Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 2 Kings.5.16.

An Israeli young girl was taken as captive to Aram and she was a slave girl to Naaman’s wife. Naaman was the commander in the army of the Aramean king Ben-Hadad. Though he was a mighty warrior, he had leprosy. This Israeli slave girl witnessed to her mistress that there is a prophet in Israel who can heal her master’s leprosy.

When Naaman informed this to the king, he sent Naaman with gifts and a letter to Joram, king of Israel.(see 2 Kings 3:1) The gift was ten talents of silver, 6000 shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.(2 Kings 5:5) (That is about 340 Kilogramme of silver and about 70 Kilogramme of gold. This was a huge amount. In 1 Kings.16:24, we read King Omri bought the hill of Samaria for 2 talents of silver and built the city of Samaria there.)

King Joram got scared about it as he thought, Aramean King was looking for a reason for a fight. Prophet Elisha when heard about it, asked the King to send Naaman to him. ( 2 Kings 5:8)

Though Naaman went as a commander with horses and chariots, the prophet did not went out to see him. He just sent a messenger asking Naaman to go and wash himself 7 times in river Jordan for healing. Naaman was upset that Elisha did not came out to him and healed him as he expected. Finally listened to the plea of his servants and did just as Elisha told him. Immediately he got healed.

Naaman went back to Elisha and declared his new faith and placed a request before him Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant. (2 Kings.5:15) Though Naaman pleaded, Elisha’s reply was “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” (5:16). Naaman went back to Aram as a transformed person.

Today what is happening around us? How many people are exploiting all opportunities to earn money, name and fame?

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha thought- what a foolish thing his master did by turning down all precious gifts. He went after Naaman, told some lies and got 2 talents of silver (about 68 Kilogrammes) and 2 sets of clothing for himself.

Afterwards Elisha asked him “Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds or menservants and maidservants?”( 2 Kings.5:26). Gehazi had a desire to earn all those things with the silver he got. Elisha added that Naamans leprosy will cling to you and to your descendents forever.(5:27) Gehazi desired to get wealth for himself and for his descendants but instead he got leprosy for himself and for his descendants.

Naaman pleaded with Elisha to receive huge gifts but he refused to accept anything for what God did.

What could have been our response if we were in Elisha’s place?

Do we have the spirit of Gehazi in us?

Am I like an ELISHA or a GEHAZI in my attitude to worldly wealth?

Rev.C.V.Abraham.