Why did Naaman prefer "Abana and Pharpar" over the Jordan for his healing? Setting the Scene • Naaman, the commander of Aram’s army, arrives in Israel seeking healing from leprosy. • Elisha does not even meet him in person but sends the simple instruction: “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times” (2 Kings 5:10). • Naaman erupts: “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” (2 Kings 5:12). A Soldier’s Expectations • Naaman anticipated a dramatic, ceremonious healing befitting his status (5:11). • He assumed the prophet would “come out, call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot” (5:11). • A muddy, unimpressive Jordan did not align with his idea of divine power or personal dignity. Why Abana and Pharpar Seemed ‘Better’ 1. Familiarity and Patriotism – They flowed through Damascus, his homeland’s proud lifeline. – Associating healing with Syria’s rivers felt natural—and less humiliating—than yielding to Israel’s waters. 2. Reputation for Purity – The Abana (modern Barada) and Pharpar (Awaj) were celebrated for clear, sparkling water that irrigated Damascus, making it “like the garden of the LORD” (cf. Genesis 13:10). – In contrast, the lower Jordan can appear murky and insignificant. 3. Aesthetic and Strategic Superiority – Syrian literature and local lore praised these rivers for beauty and agricultural bounty. – Naaman assumed a “better” river must offer “better” cleansing. 4. Pride and Prejudice – Accepting Israel’s humble river would imply that Israel’s God outranked Syria’s gods and resources. – Pride whispered that his national symbols were superior; obedience would require swallowing that pride. The Deeper Issue: Pride vs. Obedience • God intentionally chose an unimpressive means to expose and confront Naaman’s self-reliance. • “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). • Submitting to the Jordan demanded humility—exactly what God honors: “He gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). • Only after Naaman “went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times” (5:14) did “his flesh become like that of a little child.” The miracle confirmed that healing flows from God’s command, not from geographical or aesthetic superiority. Lessons for Today • God’s instructions may appear simple, even beneath us, yet obedience releases His power (Luke 5:5). • National pride, social status, or personal preferences can hinder receiving God’s provision (Proverbs 14:12). • The Lord often uses ordinary elements—water, mud, a wooden cross—to display extraordinary grace (John 9:6; 1 Peter 2:24). • True faith bows to God’s way, regardless of human logic or cultural pride. Key Takeaways • Naaman preferred Abana and Pharpar because they symbolized familiarity, beauty, and national pride. • God directed him to the Jordan to humble him, redirect his faith, and reveal that the source of cleansing is the Lord alone. • The episode underscores that obedience, not human estimation of “better,” unlocks divine blessing. |
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