NAʽAMAN’S LEPROSY – SOME LESSONS TO LEARN! Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 5:1-19

16th of the 5^th month 2021/2022.

Shalom all,

As part of this week’s Torah portion from Wayyiqra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59, we will also be reading the account given to us in Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4:42-5:19, which primarily takes a look at the miraculous healing of Na’aman.

It is with this passage in mind, that I would like to explore some of the wonderful lessons that we can take from the accounts that surround the miracle healing of Na’aman..

In Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4 we are able to see the blessings that came about for those who had aligned themselves with the true prophets of Elohim, as we see 4 different events that highlight the resulting actions of listening to the true prophets of Elohim..

1 – The wife of a deceased prophet of Elohim receives a miraculous provision of oil, which took care of her debts and equipped her and her sons to live and not be held captive to enslavement. (Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4:1-7).

2 – A prominent Shunammite woman provided a room and food for Elisha and after her son died, she received him back from the dead. (Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4:8-37).

3 – During the scarcity of food, the pot of food that was cooked by the prophets had become poisoned because of the wild cucumbers that were put in it.

They cried out to Elisha, who has instructed them to put some flour in the pot and it was miraculously transformed and made edible. (Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4:38-41).

4 – Miraculous provision of 20 barley loaves of the bread of the first-fruits being made sufficient for 100 men. (Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4:42-44).

In all of these accounts, all the people had listened to the instructions of Elisha, the prophet of Elohim, and these events set the scene for that which took place in Chapter 5, with the healing of Naʽaman’s leprosy..

This last miracle, in Chapter 4, with the bread of the first-fruits being sufficient for 100 men, is a wonderful shadow picture of the provision of יהוה, as pictured through the miraculous provision of bread for both the feeding of the 5000, where 12 full baskets were gathered up afterwards, and the feeding of the 4000, where 7 full baskets were gathered up afterwards..

In Mattithyahu/Matthew 14, we are given the account of the feeding of the 5000 thousand taking place, after which Messiah sent His taught ones off in the boat and he went to up to the mountain by Himself to pray.

During the night He came walking on the water and entered the boat. And when He came to Genněsar, he healed all who were sick..

In Mattithyahu/Matthew 15, we are given the account of the feeding of the 4000 taking place, after which He warned His taught ones, in Mattithyahu/Matthew 16, to be on guard against the leaven of the Pharisees..

The reason for me highlighting these events, is to show how we can see a flow from the accounts that take place in Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4 and that which takes place in Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 5, being a wonderful shadow picture of the events that we see being recorded in Mattithyahu/Matthew 14-16, where Messiah, the Bread of Life, came to give the necessary provision for life and heal all those who were sick..

The account of the healing of Naʽaman’s leprosy, is one that can teach us some very valuable lessons and it highlights for us a clear shadow picture of the Good News of Messiah, the Bread of Life and the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world..

As we know, leprosy, in Scripture, is often a representation of sin and teaches us our need to be healed of sin and be cleansed, in order to serve the Living Elohim, by accepting His redemptive work and being obedient to His Word, which equips us with newness of life..

In these events that flow from Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 4-5, we can see a clear message of how the Provider and Bread of Life, brings the Good News of the Good to the nations, and highlights the clear reality of the fact that all who call upon the Name of יהוה shall be saved. By calling on His Name, we know that this entails a proper obedience that submits to walking in the Torah of Elohim, having been cleansed and redeemed from all lawlessness!.

As we consider the accounts surrounding the healing of Na’aman, we are able to see the contrast between true active belief and unbelief, which is often produced by doubts and fears.

What is interesting to see, is how the king of Aram and the Hebrew slave girl, clearly showed that they believed in Elisha’s abilities, as being a true prophet of Elohim, while Na’aman and the king of Yisra’ěl did not believe that healing was possible.

After his healing, of course, we know that Naʽaman’s heart and mind was renewed and he committed to worshipping Elohim, wherever he would go..

The name of נַעֲמָן Naʽaman – Strong’s H5283 means, ‘pleasantness’ and we are certainly able to learn a great lesson on the pleasantness of the Good News of Messiah, our Saviour and Healer.

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 10 tells us that the events in the Tanak (O.T.) happened to them as examples for us and were written for our instruction; and I want to tell you, that this text is truly filled with much to learn from..

Please read Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 5:1-19.

