logical and would certainly be easier), remember that (1) God’s ways are best; (2) God wants your obedience more than anything else; and (3) God can use anything to accomplish his purposes.