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On Sunday we looked at the question of where the true power of God comes from. This morning, I want to revisit the story from the perspective of those who have the most impactful voices in the narrative. What they offer is somewhat stunning in the context and we’re going to consider that in this Covenant Weekly for November 10, 2026.

First, we have a slave girl. She’s been kidnapped by raiders and forced into the service of one of the military leaders of her oppressors. And when she finds out Naaman is sick, she says, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

Later in the story, Naaman is angry and on his way home after being told what he should do to be healed. It is his slaves, those with him only to do his bidding, who exhort him to pursue what Elisha has instructed.

In both cases, those who are less-than, captive, subservient speak and act with the best interest of their oppressor at heart. We could argue all kinds of things.

  • “But Naaman was clearly a good master!”
  • “But slavery was different then.”
  • “Maybe they did it out of fear of catching the disease themselves!”

While slavery was different, it was still slavery. These people were bound to Naaman. And other ideas are guesses that aren’t indicated in the text.

What is clear is that those who, by all accounts in the story, have no reason to have love for Naaman, still speak up and act for his healing and peace.

We are called to love our enemy and our neighbour, keeping in mind of course that mandate to love our neighbour comes with a story in which the neighbour is our sworn enemy. The example of this captive girl and slaves exhorts us to consider, “How can we use our speech, our will, our advocacy for the peace and healing of those around us…even our oppressors.”

If you keep reading the story after where we left off on Sunday, Elisha’s servant (this is a different word than the one used to describe those bound to Naaman)...Elisha’s servant decides to pursue Naaman for his own gain. Rather than acting for the benefit of others, he is driven by greed and he suffers for it.

I leave us with this reminder from Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29, 32)

You are amazing at this, Covenant Family. Let’s keep it up!