He sat on the edge of his bed totally devastated. How had this happened? He was the commander of the Syrian army. He was a highly decorated and respected soldier. He was a man of action, and soon he would be reduced to nothing. Literally.
Namaan stared at the growing white spot on his arm in disbelief and despair. The glorious future plans he had had for himself and his family were instantly replaced by gloom and darkness. What would become of his family now?
He heard his wife coming down the marble hallway. He swiped at his wet face in an attempt to hide his roiling emotions. He needed to remain strong for his family. He stood up, turned toward to the doorway, and attempted what he hoped was a smile. By the look of concern on his wife’s face, his own had failed at smiling.
She crossed the room and took his hands. There was a slight flicker of hope in here eyes as she told him what her maid said regarding a prophet in Samaria who could heal leprosy. Wasn’t it worth a try? After all, the doctors had not been able to do anything. Could we let this opportunity slip by?
Namaan went to the window and looked out over the city – the city he loved. His wife was right. None of the doctors in the city had been able to help. And, frankly, none of the gods he had prayed to had helped either. What was there to lose? There may even be a chance to regain his life.
He put on the military uniform used for only special occasions and headed toward the palace to ask for a leave of absence. The king was most supportive and even gave Namaan an official diplomatic letter for the king of Israel explaining Namaan’s mission. He left the palace with a lighter heart that was beginning to actually hope.
For the next couple of days Namaan prepared for the journey, including packing gifts for the royal visit with Israel’s king.
When Namaan arrived at the palace in Israel, he was welcomed most graciously. Namaan produced the letter from the Syrian king which read: “Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:6)
Namaan didn’t know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t the reaction he received from Israel’s king.
“And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.’” (2 Kings 5:7)
A king tearing his robes was a significant event, and news of it traveled like lightning across the country.
“So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.’” (2 Kings 5:8)
With obvious relief, the king told Namaan that the prophet Elisha would be happy to meet with him. With the directions firmly in hand, Namaan began his journey to Elisha’s house a bit confused and also a bit curious. However, before Namaan reached the destination, a messenger intercepted the caravan with a message from Elisha:
“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10)
Namaan felt his blood pressure rising and his face turning red. He was not used to being treated this way. Didn’t this prophet Elisha know who he was? Namaan, commander of the Syrian army, was not going to degrade himself by washing in a river, especially a dirty river in Israel! His rank alone should command the respect of this prophet of Israel. Elisha should have come himself and not sent a messenger. Namaan wanted to see the prophet, to have the prophet do an elaborate ceremony worthy of his military status, and to hear the prophet call on the name of his God. Wash in the Jordan – indeed not!
Namaan turned from the messenger before his temper got the better of him and barked out commands to the company with him to turn around and head back to Syria. Then, without waiting, Namaan stormed off. Rushing feet behind him caused him to stop and turn around.
“And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, “Wash, and be clean”?’” (2 Kings 5:13)
Namaan looked down at his arm again, which had already gotten worse in the short time since he had left Syria. His anger cooled as he watched the earnest, pleading faces of the young men in front of him. With clarity of mind returning, he thought of his wife and realized that the young men were right. What could it hurt? He directed the now stopped caravan to turn toward the Jordan.
“So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:14)
As his head broke the surface of the Jordan the seventh time, Namaan looked at his arm. The ever-growing white spot had disappeared. He stood in the middle of the river shouting and crying. He didn’t care who saw him. He had been healed, just like the prophet said.
“And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:15)
Namaan walked out of the river a different man. Not only was his body healed, but his soul was redeemed. Namaan had humbled himself and obeyed the word of God spoken simply through His prophet. The power of the word through Namaan’s faith had brought restoration. Namaan couldn’t wait to get home and share his new life with his wife.
“Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’” (2 Chronicles 20:20)
This is why Binding Broken Hearts is passionate about getting God’s Word into prisons and into the hands of inmates who so desperately need that Word so that they can hear God speaking through His prophets to bring healing and restoration. Because these are men and women who need Jesus most.
Perhaps you want to help spread the power of His Word to an inmate who desperately needs its power. If so, please consider becoming a financial partner with us. Click here to see how you can help.