Just to recap the story, because it really is worth telling a second time.

Naʽaman was the commander of the Ashshurian army.

He was very rich and successful; he had a wife, servants and slaves.

In the world’s eyes, he had made it, as he had all that he could ever ask for; except for one serious problem – he had leprosy!.

This, in most of the circles of the day, would have made him a social outcast with no hope to live for.

Then, in this story, there appears a little slave girl from Yisra’ěl, who was captured on an Ashshurian raid and was now serving Naʽaman’s wife.

This brave Hebrew girl told Naʽaman’s wife the solution to his problem: ‘go and find the prophet in Shomeron’ (northern territory in Yisra’ěl).

It is quite strange to see a mighty commander of the king of Aram’s army listening to the instructions of a slave girl, yet Naʽaman goes to his king for permission to go and be cleansed by the prophet in Shomeron.

The king of Aram sends him, not to the prophet for healing, but to the king of Yisra’ěl.

At this, the king of Yisra’ěl, being a weaker king, was terrified and only thought that the king of Aram was provoking them to war.

Yisra’ĕl’s king’s response is very interesting – he had a famous prophet, Elisha, right at his doorstep and he didn’t consult him, as clearly being Elohim’s spokesman.

Instead, he just worried about a threat that was being delivered and looked to solve the problem in his own strength.

Elisha, the prophet of Elohim, heard what was going on and told the king to send Naʽaman to him.

Naʽaman goes to meet Elisha and he is only met by Elisha’s servant Gěḥazi, with the message from Elisha to go and wash 7 times in the Yarděn, in order to be healed.

At that point, a very proud Naʽaman isn’t impressed with all of this at all and was pretty ticked off and it was definitely not what he had in mind.

He questioned why he should go and wash in a muddy river, when there were cleaner rivers in Dammeseq.

Once again, at the voice of a servant, Naʽaman listens and he goes to the Yarděn and washes 7 times.

Just picture for a moment, what must have been going through his mind; going 6 times in the river and still no change, but then, at the 7^th time – a complete healing!.

As we know, the number 7, in Scripture, is a picture of fullness or completion and herein lies a valuable lesson on guarding to do the Word of Elohim, completely, and not only half way or even 95%. It is all or nothing!

If Naʽaman had only dipped 6 times, he would not have been healed, for it would not have been according to the instructions that he was given by Elisha.

Naʽaman obeyed the Word of Elohim, by obeying the words of the prophet of Elohim and he received Elohim’s healing from leprosy.

Belief in the Word of Elohim must be applied in a proper action of complete obedience, for works without belief are dead works.

Here Naʽaman experienced the result of a living belief, in action, and his heart was changed.

It is in the doing of the Word, that a proper and more fuller understanding of the Word is achieved ad true heart change can take place..

While there was a severe lack of belief going on in the midst of Yisra’ěl, due to disobedience, this Ashshurian commander experienced the results of total obedience that brings about the blessing and removal of impurity and curses.

You see, it was only when Naʽaman had humbled himself and obeyed the Word of Elohim, given to him by the prophet of Elohim, that Elohim healed him.

He experienced the hand of Elohim and it changed him forever..

This was such an incredible story, one that יהושע Messiah makes mention of, as seen in:

Luqas/Luke 4:27 “And many lepers were in Yisra’ěl in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Na‛aman the Aramean.”

There were many lepers in Yisra’ěl in the time of Elisha, yet none of them were cleansed, except Naʽaman.

This, in itself has got to highlight for us how bad the state of Yisra’ěl was at that time, where there was little or no active belief, due to the increase in lawlessness and sin..

Naʽaman, now healed and full of faith, went back to Elisha and offered him a gift, which Elisha refused!

This highlights for us the clear truth that Elohim cannot be bought, even after a miracle, and Elisha sends him of in peace..

As we look at Naʽaman, we can truly see some valuable lessons, in how Elohim can heal you no matter who you are; it is simply a lesson on surrendering and submitting to Elohim and His Word.

And by that, I mean obeying and guarding to do all that He has commanded us to, for that is righteousness for us!!!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”.

Elohim had provided Naʽaman with servants (first the Hebrew slave girl and then his own servants) that would lead him to his healing.

We must be very careful to never reject the true servants that יהוה sends our way, in order to bring healing, restoration and deliverance..

