2:1f). He completely submerged himself in that dirty water. Although he was still in active duty, he knew that his days were numbered. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling (Prov. Should he not, then, heed the simple instruction of the prophet. He thought that the king of Aram was seeking some cause to create an incident and reason to attack. Naaman's future was destined to be one of loneliness and isolation. "If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria! We step into Syria to the north, a heathen (pagan) nation surrounded in darkness, a place of idolatry and heathen blindness. It is notable that his servants felt comfortable enough to talk with him. Naaman took a step in the right direction and God acknowledged it. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots, and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. In Naamans healing there are a variety of people who play different parts; some good and vital to the salvation and healing of Naaman and others not so good. Why? Some believe it was so he could erect an altar to Yahweh for a memorial or witness to the God of Israel in his own land. It is spread by a bacteria called M.leprae and most people are not at risk of developing leprosy if they are exposed to this bacteria. No. First, lets note what Naaman said as he went away in his fury in verse 11, Behold I thought. What verse of Scripture comes to your mind here? We need to understand that God often uses the personal failures, sicknesses, and problems of men as a means so bring them to the end of themselves and to a knowledge of the Lord and His salvation. Keep me prayed up my sister as I share Gods Word in this space. Home / What is leprosy? 10Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, Go, wash(K) yourself seven times(L) in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed., 11But Naaman went away angry and said, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand(M) over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Here again we see how the Lord uses the saved and unsaved alike to carry out His purposes and plans. She said to her . 5Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. Naaman's wife had a servant girl from Israel who said that a prophet there would be able to heal him. . Irving Jensen says of this: This leprous, dying man had actually the presumption to devise in his own mind exactly the plan by which he wanted his cure to be affected.50. Naaman the Leper. He had the utmost respect in his land.So when Elisha did not see him directly, he was not happy. Please give them a talent[d] of silver and two sets of clothing.(AB). Satan first appealed to Naamans reason: See how unreasonable this remedy is! Whatever is true of leprosy now, Naaman, in all his glory, realized how fallible and mortal he was. Because of the mighty God who indwells us. Ironically, Naaman was willing to pay any price, willing to do any great deed of prowess, to make any fatiguing pilgrimage, but he was unwilling to obey a simple command wash and be clean.51. What was the issue here? "No." "Well, then, what makes you think there is a prophet that can cure leprosy?" "Oh, that isn't anything to what Elisha can do. This form is limited in its effects and often only lasts from one to three years. However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. The hands and feet get disfigured. The Story of Naaman: The Story of Grace - cathedralatl.org Here, Gods messengers begin with a little captive slave girl. What can we learn from this story about mans condition in sin and what God does for man in Jesus Christ to heal him from the leprosy of sin? Hampton wrote many articles for the Biblical Studies Foundation and on More. 4 Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. Naaman also renounces his former god Rimmon after being cured by Elisha - acknowledges solely the God of Israel. He went to visit Elisha who told him to go dip in the Jordan river 7 times. THIS STORY OF NAAMAN IS SO INSPIRNG There was no cure! Through him, Syria had won many wars against Israel. Hair begins to fall out. 1:5; 2:5; 2 Thess. He sent the men away and they left. Note the human reasoning here. 2, Merrill C. Tenney, general editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1975, p. 138. J. Hampton Keathley on "The Significance of Leprosy in the Bible": (1) The leper was considered unclean and had to be isolated from society to a certain degree. Obadiah 3 and 4). Sin is like this. NAAMAN - JewishEncyclopedia.com Isa. Start for FREE. Man is so self willed. The story of Naaman is found in 2 Kings 5. Thanks Siabeenzu . We can learn that no matter how far up we serve, there is merit in the voices of those who look up to us. He attempted to burn incense in the Temple, an act restricted to priests. Youre welcome :). It could literally save ourselves. Notice the following points about the wisdom of their answer, an answer of the tongue as a timely word with sweetness of speech, yet honest and courageous evaluation. We should be making sure we are taking care of the bodies God has blessed us with. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, "Is . He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And this is what it would continue to take for him to worship the true God. First, this was the wrong response for the king. God hates haughty eyes, or the proud look (Prov. / Is leprosy contagious? Who is at risk of developing leprosy? His story tells us that although Naaman thought highly of himself, he was also a reasonable and logical man. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He would someday be forced away from his own family. 14:12). 5:1 Naaman a great man had leprosy Previous Next 2 Kings 5:1 "Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. 