"My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?" This is a powerful rhetorical question. It acknowledges that Naaman would have readily complied with any difficult or demanding request from the prophet, even if it involved significant effort or sacrifice.
2 Kings 5:1–27
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
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.
And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go to Samaria, and take with thee ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
And he took them, and came to Israel, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
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.
Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I beseech thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
But he refused, and said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant: that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, two talents of silver, and two changes of raiment.
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and gave them to two of his servants: and they bare them before him.
And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. 23. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
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This verse from 2 Kings 5:27 in the King James Version (KJV) describes the severe punishment that Elisha, the prophet of God, inflicted upon his servant Gehazi.
Here's a breakdown:
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"The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever." This is the core of the curse. Leprosy was a highly contagious and debilitating disease in biblical times. Elisha declares that Gehazi, and his descendants, will be afflicted with leprosy forever. This is a severe and lasting punishment for Gehazi's greed and deceit.
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"And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." This vividly illustrates the immediate and dramatic effect of the curse. Gehazi's skin is instantly covered in the white spots characteristic of leprosy. He is immediately transformed into an outcast, suffering from a disease that would significantly impact his quality of life and social standing.
This verse serves as a powerful warning against greed, dishonesty, and disobedience. It highlights the importance of integrity and faithfulness in serving God.
Key takeaways:
- Consequences of sin: This story emphasizes that there are serious consequences for our actions, particularly when we act out of greed or disobedience.
- Importance of integrity: It underscores the importance of integrity and honesty in serving God and others.
- The power of God's word: Elisha's words carry immense power, demonstrating the authority and judgment of God.
This passage continues to resonate with readers today, serving as a reminder of the importance of living a life of integrity and faithfulness to God.
----------------------------------------------------The story of Joseph and Pharaoh begins with Joseph interpreting the dreams of the king's cupbearer and baker while they were both imprisoned.
- The Cupbearer's Dream: The cupbearer dreamt of a vine with three branches that produced ripe grapes, which he squeezed into Pharaoh's cup.
- Joseph's Interpretation: Joseph correctly interpreted this dream, predicting that the cupbearer would be restored to his position within three days.
- The Baker's Dream: The baker dreamt of three baskets of bread on his head, with birds eating from the top basket.
- Joseph's Interpretation: Joseph accurately interpreted this dream as well, foretelling that the baker would be hanged, and the birds would eat his flesh.
These interpretations proved true. The cupbearer was indeed restored to his position, while the baker was executed. However, the cupbearer, despite promising to remember Joseph, forgot about him.
Two years later, Pharaoh had troubling dreams. He consulted his wise men, but none could interpret them. The cupbearer, remembering Joseph's accurate interpretations of his own and the baker's dreams, finally remembered him. He spoke to Pharaoh about Joseph's abilities, and Pharaoh summoned Joseph from prison.
Joseph, guided by God, successfully interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh, impressed by Joseph's wisdom, appointed him second in command over all of Egypt, giving him authority to prepare for the impending famine.
This chain of events, initiated by the cupbearer's forgotten promise, led to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and ultimately played a crucial role in saving the lives of millions during the famine, including his own family.
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Joseph's interpretation:
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The Dream: The cupbearer dreamt of a vine with three branches that produced ripe grapes. He then squeezed these grapes and poured the resulting juice into Pharaoh's cup.
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Joseph's Interpretation: Joseph saw this dream as a positive sign for the cupbearer.
- The three branches likely symbolized the three days that would pass before the cupbearer would be restored to his position.
- The ripe grapes represented the sweetness of his return to favor and his restoration to his former position.
- The act of squeezing the grapes and pouring the juice into Pharaoh's cup symbolized the cupbearer serving Pharaoh once again.
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