Many people “hear” but do not listen, act, or respond. Some listen passively. Probably, parents would be firsthand witnesses to talk about what their children and young adults hear.
Sometimes you explain things to your children, warn them of what might happen if they do or do not do this or that. Sometimes parents want to be “just friends” with their children. And, of course having an adult, parental-child-young adult relationship is desirable.
But, what about this hearing and listening thing? In this regard, grown-ups do the same thing, hear, but do not regard the information worthwhile listening to.
Chances are you might remember Naaman, the leper in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was an important man in his position, a military man and had brought the king winning battles for Syria. The king appreciated him for his valor. He had come to think of himself as a very important person, perhaps indispensable.
He managed to continue his career in the military despite his leprous skin condition and didn’t allow his condition to get in the way of his successful military career exploits. However, I believe surely it affected him emotionally. After all, he had to look at his skin condition daily.
After one of his conquering experiences, a young maiden came with the rewards. She proves to be a great asset to two kings, Ben-Hadad of Syria and Joram, king of Israel. Even though she was in a so-called “lowly position,” she was bright and attentive to her environment.
She faithfully served in the home of Naaman as maid to his wife. She saw that this great man had a problem that he had no cure for – leprosy. It is also noted that no other person had been healed of leprosy.
One might reasonably presume that she felt compassion for him in his condition. But, what did she do? She was proactive in a positive way and told the woman of the house, Naaman’s wife, that she knew how Naaman could be healed of his leprosy. Wow! One would certainly imagine this was a huge breakthrough. Isn’t this interesting that when she said a few words to the woman of the house that the woman “heard” her.
Naaman was an idolater and believed in many gods, none of which could heal him of his leprosy. The young servant girl was keen in her occupation as a servant. She was not an idolater, but served the one and only true God, Jehovah.
When she “heard” in her consciousness to speak out about Naaman, she did it in such a way that she was “heard” and spoke out in faith that she would be heard and that Naaman could and would be cured. Even though she was a young girl, she was believed.
Many grownups do not act as responsibly as she did. Her tactful speaking out affected two kingdoms: Syria and Israel! Now, that’s worthy of paying attention to. Many people can do more than what they think they can do.
This is what she said: “…she said to her mistress, Would God my lord was with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” Amazing! They had never heard anything like that before.
One person heard what the young maiden had said and went in and told it. The king of Syria was ecstatic! Naaman was important to him because he helped him win wars. Ben-Hadad, the Syrian king, mounted a great amount of treasure for Naaman to take for his healing. He also sent a letter.
When the king of Israel read the letter, he thought the king of Syria was trying to start a war with him. Naaman had come with his horses, chariot and stood before the prophet Elisha’s house. Elisha had heard about the frustration of the king of Israel and being a prophet and miracle worker, he wanted to know what was going on.
“How can I help?” Naaman had anticipated that the prophet would make a big show of everything. This was his ego speaking. Even with leprosy, he had gotten the “big head.”
Naaman went away in a rage when Elisha, the prophet, did not make a big show of the healing. Naaman listened to his servants. Listen to what they said to him to calm him down and bring him to his senses: “And his servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, My father, (listen to their respectful tone in speaking to him, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, would thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Elisha had told him to dip in river Jordan seven times and your flesh shall come again to you and you will be clean.”
Naaman followed instructions from a little young maiden who had faith. He set aside his bold ego and arrogance. He heard the voice of reason from his own servants! Follow the voice that hears with great wisdom.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © The Holy Bible New Testament, Errors? Let me know. Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} Reading References: (The Holy Bible) Pray without ceasing.