(a) 2 Kings 5: 1 — 15: (i) Naaman was the commander of the army
(a) 2 Kings 5: 1 — 15:
(i) Naaman was the commander of the army of the King of Syria.
(ii) He was favoured by the king because through him God had given Syrian victory.
(iii) But he was a leper.
(vi) During one of their raids, a little maid was captured from Israel.
(v) The maid who waited on Naaman's wife and told her mistress that if only his master would visit Israel, his leprosy would be cured.
(vi) The wife told her husband what the maid said.
(vii) The king of Syria heard of it and gave a letter to Naaman to take to the king of Israel.
(viii) Including ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and some festal garments.
(ix) When the king of Israel received the letter, he rented his clothes and said am I God that would heal leprosy.
(x) The king of Syria was only looking for opportunity to quarrel with him.
(xi) When Elisha, the man of God, heard about it he asked Naaman to see him and that he would know that there is a God in Israel.
(xii) So, Naaman went to Elisha, the prophet, with his entourage and stood at the gate.
(xiii) Elisha sent a message to him that he should go and wash in river Jordan seven times.
(xiv) He was angry that there were better rivers in his place than river Jordan.
(xv) But his servants urged him and he went and washed in river Jordan seven times.
(xvi) And his leprosy left him and his skin was restored.
(xvii) He then returned back to Elisha and presented him gifts which Elisha refused.
(b) Three lessons derived from the story:
(i) Need for humility to achieve success.
(ii) We should not visit the house of God with empty hands.
(iii) God can use ordinary people (maids) to achieve his purpose.
(iv) You don't always need to do extra-ordinary things to get result.
(v) Obedience to God's word brings good results.
(vi) We should use our gifts/ talents for God.
Explanation
(a) 2Kings 5:16 — 27:
(i) After the cleansing of Naaman at River Jordan, he then returned to the man of God with all his company.
(ii) He then presented gifts to Elisha the prophet which he refused even after persuasion.
(iii) But when Naaman had gone a short distance, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, followed him.
(iv) When Naaman saw him, he alighted from his chariot to meet him.
(v) He asked if all was well, and Gehazi said that his master sent him to collect the gift.
(vi) He then collected the two talents of silver in two bags and some garments.
(vii) He put them on two of his servants to carry them for Gehazi.
(viii) And when they came close home he collected the items from them and sent the men away.
(ix) He then hid them in his room.
(x) Later, his master Elisha asked him "where have you been Gehazi?"
(xi) He lied that he went nowhere.
(xii) His master said he was with him in the spirit and he saw the things he collected from Naaman.
(xiii) He, therefore, cursed him that the leprosy of Naaman would cleave to him and his descendants forever.
(xiv) And it was so/He became leprous immediately.
(b) Three areas in which greed is prevalent:
(i) In the political circle.
(ii) In business.
(iii) In family.
(iv) In the church.
(v) In the office.
(vi) In sharing things