Incurably Sick
If the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head,
or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
He is a leprous man, he is unclean.
Leviticus 13:43,44
Read Leviticus 13:29-46
Naaman had many military victories attached to his name, yet he had to experience
a terrible humiliation; he was leprous. That meant he was looked
on as an outcast. Any person who was struck with this dreadful disease
would be written off as a doomed man.
This was certainly disgraceful, especially when we consider his beautiful
name. But, do you and I see our image portrayed in the life of Naaman? You
may have been given a healthy and strong body by the Creator and Sustainer
of your life. Yet, through the Fall, all that was once perfect and good, must
perish and die. As a consequence, that which our baptism form states is
true of us all: that all of us are by nature children of wrath.
Naaman could see how ill he actually was by the sores that were appearing
on his body. But, by nature we continue to merrily live on if the Lord
does not reveal to us our spiritual disease. Naaman could see the serious
progress his disease was making, but where would he be able to find healing?
Very remarkably, before the Syrian general had even heard of the God
of Israel, the Lord was already paving the way for his restoration. God is
always a step ahead of us. In His good pleasure, He had already provided
a young Israelite servant girl who would direct Naaman in the way that he
could be healed.
Thought: Is it biblical to speak of an incurable disease?
Psalter 143: 3,4 (based on Psalm 51)
From all pollution make me clean, Yea, whiter than the snow;
O let my broken heart rejoice And gladness make me know;
Blot out all my iniquities, And hide my sins from view;
Create in me a spirit right, O God, my heart renew.
From out Thy presence cast me not, Thy face no more to see;
Thy Holy Spirit and His grace Take not away from me.
Restore me Thy salvation’s joy, My willing heart uphold;
Then sinners shall be turned to Thee When I Thy ways unfold.
