Article November 18, 1950 Issue

THE LESSON OF NAAMAN

EDWARD K. LEE

In II Kings we read that there was a great man in Syria, Naaman by name, who held the office of captain of the king's army, and that he was a leper.

In Naaman's household there was a little Israelitish slave who persuaded his wife that a religious leader in Israel called Elisha could heal Naaman of his leprosy. This little maid's profound faith in the prophet's ability to heal decided Naaman to make the journey into Israel, taking with him a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel. We read that on arrival Naaman was sent to Elisha, arriving at the door of the latter's house with horses and chariot.

Perhaps Elisha recognized Naaman's need to know that "God is no respecter of persons." In any case, Elisha did not receive Naaman with the customary ceremony accorded to those of rank. Discerning that he needed to be led away from personal sense in order to become spiritually receptive, the prophet sent a message to him to go and wash seven times in Jordan. The love with which this message was sent can be gauged from the bounteous promise which accompanied it, for Naaman was told that if he would do this, his flesh would come again to him, and he would be clean. What a promise for one suffering from that dread disease!

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