OUR GREAT JORDAN This chapter showed our commitment to work to the account of the kingdom of God; whatever is our position in society, or our role in life; to walk in the spirit of the divine wisdom and not according to human assumptions; and to seek the glory of God, and not the glory and riches of the world. This chapter narrates to us the story of a girl captivated by the Aramites in one of the battles, taken to a foreign land with no father, mother, sister or brother; with no relative to satisfy her emotions; with no priest to support her soul, and to pray for her sake; and no Holy Book in her hand. She lost her freedom and her humanity, and came to be submitted to others to control her life… . In spite of all that, her spirit was not broke down, nor she grumbled against God, but testified to the work of God before the foreign commander of the Aramite army; and courageously moved history; something in which the king of Israel failed to do. The girl testified to the exalted work of God in the land of bondage, and brought the pagan commander into faith and to believe in the power of baptism; when the Israeli king, the one with authority, only tore his clothes, and did not recognize the possibilities of God in his, and his land’s life. With faith, the commander believed the captive girl; and with a spirit of humility he listened to his servants who appealed to him to do according to the counsel of the prophet Elisha. The little girl who achieved a preaching work among the Gentiles, was a symbol of the church at its beginning; or of the apostles and the disciples. the few remnants who preached among the Gentiles. And the king who refused to work represents the Jewish nation, by whose denial and lack of faith, did not receive the divine work. The most amazing thing in this chapter is how the foreign commander discovered the secret of our Jordan, that alone, could grant the new birth; our amazing Jordan, sanctified by the Lord Jesus Christ, to let us enjoy the birth from the water and the Spirit. + By coming and dipping in the water of the Jordan, Naaman, the Syrian commander, has been a measure of the purity of the souls of the believers baptized by Christ from their sins The location where Naaman dipped in the Jordan was where the ark of the covenant (stood) in the time of Joshua the son of Nun; and where the Lord Christ, the Son of God, was baptized, to turn the symbol to an actual fact. + The people – who were foreigners – who were lepers before they were baptized in the secret River; were purified by the sacrament of baptism, from the stains of their souls and bodies. Yes indeed, their coming salvation was proclaimed by the example of Naaman. (St. Ambrose) + The River Jordan is the only River to receive the firstfruit of holiness and blessing, and to become a source of the grace of baptism to flow on the whole world. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) + No other River can cure leprosy from man, if he enters into it with faith, and cleanses himself in Jesus Christ. (The scholar Origen) 1- The testimony of a captive girl 1 - 4 2- The wrong assumption by the king of Aram 5 - 7 3- The need for the Jordan 8 - 14 4- The glory of God, and not of the world 15 - 19 5- By choosing to become rich, Gehazi became poor 20 – 27 1- THE TESTIMONY OF A CAPTIVE GIRL: The captive girl and the servants of Naaman played an active role in consummating this miracle. The girl gave a testimony to the Lord, which the king of Israel did not perceive. And the servants of Naaman encouraged their master to obey the instructions of the prophet, by which he came to enjoy being healed, and to enjoy as well faith in God, Savor of humanity. So God works through captives, servants, and those with little talents, to play a role beyond the capacity of those of exalted positions and great talents. “Now, Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor; but he was a leper” (1) The Lord, being God of all humanity, who cares for all, we hear here how He gave salvation to Aram; most probably before Assyria. Leprosy at that time has been one of the most serious and un-curable diseases, like Aids nowadays; Those inflicted by it were driven out of the cities, to live in isolated camps. Naaman’s leprosy, most probably, was in its early stages; and he anticipated that the time would soon come for him to forsake his position as the commander of the army because of his disease. Naaman, who had such a unique personality; that the Holy Book testified that “Because of him, the Lord had given victory to Syria” (1); Yet he listened to the counsel of his wife; who, in her turn, with the spirit of humility, listened to the counsel of her little captive maidservant (2-4); And he listened, as well to the counsel of his servants who used to call him, “our father”.(13-14) “And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife” (2) Aram was close to the north-eastern border of the Northern kingdom of Israel; and there were often battles between the two nations. In David’s days, Aram used to pay tributes to Israel; but in the days of the prophet Elisha it increased in power, and often attacked Israel in an attempt to put fear and disturbance in the people’s hearts, and carried with them captives, among whom was the little girl mentioned here. “Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria. For he would heal him of his leprosy’” (3) Being proud of her God, she believed in His capacity to heal even a pagan of his leprosy. Elisha had a residence in Samaria, capital of Israel, where the king and his elites used to live. In this he differed from the prophet Elijah, who used to live in the wilderness and on the mountains, and had no permanent residence anywhere. Elisha’s reputation was common among all people, that that little captive girl heard of him, and perceived his possibilities in the Lord. Her faith surpassed that of the king of Israel; and with her love, though a captive, she moaned together with a pagan leper.. + Naaman, commander of the Aramite army, by the counsel of a little captive girl, coming to the blessed Elisha to heal him of his leprosy; was a symbol of the Gentiles. The little captive girl who came from Judah, and told her mistress that if her master went to the blessed Elisha, he would restore him to health, was a symbol of prophecy. Despite the fact that prophecy at that time was confined in Judah alone; yet its blessed knowledge had to reach the surrounding nations as well. Hence Naaman listened to the counsel of the little captive girl and went to Elisha; the way the Gentiles heard about the Lord Christ and came to Him. Coming to Elisha, Naaman was healed of his leprosy; and coming to the Lord Christ, the Gentiles were purified of the leprosy of the sins. (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) + That little captive girl was a symbol of the church of God that was assembled from the Gentiles, enslaved before to sin, when she did not have the freedom of grace; by whose ordinance, the foolish nations heard the word of prophecy in which they formerly doubted, but coming to believe in it, they had to cleanse themselves from the defilement of sin. Before he was healed, Naaman had doubt in his heart , but you, having been healed, should have no doubt. “And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, ‘Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel’” (4) 2- THE WRONG ASSUMPTION BY THE KING OF ARAM: Our wrong human assumptions often may cause for us spiritual, material, and social troubles. In this chapter, the king of Aram wrongly assumed that it is the king of Israel who will heal Naaman of his leprosy; and because of his wrong assumption, war could have happened between Aram and Israel. Naaman, as well, wrongly assumed that his healing would happen by just encountering the prophet Elisha, when he puts his hand on him to pray to God to heal him. And if it was not for the intervention of his wise servants, he would have returned home in disgrace and bitter soul, and would