Whenever we are hurt or maltreated by the actions of the people around us, our first response is to feel bad and feel bitterness towards those that hurt us. In fact, it takes another level of maturity to go to the one who made life miserable for you and let the person know that you have forgotten them from the depth of your heart. Forgiveness does not come easily because the presence of the person or people who caused you the pain, is a constant reminder. As believers, we have been shown the greatest love and mercy. Our sins were forgiven and paid for by the astonishing sacrifice of God's own Son (Romans 3:24; Romans 6:23). Therefore, we are able to demonstrate God-kind of love to others because God first loved us (1 John 4:19, 21). The message of the salvation of God was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. This post will focus on two women who, though from different cultures, religious backgrounds and moral upbringing, came together and experienced a perfect miracle. Their combined efforts brought salvation (healing) to a mighty man with a mighty skin problem.
Israel had lots of enemy nations and one of these was Aram. In the past, it was common to see raiders from enemy nations invading into another territory to steal, kill and destroy. Does that ring a bell? (see John 10:10). They also take the young people as captives and the old, weak and feeble ones are either left behind or killed. So, bands of raiders from Aram invaded an Israelite city, took captive a young girl from Israel. She became a servant in the house of Naaman, serving Naaman's wife (2 Kings 5:2). Naaman was no ordinary person, he was commander of the army of the king of Aram. Thus, he was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded. Through him the Lord had given victory to Aram and he was a valiant soldier. But, Naaman had an unusual skin disease. He had leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). He was so mighty but yet vulnerable. The slave girl from Israel could have felt pain and resentment towards Naaman and his family. She could have concluded that Naaman's leprosy was a curse from God for the evil Naaman had committed against Israel. She could have cursed Naaman and his family and released the punishment of God upon them. Afterall, that is our first response when we are hurt. She was wrongfully taken from her parents and turned into a slave. Ah! She had every right to pay Naaman and the Arameans back for their sins.
Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:2-3)
On the contrary, this slave girl said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:3). She wanted her master cured. She desired to see her master’s skin restored to normal. Naaman's wife did not consider it disrespectful for her slave girl to talk about her husband's health condition. Naaman's wife knew that the gods of the Arameans are not the same as the God of Israel. She knew that going down to Israel for healing automatically implied that the God of Israel is far more powerful than the gods in Aram. Mrs. Naaman did not delay. She informed her husband about the possibility of being healed in Israel. Her husband informed the king of Aram whose response was this: “By all means, go" and “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing (2 Kings 5:5). When the convoy from Aram arrived in the Palace of the king of Israel, the king of Israel was confused. He didn't even believe that there was a prophet of God in the land who was powerful enough to pray for the healing of Naaman. The king of Israel's faith was not as strong as that of the king of Aram, Naaman, the slave girl and Naaman's wife. The king of Israel tore his robes after reading the letter and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (2 Kings 5:7).
When the prophet Elisha heard this, he requested for Naaman to be sent to him. Elisha did not even leave his house to speak with Naaman. Just as Naaman commanded an army, Elisha commanded the power of God. Elisha sent a messenger to say to Naaman, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed" (2 Kings 5:10). Initially, Naaman hesitated but after being convinced by his servants, he obeyed the words of Elisha. Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy (2 Kings 5:14). Naaman's miracle was initiated by the slave girl, heralded by the wife, Naaman's faith took him to the king of Aram and the king's word took him to Israel. The women players in this massive miracle show that God is able to use anyone no matter your location and status (slave or freed) to perform wonders. The slave girl had experienced pain and hurt from Aram, but she paid back with love and compassion. At the end of the day, the pagan commander came to know and experience the God of Israel. Naaman's response was this: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15).
Bitterness is cancerous. It zaps the soul and opens up the believer for demonic manipulation. When you forgive, you free yourself for greater works. Be merciful for you have been shown mercy.
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