Burley W. Moore-Bible Teacher

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.covenantofgraceministries.com

Phone 336-292-2408

Listen to Covenant of Grace Radio on the audio page over www.covenantofgraceministries.com

Volume 15, Number 5 October Fall 2020

The Pandemic of Sin

“Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest 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. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.” (II Kings 5:1-16)

Introduction

As I begin writing this article, we find ourselves in a world-wide coronavirus pandemic called Covid-19. Most of us have never lived during such a time and none of us have ever witnessed anything of this magnitude. It has literally spread around the world with multitudes of people being affected even unto death. As bad as this pandemic is, I want to remind you of another pandemic that is far worse because it has affected every person since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I’m referring to the pandemic of SIN. A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people”. That leads us to focus on the word epidemic which is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. An epidemic becomes a pandemic when it encompasses large segments of the population.

Sin started with the disobedience of Adam which led every human being after him inheriting a sin nature with the only exception being the Lord Jesus Christ. This brings us to the subject under study, THE PANDEMIC OF SIN. It has literally spread like wild fire and will continue to do so until Jesus comes again. Our text is a study that takes us to the pages of the Old Testament and a story that teaches us about the dreaded disease of leprosy. The spiritual truth that we learn is that what leprosy is to the body, sin is to the soul. The healing of Naaman is a beautiful picture of salvation through faith in God’s Word. Every lost sinner can see himself in Naaman. But he can also see the power of God’s grace. Naaman was an idolater, thus making God a total stranger to him spiritually. He was a great military leader in the eyes of Syria, but he was unclean in the sight of God.

A Diseased Life v.1

As far as this present world is concerned, Naaman had almost all that a man could possibly want. However, there was a sore in his life that the world could not heal. That sore was a physical affliction called leprosy. He did not lack honor, wealth, fame, nor success, but he was lacking in health and purity. This horrible disease called leprosy made him unclean to those around him. Sin is like leprosy in the fact that it takes dominion over an individual and cast its withering blight over one’s entire character.

The law of Syria did not isolate the leper, but the law of Israel did. Therefore, leprosy is what we call a TYPE in the Old Testament. Typology is a beautiful study in the Bible that perhaps some of you have or have not studied. It is a topic unto itself; therefore, without going into great detail about typology, let me simply say that a TYPE in the Bible is merely a picture or an illustration of that which it represents. Scripture refers to such types as a “shadow” (Col. 2:7, Heb. 8:5, 10:1), meaning that it’s not the real object, person, or thing, but it is giving us a visual picture of the real object, person or thing. TYPES in the Bible are shadows of that which it represents. For instance, someone might see your shadow, but your shadow is not the real YOU, just a feeble representation of you. That’s the way it is with biblical shadows or types.

In our text, we find that leprosy is a picture (TYPE) of sin as set forth in the 13^th chapter of Leviticus. In other words, what leprosy is to the body, sin is to the soul. Notice how this is pointed out in Leviticus 13. Leprosy is deeper than the skin (Lev. 13:3), just as sin is a spiritual heart problem (Matt. 15:18-20) from deep within the soul. Leprosy spreads just as sin is inherited and transmitted (Lev. 13:7). Leprosy defiles just as sin contaminates and corrupts (Lev. 13:45-46). Leprosy was judged (destroyed) by fire just as sin must be judged by God (Lev. 13:52). From this description we can learn how leprosy was like unto sin in a number of different ways.

A Faithful Testimony v.2-4

Naaman had been Israel’s enemy as we discover that an Israelite girl, who had apparently been kidnapped, was a servant in his home. He had been an enemy to Israel, but it is through Israel that God would restore his personal blessing of good health. As a Gentile, Naaman was outside the blessing of Israel just like the sinner who is loved by God before his conversion (Rom. 5:6-10). This “little maid” had not forgotten her godly upbringing. She had convictions and was not afraid to speak out, even in the midst of a heathen environment. Her testimony was simple, but it was the kind that God honors because it was a testimony of faith.

A False Interpretation v.5-7

The king of Syria sent a letter to the king of Israel on Naaman’s behalf. To these spiritually depraved idolaters, the offering of gifts and money seemed a proper way to merit healing from Elisha. But this was carnal thinking because we cannot purchase God’s blessing by tithing or trying to purchase His blessings. Neither can we merit spiritual healing of the soul by joining a church or getting baptized. Here is an example of worldly wisdom which completely sets aside the Gospel of Grace (Lk. 18:13-14).

