The Faith of Naaman

2 Kings 5:1-19a

Key Verse 14

So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Good morning! On most campuses the fall session have already started and we would like to present the simple gospel so that through faith in the gospel many would be saved into the family of God. Today we would like to take a break from John’s gospel lectures and study this passage to learn of General Naaman's simple faith in the simple gospel. 

The title of the message is 'the faith of Naaman'. I chose the title, for no matter how good, powerful, effective, and life-giving the gospel is, unless one combines it with "faith", the gospel will remain of no use. So we would like to think about the faith of Naaman, who had true faith – the faith that believes in the gospel that comes with the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).

In what respect can he be called a man of true faith?  

First, he believed in the words of a slave girl (1-3)

Once upon a time an American businessman named Jim Rohn said, "To solve any problem, you need to ask yourself three questions: No. 1, What can I do?; No. 2, What can I read?; No. 3, Who can I ask?

Naaman had a problem - leprosy. Most likely to solve his problem, he also might have asked himself "What can I do?" So he might have tried this or that. But nothing worked. So he might have asked the second question, "What can I read?" In those days printing press was yet to be invented, so there were not many books around. He did not have Internet either. Once upon a time after attending a conference at Guadalajara, I was seated at the Guadalajara airport to catch the flight. But all of sudden the stomach flu I suffered from went so bad that I almost lost conscious. But there was no medical doctor around. I prayed and prayed, but it only went bad. But I got an idea: I turned on my Iphone, googled, and read an article! And it says, "Gatorade will ease up!" I looked around and there was a snack bar. There I bought a bottle of Gatorade. And I felt far better! But, General Naaman did not have Iphone. So he might have asked the third question, "Who can I ask?" I think he might have asked virtually 'all' the medical doctors about his problem. But like one person, the answer was "Naa!", not just "no", but "Naaaaa!" All of them said, "This disease is incurable; there is NOTHING you can do; Naada, Nil, None, No, Nothing!" 

But one day his wife said something about what the Jewish girl said. Most likely she was a teenage girl, aged more or less 10. And the girl said, "If only my master would see the prophet in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy!" How did he respond? We know the answer: he 'believed' her! So he decided to give it a shot. 

This story reminds me of one sister I know. She was from one of the best high schools in Korea. Naturally she made to the best university in Korea. She was also very pretty. She believed in high fashion, so she was wearing ultra-mini skirt. But like the Samarian woman she was thirsty. One day while she was in a bus, a dusty young man saw her. On seeing her in high fashion, a Paris style, wearing high heels, mini skirt, and a Parisian hat, he had compassion on her. So he said to her, "Why don't you come to a Bible Academy?" "When?", she asked. "Tomorrow" he said. "Where?", She asked. "Here" and then he gave her an invitation card. Then she asked "What is this Academy all about?" He said, "Come and see". She believed. The next day she came to the Kwan-ak UBF Bible center all by herself. That was the turning point of her life. She is now serving the Lord as an influential shepherdess leading many to the Lord. 

Second, he believed that his boss would grant him days off (4-6)

When you invite students to a bible study or a conference, many of them say, "Ok. I will come." But when they run into obstacles such as conflicts with work schedules, or taking days off, they end up not coming. 

But General Naaman was different. Like others, I think it also must have been very difficult for him to set aside his official duties, or cancel appointments, or apply for days off to the king, go to a conference at a foreign country. Furthermore there were technical difficulties like "How should I explain the situation?" Or "Would the king believe the slave girl?" Depending on how you see, it might be considered as a humiliating thing for a general of a conquering nation to go and beg for assistance from a subjugated nation. So he might have worried, "Would the king allow the trip?" 

But he shook off all the negative thoughts. By faith, he went to the king and applied for the leave of absence. Then surprisingly, the king approved his request whole-heartedly. So the journey began.  

Third, he believed in the Lord's guidence (7-9)

The next hurdle he had to overcome was the visit to the king of Israel. His purpose was to meet the Prophet, not the king. And he was not sure how the king of the hostile nation Israel would respond to his request. After all Aram was not on good terms with Israel. Due to the constant skirmishes between the two nations, most likely the king of Israel would treat him as a PNG (persona non grata). Then he had to return in great humiliation. 

