Easy To Be Intreated

Naaman (2 Kgs. 5) was a mighty warrior, a successful general, highly honored by his king, famous, and respected by the people of his country. But he was a leper. All the world’s celebrities are lepers. That’s a harsh fact, too harsh for most young people. When a famous popular person is arrested on a morals or narcotics charge, the leprosy is obvious, so advanced that even the world has to recognize it. But even when it is obvious only to God we know it is there. All humans are at least incubating leprosy, and the lime­light is an ideal incubator.

Naaman, however, had one quality essential for the cure of spiritual leprosy; he was “easy to be intreated” (Jam.- 3.17 ) „ “approachable” (Phillips)”easily persuaded” (Diaglott). He was open to reason, and courteous even to his wife.

The faith of the little Israelite girl was very great. No one had ever cured leprosy, not even Elisha, but the little girl was so sure that he could that she convinced Mrs. Naaman. And Naaman didn’t pooh-pooh the suggestion as female credulity, nor did he murmur “Yes, dear” while thinking of something else. He listened. He thought about it enough to report it to the king.

It was natural that a man like Naaman would go to the prophet with a military guard of honor. Pride and dignity were inseparable from his profession and social, standing, and also this was an occupied country and he had been instrumental in its subjugation. It was natural that he was enraged by the prophet’s unceremonial treatment of him. What is truly remarkable is that even when he was “in a rage” his servants were not afraid to come close and reason with him; and even in anger he could see and admit the logic of their argument. He could set aside hurt pride and insulated dignity, and so was cured of his leprosy.

How many will be decalerd “Unclean” at the Judgement because no one dared advise or criticize them. We can never be cured of our leprosy if, like Nabal, (1 Sam. 25,17), “No one can speak to us.”