Although Naaman is a massively powerful man, he has one crippling weakness--leprosy. He had probably murdered the girl's parents, and had made her a slave to her enemies. She is however compassionate toward her captors. She seems the most unlikely character to make any difference in the great Naaman's life. he thinks he can come with his money and buy a miracle. he still has power, but a small flaw. The king of Israel acts as if there is no God in Israel when charged to help Naaman. The king's answer is in contrast to the slave girl's answer. Then we see the powerful Naaman, having travelled approximately 200km, with leprosy, in a chariot, to get to Elisha's home. Elisha, insultingly sends his servant with instructions. Having thought that Elisha would be awestruck by his presence, Naaman is enraged when his expectations are not met. Scripture is showing that there is only one way to be saved: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. he saves the spiritual beggar, not the self-righteous fool. It was by this grace that God saved Naaman in a filthy river. Gehazi, in contrast to Naaman, has his eyes on Naaman's huge money. He has an opportunity to repent, and fails. He has obviously been in the same state of spiritual ignorance in which Naaman has been living. Naaman and Gehazi swap places. |
