Topical Bible: Lying: Gehazi

◄ Lying: Gehazi ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Gehazi, a servant of the prophet Elisha, is a notable biblical figure whose actions serve as a cautionary tale about the sin of lying and its consequences. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 4:12-37 and 2 Kings 5:20-27.

Background

Gehazi served as the attendant to Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. As Elisha's servant, Gehazi was in a position of trust and had the opportunity to witness many of the miraculous works performed by God through Elisha. Despite his proximity to divine power and truth, Gehazi's heart was led astray by greed and deceit.

The Incident with Naaman

The most significant account of Gehazi's lying is found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, was afflicted with leprosy. Hearing of Elisha's power to heal, Naaman sought him out and was instructed to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Upon doing so, Naaman was miraculously healed. In gratitude, Naaman offered Elisha gifts, but Elisha refused, desiring to demonstrate that the healing was an act of God, not a transaction.

However, Gehazi saw an opportunity for personal gain. In 2 Kings 5:20-22 , Gehazi said to himself, "My master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." Gehazi pursued Naaman and fabricated a account, claiming that Elisha had sent him to request a talent of silver and two sets of clothing for two young prophets. Naaman, eager to show his gratitude, gave Gehazi twice what he asked for.

Confrontation and Consequences

Upon returning, Gehazi hid the gifts and presented himself to Elisha, who questioned him about his whereabouts. Gehazi lied again, saying he had not gone anywhere. Elisha, however, was aware of Gehazi's deceit. In 2 Kings 5:26-27 , Elisha confronted him, saying, "Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever." Gehazi left Elisha's presence, now afflicted with leprosy, a visible and lasting consequence of his sin.

Moral and Theological Implications

Gehazi's account illustrates the destructive nature of lying and greed. Despite his close association with a man of God, Gehazi allowed his desires to lead him into sin. His actions not only brought physical affliction upon himself but also demonstrated a lack of faith and integrity. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that God sees all actions and intentions, and deceit cannot be hidden from Him. Gehazi's punishment serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views lying and the importance of honesty and integrity in the life of a believer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:22
And he said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray you, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Elisha Healing the Sick Boy
... When Elisha came into the house, there was the child lying dead on his bed. ... Calling
Gehazi, he said, "Call this Shunamite woman." So he called her. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/elisha healing the sick boy.htm

Tenth Commandment
... which is idolatry.' Again: Coveting tempts us into violation of the third commandment,
or sacrilegious falsehood: for instance, Gehazi, lying in the matter of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

Naaman's Imperfect Faith
... Gehazi's story is well hung together, and has plenty of 'local colour' to make it
probable. Such glib ingenuity in lying augurs long practice in the art. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans imperfect faith.htm

The Secret of Success.
... he paid them his visits, was lying white and dead upstairs on the bed. Then Elisha
was sorely troubled, and he gave his staff to his servant, Gehazi, and made ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlii the secret of success.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... When the prophet said, "Whence comest thou, Gehazi?" he said, "Thy servant went
no whither ... The sin of Ananias and Sapphira, in lying in order to hide their sin ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... When the prophet said, "Whence comest thou, Gehazi?" he said, "Thy servant went
no whither ... The sin of Ananias and Sapphira, in lying in order to hide their sin ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/two coverings and two consequences.htm

A Little Maid
... cured of his leprosy, with some earth to make an altar of, and all his gold and
silver and fine garments, except what the foolish Gehazi got from him by lying. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

Internal Foes.
... "Oh," she said, "I wouldn't like to call it lying." But that is what it was. ...
It was the sin of Samuel's sons. It left Gehazi a leper. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part ii internal foes.htm

Letter xxii. St. Ambrose in a Letter to his Sister Gives an ...
... things when He revealed to His Church the relics of the holy martyrs lying hidden
under ... and in order to prove this, he prayed that the eyes of Gehazi might be ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xxii st ambrose in.htm

Acts iv. 36, 37
... If those for lying suffered such things, what shall not the perjured suffer ... Many
have been like Gehazi, yet they have not been struck with leprosy: for instead ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xii acts iv 36.htm