What Time Is It?

Introduction

Naaman was looking for a cure. A servant girl sent him to enemy territory. He went expecting red carpet treatment. Not only did he not get red carpet, he got a dirty river. A proud and arrogant man is told to dip seven times in the Jordan River. In anger he leaves Israel. Expectations unmet. Too proud to listen. Too important to be treated so shabbily. Another servant confronts him reminding him that sometimes important things don’t always require the spotlight. Naaman returns to the Jordan and is healed. This is where the story picks up in 2 Kings 5. Let’s listen to the text as it is read.

The Story

Naaman returns to Elisha. He is grateful. He realizes that there is only one God and he lives in Israel. Territorial gods are not uncommon. Naaman still has a territorial way of thinking, but he does realize that there is only one true God. Naaman is so grateful that he wants to pay Elisha for his services. Elisha refuses. Naaman persists. Elisha remains firm. Naaman is healed. He should go home rejoicing not only in his healing but in learning who is truly God.

Naaman wants to take as much dirt back to Aram that two pack mules can carry. This is so he can build an altar to God. But he returns realizing that his transformation is not the king’s transformation. He will return to a culture who worships the god Rimmon. Naaman asks Elisha to ask God to forgive him for his feigned worship of Rimmon. It will not be real, but he must go through the motions in order to maintain his position. Elisha blesses him and sends him home in peace.

In the meantime, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant has overheard all of this. He thinks that Naaman is getting off too easy. Notice in verse 20 that Gehazi calls Naaman, this Aramean. This is a term of derision. You can almost hear him spitting out his name with equal parts disgust and determination to get something from the enemy. Gehazi pursues Naaman finally catching up with him. Gehazi says that Elisha has sent him to retrieve money and clothes for two prophets. Naaman is only too happy to give him what he asks for and even more. Gehazi returns home hiding his new found wealth. He then returns to Elisha to serve him. Elisha and Gehazi play a short game of “catch me if you can.” Elisha asks where Gehazi has gone. Gehazi says he didn’t go anywhere. Elisha then tells what transpired between Naaman and Gehazi. As a punishment, Gehazi and his descendants are given Naaman’s leprosy. Thus, ends the story.

Lessons

There are some lessons that we need to see in this text. First, notice Naaman’s transformation. Naaman is a changed man in more ways than just physically. Arrogance gives way to humility. Disdain for Jordan’s waters gives way to the desire for Israel’s soil. Worship for Rimmon is exchanged for worship of the one true God. Why, though, is he willing to go through the form of worshiping Rimmon when there is only one true God? Why does he ask for forgiveness in advance? Why does it seem that Elisha gives it? Why doesn’t Elisha talk to him about what it means to make a stand for the Lord? The Bible doesn’t tell us. I don’t pretend to know the answers.

Does this mean that it is okay for us to go through the motions of what appears to be wrong just so that we don’t stick out in a crowd? Does this mean that making a stand for God in hostile territory is not important? Let me suggest a couple of things.

First, Naaman states by confession of faith what he thinks of Rimmon and of God. His conviction to turn his heart and life over to God is definite. Second, it appears that his going into the temple of Rimmon is part of his job as top general in Aram. He wants it to be known that he is carrying out official duties and as such is not a sign of his true convictions. This is true of Obadiah in 1 Kings 18 in which he serves Ahab and God and tries to do both well. It also happens in our government in which laws are carried out but not agreed with.

But let’s not miss his transformation. The similarity of Naaman’s speech in verse 15 with Elisha’s speech in verse 8 needs to be appreciated. Elisha wants to convict Naaman of God’s presence in Israel. The king of Israel doesn’t believe; but an outsider, one who is not of the seed of Abraham, will know that God exists. Naaman’s faith is greater than that of those who live in the promised land.

Second, we have a contrast between Elisha and Gehazi in this text. Why does Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts when he has accepted others? What would you say is Gehazi’s motive in taking gifts from Naaman? Most of us would say that it is greed or selfishness or some lesser virtue. Elisha’s motive is opposite that of his servant. While Gehazi is interested in personal gain, Elisha is interested in God’s gain. Refusing the gifts makes sure that the focus is not on Elisha but on God. On the other hand, Gehazi is interested in his own increase rather than allowing the focus to be on God.

Notice Elisha’s words in verse 26. Is this the time to take what others offer? What is Elisha driving at? Here is a Gentile who has come into Israel. God has demonstrated his power. The Gentile is converted. He becomes a believer. He wants to repay Elisha for his kindness. Isn’t that what he wanted to do when he wanted to be healed? Although the motive has changed the outcome is the same—do something great. This time Naaman is grateful to God. Elisha knows that Naaman’s gratitude needs to be expressed to God not to him. He is merely God’s servant.

This is not the time to take the focus off of God. This is not the time to take advantage of Naaman’s spiritual high. This is the time to make sure that the attention is focused on God. Gehazi takes the focus off of God and turns it to himself and his gain. Naaman is only too happy to give to Gehazi. He does nothing wrong. But Gehazi is not grateful for what God has done for another instead he despises God’s goodness. He cannot share in Naaman’s healing. He thinks he is getting off too easy. The contrast between Elisha and Gehazi is ultimately seen in their motives. Elisha is willing for God to look good; Gehazi wants to profit from God’s goodness.

It wasn’t enough for Gehazi to be in God’s presence. It wasn’t enough to serve the servant of God. It wasn’t enough to see the power of God at work constantly. It wasn’t enough to be a part of God’s work. It was time for him to reap some of the physical rewards of serving God. And who better to get it from than one who was enemy to Israel. Problem is that Naaman is no longer the enemy; he is now a fellow believer.

So what happens? Notice what Gehazi does:

He lies. He lies to himself. I’m doing this for God he thinks. He gives himself permission to do the wrong thing by claiming that he belongs to God. Can you imagine a person who does what he wants to do with the words, God will forgive me? Can you imagine giving yourself permission to do the wrong by lying to yourself? I’m sure God wants me to be happy. Relationships aren’t supposed to be this hard, so I am going to walk away. It isn’t fair and so I am going to do what I want. This seems to be Gehazi’s lie. So he lied to himself and gave himself permission to do the wrong thing.

But he also lies to Naaman. My master sent me to get something. While the Bible doesn’t tell us his motives directly, the Bible does reveal that Gehazi sees Naaman as the enemy even after he becomes a believer. Perhaps this is what allows him to lie to Naaman.

And then he lies to Elisha. He returns with the items and hides them. Notice he originally said he was going to get these things to help Elisha but then he hides them. And when Elisha asks where he has been, he unflinchingly says “No where.”

What time is it? It is time to check our motives. It is time to make sure that we want the focus on God not on us. It is time to do all we can to turn other’s to God. It is time for us to find joy in knowing that another has come to faith in God without any benefit for ourselves. What motivates you? Is it enough to know that you honor the Father or do you need a few extra accolades? Is what God has provided enough or do you think he has cheated you in some way? Check your motives and you decide what you need to do.

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