Excerpts from Maximize
Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha
She was taken captive to Syria in
one of the Syrian raids on Samaria and made to wait on Naaman’s wife. In spite
of her seeming negative circumstances, a captive of war and servant girl of the
wife of General Naaman, she still allowed the Spirit of God to have His way in
her life. She had compassion on Naaman’s plight, a general who was afflicted with
leprosy, an incurable disease that money, power and fame could not cure.
This young girl who feared God
and believed in God invested her time in Syria propagating the gospel rather
than bemoaning her plight or engaging in idle gossip that did not benefit
anyone but draw a person away from the Presence and blessings of God. She
testified about the power of God Almighty, the El-Shaddai to deliver and heal
her mistress’ husband if only General Naaman would visit the Prophet in
Samaria. This young woman was bold and courageous. A captive and a maid who
dared to interfere in the personal affairs of both her mistress and master. She
could have frittered time backbiting, telling on other maids or even engage in
ungodly relationships with the young men of the day. But she chose to
evangelize Syria; using the wisdom of God.
If General Naaman could just
reach Elisha and receive his healing, the constant raids on Israel by Syria
could come to an end. Secondly, the General’s testimony could impact other
Syrians to turn to God. Who knows, her status could also change. So she boldly
advised Naaman’s wife to speak with Naaman and because God was involved in
this, to bring Naaman’s shame and distress to an end; but most importantly
bring him to the worship of the true God, Naaman heeded the advice of the young
woman albeit in a diplomatic way.
Naaman went to the King of Syria
who was also bothered by Naaman’s leprosy. Quickly, the King organized presents
for the King of Israel alongside a letter to the King requesting him to heal
Naaman. The King of Israel went into mourning after reading the contents of the
letter. Was this the new strategy of starting a war with him? Besides, he was
only a mortal King and not God who can kill and heal. Elisha heard about the
drama in the King’s court and sent word to the King to send Naaman to him.
Naaman complied. Elisha then sent a messenger to Naaman, instructing Naaman to
go wash in the River Jordan seven times. At this, Naaman was furious. Did he
come all the way from Syria to be insulted by the Prophet? Were there no rivers
in Damascus whose waters were better than the rivers in Israel for him to wash
in? He turned to return to Syria but his servants prevailed on him to obey the
Prophet’s instruction no matter how insignificant and insulting it appeared.
Naaman complied and he was made whole physically and spiritually. In essence
Naaman experienced a rebirth – he made a definite commitment to serve only the
God of Israel and told Elisha so. Please see 2nd Kings Chapter 5.
Characteristics of Naaman
Though an army general reputed
for valor and conquests, he was accessible. He heeded the counsel of a young
woman, a captive and maid to his wife. This implies that General Naaman had a
great relationship with his wife and servants in his household. Also when the
servants who accompanied him to Samaria advised him to obey Prophet Elisha, he
did so. He listened to and heeded the counsel of his servants. Naaman was a
humble person and that wisdom led to his spiritual and physical deliverance. The
implication here is that wisdom and humility are complementary. A humble person
is a wise person and a wise person is a humble person.
http://www.amazon.com/Uyoyou-Christiana-Charles-Iyoha/e/B00JLO15SM
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