2 Kings 5
2 Kings 5
The story of Naaman in 2nd Kings 5 is well-known. There is so much in this story we might discuss. For example, consider the witness of the Israelite girl who made known the Lord’s prophet in Israel. Likewise, consider Naaman’s initial refusal to follow Elisha’s instructions and eventual obedience. This provides an encouragement of God’s grace and challenges our perspective to trust the Lord in uncertainty.
Like many of you, I’ve read this story many times, but the thing that struck me on this reading was the two cases of leprosy. Specifically, what struck me about the leprosy is our struggle with the problem of suffering in the world. Why would God allow something like leprosy to exist if he is all good and all powerful? Some instances may use the term leprosy in a generic way to refer to skin conditions, but in many cases, it likely refers to a disfiguring condition for which no cure existed. By all accounts, leprosy could be a devastating diagnosis such that a person’s body slowly withered away while they were fully cognizant. There are even more modern cases where leprosy patients had fingers eaten by rats while sleeping, completely unaware because of the lost feeling in their limbs. (https://answersingenesis.org/biology/disease/biblical-leprosy-shedding-light-on-the-disease-that-shuns/?srsltid=AfmBOop9nnmoRfZw5GpkEsR75mine-HMbenuIv2VrXza8A2pLrWV4gcM)
In Naaman’s case, no reason is offered for his leprosy. He held a very high rank. It’s hard to imagine he has been a leper for much of his life considering the stigma of leprosy. Likewise, to perform his duties, it couldn’t have progressed to such a debilitating degree. But, why did God allow Naaman’s suffering? I can only speculate that Naaman’s condition was the result of living in a fallen and sinful world. However, because of Naaman’s suffering the opportunity arose that he could experience healing and ultimately turn to Yahweh. As in so many cases, God did not spare Naaman’s suffering, but He did not waste it either.
The second case of leprosy is Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. After Elisha refused to accept a reward for Naaman’s healing, Gehazi chased Naaman down and lied to keep the gift for himself. Gehazi foolishly tried to hide his actions from Elisha, but that plan failed. Instead, he inherited the “leprosy of Naaman” for himself and his “descendants forever.”
Gehazi’s suffering is the result of sin—pure and simple. Sin always has consequences. Sometimes those consequences are felt horizontally: physically, relationally, or legally. In every case sin has vertical consequences—it’s an infinite offense to an eternal Holy God. Suffering is not always a result of personal sin, but personal sin always leads to suffering—it may not always be felt immediately, but it will come if sin persists.
Gehazi’s story reminds me of the disciples’ question from John 9. Upon seeing a man blind from birth, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus’ reply gives valuable insight into the problem of suffering, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him…” I know many people in and around Center Point are going through a variety of circumstances.
In some cases, suffering should lead us to repentance. We are rightly receiving the just consequences of sowing folly and reaping brokenness. For many of the stories we hear, suffering is simply the product of living in a broken sinful world. Our hearts ache with yours as we see people we love hurt for seemingly no reason. In those instances, all we can do, what we must do, is allow that suffering to draw us into the Father’s presence as a community bearing with one another.
Written By: Tyler Short
The story of Naaman in 2nd Kings 5 is well-known. There is so much in this story we might discuss. For example, consider the witness of the Israelite girl who made known the Lord’s prophet in Israel. Likewise, consider Naaman’s initial refusal to follow Elisha’s instructions and eventual obedience. This provides an encouragement of God’s grace and challenges our perspective to trust the Lord in uncertainty.
Like many of you, I’ve read this story many times, but the thing that struck me on this reading was the two cases of leprosy. Specifically, what struck me about the leprosy is our struggle with the problem of suffering in the world. Why would God allow something like leprosy to exist if he is all good and all powerful? Some instances may use the term leprosy in a generic way to refer to skin conditions, but in many cases, it likely refers to a disfiguring condition for which no cure existed. By all accounts, leprosy could be a devastating diagnosis such that a person’s body slowly withered away while they were fully cognizant. There are even more modern cases where leprosy patients had fingers eaten by rats while sleeping, completely unaware because of the lost feeling in their limbs. (https://answersingenesis.org/biology/disease/biblical-leprosy-shedding-light-on-the-disease-that-shuns/?srsltid=AfmBOop9nnmoRfZw5GpkEsR75mine-HMbenuIv2VrXza8A2pLrWV4gcM)
In Naaman’s case, no reason is offered for his leprosy. He held a very high rank. It’s hard to imagine he has been a leper for much of his life considering the stigma of leprosy. Likewise, to perform his duties, it couldn’t have progressed to such a debilitating degree. But, why did God allow Naaman’s suffering? I can only speculate that Naaman’s condition was the result of living in a fallen and sinful world. However, because of Naaman’s suffering the opportunity arose that he could experience healing and ultimately turn to Yahweh. As in so many cases, God did not spare Naaman’s suffering, but He did not waste it either.
The second case of leprosy is Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. After Elisha refused to accept a reward for Naaman’s healing, Gehazi chased Naaman down and lied to keep the gift for himself. Gehazi foolishly tried to hide his actions from Elisha, but that plan failed. Instead, he inherited the “leprosy of Naaman” for himself and his “descendants forever.”
Gehazi’s suffering is the result of sin—pure and simple. Sin always has consequences. Sometimes those consequences are felt horizontally: physically, relationally, or legally. In every case sin has vertical consequences—it’s an infinite offense to an eternal Holy God. Suffering is not always a result of personal sin, but personal sin always leads to suffering—it may not always be felt immediately, but it will come if sin persists.
Gehazi’s story reminds me of the disciples’ question from John 9. Upon seeing a man blind from birth, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus’ reply gives valuable insight into the problem of suffering, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him…” I know many people in and around Center Point are going through a variety of circumstances.
In some cases, suffering should lead us to repentance. We are rightly receiving the just consequences of sowing folly and reaping brokenness. For many of the stories we hear, suffering is simply the product of living in a broken sinful world. Our hearts ache with yours as we see people we love hurt for seemingly no reason. In those instances, all we can do, what we must do, is allow that suffering to draw us into the Father’s presence as a community bearing with one another.
Written By: Tyler Short
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