When Sickness Strikes - 2 Kings 5:1-19 - August 19, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – When Sickness Strikes – August 19, 2007

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study.

Our background and focus scripture is 2 Kings 5:1-19.

The title of our lesson “When Sickness Strikes” raises a critical question. When sickness strikes and we know we will get better is one thing. But when sickness strikes and we know we will not get better, it is quite another thing. When our loved ones get sick with an illness that they will have to live with or will be terminal, it is traumatic, as it should be.

We immediately seek a cure and money is no object to find a cure or to make life better, again this is normal. We do not want to suffer neither do we want to see our loved ones suffer, which is normal.

In our lesson today we get to see the life of a person who had an incurable disease. We see the hand of GOD working in his life by curing him, which made him a witness too many others then and now.

Healing is a question I have pondered with our LORD for many years. I know in the Book of James, written by the brother of our LORD, James writes in James 5:13-15:

13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

James tells us to pray for the sick. I believe the LORD can and does heal. My expectations of the LORD were that HE would heal. I prayed for healing for some people, anointed them with oil and nothing happened. I considered the reason they were not healed was because my faith was weak. Other versions of the above scripture are more direct than the one copied. Other versions of the above scripture say the person will be healed.

I prayed for a number of years trying to understand healing. Then one day I was praying and pondering this question about healing. And this is what the LORD revealed. When the sick are prayed for HE always heals – HE heals with HIS touch, through doctors, medicine or therapy. If the person is not physically healed, then HE heals the mind of the person by helping him or her accept the condition they are in.

We should always ask the LORD to heal the sick. How HE heals is left to HIM.

Let’s examine the journey of Naaman (NAY muhn) as he seeks healing for an incurable skin disease.

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:1-7:

1 Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram (A ruhm), was a great man in his master’s sight[1] Lit man before his master and highly regarded because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a brave warrior, but he had a skin disease. 2 Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to[2] Lit master was before the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.” 4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go and I will send a letter [with you]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to the king of Israel.” So he went and took with him 750 pounds[3] Lit 10 talents of silver, 150 pounds[4] Lit 6,000 [shekels] of gold, and 10 changes of clothes. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read: When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease. 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Think it over and you will see that he is only picking a fight with[5] Lit only seeking an occasion against me.”[6] 1 Kg 20:7
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel tore his clothes, he sent [a message]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.”

Naaman is the commander of the army for the king of Aram or Syria. Scholars believe the king of Aram or Syria is either Ben-hadad (860-841 BC) or Hazael (841-800 BC) Naaman was a great conqueror and protector of Aram. But he had an obvious incurable skin disease.

Some think Naaman had leprosy but many think he had a serious skin disease, not leprosy. Yet others believe it was leprosy.

It is interesting that Naaman made a raid in the land of Israel and captured a young Jewish girl. It was common that the conquering army would take captives. Naaman being the commander had first choice from among the captives. He sees this young Jewish girl and chooses her to be his wife’s servant. Even here we see the hand of GOD working in both the life of the young Jewish girl and Naaman.

Serving the LORD, at times, may cost us our freedom. This young Jewish girl is instrumental in leading Naaman to GOD. Apparently Naaman’s wife was a kind woman and Naaman was a kind man because the Jewish girl could have remained silent and watched Naaman suffer. But she tells Naaman’s wife that there is a prophet in Samaria that could cure Naaman.

Naaman goes to the king and tells him what the Jewish girl told him. The king is very supportive. He says go and in fact he will send a letter to the king of Israel. It is interesting that Naaman had just raided the king of Israel’s country and now he is going back to seek a cure for his disease. But the king of Aram is also sending 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold and 10 changes of clothes to the king of Israel. Not a bad peace offering.
Naaman takes the letter to the king of Israel. But notice what the letter says. It appears that the king of Aram expects the king of Israel to heal Naaman.

It has been speculated that the king of Aram thought the prophet of Israel would be the king of Israel. We are not sure who the king of Israel was at the time. It is again speculated that the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel could be Joram (852-841 BC) or Jehu (841-814 BC). Whoever is the king, he freaked out. Elisha dies about 800 BC and this occurs toward the end of his life. So the king is likely Jehu.

