Bible Studies
I Will Take Something From Him (2 Kings 5:20-27)
Series: Studies in Second KingsIntroduction:
1. Second Kings 5 describes the events in Naaman’s life surrounding his being healed from leprosy. 2. After he dipped seven times in the Jordan his flesh became like that of a little child. 3. He returned to Elisha praising God and offering a gift. Elisha refused the gift even though Naaman insisted. 4. We pick up the written account in 2 Kings 5:20. 5. The narrator would have us compare Naaman and Gehazi and that is what I want to do in this lesson.Discussion:
I. Naaman is described favorably in the text. In some ways it is unfortunate that we know him best as “Naaman the leper.”A. He is captain of the army of the king of Aram (5:1).
1. Naaman is an outsider, a foreigner, a Syrian.
2. Jesus remarked that there were many in Israel who had leprosy, but only the foreigner Naaman was healed (Lk. 4:27).
B. A great man with his master, and highly respected (5:1).
1. The king of Aram sent a letter to the king of Israel.
2. This is reflective of the Syrian king’s interest in Naaman.
C. He was a valiant warrior (5:1).
D. The little Israelite girl viewed him favorably because she wished that Naaman could be with the prophet so that he could be cured of his leprosy. Evidence of some favorability in this household.
E. Naaman did have his expectations about how his cleansing might take place.
1. He was furious when his expectations were not met.
2. He thought Elisha would come out and stand and call on the name of the Lord and wave his hand over him and he would be cured.
3. When Elisha sent a messenger and told him to wash in the Jordan he went away in a rage.
F. He was open to reason.
1. Listened to his servants.
2. Submitted to the instruction of the man of God.
G. He was thankful.
1. Acknowledged God as the only God.
2. Sought to give a gift to Elisha. While Naaman evidences his ignorance of Israelite custom in a variety of ways, nevertheless, he is respectful.
3. Asks for a load of dirt, as if to carry some bit of the God of Israel back to Syria with him.
4. Asks to be pardoned for honoring his master’s gods.
II. Gehazi is Elisha’s servant.A. This is the way he is introduced in 4:11.
1. When Elisha wants to do something for the Shunammite woman it is Gehazi identifies the fact that she has no son and her husband is old.
2. Gehazi is well acquainted with what Elisha has the power to do.
B. It is Gehazi that is sent when the boy dies to lay the staff of Elisha on the lad’s face to restore him to life. But the boy was not awakened. The text does not tell us why. Is it because God refuses to validate any part that he may play in this? (4:29ff).
C. Indeed when the woman came to Elisha Gehazi came to push her away (4:27). But Elisha said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her.”
D. When Elisha refuses the gift of Naaman, Gehazi sees an opportunity for himself.
1. He determines to “take something for himself.”
2. He perceives himself in a powerful position and would take advantage of it for his own benefit.
3. There are occasions in life when you are going to find yourself in a powerful position. It can be a result of what you know and what others do not know. It can be as a result of your relationship with someone, like Gehazi’s identification with Elisha. Power can come from money, good looks, circumstances, etc. Be sure that you do not use your power in unfair ways.
4. Powerfulness usually reveals a person’s character or lack thereof. When you are in a powerful position how do you use it? For personal advantage? For the advantage of others? Previously Gehazi had used his power for the benefit of the Shunammite so that she was given a son. Now he uses his power for personal benefit.
E. Gehazi lied to Naaman (5:22).
1. Lies are usually about gaining power.
2. He said, “Elisha had sent him.”
3. He made his story believable. He told of two young men from the hill country of Ephraim. They were “sons of the prophets.”
4. The amount that he requested was relatively modest.
a. He requested only one talent of silver and two changes of clothes.
b. Naaman had brought 10 talents of silver and 1,000 shekels of gold and ten changesof clothes. A gift fit for a king? Cf. 5:6.
c. Gehazi’s request was consistent with that of a servant.
5. Naaman graciously gave Gehazi two talents of silver with two changes of clothes. He put them in the house and sent Naaman’s servants away.
F. Elisha asked Gehazi, “Where have you been?” Gehazi said, “Nowhere.” He lied to his master in order to be in the powerful position over him.
1. But in this instance truth was the powerful position.
2. Elisha knew the truth and that gave him power.
3. Elisha said, “Did not my heart go with you?”
4. “Is it a time to receive money, clothes, olive groves, etc.?
5. The leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your descendants forever. Note the intergenerational effect of his sin.
G. Gehazi reappears in chapter 8.
1. Elisha had sent the Shunammite away because there was a famine. She had gone into the land of the Philistines and lived there for 7 years.
2. When she returned she went to the king to receive her land back.
3. Gehazi was relating to the king all the great things Elisha had done. He related how he had restored the woman’s son to life. When the woman appealed to the king Gehazi said, “This is the woman and her son.” The king restored all that was hers and the produce of the field from when she left.
III. Observations.A. Throughout the text of Scripture, in both the Old and the New Testaments, consideration is given to those “outside” the nation of Israel.
1. Evidence of the fact that God looks on individual’s hearts and not just nationalistic heritage.
2. Jesus used the story of Naaman as an example of God’s inclusive approach to foreigners. Much could be said here against racism and the hatred of certain groups. Peter summarized it well, “God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).
B. Naaman, while ignorant of the ways of the Lord, nevertheless demonstrated respect for the Lord and His word and was recognized in return. God gives consideration to one’s attitude.
C. Gehazi, was informed, but self-centered.
1. He took advantage of his power for himself.
2. He lied.
3. He took for himself.
4. Leprosy was the consequence. Not all disease comes as a result of our personal rebellion against God. But Gehazi’s leprosy was a direct result of his sin. It even had an intergenerational effect.
Conclusion:
1. As God evaluates your heart what does He find there? 2. As you evaluate your heart what do you find there? 3. God is responsive to those who are ignorant, but softhearted and receptive to His will. These are the very one’s he provides cleansing. 4. God is also responsive to the self-centered person, who looks to take advantage of others, who lies and cheats to get what they want. But the response is different. 5. Is your heart more like Naaman or Gehazi?