We certainly must test the Spirit of prophecy and must be on guard against being led astray, which we can only do when we are truly meditating on the Word, day and night, learning to make a distinction between the clean and the unclean and between the set-apart and the profane, for then we will be able to rightly divide the truth and recognise the clear truth being presented by others.

We must never reject the Word of Elohim, especially when we are at a weak point in our lives and are in need of help, encouragement, healing and deliverance..

Naʽaman’s initial pride produced anger and, in anger, he did not desire to do Elohim’s will, because it seemed out of the ordinary and totally ridiculous!

Let me ask you, how many times have you, when you are not in a good mood or are disgruntled over something, felt like you don’t want to do what you know you ought to do? Pride has a way of causing us to not walk in the simplicity of the truth of His Word and, as a result, may cause one to reject His guidance..

Naʽaman was tested here, with a lesson in humility.

Think about it for a moment: firstly, Elisha sends out his servant to relay a message to Naʽaman. Now Naʽaman was a commander, so why should a servant come to speak to him, he thought. יהוה, as we know, is not a respecter of persons; and all are equal in His sight and Naʽaman’s pride, in his position of authority, was certainly being tested.

Then, to top it off, he gets told to go and wash in a muddy river.

Naʽaman had come with preconceived ideas, as he thought that Elohim and Elisha would do things the way he wanted them done, as he expressed how he thought that Elisha would just ‘come and wave a wand’ and all would be done..

We must learn that we must never deny יהוה’s instructions through His Word, just because it may seem, at the time, that what He is asking of us, is out of the ordinary, in our own eyes.

And we must certainly give up on any preconceived ideas that we may have on ‘how’ יהוה will do things and therefore, we would do well to learn that we are to simply just obey Him by belief, guarding to do what He tells us to, for in doing so, our understanding of the ‘why’, will grow and become very clear, for understanding certainly comes in the doing of the Word, as instructed..

Before looking at the healing of Naʽaman, I would like to take a look at a couple of lessons that we can also learn, from the actions of the unnamed Hebrew servant girl and the king of Yisra’ěl.

Unnamed Hebrew servant:

This Hebrew servant girl, who had been taken captive on one of the Ashshurian raids, did not lose her faith in יהוה, and in faithfully serving as a captive servant, she was able to be a true ambassador of the True Healer.

With her name not being made known to us, this teaches us a clear lesson that we do not need to have our identity made a big deal of, as we are simply ambassadors of the only Name that saves and it is His Name that we are to proclaim and make our boast in!

If you are trying to serve Elohim in order to get a name for yourself and become widely known and popular, then this called for walk of set-apartness is not for you.

As true ambassadors of the Most-High, we are called to proclaim His Name, not our own. We, who are in Messiah, have died to self and have been raised to new life in Him, through our immersion in His Name.

We have been bought at a price and we are not our own – we are His and it is His Name that matters, not ours!.

This captive slave girl was not restricted in her declaration of who could heal and what we can learn from this, is that יהוה and His Good News is not restricted by our position or circumstances.

Where you are at, is where you can and should serve and proclaim the reign of Elohim, bringing the Good News to all you come into contact with.

Yes, she did not let her captivity silence her witness of the belief in declaring the True Healer, and we would do well to be ready to give many the necessary information of who it is that can truly take heal and take away their lawlessness and sin..

As we look at the example of this unnamed girl, you need to ask yourself whether you are bringing the Good News to the lost and sick, to those that you may even be working for?

She had been taken captive and declared the Good News, which highlights the clear character of set-apartness amidst depravity, as she clearly did not hold a grudge for being taken captive, but rather, she saw the ability of highlighting the truth of who could heal.

She was, in many ways, a true light to the nations, which is what Yisra’ěl were called to be, yet failed and as a result, many who had leprosy in Elisha’s days were not being healed, except Naʽaman..

Are you shining the light amidst the darkness or are you hiding your lamp, so to speak?

At times, it may seem like where you are at is mundane and it may feel as though you are ineffective.

I want you to know this: where you are at is not an ineffective position or mundane in any way. The effect of your witness and testimony before others, as you live out an active obedient belief every day, in complete set-apartness before our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, can have far reaching effects, that go beyond your imagination.

Our Master simply asks us to believe in Him, for without belief it is impossible to please Elohim.

