The Leprosy Of Naaman In The Bible

In ancient Syria, there was a man by the name of Naaman who served as the military commander of Syria under King Ben-Hadad II. The Bible does not disclose very much history pertaining to Naaman, but we do have one story about him that holds much more information than would be expected from face value. The story of Naaman in the Bible is about his leprosy and how it led him to Israel’s prophet for healing and essentially converted him from just fighting for Syria to fighting for the Lord. This story also involves Gehazi - the servant of Elijah. Gehazi’s greed became evident when, after the healing of Naaman, Gehazi deceptively intercepted Naaman’s journal back to Syria for the purpose of obtaining material payment for the healing of Naaman.The

, in (2 Kings 5:1 ESV). “He (Naaman) was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” The Bible mentions the noble attributes of Naaman and the states “but he was a leper”. Also, in the case of Gehazi, the bible says “Then he said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a short distance. But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.’ So Gehazi pursued Naaman….” (2 Kings 5:19-21) In both cases there are great situations, yet afterwards comes the word “but”, usually referring to something that changes the dynamics of the situation, revealing something that detracts from it. Lastly, we will look at how Naaman so earnestly desired to worship the Lord while still remaining faithful to his duties in Syria, and how he earnestly entreated the Lord to pardon him for the appearance of evil. Throughout this story there are many such places where you can find interesting facts that would not be seen at a glance, the rest of this essay will reveal and discuss a bigger picture of the story of

He was also a mighty man of valor” (2 Kings 5:1) Naaman was one of the heathen men in the Bible that God chose to use when His people would not listen. Out of love for his people, because of their persistent rebellion, God had to give victory over them to other nations so that they would listen and learn. God’s people had drifted so far into the paths of sin, rejecting all of God’s prophets that God saw the only way to get their attention being loss to Syria, and through Naaman was this victory over Israel brought. “” This shows us that not only does God use his own people, but he can use others as well. However, not only will he use others, he will heal them, and in doing so lead them to him. Christ’s invitation is extended to everyone. “To every sincere soul ‘that walketh in darkness, and hath no light,’ is given the invitation, ‘Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.’” (PK 253.2) Such was the case with Naaman. After God had used Naaman to defeat the Israelites, the Lord allowed him to have leprosy. When Naaman had contracted leprosy, it so happened that there was an Israelite maiden in his house who had been taken captive and was now his wife’s servant. This girl, having grown up in a good Israelite home, knew how Naaman could find healing, and sent him to the