Bible Study - Elisha (4) - GOD'S Hand in Restoring Lives -2 Kings 5:1-3, 10-19a - Sunday, May 18, 2025
Bible Study – Elisha (4) – GOD’S Hand in Restoring Lives
-2 Kings 5:1-3, 10-19a – Sunday, May 18, 2025
GOD restores us as we are obedient to HIM.
Salvation is a growing process. Once a person
acknowledges JESUS as his or her Savior, that person is born-again Spiritually.
He/she are Spiritual babies and must be fed the nourishing milk of GOD’S Word, pray
and apply what they are being taught, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
When a baby begins to walk and he/she falls, do we pick
it up and tell that baby to never try walking again until he/she gets it right?
NO!!!
We pick up this precious child and patiently work with
that child until he/she not only walks but runs.
The same with those “Born-again,” Spiritually. GOD never
ever gives up on you, therefore, never ever give up on GOD! JESUS gave HIS
sinless body and life just for you to have The Way To Salvation and that is personal.
May the Holy Spirit reveal truth to you as you meet GOD and JESUS through this study.
Our focus scripture is 2 Kings 5:1-3,10-19a:
Let’s read 2 Kings 5:1-3:
Naaman’s Disease Healed
5 Naaman, commander
of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly
regarded because through him, the Lord had given
victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin
disease.
We notice that even before Naaman knew the
ONE TRUE GOD of the Israelites, GOD was active in his life. GOD had a plan for
Naaman and guess what?
GOD has a plan for each of us in HIS Kingdom.
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 were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he
would cure him of his skin disease.”
In this study, we will see the salvation of Naaman
through faith in the ONE TRUE GOD OF ISRAEL, YHWH “I AM”.
4 So
Naaman went and told his master (the King of Aram) 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 to the king of Israel.”
King of Aram and Naaman as the head of the
king’s army had made many incursions into Isarel. On one of these incursions
they captured a young girl, who told her mistress about Elisha. So, Naaman
armed with impressive gifts to be able to approach Israel’s King and their
prophet Elisha. Naaman put his best foot forward to remove all potential
barriers.
When we go to GOD for HIS help and/or
guidance, do we have hidden issues that need to be revealed before we can
receive GOD’S Grace, assistance, help, guidance, etc.?
So, Naaman went to Israel, a former enemy, and took with
him 750 pounds[a] of
silver, 150 pounds[b] of
gold, and ten sets of clothing. 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? Recognize[c] that
he is only picking a fight with me.”
The King of Israel responded correctly. He recognized his
limitations and did not try to be something he wasn’t.
8 When
Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he
sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes?
Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So
Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s
house.
The King of Israel’s response sent a shock
wave throughout Israel, which GOD intended for it to do. The Prophet Elisha got
the message and sent GOD’S solution to Naaman. No hands on, just based upon the
knowledge of Naaman’s need to be healed. The Prophet never laid hands on
Naaman; he just told him what he needed to do to be healed.
It was a simple step of faith of obedience to
GOD’S message through HIS Prophet Elisha, who never met Naaman physically.
Often, as Christians, we think we have to be
present for healing to take place. But we see JESUS being told of a need and
that need being taken care of without JESUS completing HIS journey to be in the
presence of the person to cure that need. We who have been “born-again” often
limit our usefulness to others because we think we have to be present.
Some may say, “that is impossible!” That is
true for those who are lacking in their faith in GOD.
10 Then
Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in
the Jordan and your skin will be restored and you will be clean.”
The Prophet Elisha sent Naaman a message.
He did not go out to Naaman personally. Why do you think Elisha did not go to
Naaman personally? Could it be that Naaman would have been focused upon Elisha
and his healing message rather than GOD and HIS healing power?
How did Naaman react? After all, Naaman came himself
bearing wonderful gifts.
So, how did Naaman react with this solution to his skin
problem?
How do we react when GOD does not respond like we think
HE should to the issues we encounter in life? Often, not well when we have
already concluded how GOD is going to solve our issue.
For rebellion is as the
sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity
and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has
rejected you from being king.”
HIS ways are most often not our ways. GOD knows the best
way to solve our issue or issues. We must trust in the dark what we learn in
the light.
What was Naaman’s response? He sure went to a lot of
trouble to be cured. He had to swallow his pride and his ego by taking gifts to
a former adversary. However, the fact that he did reveals how desperate he was
to find a cure for his skin disease. The real issue would be how he would
respond to the instructions given to him through a messenger?
Let’s read on -----
11 But
Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come
out, stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his
hand over the place and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t
Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of
Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So, he turned and
left in a rage.
Naaman had it all figured out. However, it did not go
according to his plan. So, he got mad and left in a huff. Although he had given
up on the GOD of the prophet, GOD had not given up on him.
You know that is the Love of GOD toward all of us, HE
never gives up on us, therefore, we are never to give up on GOD/JESUS.
