Accept By Faith

I have had times that I knew God was calling me to do something by faith. I have been faithful in some and have failed at others. There were many times God expected His people to trust his promise even when they didn’t see immediate results. I was reading some of 2 Kings the other day and was struck by something that didn’t quite make sense. I had read that if someone had leprosy, they were considered unclean and had to isolate themselves from contact with society. Only a priest could restore them if they had been healed. Well, my struggle begins in chapter 5. The prophet Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, had taken some things that didn’t belong to him. Elisha told the servant that because of this, leprosy would stick to him and his descendants. He became leprous, as white as snow. In chapter 8, we find the king having a discussion with Gehazi, the servant. This bothered me, because if he had leprosy, the king would not have him in his presence. Without any further information, I would have to accept this is possible because of faith or find how I misunderstood the passage. There are a number of possibilities. God could have healed the servant again. The chronology could be out of order as it has happened in other places. The king may have ignored the law, which he had done before, but then he risks contracting it. Lastly, he might not have had a contagious strain. I found out that in Leviticus 13 that the body can be covered with leprosy, the skin can be found white, and the individual can be deemed clean. I trust it no more or no less because of the added details, for I have believed it by faith. Knowing the “why” can help in discussing the content with others. It is good that God allows us to find answers to sooth the mind. Those that trusted God’s leading often found themselves helped by God. In chapter 8, we find that Elisha had told the family of the boy. he had raised to life. to leave the area for seven years, as a drought was imminent. The mom of the healed boy and her family were now returning home, after living among the Philistines. She went to ask the king if he could help her get her land and home back, just as Gehazi was telling the King about Elisha’s help. The king instantly restored the woman and her property. Father, give us faith to be obedient to Your call, persistence to follow it, and a heart of worship as we see Your victories among us. Amen