Lesson 23 Washing at the Cross Brings Cleansing and Healing
Questions 1 and 2
Hello again, nice to see you back today!
In the previous lesson, we saw that 2 Peter chapter 1 encourages us to grow and mature into Christ-likeness. But it tells us that if we are not doing so, it is because we have forgotten that Jesus died to cleanse us. It is essential, then, that we form the habit of Washing at the Cross.
God gives us multiple accounts of historical events in His Word that illustrate this truth. Today we are going to look at one such event found in 2 Kings chapter 5.
2 Kings 5:1 shows that Naaman is an important man, a well-respected man who is in high favor with his master, and assumedly all the dignitaries of Syria. And no doubt he was used to being treated like it. Important people are accustomed to being shown respect and deference.
But Naaman had a problem. He had leprosy. Leprosy, in Naaman’s day, was known to be a deadly, flesh-wasting disease. Eventually, the disease would spread over Naaman’s entire body and take his life. Leprosy was also considered contagious, and all those afflicted would be deemed unclean and untouchable. Considering these facts, we can only imagine Naaman’s desperation to find a cure.
2 Kings 5:2 ESV Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife.
Question 1. What can you discern about the relationship between the Syrians and God’s people (the Israelites) from 2 Kings 5:2?
The Syrians and the Israelites were bitter enemies. Can you imagine a member of ISIS capturing a little girl from your country and making her a slave to one of their leaders? How terrifyingly cruel!
2 Kings 5:3-5 ESV She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” (5) And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
Question 2. From the above passage, what is Naaman’s intent when he goes to Israel?