2 Kings 5-8: Profoundly Simple

2 Kings 5:10-11
Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.

11 But Naaman was angry and went away and said, Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal the leper.


Naaman was a commander in the Syrian Army and a mighty man of valor. Naaman was also a leper. His wife's servant girl mentioned that Elisha, God's prophet, would be able to heal his condition.

On the word of a girl, Naaman traveled to Samaria to find Elisha. The preceding verses describes Naaman's preconceived idea of just how his healing would occur.


But God had another idea.


Naaman was instructed by Elisha's messenger to wash himself in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman was offended, not only because Elisha didn't come out to meet him, but because it seemed too simple. Couldn't he have washed in the rivers of Syria?


2 Kings 5:13
Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 And his servants came near and said to him, My father, if the prophet had bid you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, Wash and be clean?


Naaman was expecting a great supernatural display of healing power, when all God wanted him to do was simply obey. I wonder how many times we fall into Naaman's trap? God asks us to simply obey in order to receive our miracle, but sometimes we hesitate, like Naaman. Surely, God would have poured out His power making Himself evident to all.


In times past, I have fallen into Naaman's trap.


I had the picture of restoration of a relationship all worked out in my head. BUT it didn't work out that way.


God had another idea.


Maybe God's plan is simpler than the scenario I constructed in my thoughts. Maybe God simply wants me to obey!


2 Kings 5:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)


14 Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, as the man of God had said, and his flesh was restored like that of a little child, and he was clean.


As I read Naaman's outcome, I am encouraged. 

He was restored!

I am restored!


Let's all be encouraged by Naaman's story of obedience. 

God's plan is profoundly simple...just obey!