2Ki 5:26
Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?
In this chapter, we saw how Naaman was raised up through his obedience whereas Gehazi fell due to his disobedience. Indeed, we know that God seeks after obedience more than sacrifices.
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams. (1Sa 15:22)"
All that was required of Naaman for his leprosy to be healed was to be washed in the Jordan seven times. Initially, he was furious with the absurdity of the instructions as it had appeared to him. Why couldn't Elisha simply call on the name of the LORD and wave his hand a little so as to heal me?
He was hoping for a short cut.
But in our faith, there is no short cut. Yes, of course God has the power to heal him using that method as well, but that was not the way that God has set for him. Perhaps He was testing Naaman's faith, to see if He would obey and believe. Perhaps, by making him go down Jordan seven times, it was to impress deeper on him that God was indeed the one who had healed him.
Similarly, the salvation path that God has set for us is clearly written in the Bible. Do we have faith to obey and believe? Or do we come up with our own methods?
And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" (2Ki 5:13)
It was a simple thing to do, although some may find it a little troublesome. And, after his servants' encouragement, he went down the Jordan and was indeed healed. That was the turning point in his life of faith, when he turned back to God in faith and reverence. From an unbelieving gentile, through simple obedience, he developed his simple faith in God. Our faith is simple - it simply requires us to trust and obey.
In the latter part of the chapter, however, we witnessed the fall of Gehazi. He was coveting that which Naaman had brought, but which Elisha had rejected. That caused him to lie to Naaman, as well as to Elisha. Finally, he attempted to hide those things in the house (2Ki 5:24).
No matter how we try to cover up our sins, can they be hidden from the eyes of the LORD?
Elisha answered Gehazi, "Did not my heart go with you...?" Elisha knew. God knew.
But what was even more interesting was the latter portion of what Elisha said. He questioned Gehazi, "Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?"
It was a rhetorical question, with the answer no.
Which led me to ask myself, then when is the time to have all that?
I think this is also applicable to us today. Like Elisha and Gehazi, who were appointed to serve the LORD, we too are here today to offer up our all to God. The time on earth is a time to work, not to receive the luxuries of life. Unlike Gehazi who stored those things in his house, we should rather store up our treasures in heaven (Mat 6:19-20). Those are the true treasures that shall never perish.
Also, Elisha listed out all those luxuries that are seen by one's eyes. Gehazi has led himself to pursue after that which is seen. But Paul teaches us to turn our eyes upon the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2Cr 4:18).
Let us remember Gehazi's downfall and set our eyes on the things above. God will have His blessings bestowed on us in His time, but I think, the time when we shall enjoy the luxuries and blessings is when our work is done, and when we spend our eternity with our LORD God. (:
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