Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Humility

Hello All,

Last week we focused on and examined ‘Naaman’s Pride’ (2 Kings 5:1-7).

Today, we will be looking at ‘Naaman’s Humility’ (2 Kings 5:8-14).

The part of the poem that we will be emphasizing on today is highlighted in blue.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Humility

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (18^th July 2013)

There once was a man named Naaman, the commander

Of the army of Syria who found great favour

With his master for he was a man of valour

Who won many battles but he was a leper

He could not rejoice or bask in his achievements

For his disease found no cure in any treatments

His body was wasting away as time went by

He was like a walking dead man who would soon die

Naaman's wife had a little slave girl who was captured

During a raid in Israel and placed under her

The girl's compassion for her enemy was pure

She told Naaman's wife about a potential cure

'There is a mighty prophet of God from my land

Who could heal my Lord's leprosy with healing hands'

Naaman eagerly made this known to his master

'Go now and I'll send to Israel's king a letter'

So Naaman brought gifts of clothing, gold and silver

And he delivered them with his master's letter

To the king of Israel as goodwill offerings

In exchange for Naaman's miraculous healing

The king of Israel received and read the letter

He tore his robes in despair for he couldn't offer

Miraculous healing for Naaman's leprosy

So he viewed this as a threat from his enemy

Elisha heard of the king's great predicament

He passed a message to the king through his servant

'Why do you tear your clothes, why does your courage fail?

Let him come now to me, a prophet of Israel'

With his horses and chariots, Naaman came swiftly

He reached the prophet's house with great expectancies

But instead of Elisha it was his servant

Who met him at the door, the prophet was absent

'Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River

Then your flesh shall be restored, you shall recover

And you shall be clean' the servant passed the message

To Naaman who went away from the house in rage

'Behold, I thought that the prophet would come to me

And call upon his God to cure me instantly!

Are not the rivers of Damascus better than

All the waters and seas of this Israelite land?!'

But Naaman's servants urged him to reconsider

The great healing that Elisha had to offer

'The prophet has spoken a mighty word, my Lord,

'Wash and be clean', so that your illness may be cured'

So he dipped himself seven times in the river

His flesh was restored, he had never felt better

His flesh had become like that of a little child

For the first time in so long, he finally smiled

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Points for Reflection:

·         Naaman’s pride was badly bruised. He expected Elisha, the prophet of Israel, to personally meet him at the door and heal him but Elisha passed his message through his servant. To further add salt to his hurting ego, the message conveyed by the servant was a humiliating one for a man of standing. It was embarrassing for a great commander to perform a simple and seemingly foolish act of dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River. At this point of the story, I used to scold Naaman for being such a proud fool by pushing away such a good healing opportunity. But I realized that pride actually makes us do foolish things and there are times when I am guilty of that.

·         Have you been subconsciously feeding on your pride and ego? How could you learn humility from our Lord Jesus Christ?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)

·         But God was kind and merciful to Naaman for he used his own servants to persuade him to change his mind. Naaman listened to the good advice of his men and humbled himself by washing himself in the Jordan River.

·         Could you recall the times when the wise counsel of people has prevented you from acting foolishly? Why don’t you take some time thanking God for such people?

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (Proverbs 19:20-21)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

·         God had not only brought him on a journey to recovery but a journey of humility. This incident made Naaman realize that his healing had to be done on God’s terms and not his. He realized that he did not have as much control as he thought had but God was fully in control of everything.

·         How could you be more dependent on God than on yourself?

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you (1 Peter 5:6)

Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Pride

Hello All,

The competitive culture of today emphasizes on the importance of striving for academic excellence and career achievements.

Although it is vital to fulfill one’s role and responsibilities in life, there is always a temptation to overwork and prioritize those avenues of success to the point of obsession and idolatry.

This often results in an overinflated ego and the neglect of other priorities in life.

The poem I wrote for the fifth part of the ‘Counterfeit Gods’ series, ‘The Seduction of Success’, is quite long so I am dividing it into three weeks.

