Gehazi Runs After
Elisha had refused the gift. So his servant went to collect it himself.
Naaman had come all the way from Syria.
He had dipped in the Jordan seven times.
His flesh had been restored like the flesh of a little child.
He returned to Elisha with all his company.
He stood before him and said: Behold, I know there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant.
Elisha said: As the LORD lives, I will receive nothing.
Naaman urged him. He refused.
Naaman turned and went.
Gehazi had been watching.
He thought: My master has spared this Naaman by not accepting from his hand what he brought.
As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.
He ran after Naaman.
Naaman saw someone running after him and got down from his chariot.
He asked if everything was all right.
Gehazi said his master had sent him.
Two young men from the sons of the prophets had just arrived.
Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.
None of it was true.
Naaman said: Please take two talents.
He urged him. He tied up two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothing.
He gave them to two servants who carried them for Gehazi.
When he came to the hill, he took the things from their hands and put them in the house.
He sent the men away.
He went in and stood before his master.
Elisha asked where he had been.
He said: Your servant went nowhere.
Elisha said: Did not my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you?
Is it a time to accept money and garments and olive orchards and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male servants and female servants?
Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.
He went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Elisha had refused for a reason.
The gift would have tangled the miracle with commerce.
Gehazi didn't understand the reason.
He just saw the opportunity.
And took it.
And wore the consequence for the rest of his life.
Scripture — 2 Kings 5:27
"The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow."
Reflection
Elisha's refusal was not accidental. It was intentional. Gehazi circumvented the intention for personal gain.
He lied twice — to Naaman and to Elisha. The second lie was worse because he already knew Elisha could see what he had done.
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