5 The king of Syria said, "Go! I like to think that he was not desperate enough. . God bless. How a Servant Girl Helped Naaman to Be Healed | Teach Children - JW.ORG Scripture says his skin was restored so that it looked like a babys skin. Through her accountability to her master, her service to his wife, and her own suffering being uprooted from her home and family, this little girl had learned to trust the Lord and then to think of others and their needs. Naaman's leprosy is cured. Elisha Heals Naaman - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Then he would cure him of his leprosy.. (Luke 4:27). May I suggest that he listened because perhaps her life spoke volumes! But his servants reasoned with him and got him to do as Elisha had said. Naaman was a captain of the army for King of Aram. In the case of Miriam and Moses, God performed a miracle. NAAMAN. 46 The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. Here was a small girl, humble, obedient, insignificant to men, living under dire conditions, but with a Romans 8:28 mental attitude; she was a girl using the problems of life as opportunities or as open doors to witness for God. 12:33-34; Eph. Anyone who had leprosy was called a leper.We now know that it is a disease that causes the nerves in the body to deteriorate. 10) means "the plantings of Adonis." Naaman was a distinguished general who had often led the Syrians to victory. It was his responsibility, but he knew he needed fortification through the true worship of the true God if he was to be an effective witness. . Jesus was talking Jews who were raised to believe gentiles were created for hell. Praise Him for His faithfulness in responding to our obedience. In fact, by His matchless grace, God worked through the unrighteous deeds of Naamans own army to bring this little slave girl into his own home to be the instrument of Gods Love. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. 4:1-5; Eph. 26But Elisha said to him, Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? What are some of the key lessons we can glean from this story? They thought they could buy the favors of God from the prophet of Yahweh through the king of Israel. He rode up arrogantly and thought, surely this lowly prophet of Israel will come out to me, Naaman the great warrior; and he will wave his hand over the area of my leprosy and I will be cured. Truly speaking, total obedience activates the power of God and miracles will take place. (2 Kings 5:11-12). (1) The leper was considered unclean and had to be isolated from society to a certain degree. It was a means of showing Naaman his pride so he could receive Gods grace and begin to count for God himself. One thing is certain, the term leprosy referred to several types of skin diseases which were rooted in the blood stream. Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see "Preparing Your Lessons," p. vi, and "Teaching from the . Believers are to infiltrate or penetrate the world for the Lord. Written accounts of the disease sometimes referred to as Hansen's Diseasedate as far back as 600 B.C., and the genetic evidence alone supports the existence of Leprosy infections in 100,000-year-old remains.. That is, about 750 pounds or about 340 kilograms, That is, about 150 pounds or about 69 kilograms, That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms. All the best in your studies. How did Elisha heal Naaman the leper? - BibleAsk Sermon: Naaman's Leprosy | Coleman Glenn - Patheos In verses 4-7, we have an excellent illustration of how salvation cannot be obtained. The Bible calls Naaman "a valiant soldier." His story is recorded in 2 Kings 5:1-19. This certainly illustrates the kind of concern Gods people should have regarding their worship, their testimony and the appearance of evil. thanks it really helped me a lot may God continue to richly bless you, Youre welcome Nqobile. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. Thank you so much for your prayers for me . The new baptism takes place in the Jordan River where Jesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ by his followers, was baptized many centuries later. Back in Naaman's day it was a big deal to get leprosy. But would you also note the biblical perspective and truth regarding the source of victory and valor; it is the sovereign plan and power of God. In these verses we have portraits of how God saves. In Scripture, leprosy is a portrait of sin and mans true spiritual condition without the saving grace (spiritual healing) of Gods salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Kings 5:9-10. This was the typical cultural pattern of that day (and ours as well), but it is not Gods pattern. The term cure in 2 Kings 5:3 literally meant, to receive back. This provides us with a fitting picture of our reconciliation to God and to one another (cf. 3:4-5). Elisha on the other hand represents the Lord. A plague to rule them all, leprosy is very likely the oldest infectious disease in human history. Who was healed of leprosy by washing in the River Jordan? Naaman had leprosy, but the disease did not seem to weaken him. This is noted in the words, a great man with his master, and highly respected . God never leaves anything partially done. So now with verse 7 we see the response of the king of Israel. 2 Kings 5:10-19 Naaman is healed. We must let God be God! (O), 13Naamans servants went to him and said, My father,(P) if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? We must not miss the picture God wants us to see from this emphasis in Scripture. 2:1). 