God is truly merciful and kind, even to those who are not His people -- yet. God's love and mercy is showered on all men and women in all the earth, no one being exempted from it.
This is shown spectacularly in the life of a Syrian commander named Naaman.
Who is Naaman?
Naaman's story is found in 2 Kings 5:1-19. He is the commander of the Syrian army, one who was "great and honorable man in the eyes of his master" because, wonderfully, "by him the Lord had given victory to Syria" (see 2 Kings 5:1).
Scholars believe that the victory ascribed to the Lord in this passage is the one mentioned in 1 Kings 22, the battle between Israel and Syria. They believe that Naaman is the one who struck wicked Ahab:
"Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel (Ahab) between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded."" (1 Kings 22:34, emphasis mine)
Scholars believe that God delivered Israel from wicked Ahab through the bow of Naaman, thus the words of 2 Kings 5:1.
Two things of note, however, is that while Naaman was a "mighty man of valor," he was also a leper (see 2 Kings 5:1); and that while the Word of God says the Lord gave victory through him, he was but a pagan commander who bowed to Syrian deities.
What does God's mercy have to do with Naaman?
Naaman was a leper, and by saying "was" I meant to say he used to be a leper until God healed him.
Yes, God healed him.
The rest of 2 Kings 5:1-19 tells us how a young Israelite girl, whom Syrians took captive and was made to wait on Naaman's wife, told her mistress that a prophet in Israel can heal his master's leprosy.
Naaman, hearing the girl's words, went to the Syrian king who then sent him to Israel with a letter to the king and gifts. The Israelite king at the time, Jehoram (see 2 Kings 3:1), tore his clothes when he read the letter, saying,
"Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me." (see 2 Kings 5:7)
The prophet Elisha, upon hearing of the king's tear-clothes moment, asked that Naaman be sent to him so that "he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel." (see 2 Kings 5:8).
Naaman, standing outside of Elisha's house, was furious when he was greeted by a messenger instead of the prophet himself. He became more angry at the idea that, more than not facing him, Elisha would command him to wash himself seven times in a river that wasn't as beautiful as others -- the river Jordan (see 2 Kings 5:9-11).
Moreover, Naaman expected Elisha to come, lay his hands on his leprous skin, and call on God to instantly heal him.
Thankfully, Naaman's servants told him to do as Elisha said (see 2 Kings 5:12-13). And because he obliged, he saw his skin restored to be like a baby's skin (see 2 Kings 5:14).
Now what's the result?
Aside from having skin restored to perfect condition, Naaman received so much more:
1) The revelation that the God of Israel is the only God
2 Kings 5:15 tells us that Naaman, because of his healing, came to realize that there's no other God but the God of Israel. He received a personal knowledge of God because of what he experienced.
What do we know about God from our experiences with Him?
2) The ability to give thanks
As a distinguished war veteran, Naaman was proud. He initially expected Elisha to come to him and heal him instantly, and got angry that it didn't happen as he expected. But because he humbled himself, with help from his servants, he received his healing.
While his pride caused him to get angry at Elisha, his eventual humility allowed him to be healed. And his healing turned him into a grateful man who experienced the Lord's goodness.
Are we grateful at what the Lord does for us, even when His methods and discipline aren't pleasing at times?
3) The decision to worship the LORD alone
Because of his healing, Namaan made a very great decision: to worship God alone.
"...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." (see 2 Kings 5:17)
What about us? Have we decided to worship the LORD alone?
