What do you think happened to Gehazi after he deceived Naaman and stole from him? Did Elisha ever find out? How about Naaman?
II Kings 5:24-27 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from
the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
25 When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him,
“Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.
26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man
got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or
to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male
and female slaves? 27 Naaman’s
leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then
Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become
as white as snow.
Gehazi got caught
quickly and received swift judgment! I often wish God would do that with other
people who commit horrific crimes and wickedness. God is the Judge of all. His
timing is perfect and His judgment is purposeful. He is also loving,
compassionate and long-suffering. He gives people opportunities to change. I
often don’t understand His timing of things in my finite brain. Yet, I can
trust He is in control!
Gehazi witnessed so
many astounding miracles and yet chose not to trust God and His ways and His
time (like Judas with Jesus). He had numerous opportunities to join in God’s
work but missed out on being part of the blessing and being blessed himself!
As we cringe at all
the evil in the world, will you and I trust God’s timing and plan for His
judgment of sin? We can be thankful He is patient with us when we sin. He has
actually judged all sin on the cross, if we choose to accept Jesus taking our
place for sin! For those who don’t accept Jesus’ sacrifice, there is eternal judgment
coming. Are you and I going to be like Gehazi – try things our way and reject
God’s ways and timing? Or, are you and I going to be like all the other
servants in Naaman’s story that believed God, trusted His ways and did their
part to point others to Him?
