Gehazi's Greed and Punishment

 

August 31, 2021

 

2 Kings 5:15-19 – 19b-24

 

 

Gehazi's Greed and Punishment

“Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so, accept now a present from your servant.”   But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.   Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.  In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.”   He said to him, “Go in peace.”

 

Naaman came to the place of true repentance, and confession of his faith in the only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaack, and Jacob.  He knew that it would not be where the people of Syria or the king, whom he served would put their faith, so he asks for forgiveness when he had to enter the house of Rimmon with the king.  Elisha, word to him was “Go in peace.”

 

“But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”   So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?”   And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’”   And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi.   And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed.” 

 

Have not all of us had a little of Gehazi in us at one time are another, we may not have gone after our Naaman but have we not all thought someone let them off too easy?  And was it our business to try to make right the wrong we thought the other person allowed?  Maybe and I am not sure but in that Gehazi lied both to Naaman and Elisha, about the gift could it made been in his heart to keep all for, old number one?  It seems clear that he had no intention of sharing with anyone.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

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