20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked. 22“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds5:22 Hebrew 1 talent [34 kilograms]. of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.” 23“By all means, take twice as much5:23 Hebrew take 2 talents [150 pounds or 68 kilograms]. silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. 24But when they arrived at the citadel,5:24 Hebrew the Ophel. Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house. 25When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied. 26But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? 27Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow. 2 Kings 5:20-27
Have you ever patiently waited on the sidelines for your opportunity to shine or be noticed, and then watched as the opportunity passed you by because someone was calling the shots for you. In parts 1 and 2 we witness Naaman, a Syrian army commander search for and encounter Elisha, the Israelite prophet who is able to heal him of his leprosy. Upon meeting Elisha, Naaman is instructed by a messenger, NOT Elisha, to wash 7 times in the Jordan river. Naaman’s original rejection of this direction is changed to acceptance after some rebuke from his officers, which lead to his healing (v1-20). I want to highlight that there is another character in this story who up to this point hasn’t been named in the passage, and that person is Gehazi, one of Elisha’s servants.
My chance is passing me by
I’d imagine that Gehazi was a bystander during this chapter and several others during the course of Elisha’s ministry up to this point. He observed Elisha speak truth to power to Israel’s king, and now he saw him give directions to a Syrian commander (Naaman) who came to him out of a need and willing to give whatever it would cost for him to be healed. At the conclusion of Naaman’s healing, he returns to Elisha hoping to give him material gifts in thanks for the healing that he had received through Elisha’s instruction. Elisha refuses these gifts and sends Naaman back to Syria still in possession of all the materials he had been so willing to give. Here we see Gehazi jump into action with the intent to secure some of the material possessions that Naaman had offered to Elisha. Though we don’t know much if anything about Gehazi, from this encounter we see something very important, that he was driven by greed or lust for material possessions.
20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi set off after Naaman. 2 Kings 5:20-21a NLT
Gehazi misunderstood what God was doing through Elisha for Naaman. Sometimes when God sends people to us, whether they are in need of a healing, miracle, love, support, etc, the result or outcome may not always appear that we received anything from it. Naaman’s healing was not for Elisha’s enrichment or gratification, because Elisha understood that God gets the glory out of all that we do. For Gehazi, who was a bystander during this situation, he saw this opportunity where Naaman wanted to show his gratitude/appreciation, and he attempted to enrich himself from it. Gehazi made it seem like he was doing something for Elisha when he attempted to get goods from Naaman,
be aware of your motives, especially when you think you're doing something on behalf or in defense of someone else
When Gehazi met Naaman its interesting that he had specific requests for Naaman as he continued to disguise his personal desires as Elisha’s requests. Gehazi thought that his blessing was found in exploiting a person in need, and that if Naaman left with his possessions he would be watching his blessing leave him for good. As Elisha pointed out in v26, it wasn’t the time to receive material goods, especially not from the person that they had just been led/called to help. There are times when God will send people your way, and have you to bless them, intercede in prayer, support, or minister to them and you will not receive anything from them, because they are not the source of your blessing. Be faithful to what God instructs you to do, and continue to be faithful to him afterwards so that you may experience the full extent of the blessings he has in store for you.
Reflection Time
Is your current circumstances anything like you imagined it would be? Is your positioning in life anything like you prayed for it to be, or like you imagined it would be to walk with God? Have you been looking for your blessings to come from other people instead of the ultimate source? Assess your motives, and intent behind your actions and thoughts, and pray that God shows you where you need to improve.
