Naaman’s Hidden Secret By July 27, 2018
1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria). He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” ✍🏼2 Kings 5:1-3
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Naaman, whose name means “pleasantness” in Hebrew, was described as a valiant soldier and respectful commander in the eyes of his king and his soldiers. His life was as pleasant and successful as his name, and nothing was lacking. He was the envy of the entire army. He was Israel’s enemy.
However; no one knew how serious his personal suffering was from the leprosy because he covered his skin by his nice armor or expensive linen. He held a powerful position, commander of a great army, but his skin was decaying under those nice robes.
In Jesus’ parable of sower (Matthew 13:5), One soil was rocky: many rocks were covered by the soil but the soil was too shallow for the seeds sprouting and growing. If we have our personal illness, distress, wounds, hurts, hatred, physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, anger issues, unforgivable (unforgiven) person in your heart, all those are rocks in our heart and make us sick. Those rocks make us hard to come to Jesus, and hard to listen to His word. However, our merciful God could help us if only we would call Him. Mysteriously, Merciful God planted His small seed, a young Hebrew girl in Naaman’s house and his heart. Her knowledge of God and Elisha, man of God whose miracle power became his hope to heal his leprosy.
Elisha means “my God is salvation.” He was a prophet of God in Israel, the North Israel kingdom. He was powerful enough to perform so many miracles but yet a very sensitive and humble man of God.
Loving God also had compassion for Naaman’s suffering of pain from sores and boils on his skin.
Naaman believed the girl’s word and came to Elisha in Israel. When he was healed and accepted God by the power of God he confessed to Elisha, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” I hope we also confess our faith today like Naaman confessed.
What we have been known for differently from our own self? Do we have any fear or shame we are keeping as our own secrets like Naaman hid his leprosy? Our loving God knows everything about us and loves us as He loved Naaman who was His people’s enemy. Let us seek God more often and reveal ourselves to Him honestly. Our Merciful God understands our suffering. He with compassion will heal and cast out all the rocks we have secretly hidden in our hearts. May the love, grace, and peace of God be with you all. Amen. Shalom,
Insook Do
