A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                       AN INSTRUMENT FOR HEALING PART VI

"I, Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, have now gone to the home of the prophet Elisha.... I have already been to the palace.... My visit to the palace did go well.... At least, initially.... The king received my gifts.... I could see that these gifts put him in a good mood.... However, things changed very quickly after he opened the letter I had taken with me from my king, the king of Aram.... It became soon clear that the letter greatly distressed him becuaase he tore his robes as soon as he had read it.... I did not quite know what to do so I just waited.... I knew too that the king would not be able to cure me.... Did that mean I have wasted my time coming over here?.... The king eventually calmed down.... But that only happened after he had received a note.... The note had come from a prophet named Elisha.... Elisha invited me to go to his home so I did.... However, when I arrived, I expected the prophet to come out and receive me personally into his home as an honoured guest... That did not happen....The prophet just sent his servant to me.... I have now been told to wash myself in the river Jordan seven times.... Such rude behaviour... Does the prophet not know who I am?.... That I am the commander of the army of Aram who is greatly respected by the king of Aram himself?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about Naaman's visit to the home of the prophet Elisha...


             ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                    AN INSTRUMENT FOR HEALING  PART VI

 However, no magic takes place. In fact when Naaman arrives at the door of Elisha's home the prophet Elisha does not even come out but sends his servant with a message as you can read in II Kings 5:9

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

The message states that Naaman is to wash himself in the river Jordan and to do it not just once or twice but to do it seven times!