When Elisha did not even greet Naaman and told him to wash in the Jordan
River, Naaman’s pride was hurt. His hurt pride deafened his ears to what the
prophet said to him that day. Elisha spoke to him about healing for his
leprosy, but that was not what he heard. He heard Elisha say something like
this: “I don’t have time for you, so I am sending my servant. Just wash in
the Jordan River.” The words Naaman heard made him angry, and he left
Elisha’s home in a rage.
It was a wise servant who boldly spoke to Naaman and helped him to see
reason. Speaking to his master, the servant said: “My Father, it is a great
word the prophet has spoken to you” (2 Kings 5:13). Naaman needed this
reminder. He wasn’t thinking straight. His pride was in the way, and he
needed someone with a clear mind to show him what Elisha had told him.
Notice the words of the servant in 2 Kings 5:13 to Naaman: “Has he said to
you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” “Master,” the servant told Naaman, “the
prophet of Israel said that if you washed, you would be healed. That is
excellent news.” Notice the challenge of the servant in 2 Kings 5:13 –“will
you not do it?” It wasn’t until that servant helped him see what Elisha said
that Naaman was willing to wash in the Jordan River.
How easy it is for us to hear what we want to hear. Many things affect our
ability to understand what someone says to us. In Naaman’s case, his hurt
pride deafened his ears to the incredible words of Elisha. The experiences
of our past can shape how we hear things today. Maybe you have had a bad
experience with believers who were not living as they should. That has now
affected how you respond to other believers. You are no longer open to
what they say because of your experience. Our hurts, prejudices, or
insecurities will affect how we hear. Elisha told Naaman how to be healed,
but he missed it and heard something else. Don’t miss out on the truth
because your pride or prejudice deafens you.
If Naaman was going to hear the truth Elisha spoke, he would have to stop
listening to his wounded pride. God gave him another chance through his
servant, who helped him see what his pride would not let him see.
Convinced by his servant, Naaman decided to listen to the words of Elisha.
He went to the Jordan River to wash seven times. There is no evidence in
the passage that he had faith in the God of Israel. Naaman, to this point,