Neville Turley

“Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.” Leviticus 13: 45-46 (NIV)

Great was the consternation of Jehoram, King of Israel when the mighty king of Damascus sent Naaman, commander of his army, who had contracted leprosy to him.  He asked that Namaan be healed.

Jehoram was distressed at the impossible demand and feared that it was a plot to overthrow him.  Elisha, God’s prophet, sent word to the king that Naaman should be sent to Elisha’s house.

When Naaman arrived, Elisha did not go out to greet him as was the custom. Instead he sent a servant out, who told Naaman to go and bathe seven times in the river Jordan. Naaman who was a very important man in his own right was enraged and stormed off.

However, Naaman’s servants counselled him to follow Elisha’s advice. He did so and was instantly cleansed of his leprosy.  Namaan full of gratitude went back to Elisha: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant.” (2 Kings 5:15)

Elisha would have none of it. By not accepting anything Elisha was making it very clear that Naaman had been healed by God’s divine grace alone and not by him nor any act of his.

Then Naaman made a firm commitment. “I will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord.”

Naaman’s words echo the first and greatest commandment given to Moses, and reaffirmed by our Lord – you will worship the Lord your God and him only will you serve.

The Lord God demands our total allegiance no matter what temptations and challenges we face. Our relationship with God must supersede all others.

Prayer: God in your mercy grant that our witness to others reflect that you rank first and foremost in our life. Amen