The story of Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, is rich with lessons about faith, humility, and obedience to God. Found in 2 Kings 5:1-15, this Old Testament account demonstrates how pride and misunderstanding can hinder one’s relationship with God, and how submission to His will brings healing and salvation. Though we are no longer under the Old Testament law (Hebrews 8:13), the Apostle Paul reminds us that “whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction” (Romans 15:4, NASB). Naaman’s mistakes provide us with valuable insights into how we can avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives.
Naaman’s Background
Naaman was a man of prominence and valor. Scripture describes him as “the captain of the army of the king of Aram, a great man in the view of his master, and eminent, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but afflicted with leprosy” (2 Kings 5:1, NASB). Despite his achievements, Naaman was suffering from a debilitating disease that no earthly power could cure.
Naaman’s path to healing began when a young Israelite servant girl, captured during a raid, told Naaman’s wife about a prophet in Israel who could heal him. “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, NASB). Encouraged by this hope, Naaman set out on a journey that would challenge his pride and deepen his understanding of God’s power.
Naaman’s Mistakes
Though Naaman ultimately received healing, his journey was marked by several missteps that provide valuable lessons for us today.
A. He Went to the Wrong Person
When Naaman arrived in Israel, he initially sought help from the king of Israel instead of the prophet of God. This misstep reveals a misunderstanding of where true power resides. The king of Israel lamented, “Am I God, to put to death and to keep alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?” (2 Kings 5:7, NASB).
Many today make a similar mistake by turning to human wisdom, traditions, or institutions instead of God. Proverbs reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, NASB). Healing and salvation come from God alone, not from the works or opinions of men.
B. He Became Angry When Told What to Do
When Naaman finally came to the prophet Elisha, he was instructed to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed. Instead of accepting this command, Naaman became furious, saying, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will certainly come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the site and cure the leprosy’” (2 Kings 5:11, NASB). Naaman’s pride led him to reject God’s simple instructions, preferring a method that aligned with his own expectations.
How often do we resist God’s commands because they seem too simple, too humbling, or contrary to our preferences? Isaiah reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8, NASB). God’s wisdom surpasses human understanding, and obedience to His Word is essential.
C. He Desired to Substitute God’s Command
Naaman further protested by suggesting that the rivers of Damascus were superior to the Jordan: “Are Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, not better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:12, NASB). This highlights a tendency to substitute God’s clear instructions with alternatives that seem more convenient or logical to us.
This error is still common today. Many attempt to substitute God’s commands with practices of their own choosing, whether in worship, doctrine, or moral living. Yet, Scripture warns, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 4:2, NASB).
Naaman’s Obedience and Healing
To Naaman’s credit, he eventually listened to the reasoning of his servants, who encouraged him to follow Elisha’s instructions. “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (2 Kings 5:13, NASB). Naaman humbled himself, obeyed completely, and was healed: “So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, in accordance with the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14, NASB).
This act of obedience reminds us that God’s blessings come when we submit to His will, not when we try to negotiate or modify His commands. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NASB). Naaman’s healing was not partial or delayed—it was complete and immediate because he obeyed fully.
Herein Lies Our Salvation
Naaman’s story illustrates an important truth about salvation: obedience to God is not optional. Just as Naaman had to follow specific instructions to be cleansed of leprosy, we must follow God’s plan for salvation to be cleansed of sin. God’s thoughts are higher than ours, and His ways are perfect: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, NASB).
God’s plan of salvation is clear. He calls us to believe in His Son (John 3:16), repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), confess our faith (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16). Just as Naaman’s healing required complete obedience, our salvation requires submission to God’s commands without substitution or delay.
Conclusion: Learning From Naaman
The story of Naaman teaches us that God’s blessings come through faith, humility, and obedience. By avoiding Naaman’s initial mistakes—seeking the wrong sources, resisting God’s commands, and attempting to substitute His instructions—we can align ourselves with His will and receive the blessings He has promised.
Let us remember that God’s Word is not up for negotiation. Like Naaman, we must submit to His commands and trust in His wisdom. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it” (Luke 11:28, NASB).
The Simple Gospel 