not have been healed. … Naaman, as well, wrongly assumed that the two rivers of Damascus – Abanah and Pharpar were better than all the rivers of Israel. “So the king of Syria said, ‘Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel’. So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing” (5) The king of Israel at that time was most probably Jehoram the son of Ahab; and it was not feasible for the king of Aram to write that request to the king of Israel. Although it was obvious that at that time there was peace between the two nations, yet with some kind of apprehension, as is clear from what the king of Israel did and say (8). The gifts carried by Naaman refer to his riches and his great need to get rid of his leprosy. In the old days the people used to deal by gold and silver by weight and not by cash; and the gifts even between friends used to be gold, silver, clothes, or sheep. Clothes were among the gifts as a kind of appreciation, cherishing, and honoring. In the present case, they must have been very precious clothes befitting as a gift from the commander of the army. Samson promised to give clothes to whoever solve his riddle (Judges 14: 12-13, 19). Even king Solomon in all his glory, did not refuse to accept such precious gift (2 Chronicles 9: 24); Daniel put on purple, presented by the king to honor him (Daniel 5: 9); and we are told about a famous poet in the ninth century who, when he died left behind 100 set of complete attires, 200 shirts, and 500 turbans. And the Hindos at the end of a feast, still give new clothes to every guest who attend the celebration. “Then he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, ‘Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy” (6) The message from the king of Aram did not refer to the prophet, but asked only to heal Naaman, a request which seemed so ridiculous that the king of Israel assumed that it is meant to stir up war between the two kingdoms. “And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him from his leprosy? Therefore, please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me” (7) The faith of the little captive girl was greater than that of the king; for by her faith she moved the commander of the army of Aram, to seek healing from the God of Israel; while the king of Israel revealed his lack of faith. He was most probably Jehoram the son of Ahab, who had then a good relationship with the king of Aram; but his name was not mentioned in the book because of his lack of faith. The Holy Book here concentrated on the work of God through the prophet Elisha. Ben Hadad king of Aram sent Naaman to the king of Israel, with the assumption that he had authority to order the prophet; and that healing could be purchased with money. As to the king of Israel, he knew nothing about the power of God. The king of Israel assumed an ulterior intention in the king of Aram, to find an excuse to enter into a battle against him; he did not think of asking the counsel of the prophet Elisha, because he could not imagine that he can heal a leper by the power of God; he did not perceive that it is God who “kills and makes alive” (2 kings 5: 7), that the days of man are known by God, and that He has the absolute power. + “Since his days are determined; … You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass” (Job 14: 5).; designated by our Creator for everyone, not only in years and months, but even in days and hours; and could never be altered. …. Do not you know that many could be cured from a deadly disease, while others, in good health, would die all of a sudden? … Do not you know that some may fall from high places and no harm would happens to them, while others, while walking, die with a wrong step?;…Do not you know that some would float on a wooden board from a sunken ship, and safely reach the coast, while others go down on board their ship within the safety of the harbor, where no one expect it? Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel’” (8) Tearing the clothes refers to immense grief, as well as to inability to realize a certain thing requested. + The prophet was full of the Holy Spirit, the Revealer of secrets; He could easily heal illnesses, performs powers, support the weak; and appease the wounded; His might was well known by the Hebrews; and his good news disturbed the Aramites; His power to heal became like a fountain; that ran to quench the thirst of the Israelites; and flowed over the Aramites. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) “Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha” (9) St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi gives us a portrait of how Naaman, standing at the door of Elisha, being the commander of the Aramite army, expected to have a special reception, but was dismayed to find that the prophet did not care to come out to receive him. The prophet Elisha probably refrained from getting in touch of the leper Naaman, lest he would probably catch the disease; for, according to the statutes, it carries a kind of defilement.(13); while St. (mar) Ephraim presents to us another reason for not coming out to receive him. + Now, the question is: Why did Elisha not let Naaman enter his house to see him? On the first aspect, for he, being the commander of the army of Aram, was in the service of king Ben Hadad (1 Kings 20: 1-43); who killed many of the children of Israel, destroyed their land, and his hands were covered with their innocent blood. And on the second aspect, because he was a leper; and, according to the statutes of the law, he should not be touched. (St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian) “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean’” (10) That request could be counted as a call to Naaman to be humble, and to trust in God alone (15). And according to the Scholar Tertullian, washing himself in the water of the Jordan seven times refers to being ridden by seven deadly sins: idolworship, blasphemy, murder, adultery, defilement, false testimony, and cheating. It is as though every time he plunges in the water, he would be purified of one of those sins. + The prophet Elisha proclaimed ahead the indescribable riches of the water of baptism; and at the same time, that it will extend to whoever intend to receive faith; when he sent Naaman the leper, the foreigner who sought healing, and counseled from him to plunge seven times into the Jordan; in an attempt for such a foreigner to learn that God found rest on the seventh day; or he referred to the divine Spirit in a symbolic way. “But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘Indeed I said to myself, he will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy’” (11) Naaman, as a great commander, probably counted Elisha’s behavior, and his counsel, as an insult to him, and that his command was ridiculous; for how would this river be compared to the two rivers of Damascus – Abanah and Pharpar? (12). According to St. John Chrysostom, he who suffers some trouble, seeks in one way or another, some seen and touched signs. Elisha, however, was far from being a proud man, but, on the contrary, he refrained from coming out of the house, and from touching Naaman, for he intended mainly to direct the sick man’s thoughts to that it is the Lord who will heal him; and to present to mankind a lesson in faith about baptism, and receiving the Gentiles as members in the body of the church. + Elisha did not move to receive Naaman, despite his knowledge that his action might offend him; but he was elaborately obeying the law. He sent Naaman to get cleansed in the water of the River Jordan. The Lord Christ, on the other hand (when he healed the leper); in order to show that He heals him, not as a minister, but as the Supreme Lord, He touched the leper (Matthew 8: 2-3); on account that his hand could not be defiled by touching him; and the leper’s body will be he cleansed and renewed by His holy hand; … For as we well know, He came to heal,, not only the bodies, but souls