Session 3: The River

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

Coming soon.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - 2 Kings 5:1–27
• Scripture Memory - But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4–5
• Catechism - Q: What do the waters of baptism symbolize? A: Cleansing

Introduction

And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.

A soul steeped in the briny tears of repentance, and bathed in the blood of Christ, is made pure. Pray much for a pureness of soul … Some pray for children, others for riches; but pray thou for soul purity.

The human condition has been afflicted by sin, shame, guilt, and fear. Sin and its dire consequences have stained and sullied God’s good creation. Our unclean condition before a holy God has estranged us from God, prohibiting us from enjoying a deep and vibrant relationship with our Creator. The sinful nature plaguing humanity has also caused a breach in relationships with one another. While many enjoy luxury and comfort in this earthly life, no matter of prestige, wealth, or power can remedy the obvious condition and intractable problem that is human sinfulness. Like a terminal disease, sin has infected every human and has ruined God’s good world. Our hearts are morally diseased. Our minds are ignorant and defiled. Our intentions are corrupt and twisted. Our actions fall desperately short of God’s holy standards. Pride, unbelief, and idolatry lie at the core of human sinfulness, making us unclean and immoral creatures in desperate need of divine cleansing.

Sadly, human instinct aims to fix our sinful condition by its own devices. We posture for social position, amass material wealth, pursue worldly success, and appeal to religious ritual, all in an effort to ameliorate a pricked conscience and unholy condition. We know that we are unclean before God, but all efforts of self-cleansing are vain. The best human remedy is nothing more than a futile manicure—an ineffective cosmetic treatment that tries to deal with an inner spiritual disease with external beautification. On the contrary, the promise of the gospel—its gloriously good news—is that God has provided an effective means for sinful humans to become cleansed. Only with the faith of a child can this cleansing be received. Through humble trust in God’s saving work, the promise of healing, forgiveness, and spiritual washing can become an experienced reality. As sure as God’s very character, restoration is possible in Jesus Christ. The contamination of present sin, the shame of past guilt, and the anticipation of future transgression are covered in Christ’s saving work. The sickness of a wicked and evil world is offered a remedy in Christ. In short, God has provided a way to bring about dramatic and lasting transformation in the lives of human sinners, a transformation upon which we build a life of Christian devotion. Even in the Old Testament, the Bible foreshadows this gracious cleansing.

In 2 Kings 5:1–27, we hear a story about a dramatic transformation brought about in the life of a powerful and prestigious Syrian military officer. Otherwise living a life of privilege and influence, Naaman had leprosy, which was a nagging and menacing condition that threatened all his enviable plaudits. As a leper, he was unclean, and this condition made him a social, religious, and moral outcast. Hearing from a young Israelite servant girl that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him, Naaman secured permission from his master to travel to Israel to get cured. When Naaman met Elisha, he received instructions on how to be cured of his leprosy. To receive this healing, however, the prestigious officer would first have to deal with his prideful heart condition. His life would be a testimony that no one can receive the new birth that God offers unless they approach God with the faith of a trusting child. After washing in the Jordan River seven times, Naaman was healed of his leprosy and committed himself to God’s service. As a foil to the story, Elisha’s servant quickly defected and tried to use Naaman’s healing as an opportunity for his personal gain.

In all, this story casts a compelling picture of God’s transforming work in the lives of the faithful. The hopeful message of healing found in this story foreshadows Christ’s healing work on the cross. Through Naaman’s sevenfold bathing in the Jordan River, this biblical account also prefigures the Christian rite of baptism. In Naaman’s dutiful, generous, and confessional response, we gain clarity into the nature of Christian devotion and worship. The narrative probes our own hearts, examining whether we are filled with the greed and deception of Gehazi, the initial pride and pomp of Naaman, or the simple and humble faith of the Israelite servant girl. Let us prayerfully engage this text with an eye to understanding how God’s cleansing power yields the fruit of Christian devotion.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Christian baptism rests upon God’s restoring work in our lives and symbolizes the cleansing work of God’s grace in Christ.

Passage Overview

The hope of the gospel is that Jesus brings healing, restoration, and cleansing to those who respond to him in the humble faith of a child. This self-lowering in faith allows us to receive God’s cleansing work in our own lives, giving us new life—a rebirth—in Christ. Naaman’s story foreshadows this reality. His worldly prestige was in stark contrast to his diseased and ostracizing skin condition. In order to find healing, the regarded and ranked Naaman had to heed a message of hope—good news—delivered by a lowly and unremarkable Israelite servant child. In order to find true cleansing, the pride of his heart had to be removed and replaced with humility, openness, and receptivity. His cleansing was more than just a personal transformation; it involved activation and enlistment into God’s service. The fortuitous failure of Gehazi alongside the transformation of Naaman is a warning to all who would feign devotion to God. This story depicts divine healing, inspires Christian devotion, and prefigures the importance of the rite of baptism in the formation of one’s faith. Use the following commentary to help you grasp this biblical text, its foreshadowing of baptism, and its implications for a life of worship and devotion to God.

Passage Outline

1. 2 Kings 5:1–2
2. 2 Kings 5:2–7
3. 2 Kings 5:8–14
4. 2 Kings 5:15–19
5. 2 Kings 5:19–27

Washed in the Water

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Under the Law, the touch of a leper was infectious; but as Christ possesses such purity as to repel all filth and defilement, he does not, by touching, either pollute himself with leprosy, or become a transgressor of the law. When he took upon him our flesh, he did not only deign to touch us with his hand, but was united to one and the same body with ourselves, that we might be flesh of his flesh … Nor did he only stretch out his arm to us, but descended from heaven even to hell, and yet contracted no stain from it, but, retaining his innocence, took away all our impurities, and sprinkled us with his holiness. By his word alone he might have healed the leper; but he applied, at the same time, the touch of his hand, to express the feeling of compassion.

Introduction

God works to save the condemned and liberate the oppressed; the good news of the gospel announces God’s cleansing of the sinner and restoration of the broken. Marred as we are by sin, shame, and guilt, all humans are estranged from God and at odds with one another. Without faith in Christ, we cannot enjoy a relationship with God or experience meaningful community with one another. Spiritual uncleanness interrupts and impedes Christian communion. Without a doubt, human sin has put humanity and creation in desperate straits. Despite the misery of human depravity, God has provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to God, removing the stain of our impurity and restoring the defect of our spiritual uncleanness. The panacea of all uncleanness—be it a physical ailment or moral impurity—is found in the good news of Christ. Understanding the cleansing and healing effects of the gospel is pivotal to grasping a fuller picture of what devotion to God entails.

Christian worship is energized and fueled by divine cleansing. God’s gracious work to forgive wrongdoing, cleanse immorality, remove shame, mend brokenness, remedy sickness, and eradicate impurity is offered to all who come to him in humble faith. Although God’s holy character requires judgment of sin, his loving nature brings restoration to fallen humanity. In Jesus, God has provided a means for purification, washing, and cleansing. Jesus’ redemptive work—his perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection—is the only effective cure for human depravity. Not only can Jesus offer healing from physical disease, but he can also provide transformation of the broken and fallen human condition. When God’s people experience the cleansing and purifying effects of the gospel, they are ignited to praise and worship God with the totality of their lives. Gospel healing stokes the flames of Christian devotion. The Old Testament foreshadows the powerful work of divine cleansing, the fitting response of earnest devotion, and the rite of Christian baptism, which visibly signifies God’s transformative healing and gracious cleansing in the lives of his faithful servants.

One instance of divine cleansing is recorded in 2 Kings 5:1–27. During the time of the kingdom of Israel, a man named Naaman lived in Syria. While his external condition was enviable from a human perspective, he was marred by an unclean skin condition of leprosy. Upon hearing a hopeful message of healing from an Israelite servant girl, he gained permission from the king to travel to Israel and secure his healing from the prophet Elisha. Expecting Elisha to meet him with a cure on his own terms, Naaman was quickly upended from his prideful condition and recognized the need to approach God’s offer of healing in humility and lowliness. Upon receiving God’s healing, the highly-ranked official dedicated himself to God’s service and affirmed his undivided belief in the true God. However, Elisha’s servant Gehazi attempted to seek material gain from Naaman’s healing and schemed to receive a gift from Naaman’s wealth. In the end, Gehazi was exposed for his wrongdoing and was punished with the same skin disease from which Naaman had recently been liberated.

In this story, we learn about God’s healing and curative work in our lives. A humble heart and lowly spirit are essential to receive God’s gracious and powerful cleansing in our lives. The waters of healing that were used for Naaman’s healing foreshadow Christian baptism. His obedient act of washing in the Jordan River seven times not only prefigured Jesus’ own baptism but also anticipated how Christian disciples of future generations would declare the cleansing they have received by faith in Christ, along with their newfound devotion and allegiance to Christ. This biblical narrative is yet another “water story,” giving us insight into the nature of baptism, the character of Christian devotion, and the good news of salvation that sparks the flames of godly worship.

But He Was a Leper: Honestly Dealing with the Gravity of the Human Condition

Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 5:1–2)

A military man of high rank, Naaman was “the commander of the army of the king of Aram [i.e., Syria]” (5:1). This position of power and authority gave Naaman great influence within his nation and across international borders. In addition to his military position, Naaman was “a great man in his master’s sight” (5:1). His reputation, station, and status gave him a position of honor and prestige: he was “highly regarded” (5:1). His estimable rank in society was not empty or hollow; he had accolades and accomplishments to validate this position of honor. In terms of such exploits, it was “through him the Lord had given victory to Aram” (5:1). As such, Naaman was “a mighty man of valor” (5:1). He was in the service of powerful people (5:1) and also had people in service to him (5:2).

By any measure, his standing in society would have been enviable. Military power, honorable reputation, laudable achievements, and networked relationships were just a few ways to describe the privilege and plaudits Naaman enjoyed. Despite all of these advantages, however, “he was a leper” (5:1). This comment about Naaman’s health was in stark contrast to his otherwise desirable and admirable life situation. Suffering from a skin disease (probably not deadly), which would have made him unclean, all his position and privilege were threatened. In contrast to the favor he enjoyed in his public, military, and civic position, this biological disease of his skin threatened his societal and (perhaps) religious status. A man of influence and authority, Naaman was plagued with a skin condition that could ostracize him.

Biblical Principles

Human Condition. The opening description of this narrative not only describes Naaman as a character in the story, but it also addresses the general human condition. In this historical account, we learn about Naaman’s desirable position in society. As “the commander of the army of the king of Aram” (5:1), he possessed power and authority. He and his wife even had a personal servant (5:2). As “a great man in his master’s sight” (5:1), Naaman enjoyed royal privileges and dignitary rights. A man “highly regarded” (5:1), he was held in great honor and esteem. His military victories, his achievements, and his accomplishments made him a man of influence and meaningful impact. Demonstrating himself to be “a mighty man of valor” (5:1), this royal and military figure embodied a daring spirit and unflinching fortitude. Naaman represented deep aspirations of humanity. To read this short description of his life, feats, and character resonates deeply with the inner longings and hopes broadly felt by general humanity. At first glance, Naaman seemed to have reached human ambitions for significance, power, financial security, respect, reputation, and influence.

Glaring in this initial description of Naaman is a brief but pregnant reference to a disease: Naaman “was a leper” (5:1). His unclean and diseased skin condition threatened his power and privilege. His fleshly predicament precariously put his fortunate position at risk. The grandeur of his reputation, the power of his military rank, the prestige of his well-connected social network, and the fame of his wartime exploits were subtly menaced by his leprous disorder. Although he seemed to reach a height of human achievement, the edifice of his earthly blessings was unstable and unbalanced. Just as Naaman had to confront the fact that his unclean condition clouded the otherwise radiant gleam of his famed stature, so all humanity must confront what it means to be unclean before a holy God. At the fall of the human race, sin has infected the human condition and estranged us from God and from others. Our sinful predicament dampens whatever earthly pleasures and privileges we enjoy, and it exacerbates the hardships and afflictions we suffer. Human achievements are threatened by the presence of sin. The luster of human nobility and dignity grows dim in a fallen world riddled with sin and evil. What humanity needs to find fulfillment and recover God-given dignity—that is, to repair the image of God in humanity—is not more earthly accolades but a thorough and divine cleansing. Like Naaman, we need to be cured of our unclean condition (5:3).

The Lord’s Victory. Just as God’s saving work galvanized Noah’s devotion to God and the liberation of the exodus mobilized Israel to faithful commitment, we see that Naaman’s cleansing will bring about his devotion to God. After coming to terms with the curing power of the living and true God, no human accomplishment can compare with God’s healing work in our lives. Sometimes we can only see from retrospect that God’s healing work in our lives undergirds all that is good in life. Even though Naaman was a commander for the Syrian army, God had brought about his military success: “the Lord had given victory to Aram” (5:1). Like Naaman, all that we have that is good in life is credit due to God. Honorable accomplishments, earthly privileges, and substantive blessings are those which God permits in our lives. All that is good in life is accredited to God’s grace and enablement. If a person has a reason to boast or celebrate anything in their life, it is praise that rightfully belongs to God. This simple reference to the underlying cause of Naaman’s past military victory—military success that was likely a contributing factor to him gaining privilege, position, and respect—was a hint of the only source that could lead to his healing. The God who gave him victory in war was the only means for him to find cleansing and healing from his leprous skin condition. Any person who experiences divine cleansing—purification of body and forgiveness of sin—has experienced divine intervention that has resulted in victory from the Lord.

Purification and Cleansing. Naaman needed purification from his diseased condition. Regardless of his earthly prosperity, he was in great need of divine intervention. Whether or not he knew that God was the cause behind the success of his military campaigns, only God could cleanse him of leprosy. As a Christian rite of initiation, baptism symbolizes a disciple’s newfound purity before God, a purity that God himself has brought about in the life of the sick and sinful. The waters of baptism do not magically bring about any person’s healing. Rather, Christians come to the waters of baptism to declare that God has wrought a divine cleansing in their life through faith in Christ. Faith in Christ’s saving work on the cross purifies sinful and unclean humans from their life of sin, an even greater contamination than the impurity of leprosy. Thus, the fact that water is the mode of baptism invites us to celebrate God’s cleansing of guilty sinners. In this symbolic act of purification, sinful humans receive God’s healing through Christ and enjoy a reconciled relationship with God and others, reorienting their entire life (as we will see as Naaman’s story unfolds) in fidelity to God.

Mixed Messages: Variously Responding to the Hopeful Message of Healing

Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 5:2–7)

During one of the Syrian raids, an Israelite girl was captured. At this time, “the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel” (5:2). This Israelite youth was put in “the service of Naaman’s wife” (5:2). Representing God’s people, the prophetic ministry, and the possibility of divine healing, the unnamed servant girl told Naaman’s wife, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy” (5:3). The hopeful message of finding relief from his skin disease was appealing. Naaman went to his master and told him what the Israelite servant girl had said (5:4). The Syrian king not only gave Naaman permission to go to the Israelite prophet, but he also wrote a letter to Israel’s king on his behalf (5:5).

Leaving on his journey to find the Israelite prophet, Naaman took with him “ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing” (5:5) along with the letter written by the Syrian king (5:6). The letter said that the Syrian king had sent Naaman and it asked that he would help him to be cured of his leprosy (5:6). Upon reading the letter, Israel’s king tore clothes and lamented, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper” (5:7). Rather than expressing a faith in God to perform this healing, the king of Israel (probably Joram/Jehoram at this time; cf. 2 Kings 1:17; 3:1) was overwhelmed by Naaman’s request for healing. Not only was Israel’s king confronted with his own inadequacy, but he also suspected that the Syrian king was “seeking a quarrel” (5:7).

