Pastoral Sensitivity To Converts: The Case Of Elisha’s Response To Naaman In 2 Kings 5:19

Abstract

2 Kings 5:1-27 tells the story of Naaman’s journey to Samaria in search of his healing. His physical healing is accompanied by an inner spiritual journey towards faith in the God of Israel. The narrative contains the interesting motif found in some classical narratives like the book of Kings where the foreigner comes to Israel, undergoes a unique experience of YHWH, praises him and departs. This is unlike the negative portrayal of foreigners in some post-exilic narratives like the book of Daniel where they experience punishment before they come to know and confess the greatness of YHWH. As Naaman undergoes a conversion he decides to worship YHWH, which puts him in a dilemma. How does he worship YHWH in his country and still bend down before Rimmon while performing his official duties? His situation reveals a typical challenge faced by people who embrace new religions. How do they handle the conflicts they encounter especially during the period of transition from their former ways to the new faith? This is a crucial matter and makes one to suggest that missionaries need to be well prepared to meet the recipients of the gospel message in their concrete realities of life so as to offer them the appropriate accompaniment. Naaman makes a bizarre request at the end of his healing. The prophet does not condemn him in 2 Kings 5:19 but simply responds: “go in peace”.