Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
Proverbs 14:22 (WEB)
She was just a little girl. Approximately, five billion people have at least had the opportunity to read her story.
She was taken against her will, from her home and family. (click the link for more about her).
We know very little about her. What we do know is that she had great courage and faith. We know that she received God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
Why?
Because when she realized God was working in someone else’s life, she responded. She recalled her training from a good parent or someone who helped her to know her Creator. She must have learned so much before her captivity.
But this story is also about an evil plan.
There was a man, Gehazi, trusted servant to the prophet Elisha, who sinned against God through planned deception and greed.
Gehazi is mentioned several times in the book of 2 Kings, chapters 4, 5 and 8.
By God’s power, Gehazi had just witnessed the healing of Naaman, the Assyrian general who had been stricken with leprosy. Naaman is not only healed, but this Gentile received God’s grace because he believed.
Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
Naaman was saved and healed by God.
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.
God’s mercy and grace is freely given to all who believe.
Grace
Gehazi exposed his sinful heart.
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi set off after Naaman.
Do you see how our actions can disaffect both lost people and new believers?
God displayed His grace and power, as well as His love for Naaman. He must have felt confused despite his benevolence to Gehazi.
The rest of the story.
When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.
“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”
“By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.
When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.
We should never judge another person’s salvation. Gehazi’s sinful act revealed his heart and led to more sin. However, it is not for us to know if he was unsaved or simply spiritually faltering.
This story should prompt believers to ask important questions, such as: If I am saved, how can I plan to sin against God, or sin without remorse? Psalm 51:4
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth.
1 John 1:6 (WEB)
God loves everyone and desires your redemption. He wants you walk with Him in peace.
How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Good News!
Isaiah 52:7 (Paraphrased)
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New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 