In the days of the great prophet Elisha, a Syrian General had
contracted leprosy and he had heard that there was a God in Israel who
could perform miracles. At this time, Israel was at war with the Syrians
and so, the whole idea of going to the enemy to ask for a favour was in
itself a humbling thing for this General to do. Nevertheless he humbled
himself to come and see this great prophet. And the prophet Elisha did
not even extend the courtesy of coming out to speak with him. Instead,
he sent a servant to tell him to go and dip in the muddy waters of the
Jordan River seven times.
The General was mad with rage and rode off, almost missing the greatest miracle in his life because of his pride. But his servants eventually persuaded him that dipping in the Jordan River wasn’t really going to cost him anything, and that he actually stood to gain everything. He humbled himself and went into the waters and dipped himself. On the seventh dip, his leprosy was completely healed and his skin was restored and made new and soft, like that of a baby. He was amazed and returned to the prophet and asked what he wanted and how he could reward him. Really, all the prophet wanted was for Syria to stop harassing Israel. The rationale was very simple - God did this favour for you; now you go and show kindness to Israel. The General rode off but lo and behold, Elisha’s servant Gehazi, a greedy and foolish man, approached Naaman's entourage and said “my master Elisha has need of some precious stuff”, which the General was more than glad to oblige and give. But when he returned, this was what the prophet said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" The leprosy that was on Naaman was then transferred over to Gehazi, who lived and died a leper.
The important question we need to ask is - what period were they all living in? Israel was at war. The threat was existential. But the prophet’s apprentice, Gehazi, had not understood the seriousness of the season. Listen - there is a time to receive clothing; there is a time to receive money and all kinds of nice stuff. But now is not the time. This is a season of spiritual warfare.
Don’t you understand what period the church is living in? God is not against all that receiving and buying and selling. But we need to be aware of the time we are now living in. When we crossed over into 2013, it was as if God sounded a trumpet and all of us must realise the severity of the hour we are living in. We are entering into a time of great conflict and the church must not be ignorant of the dangers that lie at our gates. We must not be oblivious to our responsibilities as an army to push back the powers of darkness. So how is it that at the most critical time in history, the church finds itself so unprepared to face the almost insurmountable challenges before us?
We must sound the trumpet because the church must get herself into battle footing, and be battle-ready. The church will arise victorious. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus who loved us. Grace to all of you.
The General was mad with rage and rode off, almost missing the greatest miracle in his life because of his pride. But his servants eventually persuaded him that dipping in the Jordan River wasn’t really going to cost him anything, and that he actually stood to gain everything. He humbled himself and went into the waters and dipped himself. On the seventh dip, his leprosy was completely healed and his skin was restored and made new and soft, like that of a baby. He was amazed and returned to the prophet and asked what he wanted and how he could reward him. Really, all the prophet wanted was for Syria to stop harassing Israel. The rationale was very simple - God did this favour for you; now you go and show kindness to Israel. The General rode off but lo and behold, Elisha’s servant Gehazi, a greedy and foolish man, approached Naaman's entourage and said “my master Elisha has need of some precious stuff”, which the General was more than glad to oblige and give. But when he returned, this was what the prophet said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" The leprosy that was on Naaman was then transferred over to Gehazi, who lived and died a leper.
The important question we need to ask is - what period were they all living in? Israel was at war. The threat was existential. But the prophet’s apprentice, Gehazi, had not understood the seriousness of the season. Listen - there is a time to receive clothing; there is a time to receive money and all kinds of nice stuff. But now is not the time. This is a season of spiritual warfare.
Don’t you understand what period the church is living in? God is not against all that receiving and buying and selling. But we need to be aware of the time we are now living in. When we crossed over into 2013, it was as if God sounded a trumpet and all of us must realise the severity of the hour we are living in. We are entering into a time of great conflict and the church must not be ignorant of the dangers that lie at our gates. We must not be oblivious to our responsibilities as an army to push back the powers of darkness. So how is it that at the most critical time in history, the church finds itself so unprepared to face the almost insurmountable challenges before us?
We must sound the trumpet because the church must get herself into battle footing, and be battle-ready. The church will arise victorious. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus who loved us. Grace to all of you.
Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong
19 January 2013
19 January 2013
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