But being a valiant solider, by faith, he paid the visit straight to the king. How did the king respond? Look at v. 7. As anticipated the king showed an acid response. Most likely this king was Joram, the second son of the Queen Jezebel. Being a man of unbelief, he did not trust anything or anyone. He did not believe in the good will of the Aramean King (most likely Ben-Hadad II). He doubted the motive of the general Naaman. 

Yet, the Lord did not allow him to be put to shame, for as Psalm 25:3 reads, "No one whose hope is in [the Lord, the God of Israel] will never be put to shame", the Lord moved the Prophet Elisha, and guided him to the house of the prophet. 

Fourth, he believed in God's word rather than his ideas (10-14)

The last, but not the least hurdle, was the challenge to put trust in God's word as its face value. When we study the Scriptures we find one astounding truth of the words of God written in the Scriptures, that is, God fulfills (or performs) his promises exactly as he says. As we read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we see this being the case all the time. In Genesis for example, the results comes out exactly as he utters. For example, Genesis 1:3 reads, "God said let there be light, and there was light." No further explanations, no wrings, no glitches, no nothing. Then we see the expression "God said this" and "it was so" or "God said that" and "it was so" repeated five times. Just to get a glimpse into it, let us open the Bible and read Genesis 1:14,15. Last night I went outside and took a look at the sky. There was the 'full' moon! And God made the moon simply by saying his word. According to the scientists, there are 10 to the power of 26 number of stars in the universe. How did he make them all? All according to his word! 

So we are taught to take God's word for its face value. However it is not always easy for us to go that way. Why? We have our own ideas! I have my own idea, and you have your own idea. 

The same was true with Naaman. Being a general, he must have been a smart guy. I do not think he was a stupid, dumb kind of guy. Have you seen a guy as foolish as a cow making his way all the way to the top? Remember: he was the commander-in-chief. Supposedly he was the guy with all the 'right' ideas, so when he being the "MR. Right" talks all had to listen. So he issued commands, and people listened. And the Lord gave Aram victory through Naaman! So he had many ideas. 

So guess what. Let us read vs. 9-10. When he finally arrived at the house of the Prophet, as he stood there, a lot of thoughts might have been processed in his mind. But, to his great surprise, a messenger came out and said, "Go wash yourself in Jordan 7 times, and you will be alright." Then this guy disappeared. No greetings, no explanations, no nothing. 

How did he respond? Look at vs. 11-12. Think about the expression "went away angry" or "went off in a rage". Rage means 'violent anger'. He was greatly offended. But just because you have been offended does not mean that you are in the right. Think about what he said. Basically his arguments had two points: first point was on Elisha, that is, he thought Elisha should come out and do this or that; and second point was on the quality of water - that quality of the water of Jordan River vs. the quality of the waters in the land of Aram. But when you think about it, his arguments do not hold water. First of all it is not man like Elisha who brings about healing. It is the God of Israel? On this point, Joram was right when he said, "Am I God"? But he thought the other way around. Being spiritually blind, in his eyes, Elisha looked big; he could not see the God of Israel working in and through Elisha; he did not know that Elisha was a mere instrument. The same goes true with the second point. The quality of water is immaterial as far as healing goes. Technically he was right for the quality of water in Aramean rivers was far better than that any water that runs through the Jordan River in the land of Israel. But what heals is faith and obedience to the word of God! 

Thankfully though, by God's grace, at a crucial moment, his servants spoke up. They came to his rescue. Look at v. 13. I think his servants' gentle advice calmed him down. Then as he thought about their words, he realized that there was a grain of truth. So what did he do? 

Look at v. 14. "So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy." Please repeat after me: 

** So he went down

** Dipped himself in the Jordan

** Seven times

** As the man of God had told him

He denied himself. He put God's word above his opinion. He took the word of God for its face value, and obeyed as it is. God of Israel cleansed not just his skin but his soul. 

