2 Kings 5:1-19

THE LEPROSY OF NAAMAN CLEANSED, 2 Kings 5:1-19.

Of all Elisha’s miracles of blessing, this cleansing of Naaman’s leprosy was the only one he wrought upon a heathen. His other mighty works of healing or benediction afflicted persons and families in Israel. It was fitting that one famous miracle of healing should be wrought upon a foreigner; a miracle conveying rich moral lessons for all nations and all ages. Naaman’s cure, affected by his meeting the conditions of the word of the Lord through Elisha, is a standing type of salvation from sin by the Gospel.

There were many Israelitish lepers in Elisha’s time, but they were not cleansed, because they sought not unto the God of Elisha. Naaman, the Syrian, manifests a faith not to be found in Israel, and is cleansed. He thus prefigured the Gentiles of a later age, who eagerly asked and received the salvation of God from which many a Jew was cut off because of their unbelief. Compare Luke 4:27.