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Much can be learned from a study of Old Testament characters. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4) A study of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 can prove interesting and profitable to us. Let us now consider some salient facts:
NAAMAN WAS A GREAT MAN! Naaman was captain of the host of the king of Syria and was a great man with his master. He was honorable and a mighty man of valor, but he was afflicted with leprosy which was a dreaded disease. Today we find many people who are great, famous, and mighty in many ways, but they are not Christians. They are afflicted with sin! They are lost!
A LITTLE MAID WAS INTERESTED IN NAAMAN’S CLEANSING. This Israelite maid told her mistress that she wished that Naaman was with the prophet in Samaria so he could be cleansed of his leprosy. Today, Christians are interested in those who are lost being saved. They preach the gospel and encourage others to listen and obey the gospel. (See Romans 1:13-18; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
NAAMAN REALIZED HIS LEPROUS CONDITION. In order for sinners to be saved today they must realize their lost condition and put forth effort to be spiritually cleansed.
NAAMAN WAS MISLEAD. The king of Syria lead Naaman to believe that he should take a letter and go to the king of Israel. Today many are lead to believe they can be saved by going to a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi or a Protestant pastor. They, too, are mislead.
NAAMAN WENT TO THE WRONG PLACE FOR HELP. He went to the king of Israel instead of the prophet of God. The king of Israel had no way to cleanse Naaman of his leprosy. Today there are many people who go to the wrong place for spiritual healing or salvation. They go to denominational church, secret orders and men instead of going to God’s Word to learn God’s will. It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps (See Jeremiah 10:23). A way may seem right and yet the end thereof be the ways of death. (See Proverbs 14:12) We are completely furnished unto every good work by the Scriptures (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
ELISHA TOLD NAAMAN TO WASH SEVEN TIMES IN JORDAN. The instructions were simple and could not be misunderstood. "Go and wash in Jordan seven times," was easily understood. The terms of salvation are plain and simple. They are easily understood. They are faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins! (See Hebrews 11:6; John 20:30-31; Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27).
NAAMAN BECAME ANGRY. Naaman resented the instructions given to him by Elisha. He thought another way would have been better. Today, there are many who resent God’s instructions and they want to do things their way in religion. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)
NAAMAN SAID, "BEHOLD I THOUGHT! Naaman thought Elisha should lay his hands on him and pray for him. He also thought the rivers of Damascus were better than all the rivers of Israel. He saw no reason for not washing in them if needed to wash. "So he turned and went away in a rage." Today many think their way is better than God’s way. They think they can be saved if someone will lay hands on them and pray. If they have to be baptized they think one action and one purpose is just as good as another. So they go away in a rage when they hear God’s simple plan of salvation.
NAAMAN WAS CLEANSED WHEN HE OBEYED THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY ELISHA THE PROPHET! We read: "Then went he down, and dipped himself in the river Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (2 Kings 5:14) When one lays aside his pride and humbly obeys the gospel of Christ today, he is washed in Christ’s blood and thus cleansed from his sins! (See Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 5:29; 22:16; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
NAAMAN’S FAITH WAS SHOWN IN HIS OBEDIENCE! When Naaman considered the words of the prophet and obeyed them, his faith resulted in his cleansing. There was no power in the river Jordan, but he was cleansed of his leprosy when his faith obeyed God’s instructions! Today, there is no power in water to cleanse us from sin, but when our faith obeys God’s instructions to "repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) we will be washed in the blood of Christ and thus be saved from sins! Our faith must obey to save us!
HAVE YOU BEEN CLEANSED FROM YOUR SINS? If not, if you will believe and obey God’s will, He will wash you and make you white in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Carrol R. Sutton via THE INSTRUCTOR Volume 12, Number 10 October, 1975
