How does Naaman's request in 2 Kings 5:17 demonstrate his newfound faith? The Text Itself “Then Naaman said, ‘If you will not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any god but the LORD.’” (2 Kings 5:17) What Naaman Is Asking • Two mule-loads of soil from Israel • Permission to build an altar on that soil when he returns to Syria (cf. Exodus 20:24) • A declaration that every future sacrifice he makes will be to “the LORD” alone How This Reveals Genuine Faith 1. Recognition of the One True God • v. 15 already states: “There is no God in all the earth except in Israel.” • His request underscores that conviction: he will “no longer” worship any other deity (Exodus 20:3). 2. Desire for Covenant Worship • Altars of earth were God’s specified pattern for acceptable sacrifice (Exodus 20:24). • By taking Israel’s soil, Naaman signals intent to follow the LORD’s revealed way, not Syrian ritual. 3. Personal Ownership of Faith • Twice he calls himself “your servant,” shifting from Syrian commander to humble worshiper (James 4:10). • He no longer relies on Israel’s prophet alone but brings worship home, making it his own responsibility. 4. Separation from Idolatry • Publicly renounces Rimmon, Syria’s god (v. 18 mentions the temple of Rimmon). • Aligns with Psalm 96:5—“all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” 5. Understanding Holiness of Place • Ancient mindset linked deity to land; Naaman does not doubt God’s universal rule (Psalm 24:1) yet chooses Israel’s soil to anchor his loyalty. • Foreshadows New-Covenant truth that true worship is not bound to geography (John 4:21-24), but his act is appropriate for his revealed light at that moment. 6. Immediate Obedience • Faith acts, not merely speaks (James 2:17). • He moves from cleansing to concrete worship arrangements before even leaving Israel. Key Takeaways for Today • Saving encounters with God always produce visible change—public, practical, and uncompromising. • True faith surrenders former allegiances and aligns fully with God’s revealed Word. • Worship rooted in Scripture—not convenience or tradition—marks a heart transformed by grace. |
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