Going into the Jordan

2 Kings 5:8–13 NIV

When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!”

Share background:

Naam: a successful man, connected to the top of the most powerful people of his time, greatly respected by many, including his king, God himself had given success to Naam. God was involved in the success of this man. He had much courage. But he had leprosy. He experienced brokenness in his life that in his time would keep him from being part of society, and wasn’t able to have a perfect life. He was being defeated in an arena he could not overcome.

Israel: the oppressed people. Renowned by the power of her prophets. vv. 2-3: A young servant encouraged Naam to visit a prophet in Israel to find healing.

God shatters the expectations of Naam at every level. We cannot expect to see God move in our lives if we live to meet the expectations of the people around us. But the prophet of God knew the character and power of God.

Shattered expectations at three levels:

V. 11: God is sovereign, he will chose the way he wants to work

V. 12: God will choose the method that will make us humble

Chooses the despised and weak of the world to show his power

The servant had a humble attitude toward her oppressor

Proactivity:

Time Keller reminds us that she was the hero in disguised. She could allowed her master to continue experiencing pain and suffering by keeping her advise to herself.

Love:

The servant saw her life being in direct connection with the life of her oppressor who was a fellow servant. She called him Father!

The servant saw her life being in direct connection with the life of her oppressor who was a fellow servant. She called him Father!

Pliability (trusting the character of God not the method)

The world needs more people like this servant who care enough for the people around them to give life and hope to those around them. She knew without a doubt that God was sovereign and we are not called to put our trust in the method for God’s healing but to trust in the Character of God

God will break down your expectations when you meet him where he wants you to be.

Naaman’s response:

Obedience expressed thought humility brought about true healing in the following arenas:

Gratitude: returning to thank Elisha for his cleansing.

Worship

Humility

Worship: don’t expect complete immediate change. God will bring about the change needed in due time.

3 questions to ask

Are you putting God in a box?

Are you humble before God to accept that you need restoration in your life, marriage? Would you trust his character rather than the methods?

Naaman had to was seven times! Do you easily give up in your healing?

Naaman had to was seven times! Do you easily give up in your healing?

Will you humble yourself to listen to people who care for your healing?

Will you humble yourself to listen to people who care for your healing?

Naaman had to was seven times! Do you easily give up in your healing?