2 Kings 5:1 to 5:15 God works through humble people and simple obedience to heal, restore, and reveal His saving power to all nations. Learn about the courageous witness of the young captured Israelite servant girl. Follow Naaman's journey of humbling himself to dip seven times in the Jordan River. Understand that God's grace is for all nations and requires humble, child-like obedience. Syria (Aram) was a powerful foreign nation that fought wars against Israel. Naaman was the king's most honored general, but he had an incurable skin disease: leprosy. The Great General and the Little Maid Naaman was commander of the army of Syria: a mighty warrior, highly respected by his king. But beneath his polished golden armor, Naaman had leprosy, a dreadful and contagious skin disease. In his house lived a young servant girl captured in a raid from Israel. Instead of being bitter, she showed love to her master, telling Naaman's wife: "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." Wash Seven Times in the Jordan Naaman traveled to Israel with horses, chariots, and bags of silver and gold. He pulled up outside the humble house of the prophet [Elisha](/bible/explorer/person/elisha). But Elisha did not even come out! He sent a messenger with instructions: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." Naaman was furious! "Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" He turned away in a rage. Restored Like the Flesh of a Little Child Naaman's servants came near and pleaded with him gently: "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great, difficult thing, would you not have done it? How much rather when he says: Wash, and be clean?" Naaman swallowed his pride. He went down to the muddy Jordan River and dipped seven times. When he came up the seventh time, his skin was completely restored: soft, healthy, and clean like the skin of a little child! Naaman proclaimed: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel!" Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. 2 Kings 5:15 Who told Naaman about the prophet of God in Samaria who could heal him? A young captured Israelite servant girl The king of Syria A Roman soldier A doctor in Damascus A young captured Israelite servant girl 2 Kings 5:2 to 3 highlights the bold, caring testimony of the young servant girl. Why was Naaman angry with Elisha's instructions at first? He expected Elisha to do something dramatic, and thought Syrian rivers were better than the muddy Jordan Elisha asked for too much money The Jordan River was frozen He didn't know how to swim He expected Elisha to do something dramatic, and thought Syrian rivers were better than the muddy Jordan 2 Kings 5:11 to 12 reveals Naaman's pride offended by the simple instruction. How many times did Naaman have to dip in the Jordan River to be healed? Seven times Three times Forty times Once only Seven times 2 Kings 5:14 says he dipped himself seven times in the Jordan as the prophet commanded. Be like the little servant girl: even if you feel young or small, share with someone who is hurting that God can help them. Father in heaven, thank you that you use small and humble people to point others to your healing grace. Strip away pride from my heart and teach me to obey your Word with simple trust. Thank you that Jesus cleanses our hearts from the leprosy of sin. In His name, Amen. How did the young servant girl show incredible kindness instead of seeking revenge against her captors? Why does God sometimes ask us to do simple things to test our humility and obedience? Explorers learn from Naaman's healing that God uses humble servants, requires obedient faith, and extends His saving mercy to all nations. Show a cup of muddy water and a cup of clear water. Ask: "If you were dirty, which would you want to wash in?" Explain why Naaman was offended by the muddy Jordan River! Why didn't Elisha take Naaman's silver and gold? Elisha wanted Naaman to understand that God's healing grace is a free gift that cannot be bought with money! 5 min Hook & Muddy Water Demo, 12 min Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 5 min Quiz