The Story of Elisha and Naaman: A Story of Sovereignty, Humility, and Grace
Sermon Notes
God’s Sovereignty
In today’s message we see the hand of a sovereign God through the ministry of Elisha, through whose life God continues to call Israel to repentance. Our prayer today is that each one of us would see the hand of God at work in our lives each day, and that we each would humbly submit to His plan, eagerly embrace His work, and serve Him with joy.
1. In enemy nations (v. 1)
God’s desire is that all men of every nation would come to repentance and worship Him. This story is a story about foreigners coming to trust God. He longs for all men in all nations to know Him and worship Him. Even in the midst of war, we see His desire and sovereignty at work in the national politics of two nations.
2. In illness(v. 1)
Naaman’s illness is something God desires to use to bring him to faith. Illness and suffering always have their purposes. Whether I seek Him in the midst of illness is another story. I think of the words of C.S. Lewis; “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” That was true for Naaman, and through Naaman’s response, it was a call to the kings and nations of Israel and Aram.
3. In the tragedy of war (v. 2)
“War is hell.” There is no more compelling truth about war. In this verse we meet a little servant girl who had been kidnapped from her home at an early age and stolen away from her home to live in an enemy land. Perhaps her parents were killed. In any case, her home and life were torn apart by tragedy, but thankfully, God’s sovereign hand is graciously extended in the midst of tragedy.
4. In training/teaching children (v. 3)
Parents may often wonder about the ultimate impact of training children in the things of God. In the midst of the tragedy of this little girl’s life, we see the impact of her faith. This little girl’s faith has the potential to change the life of great men and two nations. She is a reminder that God’s Word never returns without accomplishing its purposes.
5. In captivity - a little servant girl who trusts in God (v. 2-4)
This little servant girl is not afraid to speak up for God in an enemy nation and in the enemy house of an enemy commander. How incredibly bold! Note – “in Yahweh’s providence, in this story everything hangs on this little girl, on her tragic servitude. Without her Naaman would never have been healed. People are often brought into the kingdom of God at great costs to other people” (Dale Ralph Davis, 2 Kings, p.87).
6. In meeting our enemies (v. 5-7)
The king of Israel has no idea as to the hand of God at work in the heart of an enemy king and an enemy commander. He only is looking out for himself. How tragic. He is pathetic. But is he not a picture of an outlook on life without God? If God is not considered, isn’t that the way we look at life in the midst of our own prejudices, with those we dislike, and with those who are our enemies?
7. In responding to the unexpected (v. 8)
I love Elisha’s response. He is saddened by the king’s response. He eagerly steps up to tell Naaman about his God. I cannot help but apply this in our own lives. In thinking of the stories of hardship all around us, how eager are we to step out of our comfort zone and tell people about how our God can meet their needs?
8. In responding with humility - we cannot buy God’s plan for us (v. 9-14)
The subplots in these verses are so compelling.
• See Naaman in all his dignity (money, military chariots, his military escorts) pulling up in front of Elisha’s home.
• See Elisha sending out his servant – not even coming out to greet this great man who has come to him at no small cost.
• See and hear the message of humility – “Go wash in the Jordan seven times.”
• See Naaman’s explosive anger in the midst of his humiliation.
• See humility at work as Naaman slowly processes the hand of God in his life.
• See the healing power of God as He draws men to Himself.
9. In refusing to use God’s sovereign grace for personal advantage (v. 15,16)
Elisha is not tempted by any material reward for serving God. It makes no difference to him. He is content to serve God for who He is. He will take nothing from Naaman. (Don’t forget to contrast this with verses 20-27.)
10. In worshipping Him from the heart (v. 17-19)
Naaman returns to his homeland with a changed heart, a physical reminder (two mule loads of soil), and a commitment to worship the God who saved him – even when he goes with his master as his master may continue to worship a foreign god.
Here the words of Elisha to Naaman; “Go in peace.” Remember the work of a sovereign God in your life, live before Him, in humble dependence, and exalt in His compassion and grace in your life.
I am so taken by this story. May God drive it into our hearts this morning.