When You Don’t Know Who to Turn to
Have you ever found yourself in a situation that seemed utterly hopeless? … A challenge so daunting that you felt completely powerless? The biblical account of Naaman, a powerful Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-15), considered a scourge in those days, offers profound insights into overcoming such trials, and shows how God can bring healing in one’s life when it seems that all hope is lost with nowhere to go and no one else to turn to.
I recently read an article about an increase in cases of leprosy in Central Florida in 2023. A few years ago, when I learned that armadillos could cause this disease, I was concerned. Armadillos annoy homeowners by digging holes in their yards and even uprooting their flowers and vegetables. For me, the holes dug all over the lawn were of far less concern than the possibility of contracting leprosy. Other than in the Bible, I had never heard or read of anyone contracting that disease in modern times.
The Burden of Being An Outcast
Probably because of the stigma attached to leprosy during Bible days, the idea of being struck by leprosy was frightening. In those days a person with leprosy was not allowed to remain in the city as it was highly transmissible. They also had to cry out, “Unclean, unclean!” if someone approached them or if they were approaching someone. Can you imagine being struck with a disease and on top of that being made an outcast, having to live outside of the city? This meant they had no means of fending for themselves, no access to their homes or belongings, and they had to be away from their family and friends. This was required in Israel, but it may have been different in countries like Syria.
The physical trauma of this disease which causes a leper’s body to be covered in sores is horrifying, but the social, emotional, and spiritual impact in those days would have been just as great. Treatment is available and there is a cure for the disease now, but in those days, it was considered a serious affliction. Today, no one will require that infected persons live outdoors, at the mercy of the elements. As soon as I wrote that, the Covid-19 quarantine came to mind – but that was different. People were quarantined in facilities and provided for. Those lepers were completely ostracized and looked down upon. So, in those days there was no one to turn to and nowhere to go within the city or camp. It is hard to imagine how those people must have felt. If the leper was cured, he or she had to be examined and passed fit by a priest before being allowed to return to the city.
Where in the Bible is Leprosy or Lepers Mentioned?
Leprosy is mentioned in several books of the Bible. Here are a few of them and a summary of their context:
Leviticus 13:2-3: If a person was suspected of having leprosy he or she had to be examined by a priest.
Leviticus 13:45-46: If a person was found to have leprosy, they were considered unclean and had to live alone outside the camp. They were to wear torn clothes, let their hair hang loose, cover their upper lips, and cry out, “Unclean, unclean!”
Leviticus 14: Describes the law for cleansing a leper, which included sprinkling them seven times, releasing a live bird, washing their clothes, shaving their head, and bathing.
2 Chronicles 26:20-23: King Uzziah had leprosy.
2 Kings 5:1 and 5:27: A leading soldier in the army of the King of Aram had leprosy.
Luke 5:13, Mark 1:40-42, and Matthew 8:3: Jesus healed a man with leprosy.
Luke 17:12-24: Jesus is said to have healed ten men with leprosy.
Numbers 12: Miriam had leprosy for seven days.
2 Kings 5:1-15: Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy, which some say is a sign of a prophet.
The Vulnerability of Every Person
Like Naaman, we may possess external achievements and accolades, material possessions, and money, yet we can find that these mean very little under certain circumstances. We can experience a deep-seated emptiness and can find no solution to save ourselves. Naaman could afford whatever he wanted but with all his wealth he could not buy his way out of leprosy. As a man with his power and rank in society, he must have felt very frustrated with the situation he found himself in.
Externally, he appeared to have it all. However, beneath this facade of strength lays a hidden affliction: leprosy. This physical manifestation mirrors the unseen burdens many of us carry emotional scars, deep-rooted insecurities, or spiritual emptiness. Often, we present a polished exterior, carefully curated to conceal our inner struggles. We may excel in our careers, maintain strong social circles, and appear successful to the world. Yet, behind closed doors, we may grapple with feelings of inadequacy, fear, or loneliness.
The Unexpected Source of Help
When human solutions fail, we are often forced to look beyond ourselves. For Naaman, the prophet Elisha, a man of God, held the key to his healing. It was a little maid from Israel who had been taken captive by the Syrians who told Naaman’s wife, her mistress, that Elisha could heal him. This redirection of focus from human power to divine intervention is a common theme in our lives. Naaman sought out the prophet Elisha, who told him through a messenger to go to the River Jordan and wash himself in it seven times to be healed. That was not what Naaman had expected Elisha to tell him. I imagine that he felt slighted that Elisha had not come out to see him. Naaman was angry. He believed the instructions were too simple and that they had better rivers in Syria than those in Israel. So why would he have traveled so far, only to be told to wash himself in a river? He had expected Elisha to lay his hand upon him and call out to God. What if he had not stepped out of his logical thinking and comfort zone?
