The Valley of Vision

You may want to read first the book of 2 Kings chapter 5, where the story of Gehazi will be found.

The name of Gehazi means "the Valley of Vision." It has deep and meaningful sense. Later on, you will learn why we are talking about Gehazi. But first, I want you to open your mind and prepare you heart as this story will help you to learn how you should live your life as a servant of God. Well, hopefully you would.

#servant #faithful #reliable #loyal #committed

Let's start the story with a man named "Naaman", a commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, BUT he had LEPROSY.

One day, bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. The young girl said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2Kings 5:2-3)

So Naaman asked permission from the King and was approved. The King even sent a letter to the King of Israel. But when the King of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (2Kings 5:7).

When Elisha, the man of God heard that the King tore his robes, he sent his message to let the King send Naaman to him so that Naaman might know that there is a prophet in Israel. And so it happened. Naman went to Elisha' door but instead of Elisha, he sent his servant Gehazi to give instructions to Naaman.

Remember, Naaman is a commander of the ARMY of the KING OF ARAM. Meaning, he is a reputable person. And what Elisha did by sending his servant was so unacceptable to Naaman.

"But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage."

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. (2Kings 5:11-14)

Naaman's leprosy was HEALED by God just because he followed the instructions of Elisha. His flesh was RESTORED and became CLEAN as a young boy's. Despite the fact that he felt mocked by what Elisha did to him. He realized that Elisha's instructions were not that bad to take a try. And he wasn't disappointed. He was healed. So he went back to the prophet.

"He and his entire entourage returned to the prophet. Naaman came and stood before him. He said, “For sure I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel! Now, please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives (whom I serve), I will take nothing from you.” Naaman insisted that he take it, but he refused." (2Kings 5:15-16)

As we can see, Naaman started to recognize and accept the God of Israel.

• to be continued...