Date: 2/1/2003
Time: 8:51:42 AM
I have a Baptism, I am think of doing a short presermon based on here. Baptism as a free gift from God, too good to be true? Nancy-Wi
Date: 2/3/2003
Time: 6:11:07 PM
I'll be preaching off this text--I've made a decision to preach the Sacraments anytime the pericope opens that up. Isn't it better to say that faith and hence salvation are the free gift of God in baptism. Baptism is the means in which the Word is brought to us but is not the Word itself. Terry
Date: 2/7/2003
Time: 10:24:00 AM
This will be my sermon text. While I also see the baptismal allusion in "Wash, and be clean?" (we are also having a baptism), I can't miss the powerful witness of God's healing grace present and offered EVEN in the midst of overt human enmity. This is a truth found not only in Hebrew texts, but also the Koran. I find this text a hopeful call as the count down to "bombs over Bahgdad" grows ever closer. REF in CA
Date: 2/8/2003
Time: 12:35:30 PM
Whoa... I'm the Baptist here and am I the only one without a baptism?
I see something else in this text (in addition to the baptismal allusions). Here we see the God of the unlikely.
Who was the messenger of YHWH? A servant girl. Who was the recipient of God's blessings? An enemy Aramean military commander ... a pagan ... an idol worshipper. Where was this cleansing to be done? In the dirty waters of the Jordan.
Truly, our God is the God of the unlikely.
What are the "unlikely" things in our churches? Can God use a single mom... an alcoholic... an ex-con... a _____ (fill in the blank). I believe there are many people who, according to this world, cannot be at all useful in society. God loves that, I believe. He likes taking the impossible and making it work. It's why I'm a pastor.
JG in WI
Date: 2/9/2003
Time: 10:04:36 AM
I wouldn't make any mention of single moms. I recently got burnt and I mean burnt doing a sermon on "Do not commit adultery." PH in OH
Date: 2/9/2003
Time: 12:36:20 PM
Good grief! I have a baptism too! Hmm! I don't want to focus on washing away this baby's sin ... or on Naaman's rsponse. Well, starting early this week. kbc in sc
Date: 2/9/2003
Time: 3:48:26 PM
But a single mom can minister.
Why is adultery any greater sin than abuse?
What about use of illicit drugs?
I am sorry that the naming of sin can be so dangerous for us as pastors. The freedom of the gospel is all the more glorious when we understand how trapped we have been, but no one wants to hear that they are sinners, even within the promise of gospel forgiveness.
Michelle
Date: 2/10/2003
Time: 6:38:31 AM
You're so right Michelle. My wife found a quote once that I"ll always remember. Being a pastor is something to be avoided at all costs, unless it can't be helped. It can't be helped for me and sometimes that means I have to say things people don't want to hear, as we all do. The Gospel without the law makes no sense. And sins are not just something the other guy does. PH, we can't help but speak Truth, that's why we get the big bucks :), Terry
Date: 2/10/2003
Time: 6:45:29 AM
Might I note that a single mom need not be adultery or pre-marital sex. It can be divorce or widowhood. I have also talked with single parents who wonder how well they can minister because they are embarassed at their circumstaces.
Those "unqualified" by the world are extremely qualified by God. God does now call the qualified, but He empowers those He calls.