If you have given up on GOD/JESUS, confess it because HE
stands exactly where you left HIM. Tell HIM, “I am back, and I ask YOU to
forgive me and teach me YOUR truth by saving my soul. I place my trust in JESUS
as my Savior, and I want HIM to be the LORD of my life as evidenced by the
indwelling Holy Spirit.
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 when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”
What a joy when those who care for us reach
over the line of protocol to give us GODLY advice. It took courage and revealed
that Naaman’s entourage’ respected him and wanted Naaman to be healed.
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 like the skin of a small
boy, and he was clean.
Doing what GOD reveals to us through GODLY people,
results in success.
Naaman and his entourage’ witnessed the power of GOD
through the Prophet Elisha.
What impact did this healing have on Naaman and his
entourage’?
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.”
WOW!!! Naaman witnessed the power of GOD, and
he went back to Elisha to give his report. The GOD of Elisha is truly GOD WHO
did not demand anything except faith and obedience in whom the Israelites
worshipped. Naaman witnessed firsthand the awesome power of THE ONE TRUE GOD OF
THE ISRAELITES, WHO healed him without fanfare.
16 But
Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand,
I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.
Notice, Naaman was speaking directly to The Prophet
Elisha.
What was the impact on Naaman? Salvation through faith in
THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE ISRAELITES. The same GOD WHO sent JESUS into the world
to be the SAVIOR of all who will place their faith in HIM (New Testament).
17 Naaman
responded, “If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of
mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or
a sacrifice to any other god but the Lord. 18 However,
in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my
master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to bow in worship
while he is leaning on my arm,[d] and
I have to bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow[e] in
the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this
matter.”
Naaman immediately knew that his life had changed and
that he had a personnel relationship with THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE.
HE knew that his form of worship had to change. So,
Naaman requested enough soil to build his own place of worship when he returned
home.
The dirt which is Yahweh’s domain is holy ground. The
idea of “holy ground” is an important element of Israelite theology.
Naaman believed that the various gods were territorial
and claimed the soil in each country as theirs. Naaman had just discovered the
ONE TRUE GOD OF THE ISRALEITES – Yahweh, therefore he wanted to take soil from
Israel back with him. HE did what he thought best based upon his knowledge at
that time. The important thing is that GOD/Yahweh knew his heart.
Yahweh/GOD/JESUS knows our hearts and desires for us to lead and guide us
according to GOD’S plan for our lives.
CHRIST in us, the hope of Glory!!!
Life change reveals true conversion.
Yes, Naaman’s life was changed, and he knew he had to go
into a pagan temple with his king, and he knew doing so would be against his
newfound relationship with THE ONE TRUE GOD OF ISRAEL. Naaman’s life had
changed, and his eyes had been opened to truth.
The same is for all today who place their faith in JESUS
as their SAVIOR and make HIM the LORD of their lives.
19 So
he said to him, “Go in peace.”
GOD reveals truth in our hearts as revealed in the Old
Testament and the New Testament through The HOLY SPIRIT. When HE does, that is
HIS invitation for us to ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness and for JESUS to come into our lives. JESUS paid for
our sin debt, in full, by HIS shed blood. HIS bodily resurrection is the proof that JESUS defeated death. JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days and then bodily ascended into
Heaven. HE took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD and intercedes
for each person who has been “born-again” (Born-again means to asked JESUS to forgive him/her for all of their sins and uprightness and
for JESUS to come into his/her heart.)
Why does a Spirit-born Christian need an intercessor?
Because Satan is the “born-again” Christian’s accuser. “Born-again” people will
still sin, and Satan is quick to tell JESUS.
What does JESUS tell Satan? Yes, I know but I also know
that he or she placed his/her faith in ME, and they are covered eternally by MY
shed blood and their faith in ME. They belong to ME, because I laid down MY
life for them because they placed their faith and trust in ME. MY SHED BLOOD
for all who place their faith in ME and MY passion, receive GOD’S GRACE and are
no longer under the Law!
1 John 1:9:1 But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.
Rejoice!!! My brother or sister in JESUS. My prayers are
for all who receive JESUS, as their Savior, and for those who have not been
living for JESUS and recommitted their lives to JESUS. Welcome back!!!
Do you know that the Angels in Heaven rejoice when a
person returns to follow JESUS or accepts JESUS for the first time?
I tell you, in the same way, there is
joy in the presence of God’s angels over one
sinner who repents.”
Yes, even Spirit-born people sin. Yes, they are covered by the shed blood of JESUS for eternity, so why do they need to confess? Sin is a barrier between us and GOD/JESUS. JESUS forgives and forgets but our human brain is made to recall and remember, and Satan uses our human design to make us think we are out of fellowship with GOD/JESUS.
Satan tries to isolate us to keep us quiet and ineffective to work in the Kingdom of GOD. That is why we need to confess our sins, so we do not give a toehold for Satan to distracts us as we serve GOD in this world.
Spirit-born Christians must keep in their minds that Satan desires to neutralize us.
Blessings!!!
posted by Bible Study | 2:50 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home