He simply asks us to accept Him and follow His teachings and walk in His Torah, as we guard His commands and bear the witness of Messiah, which we will not be able to do if we hide our lamp, simply because we assume that the current circumstances do not allow us to speak up and be bold.

יהוה expects us to live in this world and that, as salt and light, we are influence sinners around us, through our uncompromised set-apart lives.

This does not mean that you do what they do or go where they go and conform to their ways; no, it simply means that wherever you are, you must live out your belief every day, as you interact with unbelievers, whether it is in the work place, and in all your spheres of influence, which is everywhere you go!.

She did not keep quiet, but spoke up and spoke the Truth!

How many times have you kept quiet when you should have spoken up?

How many times do you correct someone when they blaspheme our Master, right in front of you?

How often do you confess יהושע Messiah; not just with your lips, but with your obedient lives that consistently says no to compromise and lawlessness?.

The slave girl’s words were taken seriously, for her character and conduct in her everyday life, was in line with her identity as a child of the Living Elohim, being clearly marked as one who was chosen, royal and set-apart, even though she was a captive servant girl in a foreign land!

Her identity in Elohim was secure and therefore, her bold declaration could be done with great confidence of power..

Can people take you seriously when you speak of יהוה?

Are you living a life that is devoted 100% to Him or is it more like an 80% effort, because you are unwilling to let go of come compromise – which, by the way, actually nullifies your witness?

She was an unnamed girl that יהוה used, to set a chain of events that would bring about healing and salvation, to a commander of an army and through this, his entire house would have been saved.

This servant girl knew that the prophet in Yisra’ěl would be the one that Na’aman could go to, and be recovered.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘recover’, in verse 3, is יֶאֱסֹף – ye’e’soph and comes from the root word אָסַף asaph – Strong’s H622 which means, ‘to be gathered, assemble, to be brought in or into (association with others), recover’ and is also a root word that is associated with a gathering of a harvest and a bringing together and this is a wonderful prophetic picture that we see being presented to us here, as the Good News of the recovery from leprosy, brings us a clear witness of a gathering of those who respond to the call to be gathered to the Good Shepherd.

Na’aman is a picture of one who was not part of the commonwealth of Yisra’ěl, to respond to the clear call to be gathered to the Healer and be recovered from all sin and lawlessness!

Another vital lesson that we are able to learn from this, is the importance of gathering as we should, making sure that we do not neglect the gathering of the set-apart ones, as is the habit of some, but be urgent in being diligent in gathering on our Master’s Sabbaths and Appointed Times, for in doing so, we shall be given the confident assurance of the cleansing and healing power of His Word that sets us apart..

Unfaithful king:

Another example of what we are not to do, can be seen through the actions of the king of Yisra’ěl. As mentioned earlier, this king feared the request that was brought by the king of Aram, as he assumed that this was a tactic that was being used to attack and this highlights for us that he lacked the proper trust and faith, that he should have had, in יהוה.

When he received the letter from the king of Aram, he tore his garments and this is where Elisha heard that he had torn his garments and came to ask why..

There is, I believe, an interesting play on words, contained in verse 7, which is translated as follows:

“And it came to be, when the sovereign of Yisra’ěl read the letter, that he tore his garments and said, “Am I Elohim, to kill and keep alive, that this man sends a man to me to recover him of his leprosy? For consider now, and see how he is seeking an occasion with me!”

In the Hebrew text, we see this verse being written as follows:

וַיְהִי כִּקְרֹא מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַסֵּפֶר וַיִּקְרַע בְּגָדָיו וַיֹּאמֶר הַאֱלֹהִים אָנִי לְהָמִית וּלְהַחֲיוֹת כִּי־זֶה שֹׁלֵחַ אֵלַי לֶאֱסֹף אִישׁ מִצָּרַעְתּוֹ כִּי אַךְ־דְּעוּ־נָא וּרְאוּ כִּי־מִתְאַנֶּה הוּא לִי.

I have highlighted two words in this verse, which we are able to see how this king responded in unbelief and showed that he was not leading the nation of Yisra’ěl to seek יהוה as they should.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘read’ is כִּקְרֹא – kiqro, which comes from the root word קָרָא qara – Strong’s H7121 which means, ‘to call, proclaim, read, make a proclamation, summons, read aloud, i.e., to speak aloud something, reciting what has been written down’.

