Overcoming Pride

Namaan Story

2nd Kings 5:1-5, 9-15a (5:1-27)

VI Namaan is a common name in Syria and means gracious. And Namaan is an
example of God's Grace even to unbelievers, Matt.5:44-45. For Christ is the
Savoir of all men-especially to those that believe. Namaan was a great man,
for he was the supreme commander of the Syrian army, he was a man of high
social standing and prominence, he was honorable in the eyes of his master,
because of the military victories that he won, which the Lord gave him, and
he was a man of valor and that is one of great wealth and a courageous
warrior. But in the midst of all his honors, Namaan was under great
affliction, for he was a leper and this loath some disease made him a burden
to himself. Note: No man's greatness can set him out of the reach of the
greatest calamities of human life, 1st Peter 1:24-25. Note: All human kind
have some blemish that diminishes him, dampens his joy, that they are not as
happy as they would or could be. As great as Namaan was the lowest slave in
Syria would not change skins w/him.
V2-3 Naman led the Syrian army across Israel's borders, and on one of his
raids, he captured a young Israelite girl, used as his servant to his wife,
this young girl ultimately told him about Elisha a prophet in Samaria. By
God's providence and divine intervention into Namaan's life, this young girl
was placed in Syria by God for a special purpose, and she was faithful. And
although she was a servant she was concerned about the good of her master.
V4, It is possible Namaan may have thought, to be healed of leprosy was not
possible, for there was no cure. Nevertheless he told the King of Syria what
the Israelite girl said to him. And v5 Namaan makes preparation to go to the
King of Israel, w/the help of a letter and financial support from the King
of Syria. Note:, those who have wealth and want health show which is the
most valuable blessing, and what they will give for ease and strength and
soundness of body. Consider Matt. 16:25-26. Read v6-8 and notice Namaan an
unbeliever was seeking the God of Israel, which the king of Israel would not
even do himself. V7 King Jehoram of Israel thought that w/ King Ben-Hadad
expected him to cure Namaan's leprosy which he knew was impossible, and this
grieved him because he thought he was doomed to have a major battle w/King
Beb-Hadad of Syria, however v8.
V9-10, Namaan a great hero was use to getting respect and was outraged v11,
when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person. In God's wisdom, God would
have Elisha to send a messenger, because Namaan who was a proud man needed
to learn and understand that all men stand at the same level before The
Great God of this universe. Consider James 4:6 - 1st Peter 5:6 - Proverb
16:18-19. To wash in the river was one thing, but the Jordan river was dirty
and cold, which Namaan thought was beneath a man of his position, and the
cold water would have been hurtful for someone w/leprosy. But the Jordan
River was a sign of the cure, and a trial of his obedience, which is
absolutely necessary for those who will be helped by God. Note: Obedience
unto God is an expression of one's humility, which is absolutely necessary
in receiving God's Grace. V11-12 Because of his personal greatness Namaan
expected personal attention for his needs, and a cleansing ceremony from the
prophet himself. Namaan became very angry because he didn't receive the
attention he thought he deserved. He was filled w/pride thinking he was more
than what he was. He did not recognize that all he has and all he is, is
because of God's Grace in his life, James 1:17. Namaan also became angry
when he was told to wash in the Jordan River, Namaan thought the rivers in
his own country v12, were much better than all the waters of Israel, but God
called the land of Israel, the glory of all lands and particularly for its
brooks of water, Deu.8:7. He could wash in the waters of his country and be
cleaned from dirt, but not from leprosy. He did not consider that the Jordan
River belonged to Israel's God, from whom Namaan was to expect the cure, and
not from the gods of Damascus. The Jordan River, as dirty as it was, watered
the Lord's land, His Holy Land. Jordan was the river appointed for Namaan's
healing and if Namaan would be cured by the Divine Power of God he would
have to submit to the Divine will of God, w/o asking any questions. Like it
is for us today as simple as it is, we must by faith accept God's plan of
Salvation by believing in the Blood-Death-Burial-Resurrection of Christ to
be saved, and rather than look for other ways to be saved, we should thank
God that He provided at least one way John 14:6, because He didn't have to
do that. Like for many people today God's method of curing Namaan from this
fatal disease was to simple. Namaan in his own wisdom like many today look
down on the wisdom of God, they don't understand that God's ways are not our
ways and are much better than ours. Consider Isa.55:8-9 - 1st Cor.1:18-25.
V13-14 T hey call him father, something not commonly used by servants to
refer to their masters. But father is used here to express the warmness the
servants felt toward their master Namaan. Namaan was like many people today
who are willing to do anything no matter how hard, to attain the goals they
desire, but when it came to a simple act of obedience to be cured, Namaan
like many today was unwilling. However his servants were able to convince
him to give it a try, and Namaan was healed. Note: When diseased sinners
come to that point that they are willing to take Christ on His own terms,
and have Christ on any terms then and only then will there be hope of
healing. Namaan was blessed that God surrounded him w/those who would be
honest w/him and tell him of his faults. It was also God's Grace and Mercy
upon Namaan, that Namaan was willing to listen and especially to those who
were inferior to him. V15 After being healed Namaan returns to Elisha's
house in Samaria, convinced and confessing the power of the God of Israel.
And not only that He is God, but He is The One and Only True God of all the
earth and all the universe.


In Jesus Name Amen