1161. Naaman a Picture

Naaman a Picture

"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1Co_10:11).

The things which are written in the Old Testament have their historical truth. This is incontrovertible. The things written in the Old Testament have their practical messages for the people of the times in which they were written. Messages of admonition and of instruction; of warning and of guidance.

The things in the Old Testament are not however, applicable alone to the people of olden times. They have their admonitions for us as well. The centuries which have intervened do not in the least destroy the vital relationship they bear to present truth.

The things in the Old Testament have, in many cases, purposeful types for us. There are written therein marvelous types of our Lord, or types of Israel, or types of the Church, or types of the nations.

We need not therefore be startled if even Naaman is found to bear some valuable lessons of a typical nature. His experience is written out quite at length in the Old Testament. This in itself is most striking. Surely it is written not merely for its historical value, not merely to show the miracle power of a wonder-working God. It was surely-written that we might carry its lessons down through the ages, and profit thereby,

1. Naaman is a picture of how the unsaved may come to God and find their salvation in Him.

The story of Naaman has, for many years, been a favorite with evangelists, because it presents so many vital truths which the unsaved need to know. Evangelists usually follow some such outline as the following:

1. Leprosy a type of sin.

2. Naaman's leprosy casting a shadow over his worldly successes.

3. The little maid, God's missionary to a lost man.

4. Naaman turning his back on any prospect of healing in Syria and turning his face Godward.

5. The wrong place of appeal–Naaman going to the king of Israel.

6. The helplessness of human help. The king of Israel rending his clothes.

7. Obstacles to getting saved–the "behold, I thought."

8. The simplicity of grace–"Go down and dip."

9. The revolt of the human heart–"He went away in a rage."

10. The obedience of faith, which followed–"And Naaman went down" etc.

11. The instant healing–"And Naaman was healed."

2. Naaman is a picture of how Israel will one day come to God and be saved.

The same truth of Naaman's healing may be more or less similarly followed and you have the whole story of Israel–her backsliding and ultimate salvation.

1. There is Israel mighty in her conquests–great with her Master.

2. There is Israel sick with sin.

3. There is Israel turning to many doctors. They have healed her hurt but slightly.

4. There is Israel receiving her witness, who calls her back to God.

5. There is Israel returning from the far land to seek her Lord in Zion.

6. There is Israel looking first to another than Christ–a mighty king, the antichrist

7. There is Israel finally renouncing her pride and her power and standing before the Lord, a suppliant.

8. There is Israel and the fountain opened for uncleanness. She dips herself and is clean.

9. There is Israel going to the nations with a newfound Christ.

Of course, there are many who would use Naaman as a picture of the sinner, but who would repudiate Naaman as a picture of Israel. But, in either case, there may be produced a striking resemblance, that is not a "happen so." God has written wondrously in His Book. The same words have varied and sundry messages; they carry a wealth of application that often makes us gasp in amazement.

In this study we will set aside the other applications and see if we have in the story of Naaman a message for sin-touched saints.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR