JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - The Fear of the Lord

The Man that is Naaman.

     We will start with the life of a certain person who had it all; riches, honour, glory and even leprosy. He was the captain of the host of the king of Syria (Ben-hadad). He was loved by the king (for the many victories Naaman had given to the king and possibly because of his personality and character). Note that not only was he cared for by the king but through him God has given deliverance unto Syria.

     Naaman was a man of valour (meaning he has power, position, riches and honour). The king of Syria have high regards for him (where other kings put to death their generals once they reach a certain degree of strength and honour to protect their crown) that is why when he heard about the possibility of a cure in the land of Israel, he immediately commanded Naaman, his captain of his host, to go there, bring gifts of silver, gold and raiment and be cured.

     Take note of the participation of many types of people to let Naaman face Elisha; his Jewish wife, a messenger from his home to a servant of the king, the servant of a king to a trusted man of the king, and the king himself.

     Thus, Naaman went to Israel with his regiment and his gifts plus a letter coming from his king to the king of Israel. After camping, a messenger is sent to Israel where the letter was given to the king. The king rent his clothes in terror because he thought he was the one to cure the leprosy of Naaman, not knowing that it was for Elisha.

    Take note again of the participation of many types of people to let Elisha know what was happening in the royal courtyard of Israel; from the king’s trusted man, to a servant that knows a certain man that knows Gehazi, and Gehazi, the servant of Elisha.

     Thus, Elisha made a decision to let Naaman come to him. Now, put yourself in the shoes of Naaman; having the riches, popularity, respect and power. What will your expectations be when someone will welcome a star-studded person like you? Probably a band to welcome you, some fireworks display, important figures to assist you, VIP-treatment, and the works. But that was not the case. Naaman was met by his servant and he was commanded to wash himself in the river Jordan (from his sight was a filthy river); and not only once but seven times! Can your stature of fine grandeur be able to take it? Naaman surely didn’t. He was furious and turned back with rage. The things that were running in his minds were
          a.     No royal welcome
          b.     No proper introduction
          c.     Commanded instead of a VIP-treatment
          d.     To wash in a filthy river instead of other rivers suited for his already decaying skin.

     He was humiliated beyond reason. But who urged him to reconsider? It wasn’t some well-known person but his low-living servants. His servants loved their master and urged him to reconsider.

     So, Naaman, pushed by pride (read 2 Kings 5:13), went to the river, reluctantly and mortified, washed in the dirty river of Jordan for seven times. What happened next was beyond his expectation. He was not only healed but his flesh became like unto a child! This is one proof that when God gives, He gives the best!

     Naaman, filled with joy, relief and reverence unto God, came back to the house of Elisha and stood before him. He gave thanks unto God and to Elisha by giving a blessing to him (the gifts that he brought). Elisha, even though persuaded, refused the gift. Thus, Naaman asked to take some earth that can be carried by two mules. It will be his covenant that he will no longer worship any other gods but the God of Israel. Though his king will worship their god Rimmon, Naaman asked to be pardoned if ever he will accompany his king. And Elisha gave him leave and granted him peace.

     Let us stop here and discuss the reason behind the healing of Naaman (who was not a Jew but a Gentile and an enemy of the Jew).

     Elisha was a prophet of God (a man of God) and was the instrument of God. His words became like that of God’s. Note that Elisha was a Jew. Naaman was a Syrian who had a sickness of leprosy. God healed Naaman of his sickness. Why? Let’s take a look of another case of leprosy during Elisha’s time; 2 Kings 7:3 we see four lepers. They were Jews, but did God healed them? No; why? There must be something wrong in this scenario. The God of Israel never bothered to heal four Israelite lepers and, instead, healed one Syrian leper. WHY? Note that Israel was in chaos in 2 Kings 6-7 where the Jews resulted to cannibalism because of famine. And one reason of this famine is because of the Syrian invasion! What did God see in Naaman that he didn’t see in these four Israelite lepers?

     What God saw was his fear of the Lord.

     Let us, briefly discuss what fear that was written in the Bible is. There are 30 matches in the KJV for the words “fear of the Lord”; 29 in OT and 1 in the NT. 26 in the OT were a different kind of fear with the other 3. Actually, we have two definitions of fear of the Lord. Let us first describe the 3 in the OT.

     These 3 are found in the book of Isaiah chapter 2 verses 10, 19 and 21. It discusses about the second coming of Jesus. Here the people, for fear of the Lord, had hidden themselves in the mountains and caves. They were avoiding the Lord’s presence.
The other 26 describes the reverence kind of fear; a type of fear that resulted because of love, trust and reverence. It is a kind of fear that wanted the Lord’s presence; a fear that is opposite of dread but of want.

     Let us determine the stages of fear of the Lord that Naaman went through:
          a.     Faith
               2 Chron 19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
          b.     Experience
               Ps 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
          c.     Acknowledge
               Prov 23:16-18 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
          d.     Reverence unto God
               Prov 16:4-8 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

What are the benefits of fear of the Lord? Prov 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
          a.     Riches
          b.     Honour
          c.     Life

What must we do to maintain the fear of the Lord?
     ·     Matt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth
     ·     Matt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world
     ·     Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.