So, Naaman had leprosy. Now the disease didn’t carry the spiritual and social stigma that it did in Israel. But it carried scars on his face and body, along with the ones you couldn’t see.
It’s really a disease of the nervous system with the ability to progressively cause loss of sensitivity to pain. Eventually, you feel nothing.
However, sometimes a liability can be an asset. Because all his life he had to fight, and felt little pain doing it, Naaman became the commander of the Assyrian army. The Assyrian Empire was the leading power at this time. Since Namaan’s victories helped keep it that way, he was blessed and highly favored by the king.
His wife had a young Israelite maid who had been captured during a raid. She suggested her husband should see the prophet Elisha in Samaria to be healed.
His wife convinced him, and so he went. Once there, Elisha sent a messenger to meet him, who told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times.
Naaman is like what, you’d better recognize! Maybe you don’t, but since he’s a prophet, I know he knows who I am. Naaman thought Elisah would see him, call on the name of his God, and make a big production out of healing him. Angry, he starts to walk away with the disease he came with.
Fortunately, one of his servants, out of concern and respect, tells Naaman about himself. If the prophet had told you to jump over a skyscraper in a single bound, you would have said no problem, C’mon.
Naaman heeds these words of wisdom, realizing he has a hard time with easy. He goes back, does what Elisha said, and when he came out of the water the seventh time, his skin was completely restored.
He went back to Elisha not only to apologize but to accept his God as his own. Naaman tried to pay Elisha for his efforts. But Elisha told him all thanks and praise are due to God. Now go in peace.
Which Naaman did, heading home feeling it for the first time in his life.
Reference: 2 Kings 5:1-19
