Topical Bible: Pride: Naaman, Refusing to Wash in the Jordan River

◄ Pride: Naaman, Refusing to Wash in the Jordan River ►

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Naaman, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, serves as a poignant example of pride and its potential to obstruct divine blessing. His account is found in 2 Kings 5, where he is introduced as a commander of the army of the king of Aram, a man of great valor but afflicted with leprosy. Despite his high status and military prowess, Naaman's condition rendered him desperate for healing.

The narrative unfolds when a young Israelite girl, taken captive and serving Naaman's wife, suggests that Naaman seek healing from the prophet Elisha in Samaria. Acting on this advice, Naaman approaches the king of Aram, who sends him with a letter to the king of Israel, requesting that Naaman be cured of his leprosy.

Upon reaching Elisha's house, Naaman is met not by the prophet himself but by a messenger who instructs him to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed. This directive incites Naaman's prideful indignation. Expecting a grandiose display of prophetic power, Naaman is offended by the simplicity and perceived indignity of the command. He exclaims, "Are not Abanah 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). His pride blinds him to the simplicity of God's provision, and he turns away in a rage.

Naaman's reaction highlights a common human tendency to allow pride to cloud judgment and hinder obedience to God's instructions. His expectation of a dramatic healing and his disdain for the humble Jordan River reflect a heart that struggles with submission and humility. Naaman's servants, however, intervene with wisdom and humility, urging him to reconsider: "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'?" (2 Kings 5:13).

Convinced by their reasoning, Naaman sets aside his pride and obeys the prophet's command. He immerses himself in the Jordan River seven times, and his flesh is restored, becoming like that of a young boy. This miraculous healing not only cleanses Naaman physically but also transforms his heart, leading him to acknowledge the God of Israel: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15).

Naaman's account serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride and the blessings that come with humility and obedience. His initial refusal to wash in the Jordan River underscores the struggle between human pride and divine instruction, while his eventual submission illustrates the transformative power of faith and humility.

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2 Kings 5:11-13
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
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