Biblical Principles

Message of Healing. This part of the narrative involves a series of messages that deal with the possibility of healing. Sadly, as the plot commences, the Syrian king (cf. 5:4–6) and an unnamed servant girl (cf. 5:2–3) are greater advocates for Naaman’s healing than the Israelite king (cf. 5:7). The servant girl brought a message of good news to Naaman that there was a healer back in the land of Israel who could cure him of his skin condition. Although this lowly servant girl was not a prophet, her words and message amounted to a truth proclamation in directing her master to Israel’s prophet, an agent of God’s healing power. Her concern for her diseased master hints at a compassionate spirit. Her appeal that Naaman go to Samaria is an expression of conviction and (potential) urgency. Her explanation that the prophet would “cure him of his leprosy” (5:3) is a message of good news. The king of Syria responded with similar optimism to the servant girl’s appeal. He wrote a message on behalf of Naaman, asking for him to be cured (5:5–6). Demonstrating seeds of genuine faith, Naaman himself responded with hopeful anticipation that the good news announced by the servant girl was indeed true. Naaman delivered the message to the king of Syria (5:4), prepared a large gift (5:5), and traveled to Samaria (5:3, 6). These actions demonstrated the sincerity and seriousness of Naaman’s trust in the servant girl’s words.

In contrast to the hopeful, believing, and expectant responses of these three characters was the response of the king of Israel. When the Israelite king received the message, he became unraveled. He “tore his clothes” (5:7) in an act of protest, grief, and unbelief. He faced his own insecurity and self-doubt: “Am I God, killing and giving life…?” (5:7). He lacked faith in God and was preoccupied with his own inability: “This man expects me to cure a leper” (5:7). He questioned the motivations of the king of Syria, accusing him of starting a conflict: “Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me” (5:7). The foreign king of Syria, the captured Israelite servant girl, and the diseased Syrian commander displayed greater faith in the possibility of healing than Israel’s king. This trio of outsiders viewed the hope-filled message of healing as welcome news. In contrast, Israel’s king interpreted the request for healing as an antagonistic threat. The passive, deflective, dismissive, and unreceptive spirit of the king of Israel caused the good news of healing to be a foul stench to him.

Trusting God’s Healing Power. Devotion to Christ is proportionate to our trust in God’s healing power. Our willingness to receive and share the gospel shapes our devotion. At its core, worship is a faith-filled response that expresses belief and conviction that God is able to heal, restore, cleanse, and purify. For Naaman, God’s healing power was proclaimed by a message that said a prophet in Israel could “cure him of his leprosy” (5:3; cf. 5:6). Importantly, the servant girl’s message was that “the prophet who is in Samaria” (5:3) could perform this healing. By the time the message reached the king of Israel, he was questioning that he could “cure a leper” (5:7; cf. 5:6). This subtle shift of focus—a shift from the prophet doing the healing to the king of Israel doubting his ability to perform the healing—represents a common cause of unbelief. Preoccupation with our inability can sometimes obscure our vision of God’s unequalled power to bring healing and restoration. Unfortunately, because people often fixate on their own insecurity and personal capacity, the promise of healing in the gospel is not favorably received by all. Some resist the gospel’s message as too invasive. Others question whether Christ can actually bring actual healing to their challenging predicaments. Many are resistant to sharing the message of healing with others. Devotion to Christ begins with acknowledgment of our deficiency that leads to receptivity to the truth, trust in God’s healing power, and hope that God can bring about a transformation in our lives that would otherwise be impossible.

Public Proclamation. In this narrative, a Gentile receives God’s healing. The theme of cure and cleansing in this narrative foreshadows the healing and forgiveness found in the good news of the gospel of Christ. This good news is a message proclaimed to all—even outsiders and outcasts—that there is a God who can cure our disease, cleanse our impurity, remove our shame, and decontaminate us from the stain of sin. In this way, this narrative prefigures Christian baptism. Christian baptism is both an attestation that one has accepted the promise of healing in the gospel and also a proclamation of the gospel message to bystanders of the baptism. Baptism publicly answers King Joram’s question (5:7) with a definitive affirmation that God can heal what mankind cannot. God is able to take dead sinners and make them alive in Christ. God is able to take unclean persons and make them clean. God is able to take the damaged and broken and cure them. Much more than a prophet in Israel, God has sent his Son to the world to bring healing and cleansing to a diseased and depraved humanity. Much like the servant girl’s statement to her mistress, baptism says to the watching world, “Would that you were with the Christ from Israel. He would cure you of all!” (cf. 5:3).

Like a Little Child: Humbly Receiving God’s Restorative Cure

Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 5:8–14)

Israel’s prophet, Elisha, heard that King Joram of Israel had torn his clothes. As a prophet, Elisha was a messenger of God’s truth, an agent of God’s power, and a representative of God’s presence in the world. This meant that Elisha had a responsibility to proclaim the good news of God’s salvation and confront hearts of unbelief. Consequently, Elisha questioned Joram about tearing his clothes (5:8). Defending the reputation of Israel and God, Elisha instructed the Israelite king, “Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel” (5:8). Elisha’s boldness and confidence came from his trust in God. Eventually, when Naaman came to Elisha, he came with the pomp and prestige of a Syrian commander: “Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house” (5:9). The powerful and distinguished Naaman had come to meet the unpretentious and prophetic Elisha. Rather than coming to the door himself, Elisha had a message delivered to Naaman, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean” (5:10). Important in these instructions was the command to wash in the Jordan River. This river was not the most prestigious of rivers. Also, it would require some travel to get to the Jordan River. The instruction required Naaman to demonstrate submission, humility, and receptivity. As a symbol of complete and wholehearted devotion as well as total and thorough healing, Naaman was to wash in the river seven times. If he faithfully responded to Elisha’s instructions, Naaman would be healed. Elisha’s words described this healing as restoration (i.e., dynamic change to his condition) and cleansing (i.e., removal of the skin condition).

