(a) Relate the story of the healing of Naaman.
Explanation
(a) Naaman was commander of the Syrian Army he was a leper. A slave girl suggested that if he would go to Samaria, 3 prophet would heal him. He took a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel telling him that he was sent by his commander to him to be healed of leprosy. When the king of Israel received the letter, he rent his clothes and said "Am God, to kill or make alive, that this man sent word to cure a man of leprosy"
When prophet Elisha heard that the king had rent his clothes, he intervened and asked that Naaman be sent to him. He said, "let him now come to me that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel'. Naaman went to Elisha and was 'old to go and wash himself seven times in the River Jordan and be cured of the disease.
He was annoyed over Elisha's advice, and asked if "rivers Abana and Pharpar of Damascus were not better than all -le waters of Israel? "Could I not wash in them and be clean" He turned his chariot to return to Damascus in great rage. However, on his way, his servants humbly entreated him to return and comply with the prophet's instructions. Naaman fielded and went to River Jordan, dipped himself seven times into it, and became clean. He returned to Elisha to show its gratitude and begged him to accept some of his precious gifts but Elisha refused.
Then, Naaman pleaded to be allowed to carry home to Damascus a small quantity of earth from Israel and put it in 3 corner of his house to signify that henceforth, he would serve the God of Israel.
(b) God's name was glorified through his misfortune in the following ways:
(i) His healing shows that the God of Israel is the only true God.
(ii) It also Chows that God through the prophet of Israel had powers to perform healing miracles.
(iii) Elishas's refusal to accept le gifts shows that God's given talents are free and should not be seen as commodities for sale.
(iv) Naaman's servant convinced him to be humble and obedient to the prophet of God and this shows that God can choose to use anybody, no matter his or her position in life, to manifest His glory.
(v) Naaman's healing led to the worshipping of Yahweh in a non-Israelite territory.
(vi) Obedience to the word of God spoken by His true prophets is important if one wants to receive from God.