Preschool
Wash you, make you clean (Isaiah 1:16).
A Little Maid’s Faith
Memory Verses
Primary
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil (Isaiah 1:16).
Junior
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Background Scripture: 2 Kings 5
Lesson Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-4, 8-10, 14-15
Introduction
In the Old Testament, there are many accounts of miraculous happenings that occurred by the power of God. He commanded the people to teach their children diligently so faith would be established. This lesson is an example of how faith was well established in the heart of a young girl. The surroundings of a foreign land had not dampened her belief in the power of God. She willingly expressed her simple faith to her mistress for the healing of Naaman’s leprosy. May our faith likewise reach out and bless others.
Key Verse
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Matt. 8:10).
Lesson Scripture
2 Kings 5:1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
8 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.
9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
10 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.
14 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.
15 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.
Studying the Lesson
At the time of this lesson, the kings of Israel were anointed by a prophet. Elijah was the prophet of God to the nation of Israel, but the king was making inquiry to the god of Ekron. Looking back into biblical history, it is quite apparent that when God’s people forsook the true God, they were not under his protection, and He allowed heathen nations to punish them. The lesson scripture notes that the Lord had given Syria victory over Israel through Naaman, allowing his army the spoils of war. Among their plunder was a little maid taken as a captive.
Elijah had endeavored to establish with the people that God was the only true God—He had answered with a consuming fire on Mount Carmel. Elijah was an old man when Elisha was anointed to be the prophet of God. Elisha had asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, and the Scripture gives many accounts testifying of the miracles that happened through him.
Even though the king of Israel did not recognize the possibility of a healing for Naaman, the faith of a little maid stood sure that it was possible. When Elisha heard how distraught the king of Israel was over the request of the Syrian king, his reply was, “Send him to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” The outcome of this account was the declaration of Naaman, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). He went home with a new appreciation for the God of Israel.
When Jesus was here on the earth He mentioned this account as evidence of the God of heaven (Luke 4:27).
Practical Truths for Today
Faith in God planted early in the heart of a child is invaluable, and the Bible teaches that parents should diligently teach the glorious aspects of God. Certainly, though, Satan will try many ways and means to erode that faith as we grow in accountability, experience, and understanding.
Consider the trauma and disappointment the little maid likely experienced, yet her faith in the power of God through the prophet remained. We can imagine the grief she experienced by being separated from her people, yet she endeavored to serve her master and mistress faithfully as she was likely taught. It was very honorable that there was no deceit in the approach she suggested as a help for Naaman. The Bible gives no indication the young lady gained release from her captivity as reward for her wise counsel. She likely was touched with a heart of compassion when she realized the anxiety and hopelessness leprosy caused this family, so her simple faith offered a solution for Naaman. We may face trials and disappointments in our day, but should our faith be shaken? That may be our challenge.
We have many resources today that encourage us to maintain faith in God. There are poems, songs, experiences of others, encouragements, and other means to help us on the way. Perhaps we are too nearsighted and tend to think of the present situation as a real disappointment when in reality it may be only an inconvenience. The Word says to wait on the Lord, and in times of distress we should try to adjust our response according to the will of God.
When it comes to our allegiance to God, how alike are we to Naaman? He meant to honor the God of Israel, but he knew that his master, the king, would expect him to go into the house of Rimmon, a false god, for worship. For this he asked for pardon rather than expose his allegiance to the God of Israel (2 Kings 5:18). Will God excuse us for wrongdoing when we try to save face? Is that not likely implying an untruth? The three Hebrew children faced the burning, fiery furnace yet stood firm in their godly faith. God has a better place for those who give their life for their faith.
For parents endeavoring to teach their children the right way, it will be helpful to remember that more is caught than taught. Our deeds need to match our words. To stand for what is right may seem inconvenient at times, but evasive answers will not be acceptable.
Some years ago, several young men were leaving their homes to seek employment elsewhere. Later upon their return, it was evident that the influence they experienced had robbed them of Christian virtue with the exception of one young man who seemed to have maintained his faith.
When he was asked why it was different for him, he began to recount what had happened the day he left home. That morning, everyone was quite sober. After breakfast, his father took the family Bible and began to read but did not get very far. A lump rose in his throat and tears were blinding him, so he handed the Bible to the boy’s mother to finish reading. They then knelt in prayer, and his father began to pray but again could not finish, being overcome with emotion. Then the boy’s mother put her hand on his shoulder and began to pray, saying, “O God, we thank Thee for our son. We thank Thee that Thou hast kept him true and faithful and that we are able to send him out from our home chaste and clean. Keep him pure and clean, and may his feet never stray from the paths of virtue, purity, and the truth in which we have tried to bring him up. Bring him back to us as pure and true as he is going out from us.”
The happenings of that morning and his mother’s prayer left a deep impression on this young man. His testimony was that he could not bear the thought of breaking the heart of his father and mother and dishonoring his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he was taught to love and respect. With that resolve, God gave him grace that he did not yield to temptation and was able to come home as his mother had expressed. There are many unwholesome temptations in this world, but each one of us can possess the grace and courage to be as true as this young man was.
Questions
- Sometimes when young people leave home for a time, they may take liberties contrary to the faith, being tempted with matters not wholesome. What may be ways that the home front may better prepare them for those temptations?
- Innocent children may sometimes display the greatest faith. What are ways to lead them as they grow up so that faith may continue?
- Should we talk of miraculous happenings in our and others’ lives or rather be quiet about them? Discuss.
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).