(a) (i) Discuss the circumstances that led to the healing of Naaman (ii) State Naaman's reaction to his healing (iii) What incident followed this reaction? (b) Identify two Virtues that can be learnt from the entire episode.
Explanation
(a)The following led to Naaman's healing: (i) Naaman was a Syrian commander with leprosy. A little girl from the land of Israel who was living with Naaman's mistress told her about the prophet in Israel, who could cure Naaman of his leprosy. Naaman informed the king of Syrian, who gave him a letter to the king of Israel. He went to Israel with the letter and lots of expensive presents. He gave the letter to the king of Israel, who rent his clothes after reading and asked if he was God who could kill and keep alive. He became afraid, thinking that the king of Syria was looking for a way to attack him. Elisha, the man of God heard the news and sent for Naaman. As Naaman stepped at the door, Elisha sent his messenger to tell Naaman to go and wash himself seven times in River Jordan. At first, he hesitated, but was later persuaded by his servant to heed the instruction. He obeyed and went to River Jordan and dipped himself seven times in the river and was healed. (ii) Naaman reaction to his healing was that he returned to the man of God and offered some gifts which were rejected. (iii) The incident that followed this reaction was that he asked for Israelite soil to be taken to Syria for the worship of God. Gehazi, Elisha's servant went after Naaman and took some of the gifts which his master rejected. Elisha cursed him and he became a leper.
(b) The virtues and lessons that can be learnt from the entire episode are: (i) God's blessings and healing are free of charge. (ii) It pays to obey men of God and the fact that everyone is important in the society. The information that proved vital to Naaman came from a little maid. (iii) God does not always work in the way man thinks. He works in mysterious way, that man can not comprehend. With God all things are possible. Everything obeys God's will. People should be humble in their dealings with fellow men. This is the only way to obey God's injunction on humility. God is the God of both the rich and the poor. There is no discrimination based on wealth or class. God sees everybody as equal for Him. It pays to be honest, for honesty is a virtue loved by God.
