Overview
By Raufu Spagnoletta
Scripture Lesson Text: Acts 9: 36-43
Scripture Lesson Text: 2 Kings 5:1-5; 9-15a
Most of the Old Testament focuses on the nation of Israel, but a few accounts show God actively working in other nations to make Himself known.
In today’s lesson we see how God uses two events to reveal Himself to Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, a mighty man of valor. First, Naaman suffered with leprosy and had not found a cure in Syria. Second, a servant girl from Israel had the faith to declare to Naaman’s wife, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of leprosy” (NIV/vs. 3).
Naaman believes what he hears and takes the necessary steps to go to Israel for his miraculous healing. When Naaman arrives at Elisha’s door, the prophet does not come out to meet him but sends a messenger to give him simple instructions and a promise, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shall be clean” (vs. 10). Naaman was wroth because he expected Elisha to come out to him and wave his hand over his leprosy and heal him. Naaman was appalled at the thought of dipping in the muddy Jordan River, so he turned and went away in rage.
At this point Naaman’s servants reasoned with him and urged him to humble himself, and wash in the Jordan River (vs. 13). In humble obedience, Naaman went down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean (vs. 14). Naaman returned to the man of God to acknowledge the greatness of the God of Israel (vs. 15a). Naaman’s servants profile the need to have those around us to point out our pride and guide us to the path of humility, that we not forfeit the blessings of God.
Related Scriptures
By Doug
Related Scriptures: Leviticus 14: 1-7; Matthew 8: 5-13; Luke 4:24-27; 17: 11-19
In the chapter of Leviticus 14, the focus is on the rituals on the cleansing of a leper. In the scriptures, leprosy represented sin. In the days of Moses, the only known cure for leprosy would be nothing short of a miracle. The priestly ceremony displays provisions for cleansing of a leper were never done, until Jesus the Son of God came from heaven and began to heal the lepers.
Matthew chapter 8, follows the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Matthew turns to telling a series of stories to demonstrate Jesus’ authority and power over diseases, demons, and even over the weather. In verses 5-13, we have a description of Jesus’ response to the request of a Roman centurion in Capernaum. The officer has a servant who is paralyzed and suffering greatly. Jesus praises the Gentile man’s amazing faith.
Luke 4:24-27, speaks of the people of Nazareth wanting to see the same kind of miracles, that were accomplished in Capernaum. He understood that it was easy to doubt the power of God among those familiar to ‘ his own country’. Luke 17: 11-19 details a series of comparisons. There is a Samaritan who is thankful, while others are less impressed. “ Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”(vs.19).
Practical Points
By Charlene Armstrong Brown
A) All of people’s worthy accomplishments come ultimately from the Lord.
In today’s scriptures we have Naaman, captain of the host of the King of Syria, a Gentile who didn’t know God, but recognized that his accomplishments of military success came from the Lord. When we give credit where credit is due we win in the end. Recognizing that we don’t have control over the outcome of our lives is an act of faith and trust in He who does. God’s sovereignty means that He is in control of ALL things, at ALL times, even our accomplishments. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17).
B) Pride keeps us from the full blessings of God.
Pride tells us we can do it ourselves and don’t need any help, guidance, or support from anyone or anything. When we have a heart and mindset like this we are actually saying to God, “I don’t need your help, I got this.” It causes us to miss out on God’s blessings and more importantly the love and guidance of a caring and faithful Father. We miss out on the joy and satisfaction we have when we recognize and testify that “GOD DID IT.” Thank God that He offers us a remedy for pride called humility, and we recognize that apart from God we can do nothing of true value.