as well. (St. John Chrysostom) + It is not unexpected to see such a great commander of the army to have such thoughts, and to be so stirred up; for he could not get in touch with the hidden secret of that un-natural healing. + Naaman was overcome by anger, for he had no knowledge that our Jordan could purify those defiled by leprosy; and not the prophet, whose role was just to direct the leprous to the source of healing. Not understanding the great secret of the Jordan, he said: “Indeed I said to myself, he will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy”(11). But he did not know that putting the hand on the leper to heal him could only done by the Lord Christ (Matthew 8: 1-3). When the leper beseeched Him, saying “Lord, if You are willing, , You can make me clean”, He did not only say to him: “I am willing, be cleansed”, but He touched him, and he was instantly healed. Naaman was wrong, and did not know that all the other rivers were less than the Jordan, as far as healing power is concerned. (The scholar Origen) The scholar Origen continues his talk, confirming that the River Jordan is superior to all the other rivers, in that it is the only river capable of healing leprosy…. On the rivers of Babylon the Israelites sat, and remembering Zion, they cried. Being captivated to Babylon, when they drank water, other than the holy water of the Jordan; they longed to the River of salvation. … And the prophet Jeremiah rebukes those who drink from the water of Sihor (Jeremiah 2: 18) There is great difference between the mind of God and that of man. While man assumes that he can realize everything he wants; God presents to us His salvation, to be satisfied, and glorified by His free grace (Isaiah 55: 1; Romans 3: 24; Revelation 22: 17). …. While man intends to choose the ways of salvation according to his own will; God intends for us to deliver our life and our will into His hands. …. While man sees the way to salvation as difficult and impossible; God sees it simple as cleansing in the River Jordan, presented to every soul longing for it. Elisha did not come out to receive Naaman, not out of pride on his part, but to direct Naaman’s mind to the Lord and not to his person; and to that healing is from the Lord and not from the prophet. + While Naaman the Syrian assumed that his leprosy could not simply be healed by the water of the River Jordan; What seemed to him as impossible, God by His great grace made possible. + The leper Naaman, the commander of the armies of the children of Esau, heard that the prophet could heal the leper; His name shined all over the land like the sun, and the sick from all over the place gathered together at his door; Among them, came the leper Naaman, to take off him the shirt of leprosy; The commander with his shirt of leprosy came and stood at his door, and begged him to heal him; But the amazing prophet sent to him counsel to go and dip in the River Jordan seven times; Naaman, despising the words he heard, turned and went away in a rage;; He said in anger: Why did he not come out to receive me and heal my leprosy? If that was this way, there are many rivers in Aram, where I could go and wash myself to be healed. “Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus better than all the rivers of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage” (12) Abanah: Nowadays the River Baradah; has its source is in the Eastern Mountains; And the other River ‘Pharpar’ has its source in Mount Sheikh. The River Abanah runs in the middle of Damascus. These two rivers, providing the lands around Damascut with their rich water, make these provinces of the most fertile in the whole world; contrary to the rivers of Israel and Judah that mostly run in deep and rocky valleys. Thinking in himself that he has at home better rivers where, most probably he used to bathe, but was not cured of his leprosy, he despised the command of the prophet; but according to the counsel of his servants, and their exhortation, he consented and dipped in the river; and once he was healed, he perceived that it is not the water itself that purifies man, but the grace of God. + It may seem to Naaman the Syrian that it is impossible for water to cleanse sins,. The same way, it would seem impossible for sins to be forgiven by repentance; But the Lord Christ gave this authority to His apostles, which moved ahead through the work of priesthood; And what seemed impossible became possible. (St. Ambrose) “And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean?” (13) Naaman was indignant, because, having lived all his days a hero, he despised to get healed through such a little kind of treatment, the simple treatment of faith. This is how many people feel, despising the free gift of God – the simple faith; do not trusting that our Christ can cleanse and purify, and even grants sonhood in the water of baptism. + Naaman eventually listened to the counsel of his friends, and was purified. This means that he accepted the cross of Christ. … The Gentiles did not believe in Christ when He talked by Himself; but they later came with a godly spirit to the sacrament of baptism after the preaching of the apostles. If we add to this the fact that Elisha did not touch Naaman nor baptize him; we remember that the Lord Christ did not personally come to the Gentiles, but through His apostles, to whom He said: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (See Matthew 28: 19).. Notice also that Naaman, the symbol of the Gentiles, has restored his health in the same river the Lord Christ, by His baptism, sanctified it later on. Believing that he could restore his health through his own rivers (2 kings 5: 12), Naaman refers to the fact that mankind assumed that they could depend upon their own will and self worthiness, which, without the grace of Christ could not give them health. (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) + To be purified from the illnesses: of the soul, and of the body, it was necessary for Naaman to represent in his person, the purification of all nations through the cleansing of renewal, that starts in the River Jordan, being the father and initiator of baptism. (St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian) “So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (14) Although he was upset, counting that the prophet has not given him his due honor; beside his seemingly unreasonable command, he meekly listened to the counsel of his servants, and did not persist upon his position. Like a little child, he was easily angered and easily pacified. He accepted the counsel of his faithful servants who found in him such a kind of fatherhood, to call him “our father”. He went and dipped in the Jordan ; and passed the test of faith. After the first six dips, he did not feel any change in his condition; but, all of a sudden, with the seventh dip, he was healed of his leprosy, as well as of his pride and arrogance. In his attack on Mercion, who despised the material, and refused to call the Lord Christ “the Creator”; and like most of the Gnostics, who see Him, greater than to be the Creator of material; the scholar Tertullian saw in the prophet Elisha a symbol of the material (the water of the Jordan), by which Naaman the Syrian was healed. … If that is the work of the minister Elisha; How much more would be the work of His Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ, who created the material, and used to heal by His word? Through redemption, the believer enjoys the new birth; becomes a new creation in the image of His Creator; becomes a son of God in the water of baptism, by his union with the only begotten Son; becomes the New Maaman, about whom itt is said: “He went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (14). And in him the saying of the Lord Christ to Nicodemus, would be realized: “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5-6). + No one was purified except Naaman the Syrian, who was not from Israel Notice that those who are cleansed by the