We're going to 2 Kings chapter 5. We're continuing to read about Elisha and Naaman and on this occasion a little bit more about Elisha's servant Gehazi. So we're in 2 Kings chapter 5 and reading from verse 15. And we're speaking here about Naaman. He is the person spoken of in this verse. And he returned, that is Naaman, to the man of God, that is Elisha, he and all his company, and came and stood before him.

And he said, behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, that's Elisha, as the Lord liveth before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it, but he refused. And Naaman said, shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offerings nor sacrifice unto other gods but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimin to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimin, when I bow down myself in the house of Rimin, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. And he said unto him, Go in peace.

So he departed from him a little way. But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman, this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. But as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well.

My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver and two changes of garments.' And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand and bestowed them in the house. And he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in and stood before his master.

And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

The leprosy thereof of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence, a leper, as white as snow. Amen. May the Lord bless this reading from his word. You may remember last week we spoke of Naaman the Syrian whose leprosy was cured when he dipped seven times in the River Jordan.

And following the amazing miracle, Naaman and his servants returned to Elisha to announce the cure and give thanks to the prophet of God. On the previous occasion when Naaman went to speak to Elisha, Elisha didn't even come out of his house. This time Elisha came out from his house and for the first time the two men faced each other. As we know, as we learned previously, the experience had changed Naaman.

But not just on the outside, not just because his leprosy was healed and his skin was now like a child's. Naaman was changed on the inside as well. Naaman's heart was also made clean. His sin with his leprosy had been washed away and now his faith His confidence, his hope, his trust was in the living God of Israel.

Elisha was not surprised. Elisha knew what was going to happen when he sent Naaman to the River Jordan. Naaman had been angry, he hadn't wanted to go to the Jordan. You'll remember how his servants had talked him into it. But Elisha knew all along because the Lord had revealed these things to his prophets. And Elisha, you might also remember, had said as much to Jehoram, king of Israel, when he sent to him. And so it was that Naaman declared in the presence of Elisha, behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.

A life-changing transformation had taken place on the inside and on the outside. Naaman had lost all confidence in Rimon, the idol god of the Syrians. Now he knew the power of Jehovah. He'd once left Elisha in a rage, proud and angry. Now he confessed himself to be a servant of the prophet and a worshipper of the prophet's God. Excuse me.

Naaman offered Elisha presents. He had come from Syria with many gifts, a large amount of silver that could be carried in this caravan that had come with him, a large amount of gold, and numerous changes of raiment. And Naaman offered Elisha these presents that he had brought with him from his own country. But the prophet refused. Elisha understood that God's goodness was a gift of grace and receiving a payment would have spoiled that principle. You cannot buy, you cannot earn God's mercy. God's grace in Jesus Christ is free to sinners. It's a gift.

But the general, he wanted some things from Elisha as well. And it seems that there were a number of things burdening Naaman at this time. He had another request. And he says in verse 17, and I think you'll find this interesting, if you didn't notice it in the first reading, you'll find it interesting to realize what Naaman is saying here. Naaman said, So Naaman was saying to Elisha, I would like to take home with me to Syria two mules worth of dirt from Israel.

He wanted to pack two lots, two, I guess, baskets of dirt on these donkeys and carry them back to Syria. I kind of suspect he thought that he might give the talents of silver to Elisha and fill the space in the baskets of the donkeys with soil from the land of Israel. I guess that was what was going on in his mind, which was the reason for the linkage of these two requests. The idea, I think, was that he would carry away sufficient dirt from the land of Israel to build himself an altar back home in Syria, where he would then sacrifice to no other God but the God of Israel.

So that this sacrificing and this altar was with an eye the eye of faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, I don't know how much Naaman understood. I don't know how much there would be yet to learn, but it is clear from a spiritual point of view that Naaman understood something about the relationship between sacrifice and worship and the Lord Jesus Christ. And perhaps Elisha just nodded to Naaman. We don't hear him actually saying that it would be okay to do that, but perhaps he nodded.

Naaman was encouraged to ask another favour. a dispensation, he calls it, a dispensation from the Lord, an allowance from the Lord. And I suspect that Naaman had been worrying about this all the way back from the River Jordan. You see, At that time when Naaman was cleansed from his leprosy, he also came to trust in the Lord.

