God's Hand in Restoring Lives¶

2 Kings 5:1-27

Introduction¶

Icebreaker¶

A. When have you misjudged a book by its cover, either a person or a situation?

B. Who’s the most prideful character you recall from a book or movie? What was their downfall or turning point?

Sometimes, the most profound changes come from the most unexpected places.

Core Message¶

Naaman's healing is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and grace.

Central Truth. God restores us as we are obedient to Him, and His methods often defy our expectations and humble our pride.

Lesson Flow¶

Naaman's journey from disease to restoration unfolds in four movements:

Unlikely Hope. A servant girl points the way
Test of Pride. God's method offends Naaman's expectations
Humble Restoration. Obedience leads to transformation
Sobering Warning. Gehazi's cautionary tale

Each scene reveals something about how God works and what He requires of us.

1. Unlikely Hope (2 Kings 5:1-4)¶

Back to Lesson Flow

Hope arrives from the most unexpected source.

2 Kings 5:1-4, BSB

1 Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

2 At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife.

3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”

4 And Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.

Context & Insights¶

Had it all. Naaman, a powerful Syrian commander, had it all—except for his health. He was a leper, a condition that made him an outcast. Hope came from the most unlikely of sources: a young, captive Israelite servant girl in his own house. She held the key to his restoration, a powerful reminder that God often works through the humble and overlooked.

Servant Girl Principle¶

God often places us in hard places so that we can be His witness there. The question is never *Why am I here?* but **Who am I here for?**

a difficult coworker who needs to hear about Christ
a challenging family member God has positioned you to influence
a painful season that's actually your platform for testimony

Reflection. Who is the Naaman in your life—someone with power, success, or status who desperately needs what you have in Christ, but would never think to ask you?

2. Test of Pride (2 Kings 5:5-13)¶

Back to Lesson Flow

Naaman's expectations clash with God's simple command.

2 Kings 5:5-13, BSB

5 “Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing.

6 And the letter that he took to the king of Israel stated: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman, so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”

8 Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house.

10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”

11 But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.

12 Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 Naaman's servants, however, approached him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'?"

Discussion Question

Why do you think successful or self-reliant people often struggle to seek or accept help for their deepest needs?

Why We Struggle to Accept Help¶

Pride.

Follow-up. What specifically about success feeds pride? Is it the success itself, or how others view us because of it?

Go deeper. Naaman was willing to ask the king of Israel for help, but almost refused to obey Elisha. Why is it sometimes easier to ask powerful people for help than to follow simple instructions?

Used to being in control.

Follow-up. How does asking for help feel like losing control? What are we really afraid of losing?

Go deeper. Naaman brought silver, gold, and fine clothing—trying to control the transaction. When do we try to 'buy' our way out of needing grace?

Fear of judgment/loss of reputation.

Follow-up. Naaman tried to hide his leprosy with his achievements. What do we try to hide behind our successes, activities, or image?

Go deeper. The servant girl and Naaman's own servants knew about his leprosy. Who in your life already knows your struggle? Why is admitting it publicly so much harder?

Discussion Question

What's harder: doing something great for God, or simple daily obedience?

Great Things vs. Simple Obedience"¶

GREAT THINGS	SIMPLE OBEDIENCE
Finite – clear beginning & end	Infinite – daily, ongoing
Visible – others applaud	Invisible – often unnoticed
Controllable – we set terms	Surrendered – God sets terms
Validates ego	Requires daily death to self

Biblical Pattern.

God repeatedly chooses foolish methods to humble pride:

Noah’s ark
Gideon’s 300
David’s sling
Jesus’ cross
Paul’s weakness

Quotable. Peterson. A long obedience in the same direction is more transformative than short bursts of spectacular commitment.

3. Humble Restoration (2 Kings 5:14-19)¶

Back to Lesson Flow

Humility and obedience lead to complete restoration of body and soul.

2 Kings 5:14-19, BSB

14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God. And his flesh was restored like that of a young boy, and he was clean.

15 Then Naaman and all his attendants returned to the man of God. He went and stood before Elisha and said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will accept nothing.” And though Naaman urged him, Elisha refused.

17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.

18 Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

19 “Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance,

Naaman's Journey to Humility"¶

Dip 1. Pride is screaming. This is ridiculous. I'm a commander!
Dip 2. Nothing changes. I knew this wouldn't work.
Dip 3. Still diseased. Those servants talked me into this foolishness.
Dip 4. No improvement. The rivers of Damascus are definitely better.
Dip 5. Still leprous. How much longer do I humiliate myself?
Dip 6. No visible change. One more time, then I'm done with this nonsense.
Dip 7. Complete restoration. His flesh was restored like that of a young boy.

Why Seven?

In Scripture, seven represents completeness and perfection. God could have healed Naaman on the first dip, but the sevenfold command required:

Complete obedience (not partial)
Persistent faith (not giving up at dip 3)
Total surrender (trusting God's process, not demanding results on your timeline)

Transformation. Deeper Miracle¶

The most profound restoration was not physical, but spiritual. Naaman returned to Elisha a changed man. He confessed his faith, offered a gift (which was refused, showing grace is free), and committed to exclusive worship. God didn't just heal his skin; He captured his heart.

Discussion Question

The text says Naaman’s flesh was restored like that of a young boy. Spiritual restoration isn't just fixing a problem; it's a total reset.

What specific area of your life needs a RESET to childlike faith rather than just a REPAIR?

SOIL REQUEST¶

Naaman's request for two mule-loads of soil seems strange, but it reveals his complete transformation. In that time, gods were thought to be tied to specific lands. Naaman wanted to worship Israel's God on Israel's soil, even back home.

