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Elisha and Naaman - part 2

Naaman washes seven times in the River Jordan.
Contributed by Richard Gunther
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, German, French
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In part one of this Bible story, Naaman the commander of the Syrian army had visited the house of Elisha, the prophet of God. Naaman had leprosy and wanted Elisha to cure him of this terrible disease. – Slide 1
2
But when Elisha had sent his servant to tell Naaman to go and wash seven times in the River Jordan, the mighty army commander was livid. He rode away. ‘Why did he tell me to wash in the stupid River Jordan, the rivers of Syria are much better.’ – Slide 2
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Naaman had wanted Elisha to come out, call on the name of HIs God, wave his hands over his leprosy and make him well. He was furious! – Slide 3
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As Naaman angrily rode away, one of his soldiers tried to reason with him. ‘Excuse me Sir,’ he said. ‘If the prophet had asked you to do something great, would you not have done it? Then why will you not do something that is easy to do, wash in the River Jordan and be made clean.’ – Slide 4
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Naaman calmed down. ‘I suppose you are right,’ he muttered. ‘What have I to lose?’ The army commander turned his chariot around and headed to the River Jordan. – Slide 5
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When he got there, Naaman went into the river and dipped himself under the water. He surfaced again and looked at his skin. He still had leprosy! – Slide 6
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He dipped and washed a second time. No change – he still had leprosy. – Slide 7
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He dipped a third, fourth, fifth and sixth time. He still had leprosy. It looked as if he had been right all along. It was stupid thing to do. – Slide 8
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Then he dipped for the seventh and last time. When he surfaced – his leprosy was gone. He had clear skin just like a young child. – Slide 9
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He jumped up and down in the water shouting, ‘Look! The God of Elisha has healed me.’ – Slide 10
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Naaman got back into his chariot and returned to Elisha’s house. ‘Your God is the One True God,’ he declared. What can I give you to reward you for what you have done?’ ‘Nothing,’ replied Elisha.<br/>‘But you must accept a gift,’ Naaman insisted. But Elisha refused. – Slide 11
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So Naaman ordered that his men dig up a cartful of dirt. – Slide 12
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Naaman wanted to take this dirt home and spread it around an altar in Syria so he’d be standing on the soil of Israel when he offered sacrifices to the One True God. – Slide 13
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As Naaman rode away, Elisha’s servant was angry. ‘Elisha might not want Naaman’s rich and expensive gifts, but I do,’ he thought. – Slide 14
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So he chased after Naaman and caught up with him. ‘Wait,’ he called. Naaman stopped and asked what Gehazi wanted. – Slide 15
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‘My master Elisha has changed his mind,’ he lied. ‘He’d like some money and a change of clothes.’ – Slide 16
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Naaman willingly gave Gehazi what he wanted. Gehazi smuggled the gift into a house behind a hill and hid it well out of sight. – Slide 17
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Gehazi then sneaked back into Elisha’s house. ‘Have you been somewhere?’ Elisha asked. ‘No’ Gehazi replied. ‘I’ve been here all the time.’ – Slide 18
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‘I saw you chasing after Naaman,’ Elisha declared. ‘And I saw him give you those gifts. As a punishment for your lies and greed you will have Naaman’s leprosy.’ – Slide 19
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From that moment Gehazi was covered in leprosy and his skin became as like white snow. He had to leave Elisha and live on his own away from people. How foolish he had been to tell lies and be dishonest. Do you think he was sorry for what he did? – Slide 20
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Slide 21