“Ridiculous!” growled General Naaman to his entourage. “I was telling myself: He will SURELY come out, stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and will wave his hand over the spot and cure this disease,” motioning to the area he kept carefully concealed from view.
“Ridiculous indeed,” said one servant.
“I know Israel is backward,” continued Naaman, “but I figured their healers would know at least how to do things properly. In Damascus we have some amazing healers. Incense, fire, dance, amulets, incantations, I mean they know how to put on a show.”
“Yes they do. Sadly, none of them got the job done to your satisfaction,” responded a different servant diplomatically. They found it wise to tactfully take turns in responding to the general.
“Granted,” admitted Naaman. “However, this healer did not even come out to see me. He treated me like a dog!” Naaman grew more angry. “And what does his SERVANT say to me? Go wash in that Jordan River? I may as well wash in one of the rivers of Syria. I would certainly come out a whole lot cleaner there than anywhere in Israel.” In a rage, he prepared to leave and head back to Syria.
After some whispering among the servants, the chief servant— the one who carried his shield when going into battle— rode up to Naaman and said quietly to him:
“My father, the saddle bags jingle with all of the silver you brought with you. You would have given every bit of it to be healed?”
Naaman nodded but still scowling. The servant continued,
“And knowing your fortitude and strength, I imagine that there is hardly any task ths healer could have given you that you would not have courageously attacked, and conquered.”
“Of course. I have never backed down from a challenge.” Naaman was calming down.
“Then, when I hear this healer’s message— wash and be healed— I think to myself, ‘Such a trivial task… less than nothing.’ He did not put on a show, but a healer is not to be judged by his theatrics, but on his results. He asked you be washed seven times in their river. Respectfully, let us turn East, and put him to the test.”
General Naaman saw the wisdom in his servant’s words. He had little faith in this healer of Yahweh. He however, had just enough faith to turn East and head for the Jordan.
