Naaman - Why Bother?

2 Kings 5:8
⁸ When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 


There have been so many debates on the abortion issue in light of what is happening in New York.  I should probably stay off of the social media platforms because I can't possibly understand the mindset of people who think killing a child is acceptable.  I did happen upon one news article and mistakenly read the comments.  The main 'commenter' dug her feet into the ground with the position of "it's none of our business what a woman does with her body". 

The reason I avoid reading the comments normally is that people who post, don't want to hear anyone else's opinion.  Nothing anyone says in reply to her comment is going to get her to change her mind.  Unfortunately, those with Christian beliefs can't help themselves to spewing hurtful comments because she does not think the way a Christian should think.  This should not come as a surprise.  Why would we expect anyone who is not a Christian to think beyond what would benefit them?  What would be the reason?  Some may say just to be a good person, but if there is no immediate reward, if there is no consequence - what reason does someone who does not have a relationship with Jesus have for caring about anyone else?

On the other hand, as a Christian, we should deeply care about what is happening to someone else.

In this passage of 2 Kings, Elisha has gotten word that the king of Israel is upset about the letter he had received regarding Naaman.  Now Elisha didn't have to do anything.  There was nothing in it for him.  There would not have been a negative consequence if he had pretended not to know of the Kings' turmoil.  But that is not the man Elisha was and it's not the type of person God calls us to be.  Elisha reaches out to the king of Israel and says "Send him to me, I'll take care of it for you". 

When we see someone in need, it's very easy to look away and go about our daily lives.  But these are the opportunities that God will give us to bring glory to Him.

Naaman - Say What Now?

2 Kings 5:6-7
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!”

How many times have we misinterpreted an email or a text? Mistook the tone of humor for ridicule or truth for sarcasm?  This is what has happened between the King of Aram and the King of Israel.

Remembering that raiders from Aram have already taken people captive from Israel, it is understandable for the king of Israel to be apprehensive in communication with the king of Aram. Not only is the king of Israel caught off guard by the arrival of Naaman, but he assumes that the king of Aram plans to attack if he does not heal Naaman of leprosy, of which there was no cure.

Have you ever felt the pressure of a task to which you have no idea how to complete?  Do you ever feel like God has called you to do something that you feel inadequate to undertake?  I think this is a common thing - but there is one thing we need to realize: God doesn't need us to complete these tasks. He's offering the opportunity to be a part of something that He is doing.  We can give our seemingly unbearable tasks to Him.

Naaman - Out of the mouths of babes

2 Kings 5:2-5
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.”
⁴ Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. ⁵ “By all means, go,” the king of 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.

 I followed the Elizabeth Smart story, as many of us did, in horror. At the time of her abduction, all of my four children were under the age of 10.  This hit home for me.  Who could possibly take a child away from her loving family?  What would become of the child? How could she move on with her life after this?

In the time of Naaman, there was an Israelite girl who lived in Naaman's home as a servant to his wife.  She was there because she was taken from her home when Aram raiders had conquered her land. I'm not sure what the girls home life was like before she was captured.  She is not mentioned anywhere else except in this passage.  But in general, I can imagine what my disposition might be towards the people who took me.  Not this girl.

This young girl tells Naaman's wife that she knows a guy who can cure his leprosy. That he is in Samaria.  Now Samaria is about a six hour drive from Aram.  I'm not sure what the time frame is on camel or horse, but I can imagine it's a fairly long journey - especially for one who's suffering from leprosy.  Here's the thing - not only does Naaman take the advice of this young girl to go on this long journey, he presents it to his boss, the king, so he can get some time off - and the king agrees to it!

God can use us at any age to be a blessing to someone else, no matter what our circumstances.  Elizabeth Smart has miraculously been able to deal with her abduction and moved on to be an inspiration to others.  Remember Whose you are and where you belong. 

Naaman - Who Are You Again?

2 Kings 5:1

1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. 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.

When reading a book, most of the time it's very easy to remember the main characters.  Those are the ones that define the plot, the ones we follow along on the journey, the ones that stay in our mind when we've finished.  You will remember Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - but do you recall Rumblebuffin and the lesson we learned from him?  Maybe, maybe not. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is not the only book where this is the case.

I think the same is true for the Bible. We remember the people who have whole books written about them, Ruth, Esther, Job - but if someone is even mentioned in the Bible, there is a lesson to be learned there.  So, for the next few months, let's look at the people that are mentioned but may not get the recognition they should.

The first is Naaman.  Naaman was a commander in the army.  The Bible says he was a great man and highly regarded by the king.  We are even told why he was highly regarded: "because through him the Lord had given victory to King Aram". He was labeled as a 'valiant solder'.  

In today's world, a man with those credentials we would expect to see in a military uniform with medals and ribbons attached to it. There is one crucial physical attribute attached to Naaman's description: "but he had leprosy".

In Naaman's time, this was a death sentence.  I did a little research on leprosy and a person can have the bacteria that causes leprosy in their system for 3-5 years before symptoms appear. So by the time Naaman knew he had leprosy, it was showing over his skin. Now the Bible doesn't say - Naaman was a great military leader and then he found out he had leprosy.  It says he was a valiant soldier - but he had leprosy.

How many times do we give an excuse to not complete a task?  I'm guilty of it.  Maybe my back was too sore one day or I was just too tired.  Naaman had LEPROSY and yet when the Lord called him out to war to claim victory for King Aram - Naaman went.  I think the first thing we can take away from Naaman in just the first mention of him is that when God is truly calling you to do His work, nothing should stand in your way.

New Year .... New Goals.... Same Mission

1 Peter 3:8-15 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.11They must turn from evil and do good;they must seek peace and pursue it.12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

 

Happy New Year!!

For some, ushering in the new year brings excitement about what's to come ahead.  For others, a wave a nostalgia over the past year and goals met and relationships strengthened brings joy. Still for some, the realization that what once was, will no longer be holds firm and they are hurting.

 

 

 

I always struggle with a new years resolution.  Should I stick with the age old "lose weight, get fit" strategy?  The 'read the Bible in a year' has always held steady in the top ten.  Even 'get the garage organized' has been batted around a few times.  

But for this year, I think I've fallen back on my favorite verse and what began this blog so many years ago. 1 Peter  3:15.

 

As I get older and more cynical, I've found people - in general - annoy me.  I don't understand their mindsets or why they act the way they do.  Trivial though it may be, the mere hint of politeness has seem to have gone out the window.  So - why - I ask myself - should I continue to be kind to these people.  Oh right, cause God said to.

 

There is one goal in this life.  To serve Jesus.  When we love the unlovable and others wonder why - we should say - because of Jesus.  When we help those that are undeserving and it  makes no sense to other people, we should be able to say - because of Jesus. 

He tells us in 1 Peter 3:8,  love everyone.  When people are mean to you, still love them.  Not because they deserve it or need it, but because Jesus told us to and we love Him.

 

So this year, in 2019, I will try very hard to smile at the neighbor who parks on our lawn. To say "Hello" to the person who cuts in front of me at the grocery store. To spend an hour explaining to a client how the process works for the hundredth time without sighing in frustration.  I will let others merge in front of me with a wave and not honk when I am cut off. I will love.... because of Jesus.