When man reaches his limit, the divine intervenes.
The people of Samaria had reached the depths of their misery. Now, God can act. Élisée, the prophet of grace, responded to the king’s attempted murder by proclaiming deliverance. Salvation is proclaimed even today. But how many, like the captain, respond with disbelief and mockery? It is these four poor lepers who will be used to make this salvation known:
“And God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:28).
Without any human intervention, the Syrian army was defeated. The Lord alone achieved victory. Similarly, at the cross, Jesus triumphed alone over all our enemies. We were like those wretched lepers, sinners in a desperate situation, destined for certain and eternal death. But this is now canceled for the believer. He finds in his place: life, peace, abundant and free spiritual riches for the present, and a secure future.
Such are the fruits of Christ’s victory on the cross. And you know what? It was enough to rise and take possession of these things, just as the prodigal son did. And you? Have you done it? Or are you still sitting in darkness… and in the shadow of death ? (Matthew 4:16).
“And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:17-19)
“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, ‘Why are we sitting here until we die ?” (2 Kings 7:3)
Lepers were looked down upon in Israel because of leprosy, which was a contagious gangrene. During the time of the prophet Élisée, God had shown His grace by healing a Syrian named Naaman while there were many lepers in Israel. Naaman was also an officer of the Syrian king, closer to the king, with great influence.
He had defeated Israel and taken a young Jewish captive. Living with General Naaman, she could see him in civilian clothes and bare-chested. She discovered the leprosy of the powerful general and suggested seeking healing from the God of Israel.
This young girl, though a very young slave, believed that the God of Israel, Jehovah Rapha, could heal the leprosy of the Syrian general. No Israelite leper consulted the Lord through the prophet Elisha. Moreover, at that time, leprosy was an incurable disease. What kind of risk did the young Jewish girl take in convincing General Naaman to seek healing from the God of Israel !
This girl had faith similar to Rhoda’s, who heard someone knocking on the door of the prayer house. It was during the arrest of the apostle Peter to be presented to the crowd the next day, as his condemnation was already announced. But the Church continued to pray for him. When Peter was released, thanks to the intercessory prayer of the Church, he went to the place of prayer where the praying church was. He knocked on the door; a young sister came to hear the voice of the person knocking. She recognized him, but those who were interceding did not believe it was the apostle Peter.
The same God who healed Naaman could also heal all the lepers in Israel. Indeed, we think that divine favor was upon General Naaman, and he took the risk to believe what the young Jewish girl had proposed. Naaman was a very strong army general, for he had defeated Israel, but on the other hand, despite his power to conquer the Syrians, he was a leper.
The same God who healed Naaman could also heal all the lepers in Israel. Indeed, we think that divine favor was upon General Naaman, and he took the risk to believe what the young Jewish girl had proposed. Naaman was a very strong army general, for he had defeated Israel, but on the other hand, despite his power to conquer the Syrians, he was a leper.
This text is an excerpt from the book “Turn Your Weaknesses into Victories” written by Jean-Bosco NZASHI.
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