In response to the prophetic word, Naaman “went away angry” (5:11). As a man of powerful position and honorable esteem, Naaman expected Elisha himself to come out to meet him (5:11). Familiar with religious practices from his own culture, the Syrian commander had anticipated that Elisha would invoke the name of his God, wave his hand, and cure the disease (5:11). Moreover, Naaman was averse to washing in the Jordan River. He claimed that rivers back in the capital city of Syria, Damascus, were better than the Jordan (5:12). Asserting his own importance, Naaman estimated that the Syrian rivers (Abana and Pharpar) were more fit for a man of his renown. Wondering why he could not just as well wash in these and be clean, Naaman “turned and went away in a rage” (5:12). His servants, however, stopped him and spoke wisdom to Naaman, encouraging him to follow Elisha’s instructions: “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?” (5:13). They reminded him that the prophet’s words were an invitation to receive divine healing: “Wash and be cleansed” (5:13). Finally, humbly yielding to the prophet’s instructions, Naaman “went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times” (5:14). An act of faith and obedience, Naaman did this “according to the word of the man of God” (5:14). Naaman’s sincere and simple faith resulted in God’s supernatural cure: “His flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean” (5:14).

Biblical Principles

Lowliness, Humility, and Childlikeness. While Naaman had a skin condition that needed to be remedied, he had another disease of the heart that needed to be healed before he received God’s healing. Taking confidence in his own worldly importance and civic prestige, Naaman was predisposed to come to God with visible displays of honor. He was afflicted by pride, a far more serious disease than leprosy. Naaman needed to remove this pride of heart before he could adequately deal with the condition of his skin. When Naaman left on his journey to Samaria, he brought an extravagant display of wealth (5:5). This was probably a way of brokering (or thanking) the prophet for healing (cf. 5:15). When Naaman came to the prophet, he came with horses and chariots (5:9). At this time, he approached life and religion through the lens of authority, hierarcy, and power. He expected Elisha to display a similar kind of authoritative command in his healing (5:11). In addition to this display of wealth and power, Naaman “stood at the door of Elisha’s house” (5:9), expecting Elisha to meet him at the door. Naaman was so attached to his dignity and prestige that he was enraged that Elisha toldhim to wash in the inferior waters of the Jordan River (5:12).

Elisha’s response to the wealthy, powerful, and prestigious commander addressed the obstacles that would keep him from receiving God’s healing. Rather than meeting Naaman and his entourage at the door of his house (5:9, 11), Elisha sent a messenger to relay the prophetic message (5:10). Rather than Elisha waving his hand to impressively cure Naaman’s leprosy (5:11), Elisha sent a message to Naaman to wash seven times in (of all places) the Jordan River (5:10, 12). Naaman had to overcome his pride and anger (5:11, 12) in order to receive God’s healing. The passage refers to the good news of healing as a “great thing” (5:13; lit. “great word”). Humility and meekness are prerequisites to enjoying the blessing and goodness of God’s healing hand. One must lower himself and go down (5:14) in order to be lifted up in the newness of life. It is important that Naaman’s healing is presented in terms of becoming like a child: “His flesh was restored and became like that of a little child” (5:14). Not only did Naaman’s healing reflect his new life—a rebirth—but it also described the kind of heart condition—that of a trusting child—that is needed for all who come to receive God’s restoration, cleansing, and healing.

Faith and Obedience to God’s Word. Devotion to Christ is not based upon the boast of human merit. Not only was Naaman’s prestige, power, and position of no use in gaining God’s favor, but these earthly confidences were real obstacles to his receiving God’s healing. Human conceits are expressions of pride that people use in vain attempts to secure their own spiritual well-being. True worshipers of God forsake pride and mortify arrogance, seeking instead a perpetual state of lowliness and humility. Godly humility is genuinely expressed in trust and obedience to God’s word. They recognize their lowly condition and take God’s instructions to heart, whatever they may be. Like Naaman, a fully devoted follower of Christ will be convinced that the message of healing is a “great thing” (5:13; lit. “great word”) and will do “according to the word of the man of God” (5:14). Genuine humility allows faith and obedience to God’s good and reliable word. The “great word” of healing will be offensive to many, insulting their propped-up sensibilities and guarded insecurities. The gospel promises to offend the proud. But the humble, believing, and submissive can come and enjoy its great promises of restoration and healing. True worship and devotion spring from the heart of a child-like faith which has received new life and rebirth in Christ.

