The Power of Servants

Once again in the books of Kings we have a subtle lesson in the text giving us the real message of the narrative. The 5th chapter opens with Kings, conquering Generals, and the prophet of Israel. We are invited to see the life of a Syrian commander stuck in a desperate situation.

2 Kings 5:1 (ESV) Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

The first thing we should note is this narrative focuses on a foreign general who has been responsible for victories against other nations, most likely one of them is Israel. Yet, for all his glory and fame he had an incurable disease - leprosy which serves this passage as an analogy for sin. 

Though we should conquer the world and win accolades of the crowds, we all have a condition that will undermine all we accomplish and eventually finish us, that spiritual disease of sin which brings death.

Now the journey of Naaman's deliverance begins not in the halls of power but in the simple suggestion of a servant girl. 

2 Kings 5:2–4 (ESV) Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 

This servant girl goes down in history as one of the noblest people to have ever lived. She's a captive and she's separated from everything she knew and loved. But she is not so bitter as to wish death upon her captors. No, in fact, she wants to help them. And the voice of the servant begins to move Naaman toward healing. We should also notice how the king of Syria misses this completely, sending Naaman with a letter to the KING of Israel and not to the prophet. 

2 Kings 5:5 (ESV) And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.

The king of Israel is overwhelmed with this request, tearing his clothes when Elisha sends him word to not worry but requests that Naaman be sent to him for healing. When Naaman arrives with scores of valuables in his ancient motorcade Elisha instigates another interesting twist in the story. 

2 Kings 5:10 (ESV) And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”

Another servant brings word that intends to move Naaman toward healing. But he's offended. First, perhaps at the manner of reception Elisha offers, not even coming to the door for this great man. But secondly, at the suggestion that Jordan's waters can offer anything of value. To be honest, Naaman has a point here as anyone who's been to the Jordan will tell you, it is one unimpressive river.

Thankfully, MORE servants speak and move him further toward healing...

2 Kings 5:11–13 (ESV) But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

The theme is clear. Naaman is overcome with a condition for which he needs miraculous healing but he will not achieve it through his notoriety, reputation, importance or achievements. He will only receive the healing as he listens to the servants whom God keeps using to bring him to the Jordan. 

This is how salvation works. We do not arrive at salvation because of who we are or what we have done or what we may do in the future. Some Christians base their salvation on God's foreknowledge of their future choice for God. That is another form of works-based salvation dependant on YOU and it is anathema to the Gospel of grace. 

No, Naaman offers us a picture of Biblical salvation, which is undeserved, unmerited and freely offered to us by God's chosen servant who speaks. When we listen and obey we are healed and cleansed as Naaman was in this chapter. Thankfully, God uses ordinary servants to accomplish his purposes in saving this man. He can use you as well.