As Naaman comes to know the true God, we see his efforts to live out the faith. 2 Kings 5: 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. [1]
By returning to Elisha, Naaman added forty miles and probably a day’s travel on his way home. He was serious about wanting to bless God. The prideful Naaman is contrite as he exits his chariot to stand before Elisha. But Elisha refuses the gift because he is only God’s representative. God is the true healer.
Doing His Best in Immature Faith
Ironically, Naaman had complained about the muddy Jordan River but now wants to take soil with him. 2 Kings 5: 17 Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord. [2]
Naaman only had a baby faith at this point and still retained the model for idol worship. Idols were thought to be territorial, and by taking soil from Israel, Naaman could take God with him back to Aram. He probably prepared a sacred base for an altar dedicated to the true God.
Naaman knew he only wanted to worship the true God. But his position as commander would require him to attend the idolatrous temple of the King. 1 Kings 5: 18 However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.[3] Naaman seems to imply that he would do that to honor the king but not the idol. Elijah replied by telling him to go in peace.
Grow in Faith
Naaman did what he knew as he started his faith journey. We don’t have any more information on him beyond this story. God’s desire is for us to grow in our faith. Hebrews 6:1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.[4]
We don’t want to belittle the actions of new Christians but come alongside and help them find models of mature faith. God knows the heart and the intent of all of our actions. It may seem easy to coast in our faith, but God wants us to grow. That means spending time in the Word and prayer and letting Him show us the next steps. When we know the path we are to take, we must be willing to live out the faith.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/naaman
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.