We will be looking at ‘Naaman’s Pride’ (2 Kings 5:1-7) today, ‘Naaman’s Humility’ (2 Kings 5:8-14) next week and then ‘Naaman’s Resolution’ (2 Kings 5:15-17) for the following week.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Pride

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (18^th July 2013)

There once was a man named Naaman, the commander

Of the army of Syria who found great favour

With his master for he was a man of valour

Who won many battles but he was a leper

He could not rejoice or bask in his achievements

For his disease found no cure in any treatments

His body was wasting away as time went by

He was like a walking dead man who would soon die

Naaman's wife had a little slave girl who was captured

During a raid in Israel and placed under her

The girl's compassion for her enemy was pure

She told Naaman's wife about a potential cure

'There is a mighty prophet of God from my land

Who could heal my Lord's leprosy with healing hands'

Naaman eagerly made this known to his master

'Go now and I'll send to Israel's king a letter'

So Naaman brought gifts of clothing, gold and silver

And he delivered them with his master's letter

To the king of Israel as goodwill offerings

In exchange for Naaman's miraculous healing

The king of Israel received and read the letter

He tore his robes in despair for he couldn't offer

Miraculous healing for Naaman's leprosy

So he viewed this as a threat from his enemy

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Points for Reflection:

·         Naaman was a man of great success and reputation but he was a suffering leper. There was no cure for his illness during those days and he was just wasting away.

·         Are you experiencing a certain trial, struggle or illness which no amount of success is able to deliver you from?

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. (Psalm 42:5-6)

·         When all seemed bleak and hopeless, a little Israelite girl, who was captured in a raid and made a slave to Naaman’s wife, relayed a message of hope to her nemesis. Instead of rejoicing at her enemy’s plight she chose to show God’s love, compassion and grace. She had not forgotten about God even though she was living as a slave in a foreign land.

·         Are you tempted to rejoice at your enemy’s plight especially after they have treated you unfairly and even condescendingly? If so, how could you show God’s love, compassion and grace to those who mistreat you? How could you repay evil with good?

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:20-21)

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)

·         The slave girl told Naaman’s wife that it was a prophet of Israel who could cure him. But Naaman pulled strings and used his connection with his master, the king of Syria, to seek healing from the highest authority in Israel – the king of Israel. He thought that the God of Israel was one that could be manipulated through gifts and offerings to the king. But he was so wrong. His initial attempt to seek a cure appeared futile as the king of Israel thought that the king of Syria was picking a quarrel with him for he could not cure leprosy.

·         It is not wrong to use connections with authorities and people to resolve issues but it is foolish to place your hope and security in them. Your ultimate hope should be in God alone so after you have pulled the necessary strings, you should commit the issue to God in prayer. How have you been tempted to place your hope in men instead of God?   

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever (Psalm 146:3-6)

Counterfeit Gods: Part 4 – Money Changes Everything

Hello All,

It is all too common for us to hear people asking situational questions such as ‘How far are you willing to go to obtain a million dollars?’ or ‘What would you do if a certain windfall brought you a million dollars?’

Many wage earners have worked hard all of their lives with hopes to save up as much they can but the amount is not even close to a million dollars.

With the ever increasing inflation rate, some even say that a million dollars does not worth as much as it used to in the past.

The fact is human greed has led to discontentment and ungratefulness for the things that we already possess.

The truth is even the richest man in the world would say that no amount of money is ever enough to bring true satisfaction.

Today we will be looking at a poem which is a narration of a Bible passage taken from Luke 19:1-9.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 4 – Money Changes Everything

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (12^th July 2013)

There once was a shrewd and ruthless tax collector

Who, in the eyes of his people, was a traitor

Because he worked for the Roman authorities

And from his nation he extorted much money

So enslaved was he to wealth, riches and mammon

That he traded away his good reputation

He couldn’t care less about the scorn of his people

His increasing possessions made his eyes sparkle

One day, he heard that Jesus was in Jericho

‘I’ve heard so much about this man so I must go

To see who he really is’ he said thoughtfully

He set off to where Jesus was in the city

A massive crowd obscured his view to his dismay

He could not see Jesus and no one gave him way

His small stature was a major disadvantage

He did not lose heart but summoned up his courage

He caught sight of a towering sycamore tree

So he ran towards it and climbed up hastily

He was excited for now he could see Jesus

Jesus saw him and called out his name, ‘Zacchaeus!’

