Naaman - 2 Kings 5: 1-14

     2 King 5:1-14

Naaman, was a commander of the army of the King of Syria, he was a great man in the king’s eyes and in high favour, because of him the Lord had given victory to Syria. So, He led the Assyrians to battle against Israel and God gave him victory, and he was a mighty man of valour. However, there was none of Naaman’s successes because he was a leper.  Even though he was a great commander, a great valour and a good communication with king, but he was a leper.  Even though the Lord had given him to win many battles but he was a leper. 

For this morning meditation, let us focus on how obedience, Naaman was………

The word obedience come from Latin word Oboredia, which define obedience is a behaviour that’s respectful and mindful of rules and laws, parents and teachers appreciate obedience. When we look back to Old Testament, we could see that God gives blessings, victory, success for those who obey God. In the book of (Genesis 22:18) where God spoke to Abraham, “And by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Even in the gospel of Luke (5:4), The Lord said to Peter “Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch” Even though Peter was trying all night long without catching any fish, but he obeyed and got so many fish were beyond his imaginations. So, In the scripture, there are many stories for those who obey are being blessed. In fact, blessed are the people who obeyed and listened to God. God always rewards obedience and commitment. Failure to obey will always bring pain and suffering.

Firstly, Obedience is respecting what other says. Naaman obeyed to a slave girl who was a young girl captive from the land of Israel. She served Naaman wife. One day, she said to her mistress there was a prophet from Israel who could heal Naaman’s leprosy.  So Naaman listened what she said and informed to the King in order to get permission to go Israel. Naaman told the king about the prophet. The king wrote letter to the king of Israel asking him to heal Naaman and he came to King of Israel presenting with Ten talents of gold, and six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of garments. Here, Naaman was a humble and obedient man because he could reject such a suggestion given by a slave. He listened to her. Sometime we are proud of our-self, even though if it is good we lack to respect what others or our friends says to us.

Secondly, Obedience bring blessings. Naaman here again listened to his servants.  When Prophet Elisha command him to go and wash seven times in the river of Jordan, Naaman was annoyed because his though was different from what Prophet says. He assumed that Prophet will call upon the name of God and heal him by commenting just a word. As he is a commander, probably he was been influenced by the commands of the King. Then, he turned and went away out of there. But his servants approached and said to him “Father if the prophet had commended you to do something difficult. Would you not have done it? “So, he could not act anymore since he was starving to heal his leprosy. At last, we could see, he again listened to his servants and immersed himself seven times in the river of Jorden. Then, His flesh was restored like a flesh of a young boy and he was clean. He was being blessed because he just obeyed.

Finally, Obedience is doing what God says, Dear brothers and sisters, as we are being chosen by God to do His ministry, God wants to give you a blessing like Naaman for he obeyed. At home, school, college or church wherever we need to obey and listened to our Bishop, Principal, Professors, Pastors, and friends. We are called by God to obey the responsibility persons. It is not about the price what Naaman brought to the King with Ten talents of gold, six thousands of Shekels of gold and Ten sets of garments, but it is the price that Naaman did obey. Whoever you are, what kind of great human you are, but if God speak to you, you must listen and obey His words. Obedience is a very important key to apply in each and every one life in our ministry. Before I coming to this theological study, I was afraid of speaking English very well and to study here. But I could not forget what my father told me. “Son, Obedience will lead you to successfully complete your study, you go and just obey there.” I obeyed and listened what my parents told me. That’s why I am here now have been in BD final year. I am blessed.

According to Buddhism, parents, teacher and monks are same level with God. I too believed my parent, pastor, professor, teacher are the people whom appointed by God. Especially we are here called by God through the dedication of your parent, bishop, pastor, elder and the friend. It is very important to obey them to reach our goals for the future ministry.

Dear friends, let me remined you once again. Obedience is doing what God says, Naaman’s obedience impacted an entire nation! When God tells you Beware of delayed obedience. The way He tells you Beware of incomplete obedience. Sometime, you do not have to understand to obey. But when you obey you came to understand. Obedience is the pathway to blessing! Blessed are the people those who are obeyed. May God bless through this word. Amen.