Naaman and Two Kings August 7, 2018
4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 2 Kings 5:4-7
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What did Naaman do after he heard of the man of God performing the power of God from a girl? Very first thing he did was that he shared good news with his king. He was overjoying and had to share with someone. His king believed his word and the power of God in Israel. God must love him so much since the girl’s word was delivered to king Aram. Naaman also made the King of Aram write the requesting letter for God’s power. The powerful king of Aram learned that he was a human being with limited power even though he was powerful king, and he believed that God is Almighty Whose power could heal his captain when he heard from Naaman.
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 2 Kings 5:4-7
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What did Naaman do after he heard of the man of God performing the power of God from a girl? Very first thing he did was that he shared good news with his king. He was overjoying and had to share with someone. His king believed his word and the power of God in Israel. God must love him so much since the girl’s word was delivered to king Aram. Naaman also made the King of Aram write the requesting letter for God’s power. The powerful king of Aram learned that he was a human being with limited power even though he was powerful king, and he believed that God is Almighty Whose power could heal his captain when he heard from Naaman.
After meeting with the king, Naaman hastily prepared for his journey to meet with Elisha even though the long traveling must be very painful for him with illness, and even though he could send his servant to bring Elisha back to him in Damascus with his power.
He was taking the honorable gift for God and Elisha: silver, gold and clothing reflected his heart. Offering gold to God means that he honored God as the King in highest in heaven and earth. In ancient time, Gold is only for a king; and gold means his unchangeable faith and heart for God like the very first Christmas, three wisemen brought gold to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Clothing means he offered his life, his identity and all himself, who he has been. As the crowd spread their clothes and robes on the road for Jesus, the crowd offered themselves for Jesus’ ministry for salvation. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, gave his robe along with tunic, sword, bow and belt to David because he loved David more than his own life.
He was taking the honorable gift for God and Elisha: silver, gold and clothing reflected his heart. Offering gold to God means that he honored God as the King in highest in heaven and earth. In ancient time, Gold is only for a king; and gold means his unchangeable faith and heart for God like the very first Christmas, three wisemen brought gold to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Clothing means he offered his life, his identity and all himself, who he has been. As the crowd spread their clothes and robes on the road for Jesus, the crowd offered themselves for Jesus’ ministry for salvation. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, gave his robe along with tunic, sword, bow and belt to David because he loved David more than his own life.
What about the Israel King’s attitude when he read the letter of King Aram? He totally misunderstood the meaning of the letter and the king’s requesting heartily; he thought he was asked to heal Naaman like God himself. He immediately burst with distress and tore his robes with fear of war with King Aram. He failed to see the hand of God working in for Naaman and King Aram because he didn’t have faith in God, and didn’t have wisdom and discernment for God’s plan, he was spiritually blinded man.
What have we seen and learned from Naaman and two kings? Imagine ourself, we were sitting next to God in heaven, and looking down on them on earth with God, what could we see? We may see how God would see us every day. Let us remember how God would see you and me, and what feeling God would have for us. Amen.
Shalom
Insook Do
Insook Do