JG in WI
Date: 2/10/2003
Time: 7:22:53 AM
I see one of my common typos... now = not
JG
Date: 2/10/2003
Time: 7:46:55 AM
I find it interesting that a lot of people are jumping on baptism imagery from this Old Testament passage. Ritualistic cleansing as in sprinkling and pouring water as a symbol of cleansing or purification took place in the tabernacle or temple (by Elisha's day). I have been looking at this story as a paradigm for coming to faith. Elisha asked Naaman to do something that was simple. Elisha that it too easy maybe too child like to go dip in the muddy Jordan (beneath his dignity). What Elisha was requiring of Naaman is the childlike Jesus indicated was a prerequisite for entering the Kindom of God. TN Mack
Date: 2/11/2003
Time: 9:11:38 AM
I'm interested in the use of the tearing of clothes here. I understood this was done as a sign of mourning. Why is the King mourning over this request? Is this a moment when the King of Israel feels overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a King? Were the people giving the King too much credit -- too much power? It seems Elisha has to help the King to refocus. It's not the power from the King of Israel that's needed, it's the power from the true King of Israel -- the God of the people of Israel that is required. Elisha has to remind even the King of this. It's okay that Naaman, who is not familiar with YHWH gets it wrong, but the King should have been able to clear the matter up for him rather quickly. (I may use this to talk to my congregation about the dangers of PEOPLE who claim to have healing powers instead of people who claim GOD has healing powers.) I also like the reference to grace -- Naaman can't quite believe his healing can be so easy. He would have rather had a difficult task given him as a price for his healing. Doesn't THAT sound familiar! It just shouldn't be so easy -- but it is. Just my musings.....Pastor Janel in ND
Date: 2/11/2003
Time: 11:00:30 AM
My connection here is that some have trouble remembering that through baptism, the Spirit is given openly and freely. It too seems too simple. I love this passage, I call it the "Grumpy Old King". I too like the way that God works through the unlikely. It is the leadership roles of the women that are catalysts. Nancy-Wi
Date: 2/11/2003
Time: 12:26:10 PM
JG in Wi, I love your message here. How wonderful to see how God often chooses the unlikely to serve. To PH in Oh, I am a single mom, and a pastor, and I didn't have any trouble with JG's example at all. It is all in how things are said, that will get one in trouble or not, but the truth needs to be proclaimed. Part of that truth is that by the grace of God, we are all called to serve, whether we be ex-cons, single moms, or Pastors! Susan in Wa.
Date: 2/11/2003
Time: 1:20:38 PM
I just recalled an amazing sidelight to this story which may be useful for some. The question is, how did the captive servant girl know the prophet in Samaria (Elisha) could cure Naaman? There is no record of either Elijah or Elisha curing leprosy until this time, and Jesus (in Luke 4:27) said, "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."
Do we have an amazing case of divine insight here being given to an unnamed servant girl? How unlikely.
JG in WI
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 8:25:16 AM
I've submitted an object lesson on the theme "Washed from sin" based on this reading. I expect most of you are pastors (I am not) and I would like your comments.
Mary in Homestead
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 9:36:05 AM
Sometimes minisry doesn't look like its supposed to. In fact in my own life the most profound moments in my christian faith didn't happen in a sanctuary or even with a pastor near by. In the congregation I serve now, it seems that there is that uneasyness that the ministries God calls us too don't look like we thought they would. Much like the Naaman saying "shouldn't he at least come out and see me, doesn't he know how to do miricles???". Thank God there is wisdom in unlikely places such as servants huh?
And on the other side of the miricle we find the King tearing his clothes saying "oh Cr_p! he just wants to come and beat us up! and he is unable to do anything but mourn.
On both sides of the miricle the participants are too pig headed and caught up in their on thoughts to see the true work of God.
I know that God works sometimes in spite of us. But thank God he still works!
Pastor Mark in SW Washington
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 1:27:05 PM
Hi!
first, I like the God of the unlikelies idea. I may include some hints of that.
But, on the whole, I am going in a different direction. A couple of weeks ago I spoke of how difficult and complicated eithical, Christian decisions could be, connecting with Paul's issue of food offered to the idols. My title was "It isn't that simple".
My title thise week is "It really is that simple". A lot of the time God asks us to do simple things. Go, wash in the river. Go, give someone a cup of water. Go, pray for peace. Go, speak kind words. A lot of it really is that simple. And is simply important.
have a good week. Peace.
kent in Québec
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 3:31:45 PM
I'm thinking about the story line where Naaman has to decide... to do something that seems so out of place and unexpected in comparison to the way he thought things would be done. The immediate reaction is like mine is too often. "This can't be right." I remember going to another sort of church where there was "ministry time" following the message. The Big Name Expert from a Megachurch came to me, poked me in the stomach and said "fire!" That was it. There was no more. I felt cheated. I walked away grumbling. Was this an opportunity lost. Yes, until someone persuaded me to "reframe" the experience. I had to go forward for prayer Naaman had to go bathe 7 times. Every time I can think of in scripture when there is a miracle the recepient had to take a step: Moses when he was called had to take a step of picking up a snake -- before it became a staff again. The Hebrews had to take a step into the Jordan (the river that could wash them away) before they experienced the miracle of the river stopping. We have to make a step of faith -- following God's Word -- in order to accomplish His will. If we're not taking a leap of faith then we're likely just doing what "we think" God wants (or worse what we think is right) rather than following His impulse or direction. The King of Israel was afraid because he could not heal in his own strength. Elisha was not able to do so either, but he had the "fire." And he boldly asserted that Naaman should do the rediculous. Because it was the direction that God had given (NOT BECAUSE IT WAS REDICULOUS)Naaman was healed.
