Naaman is the epitome of the natural man: Powerful, successful, and convinced that he can use his clout and wealth to purchase just about anything. He believes that Syria has the best rivers. He is also a leper, estranged from God and from God’s prophet.
2 Kings 5 is the story of his conversion, in which he turns from false gods to Yahweh; from arrogance and pride to humility; from the great man to a “little boy” by following the advice of his little girl slave and his servant; from pride in Syrian waterways to a willingness to wash in the Jordan. He is reborn in the bath in the Jordan.
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