Tag: naaman

I Kings 18:43-44 ” ‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There is nothing there.’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’ So Elijah said, ‘Go and tell Ahab, hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ “

It was with patience and determination that the Hebrew Children marched around the walls of Jericho seven times before it fell.  It wasn’t until Naaman obeyed the Prophet Elisha and resolutely dipped himself into the Jordan River seven times that he was healed of his leprosy.  And in this passage,  it was a persistent and tenacious  Prophet Elijah that prayed seven times before the rain came and ended the drought.  The number seven doesn’t matter here as much as the idea of not giving up!  For all these examples show that perseverance pays off in the end, and that God rewards the single-minded.

II Kings 5:10 ” Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’ “

Naaman was Commander of the Army for the King of Aram.  He was a great man, a valiant soldier, and highly regarded by all…but he had leprosy.  He was told that the Prophet Elisha could heal him, so he traveled to have an audience…but Elisha didn’t even talk to him in person, but rather sent out a messenger with simple instructions…”go dunk yourself seven times in the Jordan River.”  No wonder Naaman went away angry and offended!  His pride and arrogance got the better of him as he raged on about Elisha to his servants…that is until one very wise servant was able to talk some sense into him.  “It really doesn’t matter how you get healed as long as you’re healed, right?”  Naaman then had to make the decision to swallow his pride, humble himself, and obey Elisha’s directions…and he was healed.