The God Who Cleanses
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”
2 Kings 5:9–11
In Bible times, leprosy was one of the most-dreaded diseases known to man. The contagious effect meant that unless those suffering from it were isolated, it would quickly spread through a community. The disease was no respecter of persons, and even a powerful general like Naaman of Syria could contract it. The young Israeli girl who had been captured and taken into his home as a slave told Naaman’s wife that Elisha, the prophet of God would be able to help. So Naaman made his way to Elisha, and Elisha told him to go to the Jordan River and immerse himself seven times. After Naaman’s initial reluctance to comply, his servants convinced him to obey. Not only was his leprosy completely healed, but the Bible says, “His flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14).
The Bible uses leprosy as a picture of sin. In our own strength and power, we have no hope of dealing with our sin. But as we see in the story of Naaman, we are often reluctant to accept God’s plan for dealing with our problem and prefer to do things our own way. That approach never works. It is not until we come to the point where we realize what we have done and yield to God’s plan that we receive His cleansing work. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
2 Kings 5:9–11
In Bible times, leprosy was one of the most-dreaded diseases known to man. The contagious effect meant that unless those suffering from it were isolated, it would quickly spread through a community. The disease was no respecter of persons, and even a powerful general like Naaman of Syria could contract it. The young Israeli girl who had been captured and taken into his home as a slave told Naaman’s wife that Elisha, the prophet of God would be able to help. So Naaman made his way to Elisha, and Elisha told him to go to the Jordan River and immerse himself seven times. After Naaman’s initial reluctance to comply, his servants convinced him to obey. Not only was his leprosy completely healed, but the Bible says, “His flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14).
The Bible uses leprosy as a picture of sin. In our own strength and power, we have no hope of dealing with our sin. But as we see in the story of Naaman, we are often reluctant to accept God’s plan for dealing with our problem and prefer to do things our own way. That approach never works. It is not until we come to the point where we realize what we have done and yield to God’s plan that we receive His cleansing work. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Today’s Growth Principle:
Those who confess and forsake their sin find cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ.
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