I had the honour of attending a Bible Study at my neighbours house by invitation. Boy, wasnt this a great time. The study's focus was 2 Kings 5. I begin by stating i am not an Old Testament person. So when we start this, I am a little perturbed why we should be studying the Old Testament, but then consoled that at least I shall have the pleasure of going through some of those books that challenge me when reading. Again, we are going to enjoy a story. I mean, that's what the book of Kings is about - stories of Israel and its kings. Stories of which king defeated which nation and the great soldiers and commanders who led the wars.
Guess what! Indeed it was one of those - about Naaman an army commander. I have read this story before. I know all about it. But let me wait and see what the Lord wants for me in it again today. After all, Bible verses have new meaning every other time you read them. They will address various situations anew every other time. We read through and reviewed each verse and its meaning from up till verse 19. When we got to verse 20, we read about Gehazi, Prophet Elisha's servant. This man after seeing all of the treasures that Elisha turned away Naaman with, he just cant understand it. A little thought comes to him how best he can have them for himself. He quickly honours this thought and runs after Naaman's chariot. Using the name of his boss, he takes some of the treasures and hides them in his house for himself.
As I read on, with a completely new revelation ( i mean, i have read this story before but never come across this Gehazi character. Or is it that i was never interested in him?!) I am thinking, um, how many of us are exactly the same! How many times have i gotten things in other people's names! And why not?!
Look what happens next (verse 25), the Spirit of the Lord reveals to Elisha what Gehazi has done. When asked, Gehazi conveniently lies to Elisha. I mean, if he was able to acquire the treasures from Naaman by a lie, why not use another to keep the truth from Elisha?! Arent a lot of us guilty of this?! I have told so many lies, unfortunately, "to not make the situation any worse." Or "not to make whoever feel bad." Or still "so that i dont look bad in their eyes."
Aha, better mend your ways before the seed grows a shoot!
In verse 27, Gehazi is cursed to get the leprosy, and have it CLEAVE onto his whole geneology! Can you imagine this! Now Gehazi inherits Naaman's leprosy and all of his descendants. All for what? A few pieces of silver and gold and expensive fabric!
Could it be that some of us are lepers because of sins that were committed by our forefathers?! Are we causing our descendants to suffer turmoil just because of a short moment of pleasure?! Have we angered God by our 'SMALL' and 'LITTLE' sins?! Are we building an empire of sin?! The wages of sin is death, so says the Bible in Romans 6:23, and continues that but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So choose for your self who you will serve today.
