2 Kings 5:8-14 (ESV)
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
God saves by unconventional methods. In the above story we read about a Gentile dignitary wanting to be healed from a serious illness. However, when he discovers the method he is to employ to be healed, he is offended. Convinced by his servant to follow through with the instructions from Elisha, Naaman is healed. Imagine if you went to the doctor today and you were given an unusual and non-conventional prescription. You would probably pause and research the instructions.
This is, however, how God works. He saves through the most unconventional methods known to man. This is why mankind cannot wrap their minds around the risen Savior. The idea of the crucifixion and resurrection is offensive to man’s natural mind. This is one reason we should believe in the resurrection: It is such and amazing and unconventional plan, ONLY GOD can and would think of it. But, if you study Scripture you will see that God continues to save via the odd and absurd:
1. Noah was save by a boat built in a desert during a time it never rained.
2. Daniel was saved by making dangerous lions desire a nap more than a lunch.
3. The three Hebrew boys were saved from even the smell of a fire even though the flame was so hot it took the lives of those who tossed them into the flames.
4. Israel was saved from a giant, not by armor or armies, but by a teenage boy with four two many stones and an old sling.
5. Israel was saved by the parting of the Red Sea.
6. Peter was saved by the guards falling asleep and the prison doors miraculously opening before him.
7. Rehab, the harlot, was saved when every portion of the walls of Jericho fell, except the portion that held her house.
8. Israel’s army was saved by a whisper in the trees, the shining of blood off the water and once when the sun actually stood still.
9. A blind man had his sight saved when Jesus simply spit in the dirt and rubbed it on his eyes.
10. You and I are saved by grace, through faith in the resurrection of a risen Savior.
Don’t look for a normal, conventional and understandable rescue. God doesn’t do normal.
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