How do we tell the rediculous from the sublime?
MAR in TX
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 8:32:12 PM
Naaman wants an instant "fix"... don't we all Naaman?
Naaman must have "read ahead" and seen that Jesus healed people the way it "oughta be done"...
Naaman is much different from Jesus's healing in the 2 Kings healing of the Leper... I mean he had to go to the river and dunk himself 7 times. "You've GOT to be kidding me!" If it weren't for the Elisha's servant he probably would never have been healed.
1st Dunk: "This is stupid, this waters nothing special!" 2nd Dunk: "I've got a better rivers at home, the waters of Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus are cleaner anyway!" 3rd Dunk: "I can't believe I'm even doing this!" 4th Dunk: "I'm getting pruny!" 5th Dunk: "Hey, somethings nibling at my butt!" (No offense Lori in NC) ;?) 6th Dunk: "This water stinks, wait is that me?" 7th Dunk: "You've gotta be kiddin' me, it worked!"
(Of course you can be more creative with your own "7" point sermon!) ;?) Yep, the butts have it!
Gives new meaning to the double dunk humor,
pulpitt in ND
Date: 2/12/2003
Time: 8:37:40 PM
Anyone see any significance in the fact that Naaman was the leader of the army that was raiding and dominating Israel at the time? Why should Elisha bother to heal him of all people?
Loving our enemies?
DGinNYC
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 9:01:36 AM
I like everybody's stress on the Baptism aspect of this reading but I was struck by the fear that the the king felt because the king of Aram was petitioning him personally. The stronger ask and the weaker are fearful because if they answer or act in a way that isn't to the benefit of the stronger, what will the consequences be. I think that I will raise this in some way in my sermon.
To ppulpitt in ND: I understand from the reading as I read it that it was Naaman's servants who connvinced him to go and cleanse himself and not Eliah's. Am I wrong?
Bill in Timmins, Canada
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 9:02:00 AM
I like everybody's stress on the Baptism aspect of this reading but I was struck by the fear that the the king felt because the king of Aram was petitioning him personally. The stronger ask and the weaker are fearful because if they answer or act in a way that isn't to the benefit of the stronger, what will the consequences be. I think that I will raise this in some way in my sermon.
To ppulpitt in ND: I understand from the reading as I read it that it was Naaman's servants who connvinced him to go and cleanse himself and not Eliah's. Am I wrong?
Bill in Timmins, Canada
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 9:13:39 AM
This text has gripped me. I too am struck by the reaction of the king -- and re. DG in NYC, find great significance in the fact that the military conqueror is coming to the defeated in seeking help. That must have been the first humiliation for Naaman. And no wonder the king was terrified. How does such a situation stand in relation to the hysterical fear being stirred up by our gov. & media? Can it speak to that fear? Is there hope in the affirmation of God's power and will to heal...no matter what? JT /MI
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 1:40:41 PM
According to the research that I did this week, the King of Israel feels that Naaman's presence is representative of yet another attack from Aram. My secretary brought something to mind as we discussed the scripture. She asked, "What happened to Naaman after his healing?" What happened is that he became a believer in the God of Israel, with one exception. He asked that he be permitted to bow before the Aramian god when the King of Aram bowed. He was given the Okay to do this.
Could this scripture be good to talk about grace? Naaman brought substantial money with him to pay for his healing. Elisha refused to take any payment. The healing was an act of grace. However, one of Elisha's workers did chase after Naaman when he left and asked for a small amount of money. After receiving it, he went back to Elisha. Elisha quizzed him about the money. This servant was then given the leprosy that formerly belonged to Naaman as punishment. PH in OH
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 2:29:09 PM
My two cents...
