2 Kings 5:2

The Spirit first describes his high rank and his distressing affliction. Then in a few words He gives a striking instance of God's ways in providence... To us this seems mysterious, but how can man understand the government of God?... Yet here we may learn something. In the middle of all the oppression and wrong, the sorrow and suffering in the world, God has an order of blessing for individual souls that we may long to enjoy. Despite everything, this poor child was in the right place, at the right time, with the right aim, and in the right spirit to do the right thing.

The whole scene seems to be a foreshadowing of the present age, in which Israel is set aside and ruling power is given to the Gentiles. The power had passed to the Gentile, and an Israelite woman is in captivity. During this time the Lord shows grace to the Gentile.

What a contrast between the little maid of Israel (v. 2) and this man! In the eyes of the world she was a poor, insignificant being. She was cut off from those who would naturally support her, and from all the blessing belonging to God's people. She was a captive and a slave of Naaman's wife, standing in this humble position before her mistress, while he could lift up his head with pride before his king! What did this child have, then? The world says, Nothing; the believer answers, Everything. She knew the prophet and the power of the Word of God... Her faith knows no uncertainty.

This little daughter of Israel found herself in a land where the true God was unknown, and where idol worship was supreme. There was not one in Damascus who was likely to teach Naaman's little slave-girl the law of Moses. Can we wonder if she was tempted at times to abandon her faith in Jehovah? Or to bow down in "the house of Rimmon" like all the other slaves in the great general's house? But the fear of Jehovah was before her eyes, and she would have no other gods before Him; she stood firm in her faith.

But when had God ever done such a thing? Since the writing of Leviticus 12-14, Scripture records no case of any man cured of his leprosy. Even at that very time there were "many lepers in Israel" (Luke 4:27), and none of them were cleansed... It is wonderful to note the confidence that faith has in God. Faith refuses to believe that anything is impossible with Him.

A kind concern for Naaman clearly prompted the words she spoke to his wife. She might well have regarded him as the cause of her misfortunes. For Naaman, even if he did not go on the raids himself, was responsible for them. But the little maid knew in some measure what it was to love her enemies and forgive them. She pitied her leprous master and held no grudge against him for the loss of her home and her country.

Let us not be surprised at this. Have we not seen again and again in Scripture that God uses the insignificant instruments? He does great things through the unexpected servants. And do we not often find the rarest qualities and graces in the poorest, the humblest, and most hidden of His people?

The little maid passes from the page of Scripture, still unnamed. But the Lord Himself spoke of the result of her service (Luke 4:27). We may be sure that He still takes account of every service, however obscure and unnoticed by others.