New Birth and Cleansing. Christian baptism powerfully displays the new birth brought about by saving faith in Christ. This new birth in Christ involves cleansing and healing. Naaman’s healing foreshadows this gospel reality. Namman acted on his newly humbled heart by going down and dipping himself into the waters (5:14). This lowering was an embodied expression of humility and childlike faith. His childlike faith enabled his skin to become clean like a child’s (5:14). In a fuller sense, the lowly act of going into the waters of baptism asserts the requisite humility to enter into a faith relationship with Christ. Those who enter a relationship with Christ experience a whole-life transformation: change of life, change of mind, change of heart, and change of status. The immersion in and exit from water signify death and resurrection: Christians are born again into new life. The water itself highlights the cleansing power of Christ’s work on the cross. These rich symbolic aspects of water baptism encourage all others to possess the faith of “a little child” (5:14). In some sense, the rite of baptism is quite simple—simple for a child to understand, experience, and receive. In another sense, the mystery of baptism is deeply profound—inviting disciples to embrace the life of faith with the wonder of a trusting child. In this way, worship is expressed with the simplicity of humble reception and the poignancy of marveling wonder.

New Allegiances: Faithfully Expressing Devotion by Genuine Service

Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 5:15–19)

After his healing, Naaman and his people went back to Elisha, “the man of God” (5:15). When they arrived, Naaman made a confession of faith, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (5:15). As an expression of his gratitude and newfound devotion to the God of Israel, he offered Elisha a gift from his wealth (5:15; cf. 5:5). Asserting his own devotion to God, Elisha declared that he would not accept the gift: “As surely as the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it” (5:16). Faithful to God and pure in his motivations, Elisha would not receive payment for his prophetic service (5:16). Even after Naaman insisted that he receive his gift, Elisha refused to accept it (5:16). Elisha was singlemindedly committed to God such that he was unmoved by worldly allurements.

After this, Naaman asked Elisha for permission to take “as much soil as a pair of mules can carry” (5:17). Naaman’s transformation was more than a removal of a skin disease. He had changed his loyalty and devotion to the one and only true God. He affirmed to Elisha that he would “never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the Lord” (5:17). Naaman had earlier referred to himself as a servant of the Syrian king (5:1) was now referring to himself as Elisha’s servant (5:17; cf. five times in 5:15–18). By virtue of this declaration, Naaman was declaring a change in his allegiance from serving the gods of Syria (and their human representatives) to serving the true God (and paying respect to God’s human leaders/representatives). Knowing that he would go back to his Syrian homeland and find himself in the temple of the false god Rimmon, Naaman asked Elisha to pardon him. He told Israel’s prophet that when he bowed down, it would no longer be to Rimmon but to the Lord (5:18). Elisha sent him on his way in peace (5:19).

Biblical Principles

Confession and Worship. Naaman’s miraculous healing resulted in a confession that the God of Israel was the only true God. Naaman’s confession was earnest, confident, and exclusive. His sincerity is demonstrated in his claim “now I know” (5:15). His conviction is amplified by the phrase “for sure” (5:15). And his undivided profession of faith was expressed when he claimed “that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (5:15). This exclusive devotion was reinforced when Naaman said that he would never offer a sacrifice “to any other god but the Lord” (5:17). His confession and worship of the true God meant a rejection of all false gods (5:18). It is difficult to determine exactly what Naaman intended when he said that he would return to Syria and continue to bow down in the temple of Rimmon. At first, it may appear that this is some form of syncretism, blending two religious systems together. But it does not appear that syncretism is at play. It seems that Naaman’s employment meant that he would be in the midst of false worshippers. Specifically, he would physically lower his body in the temple of Rimmon because his master would be leaning on his arm. Naaman made it clear that this lowering of his body was not an act of worship, but a mere fulfillment of his vocational duties. Naaman confirmed this by asking ahead of time for forgiveness for this act, expressly rejecting the worship of other gods, and clarifying that his wholehearted loyalty belonged to the Lord God, the one who humbled his heart and brought about his healing. Although all the details and implications of this text are difficult to definitively answer, what is clear is Naaman’s transformed intentions. Naaman’s faith confession had implications for his worship practice.

Devoted Service and Kingdom Collision. Naaman’s change in belief and worship resulted in his change of service. Naaman was referred to as a “servant” of Elisha (and by virtue of serving Elisha, really a servant of the Lord) five times in this section of the passage (5:15–18). Naaman’s transformation led to his devoted service to God. Although he was employed by the Syrian king, Naaman now acknowledged the true God as his real master. Certainly, Naaman’s newfound service to God was based upon his orthodox confession and undivided worship. Naaman had come to rightly believe in God. He had also come to worship the true God. Although Naaman’s vocation would require him to enter the temple of a false God, Naaman was no longer a devotee of Rimmon but a disciple of Israel’s God. His confession of belief and exclusive worship were the ballasts upon which his devoted service was built. Likewise, devotion to Christ can be maintained in the hardest of situations when our confession of faith is aligned with the truth and our heartfelt worship is exclusive to the true God. Conviction of the truth and loyalty to God represent the fuel of Christian service.

When Christians come to faith in Christ, we not only receive restoration and healing, but we also enter Christ’s service. To be in Christ’s service is to feel the collision of two cities, two competing kingdoms. Devoted disciples of Christ serve God’s kingdom with ultimate allegiance as they live out this faith in the kingdoms of the world. As a military man with civic responsibility, Naaman understood this tension well. His newfound faith in the true God would involve a change of allegiance, which would in turn recalibrate his life’s vocation. His lifework was now to serve God and his purposes. But Naaman did not abandon his official role in Syrian society. He maintained his work while redirecting the vocational aim of his life. Though an official in Syria, he was a servant of the Lord (thus the symbolic request to bring dirt back with him to Syria in 5:17). Naaman’s situation foreshadows the reality of Christ’s disciples: subjects of Christ’s kingdom serving God faithfully during their temporary residence in earthly domains.