The king thinks this is a trick devised by the king of Aram to wage war against him because he knew he could not cure Naaman. And it is obvious that Naaman has a serious skin disorder. The king of Israel makes an important connection. He recognizes and acknowledges that only GOD can heal. So the king of Israel does the only thing he knows to do. He tears his clothes to indicate he is helpless.

To the rescue comes the true prophet Elisha. Elisha hears about the situation the king of Israel is in. What a relief that must have been to the king when Elisha told him to send Naaman to him.

This is important for Naaman but it is also important to the king of Israel plus all who are hearing about this situation.

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:9-12:

9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.” 11 But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of • Yahweh his God, and will wave his hand over the spot and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and left in a rage.

Naaman goes to Elisha’s house. Naaman had to make a series of decisions early on in his journey to be healed – (1) believe the Jewish girl, was she telling the truth? (2) to risk telling the possibility to his boss, the king of Aram (3) to go to the king of Israel (4) then go to the prophet’s house versus the prophet coming to him – These are a few decisions he had to make early on. A poor decision at any step would have likely resulted in a different result. Naaman still has more decisions to make as his journey continues to unfold.

We have to keep in mind that Naaman is a mighty military man and he is used to people catering to him.

I can envision Naaman and his entourage pulling up to Elisha’s house - dust flying and horses snorting and swords clanging. Without a doubt Elisha knows they have arrived. Naaman knows that Elisha knows that he has arrived. Naaman expects the prophet to run out and greet him. After all it is an honor that such a great man has come to his house.

Naaman waits. He sees someone coming. Could it be the prophet? No! It is just a messenger. So let’s hear what he has to say. It may be that the prophet is deep in prayer for me and cannot come out at this moment?

The messenger delivers the message, “The prophet Elisha asked me to tell you to”, ““Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.”” You can almost see Naaman bristle. Did Naaman think, “This so called prophet sends his servant out to give me a message rather than come out to greet me himself? This is embarrassing. What is going on with this prophet?”

Does this cast doubt in Naaman’s mind whether or not the prophet can heal him? Is the prophet afraid to show his face in fear of his life should Naaman not be cured?

Naaman had already figured out what the prophet would do. This gets many of us in trouble when it comes to GOD working in our lives. We anticipate how GOD is going to do something and then when HE does not follow our plan of action, we get angry. Well Naaman is not any different, he gets angry.

Naaman is further frustrated when Elisha tells him to do a simple thing, “Wash in the Jordan River.” If he was going to wash in a river, he wanted to wash in the rivers that run through Aram – Abana (AB uh nuh) and Pharpar (FAHR pahr). In fact historians tell us that these rivers in Aram were cleaner than the Jordan. Scholars tell us that the two (2) rivers in Aram were clear because of the source of their water, whereas the Jordan was muddy.

So Naaman leaves in a rage.

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:13-16:

13 But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more [should you do it]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored [and became]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean. 15 Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, I stand before Him. I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.

Naaman’s servants are taking all this in. Are they curious and want to see what would happen? Are they hoping with all hope that their master would be healed? Are they searching for the true GOD and if the GOD of Israel is the true GOD they want to know? Are the servants Israelites and know that GOD will heal Naaman which could result in him becoming a believer? Then there are the soldiers who know what is going on. They are also candidates to see the hand of GOD working in the life of Naaman and they too can become believers.

What ever their reason, they approach Naaman in a very respectful manner and reason with him. This shows the type of man Naaman is. They are not afraid to approach him. They are not afraid of being wrong if he is not cured.

How often do we hold back because we are afraid of failing or afraid of our boss? Wrong attitudes can result in serious consequences. But this is not the case with Naaman.

Washing in a river seven (7) times is a simple thing to do. If Elisha had asked him to do something difficult he would have responded. But simple was just not appealing to him.

Naaman is obedient to the command of the man of GOD. Naaman acknowledges that Elisha represents GOD. This is a vital connection for Naaman to make. He dips one time. He still has his skin disease. Likely thinking, “This is ridiculous my men must think I am a complete idiot. Will I ever regain their respect?” He dips the second time. Nothing. The third time. Still nothing. I have to get this over with quick. Fourth, fifth, sixth and now for the seventh. WOW!!! Look at me!!! Surprise!!! Surprise!!!