Spiritual Elisha – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – are purified in the sacrament of baptism, and are cleansed from the literality of the law. Naaman went down in the Jordan, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child. … Who is this little child? But he who is born in the (font) of renewal. (The scholar Origen) + The cleansing of Naaman the Syrian, and not any of the children of Israel, has its significance all over the nations of the world, to be cleansed in Christ, their Light (Luke 2: 32); as though of the seven deadly sins: idolworship, blasphemy, murder, adultery, fornication, false testimony, and cheating. He cleansed himself in the Jordan seven times, as though once for every sin of the seven; And, because the one perfect work of baptism, is awesomely referred to Christ alone, He who established on earth, not only a proclamation of, but the active sacrament of baptism. (The scholar Tertullian) + It was not without cause that the leper Naaman of the old was cleansed by baptism; but that was also meant for all of us, who are inflicted with the leprosy of sin, and unable to get cleansed. For by the holy water, and calling for the Lord, we would be cleansed of our old transgressions; and be spiritually renewed like newly born children; according to the proclamation of the Lord, saying: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5). (St. Erinaos) + By the amazing sacrifice, the prophet Elijah clearly proclaimed to us the rite of the sacrament of baptism, to be befittingly established later on. For, by the fire igniting in the water poured three times; it is clear that where the secret water is, there will be the ignited spirit that consumes the wicked, and enlighten the believers. … Yes, his disciple Elisha, as well, when the leprous Naaman the Syrian came to him begging for healing, cleansed him in the water of the Jordan (2 kings 5); a clear reference to what will be done in the future by using water generally, and the dipping in the River Jordan particularly. . The River Jordan alone among all the rivers, received the firstfruit of sanctification and blessing, granting it as though from a fountain in the symbol of the grace of baptism. These are all references to the work of the new birth in baptism. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) + It was not the water of the pool of Siloam that opened the eyes of him who was born blind (John 9: 7); and it was not the water of the Jordan that cleansed Naaman (5: 14); but the grace of the Lord that did. So it is for the water of atonement that cleanses us, but rather the name uttered that grants it to us. (St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian) + While the Syrian dipped seven times under the law, you have been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Remember how you confessed the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Notice the ordinance of things in this faith: Having been dead to the world, and resurrected in God; having been buried to the world in that element (the water); having been dead to sin, and resurrected to the eternal life;. You should, therefore, believe that this water is not without power. + You, O Lord, who saved the world, Save the soul of a single sinner; For that is the exaltation of Your personal compassion, by which You save the whole world, one by one; Elijah was sent to one widow (1 Kings 17: 9) And Elisha cleansed one man (2 Kings 5: 14) But you, O Lord Jesus, cleanse today thousands: In Rome, in Alexandria, in Constantinople, a multitude receive the word of God. (St. Ambrose) + When Naaman dipped in the river, the symbol of baptism, “His flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child” (2 kings 5: 14). Notice, O beloved brethren, how this likeness is consummated in the Christian people; for you know that all those who are baptized are still called children, whether they are old or young. Those who were born from Adam and Eve, are born anew as children by Christ and the church. The first birth produce ones for death; while the second birth produce ones for life. The former produce the children of anger; while the second give birth to them anew as vessels of mercy; as according to the apostle: “In Adam all die” (1 Corinthians 15: 22). Hence, as Naaman, a grown up man, have become like a little child through dipping seven times in the water of the River Jordan, so the Gentiles, though they are ‘old’ because of their previous sins, they were renewed by the grace of baptism, in such a way that no trace of the leprosy of the original or the present sin would remain in them … In them, therefore, the saying of the apostle to the church, concerning the Lord Christ,: “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having a spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5: 27) (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) + Through punishment, his body is consumed, “to return to the days of his youth” (Job 33: 25). By falling into sin, the first man was driven out of the pleasures of paradise, and was bound to the misery of this mortal life. By suffering that punishment, we came to feel how serious was our sin that we committed through the seduction of the serpent; for outside God, we find nothing but sorrow in our body suffering of torture and death. That is why the Lord, by His amazing ordinance, and through punishment, altered what dwelt upon us as a result of committing sin. Through punishment, man’s body is consumed “to return to the days of his youth”; As though he says: Through the punishment of death, man’s age retracted to return to the days of his youth; namely, he is renewed to the perfection of his previous life; will not remain in the condition he came to be, but by his salvation, he will return to the pleasures of the condition, he was originally created… As we are brought forth to such power of the new life, not on our own, but through the Savior Lord Jesus Christ; I wish He would say to him who is under punishment: [Go back to your days of youth!]. (St. Gregory the Great) Was it not enough for him to dip in the water of the Jordan only once? The spiritual work or the spiritual healing, according to St. (Mar) Jacob El- Serougi, does not submit to figures. … But the figure 7 refers to rest, for God created the world in six days, and had rest in the seventh day. … In the book of Proverbs, it came that Wisdom (the Word of God) built her house, namely the church, in magnificent beauty, and set it upon seven pillars; … And God created the time set upon the week, formed of seven days. The prophet intended to bind the miracle of cleansing from leprosy to the work of creation itself; For cleansing the leper was not through the personal power of Elisha , but was the work of the Creator, who finds his comfort and pleasure in cleansing humanity from the leprosy of sin; and in sanctifying the time, to be pure in the present world, as a deposit of the perfect holiness in the life to come. . God created time for the sake of man, to be holy and pure. + He went and dipped seven times as he was commanded, and came back cleansed of his leprosy by a great power; Why did he order him to dip seven times, when the power was one, and does not submit to figures? The creation was consummated in six days; and the Creator had rest in the seventh day; That is why the seventh day was honored, for it is the crown of creation; Wisdom built for herself a great house full of beauty, and supported it upon seven pillars; The days of the week, on which the world is set, stand like pillars to sustain it; That is how the prophet taught the Aramite, the secret of the Sabbath, by commanding him to dip seven times to be cleansed; And in case he inquire about this figure, the secret of the Sabbath will show itself; In the Torah, the beauty of this figure is revealed, by which the Creator made the worlds; Cleansing the Aramite was a miracle; and with it, there had to be also teaching; In case he inquires about the secret