Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 5
When the power of the government and the king fails, God’s power has not failed. King Joram knew no way that he could cure Naaman’s illness – but God was able to cure Naaman. Joram tore his clothes to express the thought that he was in a hopeless situation – but he had not turned to God.
With great authority, Elisha told Joram to sent Naaman to him. Naaman had heard the reports about what Israel’s God could do. Now he would see for himself that Israel’s God is the only true God.
Naaman would know that there is a prophet in Israel, Elisha said. Of course, Elisha meant a genuine prophet of the true and living God. There were many false prophets in Israel at this time. Some of them served the false gods of evil religions. There were false prophets like that in Aram, too, and they had failed to cure Naaman. Other false prophets in Israel claimed to speak on behalf of the true God – but God had not sent them.
Elisha, however, was truly declaring God’s words, and he spoke with God’s authority. God had chosen to show his great power in Naaman’s life. God would cure this foreign army leader in a very wonderful way. God is Israel’s God, but the whole world and all its people belong to him (Psalm 24:1). God works in Israel so that people from every nation can know him (Psalm 117; Romans 11:12).
Next part: 'Wash 7 times in the river Jordan' (2 Kings 5:9-10)
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