White Lie Becomes White Leprosy

O. T. #834  "White Lie Becomes White Leprosy"
Sept. 21, 2016
2 Kings 4-Part 3
Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman's leprosy forever.   2 Kings 5:27 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Haven't we all been guilty of telling some "little white lie?" Of course, a lie is a lie, whether little or big, just as sin is sin, whether small or big. Today we read of a man who tells not one but three lies. Then he gets leprosy because of it. Read on to find out who it was.

Naaman was healed of leprosy, not in the spectacular way he thought, yet he was healed as he obeyed by faith the instructions of Prophet Elisha. He found the only God in all the world, the God of Israel.
Elisha would not accept any of Naaman's gifts to show that he was different from the pagan prophets and the Syrians would see only the honor of God.

So Naaman started toward home. But Gehazi, Elisha's servant, lied and deceived himself as well as to Naaman and Elisha.

1. Gehazi decided in his heart that he would chase after Naaman and get some of his money which was offered to Elisha. Elisha shouldn't have let those things slip through his fingers, miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime deal, after all, we live in poverty. (Well, Ge could have thought those thoughts.) At any rate, he lied to himself-no one would ever find out and he would be rich.
2. Gehazi carried out his lie for selfish gain as he caught up with Naaman and his chariots. Lie number two was heard when Gehazi ssaid Elisha sent him to tell Naaman that 2 young prophets from Ephraim just arrived and he would like to have 10%of his gift of silver and 2 sets of clothing to give them. (Premeditated scheme, huh.)                                                        By all means, take twice as much silver instead, Naaman insisted. That would have valued a quarter of a million dollars today. Whew! Naaman even obliged in sending 2 of his servants to help transport it. but when the men arrived back at camp, Gehazi took the gifts and sent the men back to Naaman, the hid the loot in his house.
3. Sounds like a plan, huh? Well he could have pulled it off, except Gehazi forgot one thing-his master, Elisha, was in tuned with the God who sees and knows all, and reveals secrets to His servant Elisha. Yep, Elisha asked Gehazi where he had been. He spits out lie number 3: I haven't been anywhere. Elisha knew what Gehazi had done. Because Gehazi did all of that and lied, he and his descendants would suffer from Naaman's leprosy forever. When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy, skin white as snow.

What a price to pay. During that time, there was no help for the disease, so death would be relief.

LET IT GROW

I guess we could call him greedy Gehazi.

Liberty Bible Commentary enlightens us:
This story has a sad ending, clouded by covetousness and deception. Gehazi's sin was fivefold:

1. He coveted the wealth that Elisha was allowing to slip away;
2. He lied to Naaman concerning a need for the two young prophets;
3. He exploited an unsuspecting, new convert on the pretext of aiding a religious cause;
4. He destroyed the picture of God and His prophet who healed as an act of grace alone;
5. He lied to Elisah concerning his whereabouts.

LET IT GO

Guard my heart from covetousness by being thankful for what I have.

Be truthful to myself and others.

Realize that God sees all.