Naaman

2 Kings 5.15-19 

Elisha has just healed Naaman, commander of the army of Aram, of leprosy.

Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”

“Go in peace,” Elisha said.

This little passage was interesting for its implications and for the questions it raises and does not necessarily answer. First of all, note that Naaman is determined to never offer sacrifices to any god but the God of Israel. But it occurs to him very quickly that his king, the king of Syria, worships Rimmon and he often leans on Naaman as he bows before Rimmon. It’s not stated whether the king is crippled and needs support or that the arm-leaning is ceremonially significant. (Naaman is the commander of the Syrian army. Also note that Naaman had a highly favorable relationship with his king, as evidenced by the king sending a letter to the king of Israel that effectively enabled Naaman to get in contact with Elisha.) So, whether thinking about his duty, or due to personal loyalty, or both, Naaman requests pardon in advance from Elisha. We know that Naaman does not mean to worship Rimmon, but it is clear that his support of the king will give the impression that he is. 

Elisha’s response to Naaman’s request is, “Go in peace.” It’s significant that he didn’t tell Naaman that he would be forgiven for the act he was fearful of taking. To do so would violate a Christian principle: we don’t ask God’s forgiveness in advance of sinning. To do so is to test or tempt the Lord. Our responsibility is that when we are convicted in advance that an action is sin, we simply must not do it. 

Based on this assumption, I look at Elisha’s pronouncement as a  recognition of Naaman’s civic obligations. Not that civic obligations are ever divorced from obligations to God—ultimately God assigns authority to governments, all of which act within the bounds of his permission. (Sometimes we wish God wouldn’t give governments so much room to roam.) 

Jesus’ answer to the question of paying taxes to Caesar comes to mind. The Pharisees asked whether it was lawful (permitted by God) to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked them to show him the coin they were talking about “Whose inscription and likeness is on the coin?” It was Caesars. “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” The Pharisees marveled at his wisdom and then went away. I think the meaning Jesus conveyed was, “Yes, it is okay to pay taxes to Caesar.” On the other hand, as has heard on several occasions, we ought not ignore the fact that Caesar was created in God’s image. Does this muddy Jesus’ answer? I don’t think so. I think it simply calls on us to look with wider perspective at the coin. Jesus endorses civil authority, which is consistent with other biblical teaching, but he reminds us that even what we give to Caesar is given to one who is God’s servant (even if Caesar is oblivious of the fact).

Another observation: Naaman was clearly concerned about his actions being sin. The fact that he sought and received permission from the prophet of God is significant. We can rest assured that if we are wondering whether an action we are about to take is sin, if we go to a prophet of God and get permission to take that action, his answer will put the light on our path, too. (I don’t know any prophets but I do have a full O.T. and N.T., which I believe God has given to us to serve as our 21st century prophet.) 

Another observation: Elisha tells the head of the Syrian army to go in peace. I don’t think this was a command that he seek out a job change, particularly, since we can read earlier in the chapter that “by Naaman the Lord had given victory to Syria.” Still, it’s interesting that what the great warrior, recently healed of his leprosy, still needed was peace.