Consecration and Commission. As much as baptism is an initiation into the covenant community, it is also a commission to a life of service. Christ’s healing and curative work in our lives not only brings about our spiritual transformation, but it also deploys us into a life of Christian mission. While we occupy various jobs and professions, our first allegiance is to Christ. Naaman carried back dirt to Syria as a memorial of his devotion to God and newfound vocation (5:17). Effectively, Naaman was commissioned to serve the true God amidst the pagan climate and immoral culture of his day. Like Naaman’s fidelity to Israel’s God, everywhere we go, we are servants of Christ. As we live in a sinful and idolatrous world, we maintain our devotion to God alone. Certainly, Christian baptism symbolizes our cleansing in Christ. But it also consecrates our new life as one of service to Christ. In this way, baptism is a type of commissioning into the world. On the other side of the waters of Christian baptism is a life of godliness and gospel service. The rite of baptism not only signifies conversion and cleansing but commission to represent God in a world hostile to the faith. As we will see, a person’s dramatic transformation is not only an encouraging and edifying example to the covenant community, but it also warns others who would pretend to be Christ followers and use the pretense of Christianity as a cover for their own self-serving agendas.

A Change for the Worse: Staying Cautious of False Pretensions of Faith

Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 5:19–27)

In contrast to Naaman’s genuine transformation and faithful devotion to God, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, underwent a destructive spiritual mutation that resulted in his own defection and destruction. After Naaman had recently departed from Elisha, Gehazi recognized that Elisha had not accepted any material gift from Naaman for the healing and went after the prophet to lay claim to this gift (5:19–20). In direct contrast to Elisha, who refused to accept the material gift “as surely as the Lord lives” (5:16), Gehazi was determined to benefit from this miraculous healing “as surely as the Lord lives” (5:20). The contrast between Gehazi and the new Naaman is great. Gehazi’s greed prompted him to “run after” Naaman to try to “get something from him” (5:20). With a newfound humility, Naaman “got down from the chariot to meet” Gehazi as he approached (5:21; cf. 5:9, 11, 14).

When Naaman asked Gehazi if “everything is all right” (5:22), Gehazi not only affirmed that things were well but he also lied to Naaman, telling him that Elisha sent him to get some silver and two sets of clothes for two prophets who had recently come into town (5:22). In an act of generosity, Naaman gave more silver than was asked, gave the sets of clothes, and had his servants carry them back (5:23). In a dramatic turn of character, Naaman exhibited benevolence, humility, and good will while Gehazi devolved into greed, pride, and deceit. Gehazi took the gifts into the house and sent Naaman’s servants away (5:24). When Elisha asked Gehazi where he had been, Gehazi lied again and said, “Your servant did not go anywhere” (5:25). Recently converted and restored by God’s grace, Naaman was more a servant of Elisha and God than Gehazi. Elisha responded to Gehazi’s lie, saying that he knew he went to meet Naaman (5:26). Confronting his greed, Elisha told him that this was not a time to receive gifts (5:26). Because of this breach in devotion, Gehazi and his descendants would be afflicted with leprosy (5:27). At that moment, “as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow” (2:27).

Biblical Principles

Danger of Feigned Devotion. In this biblical narrative, the positive change in Naaman’s life was starkly contrasted with the negative change in Gehazi’s condition. Highlighting his infected heart, it was only a “short distance” (5:19) that Naaman had left until Gehazi went after him seeking his own selfish gain. At some point, greed, deception, manipulation, and pride had taken root in Gehazi’s heart. Importantly, his appearance of devotion was ultimately exposed as false. His actions warn all people that no one can ultimately feign faith and receive God’s blessing. Instead of enjoying the spoils from his duplicitous scheme, Gehazi received the leprous condition that had earlier plagued Naaman (5:27). In fact, Gehazi’s lack of faithful devotion would affect generations of his descendants (5:27). Meanwhile, Naaman’s genuine devotion to God was only reinforced in the presence of Gehazi’s feigned faith. Unconcerned about being deceived, Naaman was willing to be generous with his material possessions beyond what Gehazi’s request (5:22–23). While greed had exposed Gehazi as a fraud, generosity was one of the fruits of Naaman’s newfound freedom.

Virtue of Generosity. From Naaman’s example, we learn that devotion to Christ manifests itself in sacrificial generosity as a grateful expression for all that God has done on our behalf. Although Elisha did not require a gift (5:16), Naaman was more than willing to give it as a thankful response to God’s gracious healing. Cleansed and cured by Christ’s work in our lives, we are detached and freed from our material possessions. They no longer hold power over our lives. We heed Gehazi’s failure as a warning not to conflate material success with God’s blessing. We embrace Naaman’s practice of generosity, demonstrating benevolence to others as an act of gratitude to God. We practice generosity, knowing that there are risks. People may deceive us, exploit our goodwill, or take advantage of our gracious gifts. Although we should be wise, we should not offer ourselves or our belongings to others with miserly concern. We may enjoy comfort or difficulty in this world. Regardless of our material condition, faith in Christ reorients our hopes in the life of the world to come, such that we share with others with extravagance and generosity that honors the Lord.

