The Bible’s account of
Naaman as a parable is the topic today, along with more on GOD in public
schools. The “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using the ID “Camille” (Level 7
with 141,507 points, a member since March 18, 2009) posted the
following:
Naaman comes to Elisha because he is a
leper how did he get healed of the leprosy and was he obedient to
God?II Kings 5:1-15
Namaan, commander of the army of the king of Syria,
was a great and honorable man: Naaman was the chief military commander of a
persistent enemy to both Israel and Judah.
But a leper: Naaman had a lot going for him, but
what he had against him was devastating.
THE BATTLE AXE: GOD in
Schools? (12/20/2012)—Many aspects of divine covenant have been copied and
imperfectly incorporated into the law and lifestyle of America as a Nation. As
a result, many of our public programs can encourage and supplement home and
church to establish our children as godly persons, however, agencies having no
endowment of the Holy Spirit can never provide, replace or surpass the necessary
lessons from GOD. The idea of GOD in schools through daily prayer derives from
belief that prayer should be practiced freely without restrictions upon physical
location, time or topic. Therefore, prayer may be offered spontaneously and
apart from formal, congregational worship. Behavior and conduct that defile
young people must be eliminated from the schools along with all that is
irreverent and profane. However, as a sacred process, prayer, like judgment, is
not the same for believers within the body and others who are outside the faith
(see 1st Corinthians 5: 11-13, KJV). The sanctuary of a church as the
gathering place where believers acknowledge the divine presence is cleansed and
set apart for the appearance of GOD, and for worship by the prayers of the
assembly. The same benefit is desired for our schools; yet, secular goals,
public policy, and standard procedures do not generate, or serve as legitimate
authority and parameters for prayer. The demand for prayer in schools generated
by man must be seen as distinct from the demands for obeisance made by the Holy
Spirit. The churches are cautioned against being deceived, and the making of
vain oblations (Luke 21: 8, 1st Corinthians 6: 9 and 15: 32-34, Galatians 6:
7 and Isaiah 1: 13, KJV). Consider again: Thou therefore, my son, be strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except
he strive lawfully. (2nd Timothy 2: 1-4, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And he
said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal
thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy
country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own
country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of
Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine
was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto
Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a
widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and
none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the
synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, (Luke 4:
23-28, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Dispatch
36: His Grace (09/15/2011); Respect? (01/02/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011);
Five Minutes? (12/27/2010); The Ark of GOD (12/28/2010); Things? (11/13/2010);
When at Work… (11/08/2010); Faith and History (11/09/2010)
For many mature Christian believers, the
history of Naaman the leper serves as a parable (object lesson) wherein the
warrior represents mankind in continual strivings finally becoming defiled and
infirm through sin (leprosy). Despite his fame as a savior to the Syrians,
Naaman must submit to the Holy One of Israel for change that is salvation (e.g.,
cleansing, forgiveness, healing, repentance, and restoration).
Humility and obedience are shown to be the
foundation for faith when Naaman is told to go bathe in the Jordan River. The
great man has been sent having letters of commendation from his king; however,
the prophet does not receive him with ceremony. Naaman becomes angry at being
denied the formalities and “respect of person” due his various offices as
ambassador, general, and prime minister to his king (the right-hand-man, so to
speak). In his rage, he begins to curse the Jordan River and all Israel,
instead, praising several rivers of his homeland, Syria.
Salvation is shown to come by our performance
of simple acts in cooperation with the profound acts of GOD on our behalf. When
cautioned by his servants, Naaman is led to serve, and performs the task of
dipping himself in the water seven times. (The number seven signifies
completeness and perfection.) Naaman did all that he could possibly do. The
washing by water is understood as baptism. That healing alone is not sufficient
is depicted in what happens next. Naaman requests a dispensation that he would
be forgiven when, continuing to obey his king, Naaman would escort him into a
place of idol worship. In this, the account of Naaman acknowledges that divine
salvation that removes fear, sin and spiritual uncleanness does not remove
automatically the duties, obligations, or physical and practical realities
necessary to our being in the world.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the figure of Naaman may be
seen as repeated in Simon the leper (Matthew 26: 6-7 and Mark 14; 3, KJV).
That Jesus, the disciples, and others were able to attend a feast in Simon’s
home, testifies that Simon had been healed of leprosy. However, here, instead
of the dread disease, leprosy may have been excommunication from the worship
community for being a publican, one who regularly interacted with, and served
Gentiles (i.e., the Romans). ) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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