of the seven times, he will be referred to the Torah with its treasures; (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) 3- THE GLORY OF GOD AND NOT OF THE WORLD: Naaman stood in awe when he perceived that his leprosy is gone, and his body is restored like that of a little child, as though God created it anew. His heart, as well as his tongue were opened to testify to God by a life of thanksgiving and praise. He did not hasten to set forth back to Damascus to encounter the king and his own family, but returned to the prophet to offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. “Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him, and he said, ‘Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; Now, therefore, please take a gift from your servant’” (15) As Naaman was cleansed of leprosy, it became possible for Elisha to receive him. Naaman stood before him as someone who has got in touch with God’s love and might, to proclaim his faith in Him. Every nation had its own gods; but Naaman perceived and proclaimed that God of Israel is the only true God in the whole world, before Whom he humbled himself and in whom he trusted. His exalted personality was shown in that, in his joy for being cleansed of his leprosy, he did not hasten to return to his land, but returned to give thanks to the prophet; the way the Samaritan leper returned to thank Jesus who cleansed him, although the nine others, who belong to the ancient people of God, did not (Luke 17: 12-19). Having previously counted, in being cleansed in such a small river as the Jordan, there is some sort of insult to his position as the commander of the army, he had to humble himself and obey; to find out that the Lord Christ Himself, the Cleanser of all sins, will be baptized in that same river; and to see how heaven opened up, and the Holy Spirit transfigured. … Naaman had to perceive that God’s ways are different from those of men; … that God wants from us to obey Him, more so than to offer countless sacrifices; … and that God, with a few or many, is capable to give salvation. Naaman, a thanksgiving man, returned to the prophet Elisha to thank him; although he had to travel 30 miles more to do so. He could have sent a messenger to the ptophet, with a message of thanksgiving. But he was indeed cleansed physically, as well as spiritually. St. John Chrysostom, talking about thanksgiving, even in the midst of suffering, said: [Offering thanksgiving, while we are in joy, and out of fear, is something, and offering it while suffering is something else… Nobody can claim that the righteous ‘Job’ did not grieve because of what dwelt upon him; nor that he was not crushed by it in his depths. Nobody can deny him great commendation for his righteousness … The devil does us harm, not to take what we have, and leave us with nothing; but his intention is that, while suffering this we would blaspheme against God]. [‘Job’ was crowned and became famous, not that he was not shaken, despite the limitless tribulations that dwelt upon him, and the shameful attitude of his wife; but that he kept on giving thanks to God in every case; … not just when he was rich, but when he became poor as well; … nut only while he was in perfect health, but even when his body was inflicted with boils… not that all those things happened gradually to him, but when it came upon him all of a sudden like a mighty violent tempest, on his person, as well as on his household]. + Naaman got cleansed, his leprosy disappeared, and he acquired a new body like that of a little child; When he heard the prophets words he despised them as unreasonable; and when he was healed, he was overwhelmed with awe; The mighty power that created the world in seven days, altered Naaman’s body after dipping seven times in the Jordan. When his body was restored to health; his heart was overjoyed, and his soul was filled with faith in God; When his leprosy fled away, and with it the doubts in his mind, He returned with joy to the door of the man of God to praise God; He proclaimed that there is no other God in the whole earth, except in Israel, before whom he will worship; “But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing’. And he urged him to take it, but he refused” (16) It was not possible for the man who chose poverty by his own free will for the sake of the Lord, to bow before Naaman the Syrian to receive gold, silver, and clothes; which he had forsaken from the depth of his heart, and counted as trash for the sake of his preoccupation with divinity.. Because the love of money could never crawl into his heart, he, by the Lord, could cleanse Naaman from his leprosy. … By God leprosy fled away from Naaman; and by God Elisha despised the wealth of the world…. God’s might proclaimed itself by the conquest over leprosy through the cleansing of Naaman; and proclaimed its greatness in the prophet Elisha when he despised the love of money…… By that, Elisha became a symbol of the disciples and apostles, those who obeyed the divine commandment; had no silver or gold; but introduced the mighty name of Jesus to humanity. While the righteous stand with confidence before God, to grant them the holy life (1 John 3: 21), saying, together with Elisha: “As God is living before whom I stand” (2 kings 5: 16); the wicked, on the other hand, flee away from the face of the Lord; because, according to St. Ambrose, The guilty conscience becomes so weighed down, to punish itself by itself, without need for a verdict by a judge; Although it intends to be covered, yet it is naked before God]. Through sin, man looses his inner peace, and enters into a condition of terror. Concerning the hiding of Adam from the face of God, St Dedymus the blind said: [Having sought the knowledge through the experience of evil, and forsaking the pure knowledge of God, Adam hid from the face of God. According to the scholar Origen, the wicked hide from the face of God, as it is written: “They have turned their back to Me, and not their face” (Jeremiah 2: 27). The prophet Elisha refused to take anything gift from Naaman, so that the later would not think that God’s mercies and gifts could be purchased; and to confirm to him that, when we stand before God, He does not look at our riches, positions, or processions, but only to our persons, and gives all goods as grace. God’s pleasure is that all mankind would enjoy the true happiness. + Elisha refused to take the royal gifts, despite repeated pressure on him to do, on account of that this is a very obvious and awesome symbol of the secret of healing; granted for free to all nations on earth by our Lord, through His apostles; according to His promise to them on the tongue of His prophet Isaiah, saying: “You have sold yourselves for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money” (Isaiah 52: 3). And as all illnesses are a kind of bondage, it was important for the prophet to confirm the healing in the seventh dipping in the water; analogous to the command and the promise of the statute of the law, to set the slaves free in the seventh year (Exodus: 21: 1-3; Deuteronomy 15: 12). (St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian) + The Aramites brought forth silver, gave it to Elisha, and begged him to take it as a ‘Corban’; Riches and poverty wrestled together at the threshold of that divine poor man; Who trampled with his feet upon that kind of riches, and refused to take it; It was not befitting of him who cried out, and drove leprosy away, to stretch his hand to take it; He drove both the leprosy, and the money away from his threshold; Despite much and repeated pressure to take the silver from him, he was not moved; for he despised all the treasures of the kings; Faith was burning in Naaman’s soul; and the flame of the love of God ignited in his heart He strongly desired to give the silver; but the man who hated to acquire riches refused; Leprosy was driven out by God; while despite of the riches was by the prophet; The beauty of his soul was apparent, in fleeing away from the riches, that burn a multitude by its fire; The love of money that kills even saints, was killed by the prophet, and trampled under his feet; The commandment given by the Son of God to His apostles, to hate gold, was engraved in the prophet’s soul like one of them; By the exalted eye of prophecy, the prophet, seeing the way of the apostles, he walked in it with no processions. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) Elisha refused to take any of the gifts of Naaman, lest the later think that God’s mercies and gifts could be purchased with money; He also intended to confirm to him that, when we stand before God, He will not look at our persons, wealth, positions, or processions; but He gives all everything as grace. His pleasure is for all men to enjoy the true happiness. + The prophet rejected the gifts of the great man, in spite of the pressure he applied on him several times; as an obvious and awesome symbol of the secret of heeling granted free to all nations on the face of the earth by our Lord through His apostles, whom he had promised ahead through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “You have sold yourselves for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money” (Isaiah 52: 3). As all illnesses are a kind of bondage, it was necessary that the prophet fixes the healing after the seventh dip in the water of the Jordan; conforming to the fact that the statutes of the law command and promise the liberation of the slaves at the seventh year (Exodus 21: 1-3; Deuteronomy 15: 12). (St. (Mar Ephraim the Syrian) “So Naaman said, ‘Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord’” (17) With humility, Naaman asked permission from the prophet to take two mule-loads of the dust of Israel, to spread in Aram, and build on them an altar for the Lord; an appreciation of the holiness even of the earth of Israel. Based upon a wrong assumption that any god would not be worshipped away from His own land, Naaman believed that Jehovah could not be worshipped except on the dust he brought from the earth of Israel. + His request to take two mule-loads of the dust of the promised land, was intended to bring shame upon Israel; that a foreigner believed that even the dust of the earth of their land is holy by God, while the Hebrews did not believe that God dwells in His prophets. (St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian) “Yet in this thing, may the Lord pardon your servant; when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord please pardon your servant in this thing’” (18) Naaman counted worshipping in the temple of Rimmon, one of his political duties as the commander of the army of Aram; But he promised not to offer any burnt offering or sacrifices to other gods, but to the Lord. “Rimmon”, Probably one of the famous gods of Aram; its name, according to some, refers to the worship of the sun; while, according to others, it is derived from the word ‘Raman’, meaning a high place, also bound to the worship of the sun. Rimmon was the god of the storms and tempests; “Leans on my hand”, It was the custom of some kings and queens of the old to lean on the hand of an officer of the court or the commander of the army. It came in the consummation of the book of Esther, that she, as the queen approached the king together with two maidservants: one to lift up the train of her robe, and the other for the queen to lean on her hand. “Then he (the prophet) said to him, ‘Go in peace’. So he departed from him a short distance” (19) Naaman did not ask the prophet Elisha to allow him to worship the god Rimmon, but told him that what he does was within his duties toward his master the king; confirming that he will never offer a burnt offering to other gods except to the living God alone. While Naaman strived to worship the One Living God, and to get rid of the pagan worship, Israel; perverted to idol-worship. According to some, the prophet response “”Go in peace”, implies his consent on the two requests: allowing him to take two mule-loads of the earth of Israel, and forgiving him for his nominal worship in the temple of Rimmon; And according to others, by that response, he left it to him to take whatever decision he might choose according to his own conscience. 5- BY CHOOSING TO BECOME RICH, GEHAZI BECAME POOR: “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Look, My master has spared Naaman the Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him’” (20) Gehazi assumed that he could become rich by few lies he would tell his master Elisha, and nobody will know what he has done; but God revealed it to the prophet. Gehazi did not perceive that by the riches he took, he became poor, and that the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to him and his descendants forever. The love of money made Gehazi commit a series of sins: 1- He sought a price for something he did not do. 2- By seeking money as a price for the free gift of God, namely for healing Naaman from leprosy, he gave Naaman a wrong portrait. 3- Intending to cover the situation up, he lost the feature of faithfulness and truth, and lied to the prophet, to become a son of the devil, the liar and father of liars. 4- The love of money corrupted Gehazi’s heart, and hindered his ministry to Christ, who later said: “No one can serve two masters – God and mammon” (Matthew 6: 24) Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is rich, made Himself poor, that by His poverty He would make us rich. “As God lives”; a vow uttered by some without thinking, as a matter of habit; by which they break the divine commandment: “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20: 7). . Comparing between the prophet Elisha who testified to the amazing power of God, shown by rejecting the gold, silver, and all the riches of the world, and Gehazi who, by loving wealth, it humiliated him and trampled him under its feet; St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi said: 1- The love of money, setting its nets for the slothful, Gehazi got caught in it, whereas Elisha soared above it. 2- The love of money is like fire, put off by Elisha, but ignited by Gehazi who was consumed by it. 3- The prophet defeated the sin of the love of money by the splendor of virtue (Christ); whereas his greedy servant was captivated by it. 4- The love of money motivated its captive to lie and steal. 5- The love of money made its captive so proud to assume that he was wiser than those he lied to them. + The love of money defeated by Elisha, made a snare for his slothful servant Defeated by the master, it went back to his servant, and finding him slothful, it treaded on him and humiliated him. The sin conquered by that great teacher, full of splendor, got back to his servant full of greed. The teacher who rejected the wealth of the Aramite, saw what his servant did, and despised him for getting drunk by the love of gold; His love for riches pierced him with its spear; to fall and to become a thief; Having been overcome by the fire of the love of possessions, by his daring he became a robber; He blamed his master, thinking in himself: Why has he rejected the gift of the Aramite for healing him? Having been so drunk by the repulsive love of money, his own master became repulsive in his eyes; Assuming that he could correct the alleged shortcoming of his master, he ran after Naaman, and said to him [Some poor men came to my master; Please give a talent of silver for them]’ The commander of the army with a good heart, readily gave him silver and clothes; He gave them double as much as he sought, which he took and hastened to go back to hide it. “So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from his chariot to meet him, and said, ‘Is all well?’” (21) Going down from his chariot was a kind of giving honor to the servant of the prophet, who previously conveyed to him the command of the prophet to dip in the water of the Jordan seven times, by which he was cleansed of leprosy. “And he said, ‘All is well; My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments’” (22) A talent of silver, considered then a huge amount, equivalent to 300 Shekels, or about 70 pounds, needed two men to carry to Gehazi’s place of dwelling.. “So Naaman said, ‘Please take two talents’. