Naaman would not have known anything about God’s healing power had it not been for an Israelite girl serving in his household. One day she told his wife of Jehovah God’s willingness to heal his leprosy. He went to visit the prophet Elisha, and health was given to him as he took the steps of obedience the prophet prescribed. And thus, a pagan general became a worshiper of Jehovah (2 Kings 5:17–19).
Believers do well when they recognize both the saving and healing power of Jesus. God knows how to deal with each person. Naaman was instructed to dip seven times in the Jordan River, and this displeased him. His human brashness and hidden pride surfaced, but his obedience and submission opened the way to health.
The commands of the Lord are so simple and attainable! As He instructed the Israelites in the wilderness to “look and live” (Num. 21:8) to receive their healing, so here the command is simply “wash and be clean.”
