2 Kings 5:10–14, Go wash in the Jordan. Elisha did not cater to Naaman’s pride, which dictated that pomp and parade accompany the healing. YHVH, through his servant, dealt with Naaman’s physical sickness, as well as his sin of pride.

The Torah teaches that the sins of pride, selfishness, and robbery are root causes of the skin disorder that plagued the Syrian general. This story demonstrates that YHVH is as concerned with the root causes of an ailment as much as the ailment itself.

Many of Yeshua’s miracles demonstrated this same concern. Humility and self-negation were the cures to what ailed Naaman.

As Matthew Henry states in his commentary,

“When diseased sinners are content to do anything, to submit to anything, to part with anything, for a cure, then, and not till then, is there any hope of them.”

The same is true of the lost sinner in need of Yeshua, the Savior and Redeemer. Henry continues,

“The methods for the healing of the leprosy of sin, are so plain, that we are without excuse if we do not observe them. It is but, believe, and be saved; repent, and be pardoned; wash, and be clean. The believer applies for salvation, not neglecting, altering, or adding to the Saviour’s directions; he is thus made clean from guilt, while others who neglect him, live and die in the leprosy of sin.”

So often our pride clouds our ability to clearly see and then uncover the root causes of sickness and other ailments plaguing our lives. Do you have a pride problem?

When was the last time you took a hard and serious look at yourself? When was the last time you confessed your sins to someone else? James 5:16 says,

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Perhaps your pride will not allow you to do this, and therefore keeps you from being healed!

Let’s follow proud Naaman’s example, humbly wash in the lowly Jordan River of Yeshua’s forgiveness and healing.

Curiously, the root of the Hebrew name Jordan/Yarden literally means “to go down or to descend.” One always went down to the Jordan, which at the Sea of Galilee is more than 700 feet below sea level and at the Dead Sea into which it empties is some 1400 feet below sea level. Interestingly, at this spot, the Jordan river is the lowest spot not only in Israel, but on planet earth! What does this teach us about what we must do in our spiritual walk in order to be lifted up spiritually—and physically? Remember what James 4:10 says,

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and he shall lift you up.