It is from this root word קָרָא qara – Strong’s H7121 that we get the Hebrew word/phrase וַיִּקְרָא vayyiqra, which means, ‘and He called’, and is used as the name of the 3^rd book of the Torah of Mosheh – Wayyiqra/Vayyiqra (Leviticus).

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘that he tore’ is וַיִּקְרַע – vayyiqra and comes from the primitive root verb קָרַע qara – Strong’s H7167 which means, ‘to tear, cut, split apart, tear away’..

I hope that you are able to see something unique here, as we see through the Scriptural use of these two words that have the same phonetic expression, yet are derived from 2 completely different root verbs.

That is the words:

1) וַיִּקְרָא vayyiqra, which means, ‘and He called’ and

2) וַיִּקְרַע – vayyiqra which means, ‘and he tore’.

Both of these words come from the root words that are expressed as ‘qara’, with the one that means ‘read or proclaim’ ends with the letter ‘aleph’ (א) – קָרָא qara – Strong’s H7121, while the one that means, ‘tear or split apart’ ends with the letter ‘ayin’ (ע) – קָרַע qara – Strong’s H7167, and both of these root s are used in this verse!.

The king, who should have been the one who was calling people to follow Elohim, was tearing his garments, for his eyes were not fixed on יהוה, but were fixed on his perception of his circumstances and, in fear, he tore his garments.

The phonetic rendering of ‘and he tore’ is וַיִּקְרַע – vayyiqra, when he should have called upon יהוה, after reading the letter he had received – וַיִּקְרָא vayyiqra – and he called!

He didn’t call, he tore..

How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you should have called יהוה, but didn’t, and instead, you ‘tore your garments of set-apartness’, so to speak, as you looked to the flesh and reacted in the flesh, instead of walking in the Spirit and sought יהוה?

The tearing of one’s garments, is often seen as a sign of mourning and weeping, because of fear. He was afraid and he tore and did not call!!!

His face broke down in fear and this we should never do!

Yirmeyahu was warned by יהוה to not break down before those he was sent to speak to, lest יהוה break him before them!.

The reaction of the king, is a lesson for us to learn from, teaching us that we should not react in haste to imminent threats, or that which we may perceive as a threat, but should make sure that we are always be seeking יהוה and His righteousness and never allowing our garments of set-apartness to be torn by compromise and fear!.

Having then seen the clear difference between the actions of the faithful Hebrew slave girl and the unfaithful king, let us be on guard to not let go of the hope that we have in the Master, making sure that are always ready to give a reason for the hope we have, and being on guard against breaking down in fear of circumstances, when our eyes should be constantly fixed on our Master, and always calling upon Him, in our time of need, giving thanks in all circumstances!!!.

What is also worth noting, at this point, especially as we consider the clear contrast between the faithful Hebrew slave girl and the unfaithful king of Yisra’ěl, is that we are to keep our eyes fixed on our Master and make sure that our ears are paying close attention to His Voice, for our Master has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light and we must not stray back into darkness, through compromise and fear that is caused by ears that are hearing and eyes that are not seeing.

The way that we can guard ourselves from falling into compromise and fear of man, is to make sure that we continually acknowledge the One who has recovered us, as we, His sheep, know His voice and gather as commanded, as opposed to allowing unfavourable circumstances to tear us away from fellowship..

As mentioned, the Hebrew word ‘and he called’, which is וַיִּקְרָא vayyiqra, comes from the root word קָרָא qara – Strong’s H7121 which means, ‘to call, proclaim, read, make a proclamation, summons, read aloud, i.e., to speak aloud something, reciting what has been written down’, and what is worth taking note of, is that another word that is derived from this root verb, is the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘gathering’, which is the noun מִקְרָא miqra – Strong’s H4744, which means, ‘assembly/ group/ convocation/ a collective of people gathered for a purpose/a calling together’, and is used 23 times in Scripture, all being related to the ‘set-apart gatherings’ of the assembly of the people of Elohim!.

The Sabbaths and Appointed Times of יהוה are the set-apart gatherings that are to be proclaimed and kept by a set-apart and called out people of Elohim!

To neglect the gathering would be to neglect and reject the clear calling of Elohim unto His set-apart Bride, and represent a tearing of one’s garments of righteousness and becoming defiled for doing so!.

