The Obedience Of Naaman; The Blessings Of Esther

     Pictured above is a captain of Syria named Naaman who obeyed instructions given to him by Elisha and was healed of leprosy after he dipped his body seven times in the Jordan river. 2 Kings 5 speaks about a little maid for Naaman's wife who tells Naaman to go meet Elisha who can heal him of his leprosy. Naaman travels to meet Elisha and Elisha gives him instructions to dip himself seven times in the Jordan river to heal his leprosy. Naaman was in a rage because he thought the rivers in Damascus, Syria called Abana and Pharpar were better than all the waters of Israel. Naaman felt insulted because Elisha refused to come out personally to heal his leprosy.

     Eventually Naaman decided to obey the instructions given to him by Elisha and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan river to be healed of leprosy. 2 Kings 5:13 says And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 

     Elisha was blessed and did not accept any money offered by Naaman to him after Naaman got healed. But Elisha's servant Gehazi was greedy and secretly took money from Naaman charging Naaman for the healing. God punished Gehazi and his seed with leprosy because of Gehazi's greed and love of money.1 Timothy 6:10 says For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have errred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows..

     A puritan writer in 1664 wrote we should like Naaman obey the instructions of Jesus and deny our flesh to be blessed and healed daily. Don't question the Lord Jesus when he tells you to do something by his Word. Use your heart and believe what Jesus tells us to do and don't reason the instruction out in your mind.

      Any saint who reads this: Jesus told me to give you an instruction to spend half an hour every day with Jesus. Brother Bob says if Jesus required us all to spend ten hours every day with Jesus, I profess that I know not how you could spend your time better. Be like Naaman and don't listen to your flesh and just obey the instructions of Jesus and you will be healed with great peace.

     Notice the clock pictured above and realize that time is moving fast. What are you doing for the Lord Jesus? Ephesians 5:16 says Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. The word redeeming is defined as making wise and sacred use of every moment you have to witness Jesus everywhere. Are we guilty of squandering the hours of our lives away vainly or sinfully pleasing our flesh? Can we all just take a half an hour a day to talk with Jesus and read the Word of God when we are not sure to live one week in this world? Today Brother Bob told his flesh to be quiet and took time on this internet to send out the good news of Jesus Christ.

Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, 

Confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel,

That Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again

     The Lord Jesus is pleading with you to obey his instructions and spend time with Jesus and the Word of God. Deuteronomy 32:46 says And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. If you obey the instruction of the above verse to set your heart daily unto the Word Of God, you will receive life and prolong your days on the earth.

     Proverbs 9:12 says If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. Be wise today and bless yourself and make a commitment to spend time daily with Jesus. Look at the picture of the clock above. Time is moving quickly, so do something now for Jesus. Only what we do for Jesus lasts. Everything else fades away. Jesus said at Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away. If Jesus had a price tag on Him, wouldn't you sell everything you had to buy the precious pearl called Jesus?

     Psalm 90 speaks about how time is moving so quickly and the importance of using our time for Jesus. Psalm 90:4 says For a thousand years in thy sight (Jesus) are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Psalm 90:9 says For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

     Queen Esther pictured above had to go before the king to plead for her life and the lives of her people (the Jews). If Esther went by law at a wrong time to go before the king and the king did not extend to her his golden sceptre, Esther would be condemned to death. Matthew 16:25 says For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. But Brother Bob loves the words of Esther when Esther said If I perish, I perish.

     Have the attitude of Esther and be willing to live daily for Jesus. Jesus is the best thing any of us could ever have on this earth. With Jesus, your gleanings will be better than the most prosperous worldling's vintage. The smallest shack you could ever live in with Jesus is far better than a palace that an unregenerate emperor lives in on this earth. While thou continuest in this world thou shouldst be a blessed soul. When thou enterest into the other world, thou shouldst be a glorious saint.

     Ephesians 3:20 says Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Connect this verse with Psalm 21:4 that says He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. We might ask for life of maybe 70 to 100 years on this earth but the Lord Jesus is so good and gives us length of days for ever and ever. 

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.