49 1 John 1:8-10 deals with confession of three issues: (1) confession of the principle of sin, the fact of a sinful nature (vs. 8), (2) confession of the particular, personal sins (vs. 9), and (3) confession of the practice, we are sinners (vs. 10). God has a way of challenging our thoughts, our pride, our regular way of thinking about him. In one of their raids against Israel, the Arameans had captured a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman's wife. The rabbinical tradition that Naaman was the archer (1 Kings 22:34) who mortally wounded Ahab seems to have been adopted by Josephus. Naaman comes from the Hebrew verb naem, be delightful, pleasant, beautiful. It has the idea of gracious or well formed. Because of the significance of names in Scripture, this tells us something about the man. With him he took a large amount of silver, gold and clothes as payment. He often does not experience severe pain from his sin and waywardness, only insensitivity, restless misery, and futility, ever seeking some means of fulfillment running from one thing to another (cf. Because we are blinded and paralyzed by our self love. The healing of Naaman, the Leper is not just a story of the healing of a man from one of the most dreaded diseases of ancient times, but it is a story of salvation, one which illustrates the spiritual salvation man finds only in Jesus Christ and how men come to find that salvation in Christ. (5) Leprosy, like sin, begins within (with what we are) and then erupts on the skin (on the surface). And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansedonly Naaman the Syrian. Blessings to you. Washing was simply the fruit, the result. Further, he was always served by others and failed to see himself as a servant of the people. This point is a whole sermon all by itself. The point is the mouth speaks and hands do as a result of what the heart is and thinks (Luke 6:43-45; Ps. Naaman responded pleasantly to her recommendation. Couldnt I wash in them and be cleansed? So he turned and went off in a rage. Perhaps these servants were themselves believers in the Lord of Israel and knew the power of the Lord, but probably not. After Elisha heals him, Naaman asks to take some soil from Israel back to Syria. . Sure Naaman reacted and snorted off. (S), 15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God(T). I hope the sermon went well. Further, his sin separates him from God and even from intimate fellowship with people (cf. (7) The pain of leprosy, at least in certain forms, was not acute because it also killed the nerves in the affected area, but it kept the victim restless, miserable, and frustrated as they felt the stigma of the disease. Naaman is one of the most popular characters who had leprosy in the Bible. Glad you found it useful Nekky. Both start with discoloration of a patch of skin. Naaman represents the seeking soul, one in need of the Lord. All appeared to be lost, it appeared Satan had won and that Naaman would go away without healing and without the saving knowledge of the Lord. Further, the implication is that he was also a gracious and delightful man. Lessons from the story of Naaman are very applicable to our lives today. Elisha supported his new found faith walk by allowing him to take the soul. He needed to learn, as all of us do, that we must never trust in the uncertainty of riches, or power, or position, but instead, to trust only in Gods grace and work in His Son. 6 Meaningful lessons from the story of Naaman There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. He was literally left holding the bag, the bag of money in his leprous hand. They seek to support this with passages like Acts 5:32, . . So today, men are saved simply and solely by the obedience of faith, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as ones personal Savior. One of the first lessons from the story of Naaman is that no matter how powerful we think we are as human beings, we are not as powerful as we seem. This is really nice bible reading you told thank you so much.. . Why does leprosy happen? Its the lesson of the growth potential of accountability, service, and suffering. In the original Hebrew text we find only the word leprous, which highlights or emphasizes Naamans problem--the dreaded disease of leprosy. Naaman was such a great example of faith that Jesus talked about him. People feared lepers as much as they feared the disease. Leprosy would someday alienate him from his people and his army. It was personal faith in the command of the prophet and not the evidence of his faith, washing, which cured him. One of the take away lessons from the story of Naaman is that God meets us where we are. This patch may be white or pink. He was a national hero as the general who had been victorious over the enemies of the nation of Aram. The proud! Whe they finished all what Jesus had comanded them to do, water changed into wine. Thinking that certain tasks are beneath us. He wanted Naaman and all those watching to know he was a servant of Yahweh and not like the greedy heathen priests in the service of Baal. Thank You So Much For Enlightening Me. 2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman Cured of Leprosy - Bible Hub Still, they had wise counsel for the general. After telling us about the grace which God gives, he also reminds us that God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Who can experience Gods grace? And so the Bible teaches, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). Because of mans separation from God, because of his spiritually dead condition and the hardness of his soul, he becomes insensitive, callused, restless and never satisfied. In surprisingly strange ways, our boundaries are pushed. There was a little child that lived near us that died, and he raised him to life. Ewald thinks the king referred to was Jehoahaz,[13] while Schenkel suggests Jehu,[14] but the general view is that it was Jehoram. This is another lesson from the story of Naaman. Thereafter, he stopped worshiping false gods and turned his faith toward the God of Israel. So, he went to Israel, with gifts and a letter from . . Here was a popular man. A Bible Story for Adults. 