1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
Naaman's Leprosy; Gehazi's Greed - 2 Kings 5
1. Text summary
A Syrian general Naaman gets leprosy. He has an Israelite slave girl who knows about Elisha's miracles and tells him. Syria's king sends him to Israel, asking Israel to heal him. Israel's king is helpless, but Elisha is not. Elisha sends Naaman to the Jordan, which Naaman disdains. But his servant persuades him to give it a try, and he is healed. He returns to Elisha, who accepts no money (Naaman offers a LOT). Elisha's servant is tempted, and schemes to get some for himself. Elisha rebukes him and he contracts leprosy on the spot. Miracle 10.
2. Jesus
Jesus cures many lepers, too. Some were Gentiles.
Jesus had a servant who gave in to greed, too. Judas.
3. Application
a. Don't despise God's messy ways of healing you. (The muddy Jordan? Yes!)
b. Your humble position may be used by God to heal others. (The slave girl)
c. Don't be tempted by money or power to do things God forbids (Gehazi)
- 2 Kings 6
1. Text summary
Elisha makes a prophet's borrowed axehead float in the river, so he can return it.
Elisha tells Israel's king the secret plans of Syria's king several times. Syria besieges the town where Elisha is, to get him. Elisha's servant freaks, but Elisha prays so God opens his eyes to see God's chariots of fire surrounding Syria. God blinds all the Syrians, at Elisha's request, and he leads them to Israel's capital, Samaria. Israel's king calls Elisha father, and asks if he may kill them. Elisha tells him to send them home. Later, Syria besieges Samaria again. It's so bad the king hears that mothers are eating their children! Israel's king sends to arrest and execute Elisha for not preventing this.
2. Jesus
Jesus knows and foils the plans of kings.
Earthly kings should call Jesus "Father."
Earthly kings often blame Jesus or His people for disasters.
3. Application
a. Neutralize enmity with kindness.
b. Earthly rulers want to take advantage of God's supernatural acts, but should not.
c. God will help you keep obligations to your neighbor.
d. We often freak out at the news, or earthly danger, but should remember God's power is far greater than the one that currently threatens.
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