All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23.

Can you imagine? In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8.

I love this next chapter, 2 Kings 5, because it shows so many mindsets that we can learn from.

We’ve read about the nation of Aram before and now a commander of the army of the king of Aram, Naaman, a valiant soldier, has leprosy. It couldn’t have been too advanced or he wouldn’t be leading the armies of Aram. We also meet a young Israeli servant girl who had been taken in a raid and now serves the commander’s wife. She tells her mistress she wishes Naaman could see the prophet who lives in Samaria, the nation Israel, because he could cure him of his leprosy. When Naaman learns of this prophet he goes to the king to ask permission to go to Samaria and see him. The king agrees and even sends a letter to the king of Israel: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” v. 1-6. What?

Can you imagine receiving such a letter from a foreign king? Is this a setup? As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” v. 7. Quarrels between kings can lead to war!

Elisha hears of this and tells the king to send the man to him so he will know that there is a prophet in Israel. v. 8. Just as the young Israeli servant girl told Naaman’s wife.

Naaman goes with his horses, chariots and silver, gold, and ten sets of clothing in tribute to this prophet. He stops at Elisha’s house and a messenger comes out to tell him to “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” v. 10. Naaman, an army commander, is not used to being treated this way. A messenger, not the prophet, speaks to him. He is angry and insulted and goes off in a rage. A powerful man has leprosy which makes him vulnerable; and yet he did as a servant girl suggested. Who is this prophet to disrespect him in this way? So one of Naaman’s own servants asks him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed!’” v. 13. Naaman listened to another servant, a remarkable thing. Both servants have a heart to help their master. So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. v. 14.

I would imagine Naaman was now humbled and incredibly grateful. He goes back to Elisha and says, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” v. 15. Elisha refuses the gift. How could he accept it when God is the one who healed Naaman?

A remarkable thing then happens. He asks Elisha for dirt, as much as a pair of mules can carry, so he can only offer sacrifices to the Lord. He also asks that Elisha understand his duty to the king as the king bows down in the temple of Rimmon…please forgive him for this. Elisha tells him to go in peace. v. 17-19. God knows Naaman’s heart and Naaman is learning God’s heart of giving.

Reading the next part, I can’t help but wonder did Elisha’s servant begin to see the possibilities of reward because he served God’s prophet? Did he truly not know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel? Do we know that there is no God but the true God who humbled Himself to be among us?

Elisha’s servant leaves and catches up with Naaman and his group and asks for payment and lies about what that payment is for. Naaman is only too happy to give to Elisha’s servant any payment for whatever reason. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, is happy, too! Right up until he returns home and stands before Elisha. “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered. v. 25. And then Elisha says something remarkable. “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes – or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous – it had become as white as snow. v. 26-27. I can imagine Elisha knows exactly the many rewards Gehazi hopes for and can envision. How? God’s Spirit leading Elisha’s spirit.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage. God is with us…us. Can we grasp that deep and amazing truth? Why? Because God so loves us. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit love us and are working for us and with us. God with us. Let us rejoice and let that mindset of awe and reverence be with us as we worship God who gives so much. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. He is with us. Always.