Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman . . . as surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” (2 Kings 5:20)
The story of the prophet Elisha who healed Naaman of leprosy is well known by students of the Scriptures. However, there is another story closely associated with this one that is less known and perhaps, more profound in its message (2 Kings 5). The story of Gehazi.
Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. The Bible tells us that he was a mighty man of valor, but was a leper. One day he sought out the prophet Elisha that he may be cured of his leprosy. Naaman was not happy with the response he received from Elisha, but he did as he was instructed and went down to the Jordan, dipped himself seven times in it, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child.
Now Naaman was so grateful for his healing, he wanted to reward Elisha, but Elisha refused. Enter Elisha’s servant Gehazi, who had a leprous heart that was beating for things smaller than God. Gehazi ran after Naaman requesting the reward that Naaman had refused. When Elisha learned of his servant’s actions, the prophet rebuked Gehazi for his greed, and he became as Naaman had been, a leper, like snow.
By nature, we all have a bit of Gehazi in us. We have leprous hearts that beat for the stuff of this world rather than our Savior. On the outside Gehazi looked quite good to the watching world. He was a servant of the prophet Elisha, bringing him close to God and God’s Word continually. He was immersed in an environment of all things eternal. But his leprous heart was beating for that which was temporal, and eventually, what he loved most rose to the surface of his life. It always does!
So what has your heart been beating for – things above or things below? What have you been running after lately? Do not be deceived like Gehazi was and think everything is ok inwardly, simply because of your outward environment. As a servant of the prophet Elisha, he was close to God outwardly, but deep inside his heart was far from Him. Remember, it is not your religion rooted in your church attendance, prayer life, daily devotions, and service to God that protects you from a leprous heart. It is always, and in every way, your right relationship with your Redeemer because the ultimate reward in both life and death is Jesus.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 