Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Monday

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II Kings chapter 5

At some point in recent Biblical history God had given Syria success against Israel. As a result, Captain Naaman possessed a Jewish slave girl who knew about the Prophet Elisha and his ability to heal. On his next successful mission into Israel Naaman possessed a love for the God of Israel!

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Elisha Naaman was told to wash in the Jordan River seven times.

Does God make any promises?

• Through Elisha God promised that Naaman would be clean if he obeyed and washed in the Jordan seven times.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The number 7 stands for completion in the Bible. Anything that is complete, or fulfilled, must be a picture of Jesus, the complete Man and complete God.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Elisha's servant, Gehazi, lusted after the riches offered by Naaman, the rich Syrian but he learned the hard way that God's blessings are not for sale. The apostles met a man named Simon the Sorcerer in the New Testament (Acts chapter 8) who desired to obtain riches by doing the works of God. Jesus warned His followers not to labor for earthly treasures and rewards but to wait for the reward that the Father will one day give us in Heaven because those who do things for wealth or to be envied by men have their reward now. Those who are willing to wait to be acknowledged by the Father will have an eternal reward.

"Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?" verse 26b