Naaman was a pagan who was used by God to wage successful warfare against Israel. The Lord used a nameless slave woman and Elisha to bring him to faith by means of the miraculous healing of his debilitating skin condition. Unlike many modern so-called “faith-healers”, Elisha’s method of healing was not flashy, ostentatious or dramatic but simple and overwhelmingly effective. As a new convert, Naaman’s faith still contained elements of superstition such as the idea that Yahweh could be worshipped only on Israelite soil. On the other hand he felt that his service for the king of Aram could involve an element of sinfulness since it required him to assist the king in worship of a pagan god. Yet Elisha dismissed his doubt with a blessing. He realized that Naaman knew there was no god beside Yahweh. He would not be worshipping Rimmon for his heart was right with the Lord.
Gehazi was Elisha’s servant and, ostensibly, a believer. Yet he was a hypocrite. He failed to bless what God had done for Naaman. Instead he demanded remuneration for an act of Yahweh’s mercy, an act for which he could claim no credit or responsibility. We may think his stated motives admirable but Elisha had already shown that he could take care of the needs of his fellow prophets. Thus Elisha rightly pronounced punishment upon Gehazi.
The examples of Naaman and Gehazi should serve as a warning to all those televangelists and preachers and others who routinely demand and accept financial gain in exchange for so-called healings and miracles. Most, if not all, such claims of these money-grubbing and power hungry charlatans are bogus, but even if they could do what they claim in the Name of the Lord they sin by using God’s mercy and power for personal profit and fame.
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