And he knew that when he went back to Syria, that he would be called upon to bow down in the Temple of Rimen. And that was a great burden and anxiety to him. I'm sure he'd been worrying about it all the way back from the Jordan to Elisha's house. It was his job back in Syria to escort the Syrian king to the Temple of Rimen to worship.

And there the king leaned on Naaman's arm and both men knelt together before the statue or the idol of Rimen. and it troubled Naaman's conscience. He knew he should not kneel in front of an idol. So his request was this, might the Lord pardon and forgive him when he fulfilled his duty in this way.

And I suspect that Elisha's answer was very sweet, very delightful to Naaman when Elisha said, go in peace. Don't you worry about that, Naaman. The Lord knows your heart and he will work it out. Now, I suspect that Naaman's servants began to collect the soil at this stage and Elisha went back into his house. Nehemen, he started his journey back to Syria and it seems that there was a parting of the way. Elisha had bidden that Naaman depart in peace, and that was what he was doing.

A changed man, a true believer, and a worshipper of Jehovah God. But that wasn't to be the end of the story. All was not well. Something was stirring in the heart of Gehazi, Elisha's servant. This man who had previously proved faithful to Elisha now succumbed to the sin of greed and covetousness.

He spoke with contempt about Naaman, this Syrian. He effectively criticised Elisha for not taking these goods from Naaman's hand. and he hatched a plan to get some of the riches for himself. He probably felt that he had earned something and even if Elisha wanted none, he would have what was due to him. So he chased after the general's chariot and Naaman saw him coming and he turned to meet him. He was worried that something was wrong. I reassured Naaman that everything was okay and he delivered a very plausible story.

Unexpected travellers, he said, had arrived with Elisha and Elisha wanted to give them some silver and some suits of clothes. Well, Naaman was delighted to help and he insisted that Gehazi took double the silver that he asked for. I'm not sure if it was double the clothes as well. I tried to work that out from the verses, but I couldn't decide one way or another. But it certainly was double the silver. And he even instructed two of his servants to carry back the load for Gehazi.

He wouldn't even have Gehazi carry these heavy burdens. Then Naaman continued on his way home. Gehazi and the two servants went back and they came to a place called the Tower and there Gehazi took the valuables and he dismissed the two servants. They returned to Naaman and Gehazi hid the valuables in a house. And he returned to Elisha. and Elisha asked him where he had been. Gehazi lied to Elisha. He pretended that he'd simply been about his business. He hadn't been anywhere. But the prophet knew well what had occurred. Perhaps it was by a spirit of prophecy, but it had been shown to him the action of this disloyal servant.

Gehazi coveted Ne'eman's money. Now having been found out, having lied to obtain it, he would have not only Naaman's money, but Naaman's disease. Elisha said to him, the leprosy of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. What a sad end is this for Gehazi.

Here are a few lessons that I think we can take from this passage, which perhaps will draw its lessons and applications a little bit closer to home. The first thing is this, Naaman was a true convert to Christ. He was now a true believer in God, in the Lord, in the Lord Jesus Christ. but he had much to learn. Now you know how we have spoken in the past how the Lord Jesus Christ would not yet come, probably for another 700 or 800 years, but There were lessons in the Old Testament scriptures that pointed to the Lord, and the Old Testament believers knew much about the Lord, the Messiah. So even although he had not come, the information was there. But Naaman, a Syrian, still had much to learn concerning God and concerning the Messiah, who would come to save his people from their sins.

And Naaman, in his naivety, in his lack of understanding wrestled with how he could properly worship God in his own country. And his human wisdom settled on this plan, this project, to gather dirt from Israel and build an altar in Syria. He didn't understand that true worship must be made at the temple in Jerusalem. And he worried about returning home and he worried about fulfilling his duties to his master in the temple of Rimin. He even asked forgiveness in anticipation of what he already felt guilty to perform. Naaman had much to learn, but here is our lesson.

New converts need not be anxious about doing things right, because the Lord will teach us. The Lord will teach you. I don't want you to be intimidated about trusting the Lord because you're not sure whether you'll do things right, because you're not sure whether you'll be able to continue living for Him, because you're not sure whether you'll end up doing things that will be all wrong and you'll just make a mess of this profession of faith. The Lord will teach us.

Naaman was a Syrian general, but he was just a baby believer. and he had much to learn. And when we first trust the Lord Jesus, we all carry wrong notions, wrong ideas in our head. And we worry about doing things right because we want to honour the Lord, but we're frightened that we won't be able to do it. I love what Elisha said to Naaman.

