NAAMAN’S BIG PROBLEM 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman was an important Tumuaki in the kingdom of
Syria and highly valued by the king to whom he was intensely loyal. He was commander of the Syrian Army, a key position in the land. Along with his position he had every luxury and comfort money could buy. He was also a man of courage and integrity for without those characteristics he would never have occupied such a position. Among the citizens of the land he was held in high esteem and he appeared to be of a kindly disposition. But despite his position and these advantages, Naaman had a serious problem. He had the disease of leprosy which, in those days, was incurable. He would no doubt have traded all his luxuries if he could only find a cure, but he knew that such was impossible. All his greatness and satisfaction was overshadowed and marred by this disease. His master, the king, was also concerned: He did not want to lose such a man. A short time before, part of the Syrian army had gone on a raid and had invaded the land of Israel. As was normal practice, a number of captives were taken as slaves. Among them was a young girl and Naaman engaged her services as a servant to his wife. She must have felt very lonely and homesick being so far away from home and family, but she had faith in God and God had a special plan for her, which shows we are never too young to serve the Lord. Her master’s grave problem eventually came to her knowledge and one day she said to her mistress, “If only my master was with the prophet in Samaria for he would be able to cure him of his leprosy”. Despite her own situation, she still had concern for others. It did not take long for Naaman to get the message and he went to see the king of Syria who gladly sent him to the king of Israel with much wealth in exchange for Naaman’s healing and a letter requesting the king of Israel to cure Naaman of his leprosy.
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