Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 5
God had cured the disease that affected Naaman’s skin. However, the change in his character and in his inner person, his spirit, seems even more wonderful.
Since a child, Naaman had believed himself to be superior to other people, and his nation to be superior to other nations. Those beliefs came to him from his religion, the religion of the false gods of Aram. When the true God gave him success in battle (5:1), Naaman gave the honour to his false gods.
However, the false gods of Aram had failed to cure Naaman’s illness. In his desperate situation, Naaman asked for help from the true God, Israel’s God. God first taught Naaman a different way to think and to behave. The lesson was difficult, but in the end, Naaman learned how to come to God in a humble manner. He chose to trust God and to obey God completely. That was when Naaman saw the power of the true and living God in his life. This God was so much better than Naaman’s false gods that Naaman could not still serve those gods. God cured Naaman; and Naaman declared him to be the only God. He now knew the difference between the true God and false gods.
God had freely cured Naaman, without cost and without price (Isaiah 55:1-2). However, Naaman wanted to give a gift to God, as an expression of his thanks to God. So Naaman returned to Elisha to ask what gift from him (Naaman) would please God. He had brought gold and silver and rich clothes from Aram, which he would gladly give to Elisha (5:5).
Next part: Elisha refuses to accept any gift (2 Kings 5:16)
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