The Deceitfulness of Sin: A Lesson From Gehazi

2 Kings 5  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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Among the many instances of divine grace and illustrations of the gospel contained in the Old Testament, there are few more attractive than the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5).
It is wonderful to trace God's grace toward that honorable but afflicted man: from the message of his wife's little maid to the moment when, in obedience to the word of Elisha, he dipped himself seven times in Jordan's stream, obtaining the cure he so ardently desired. Prior to that cure was the necessary moment of humiliation when Naaman's own servants reasoned against him. But "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted" is the golden rule for God's dealings with a soul, and the Lord Jesus Himself set the perfect example. In becoming the Savior of sinners, He humbled Himself (Phil. 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)) by bearing the penalty of death which the sinner deserved; and now God "giveth grace to the humble" (1 Pet. 5:55Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5)), that is, to whosoever will acknowledge his own guilty place and sinful nature. To such, the interpreter can say on God's part, "I have found a ransom" (Job 33:2424Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (Job 33:24)); "His flesh shall be fresher than a child's" (v. 25).
But alongside this happy picture of deliverance and blessing, God has placed a most solemn example of divine warning and displeasure. The gospel is preached to those that are afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh (the Jews) (Eph. 2:1717And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Ephesians 2:17)). The divine message given to the entire sphere of professing Christendom has been "toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off." Romans 11:2222Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22).
Gehazi, the servant of God's prophet, had a position of privilege which was unique in that day. Associated with the man who had the divine testimony in Israel, he had a share in raising the Shunammite's son from the dead, as well as in the multiplication of the loaves and corn for the people (2 Kings 4). He was also with the prophet at the time the healing message was brought to Naaman-perhaps he was actually the messenger himself. But vanity and the love of money, a root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:1010For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)), led him to falsify the grace of the God of Israel expressed to this stranger. Thus the prophet had the melancholy experience of seeing the fresh springs of joy and healing in Naaman's heart attacked by Gehazi's covetous actions. However, faith in God would dictate that He who had begun a good work in the Syrian captain would complete it. Were it not for this, we might well feel saddened that one who had so recently learned that blessing from God was "without money and without price" (Isa. 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)) should have had his heart chilled by the reversal of the prophet's message.
Gehazi, being bent upon gain, became blind to every other consideration. But there is one thing most striking about the narrative: the moment his object was achieved, he had the conscience of a thief, and bestowed his silver and garments in the "house" (2 Kings 5:2424And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. (2 Kings 5:24)). The attractiveness of sin is lost as soon as it is committed. "Ye shall be as gods" seemed so alluring to Adam and Eve, but the moment they sinned, they learned their own nakedness.
Who would envy Gehazi his success obtained by lying and deceit? Hardened by unbelief and deceived by Satan, he comes and stands again before his master. He meets the prophet's searching question with a lie, but he has to learn that neither God nor the prophet was deceived, though he had been, and that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7). He had desired Naaman's money and apparel; he received also his leprosy. He is numbered with the company of the "many lepers... in Israel" (Luke 4:2727And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. (Luke 4:27)), but with him is the added judgment that it should cleave to him and to his seed forever-a suggestion of the endless doom that awaits those who neglect, refuse, or corrupt the grace of God expressed in the gospel. We next meet him, a sycophant in the king's presence (and such a king!-see 2 Kings 8:44And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. (2 Kings 8:4)), and there he passes from the scene, a hopeless leper, apparently striving to stifle the accusing of a bad conscience with the pleasures of the world.