In the story of Naaman, we see that his friends bring clarity to the situation. Naaman was the commander of the Aram army and had come to Elisha to heal his leprosy. He was used to others bowing before him because of his position. Elisha did not come out to meet him and sent a servant with a message. Naaman was to wash in the Jordan River seven times. The Jordan was muddy, unlike the rivers of Naaman’s homeland. Because of his pride, Naaman was offended at how Elisha treated him.
2 Kings 5: 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. [1]
Seeing More Clearly
Naaman’s officers weren’t as prideful as Naaman and were not offended by Elisha’s actions. This allowed them to see the situation more clearly. Their logic persuaded Naaman. 1 Kings 5: 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’ ” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! [2]
Naaman could have lost his healing if his friends hadn’t urged him to rethink the situation. God was putting Naaman to the test. There was nothing special about the Jordan; it was a matter of obedience to God’s word through the prophet. God was in charge of this miracle and would do it in His way, not Naaman’s. Naaman had the physical problem of leprosy but also the spiritual problem of pride. God would heal both at the same time.
Looking Out for Others
Naaman’s officers were doing what the Apostle Paul would describe centuries later. Philippians 2: 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [3]
The officers were humble and looked out for Naaman’s welfare. As a result of their concern, Naaman received his healing and came to faith in the true God. This shows the importance of friends on our faith journey.
Paul tells us that we must have the attitude of Christ. Jesus thought of us as He went to the cross to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is the best friend we can have. As a friend of Jesus, we will want to introduce others to Him. Friends can bring clarity to the faith journey. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/naaman
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.