The Great Exchange (2 Kings 5:15-27, Romans 2:28-3:4, Romans 9:4)
Rev. William L. Barron, May 29, 2022Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
2 Kings 5: 15-27 Romans 2: 28--3: 4, 9: 4
Elisha communicated the grace of God to Naaman through a captive slave girl. Naaman, a leper, was healed physically, but more importantly spiritually. This is a picture of the condemnation of Israel, which had the blessings of God, but did not honor Him, while Naaman, a Syrian leper, came to faith. Israel forgot that only God was worthy of sacrifice and worshipped othere gods. Naaman was healed by his faith, while many Israelite lepers remained in their affliction and disobedience. Gehazi thought that Elisha was foolish to refuse the riches that Naaman offered him, out of a greedy heart, covetous desire and a ready opportunity. The lesson to us is to guard our hearts and be content with what we have. The contrast is between a converted Syrian and a faithless Israelite. Gehazi took riches but also leprosy, as a result of breaking numerous commandments. Gehazi put a price on the grace of God and misrepresented Him. He spurned the wonder God had done for Naaman. We wonder what Gehazi was going to do with all Naaman's riches he coveted. Would he leave the service of Elisha and indulge himself? Like Gehazi, we often do not think through things when we disobey God and insult His grace. Gehazi exchanged joy for punishment extending to his own descendants. We see a picture of a great exchange to come here; grace coming to Naaman through his trust, and Naaman's affliction placed upon Gehazi for his sin.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Navigating The Ups And Downs Of Life | None | Call Upon The Master » |
2 Kings 5:15–27 (Listen)
15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. 18 In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 He said to him, “Go in peace.”
But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
(ESV)
Romans 2:28–3:4 (Listen)
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you are judged.”
(ESV)
Romans 9:4 (Listen)
4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
(ESV)