2 Kings 5:20-27 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian… I. WE HAVE HERE COVETOUSNESS SEEKING TO MAKE GAIN OF A CONNECTION WITH GOODNESS. Gehazi was the servant of Elisha. It was surely no small privilege to be an attendant upon the prophet of God, — to be brought into such close connection with a man so good and holy. One might have supposed that he could scarcely help feeling the influence of Elisha. Now, covetousness of any kind is bad enough; but covetousness hanging on the skirts of goodness, — covetousness taking advantage of some outward connection with religion, and even with unselfishness, — this is surely one of the lowest forms of vice. Oh, it is a fearful thing when a man comes to value his religious reputation chiefly as a portion of his stock-in-trade. II. WE HAVE HERE COVETOUSNESS LEADING ON TO FALSEHOOD AND THEFT. III. WE HAVE HERE COVETOUSNESS HINDERING THE PROGRESS OF THE DIVINE KINGDOM. Like a true prophet as he was, Elisha was seeking to advance the kingdom of God. He cared far more for the extension of Jehovah's name and the promotion of Jehovah's glory than for his own advantage. If he magnified his prophetic office and stood on his honour, it was that, through him, Jehovah might be honoured. This was no doubt the secret of his treatment of Naaman. (T. J. Finlayson.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. |
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