There is the message for us to learn here living in the 21st century, that is, salvation by faith in the Lord. In Hebrew Elisha means "The Lord is salvation". His person and his work, the signs and miracles the God of Israel enabled him to perform for those who believe in Him all point to Jesus Christ, the Savior. When you come to the next week Sunday worship, you will listen to the message from the Lord. "Go wash in the pool of Siloam!" See what happend to the man who simply put his trust in the Lord and obeyed! 

Fifth, personal encounter (15-16)

In coming to the Lord, and as we pray to grow in the Lord, all of us must distinguish two things for sure: blessings vs. personal relationship with the Lord God. Which one is greater? Or which one is more important? The latter is. 

A lot of Christians look only for the quick benefits such as miraculous healings or miraculous turn of financial conditions such as getting a well paying job. So until they get what they need to get, they come and keep praying to the Lord. But as soon as they get what they want, they disappear. They are like a child who has more interest in the father's wallet than the father himself. 

But General Naaman was not like that. Look at vs. 15-16. He 'went' back to the servant of God! He also made a confession of faith! He publically declared his identity as the 'child of God'. Notice the word "know". Please repeat after me. "Now I know". 

Once upon a time, a theologian attended a church. He gave to the congregation of the church on the doctrine of salvation by faith. After the sermon the fellowship time came. There around eating table he saw a young lady seated next to him. Out of curiosity he asked the lady, "Do you believe in Jesus?" She said, "No." The professor was surprised. So he said, "Why?" She said, "I am the daughter of the pastor of this church. I am no longer believe in Jesus, for I already know him." "Oh, okay. That is far better", the theologian said. 

So faith and knowledge are not the same. And true faith should lead a believer to the 'personal' knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those who only look for quick benefits like miraculous healing is like a girl who dates Mr. Macho man, gets lots of benefits like free dinner, roses, etc. but never commits himself to getting married with him. 

But which one would you prefer? Father himself or his wallet only? 

Sixth, commitment despite conflicts (17-19a)

At the last Summer Bible Conference we learned the way of the cross, for in his message Shepherd Daniel Tourn shared Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Then after the conference in his message shepherd Charles asked an interesting question: "So how are you doing? Do you still stay committed to following Jesus?" 

You know life in the Lord is not always is easy. Inasmuch as it is like a marriage life between a couple, so also the life that follows comes with challenges and conflicts. The world is still hostile to those who follow Jesus. And true worshipers are always rare. 

The same was even truer with the General Naaman. Now that he became a new believer, and a disciple, and a worshiper of the God of Israel, how is he going to conduct himself? After he goes back to Aram, is he going to go back to the old way of life, or stay committed to serving the God of Israel? In his day all in Aram were idol worshipers. All of them including his boss worshiped the god of Rimmon. [Rimmon god is the god of storm, rain, and thunder. It is a Syrian version of Baal god. This Baal god promoted carnal way of life. God of Israel hates this Baal god. In fact, the Queen Jezebel, the major sponsor of the Ball worship in Israel maintained 450 Baal prophets. In hatred against the true worshipers such as the Prophet Elijah or Elisha, she got butchered tons of prophets of Israel. For further insight of the Lord's hatred against the idol worshipers, read 1 Kings 19:15-18.] Figuratively speaking not that he became a child of God, he became like one eyed monkey living in two eyed monkeys. As he went back and stood before the Prophet Elisha, his shepherd, he certainly realized the challenges he would be faced with. So what was his decision? More correctly what prayer request did he ask of his servant? Let us read vs. 17-18. Elisha his shepherd saw his heart. So he granted his request saying, "Go in peace." 

In conclusion, we thank God for the glorious opportunity to learn of the faith of the general Naaman. When our Lord Jesus came, he spoke highly of the Naaman’s faith. And yet, he was concerned about the people of the last days, saying, “When the son of man comes will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) Let us not forget the devil is in the business of deceiving people. In our generation where an increasing number of people, even the Bible-carrying people turn away from faith, let us encourage one another to live by faith in the Lord. Unlike General Naaman, we are way better endowed than the people of his generation. As we make progress in John’s gospel, may the Lord bless us to believe and obey in the words of our Lord Jesus, and share the gospel with many.

One word: Go and Wash

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