2 Kings 4-5 Insight Into Scripture
In today's reading we observe where Elijah left his ministry, Elisha continues. Elisha performs some miracles including raising a dead Shunammite's son 2 Kings 4:18-37. We then read the story of Naaman and his leprosy in 2 Kings 5.
Leprosy, much like AIDS today, was one of the most feared diseases in ancient times. It was very contagious and in many cases was incurable. In severe cases it lead to death, this is why many lepers were forced out of the cities into camps.When Naaman had been healed in chapter 5, Gehazi selfishly returned to trick Naaman into giving him money. Gehazi was asking for 300 hundred years wages; roughly 10 millions dollars today. Gehazi was setting himself up for LIFE.
Bringing the Bible Alive
This is a picture of the Jordan River. It is a small, winding, dirty stream that makes its way to the Dead Sea. This may have been what the river looked like when Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in it, so he would be clean. The river winds so much on its journey from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, that the entire course runs about 130 miles, instead of the 60 miles it would take if it ran straight. These pictures are taken from Bibleplace.com
Scripture Reading
4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, "Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel." 5 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 clothes. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.
"10 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." 11 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'?" 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. - 2 Kings 5:5-6, 10-14
Thought for the Day
In my life I have done some pretty bad things, very sinful things that I am very ashamed of. Even though I know that it is only through GOD's grace (Something given to you that you do not deserve) it is still hard for me to believe that ALL I have to do, is ask to be forgiven. It just seems like I should be doing more. I have known this truth for sometime in my life, I can imagine how a new believer would have a hard time accepting, "That is all I have to do??"
The story of Naaman is a wonderful example of grace. Naaman had leprosy (Sin) and he had heard that a prophet could cure him. So Naaman tried to buy his cure of this disease. He set off with 700 lbs of silver and 150 lbs of gold or $750,000 in today's money.
Naaman's money was rejected and he was told to bathe in the dirty Jordan River (Forgiveness of sins). Naaman was indignant. He was wanting this big production, and why the little dirty river? Why not a big, beautiful river like the Damascus? In fact Naaman almost missed being healed due to his lack of faith. He was coaxed into dipping seven times in the Jordan, and his skin was healed like that of a young boy.
Just like Naaman, alot of us think there has to be more to this salvation and forgiveness of sins. It seems too simple or maybe too little faith, that it will work.... there has to be more. For us that believe, let us never forget the HUGE sacrifice one Man made for ours to be so simple. Thank You JESUS!
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Yes thank You Jesus for making that trip to the cross that I will never understand totally what You did, just for me, thank You. I pray that I remember that everyday, that I remember the pain it took for that to happen, the love it took just for me to be able to live with You forever. Thank You. I pray for my forgiveness Father, I pray and I am sorry for my sins.
I love You, In Jesus name,
Amen.
4 comments:
When I read the story of Naaman seeveral scriptures come to mind. The one thought of today is:
Luke 1:52
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree
Without Naaman'a wifes slave girl and Naamans on slave, Naaman never would have known of healing being possible or obeyed what Elisha had told him to do. More often than we realize, it is the obedience of people who are not in the spotlight of the world that brings life changing and world changing grace from God. The servants' word led Naaman to obey "according to the word of the man of God," and he was healed.
When reading this story many stop here at the healing of Naaman. As to say ok it is finished, but read on and see the end of Naaman's story.
Reading verse 15 we see a great change in Naaman, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Please accept a gift from YOUR SERVANT." Naaman's high minded and pridefulness that was seen in verses 11-12 is gone and he offers Elisha the elaborate gifts. Elisha refused the gifts and Naaman asked for two mule-loads of dirt from Israel to take with him back home. There are a couple of explanations given for this request. One is Naaman understood that Yahweh was especially connected to Canaan. He is going to leave and return to his home. Taking some of the earth with him could be a sign of the relationship formed immediatly between him and God ! A second is that altars were made of earth and unhewn stone, Naaman wished to take materials for an altar or ground to stand on when back home. I don't see where it had to be either or, it could have been a little of both combimed.