To begin with, only disappointment could come by going to the king of Israel instead of going to the prophet of God. Today, many are trying to find salvation without coming directly to Christ Who alone is the author of forgiveness (Acts 4:12). Multitudes stop short of salvation by looking at Jesus as only a King and fail to recognize Him as their personal Savoir from sin. It would have been just as easy for Naaman to go to Elisha’s as to have gone to the king of Israel, but Naaman stopped short and as a result the king thought it to be the beginning of a “quarrel.” Once again, we see the danger of worldly thinking when it comes to spiritual matters.

A Merciful Message v.8-10

When Elisha heard of the incident, he instructed the king to send Naaman to him. At this point, we need to note that Naaman was called by God through the prophet. We cannot help but see this as a calling of grace. Naaman did not deserve the attention of the prophet and neither had he done anything to merit this invitation. Like Naaman, no sinner deserves to be saved from the penalty of sin, but it is God’s marvelous amazing grace wherein He chooses sinners like Naaman (Lk. 4:27). Without going to Naaman personally, Elisha merely sent a servant with a message of hope telling him to “wash in Jordan.” In other words, Elisha did as any God called preacher ought to do and that is stay out of the limelight. Ministry is not about us, but the ONE Who has called us. Elisha kept himself out of sight so that Naaman’s faith might be in God whom he could not see, rather than in a man that he did see. The true sincere servant of God ought not seek honor and recognition from men, but desire to proclaim the message of salvation to any anxious listener.

A Rebellious Spirit v.11-12

Pride and false conceptions caused the prophet’s message to be received like a spear rather than like a healing prescription. Elisha treated Naaman like a rejected condemned sinner instead of like a mighty Syrian official. Therefore, Naaman was insulted and thought that Elisha should have shown him more respect by honoring him with his presence. In other words, God had to break the proud “I” and “me” that was in Naaman before he could enjoy God’s blessings of healing. So, it is with us today! We cannot experience God’s blessings until we learn to confess our sin (Acts 10:8-10) and “walk humbly” with God (Mic. 6:8). Naaman had a high opinion of himself and was expecting a more dramatic and spectacular healing much like one will find in the modern-day faith healing services conducted by false preachers of our day with an emotionally charged environment. However, we discover in this passage that the preconceived opinions and self-efforts of men don’t change the simple message of God’s Word. Naaman could wash as often as he wanted in the rivers of “Damascus,” but the healing virtue was placed in the “Jordan.” In other words, salvation is only found where God has declared it to be. The only regenerating virtue is in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ simply because that is where God has put His promise of redemption.

A Surrendered Will v.13-14

After being reasoned with by his sensible “servants,” Naaman went down to the “Jordan” river. Just like Naaman, so many people stumble at the simplicity of the Gospel’s remedy for sin. Naaman was prepared to do something great in his own eyes, but he wasn’t quick to humble himself to do something simple. Herein, we find where many people stumble over the simplicity of the Gospel message. Even the educated Nicodemus in the third chapter of John could not understand the New Birth. But, the good part about both of these men is that God moved upon their hearts, gave them a changed heart and an understanding mind to place their trust in God’s promise of spiritual healing. Just as the “servants” of Naaman encouraged him to obey the prophet’s message, we as believers ought to be encouraging others to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (Acts 16:31). It was not until Naaman’s seventh dip in the “Jordan” that he appeared a changed man. “Seven times” (often considered God’s perfect number in Scripture) tells us that God expects nothing less than complete obedience. Anything less is not obedience. Naaman became clean and was set free from his leprosy through faith (Matt. 18:3). “Faith” is a “gift” (Eph. 2:8) from God that He bestows upon sinners in bringing the lost to salvation. This “faith” is the “victory that overcometh the world” (I Jh. 5:4-5). The genuineness of Naaman’s faith was evidenced when his “flesh” became like that of a “little child.” His life was changed (II Cor. 5:17) just like any true faith in Christ will produce spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-26) in a believer.

Closing v.15-16

The change in Naaman’s life was followed by an open and unashamed confession. Those who have been freed and cleansed from the bondage of sin by the blood of Jesus Christ will quickly confess that there is no other God. The natural thing for a believer is to bear witness of God’s goodness and grace in testimony of our spiritual healing.

Naaman was so grateful that he offered wealth to Elisha, but of course Elisha refused. The reason being that it was not Elisha who brought healing to Naaman, but God and God alone in His infinite wisdom and grace. That has always been the case if it be physical or spiritual healing.