The Power of Humility and Obedience
Naaman’s healing was contingent upon his obedience to the seemingly simple instructions given by Elisha. His servants encouraged him to do as the prophet had instructed him. Naaman humbled himself and did as he had been told. This act of faith, though counterintuitive, demonstrated his willingness to surrender his pride and trust in God. True transformation often requires stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing the unknown.
Many of us struggle with similar challenges, ignoring valuable advice from even those close to us. Naaman’s willingness to follow the servant girl’s guidance led him to seek healing from an enemy nation. He almost missed the healing but relented to dipping in the River Jordan after his servants urged him to.
Seeking God’s Guidance in All Situations
After receiving Naaman’s request for healing, the king of Israel, expressed his inability to help, revealing the misunderstanding and miscommunication about the source of healing. It was not expected that he would heal Naaman. He did not seek God and did not even think of the prophet. It was the prophet who God sent to offer help. What would the king of Israel have done had Elisha not reached out to him? Often, we run to the wrong people or places for help due to our preconceived notions. True healing and transformation come from following God’s instructions, no matter how unconventional they seem.
Do Not Allow Past Defeats and Trauma to Blind You
When we are confronted with situations beyond our control, past traumas and experiences can cloud our judgment. The King of Israel’s reaction to Naaman’s request was influenced by previous conflicts with Aram which caused a sense of helplessness and frustration. Similarly, unresolved past experiences can affect how we handle present challenges, making it crucial to seek healing through the cross of Jesus Christ.
Naaman Acknowledged the All-powerful God of Israel As the Only God who Exists
If Naaman had not been such a highly placed commander in the King of Syria’s army he would probably not have had the servant girl working for him and might not have gotten the information about Elisha. Naaman had the resources to travel to Israel. He traveled there in his chariot and with his servants. He had also brought ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten sets of clothing. Also, he had received a letter from the king of Syria requesting that the king of Israel assist him. The king of Israel had been fearful when he got the request and tore his clothes in dismay. Elisha, the man of God, heard about it and told the king to send Naaman to him. If the servants had not accompanied Naaman, he would have most likely returned to Syria without washing in the River Jordan and would not have been healed. Although it was a humbling experience, the mighty power of the God of Elisha, who healed him, greatly impacted Naaman. He said, “I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel…”, 2 Kings 5:15.
Strength In Weakness
Naaman’s journey to healing is a touching reminder that even the strongest among us can find ourselves needing help. His experience teaches us that true strength lies not in our ability to conquer every challenge independently, but in our willingness to seek guidance and support. This story encourages us to approach life with an open heart and mind. We must be willing to listen to the wisdom of others, even when they may not seem knowledgeable. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 (NIV), “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” In these times of desperation and openness, we sometimes discover the hidden resources and support networks that surround us – even those people who we tend to overlook.
The True Measure of Blessing
In pursuing spiritual growth, it is essential to understand that true blessings are not based solely on hearing or understanding the Word of God. Our lives are transformed by the Word of God that we apply, obey, and act upon. Hearing years of teachings without applying them can leave us unchanged, as the bible says in James 1:22-23, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass”. This is why it’s crucial to make conscious decisions, such as choosing to forgive to allow the teachings of love to take root in our hearts.
The cross of Jesus Christ offers a new reality, transforming our perspective on life’s challenges. Naaman’s journey underscores the importance of viewing present opportunities through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice. By doing so, we can overcome past hurts and embrace God’s plans for our lives with faith and courage.
Conclusion
Naaman’s story is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define us, and healing can come from unexpected sources. When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, it is important to remember that vulnerability, humility, and obedience are the pathways to transformation. By surrendering our pride and seeking divine guidance, we can discover the hope and healing that transcend human limitations.
We should take note of Naaman’s perseverance in seeking a cure, despite the initial setbacks, which is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. His story reminds us that healing is a process, not a destination. Help can come from unexpected sources, and healing is a journey. It requires patience, faith, courage, humility, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Remember, you are not alone. There is hope, and healing is possible. By applying God’s Word in our lives and seeking genuine transformation, we can move beyond surface spirituality and experience the fullness of God’s promises.