Friday, December 21, 2012

(12/21/2012) Naaman the Leper

      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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