Mensa Otabil - Go and Wash
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We’re still in Second Kings Chapter Five, looking at the story of Naaman, and these are verses 9 and 10. Naaman went with his horses and chariot and stood at the door of Elijah’s house. Elijah sent a messenger to him, saying, «Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean immediately.» Naaman had the message from Elisha to the king of Israel; he dashed with his entourage straight to the house of Elisha. The Bible says they got to the house, but they couldn’t enter. The story doesn’t tell us why Elijah didn’t come out to meet Naaman. Could it be that Elijah was observing the law regarding leprosy? We don’t know. Could it be that this was just a prophetic action or a test of Naaman’s faith? We don’t know.
What we know for sure is that Elisha did not come out to meet his august visitor. From a natural point of view, this was a very offensive act from Elisha to Naaman because this man is a general from the Syrian army. He has been sent by the king of Syria; he has gone to the palace of the king of Israel, who has sent him to Elisha. If you look at it, you would say he deserves some high protocol. In addition, he has all his team with him, his entourage, and how would they take it if the prophet didn’t come out to meet him? So, Elijah sent a message to Naaman, and the message was straightforward.
First, the message told him where to go: «You’ve come from Syria, gone to the palace, and now to my house. There’s no way you have to be here; go to the Jordan.» It seems as if he’s being sent around; he comes from one place and is told to go to another. The second message tells him what to do: «When you get to the Jordan, wash in it seven times.» That means he would dip himself in the Jordan River seven times, and Naaman would probably be feeling very awkward at this time because he’s the general and supposed to be giving instructions. Now, a messenger from a humble prophet is giving him instructions—not even the king of Israel—and he’s probably thinking, «Who do you think you are?»
The third thing is that if he obeys this instruction, his skin will be clean, and his leprosy will be gone because obedience is an act of faith. Naaman came to Israel with eagerness, but eagerness must not be equated with faith. The fact that you are eager for something to happen doesn’t mean you have faith for it to happen. The fact that you’re enthusiastic doesn’t mean you have faith. What Elijah is doing is moving him from enthusiasm and eagerness to faith. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and acting on it.
Elijah’s act is shifting Naaman from his desire to really be in a position to receive a miracle from God. That’s why all this instruction is important; that’s why he didn’t see him. We walk by faith and not by sight. Faith is not based on seeing the man of God; faith is based on hearing the word of God, and that is a lesson we learn from Elijah and Naaman’s encounter. Elijah knew that if the man acted by faith, he would be healed. Would he act by faith? We’ll find out tomorrow. So may God help us with His word to acquire faith, and may the Lord give us faith to receive the miracle we need.
Let’s pray together. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, I know that Your word has the power to change my life. Help me to act on Your word at all times. In Jesus' name, amen.» I’ll see you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.