He simply said, go in peace. Trust the Lord. As if to say, the Lord will sort that out. And if a man or a woman or a boy or a girl is truly saved, the Lord will sort it out. The Lord will teach you how to live, how to worship, how to act. and what to believe because the Holy Spirit will come into our heart and teach us all about the Saviour. It is not our job to get everything in our lives sorted before we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. First, we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ And only then, baby step by baby step, he teaches us from his word how to worship, how to serve, and how to follow him. Here's another thing that we can learn from this account.

Gehazi seemed to be a worthy assistant to Elisha. He'd been with the prophet for many years. He'd heard his preaching, he'd seen his miracles, and he seemed to know the Lord. And yet greed overcame him and caused him to lie and to steal and to deceive Naaman and his own master. You know, sometimes believers commit sin. that completely spoils their testimony and destroys their service. And that is what happened here.

Naaman was a new follower, wrestling with new experiences. Gehazi was an old follower, wrestling with old temptations. And it is sad when those who seem to be going on, instead fall away. Perhaps Gehazi was one of those of whom James spoke. We've just been studying James's little epistle over the past few weeks. James spoke in chapter 1, verse 26. He said this, if any man among you seem to be religious, well, Gehazi certainly seemed to be religious, but bridleth not his tongue. Gehazi didn't bridle his tongue. He lied. He made up stories. He schemed and planned. And he made himself rich at Naaman's expense and at Elisha's expense. James says, if any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. It's empty. It's meaningless. Was Gehazi's religion vain and meaningless? I think there's a lesson here too.

Gehazi suffered for his sin. He was a leper and he carried that white leprosy, that visible, deadly leprosy with him for the rest of his days. He had done much harm to himself and his family by betraying Elisha, by deceiving Naaman, by dishonouring the Lord in what he did. And he suffered and his family suffered the effect of that sin for many years to come. And Gehazi died a leper.

Whether he ever found forgiveness with the Lord, I don't know. I hope he did. There are ways back to the Lord when we have sinned grievously, and that is something to remember. I will mention this, that in later years Gehazi was called to speak to King Jehoram of Israel. concerning Elisha and concerning Elisha's preaching and his miracles. And Gehazi spoke highly of the prophet's ministry. He held the prophet in great respect and esteem. And that's just a small thing, but maybe, maybe despite the wreck he made of his own ministry, He too finally found peace with God. I hope so.

Sin can overtake a person. It can ruin their witness and change their life. Nevertheless, always remember there is forgiveness with God. And if you or someone you know stumbles and falls into sin, remember there is mercy with God. Many great sinners have found God to be a greater saviour than they are great sinners, graciously forgiving their sin. There's no sin too great for the blood of Jesus Christ and no sinner, even a Gehazi, beyond the reach of our merciful God. And then lastly, let me just say this. Trusting in Christ does not mean we get everything right and that we never make mistakes.

Naaman was anxious about how he was going to be able to worship the Lord back in his own land, in his own house. A few weeks ago, what had been troubling to him was his leprosy. Well, God cured his leprosy. Now he was worried about how he'd be able to live and follow the Lord. But do you see that there's a difference here? It was still anxiety and worry, but it was worrying about something entirely different. Before, Naaman was anxious because of the worries about his death. Now he was anxious because of the worries about his life. And there is all the difference in the world between those two concerns.

When we are without Christ, we have worries about this world. but those are worries about vain, empty things. When we have Christ, as Naaman now had, we still have worries, but these are about how to honour the Lord, how to live for Him. Those are troubles of spiritual life. Elisha told Naaman to go in peace, and we all can apply this to ourselves.

Trust in the Lord. He will be your guide. Trust in the Lord. He will give you wisdom. Trust in the Lord. He will lead you into all truth. I often quote to you Proverbs 3 verse 5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. And I think this was relevant to Naaman and it will be for us too as we trust in the Lord.

And just one final thought. I don't know what happened to Naaman after this. We don't hear any more about him in the Old Testament. Nor do I know what happened to the little maid who first spoke of Elisha to her mistress and of Naaman's possible healing. But I like to think that these two, and perhaps Naaman's wife, and perhaps some of Naaman's servants, formed a little fellowship of believers back in Damascus, back in Syria, all those years ago. And I like to think that the Lord blessed them with his presence and guided their paths until eventually he took them home to glory. May the Lord bless these thoughts to us today. Amen.