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants, and they carried them on ahead of him” (23) Gehazi deceived Naaman, by claiming that the prophet does not seek it for himself, but to give two young sons of the prophets who used to come to the prophet to fulfill their needs. “When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house, then he let the men go, and they departed” (24) The Hebrew word translated as “citadel” refers to a hill or to a house built in the form of a citadel or stronghold (2 Chronicles 27: 3; Micah 4: 8). “Now he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, ‘Where did you go, Gehazi? And he said, ‘Your servant did not go anywhere’ (25) The same way Gehazi lied to Naaman, he also did to his master Elisha. The evil behavior makes us cover the evil with evil, Gehazi lied to Elisha and did not utter the truth (25); Indeed “He who walks with integrity walks securely” (Proverbs 10: 9). The love of money made Gehazi lose his reason, to forget that God has granted His prophet the gift to know the hidden things; which has previously stirred up the king of Aram. + That foolish Gehazi, Did he forget who his master is? Or has he got so drunk with the love of gold to lose reason? What secret ever happened to be hidden from Elisha; to hide your silver from him? The evil desire often covers up the face of the soul like a veil; to keep it from seeing the evil work; If the conscience of man condemns him before he commits a sin, and if it reveals to him how repulsive his sin is, he may refrain from doing it; But if the evil desire moved and hastened to work, it would annul the befitting control of the conscience; The evil desire so blinded Gehazi to remember how his master has secret eyes that reveal the hidden things. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) According to St. (Mar) Ephraim the Syrian, Elisha made an attempt to give his servant the chance to reconsider his position, and return to God; but Gehazi, instead, went forth to hide his greed that occupied the depths of his heart; but his own mouth betrayed him. + Peter was not present when Ananias and Sapphira sold their possessions, but having been present by spirit; he said to them: “Why has Satan filled your hearts to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourselves? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your hearts?” (Acts 5: 3,: 4). The illiterate Peter (Acts 4: 13), through the grace of the Holy Spirit, knew what the Greek philosophers did not. So did Elisha, when he healed the leper Naaman for free, and so did his servant Gehazi when he took the reward of what he did not do, and hid it in the dark. But as the dark is not hidden from the men of God, when Gehazi came back, Elisha asked him: “From where did you come, Gehazi?” (2 kings 5: 22);…. From the darkness you came, and to the darkness you will go. … The way you sold the healing of the leper, leprosy will be your inheritance. Elisha meant to say to him: [While I did according to the divine command: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10: 8); you sold that free gift. … By saying: “Did not my heart go with you?” (2 kings 5: 26). Elisha ment to say:[Although I was here bound by the body, God granted me the gift to see the hidden things that happen somewhere else}…. See how the Holy Spirit, not only takes ignorance away, but grants knowledge as well, and enlightens the spirit of men! (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) “Then he said to him, ‘Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money, and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?’” (26) The word “heart” here, doe not only mean just Elisha’s knowledge of Gehazi’s shameful deed, but refers to the extent of bitterness of his depths for his behavior. God sometimes allows for His faithful servants and godly men to enjoy the knowledge of supernatural things, yet within certain limits, and on a temporary basis, through His will for the benefit of His kingdom. The evil desire so blinded the eyes of Gehazi, that he hastened to bury what he stole in earth; While Elisha’s insight was opened to see beyond the mountain, when he was bound within the walls of his own house. + He dug and buried; assuming that his master will never know; Getting drunk with the evil desire, his soul got darkened to reason; He secretly hid his silver; then came to stand before Elisha, like an honest man; But that godly man whose soul was filled with the Spirit of proclamations, asked him: “From where did you come Gehazi?” The foolish man answered and said: “Your servant did not go anywhere” Starting to rebuke and expose him, the prophet said to him: [My heart showed me a certain man got down from his chariot to meet you; and gave you silver which you hid]; The heart of that amazing prophet was like a mirror that spiritually reveals the hidden secrets; While bound in his own home, he saw Naaman beyond the mountain; while he was giving the silver to Gehazi the robber. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) + The way Elisha rejected the gift, through the faith he learned; You, as well, should walk according to the principles you learned from the Lord who said: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10: 8). Do not delay in ministry; offer it for free. You are not allowed to evaluate the grace of God with money; And it is unbefitting of the priest of God to think about riches, but to concentrate on ministry. Teach this to your servants; and if it happens that one of them did what Gehazi has done, send him away as the prophet did; count that what he wrongly got, will defile the body and soul; and say together with the blessed prophet: “Is it time to receive money, and to receive clothing, olive groves, and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever” (2 kings 5: 24-25). + By a miraculous way, and through the allowance of God, the prophet saw what took place; something that would not be doubted by anyone; How much more would the men of God enjoy, when the Lord comes to be all in all? And when the corrupt body weighs upon the soul, nor cause any hindrance before it? For the prophet did not lose the use of his eyes, although he was in no need of them to see his servant while he was away from him. .. Far it is of us to say that, in the life to come, the saints would not see God while their eyes are closed shut; but they will see Him by the Spirit. (St. Augustine) + That is what it means to say that someone is “present in spirit”; the way Elisha was present with Gehazi; and said to him: “Did not my heart go with you” … How amazing is the power of this gift, which makes all together as one, and qualify them to know the far off things; “I already judged, as though I were present …” (1 Corinthians 5: 3). (St. John Chrysostom) . “Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever’. And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow” (27) Leprosy, in the mind of Jews was bound to sin, for its distortion of the image of man, and its easiness of contagion. That is why the Lord used it sometimes for chastisement, as He did to Miriam, Moses sister, on account of her talk against her brother (Numbers 12: 10); to Gehazi when he ran after Naaman the Syrian to seek gold and silver, and lied to his master the prophet Elisha (2 kings 5: 27); and to king Uzziah for forcing himself on the task of priesthood (2 Chronicles 26: 16-21). Of leprosy, like of sin, the Jews, as well as all the nations, having no possibility to rid themselves on their own; felt the need for a divine intervention to do. Being purified of it was therefore considered “cleansing” from defilement, or from the traces of sin; as it is said about Naaman the Syrian when he was cleansed