In our study, we have been reminded that “salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). When Christ walked the earth, He performed many physical healings in evidence of His divinity. When He died on the cross, was buried, and on the third day arose then He proved that He was the mighty God Who alone has power to save from the penalty of sin. Our God is Sovereign. There is nothing too hard for Him to accomplish. He spoke the world into existence and by His mighty power He holds it into place.

Now, I close where I began my thoughts in this article. The coronavirus caught the world off guard, but it was no surprise to our God. One might ask, “why did God allow this to happen?” For the same reason there are tornadoes and hurricanes. For the same reason there are wars among nations and rioting in the streets of America. We are living under the curse of sin of which we are all deserving. There is no doubt that God is trying to get the attention of multitudes of people around the world. I’m wondering how many are turning to Christ in faith, trusting Him in the midst of this storm. How many have come to realize the brevity of life (Jam. 4:14) and placed their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and eternal deliverance from sin’s penalty? How many are looking to political leaders for the solution or to the One and Only God Who is in absolute total control of it all? How many people are afraid to die because they don’t have peace with God through Jesus Christ?

The biblical character that drew our attention in this study was Naaman, a man who was suffering from leprosy which was not uncommon back in Bible times. He was not the only person mentioned in Scripture whom God healed from this horrible disease. Jesus made reference to the ten lepers that He healed, but only one returned to give Him thanks (Lk. 17:11-19). From all indication it appears that this “one” was the only one converted and by faith also found spiritual healing, but yet the other nine experienced physical healing. In other words, God’s common grace daily falls upon a lost world that never realizes and appreciates it. For the Christian, we ought not take God’s grace for granted. We must admit that if we’re not careful, even Christians can become ungrateful to God for His many blessings and take things, like our health, for granted.

As I pointed out earlier, sin is to the soul what leprosy is to the body. Since most people today are not familiar with leprosy and the majority are totally ignorant of its devasting effects, allow me to make another parallel by saying that what cancer is to the body, sin is to the soul. Most all of us know the danger of cancer to one’s body. In fact, for so many types of cancers and perhaps the majority, if we don’t kill cancer the cancer will kill us. So, it is with sin! Sin must be put to death or the soul will suffer its eternal consequences. That is why Jesus came, to conquer sin for us on the cross and to die in our place as our Substitute. He took our sin upon His sinless Self (II Cor. 5:21) and died that we could have eternal life through His “finished” (Jh. 19:30) work on the cross. You can come to Christ today by recognizing yourself a sinner in need of His forgiveness and by faith, repent and trust Christ to save you from the penalty of sin. Jesus has done all that needs to be done in order for us to know spiritual healing from sin’s curse which we inherited from the first couple.

Covid-19 is real and leprosy is real, but so is sin and the only cure for sin is “the blood of Jesus Christ” Who “cleanseth us from all sin” (I Jh. 1:7). God told Naaman to dip in the Jordan river “10 times” and he would be healed. God’s Word is telling us today to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). There is no salvation outside of Christ. There were other rivers in which Naaman could have dipped, but that is not where God placed His promise for Naaman’s healing. There are many man-made gods that are calling for your attention, but there is only One true and living God Who stepped out of Heaven, wrapped Himself in human flesh (Jh. 1:14) to lay His life down on Calvary’s altar to satisfy the righteous demands that God had imposed upon man’s sin. If you will believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you, then you can come in faith with a repentant heart and know the joy of sin’s forgiveness. This is spiritual healing that you cannot find in any pharmacy or by the hands of any doctor or research lab. This is a promise that every born again believer has to look forward when Christ comes again and we’ll be clothed in a glorified body like unto that of our risen Lord.

If Jesus tarries His coming, then you and I will all face death. For those who trust Christ as Lord and Savior, then the best is yet to come. But, for those who reject Him, turn a deaf ear, and have no desire for deliverance from sin, then Hell awaits. The Good News is that Jesus came to save “his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Are you one of His people and do you bear evidence of it by the fruits that you bear? Because of the curse of sin, we often get physically sick with one kind of ailment or another and call out to God for His healing touch. But we all have sick souls (Rom. 3:23, 6:23) and stand in need of spiritual cleansing that can only be found in the shed “blood” of Jesus Christ, Calvary’s “lamb” Who paid the consequences of our sin for us on the cross. (I Pet. 1:18-19). Have you ever trusted Christ as your personal Savior?