Why did Naaman ask for “two mule-loads of earth” in 2 Kings 5:17?
2 Kings 5 is a fascinating chapter which tells us about Naaman, who was the “captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.” (Verse 1). Naaman, in all his greatness and might, with all the honors heaped upon him and with all the wealth at his command, he was an unhappy and doomed man, for he was a leper. Leprosy in scripture is a type of sin. Here, then, is a picture of the natural man, enjoying the highest and the best, but still a leper…a sinner.
Syria had taken captive a “little maid” who served Naaman’s wife. Although a captive in a foreign land, this maid, confident of the Lord’s power, told Naaman’s wife of the prophet in Samaria “for he would recover him of his leprosy.” (Verses 2-3). Because of the faithful words of this young maid, the king of Syria sent Naaman to Samaria with great treasures and a letter to the King of Israel saying, “I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.” (Verses 5-6). The king was offended by this letter, thinking that the king of Syria was seeking a fight with him. (Verse 7). The king did not think of Elisha, the prophet. He did not consider sending Naaman to this prophet who could, indeed, heal Naaman. When Elisha heard about this, he sent a message to the king saying, “let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (Verse 8). Elisha understood the power of God that rested upon him and knew that by the power of the Lord, he could heal this captain of his leprosy. He wanted Naaman to know beyond a doubt that there was, indeed, a prophet of the Lord in the land.
Let’s now read verses 9-12, “So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” Naaman was greatly offended by the action and words of Elisha. Elisha did not come out to greet Naaman personally. Perhaps it was because of Naaman’s leprosy, but more likely it was because of Naaman’s pomp in coming to Elisha with a grand entrance of horses and chariots. Naaman was furious at the thought of dipping himself in the river Jordan…even other rivers were better.
Naaman’s servants reminded him that if Elisha had commanded him to do some great thing, he would have done it. Doesn’t this remind you of some unsaved people who would be willing to do great works to save themselves but refuse to simply put their faith in Christ. Naaman was moved by his servants and went to Jordan and dipped himself seven times. He was cleaned completely, and we read in verse 15, “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.” What a wonderful testimony of the love and power of God to respond to his act of faith and heal him completely.
We then read in verse 17, “And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.” Naaman now wanted to worship the one true God. It seems he wanted this earth to spread over a portion of Syrian ground, which would, to his thinking, hallow and render it suitable for the worship of God. He desired the earth of the land, because he thought it more holy and acceptable to God, and proper for his service. He intended to build an altar to the Lord on this Israeli soil. This was an outward expression of his faith and would be a testimony among the heathen that there is but one Lord to be worshipped. This is the true heart of one converted to Christ. He desires to have a testimony among those unsaved so that he might witness to them of the one true God who can, and will, save all who come to Him. (CC) (625.2)