by Martha June

The symbolism of the rivers in the Bible is beautiful. It symbolizes life; life is always found near, in, and around the river. It literally brings life too. I was reminded of this last summer, sitting on the river banks and watching the sunset. Everything directly touching the river was lush and green. The further away from the river you got, the dryer all of the fauna became. It was the height of summer, and everything touching and surrounding the river was hydrated and growing. Anything not connected wasn’t. 

In 2 Kings, chapter 5, there is a great man of war named Naaman who took a trip to the river.

“Naaman, commander of the army of the King of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor because, by him, the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.”

2 Kings 5:1

In the Old Testament, any leper found within the Israelite camp was cast out and isolated from the people. Leprosy always symbolizes sin. Historically, you were considered “unclean” for having Leprosy in Jewish culture, and I don’t think this meaning changes Biblically based on your nationality. Even if it is just symbolic, I believe this can be applied to our lives.

Naaman’s wife has an Israeli girl working for her who suggested that Naaman see the prophet in Israel to heal him from his leprous disease. The Syrian King and the King of Israel corresponded (and miscommunicated) before the prophet Elisha stepped in to help everyone involved.

“Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

2 Kings 5:8

This was Elisha’s chance to show this “great man” who the living God was. He didn’t miss a beat. Naaman and his entourage show up at Elisha’s door, and Elisha’s messenger tells him,

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”

2 Kings 5:10

Naaman was angry with this response to his appearance. He was looking for signs and wonders, something that looked miraculous. He wanted instant gratification and healing. He even complained that the Jordan wasn’t any different than his rivers back home. Another servant had a word of wisdom that I think everyone can take to heart.

“My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash and be clean?”

2 Kings 5:13

It feels like the servant is saying, “Is it really that simple?”

This is a beautiful picture of the gospel. We, as Naaman was, are sick and stuck in sin and have been given the same charge by God. We must “wash and be clean” to be healed and saved from eternal death; it is as simple as admitting you are wrong, that you cannot heal yourself, and that you are sinful. And in humility, go to the cross (or your Jordan), repent, and be baptized, every one of you, for the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 3:38)

“So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

2 Kings 5:14

Naaman obeyed; there was only one river that could heal him. Only one act of humility would cleanse him of his disease. He had to follow Elisha to the number of times he dipped in the Jordan. He did, and Naaman walked away a new, healed man. He found a new life in the river. The river cleansed him. Just as the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The river means life, and so does the blood. May we always plead the blood of Jesus before the throne as we approach it with the parts of our hearts that are still leprous and still sin-filled.

The God who healed Naaman is the same God we serve today. Won’t you go to him? Won’t you walk the river road? Won’t you be cleansed of your sin?

“Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, ‘Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel…”

2 Kings 5:15

Sincerely,

MJK