2 Kings 5:15-19 – Worshipping and serving with a pure conscience

In 2 Kings 5:14, we were told that Naaman finally obeyed and did all that Elisha told him to do. After he had washed himself in the Jordan seven times, his leprous skin was cleansed and restored to that of a child. This new paragraph in 2 Kings 5:15-19 then describe his response. Here he was, with his company of men standing before  Elisha to express his gratitude. His words in verse 15 evidently tell us that he understood that his healing did not come from Elisha but from God. So he confidently said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but Israel.” What a testimony! What a truth! Truly no one except this awesome God could heal and restore. In what Naaman had said, he indirectly also brought an indictment against the king and people of Israel who had forsaken this God for worthless idols.  

Apart from the confession of his faith in God, Naaman also offered to give Elisha a present for what he had done. The latter refused to accept the offer of a gift. He said to Naaman, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” Despite the insistence of Naaman, Elisha did not want it for he didn’t want to give the impression that he was peddling his ministry. He served to magnify Yahweh and not to make a profit. This is a needful lesson that every true servant of God must learn. Every ministry God has entrusted to a person is to serve His purpose and glorify Him. Ministers of God must not do ministry for the sake of profit. God is well able to support and see his servants through all their needs in life. There should never be a need for a servant of God to peddle the ministry and seek monetary gain. However, we must have a balance concerning supporting a minister. God through Paul in 1 Timothy 5:18 said that we must not muzzle the ox that threads the corns, and that “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Ministers should not demand to be paid for any service rendered, but if it is a kind gesture voluntarily given, he may accept it gratefully.   

In verse 17, we have an unusual request from Naaman. He requested to bring two mules’ load of earth from Israel back with him to Syria. Clearly, he had already made up his mind not to offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to other gods except Yahweh. While he would not worship other gods, he was still serving the pagan king of Aram. He realized that there would be times when he had to accompany his master to the house of Rimmon when the latter would worship his gods. In those circumstances, he would have to give a helping hand that might require him to bow down. Here he was clarifying his conscience. It might appear as if he was worshipping the god, but his conscience would remain clear that he was not. His heart and allegiance would always be with the God of Israel and wanted only His pardon. So Elisha permitted him to do so. Like Naaman, we must serve God with a good conscience. He wanted the two mules’ loads of earth not to turn them into a god for worship but to be a reminder to him of who His God was. It’s like modern Christians who wear a cross around their neck not to worship it but as a witness that he or she belongs to God.