2 Kings 5:1-14 : Meditations

The first thing that grabs you is Verse 1: "..the LORD had given victory to Syria". This is not to be skimmed over and it gives those who say that God always favours them as his children, no matter, what had better take a second, or even a third look at this verse.

It may be that the Syrians avoided the Israelites in battle, and thus preserving the notion that God always sided with his chosen people. However, this is unlikely. The reaction of the king (note the small "k") of Israel probably indicates that neighbourly relations were not always of the cordial kind. And in an era where skirmishes and wars were common place, Israel and Syria came to blows and the LORD favoured the latter!

This goes to show that the Lord is indeed sovereign, and that everything is under his command, both good and evil. Not that he is evil, but evil is not outside his jurusdiction. A quick read of Job 1-2 will show that Satan cannot do anything unless it is willed by God ultimately. Now, this also means that God is not in our pocket, so to say. That even the best of intentions may not garner his favour because we look on 'favour' in uniquely earthly terms (i.e: If I do good, God is sure to bless my requests and give me stuff etc etc)

Was the king of Israel always good? Was Israel always devoted to it's God? Of course, not. So one could say that the Syrians, like the Babylonians, were at one time or another used as instruments of his wrath for his purpose. Not that they were any better, they too were cruel, bloodthirsty and idolatous, with the Syrians and Babylonians worshipping Rimmon (v.18) and Marduk respectively

No, the issue here is that God chooses to save who he'll save and let those perish who he chooses to let perish. This is harsh to our ears but what can we say of the fact that he chooses to save Naaman, a gentile and worse, an enemy of Israel who was probably directly involved in the loss of Jewish lives in his role as commander of the Syrian army? That he uses a Jewish prisoner who is now essentially a slave in a Syrian household to carry out her plans. What of her eventual fate or redemption? We hear no more of her after this.

But in the end, Naaman is cured and becomes a follower of Yahweh. He seems for all intents and purposes, a changed man on the inside and out. His leprosy was external but the more serious condition of the leprous heart was dealt with in this chapter. And in God extending his mercy to Naaman through Elisha, it is in essence a snapshot of Paul's mission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13)

Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this is that we should not be presumptious in being able to read the mind of God. It is God's perogative to give grace to who he wants, and likewise, it is his choice to issue condemnation. It should serve to make us a little less cocksure about our self delusional lofty status in this world and to realise that we are his created beings, made to worship and serve him with meekness,humility and love

SDG