If you have been in church for any amount of time, you probably know the story of Naaman the leper. He was a big deal in Syria, a mighty man, but he had one big problem—leprosy. That alone could preach. You can be strong, successful, respected… but have something under the surface eating you up.
But if you read slow, there’s some stuff in this chapter that’ll really make you stop and think.
Here’s a few things that might be a blessing to you.
1. God Used a Little Nobody to Start the Whole Thing
“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.” (2 Kings 5:2)
This whole miracle starts with a young girl. She was taken from her home, made a servant, and she could’ve stayed bitter. But instead, she pointed her master’s wife to the man of God. She had more faith than the grown-ups.
She didn’t have a name in the Bible, but she had a voice.
She didn’t preach a sermon, she just said God can help. And that little bit of boldness changed a man’s life.
Sometimes the biggest things God does come from the smallest places.
2. Naaman Wanted to Pay for the Power of God
“And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying… I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:6)
He brought silver, gold, and clothes like he was gonna pay for his healing. That’s how the world thinks—you want something big, you need to give something big. But Elisha wouldn’t even come out to see him.
“And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times…” (v. 10)
God’s power can’t be bought. Naaman had to learn that God ain’t impressed by your money or position. What God wants is obedience.
3. The Jordan River Wasn’t Just Dirty—It Was Humbling
“Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?” (v. 12)
Naaman got mad. He didn’t want to dip in that muddy old Jordan. He wanted something fancy. But God told him to dip in the river that symbolized humility and obedience.
That’s the same river where John the Baptist baptized. That’s where Jesus got baptized. That water represents dying to self.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)
He didn’t need cleaner water. He needed a cleaner heart.
4. The Servant Got the Curse Meant for a Pagan
“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian… I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.” (v. 20)
After Elisha healed Naaman, he refused the gift. But Gehazi wanted the money and lied to get it. He thought he could take what God didn’t want.
“The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.” (v. 27)
Here’s the crazy thing: the Gentile got healed, and the prophet’s servant got cursed. The man from the outside came in by faith. The man on the inside went out because of greed.
“So the last shall be first, and the first last…” (Matthew 20:16)
5. Naaman Asked for Dirt—And That Says a Lot
“Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth?” (v. 17)
After he got healed, Naaman asked for dirt from Israel to take back home. Why? Because he knew Israel’s God was the real one, and he wanted to worship on that ground.
He wasn’t just healed on the outside. His heart had changed.
He went home different. He left his idols. And he wasn’t ashamed to show it.
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The hero wasn’t Naaman. It was the little girl who believed God.
The miracle didn’t come from silver or gold. It came from humility.
The real healing didn’t happen in the river. It happened in Naaman’s heart.
Sometimes, God will take you through dirty waters to get you to a clean place.
And He still uses small voices, muddy rivers, and quiet obedience to do big things.
