03.33. Naaman: 2Ki_5:1-2
Chapter 9 Naaman
2 Kings 5:1-2
Anxiety, as to "what shall be on the morrow," occasions more than half the troubles of life. Visit any abode of affliction, among the poor or the rich, and you will find that its distresses arise oftener from anticipations of the future, than from the exigencies of the moment. Hence the prevalent custom, in all ages and nations, of seeking for tokens of security from misfortune. Hence the almost universal recourse to astrology, oracles, priest craft, false visions and dreams, and even to birds, whose settlement upon the housetop has been imagined as valuable a prognostication as was the arrival of Noah’s dove.
Signs of this sort are of little account. Nevertheless, one sign there is, which is infallible; and they to whom it belongs may well rejoice at it, and may learn to cast every anxious care away. What can this be? Is it wealth? Far from it! Remember the man described in the gospel, who pulled down his barns and built greater. Is it honor and fame? These quickly fade like a green bay-tree. Is it talent and learning? These cannot avert distress, or death, or the wrath of God. Is it political distinction? He who poureth contempt upon the great ones of the earth that honor him not, is able also to destroy both soul and body in hell. Is it our own supposed rectitude? That will prove a miserable covering, when tried by the measure of the righteousness of God. Is it even Christian knowledge? Judas Iscariot possessed this, when swift destruction came upon him. The true token of happiness is different from all these, and is referred to Psalms 86:17, "Show me a token for good." It is not an exterior, but an interior sign; yet it always shines forth in the life and conversation of the outward man. It is natural to none, for it is a wound inflicted on the heart by the grace of the King, and is the invariable result of self-knowledge. No herb, no balm produced from this earth can heal it. The publican exhibited it, when he smote upon his breast; and the thief upon the cross, when he cried, "Lord, remember me;" and the woman that was a sinner, when she washed the Savior’s feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. All, with whom it has been well in time and in eternity, have had this infallible mark, which, in other words, is a heart truly broken up and humbled by the deep consciousness of sin. Those who have it feel self-condemned, and themselves deserving the curse of a righteous God. This constitutes the wound. Of a truth it is an unsightly token, but it is of inestimable value; and though but little esteemed by the world, it is the only prognostic of true happiness. To this the Scriptures testify. But it stands not alone; it is associated with another, namely, with the mark with which the Lord distinguishes his people for their preservation. That mark is the determination not to know any thing in comparison of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Where these are found together, the wound and the mark, conviction of sin and faith in the Lamb, the contrite heart and reliance on the only Sacrifice, there the good sign is complete, and only there. It dazzles not like this world’s honors, like the golden chain, the star of nobility, or the badge of royalty; but how gloriously shall the splendor of this sign one day outshine all these! In the world it confers neither dignity nor rank; but the angels of God behold it with joy, and love those who possess it, knowing themselves appointed to be their ministering servants. God be thanked, that there are every where among us some whose hearts bear this token, compassed as they may be with many infirmities. That delightful part of the narrative of Elisha’s history on which we are about to enter, is a practical commentary on David’s words, "Show me a token for good." God grant his blessing to our meditations!
"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife."
Events of Elisha’s life now come before us which still more strikingly bear a New Testament character. Here the breaking down of the partition wall between Israel and the heathen is anticipated, and several other things of an evangelical description. By way of introduction to what this part of the narrative has to offer, we shall consider, at present, the new personages here presented to us—
I. Naaman the Syrian;
II. That humble instrument for his salvation, the little Israelitish maiden: and we pray that, under the Divine blessing, this alone may serve not only to gratify, but to benefit us.