Just reward

In last week's blog post (2nd November 2012) you will recall we considered scripture from 2 Kings 5 and the story which related the great healing miracle from incurable leprosy which God provided the commander of the Syrian army, Naaman, once Naaman had been obedient in carrying our God's instruction to dip himself seven times in the river Jordon.

In particular we looked at the number of people involved in the chain of events which would eventually result in Naaman being in the right place, at the right time with the right attitude to be healed by God. 

One person's actions we need to look at more fully is Gehazi, Elisha's messenger.

You will recall that the king of Syria sent Naaman to Israel with the equivalent of 5 mens' weight in silver, 1 man's weight in gold and 10 changes of very very expensive and elaborate clothing.  Following his healing Naaman came to Elisha's house and offered Elisha some of the reward that the Syrian King had sent as 'payment' for healing his most accomplished and successful commander.

2 Kings 5:15;  ''And he [Naaman]returned to the man of God [Elisha], he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore take a blessing [gift] of thy servant.''

Elisha declined Naaman's gift.

2 Kings 5:16;  ''But he [Elisha] said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he [Naaman] urged him to take it; but he refused.''

But Gehazi, with a significantly more shallow spiritual condition than that of his master Elisha, ran after Naaman and on catching him made up a story in an attempt to justify his request to ask Naaman for some of the reward just a few minutes ago Elisha had declined:

2 Kings 5:22;  ''And he [Gehazi] said, All is well.  My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from the mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garment.''

Now Naaman, still euphoric at the fact God had healed him, gave Gehazi considerably more than his original request.  Gehazi secretly hid his bounty somewhere in the ground outside Elisha's house before returning  - hopefully without anyone knowing about his rendezvous with Naaman!

However, Gehazi was questioned by his master as to where he had just been; but dishonest Gehazi's answer to Elisha was that he had been''no where''. 

Unfortunately for Gehazi, Elisha knew exactly where he had been - fraudulently making selfish profit and personal gain from the miraculous work of God.  Elisha told Gehazi' of his dreadful ''reward'' that he now would receive for seeking to benefit wrongly from the miraculous work of God:

2 Kings 5:27;  ''The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.  And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.''

A harsh (but just?) reward and salutatory lesson indeed!

One final thought for going forward this week about God's reward system.

When we endeavour to be a good testimony for God, when we seek out guidance from the Holy Spirit within us to help us answer the question as to what would Jesus do if he was faced with the manifold trails, challenges, let downs and rejection that we can face on a day to day basis, its good to recall Colossians 3: 22, 23 & 24:

Colossians 3: 22, 23 & 24;  ''Servants, obey in all things your master according to the flesh; not with eye service, as the menpleasers; but in singleness [sincerity]of heart, fearing God.  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.''

So as God's messengers lets be in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude - ''singleness [sincerity] of heart'' and ''whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as if to the Lord.''

For in so doing God sees our just reward as ''the reward of inheritance'' - the reward which is salvation - living for ever in the heavenly Jerusalem with God and Jesus.  Wow - that's a reward that cannot be beaten!!