2 Kings 5:15-27
After Naaman, the great, captain of Syria, had been cured of his leprosy by God’s power in the River Jordan, he returned to give his thanks to Elisha. He had brought very much gold and silver and clothing from his land for a present in return for his healing; he may have already given some to the king’, and now he wanted to give to Elisha.
But Elisha would not accept anything. He wanted this captain to know that God’s mercy could not be paid for with money or with clothes. And it never can be by anyone.
So the captain and his servants started on their way home.
Elisha had a servant who saw that the gifts were refused, and an evil thought came to his mind; he said to himself, “I will run after him, and take somewhat from him” So he hurried after Naaman, and on the way must have planned an excuse for his request.
Naaman saw the man running after him, and kindly stopped and got down from his chariot to inquire if all were well.
The answer of the servant was that two young men had just come from another place, and he would like a talent of silver and two changes of clothes for the Naaman was very willing to give him what he asked and more.
A talent of silver is said to weigh many pounds, so was heavy and of much value. Naaman had two of his servants take two bags and put in two talents of silver and two changes of clothing and carry them back for the man.
Before they reached Elisha, the servant took the bags from the men and told them to return to their master. Then he hid the gifts in a secret place, and went to Elisha.
Elisha asked his servant where he had been, and he said he had not been away! But Elisha knew where he had been, and what he had got.
Because of his deceit in this, the servant became a leper. Sometimes in that disease the skin is white and dead, so it says of this man, he “went out, a leper, white as snow”, not just one spot of the sickness, but all over. And no doubt, he also lost the privilege of helping Elisha, for he could no longer be trusted, and also, in Israel, a leper was kept apart from others.
The Lord had given Elisha and his helpers what they needed, as this man knew, so it was wrong to wish for more; or to take, when Elisha had refused. And he was still more wrong to make up the false story to Naaman; but most wrong to tell Elisha the lie, instead of confessing his sin.
What was the name of this man? (vs. 20). (Read 1 John 1:8,9).
ML 06/18/1939