Sadly, what we see in the world today, is a total neglect of these very clear appointments that we are to have with our Creator, as the enemy has ‘attempted to change’ the times and seasons of Elohim and establish his own, as well as keep people so preoccupied with their own busy lifestyles and schedules, that they neglect the most important appointments for the set-apart people of Elohim.

These appointments were firmly established at creation and were always intended for all to keep and to take one’s eyes off of the Master is a tearing away of one’s identity of being set-apart in the Master!

Why I am emphasising this is to simply highlight the clear picture that we see in Scripture, in regards to the clear call that is given to a chosen and set-apart, called out people, to diligently guard to hear and do all that He has commanded us to do and have ears that are ready to hear and obey that which our Master and Elohim has spoken and called out to us, through His Word!.

We can glean some further insight and clarity, when looking at these words in the pictographic script..

The Hebrew word מִקְרָא miqra – Strong’s H4744 is pictured in the ancient pictographic script as follows:.

Mem – מִ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown.

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture.

Knowing that this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’..

Quph – קְ:

This is the letter ‘quph’, which is pictured as , and is a ‘horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity and speaks of continual adherence to the Appointed Times.

Resh – רָ:

The ancient script has this letter ‘resh’ as – – and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as chief, top, begging or first.

This letter can mean ‘top’ – as in the top or head of a body; and ‘chief’ – as in head of a tribe or people, as well as the one who rules the people..

Aleph – א:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of an ox’, and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’ as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals.

This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice, that יהושע Messiah fulfilled!.

This word, as mentioned, is derived from the root verb קָרָא qara – Strong’s H7121, which is pictured in the ancient pictographic script as follows:.

In his AHLB (Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible) Jeff Benner explains how each 3 letter root word comes from a 2 letter parent root and the parent root of this word is קַר – where he explains that the pictograph is a picture of the sun at the horizon and the gathering of the light, and the pictograph is a picture of the head of a man..

Combined these mean “GATHER THE MEN” or “GATHER TO THE HEAD” and can have the understanding of the meeting, or bringing together, of people or objects, by arrangement..

What we can therefore see, through the ancient pictographic rendering of the word מִקְרָא miqra – Strong’s H4744, is that, in terms of this giving us the understanding of having a proclaimed calling together, or gathering, we can see the following meaning, for us, who are in יהושע Messiah, our Head:.

CLEANSED TO CONTINUALLY GATHER

TO OUR HEAD

WHO IS OUR STRENGTH!

Having been cleansed and redeemed from all lawlessness and sin, we who have been grafted in to the Covenants of Promise, through the blood of Messiah, are now called to guard His commands and gather as we should, on His proclaimed set-apart gatherings!.

Coming back to the account of Naʽaman, we are able to learn a great lesson on him being obedient to the instruction of going down to the Yarděn, where he dipped 7 times.

Herein lies a wonderful lesson on our healing and equipping that we receive in our Master, when we are immersed in Him!

When we recognise this, we are able to understand, more fully, how important ‘immersion’ in His Name is!!!.

Immersion in His Name cleanses us from all our sin!

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘immersed’ is the verb βαπτίζω baptizō – Strong’s G907 which means, ‘to baptize, immerse, to dip, sink, ceremonially wash, to cleanse by dipping or submersion’..

What is interesting to take note of, is that this Greek verb is used in the LXX (Septuagint) in the passage that we are looking at, in the following verse, and is translated as ‘dipped’:

Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 5:14 “Then he went down and dipped seven times in the Yardĕn, according to the word of the man of Elohim. And his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

It was Na’aman, commander of the army of the sovereign of Aram, who had leprosy and at the advice of his wife’s Hebrew servant girl, who had been captured on one of the Aramean raids on Yisra’ĕl, went to Elisha the prophet at Shomeron..

He was told to go and wash in the Yarděn, which he refused to do at first, but after having done as instructed, he was cleansed!.

He dipped 7 times, picturing for us a complete cleansing, and with 7 being a significant number for us, in representing the complete work of Messiah, as pictured through His 7 Feasts, we recognise that our immersion into His Name, is critical as it cleanses us from sin, in order that we partake of His Feasts and are grafted in to His House and built up in Him as Living Stones that the Living Waters has cleansed!.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘dipped’ comes from the primitive root verb טָבַל taḇal – Strong’s H2881 which means, ‘to dip, plunge’..

