2 Kings 5:2-4 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid… I. GOD CAN DO VERY GREAT THINGS BY VERY FEEBLE INSTRUMENTS. The cleansing of Naaman from bodily leprosy was a very great thing. By means of it he was converted to the worship of the true God — a far greater thing. But, in all likelihood, had it not been for the little captive maid he would have died a feller and a heathen. II. GOD CAN MAKE THE SINFUL ACTS OF MEN TO PRAISE HIM. Bringing this little maid a captive out of her native country was a sinful act. But she was brought into the household of Naaman, and God made her a means of unspeakable good to him. Very likely, after his conversion, Naaman proved a blessing to others. If so, she had a share therein. III. WHITHER-SOEVER WE GO, WE SHOULD TAKE OUR RELIGION WITH US. This little Israelitish maid, though she was living in a heathen household, was not ashamed to own herself to be a worshipper of Jehovah. Many who are attentive to the outward duties of religion at home act like those who make no profession when they go among strangers. IV. WE SHOULD LOVE OUR ENEMIES. This little maid was a captive in Naaman's household. It would, therefore, have not been at all unnatural had she hated him. But, instead of that, she pitied him as a leper, and manifested her kindly feelings toward him by telling her mistress where he could obtain deliverance from his sad condition. The Lord, by His servant, the prophet Jeremiah, said to the captive Israelites in Babylon: "Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it." V. THE MIGHTY OF THE EARTH SHOULD NOT DESPISE THE LOWLY. The former do not know how greatly they may yet be indebted to the latter. No doubt, many a time Naaman, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian army, envied the robust health of a private. For that — could he have done it — he would cheerfully have given him his wealth and honours. But it was utterly impossible for him, in any way, to buy that unspeakable blessing. At length he obtained it, but he did so "without money and without price." (T. Fenwick.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. |
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