It seems "God of the unlikely" approach is very strong with preaching possibility. We might ask what is "unlikely" (the servants as sources of authority, the dirty waters as sources of healing, etc.) and then what is "likely" (that even powerful enemies need God's grace, etc.). We can then suggest that people's "unlikelies" are God's "likelies"--the timeless biblical theme of divine reversals ("what you meant for evil, God meant for good"--Joseph; "God's power is made perfect in weakness"--Paul; "where sin abounds, grace abounds more"--Paul; and, above all, that out of crucifixion comes resurrection). An ending might be like this: "It's likely that God will keep doing the unlikely--like it or not."
On Baptism...
This is certainly an appropriate Sunday to "preach on the sacraments" as some have indicated. And the "washing away of sin" IS ONE biblical image for what Baptism is about: it's not the only one ("anointing" for service, "pouring out" the Holy Spirit, "dying and rising" with Christ are others), but is is one ("wash me thoroughly from my sins").
TK in OK
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 4:18:48 PM
Upon closer reading, Bill, you are correct sir...
5:13 But HIS servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?"
We all like it when our servants tell us what to do of course...
with grins,
pulpitt in ND
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 7:21:02 PM
I have considered the question of why the king of Syria sent Naaman to the king of Israel (Ahaziah?)instead of to "the prophet in Samaria" first. It finally dawned on me that the king of Syria had prophets-for-hire in his court and he just figured that Elisha was one of those.
God's prophets are not "prophets for profit."
JG in WI
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 9:04:39 PM
I too was thinking about how Namaan wanted a fix-it and fix-it fast solution to his problem. He wanted it done his way and at his call. I was thinking there is duct tape in this sermon somewhere. We use it to fix everything and fis everythign fast but some things require more from us.
Avis in KY
Date: 2/13/2003
Time: 9:57:35 PM
I added some prayers based on the 2 Kings and Mark texts... to the DPS site...just FYI folks...
Thanks,
pulpitt in ND
Date: 2/14/2003
Time: 8:53:04 AM
I realize that it is late in the week to generate a lot of response, but the thought hit me that there is a connection between the present threat of war and this scripture. Naaman has just defeated the armies of the children of Israel as this story begins. Hebrew theology was such that any defeat represented God's turning God's back on the people because of some apostacy on their part. No one could defeat Israel unless it was God's will. We Americans tend to play the manifest destiny as our trump card. God's blessings on our nation often are tranlated as God is on our side. What happens if we lose in war and lose badly? What if God raises up some General from the other side who becomes our Naaman? I fear that our arrogance and pride may be our downfall some day as the proverb, "Pride goeth before a fall," suggests. TN Mack
Date: 2/14/2003
Time: 11:01:54 AM
More on this passage...
I think you're right, TN Mack, there is common ground between this text and today with the impending sense of threatened conflict. Imagine that "Saddam" [of Aram] sent the Republican Guard Commanding General ["Namaan"] to "King George" [W. Bush] because of the reputed healing powers of "Rev. Eli" [a small-town U.S. preacher]. What would happen? Do the "prophetic voices" of our day have the courage of and contact with God that it takes to meet the need? What would it be like for one of our churches to minister to an Iraqi general's needs?
You could turn the story around, too--that Pres. Bush sends, say Colin Powell, over to Pres. Hussein with a request that some Muslim "holy man" tend to some need of Powell's. Say this "holy man" sent Colin to bathe in the the Euphrates River, near Baghdad! (Different countries with different religions, the encounters between political leaders, the indignities and dangers, etc.--it's all there as in the biblical story!)
By the way, it's interesting to note that Baghdad is virtually where ancient Babylon was located, and that Iraq is in the heart of the "cradle of civilization," ancient Mesopotamia (also associated with the "garden of Eden")--the biblical connections are rich and real.
Keep in mind, one of the key purposes this story was told was to highlight and imprint the truth of God's love and grace toward all people, even "foreigners" and "enemies."
