2 kings 5:20 - But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”
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What does "2 kings 5:20" mean?
This verse (2 Kings 5:20) reveals the beginning of Gehazi's morally problematic actions following the miraculous healing of Naaman. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God..." This introduces Gehazi, emphasizing his position of privilege and responsibility as Elisha's attendant. He is not just anyone; he is closely associated with a powerful prophet of God.
"...said, 'Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought.'" This explains Gehazi's motivation. He is observing Elisha's decision to refuse any gift or reward from Naaman after he was healed of leprosy. Elisha refused gifts to ensure everyone knows the healing was from God and not something that could be bought.
"As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.'" This is the crux of the verse, and it is deeply troubling. Gehazi swears by God, a solemn oath, to justify his deceitful plan. He sees Elisha's refusal as an opportunity to enrich himself. He's planning to chase after Naaman under false pretenses and take something from him.
Here are the key takeaways and implications:
Disobedience: Gehazi is directly going against the spirit of Elisha's actions. Elisha's refusal was about demonstrating that God's power is not for sale and ensuring all glory went to God.
Greed: Gehazi's primary motivation is greed. He is driven by a desire for material possessions and is willing to lie and manipulate to get them.
Deception: He plans to deceive Naaman, likely by claiming Elisha has changed his mind or needs something.
Hypocrisy: He invokes the name of Yahweh to legitimize his self-serving scheme, making his actions even more reprehensible.
Contrast with Elisha: The verse highlights the stark contrast between Elisha's selfless devotion to God and Gehazi's selfish ambition. Gehazi is in a position of spiritual privilege but lacks the integrity of his master.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for Gehazi's sin and its consequences. It exposes the corrupting influence of greed and the danger of misusing a position of trust and proximity to the divine. This act highlights that just being near to Godly people doesn't make you a Godly person, it takes an active commitment and integrity.
2 kings 5:20 - But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”
What does "2 kings 5:20" mean?
This verse (2 Kings 5:20) reveals the beginning of Gehazi's morally problematic actions following the miraculous healing of Naaman. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God..." This introduces Gehazi, emphasizing his position of privilege and responsibility as Elisha's attendant. He is not just anyone; he is closely associated with a powerful prophet of God.
"...said, 'Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought.'" This explains Gehazi's motivation. He is observing Elisha's decision to refuse any gift or reward from Naaman after he was healed of leprosy. Elisha refused gifts to ensure everyone knows the healing was from God and not something that could be bought.
"As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.'" This is the crux of the verse, and it is deeply troubling. Gehazi swears by God, a solemn oath, to justify his deceitful plan. He sees Elisha's refusal as an opportunity to enrich himself. He's planning to chase after Naaman under false pretenses and take something from him.
Here are the key takeaways and implications:
Disobedience: Gehazi is directly going against the spirit of Elisha's actions. Elisha's refusal was about demonstrating that God's power is not for sale and ensuring all glory went to God.
Greed: Gehazi's primary motivation is greed. He is driven by a desire for material possessions and is willing to lie and manipulate to get them.
Deception: He plans to deceive Naaman, likely by claiming Elisha has changed his mind or needs something.
Hypocrisy: He invokes the name of Yahweh to legitimize his self-serving scheme, making his actions even more reprehensible.
Contrast with Elisha: The verse highlights the stark contrast between Elisha's selfless devotion to God and Gehazi's selfish ambition. Gehazi is in a position of spiritual privilege but lacks the integrity of his master.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for Gehazi's sin and its consequences. It exposes the corrupting influence of greed and the danger of misusing a position of trust and proximity to the divine. This act highlights that just being near to Godly people doesn't make you a Godly person, it takes an active commitment and integrity.