Modern Equivalent. What is your two mules of soil—the tangible, visible commitment you need to make that shows your restoration is real? Examples:

Getting rid of something that represents your old life
Publicly declaring your faith (baptism)
Cutting off a relationship that pulls you away from Christ
Starting a discipline you've been avoiding

4. Sobering Warning (2 Kings 5:20-27)¶

Back to Lesson Flow

Proximity to miracles does not guarantee a pure heart.

2 Kings 5:20-27, BSB

20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?”

22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’”

23 But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.

24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from their hands and stored them in the house. Then he sent the men away, and they left.

25 When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “Your servant went nowhere,” he replied.

26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, or male and female servants?

27 Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So Gehazi went out from Elisha’s presence, as white as snow with leprosy.

Layers of Deception¶

Lied to Naaman (invented story about prophets)
Lied in God’s name
Took double what he originally wanted
Hid the loot
Lied again to Elisha

Progression. Notice how one sin leads to another. Greed → deception → using God's name falsely → theft → cover-up → more lies.

Tragic Contrast¶

Naaman, the pagan outsider, leaves clean and worshiping the true God.
Gehazi, the spiritual insider, leaves leprous forever.

Discussion Question

How does Gehazi's story warn us about wrong motivations even in religious settings?

Gehazi Syndrome¶

Using ministry for personal gain or platform
Entitlement from years of service (“I deserve…”)
Transactional view of grace (“Someone should pay”)
Different public faith vs. private life

What Was Lost vs. Gained¶

Pursued	Lost
2 talents silver, 2 outfits	Health, position, integrity, future (leprosy to descendants)

New Testament Echoes. Gehazi's story is a warning repeated throughout Scripture:

Judas Iscariot (John 12:4-6): Close to Jesus, witnessed miracles, but stole money and ultimately betrayed Him.
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): Part of the early church, but lied about a financial gift to look generous while being greedy.

The warning is clear: being in the inner circle doesn't make you immune to sin—it increases your accountability.

Weekly Challenges¶

1. Obedience Audit (Reflection)¶

Prayerfully use the following checklist to consider your own heart of obedience.

I have seen God at work in my life.
When I need healing, I look to God with my hope and requests.
I trust God’s sovereignty in life, death, sickness, and healing.
When it’s clear God has given a command, I am willing to obey.
From my heart, I want to obey God fully.
Peace has come in my life as a result of obeying God.

2. Jordan River Step (Action)¶

Identify one area where God is calling you to simple, humble obedience, but your pride or expectations are getting in the way. What is your Jordan River? Take a concrete step this week to swallow your pride and obey.

3. Unlikely Messenger (Attitude + Action)¶

Watch. Be on the lookout this week for how God might be speaking to you through unlikely people or circumstances. Write down any moments where wisdom comes from an unexpected source.

Respond. Like Naaman with the servant girl, actually act on at least one piece of counsel you receive from an unlikely source. Then reflect: What made it hard to listen? What did you learn by obeying?

Bonus. Consider—are you in a position to be an unlikely messenger for someone? Who is the Naaman in your sphere of influence who needs to hear about the God of restoration?

4. Ministry Motives (Heart Check)¶

Since Gehazi's story is part of this passage, it demands a response. Ask yourself these hard questions:

Do I serve God to get something, or to give something?
Am I more focused on the recognition I receive or the work God does through me?
Have I become numb to God's work because I'm around it so often?
Is there a secret sin I'm hiding while maintaining a spiritual exterior?
Do I resent when God blesses others freely (like Naaman) while I feel I've "earned" something?
Am I comfortable manipulating spiritual moments for personal gain?

Brutal Honesty Prayer. Lord, show me if I'm serving You or using You. Reveal any Gehazi-like motives in my heart. I'd rather face this now than at the judgment seat.

Action Step. If God reveals something, confess it to a trusted Christian friend this week. Don't let it fester like Gehazi did.

Supplementary Content¶

Historical & Cultural Context¶

Leprosy in the Ancient World. A catch-all term for skin conditions that made a person ritually unclean and socially isolated. Often seen as divine judgment with no cure.

The Jordan River. Muddy and unimpressive compared to Syrian rivers, but symbolically significant as the entry point to the Promised Land.

Aram (Syria). A frequent and powerful enemy of Israel, making Naaman's submission to an Israelite prophet politically and personally humiliating.

Two Talents of Silver. Approximately 150 pounds of silver, an enormous sum showing Gehazi's greed.

Theological Connections¶

God's Sovereignty. God is Lord over all nations, using even enemy commanders for His purposes.

Humility before Grace. Illustrates the principle that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Salvation by Grace, Not Works. Elisha's refusal of payment shows that God's healing cannot be earned or purchased.

Washing and Rebirth. Naaman's physical washing is a powerful picture of spiritual rebirth, pointing to Titus 3:5, "he saved us...through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

Closing¶

Reflection¶

God always responds positively to our obedience. Humble obedience sets the stage for God to do His greatest work: restoration. Naaman came seeking a cure for his skin, but he left with a new heart. He came as a proud warrior, but he left as a humble worshiper of the one true God. Gehazi, who was closest to the power, completely missed the point.

Decision¶

Right now, you are one of three characters:

A. Naaman at the riverbank. You know what God is asking. It feels beneath you or too simple. Healing is on the other side of the seventh dip.

B. Servant with a message. Someone “above” you needs the hope you carry. Will you speak?

C. Gehazi in the wings. Close to God’s work but hiding greed or resentment. Repent before the leprosy sticks.

Prayer¶

Forgive us for the times we, like Naaman, have demanded You work on our terms.
Forgive us for the times we, like Gehazi, have been near Your power yet harbored greed.
Thank You for free grace that cannot be bought.
Give us humility to “go and wash,” to obey in the small daily things, and to trust Your process until the seventh dip.
Heal us, cleanse us, make us new—not by our works, but by Your mercy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.