ESOCS Devotional 14 June 2022
TEXT: 2 KINGS 5:1-19
MEMORY VERSE: “Then went he 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.” 2 Kings 5:14 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Naaman was a man with a problem. He was an extremely respected soldier– a “mighty man of valor” (2 Kings 5:1). Through him, the LORD gave Aram victory. Yet he suffered from leprosy, a condition that would mean social exclusion for a lesser man.
That he would love to be cured of his leprosy is without a doubt. When he learnt from an Israelite captive that the “prophet in Samaria,” Elisha, could heal him, his excitement is evident: he went with a significant quantity of money and clothes, and eventually came to Elisha (2 Kings 5:5–9).
Yet, Elisha’s message was certainly not what he expected: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean” (2 Kings 5:10). How simple! How… non-spiritual! Nothing fanciful, no great declaration, just a few dips in a river. Furthermore, of all the rivers– the Jordan? How could his cleansing possibly be accomplished by such simple, non-spiritual means in such a comparatively dirty river?
His servants spoke sensibly to him, helping him to see that what Elisha asked was not that difficult (2 Kings 5:13). He obeyed and did it, and received his cleansing (2 Kings 5:14), though it was simple, seemed rather “un-spiritual,” and was in the Jordan of all places!
Why did it work? God’s specific instruction through His prophet, Elisha was that if he obeyed and dipped seven times in the Jordan River, God would accomplish the healing. God had a different plan for Naaman, and the choice was Naaman’s as to whether he would obey and receive the blessings or disobey and remain leprous.
Naaman’s example is quite instructive for us. How many times have we neglected God’s commands because we felt that it was too simple, too “un-spiritual,” or perhaps simply was not what we were expecting?
Naaman was cleansed by his willingness to humble his pride, get in the Jordan River, and obey God’s command. As such, he stands as an example of great faith in God (Luke 4: 27)). Will we have a similar faith– faith in humility, being willing to cast aside our own expectations and suppositions in order to obey the Risen Lord? Let us seek the same commendation of Naaman and obey Christ.
- Have you obeyed all of God’s instructions to you? Expect God’s reward.
- Lord, help me to always be obedient to your instructions, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 12:28–36; John 7:14–24; Revelation 11:14-19
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ESOCS Devotional 14 June 2022
