The story of Naaman and the Servant Girl provides us with several important lessons. It is a story of the small becoming like the mighty and the young like the old.
The little Israelite servant girl wants to help her master. This is a bold move for her since she lives in a patriarchal world that kept children and women powerless.
Naaman’s Pride
Naaman was a powerful commander of the army and a pagan. But when he was diagnosed with leprosy, his whole world turned upside down. He felt as though he was not only worthless, but also unclean. His pride was keeping him from healing.
One day a little maid happened to be in his house. She spoke words of hope and encouragement to him. She suggested that he go see a prophet in Israel who could heal him. Naaman took her advice.
The servant girl’s willingness to share her faith with her master demonstrates her love for him. She knew that his pride was getting in the way of his healing, and she wanted to help him overcome it.
She urged him to follow the prophet’s instructions, even if it was only washing in the muddy river. It was a small request, and she understood that it would be humiliating for him.
It was a brave and bold decision for the little servant girl to speak her heart to Naaman. She was willing to risk her position to make sure that her master would be healed. She loved her master more than her own life. In the end, she was rewarded for her courage. Naaman was cured of his leprosy, and the little servant girl received honor and glory.
The Servant Girl’s Faith
The servant girl could have reacted in many different ways. She was far from home, in a strange country, and working for a high-ranking military official. It would have been easy for her to clam up and think only of herself. But instead, she took a bold step and shared with her mistress the solution to Naaman’s problem. The little servant girl knew God’s prophet and believed in the miracles that he performed. She had no personal gain in telling her master that he needed to go to Elisha. She was merely showing compassion for her master and speaking up for him. She exhibited what Brueggeman calls “a profound willingness to put the needs of others above her own.”
The king of Syria was willing to help Naaman, but only through political means. He sent a messenger to tell him the way to Israel, and with him he took ten talents of silver. Dilday estimates this is the equivalent of over $1.2 million in today’s money.
It’s hard to imagine how the servant girl felt when she received this message from the king of Syria. She was no doubt terrified as she envisioned the violent, marauding armies that were so feared in her homeland. But she had faith that God’s power was greater than any amount of money or military might.
Naaman’s Response
As a leader of the army, Naaman held a high position and enjoyed great wealth. He was a man who looked at things mostly in terms of the outward appearance. He expected to be complimented and he did receive a compliment in return, but he didn’t appreciate the courtesy. He complained about it to Gehazi.
When Gehazi heard the complaint, he figured out that this was his chance to get back at Naaman for refusing his gift. He deliberately lied to his master. This was a sin of coveting money, an evil that plagues multitudes of people today. He hid the gifts in his house. He waited until the time when he could lay them out before his master, and then he did it.
He also lied when he told Naaman that the man who sent him to wash in Jordan seven times would cure his leprosy. This was another sin of envy and jealousy.
Naaman also wanted to give the servant girl a substantial sum of money. He reasoned that this would enable her to worship the God of Israel while he continued to bow down in the temple of Rimmon in Syria. The servant girl was unwilling to accept this money, but Elisha insisted. Scripture teaches that it is right for those who have been taught the Word to share their blessings with those who teach them (Gal. 6:6).
Naaman’s Healing
When the servant girl suggested that Naaman go to see Elisha and get healing for his leprosy, it seemed like a crazy idea. After all, he was the commander of Aram’s army and a very powerful man. He also had great wealth and a very luxurious house.
Yet this little servant girl, despite her small size and insignificant status, cared enough to speak up. She had faith enough to know that the Lord could heal him from his disease, and she was willing to share that belief with others.
It is interesting to note that she didn’t say “come and worship our God.” Instead, she encouraged him to seek a personal relationship with the Lord and tell others about Him. This is how the Gospel message should be presented—as a call to personal, loving relationship with Jesus Christ and a calling to tell others about him.
Naaman was initially angered by this command. He felt it was demeaning and inconvenient. But he eventually obeyed. He bathed seven times in the Jordan River, and was healed. He also came to believe that the God of Israel was the true and living God. This was a direct result of the little servant girl’s words and her faith in God.