Another approach here--connected in some ways to the "unlikely" theme we've discussed, but different, too--is to talk about what had to be overcome in order for God's healing work to happen: three walls to be broken down were (1) FEAR (servants' fear of speaking up; Israel's king's fear of other king's motives)-- (2) PRIDE (pride of powerful in listening to servants' voices and seeking help; pride of Elisha with spiritual superiority) -- (3) HASTE (Namaan's search for "fast fix"). Any one or all three can shine light on contemporary world.
TK in OK
Date: 2/14/2003
Time: 11:11:40 AM
Avis in KY
Go with the "duct tape"! I just thought of a strong tie here--people all over the U.S. are buying up duct tape (and plastic sheeting) to seal up their houses because of real or imagined threat of biological warfare.
Maybe you could talk about getting beyond duct tape, which--like band-aids--treat the symptoms but not the disease. True healing/cleansing cannot be superficial (like making a scene over Namaan) and often is not efficient (bathing extensively in a foreign river).
We talk about "walking in others' shoes"--how about "bathing in others' rivers"? I wonder how differently Namman viewed this "foreign land" after it became the place of his healing??
Still working...
TK in OK
Date: 2/14/2003
Time: 11:36:37 AM
To Avis in KY...I rolled over laughing when I read "there is duct tape in this sermon somewhere". It is great to be able to laugh in the middle of sermon prep and laugh at ourselves, too! Thanks for the laughter in the midst of our ever more serious world in crisis. ruraloracle in MB
Date: 2/14/2003
Time: 12:38:09 PM
Not only duct tape, but for farmers the long standing "quick fix" is bailing wire!
On the "quick fix" path: I'm calling my efforts at sermonizing this week "Take Two Aspirin and Call me in the Morning." "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy!"
StudentPastor in KS
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 7:50:29 AM
Hi all.
Did anyone else have verse 8 jump out at you? "...that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel."
So often we say that God is here, in whatever situation we find ourselves. I have no argument with this assertion! But I find it interesting that Elisha doesn't say that. He points to the presence of the "man of God," as if that's what Naaman (or his king) needs to learn.
Not sure where to go with this, exactly. Any last minute insights??
Oh, and by the way, we do not have a baptism tomorrow! But I have a funny feeling that the topic may come up anyway! :-)
Rick in Canada, eh?
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 7:58:04 AM
Hi again!
Another question. I haven't been in Israel (not yet, anyway). IS the Jordan River really muddy, or was Naaman just being provincial?
Thanks!
Rick in Canada, eh?
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 9:59:04 AM
Rick - in some places it's glorious and clean and deep in others, it's little more than a swampy ditch!
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 11:31:08 AM
This post is probably too late to make a difference, but... Re the condition of the Jordan - that was then, this is now, and we all know how things have changed over several thousand years. Beyond that, could it be that Naaman, the proud Syrian, would think that no river in Israel, no matter how grand in Israelites' eyes, could match the "rivers of Damascus," in his own country? Thanks to everyone for inspiration over and over again. This is my first post. Frandy
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 2:01:20 PM
I too am struck by what is unlikely and unusual in the text. If a slave girl was not alert to the need, aware of the resources and asserted her faith Naaman would not have found healing in an unlikely place. Similarly Naaman was talked into doing the simple thing by his servants possessing similar insight. Al in VA
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 2:18:00 PM
Here is the antithesis of the Naaman healing story. A famous person is healed, on his own terms, and gives his own money which Hinn accepts:
From MSNBC.COM
HEAVYWEIGHT HEALING In his 25 years of healing, there have been thousands of similar stories from Hinn’s followers — none of them more famous than this one. At a crusade in 1994, Benny Hinn came to the aid of the former heavyweight champion of the world. Evander Holyfield had lost his boxing license because a medical test had revealed a serious heart ailment. Benny Hinn (at a crusade): “The Lord is telling me right now he is repairing Holyfield’s heart completely.” Reportedly, Holyfield promised Hinn a check for $265,000, and before long, he got a clean bill of health, and won the world title back.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/845747.asp?0si=-
James in AZ
Date: 2/15/2003
Time: 6:15:27 PM
YEAH--this is late, but if we read Naaman's servant, he keeps everything in focus for us and gives us a look into Naaman's mind IT'S not that Naaman was looking for something simple to do, or a quick fix. Naaman clearly views the washing as simple. Naaman was looking for a spectacular thing to happen, with some ceremony and majesty--not something simple as washing. The servant identifies the washing prescribed by Elisha as something that wasn't difficult, in Naaman's eyes, maybe even something beneath him. So, I'm not sure that Naaman was looking for the quick fix. But he did think he knew how GOd was going to move in this situation and for that arrogance, he almost missed his miracle. Servant girl and servant man saved the day. STAN in TN
2001 Discussion:
Date: 03 Jul 2001
Time: 17:27:08
It seems that our pride gets in the way of Naaman's acceptance of the simple way to cleansing. He is angry because life doesn't happen the way he wants it to happen and his healing doesn't come in a way that he expects. God is not a good of waving a magic wand which is what Naaman wanted Elisha today. Healing came in the simple repetative actions of life. Can healing come for us in the same way? Especially when life doesn't happen the way we expect?
