Elisha’s renowned and the knowledge of the God of Israel has extended up into Aram and into the house of the Aramean General Naaman. When General Naaman contracts leprosy an Israelite girl who has been taken captive informs the general’s wife of the God in Israel and his prophet Elisha.

Naaman receives permission from the Aramean King to go to Israel. The great Aramean general takes great gifts and a letter of introduction from the great Aramena King to Israel’s king and enters the royal palace of Israel with gifts and a request. But, contrary to the pagan world, pagan gods and their philosophies the great YHWH and his are not welcomed in the royal courts of men nor do they perform on demand for gifts.

The King of Israel is distraught fearing the Arameans are reengaging their hostilities with Israel and that they will use this as an excuse to seek vengeance on Israel. But, Elisha hears of Naaman’s visit and sends for him. When Naaman arrives at the “great” prophet’s residence Elisha does not even bother to appear before the great Aramean general, but instead sends a messenger with the Word of the Lord to have Naaman simply dip seven times in the Jordan River.

Naaman is offended by Elisha’s failure to appear before him to perform a great miracle, but also, Naaman is perturbed by the simple and ridiculous remedy Elisha has given him. How can dipping seven times in the meager Israelite Jordan River be anything worthy earning or producing a healing? So, Naaman becomes angry and leaves Elisha’s doorstep in a rage.

Fortunately, one of Naaman’s servants convinces Naaman to take simple steps and follow the humble directions in the Word from the Lord. Naaman is instantly healed. But, Naaman is not healed because of his greatness, the great  gifts, a great accomplishment and not even because the “great” prophet appeared. Naaman is healed because he heard and obeyed the Word of the Lord.

“The basic problem of the Christians in this country…in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen things in bits and pieces instead of totals.” – Francis Schaeffer

Repentance – Repentance in the Bible means “a change of mind.” Literally, it means a turning about, specifically in the mind. This turning or changing of the mind results in a change of course, a new direction and a new attitude toward the object being considered in the mind. Repentance may occur
along with sorrow, but
sorrow is not repentance.
Repentance is a change of mind in respect to the revealed truth in the
Word of God.
Jesus teaches repentance
in Matthew 21:28-30.
Paul teaches that repentance occurs in response to the Word in 2 Timothy 2:24-25, but in 2 Timothy 4:3-5
he also warns that men change the Word of God
to suit their mind.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation, worldly sorrow brings only death with no change of destiny
(2 Corinthians 7:10).
Godly repentance leads to salvation and righteous deeds follow (Acts 26:20).