2 Kings 5:27 “Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.”
It was not just the greed of Gehazi but his voracity to use the gift of God for personal gain that brought leprosy on him and his descendants. Gehazi was the servant of Prophet Elisha who saw the dead raised, the iron axe float and deadly disease healed through the prophetic anointing of Elisha, yet, his security was in money, riches and wealth. When Naaman, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arameans came to Elisha for his leprosy to be healed, Elisha did not even come out to pray for him; He just sent a word of instruction. The influence or affluence of the Aramean could not manipulate the man of God.
If we enter a perfume factory, we will come out smelling like we have dipped into a perfume pail. However, Gehazi lived in the miraculous manor of Elisha’s hut yet, there was no scent of the miraculous, supernatural provision or Godly zeal wafting from him. The anointing from Elisha did not touch or transform Gehazi because he put on a coat of pretence when he served Elisha. The facade of faithfulness of Gehazi vanished into thin air when he walked out of the presence of the prophet.
Hypocrisy accumulates treachery not treasures:
1. Talent: Greed of money, fame and personal gain are the traits of insincerity. Gehazi ran behind Naaman for a talent of silver and two sets of clothing. He would have looked like a circus clown in the glittering garment of the Arameans! Gehazi’s bribery and greed mislead the purpose of the miraculous anointing of Elisha. Exodus 23:8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. Truthfulness in tithing and faithfulness in stewarding accumulate divine treasures.
2. Treasure: Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). The cravings, conduct and conversations will reveal a man’s heart. Gehazi was physically present with the Prophet Elisha but his heart was with the wealth that was in the chariot of Naaman. Hence Gehazi ran behind the chariots of Naaman. If we hoard fame, fortune or flattery in our heart, we will be chasing the chariots of destruction and disloyalty.
3. Truth: In the previous chapter (2Kings 6) Gehazi witnessed Elisha raise the dead boy of the Shunammite woman, but the miracle did not transform his deceptive heart. Furthermore when Elisha questioned Gehazi after he hid the bribery, he bluntly lied. Bribery, deception and corruption brought curse upon him and his heritage. He would not have been reprimanded if he had repented. Truth is far from hypocrites; their words cannot be trusted.
That was not the end of Gehazi. We see him in 2 Kings 8, elucidating the miracles of Elisha to the King of Israel. We are unsure if Gehazi was healed or the leprosy was a type of skin condition that did not exclude him from the society (his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow). However, we know that God did not give up on him and continued to use him as a spokesman for Prophet Elisha. If there was hope for the bad boy Gehazi – the cheat, greed and a swindler, there is hope for you and me.
2 Kings 8:4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I’m amazed at what you can do with a crook, crafty and criminal. I know your blood can wash away my ugly disloyalty, infidelity and fickleness. Amen
Leave a Reply