In the ancient Hebrew pictographic alphabet, this word looks like this:.

Tet – טָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is , which is pictured as ‘a container made of wicker or clay’. Containers were a very important item among the nomadic Hebrews.

They were used for storing grains and other items. Wicker baskets were used as nets for catching fish. The meaning of this letter is ‘basket, contain, store and clay’. It can also mean surround as a basket is used to ‘surround’ something to be protected and secure..

Beyt – בַ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures ‘a tent floor plan’ and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself..

Lamed – ל:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority..

When looking at these pictographic letters we can get the meaning:.

SURROUND THE HOUSE

WITH AUTHORITY

GATHERED INTO THE HOUSE

OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

In terms of understanding this word, in representing a ‘dipping’ or ‘immersion’, we can see the understanding of the function, and purpose, of our immersion in Messiah, and that is: to gather us, as an ĕphah basket, into His House and be under His authority, as we take on His easy and light yoke and ‘stay in Him’, and be the ripe basket that submits, as opposed to the rotten one that rejects His Authority and His Torah for His House!.

The first time that this Hebrew word טָבַל taḇal – Strong’s H2881 is used, is in:

Berěshith/Genesis 37:31 “So they took Yosĕph’s robe, killed a male goat, and dipped the robe in the blood”

Here, we are able to see the clear shadow picture of Messiah’s immersion and death, that would bring life to those who are immersed in Him!

Messiah Himself went to Yoḥanan to be immersed, as pictured here, in Yosĕph’s coat being dipped, in preparation for His work of deliverance!.

Yosĕph’s coat was dipped, and this shadow pictures יהוה, the expectation of Yisra’ĕl, coming in the Flesh and being immersed, as preparation for His work of deliverance that would come through His Blood, as He would die for our sins and cleanse us completely, and be raised to life so that we too can have newness of life.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 3:13 “Then יהושע came from Galil to Yoḥanan at the Yarděn to be immersed by him.”.

For more on יהוה being our expectation, please see the notes of the message called, “THE EXPECTATION OF YISRA’ĔL! Immersion unveiled” under the sermons 2020/2021 menu or by clicking on the following link:

https://atfotc.com/the-expectation-of-yisrael-immersion-unveiled/.

Our need to be immersed, in the expectation of Yisra’ĕl, is critical to us walking in newness of life, lest we reject an immersion into His Name and die in our sin!.

Romiyim/Romans 6:3-4 “Or do you not know that as many of us as were immersed into Messiah יהושע were immersed into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through immersion into death, that as Messiah was raised from the dead by the esteem of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life.”.

The Hebrew word טָבַל taḇal – Strong’s H2881 is used 16 times in the Tanak, and besides being used in reference to Yosĕph’s coat being dipped in blood, it is also used in describing the hyssop that was to be dipped in blood and then used to strike the lintel and the two doorposts, so that יהוה would pass over the houses that had done this and not allow the destroyer to enter in!

It is also used in describing the work of the anointed priest, that would ‘dip’ his finger in the blood of the sin offering and sprinkle it seven times before יהוה, in front of the veil of the Set-Apart place..

We know that the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin, hence it being sprinkled in front of the veil of the Set-Apart place!

But now, through the blood of Messiah, who, having offered one slaughter offering for sins for all time, has torn the veil, so that by His Blood we may come boldly to the throne of favour in our time of need!

But our access to His presence, begins with our repentance and immersion into His Name!.

The cleansing of Na’aman is a wonderful lesson for us, on our cleansing that we, who were once far off from the covenants of promise, have been brought near and grafted in to, by the Blood of Messiah, through our immersion in His Name!.

Let me repeat the following:

Having died to self and raised in Messiah – do not let the leprosy of the past grip you in any way. As we consider the cleansing that we have received, we are to be bold ambassadors of the Good News, so that others may receive the cleansing too, if they will turn and submit the Truth and be immersed in Messiah!.

Do not let circumstances cause you to tear away set-apartness in any way, but walk in the cleansing of our Master, keeping your feet on His path, wherever you find yourself!

Are you walking in newness of life or are you being plagued by past or present sins?