There had to be a loud shout from his men. They must have said “Wow, how good you look. Your skin is just great. Your disease is gone. The GOD of Israel has healed you!!!”

Naaman made the connection that it was GOD who healed him.

The entire entourage returns to Elisha’s house. This time with great excitement that they have encountered GOD!!!

Verse 15 is awesome. Naaman says to Elisha, “I KNOW.” WOW, this is awesome. When we accept JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOR, we know we have encountered the living LORD. We know HE has come into our lives.

Think of the comparison of Naaman being cleansed of a terrible disease by simply being obedient to the command of GOD through Elisha. It was simple to dip seven (7) times in the Jordan River. The key is being obedient to GOD’S command. When Naaman was obedient he was cleansed of his disease and restored.

Likewise think of us today. JESUS, the sinless LAMB of GOD gave HIS life that all that are obedient and ask HIM to forgive them of their terrible incurable disease, SIN, are washed by HIS shed blood and made whiter than snow. GOD’S plan to cleanse mankind of sin is so simple yet so hard.

If the LORD is asking you to be obedient and ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life, do it now. Encounter the living CHRIST and let HIM cleanse you of all sin and restore you. HE will, just ask.

Naaman was overwhelmed with gratitude. When CHRIST comes into our lives, we are also overwhelmed with gratitude and thanksgiving for what GOD has done for us through HIS SON JESUS. Naaman wanted to give Elisha money but Elisha refused. Salvation is free. Naaman was cured of his disease and acknowledged GOD as the true GOD. Naaman encountered a physical healing and a spiritual healing at the same time. Naaman’s heart was changed at the moment he was healed. How do we know that? Let’s look at the following scripture.

Let’s read 2 Kings 5:17-19:

17 Naaman responded, “If not, please let two mule-loads of dirt be given to your servant, for your servant will no longer offer a • burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but Yahweh. 18 However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, [the king of Aram]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship and I, as his right-hand man,[7] Lit worship, and he leans on my hand, and I bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow[8] LXX, Vg read when he bows himself in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 So he said to him, “Go in peace.”

When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR we want to be obedient to GOD and serve HIM. Naaman’s heart was changed. He wants to do something. So he asks if he can take two (2) mule-loads of dirt back to Aram. He wants to build and altar so he can worship the true GOD. He vows never to worship any other god. He sees the truth. The eyes of his heart have been opened and he has encountered the living GOD.

He does have one request. As the commander he has to go into the pagan temple of Rimmon with the king. He knows the ritual is to bow. He realizes it is wrong, but he has to do it. Elisha tells him to go in peace.

This raises a whole new subject for consideration. Elisha understands what Naaman must do. Why does he say go in peace? When we realize what we do is wrong and we know we have encountered the true GOD, it is a matter of time until we also know that our life style will have to change. We do not know what Naaman did after he returned to Aram. But we do know he was a changed man and a witness for the GOD of Israel. Did his new life with GOD influence the king and others to follow the GOD of Israel? We do not know but likely. Only eternity will reveal what happened.

When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR our lives are changed as well. We are witnesses of our encounter with our LORD as we go about our daily routine. Naaman was a witness to the power of the GOD of Israel and it was evident to all who had known Naaman. There was no doubt. Every time anyone who had known Naaman encountered him, he was a witness to them.

When sickness strikes, James in the Book of James tells us to pray for the sick and to anoint the sick with oil. Oil was a medicine at that time. We are to pray, anoint with oil and seek GOD’S guidance. Yes, GOD is still in the business of healing with HIS power. HE is also in the business of healing through doctors, medicine and therapy. HE will be with us or our loved ones as we or they go through the circumstances life brings.

GOD is sovereign and we also must acknowledge that GOD has the best in mind for HIS children and HIS purpose.

Pray, seek and trust! Naaman was healed but Naaman also died some time later. All the people that JESUS healed or brought back from the dead, also died later. Physical death is the ultimate end point for all of us but when we have encountered the living CHRIST, we have been cleansed of our sin, made righteous, born-again in our spirit and have eternal life at that moment. We have already received eternal life through GOD’S grace and we step into HIS presence the moment we exit this physical body (Or earth suit as I like to think of our body.)

Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice! We have been healed of an incurable disease, death.