2 Kings 5:27, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the account of Naaman at the house of Elisha, where Elisha stands in the doorway giving instruction and Naaman stands before him making appeal. Naaman was captain of the host of the king of Syria, a great and honorable mighty man in valor, yet a leper. A captive Israelite maid serving his wife said the prophet in Samaria would recover him of his leprosy, knowing the power of Heaven was with Elisha and believing that power could heal him.

Gehazi acted from greed and deliberate deception, coveting the gifts from Naaman that Elisha had refused. He deceitfully pursued a reward for himself through falsehood, speaking falsehood to obtain what the prophet had declined. His attempt to hide his actions failed because God witnessed the hidden transaction and knew its smallest details. God revealed to Elisha what Gehazi had said to Naaman and every detail of their meeting, so nothing was concealed.

As punishment, Naaman's leprosy was to cleave to Gehazi and his seed forever. The sentence took effect at once when he went out from Elisha's presence a leper as white as snow. The curse remained upon him as a leper until his death, ending only with death, and he was shunned by other people. Wrongdoing cannot be concealed from God and does not escape punishment.

Falsehood and deception of every kind, including prevarication and exaggeration, is sin against the God of truth and reveals how evil such deception appears in His sight. Gehazi's deceit also placed a stumbling block before Naaman, who had become favorably disposed toward serving the living God. The leprosy of Gehazi illustrates a judgment that can come upon God's cause when people handling sacred things mix the sacred with the common, warning against corruption within religious institutions. The clinging of Naaman's leprosy illustrates how wrong instruction and influence can cling to people, as seen where the harmful influence in Roosevelt had not been removed.