‘Hurry and come down from the tree’ Jesus urged him

‘For today at your house I must stay and dine in’

So Zacchaeus descended quickly from the tree

And he received Jesus as his guest joyfully

‘How could he dine with that man who is a sinner?’

Jesus’ actions were judged by indignant leaders

Who strove to follow every letter of the law

They didn’t know that self righteousness would be their fall

Zacchaeus prepared a sumptuous meal for Jesus

‘Lord, I now say in the presence of all of us

That I’ll give to the poor half of my possession

And restore up to fourfold of swindled mammon’

Jesus was pleased with Zacchaeus’ repentant heart

‘Today salvation has come and will not depart

From this house since he is also Abraham’s son

To seek and save the lost, the Son of Man has come’

Do you see a glimpse of yourself in Zacchaeus?

The love of money is evil and insidious

Are you treating mammon as your security?

Has materialism crept in unknowingly?

Do you envy and admire your rich neighbours?

Do you yearn to own all that life has to offer?

Cast away your vain idols of wealth and riches

Come and lay them all down at the feet of Jesus.

Points for Reflection:

·         The love of money is evil and insidious. There are some of us who might realize that money is one of our greatest idols but there are many who choose to deny it or do not even realize it.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:10)

·         Have you been holding on to money as your source of security instead of God? Do your eyes gleam with delight each you see your bank account balances increasing? Do you love and desire materialistic things? Do you envy rich people for their wealth?

·         No amount of money could ever bring you satisfaction. Even Zacchaeus found a big void in his heart which he was trying in vain to fill with money. The idol, which he had sacrificed his integrity and nation for, promised him so much but delivered so little.

·         The emptiness in Zacchaeus’ heart made him look for something more. He was looking for Jesus and he did not even care if that meant casting aside his dignity by climbing up a tree. Even in modern days, we would think twice before climbing a tree especially if it is in front of a large crowd. In those days, dignity was held in very high esteem and climbing a tree was certainly considered a highly undignified act. But it was a climb worth making for it was a turning point for a terrible sinner who received Jesus, not only as his guest but most importantly, as his Lord and Saviour. The wonderful thing about this little man was that he did not return to his former sinful ways after his encounter with Jesus but he repented and forsook his greatest idolatry.  

·         Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour as Zacchaeus had? Jesus has been knocking at the door of your heart but are you still refusing to let him come in and dine with you? What are the things that are preventing you from letting him into your heart?

Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

·         If you are a Christian, have you truly turned away from your sinful ways? Are you still enslaved to the love of money? Do you really treat Jesus as the Lord of your life? Is money your god or is Jesus your Lord?

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

·         Some of the people in the crowd were unhappy when Jesus offered to dine in Zacchaeus’ house. To have a meal with someone in those days signified friendship and they could not accept the fact that Jesus would treat such a great sinner as his friend.  Before we start condemning the Jews for being self righteous and ungracious let us try to put ourselves in their shoes. Being a tax collector for the Roman authorities in those days was as despicable as being a collaborator with the Japanese forces in their massacres of the Chinese people during World War 2. The way they reacted showed that they did not understand the depth and sufficiency of God’s grace and forgiveness for even the worst of sinners. For Jesus’ mission on earth was to die on the cross for sinners and not for those who considered themselves righteous based on their good works.

·         In what ways are you tempted to take pride in your good works and reputation? Are there people you would deem as unworthy of the gospel of Christ? Bearing in mind that you are a sinner yourself, how could you be more gracious to such people?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)