RB in NC
Date: 04 Jul 2001
Time: 00:26:19
Early in the week musings--It intrigues me that it is 'the least' in the crowd who, for the most part, move along the healing of Naaman. The little slave girl and the servants are instrumental in getting Naaman to the point where God can do wonders. A random thought which cruised past was Garth Brooks'(?) hit "Friends in Low Places". Not completely sure where I'm heading, but my somewhat small congregation could probably profit from hearing that you don't have to be the 'big guys' to do God's work.
CJTompkins Idabel, OK
Date: 05 Jul 2001
Time: 03:46:18
CJ in OK...I too am struck by the "lowly " people who have courage, faith and real power in the story. It is notable that Naaman is at first a big-time army commander - so proud and caught in the position and politics and personal glory. The lowly all along nudge him into doing the healing act - they seem to know what he does not. He does not even rate a personal visit with Elisha (none is needed from Elisha's pt of view, I expect). If you read on to verse 19 which completes the stroy ( I may come Sunday) you'll find Naaman finally refers to himself as a servant in asking for pardon from Elisha! Maybe what we see here is the story of a person becoming a "new creation' to use Paul's term from this week's Galatians reading. Jim in Ct.
Date: 05 Jul 2001
Time: 13:12:49
The thing that always strikes me about the story is the fact that Naaman is a General to a "heathen" king and he has leprosy, now that was supposed to make you and outcast, yet the king of Isreal, who is supposed to believe that God can do anything, does not believe he can be healed while Naaman's king does not seem to have a problem believing that it can be done. Who is the "Heathen" in that story? MR in NY
Date: 05 Jul 2001
Time: 16:33:28
I preached on this before, so I'll go a different route this year. However, for those interested in my mini-outline:
The God of the Unlikely
1. An unlikely messenger - A servant girl of a conquered people
2. An unlikely medium - Why the muddy Jordan to cleanse from this disease? (5:12)
3. An unlikely miracle - Did Naaman act in faith? No, but sometimes obedience to God is enough.
JG in WI
Date: 06 Jul 2001
Time: 01:12:49
What I find particularly illuminating is Jesus' commentary on this event. It is the only reference to Naaman in the NT and typically Luke has it(4:27). I say typically because Luke's overriding concern is for the poor, the oppressed and the outcast.
I agree with Jim in Ct that the story ends at v.19 and to get the full impact should be read as such. Indeed, the whole thing does not make sense without it. When read this way, the subversiveness of the story surprises the hearer and the reader even more than the miraculous healing itself. What we have is nothing less than a recognition of what it means when Israel itself proclaims that Yahweh is Lord of the Nations.
The passage opens with a description of Naaman as the King of Aram's top and favourite commander-in-chief. Not only that, but it was Yahweh himself who gave victory to the Aramean forces over Israel(!!)This places Israel in the very awkward position of recognizing within its own canon of Scripture, that Yahweh is not only God of Israel and Judah, who gives victory to them in battle, but that Yahweh is also a God who gives the enemies of the North and South Kingdoms victory in battle.
God plays both ends at the same time.
Hmmm.
