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NAAMAN (pleasantness). Commander of the Syrian army. Naaman was healed of leprosy (2 Ki. 5:1-27). Naaman's cleansing is symbolic of healing from sin. Leprosy is like sin in that it separates (Is. 59:2), maims, and kills (Ro. 6:23). Naaman's philosophy. 2 Ki. 5:11 says, "I thought..." Like all sinners, Naaman had many wrong ideas about God and salvation. (1) He thought God would honor his self-esteem (v. 11). (2) He thought God would give him a mysterious experience (v. 11). (3) He thought God would accept his own way (v. 12). Man must come God's way; there is only one way of salvation, the narrow way, the way of faith in Jesus Christ (Mt. 7:13-14; Jn. 14:6; Ac. 4:12; 1 Ti. 2:5). Naaman's healing. (1) It was according to God's Word. (2) It called for cleansing. Man needs more than reformation and self-esteem; the sin problem must be dealt with. (3) It required faith (v. 10). (4) It was sufficient; it resulted in perfect cleansing (v. 14). [See Gospel, Leprosy, Types.]