Hear the truth, through these lessons on Naʽaman’s leprosy, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and do not be confirming to the ways of the world, but shine the light of the truth and be a bold ambassador that guards the commands of Elohim and possesses the witness of Messiah!

Walk in the newness of life that the cleansing of our Master brings and let the pleasantness of יהוה our Elohim be upon you, as you stay in Him!!.

Another clear lesson on this account of Na’aman, is to not refuse the clear instructions of the Word, as given by those that יהוה has called!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those leading you, who spoke the Word of Elohim to you. Consider the outcome of their behaviour and imitate their belief.”

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those leading you, and be subject to them, for they watch for your lives, as having to give account. Let them do so with joy and not groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”.

At first, Na’aman considered himself to be someone that was ‘too important’ to listen to the message of the prophet of Elohim and initially, he just wanted to get the blessing without the required obedience of the instructions that he was given.

Our Master has appointed some to equip the body unto maturity, in Him, and sadly we see many today, who are initially reacting like Na’aman and they are refusing to obey those that are leading them..

Na’aman did eventually listen and realised the importance of doing so, as he made a confident commitment to never acknowledging another healer and Elohim.

When he obeyed the words of Elisha, he was healed and this is a clear lesson on proper submission and obedience to the Word that is being taught to those who have ears to hear!.

In the above 2 verses from Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13, the Greek word that is translated as ‘leading’ is ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 which means, ‘to lead, ruler, govern, count, consider’, and is understood to mean, ‘to lead, go first, lead the way’ and therefore, pictures one who leads by example!.

Sha’ul warned Timotiyos that there would be a time when people would not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they will heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear and, as a result, turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to destructive myths.

That time is certainly upon us and many are being led astray by false teachers, while at the same time we also take note that, because of the corruption that has happened, there are those who refuse to submit to and obey the true appointed ones of the Master..

We are also therefore able to recognise that those that our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, has appointed to teach and equip His body to maturity, are His messengers (Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:11-16); and those who do not listen to the given/appointed ones, that He has appointed to speak and teach His Word, are, in effect, not listening to Him, which then reveals that those who are not listening, do not have the fear of Elohim and are not bringing proper esteem to His Name!.

When Na’aman obeyed the words of Elisha and was healed, he gave all praise and esteem to יהוה, declaring that he would never slaughter again to any other mighty ones, but only unto יהוה would He slaughter praise!..

As we consider these accounts and the lessons that we are able to learn, from the faithful Hebrew servant girl, the wicked and faithless king of Yisra’ěl, and a leprous Na’aman who was healed when he obeyed, let us be on guard against tearing our garments of righteousness and guard the call to be ambassadors of the coming reign of our Master, shining the light of His truth, always ready to give the reason for the hope that we have, and in doing so, let us also learn that we are to never delay, or hesitate in, our obedience to the clear instructions of our Master’s Word, as we subject ourselves to one another, in the fear of Elohim..

As mentioned, the name of נַעֲמָן Naʽaman – Strong’s H5283 means, ‘pleasantness’ which comes from the primitive root verb נָעֵם na’em – Strong’s H5276 which means, ‘to be pleasant, delightful, lovely, surpass in beauty’, and we are certainly able to learn a great lesson on the pleasantness of the Good News of Messiah, our Saviour and Healer..

In closing, let the closing words of a psalm that is titled, ‘A prayer of Mosheh, the man of Elohim’, remind you of the pleasantness of our Master who has healed us and given us all we need to serve Him faithfully as bold ambassadors of His coming reign!

Tehillah/Psalm 90:17 “And let the pleasantness of יהוה our Elohim be upon us, and confirm the work of our hands for us; O confirm the work of our hands!”

In this prayer of Mosheh we see the cry for the pleasantness of יהוה our Elohim to be upon us!

In closing this prayer, the plea is given for Elohim to confirm the work of our hands, and the Hebrew root word used for ‘confirm’ is כּוּן kun – Strong’s H3559 which means, ‘ready, steadfast, established, firm, set up, determined, prepared’..

We are called to be a Bride who is prepared and ready for her Husband, and the only way we can do this successfully is by walking in the fear of Elohim, as we get wisdom and understanding through the diligent seeking hearing, guarding and doing of His pleasant Word, that we make our study, and meditate upon, day and night!.

יהוה bless you and guard you, יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you, יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you peace, aměn!.