SUB-JUNIOR
AGE: 8 - 9
YEARS
STANDARD/GRADE:
III & IV
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LESSON – 20
THE HEALING
OF NAAMAN
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In this lesson we are going to learn about the miraculous
healing of a Syrian man named Naaman through Prophet Elisha. Prophet Elisha was
the servant of another great prophet of Israel called Elijah. Prophet Elijah is
considered very special because he is one of the two people mentioned in the
Holy Bible who did not die. When Elijah’s work as a prophet was completed on
this earth, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah was taken
up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah’s special prophetic and miracle-working gifts
were passed on to Elisha to continue the prophetic ministry. Prophet Elisha had
a servant named Gehazi.
During those days there were constant wars between Israel and Syria. Naaman was a commander of the king’s army in Aram* (Aram was an ancient Kingdom that included Syria). The King of Syria, Ben-Hadad* thought very highly of Naaman because he had won many battles for Syria. But Naaman was affected by a terrible skin disease called leprosy*.
It was one of the most dreadful
diseases of ancient times since people afflicted with it were separated from
their friends and family. They were forced to live outside the city gate, away
from others to avoid spreading of the disease. Because of Naaman’s position, maybe
he was permitted to stay in the city in his own home.
During those days there was a battle between Syria and
Israel. The Syrians captured many Israelites and brought them back to Syria as
slaves. One of those slaves was a young girl who was taken to Naaman’s home to
serve his wife. While this young girl served Naaman’s wife, she saw Naaman
suffering from leprosy. Even though she lived in a foreign land she remembered
the God of Israel and Elisha, the prophet of God who had worked many miracles. Though
most people in Israel at that time rebelled against God and worshipped Baal,
this young girl still believed in God. She knew that Prophet Elisha was a man
of God and could heal Naaman. Instead of being bitter towards her captors she
decided to share the good news with Naaman’s wife. She told Naaman’s wife that
a prophet in Samaria named Elisha could heal Naaman. Samaria was the capital of
the Kingdom of Israel.
Naaman’s wife in turn told Naaman what the Israelite servant
girl had told her. Naaman then went to his master, the King of Syria and told
him what the little girl had said. The King of Syria was concerned about Naaman.
He wanted his best and devoted army commander to be healed. The King of Syria readily
wrote a letter addressed to the King of Israel asking him to heal Naaman.
Naaman took the King’s letter, as well as some expensive gifts to give to the
one who heals him. He took 10 talents of silver, 6,000 shekels of gold and 10
sets of clothing.
When Naaman arrived in Israel he gave the letter written by the
King of Syria to the King of Israel. The King of Israel at that time was Jehoram,
the son of Ahab and Jezebel, the most wicked king and queen to have ever ruled
Israel. When the King of Israel read the letter, he was troubled and scared because
he knew that he did not have the power to cure anyone. He thought Ben-Hadad was
looking for an opportunity to start a war with him. He did not have any miracle
working power, yet if he refused to heal Naaman, the king of Syria would be
provoked. He was distraught and he even tore his clothes.
.jfif)
When Prophet Elisha heard about Naaman and the letter sent
to the King of Israel. He sent messengers to bring Naaman to him for healing.
He wanted Naaman to know that there was still a prophet of God in Israel. So Naaman travelled to meet Prophet Elisha. He and his servants came to the
place where Prophet Elisha was staying. Elisha heard the noise of Naaman’s
company and knew that Naaman had arrived. But Prophet Elisha did not go out to
meet or greet Naaman. He sent his servant and told Naaman to go and wash himself
seven times in the Jordan river; then his flesh would be restored and cleansed.
Naaman was furious! He had thought that Elisha would come out and greet him, say some special prayer over him and wave his arms and he would be healed. Naaman thought it was an insulting idea to ask him to go and take bath in the Jordan River, and that too in a country he was not very fond of! He thought it would have been better if the prophet had asked him to wash himself in the rivers that ran through his own country. Damascus had many pristine water bodies. The waters from mountain streams such as Abana and Pharpar in Damascus were crystal clear and much better than the muddied waters of Jordan.
Naaman was enraged and wanted to return to Syria. But his servants
urged him to obey the prophet. If the prophet had asked him to do something
great, he would have done it. But the prophet had asked him to do such a simple
act.
Naaman decided to give it a try and went down in the Jordan
River, just like Prophet Elisha told him to. He dipped himself seven times in
the Jordan River and was miraculously healed of the terrible disease! His skin
looked flawless and was as soft and smooth as a little child’s skin.
Naaman was excited. He wanted to honour Prophet Elisha. So, he went back to Prophet Elisha’s house and offered him all the expensive and exotic gifts he had brought from Aram. But Prophet Elisha would not accept the gifts. He told Naaman how to be healed only because he wanted Naaman to know that the God of Israel is real. Naaman was convinced and made a promise to Prophet Elisha that he would worship the God of Israel from then on. He left Prophet Elisha’s home and began his journey back to Aram.
.jfif)
Teacher’s Notes:
*Aram was not a single empire but consisted of many small
nations and states, which included Syria. Damascus was one of the influential
cities of Aram. It comprised of the region to the East of the Jordan, but
extending in the North over most of Northern Syria. was also called Paddan-aram
in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:20) or
field of Aram (Hosea 12:12). The
Arameans were a Semitic race. Aram was called a son (descendant) of Shem (Genesis 10:22). He
was also called a grandson of Nahor, the brother of Abraham (Genesis 22:21).
*Ben-Hadad was the title name given to the kings of Syria,
just like the title “Pharaoh,” that was given to the kings of Egypt. Ben-Hadad
II was the King of Syria when this miracle occurred.
*According to Biblical scholars, the leprosy mentioned in
the Holy Bible is not the same leprosy, also called as Hansen’s disease that
occurs in the modern times. The Hebrew word for leprosy given in the Holy Bible
is Tzaarat. Leviticus chapters 13 & 14 explain the symptoms of Tzaarat in
detail.
Bible
Reference: II Kings 5
Memory
Verse: I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According
to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10).
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Answer
the following questions:
1. Who
was the commander of the king’s army in Aram?
......................................................................................
2. What
did the little girl tell Naaman’s wife?
......................................................................................
3. What
did the King of Israel think when he received the letter from Naaman?
.......................................................................................
4. Why
was Naaman angry with prophet Elisha?
......................................................................................
5. Why happened
when Naaman dipped in the Jordan river?
.......................................................................................
Match
the Following
1.
Elisha - Streams
2. Naaman - Servant
3. Ben-Haddad - Prophet
4. Gehazi - King
5. Abana and Pharpar - Army commander