The story artfully continues to play the weak against the strong, the ones of no account against the proud and arrogant. And in obedience (however unwilling) to Elisha's word, Naaman is healed and becomes a believer in Yahweh, the God of Israel.Now if the story ended there, we would have a charming, and typical healing story as a result of obedience to the prophet's word. But we are brought back to the beginning as it were, when Naaman mentions the dilemma his new-found faith puts him in. He has to accompany his king to sacrifice to their god Rimmon. He, however, will refuse to personally offer any sacrifice of any kind except to Yahweh. He begs that Yahweh will forgive him as he accompanies his master to the temple of Rimmon.
And the subversive response of Elisha is "Go in peace".
Elisha and the company of prophets of which he was a part spoke truth to power in Israel condemning idolatry, condemning the faithlessness of the king and the leaders of the day, condemning the apathy of the people in the face of this travesty of the covenant. To be faithful to the covenant established by Yahweh with his people amounted to treason and unsound trade and business practice as far as the king of Israel was concerned. Elisha, pushes the envelope even further by deigning to heal, even though from a distance, a commander of an army that wreaked havoc on the borders of his homeland. Not only that, but he allows that even the God of the covenant will forgive Naaman when he enters the temple of Rimmon to worship with his king, a practice that, according to the covenant would result in death to any of God's Chosen.
If Yahweh is the God of the nations, the covenant of Law becomes a covenant of mercy and yes, even flexibility in its interpretation. The Gentiles are God's potential people. Not good news for those who would prefer their God within particular moral, national, or theological boundaries.
I wonder if that company of prophets thought Elisha crazy...
And small wonder that Jesus uses this particular story as an illustration of what his arrival on the scene would mean for the outcast, the foreigner, the poor, and yes even the powerful and rich.
And small wonder that his hometown folks, preferring a nice home-grown boy who would take into account "certain sensitivities", find themselves confronted with an individual whose sense of God's redemption includes long-hated enemies. If I were in their position, I would hear none of it, and maybe even try to get rid of him.
I love my righteous prejudice too much...
And that, folks, is my ramble for the day.
Blessings,
RevEd in Ontario
Date: 06 Jul 2001
Time: 02:09:25
RevEd in Ontario...as Led Zeppelin would put it: "Ramble On." I enjoyed your contribution. Something that keeps sticking in my mind about this passage is that Naaman has been given victory in battle, which was recognized as a sign of God's favor, and he also had leprosy, which was recognized as a sign of God's displeasure. Can God's favor and God's displeasure rest on the same person...at the same time? What happens with the tension that creates? When did Naaman's "belief" turn to "faith?" Does God ever make anyone whole unless he/she is desperate? Was Naaman's listening to the servant girl and to the servants in his traveling band a sign that God was making him whole from the inside out? Am I ever going to stop asking questions? Probably not. Anyway...ramble on, y'all. Sam in Alabam
Date: 06 Jul 2001
Time: 20:27:04
I am stricken by all the things that got in the way of Naaman's healing - things that can be problematic for any of us. He had to rid himself of ego. He had to rid himself of his own expectations - "Just wave your hand over me..". He had to rid himself of his disdain for the simple solution. He had to get a bunch of "stuff" out of the way before he could receive what God wanted to do for him. What kind of "stuff" gets in our way. -Dale in Chattanooga
Date: 07 Jul 2001
Time: 03:39:38
Maybe Naaman's pride was eating him on the inside the way the leprosy was eating him on the outside. I am also thinking about Shakespeare's characters and how they always seem to have that one tragic character flaw. What is the one "thing" that keeps us from wholeness? Have you ever gotten rid of that one "thing," only to find that another had taken its place? Maybe I'm going down the wrong track here. God knew that even if Naaman was healed of his leprosy, he'd still have to deal with his inner "leprosy"...pride. Once we see what the "thing" is, maybe we have to do like the folks at AA...take it one day at a time. So after Naaman's conversion, was he a "recovering ego-maniac?"
Date: 08 Jul 2001
Time: 10:33:50
I like MR's point..who is the heathen. by the way, anyone willing to leave the lectionary and use the story of Gehezi, next week.
jdl in ohio
Date: 09 Sep 2001
Time: 03:55:11
The LORD shall bless those who believe and put him first.. Let no man dictate your faith only the LORD knows your true sole ?? Give your life to Jesus, may you understand the message and may the truth set you free !!! JESUS I'm lost Please lead me home ???