5:9-13; 2 Cor. The worlds standards and ideas of salvation seem so much more logical in comparison to Gods which seems foolish and so simplistic. Naaman the Syrian - Bible Hub Scholars believe that the victory ascribed to the Lord in this passage is the one mentioned in 1 Kings 22 . 2 Kings 5:27 Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and (H) Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? There was a belief that specific gods had power over particular places. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope today will be a new leaf for you, just like Naaman. How much more, then, when he tells you, Wash and be cleansed! 14So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times,(Q) as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored(R) and became clean like that of a young boy. (4) The rite of purification in the Old Testament did not cure, it only recognized the fact a leper was cured, he was clean of the disease, or that he never really had the incurable type of leprosy. 344, 361, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naaman&oldid=1151262581, This page was last edited on 22 April 2023, at 22:45. The immediate cleansing illustrates the complete and instantaneous nature of salvation. We did not even go into the little slave girl and Gehazi. [15][11], The request of Naaman to be permitted to carry away two mules' burden of Israelite earth for the purpose of erecting upon it an altar on which to offer sacrifices to Yhwh, reflects the belief of those days that the god of each land could be worshiped only on his own soil. Cleansing a leper meant being restored back to a normal life. Naamans healing was an illustration of what God would later do in the ministry of the Lord Jesus and His church. The Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament, uses the word baptizein for the dipping that heals the heathen Naaman from the skin disease called tzaraath. The biblical meaning of Naaman means pleasant. 15:23, 28-29, 31; 16:21, 23). Think about it, if you lived in Naaman's time and were a lowly citizen, would you switch lives with Naaman knowing he had leprosy? The ten lessons. Elisha then told Naaman to go bathe in the Jordan seven times and he would be clean. Naaman was angry because he wanted the Lord's prophet to come out and quickly heal him. In all these respects it resembled sin. But who was Naaman? Even the power, the victories he had enjoyed, and his accomplishments were given him by the Lord of the universe (so the importance of verse 1). Naaman ( Hebrew: Namn, "pleasantness") the Aramean was a commander of the armies of Ben-Hadad II, the king of Aram-Damascus, in the time of Joram, king of Israel . But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.. (6) The priest was to examine the skin and pronounce the person clean or unclean depending upon his observation of the facts. They chose their words carefully that they might persuade Naaman and help him. Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease. He was a sinner and a mere creature of God, who drew his breath from two small slits in his face (Isa. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. This word is particularly used when describing dipping in water for purification or dipping in blood for the purpose of sacrificing. (E) 6The 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., 7As soon as the king of Israel read the letter,(F) he tore his robes and said, Am I God? He is the commander of the Syrian army, one who was " great and honorable man in the eyes of his master " because, wonderfully, " by him the Lord had given victory to Syria " (see 2 Kings 5:1 ). Often lepers were quarantined in communities away from society, as we see in Luke 17:11-19. In these verses we have a picture of the simplicity of salvation and of the necessity of humility in finding the Lord. (1) God is constantly at work to lead people to Himself, no matter how dark their condition. [6] Tanhuma however, says that Naaman was stricken with leprosy for taking an Israelitish maiden and making her his wife's servant. And the leprosy from Naaman fell on Gehazi and would remain in his descendants. His name suggests he had undoubtedly been a handsome man, at least before the leprosy. God bless you richly. . [1] 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. But rather than personally receiving Naaman when the latter arrives at Elisha's house, Elisha merely sends a messenger to the door who tells Naaman to cure his affliction by dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River. I am quite sure he must have already tried everything possible. We must come to God in faith and believe His revelation in the Scripture. Thanks you so much. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! L for sharing. Klostermann, while supplying, with the Alexandrian codex, the word , connects this passage with Naaman's departure with the loads of earth, and renders the passage as "and he carried away from him about a cor of the earth of Israel."[16][11]. Rom 2:2-8). 17:9, desperately sick, beyond cure or incurably sick; see also Isa. How much more, then, when he tells you, Wash and be cleansed! (2 Kings 5:13). (11) Finally, the leprosy of sin destroys the pleasantness and beauty God meant for mankind in His creation. Does leprosy have pain? Then they get bigger. [12] If the tradition is correct, the Syrian king whom Naaman served must have been Ben-hadad II; but as the interval between the death of Ahab and the curing of Naaman's leprosy is not known, it is impossible to identify the King of Israel to whom Naaman was sent with a letter.
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how did naaman get leprosy
