Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 5
God can forgive the person who confesses and turns from his evil deeds. However, God does not forgive the person who merely tries to hide his evil behaviour (Proverbs 28:13). That person might be able to hide his wrong actions from other people. However, God sees everything that a person does (Psalm 139:1-12) - and he is the judge of all people (Genesis 18:25, Ecclesiastes 12:14).
God knew where Gehazi had been – and God had already shown it to Elisha. Elisha even knew that Naaman had stepped down from his chariot (a simple vehicle) to greet Gehazi.
Elisha then asked Gehazi whether this was the right time to accept gifts or to make personal profits. He seems to mean that this was a desperate time in Israel (compare Esther 4:14). The people had turned from God; the nation was at war; the harvests had failed (8:1). In such difficult times, people must do their duty – and especially, their duty to God (compare 2 Timothy 2:3-4). Only God can save them from their troubles – money and wealth cannot do it.
A master would punish a servant who was not loyal to him. However, Gehazi’s actions were mainly against God, and not Elisha. Therefore God, and not Elisha, acted against Gehazi. Gehazi had used his position as the servant of the prophet, a holy man of God, for his own selfish benefit. Therefore, he acted in an unholy manner in a matter that was very holy. Naaman went away well – but Gehazi, by his selfish actions, brought Naaman’s illness upon himself.
Gehazi could no longer be Elisha’s servant. So, he left with leprosy – a disease in his skin that, by God’s law, separated him from other people (Leviticus 13:45-46).
Next part: The sons of the prophets by the Jordan river (2 Kings 6:1-2)
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