The book of 1&2 Kings chronicles Israel’s struggles and conflicts with her neighbouring nations (Moab, Aram (Syria), Assyria) to keep their kingdom intact. Israel shared an uneasy relationship with her neighbors, though there were calm and peace but there were political tension with her neighbors for political supremacy. Syria was one country Israel fought many battles during that time Syria was a military powerhouse; many fierce battles were won by Syria because of their military skills and prowess and these wins were greatly attributed to the military leadership of Naaman. Though Naaman was a great warrior and a brilliant military commander, greatly loved and honored by his King Ben-Hadad II of Aram, he was miserable inside because of his physical disability; throughout his military career he suffered leprosy infliction which was incurable and considered detestable. He tried all means to find a cure for his ailment but was unsuccessful. With his all his power and riches he must have been treated by the best medicine men in the world, though he was a powerful man he was without peace. On many occasion he must have faced sneers, ghost-whispers and humiliations and treated with disdain.
The Lord God in His time revealed before this powerful military leader how great and powerful He is. We also see how Naaman humbled before the mighty God of Israel and proclaimed “there is no other God in the whole world than the God of Israel’. He acknowledged Yahweh in the Land (Samaria) before whose nation and people he subjected to many humiliating defeats, yet God of Israel made Naaman humbled before the very people he subjected to disgrace. His physical leprosy was healed by a Prophet of Israel and the person who was instrumental in making this possible was a slave girl he had taken captive as a reward of military raids. His complete cure gave him the self-esteem and dignity he never knew or enjoyed but he got that in the Land and people he plundered and fought many aggressive battles. Remember God’s promise to Israel “you will be a blessing to many nations”, a promise given to Abraham (Gen12:3) and reiterated again to Isaac and Jacob (Gen 26:4, 28:14)
The maid-servant name is not mentioned in the bible, there is little information about her background though she played a pivotal role in making the mighty Naaman bowed before Yahweh. Not only he confessed Yahweh’s greatness and authority over other Gods when he said in awe, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15, NIV). The bible mentioned her as a war captive and a maid-servant of Naaman’s wife who must have lived at the servant’s quarter. She must have been sincere in her duties and faithful to her mistress that won over her love and confidence; eventually she became her mistress confidante. She became a witness of sharing true God with Gentiles, this also shows that God use all people to share His word irrespective of status, age, gender and how little and strong..
We can only assume her masters must have treated her well to have had her as a well-wisher to feel so much concern for her master’s well-being. Though she was just a young girl she had compassion and love for her master’s suffering, if she had harbor any animosity towards her master’s household she would not have shared about Prophet Elisha who could do miracle. Out of love she shared what she knew and heard about the prophet of Samaria to her mistress. She had seen from a close quarter that even though her master had power, authority and wealth because of leprosy he incurred indignity and stigma and all these affected her mistress too. Her mistress too suffered silently all those years and was distress.
How she must have passed the information she knew? Imagine the scenario-as usual after all her works were done when she was attending her mistress she told her that in Samarai where she belonged there was a prophet who had healing power. There must have been apprehension whether her mistress would believe her words but she had no doubt that Elisha could heal her master. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, NIV). Missiologist see her as a herald of good news in reaching out to the gentiles with the news of Yahweh. As a young girl she was doing her bit in sharing the gospel. She gave hope to a man who was living without hope.
Her sharing of hope and good news to help her master could have been dismissed as a gossip or just mindless banter coming from a servant to win her master’s favor. Her masters’ did not dismiss her information just as a sort of mindless or useless gossip, since they believed what she told them, the accuracy of her information was verified and they acted swiftly without wasting anytime. They gathered information about Elisha and Naaman sought permission from his king to allow him to go to Israel and when he told the King that ‘the girl who is from the land of Israel”, the king seems to know about the girl and didn’t even question whether the girl could be really telling the truth. The king was happy for him and gave his blessing to go. With a new hope Naaman accompanied by his soldiers set out to Samaria. He tried many years in different ways to find a cure but all in vain until he met Elisha the prophet. He must have gone with high hopes but at the same time prepared not to be discouraged.
When Naaman arrived in Samaria and reached the doorstep of the prophet, Elisha did not greet and welcome him as expected instead he sent a message through his servant to go and dip seven times in the Jordan. Naaman was astonished and hurt because he expected Elisha to examine his disease and also believed that Elisha would call on the name of the Yahweh (5:11). He was prepared for any ritual cleansing and endless procedures taking even days and weeks. But to his surprise Elisha did nothing of that. He was shocked and also angry but his soldiers encouraged him to do just as Elisha commanded to do. Surely in his mind he must have thought, “I have not come all the way to just take a dip in Jordan, what about the rivers in Damascus?” Still he did just as he was told. To his surprise he was cleansed of his leprosy, how amazing it was for him to be finally rid of his impediment, how happy he must have been. The bible mentioned clearly that new flesh started to cover him. Not only Naaman, his army and servants who had been with him for years were shocked beyond belief. There was no denying that Yahweh was indeed Almighty and powerful. He and all his soldiers accompanying him were amazed then the realization slowly hit him that the God of Israel is truly a mighty God. Before Elisha and all his gentile soldiers he confessed the powerful truth, “Behold now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel”. How wonderful is that? He wanted to worship Yahweh every day so he asked Elisha that he be given as much earth a pair of mules could carry, maybe he believed that the earth he was taking would sanctify the place when he worshipped in his own country. He also vowed, “never to make burnt offering and sacrifices to any other God but the Lord”, beforehand he even sought God’s forgiveness if he bows in the temple of Rimon when he was with his king (5:17-18).. This came from the mouth of a Gentile who worshipped idols throughout his life. This wonderful proclamation and confession was through the servant girl from Samaria. Naaman life was transformed completely, not only his physical and mental wellness but spiritually too he found peace in accepting Yahweh as his personal saviour. This is called the true conversion from heart.
Message: Though she is mentioned as a young girl we conclude that she was not mindless like girls of her age. She impressed us as a responsible and sensible girl. She was a god-fearing girl because she knew how to share and show love to others. The servant girl could not keep the good news to herself alone, like her if we have god we cannot keep it to ourselves we would also want to share with others the greatness and goodness of God. Her action proved that she was greater than any mighty people. While she shared the news in a person-to-person or on one-to-one level we can also do the same by telling others our experience, helping each other or praying for their need. To share the gospel there is no young or old, don’t say, “I am still young or I am too old”. God use people who are willing and if we are willing we can do great things for God.
Asenla Walling , Lect, East Dimapur