Community and Accountability. In different ways, Naaman, Elisha, and Gehazi all showcase the importance of faith community and spiritual accountability. Naaman’s newfound faith in God made him answerable to God wherever he went. Elisha demonstrated pure and undefiled commitment to God and care for God’s people. Gehazi’s blunder warns us about the communal impacts of our sin and the severity of violating God’s commands. Baptism is a fundamental aspect of Christian formation because it puts us in an accountable relationship with God and the covenant community of faith. Christians should constantly look back to their baptism and ask to what extent they are living its binding profession. Further, as disciples stray from the path of righteousness, baptism offers a loving boundary marker by which we call rebellious Christians back to the faith. In formative and corrective ways, baptism is a means to practice loving discipline in the context of Christian community. Knowing that the journey of faith is long and arduous, only fools attempt to navigate the dangerous roads of the Christian life without the safety and protection of accountability and loving discipline.

Conclusion

Naaman’s narrative is greatly instructive for establishing God’s people in a life of faithful devotion. Coming to terms with his unclean condition and heeding the hopeful message of an unnamed servant girl, Naaman went to meet the healer in Israel. Although the message he received offended his prideful sensibilities, Naaman humbled himself, expressed genuine faith, and received God’s offer of healing. Faith in the true God reoriented Naaman’s allegiances. Although he would continue in his occupation and civic life, Naaman was now, first and foremost, a servant of God. In contrast, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, exposed himself as a greedy and counterfeit servant as he sought to take advantage of God’s healing for his own material gain.

Christian devotion involves the offering of our whole life to God. As the flood narrative displayed God’s saving work and as the exodus showcased God’s liberating power, the present narrative focuses on God’s healing work in our lives. Only when we become recipients of God’s healing work can we authentically come to serve him. As in Naaman’s case, humble beneficiaries of God’s grace are in the best position to authentically serve God. As it relates to the gospel, this story foreshadows the cleansing work that Jesus alone can provide. Symbolized in baptism, Christians undergo these waters of initiation to announce the divine healing, restorative cleansing, and reconfigured allegiances found in Christ.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 3 SYNOPSIS
River	In this passage, we learn about God’s cleansing power. A Syrian (Aramean) military commander named Naaman was afflicted with leprosy. Even though he had power, prestige, position, and wealth, Naaman’s skin condition was a social and religious threat. An Israelite servant girl suggested that Naaman go to Samaria to have Israel’s prophet heal him. After securing permission and support from the king of Syria, Naaman traveled to Israel. The king of Israel responded in unbelief and insecurity when Naaman arrived. Eventually, Naaman came to Elisha’s house. This prophet of Israel told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and he would be healed. After dealing with his prideful heart, Naaman did what Elisha instructed and was miraculously healed. As a result, Naaman devoted himself to the true God. He offered Elisha a gift, but the prophet refused. As Naaman returned home, Elisha’s servant deceived Naaman and took advantage of his generosity. When Elisha found out that Gehazi had taken Naaman’s gift, Gehazi was struck with leprosy. This narrative highlights how God’s cleansing work brings about exclusive devotion. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Human Longing and Uncleanness	As a commander of the Syrian army, Naaman enjoyed privilege, power, influence, and wealth (5:1–2, 5, 11–12). Naaman’s leprosy threatened all of his earthly securities (5:3, 27). All humans have deep inner longings for a good life. All humans face an unclean condition that endangers our well-being.
Purification, Cleansing, Healing, and Restoration	Like Naaman, all humans need divine intervention to be cured of their unclean condition (5:3, 6–7, 11, 14). Only God can bring about this healing, which amounts to purification, cleansing, healing, and restoration (5:1, 11, 14–15). The message of cleansing is good news (5:3, 13–14). Baptism is a public profession of how Christ has healed and cleansed.
Trust in and Obedience to God’s Word	Like Elisha and Naaman, God’s people demonstrate devotion to God by trust in and obedience to God’s word (5:13–14). Baptism is an act of faith and obedience to Christ as master.
Humility, Childlike Faith, and New Birth	To receive God’s healing and cleansing requires a lowly spirit. Genuine humility makes a person open to receive the good news of cleansing (5:4). Only those who are humble can have a childlike faith to trust God at his word (5:2, 10–13). Childlike faith in the good news enables one to receive new life (5:14). The response of the king of Israel highlights the danger of unbelief, insecurity, and suspicion (5:6–8). Naaman’s first encounter with Elisha shows the danger of pride, anger, and self-importance (5:9–14). Gehazi’s actions represent the danger of deceit, greed, and selfish gain (5:19–27). Christian baptism signifies childlike faith and new birth in Christ.
Community and Accountability	Gehazi is a warning to those who fake devotion to Christ (5:19–27). Christian baptism initiates believers into a community life of accountability before God and other believers.
Divine Cleansing Brings Life Change	Naaman’s transformation resulted in a complete change of life. He expressed this life change in faith confession (5:15), exclusive worship (5:15, 17–18), devoted service (5:15–18), extravagant generosity (5:21–24), and renewed vocation (5:17–18). Christian baptism signifies wholehearted commitment to God and brings about a total change in life, faith, and worship.

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.