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.” – 2 Kings 5:20
After being healed, Naaman wanted to show his gratitude. He brought a boatload of money, and so he said to Elisha, “Accept now a present from your servant” (5:15). But Elisha refused. And as Naaman headed home, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, went after him.
He said, “My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me… two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver’” (5:22). So, Naaman gave him the money.
Gehazi lied. He coveted. And he deceived. Worst of all, he contradicted what Elisha had been teaching Naaman—that God’s grace is wonderfully free. When Elisha asked, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” he said, “Your servant went nowhere” (5:25).
But God had already revealed to Elisha what Gehazi was up to (5:26). Gehazi wanted what Naaman had, and he got what Naaman had—his money, and his leprosy too! “The leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever” (5:27).
Gehazi had seen God work in marvelous ways, but there were layers of his life that he had never submitted to God. Jesus said, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2).
So, learn from the story of Gehazi to be done with greed, to be done with lies, and to be done with deception. Whatever you have done, and whatever consequences it has brought, there is hope for you in Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Is there anything you have been trying to hide from God? Take a moment to confess it to Him.
