THE GRACE OF GOD FOR A HEATHEN CAPTAIN OF THE HOST (2 KINGS 5:1-14)

Dear Members in Christ,

The grace of God for a heathen captain of the host (2 Kings 5:1-14)

The grace of God in a person’s life is a marvelous thing. God’s grace brings blessings, and none more remarkable than the Bible account of Naaman the Syrian captain of the host. God delights in those who put their faith in Him. It has nothing to do with a person’s particular race, church or family. God elects and gives grace and deliverance to the penitent by faith in Christ Jesus alone.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus rebuked the Jews for thinking that they possess salvation because they belong to the “chosen” race, and all others are heathen. In the same way, some people erroneously attribute their salvation to their membership to a church or being born in a Christian home. The account of Naaman was cited by the Lord Jesus to rebuke the Jews for their unbelief and to teach that salvation is solely by the grace of God.

“And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:27

Naaman the Syrian was mentioned by the Lord Jesus as an exception to the cleansing miracle. In all of Israel, there was none who exhibited that kind of faith in God’s power to save through His servant the prophet Elisha.

The lesson from today’s Bible passage highlights and commends the faith of a Syrian leper and the faith of his captive slave maiden. In the end one would ask, who is the faithless heathen? In contrast, such faith is not to be seen in Israel, not even in their king who supposedly knows the law of God.

A. The grace of God through the faith of the mere servant girl

The Bible describes for us the historical setting. In those days, Naaman was the Captain of the host of Syria. Today, this man would likely be addressed as the Commander of the Armed Forces.

“Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.” 2 Kings 5:1

The disease of leprosy knows no barriers of rank or status. Despite being the highest ranking person in the Syrian military, Naaman was plagued with the dreaded disease. We must understand that in those days, the Syrians often invaded the land, and were hated by the Israelites. A leprous Syrian general would therefore be hated with a greater passion and disdain.

But God had mercy on this Syrian. There was an Israelite maid in his house who knew about the prophet Elisha and his miracles, and she had faith in God. It was an act of God’s grace and mercy to Naaman. This servant girl spoke to her mistress, “And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3

Dearly beloved, we see here the wonderful grace of God. God had chosen to graciously endow a slave maiden with faith to bless Naaman, a heathen and a leper. No one must presume that they deserve any favour from God on the basis of race or of merit. It is a free gift by the grace of God.

B. Faith is translated into decisive action – Naaman seeks help in Israel

When Naaman and the King of Syria knew of this, they acted upon this knowledge. Upon hearing this information from the maid about the prophet in Israel, Naaman decided to go with a letter from the King of Syria. The maid, Naaman and the king of Syria, they all knew about the prophet who can help “recover him of his leprosy.” So, the King of Syria sent Naaman off with a handsome gift for the mysterious healing prophet (whom we know is Elisha).

“And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:5,6

The grace of God is a wonderful thing. Even this heathen man and his king were moved to act upon the words of a mere slave girl. They were confident that the prophet could “recover him of his leprosy.” In contrast, such faith is not to be seen in Israel, not even in their king who supposedly knows the law of God. The grace of God had touched the life of this heathen general plagued by leprosy.

Dearly beloved, let us be thankful for the grace of God in our lives. Whether you grew up in a Christian home, or you are a first generation Christian, our faith in Christ is a demonstration of God’s grace towards us. Let us treasure God’s grace, and praise Him for His wonderful saving grace upon us. May God be glorified. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor