Royalty and Ruin

Elisha’s Servant Has the Spirit of Judas

Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, had had opportunity to develop the spirit of self-denial that characterized his master’s lifework. The best gifts of Heaven had been within his reach for a long time; yet, turning from these, he had instead coveted worldly wealth. And now the hidden longings of his greedy spirit led him to yield to a great temptation. “My master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; ... I will run after him and take something from him.” In secrecy “Gehazi pursued Naaman.” RR 92.9

“When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, ‘Is all well?’ And he said, ‘All is well.’” Then Gehazi told an absolute lie. “My master,” he said, “has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’” Naaman gladly agreed to this request, pressing upon Gehazi two talents of silver instead of one, “with two changes of garments,” and sending servants to carry the treasure back. RR 93.1

As Gehazi neared Elisha’s home, he dismissed the servants and placed the silver and the clothes in hiding. With this done, “he went in and stood before his master.” In response to Elisha’s inquiry, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” he answered, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” RR 93.2

Elisha knew all. “Did not my heart go with you,” he asked, “when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” The guilty man’s punishment followed swiftly. He went out from Elisha’s presence, “leprous, as white as snow.” RR 93.3

This experience teaches solemn lessons. Gehazi placed a stumbling block in the pathway of Naaman, whose mind had received wonderful light and who felt favorably toward the service of the living God. There could be no excuse for the deception Gehazi practiced. To the day of his death Gehazi remained a leper. RR 93.4

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:5. “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13. God revealed to His prophet every detail of the scene between Gehazi and Naaman. RR 93.5

Truth comes from God; deception in all forms comes from Satan. Whoever departs in any way from the straight line of truth is betraying himself into the power of the wicked one. Those who have learned from Christ will be straightforward and true, for they are preparing for the fellowship of those holy ones in whose mouth is found no deceit. See Revelation 14:5. RR 93.6

The Savior presented Naaman’s wonderful faith as an object lesson. “Many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet,” He declared, “and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:27. God passed over many lepers in Israel because their unbelief closed the door to them. In God’s sight a heathen nobleman who had been true to his convictions of right was more worthy of His blessing than the afflicted in Israel who had despised their God-given privileges. God works for those who appreciate His favors, who respond to the light Heaven gives them. RR 93.7

If those who are honest in heart follow what they understand to be duty, God will give them increased light until, like Naaman, they will acknowledge that “there is no God in all the earth” except the living God, the Creator. RR 94.1