y'all remember the story of Naaman, who came to Elisha leprous and washed in the river Jordan 7 times, and was healed?
you know that he came back and offered to give Elisha gifts, but the prophet refused, and that later Elisha's servant was covetous, and went and lied to Naaman, and received not only what he desired, but also when Elisha met him, received the leprosy.
but before Naaman left Elisha, he said this:
But Elisha said,
“As the Lord lives, I stand before Him. I will not accept it.”
Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.
Naaman responded,
“If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but Yahweh.
However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship and I, as his right-hand man, bow in the temple of Rimmon — when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.”
(2 Kings 5:16-18)
Naaman had a position and a job; he was the servant of the king of Aram. God drew him to Israel, where he came to the knowledge that there is only one God in heaven and earth, whose prophet was Elisha. and then Naaman returned to his own land and his own king.
Naaman still did his job.
part of Naamans duty was to go with the king and support him as he bowed before an idol.
we know that idols are nothing. Naaman had learned this. with his heart, and with his mind, he would never sacrifice to an idol again -- but what if he had to bow with his body in order to perform his duty to his earthly master? what did Elisha say?
“Go in peace.”
(2 Kings 5:19)
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dirt.
three important things on Naaman's mind - thankfulness, though his gift was not needed. fear of God, and he was given peace. and dirt. as much as he could carry on two mules.
Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.
(Exodus 20:24)
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family, go in peace and security, not doubting, but being thankful and with every reason to be thankful. in that peace - His rest - don't neglect to serve God properly with your own heart and your own mind. with the portion of earth from that land where you found knowledge of God, make an altar to Him -- and wherever He has caused His name to be honored, He will come and bless you!
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dirt.
don't forget: dirt
let us be given dirt from that land
as much as our mules can carry
you know that he came back and offered to give Elisha gifts, but the prophet refused, and that later Elisha's servant was covetous, and went and lied to Naaman, and received not only what he desired, but also when Elisha met him, received the leprosy.
but before Naaman left Elisha, he said this:
But Elisha said,
“As the Lord lives, I stand before Him. I will not accept it.”
Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.
Naaman responded,
“If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but Yahweh.
However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship and I, as his right-hand man, bow in the temple of Rimmon — when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.”
(2 Kings 5:16-18)
Naaman had a position and a job; he was the servant of the king of Aram. God drew him to Israel, where he came to the knowledge that there is only one God in heaven and earth, whose prophet was Elisha. and then Naaman returned to his own land and his own king.
Naaman still did his job.
part of Naamans duty was to go with the king and support him as he bowed before an idol.
we know that idols are nothing. Naaman had learned this. with his heart, and with his mind, he would never sacrifice to an idol again -- but what if he had to bow with his body in order to perform his duty to his earthly master? what did Elisha say?
“Go in peace.”
(2 Kings 5:19)
three important things on Naaman's mind - thankfulness, though his gift was not needed. fear of God, and he was given peace. and dirt. as much as he could carry on two mules.
Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.
(Exodus 20:24)
[HR][/HR][HR][/HR]
dirt.
don't forget: dirt
let us be given dirt from that land
as much as our mules can carry