Just think if you have ever taken a trip to the Holy Land or even if you have not but want to, what is something you might bring back that cost nothing? Yes I would bring some soil back, even knowing that Jesus never trod on this soil but it is from the land that is dear to Gods heart and where Jesus did walk in flesh. Wow what goose bumps I get when thinking of that, being in the area He lived. Then I snap back and get goose bumps cause He now lives in the area in which I live. OK back to Naaman.
In verse 18 Naaman made a request. This request causes much controversy. Naamans job as commander-in-chief was to escort the king into the temple of Rimmon, and to assist the king is worship. Here is where the controversy happens. Many think that Naaman is continuing in his worship of false gods. I have come to believe that this verse should be read in a PAST TENSE, where many read as future tense. Naaman asked God's pardon and a pardoned is given for wrongs of past. In reading vs. 17 the verse before (Naaman) solemnly assured the prophet he would never practise the false worship of his land. I also read in vs. 19 Elisha simply saying, "Go in peace." I would believe that Elisha would instruct Naaman differently if Naaman was returning to Idolatry. Just read ahead, Elisha is the one that speaks leprosy upon Gehazi, with which he is immediately afflicted; and departs from his master a leper, as white as snow.
Many think that this curse was to harsh and Gehazi was instructed in the worship of true God. Consider though why the curse: This was not too severe for the crime of Gehazi. It was not the covetousness alone that was punished but, at the same time, it was the wrong use of the prophet's name to acquire this gain which Gehazi coveted and the attempt to conceal it by lying.
IN CHRIST
Ecc. 3
Donna
Bible Trivia:
What kind of animals rushed into a lake and drowned after receiving demons cast from humans?
ANSWER: SWINE/PIGS
Matthew 8:28-32
32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
THOUGHTS:
In Matthew 8:27 Jesus displays authority over the creation. The disciples ask:
..."Who can this be.....?"
What does this have to do with the demons, swine or possessed? It has a lot to do with the demons.
In vs. 28-29 the demons see Jesus approaching and hear what they say, something quiet different from the DISCIPLES:
The demons knew who Jesus was (Jesus, You Son of God), even if the disciples asked (Who can this be?)
The demons even knew:
Their immediate destiny, to be cast out and their ultimate destiny, everlasting torment.
We read on to see that the demons even make a request of Jesus and He grants:
Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
"If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and they perished.
THOUGHT ON THE POSSESSED:
The fact that the demons immediately drove the swine to destruction helps explain why Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs. He wanted everyone to know the real intention of the demons. They wanted to destroy the man just as they destroyed the pigs. Because we are made in the image of God, they could not have their way as easily, but their intention was the same:
to completely destroy him / US
A question is asked was this fair to the owner of the swine? According to Clarke commentary this is said:
Learn from this how temporal riches are in the estimation of God. He suffers them to be lost, sometimes to disengage us from them through mercy; sometimes out of justice, to punish us for having acquired or preserved them either by covetousness or injustice." (Clarke)
It could be simply to show that evil works its own destruction.
Then comes vs.34:
They besought Him to depart out of their coasts
Did they love their swine so much more than their souls!
How many are of the same mind!
IN CHRIST
Ecc.3
Donna
I just have to post what was just said by a contestant on the show "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE". I probably would have not paid a second thought to it had I not just posted the story of Naaman and he taking earth back with him from the land in which he was healed.
The contestant apparently loves the state of Texas and the M.C. was discussing, as they do, this point with him. He tells the story of the birth of his son, which was not going to be born in Texas, so what do you think he did? Yes he tells that he took a bag of Texas soil with them and at the time of his sons birth he placed it under the delivery table, so that his son would be born on Texas Soil.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS.
OH
BY
THE
WAY
THE
YOU TUBE DEVOTIONALS
ARE
GREAT
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