of it in the water in the Jordan (2 kings 5: 10-14); when the Lord Himself said, “The lepers are cleansed” (Matthew 11: 5); and when a leper beseeched Him saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can cleanse me”; and He answered him saying “I am willing, be cleansed” (Matthew 8: 1-3). Leprosy referring to sin (Leviticus 13). Gehazi became a leper because of greed and deception; Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, because of jealousy and bitter criticism (Numbers 13); and king Uzziah because of pride (2 Chronicles 26: 16-23). In the episode of Naaman, when Gehazi desired silver, and challenged the Lord, he acquired Leprosy; And when Naaman believed in the Lord he was cleansed of it. The wise Solomon, likens the greedy, who attach wings to the wealth (Proverbs 23: 5), not to bring them forth to comfort, but to fly away from them and disappear, and cause them to lose all what they gathered. Whereas the satisfied man who knows how to use the world well, bears wings to fly by them as though to heaven. Having been enslaved by the love of money, Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha, ran after Naaman the Syrian, to take something from him (2 kings 5: 2); although he has got double as much as what he sought, but the leprosy of Naaman attached to him and his descendants forever (2 kings 7: 25). … And when Achan the son of Carmi took of the accursed things: “a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold” (Joshua 7: 21), the wrath of God dwelt over the whole people because of him. Naaman, the Gentile, became thankful to God; … Gold, silver, and clothes, became as nothing in his eyes, … and he returned to honor the prophet.. Whereas Gehazi the disciple of the great prophet, becoming greedy and a liar, taking from Naaman silver and burying it in the dust, his life became dust; … and taking from him two sets of clothes to put on together with his descendants, he, together with them put on leprosy. + You cannot live according to God, if you love money and earthly pleasures. (St. Abba Ithozorus) + Listen and endure from me, O brother, a point of view that may benefit you, whom I see, tempted by the devil of greed and the love of money. But if you listen to my counsel and took it out off your heart, you will consummate the work of God with perfection in this place, will ultimately become glorified, and the chastisements of God will not dwell on you. But if you do not listen to me, you will fall into what Gehazi has fallen; for I see his illness in you. + I say to you, O my son, There is nothing worse than adultery and the love of money. … Adultery may be very bad indeed, and after a little while, man will get disgusted because of its abhorrent smell; but the love of money comes from accumulation; and would seem pleasant at first; but because the soul is always greedy and never satisfied; man therefore should, through fear from the hosts of this time, seal the doors of the church of his wilderness. For certain persons will actually come to search for the inheritance of those who have fallen asleep, forgetting what is written: “If riches increase, do not set your hearts on them” (Psalm 62: 10 LXX); about which the apostle also says: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6: 10). + If Gehazi happened to repent, he would be forgiven; but he arrogantly denied that he secretly received money as a price for healing Naaman the Syrian. + So was the destiny of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant in the episode of Naaman; For although what he took was not by violence, yet it was by deception which may be as wrong. + The way Gehazi served the prophet Elisha for money; so did Judas, who attached himself to our Lord and Savior Jesus to acquire earthly wealth by cheating;; for it is written in the gospel: “he was a thief, he had the money box, and he used to take what was in it” (John 12: 6). Now, Gehazi who could have been qualified to benefit from the features and qualities of his master, the same way his master benefited from those of the blessed Elijah; but he was overcome by greed, and was worthy to have the horrible leprosy attach to him forever. And the way Judas lost the grace of apostleship through his love of money, and his life ended by hanging from a tree, so we understand the end will be of all those greedy and lovers of money, whose souls are inflicted inside by the leprosy of sin. + Anyway, we can consider Gehazi to be a symbol of the Jewish people; who were struck by the leprosy of sin, at the same time the gentiles were cleansed of its defilement. During the passion of Christ, as those miserable Jews cried out, saying, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27: 25); and, “Let Him be crucified”, they truly deserved to be inflicted by the leprosy of sin; at the same time the grace crossed over to us. The apostle Paul ultimately addressed them saying: tt was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of the everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13: 46). ……. Once the teaching of the apostle crossed over to the Gentiles, the leprosy of sin got attached to the miserable Jews. (Father Caesarius. Bishop of Arle) + To the prophet Elisha, the secret was revealed, as though he was present with his servant Gehazi when he encountered Naaman the Syrian, and saw all what he did; rebuked him and put him to shame. O my disciple, Who taught you the love of gold? Why, O Gehazi, Who taught you greed and robbery, that you did not see in me?; Why the possessions, the vineyards, the olive trees, and the corrupt riches that will never endure in this evil world? When I sent you to bring the dead child back to life, I commanded you not to bless or be blessed by anyone who might encounter you; I commanded you to go quietly and hasten along the great way of prophecy; But, being overcome by greed; let the leprosy of Naaman the Syrian, whose silver you took. be attached to you; Acquire his leprosy, with his silver; for both are repulsive; Be the ridicule of the whole world; In a divine way, the words of the saint were quickly realized; and the greedy Gehazi was clothed with leprosy; The shirt of leprosy taken off by Naaman the Syrian, Gehazi put it on; and in both cases the power of the prophet was greatly shown; By the word of his mouth, he took it off one, and put it on another; He cleansed Naaman, and gave the defilement to the greedy Gehazi; Despising the riches, Elisha gave conquest to poverty; and made greed the reproach all over the world; As Gehazi desired to acquire clothes, the prophet gave him leprosy to acquire; He made this example to all the lovers of wealth; and made the robber an example to the whole world; By it, the whole world would learn that the love of money is a defilement, a hidden leprosy; repulsive to those who acquire it; Let the crown of conquest be to him who rejects gold; Blessed is He who granted Elisha such a beautiful name in the whole world. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) --------------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 2 KINGS 5 LET ME ENTER WITH YOU INTO THE RIVER JORDAN TO ENJOY A NEW SPIRITUAL BIRTH + Together with You O Lord, I enter into the River Jordan; Not to be cleansed like Naaman from the leprosy of the body; But to enjoy a new spiritual birth; By which You grant me sonhood of God Your Father; And my nature would be renewed by Your Holy Spirit ; I would dip together with You, and be buried together with You; Then would be risen together with You, bearing the power of Your Resurrection. + On the day of my birth in the Jordan, the heavenly hosts exulted; They glorified Your exalted grace of love; It set out of me, the dust, a heavenly citizen It took corruption away from me; And turned me into a holy temple for You. + By Your cross, You set me free from the bondage of the Tyrant devil; You granted me the glory of the children of God; Glory be to You, O the whole Love.
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