We live in a world that celebrates inclusion. But sometimes this represents a rejection of reality. For example, how many gods are there exactly? And is it possible for all these gods to be equals? While our society may tell us to accept them all, the writer of 2 Kings would disagree.

In the ancient Near East, a god would fight for, defend, and take care of the people within the boundaries of that country. So, it was disturbing to read that Naaman had achieved success at the hand of Yahweh (v. 1)! The Israelites believed there was only one God. His sovereignty extended over every nation, and Israel would only succeed if and when He willed it.

Naaman was “commander of the army of the king of Aram.” Although he was “a great man” (v. 1), he suffered from leprosy, an incurable disease. A girl, whom Naaman had enslaved, knew there was a prophet in Israel through whom wonders were taking place (v. 3)! Naaman, in an act of faith, requested leave to visit this prophet. He planned to appeal to the god of an enemy nation for help. So, he sent gifts to the king of Israel hoping to win the favor of this god. Little did he know that the king of Israel was wicked; the god of Israel was against him. “When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: ‘Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel’” (v. 8).

Elisha issued a simple command: Go and wash in the river Jordan (v. 10). Naaman returned clean! God’s miracle convinced Naaman that Yahweh was God of the whole earth.

We live in a world that celebrates inclusion. But sometimes this represents a rejection of reality. For example, how many gods are there exactly? And is it possible for all these gods to be equals? While our society may tell us to accept them all, the writer of 2 Kings would disagree.

In the ancient Near East, a god would fight for, defend, and take care of the people within the boundaries of that country. So, it was disturbing to read that Naaman had achieved success at the hand of Yahweh (v. 1)! The Israelites believed there was only one God. His sovereignty extended over every nation, and Israel would only succeed if and when He willed it.

Naaman was “commander of the army of the king of Aram.” Although he was “a great man” (v. 1), he suffered from leprosy, an incurable disease. A girl, whom Naaman had enslaved, knew there was a prophet in Israel through whom wonders were taking place (v. 3)! Naaman, in an act of faith, requested leave to visit this prophet. He planned to appeal to the god of an enemy nation for help. So, he sent gifts to the king of Israel hoping to win the favor of this god. Little did he know that the king of Israel was wicked; the god of Israel was against him. “When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: ‘Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel’” (v. 8).

Elisha issued a simple command: Go and wash in the river Jordan (v. 10). Naaman returned clean! God’s miracle convinced Naaman that Yahweh was God of the whole earth.

Occasionally when conversing with people who have strong opinions about a particular topic, I ask where they found their information. If the answer is “I Googled it,” their convictions become suspect. Why? Because the source of our information is critical to forming our opinions. Whom you ask shows whom you trust.

The book of 2 Kings begins where 1 Kings left off. Ahaziah, the son of Ahab is on the throne, and he is behaving like his father (see 1 Kings 22:51–53). We should recall that former king Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, were responsible for the institutionalization of Baal worship in Israel. After Ahab died, he was replaced by his like-minded son, Ahaziah, who continued his father’s idolatrous practices.

Ahaziah’s lack of faith was exposed when he was injured (v. 2). Wondering if he would survive, he reached out for divine help. What he reached out to revealed where his confidence lay; he reached for Baal! Yahweh, the God of Israel, sent a message dripping with sarcasm to challenge the king: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to inquire of Baal-Zebub?” (v. 3).

The king’s search for answers in the wrong place led him to behave as if God, a trustworthy source, did not exist! This would have been a particularly bad example for the king to set. The people would be tempted to believe that if the king inquired of Baal, maybe it was because the God of Israel was not real. Ahaziah came under God’s condemnation and, as a result, would die of his injuries. The message for God’s people, then and now, is clear: Do not seek truth from false gods. Whom we trust in times of trouble reveals a great deal about what we believe.

In the winter of 1777–1778, George Washington’s army at Valley Forge was sick and starving. Chief Shenendoah of the Oneidas sent a gift of corn in support. An Oneida woman known as Polly Cooper also helped the soldiers with nutrition and medicine. Though she refused payment, she accepted the gift of a shawl from General Washington. Today the “Polly Cooper shawl” is one of the greatest treasures of the Oneida people.

Generosity, especially at the right time, is praiseworthy in God’s eyes. Faith, after all, must be accompanied by good deeds, or of what use is it (James 2:14–17)? In today’s parable, the Son of Man, as king and judge, separates true (sheep) from false believers (goats) (vv. 31–33; see also Matt. 13:24–30). What standard does He use? Practical service.

What distinguishes the sheep from the goats is simply what they did or did not do (vv. 34–36, 41–43). The good works mentioned are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers (that is, showing hospitality), clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the prisoner. The sheep showed compassion-in- action for the needy; the goats did not. These six actions are examples, not a complete list. Each is still something we can do today.

Jesus was of course not saying that salvation is by works. We know that salvation is by grace through faith, with good deeds following afterwards (Eph. 2:8–10). The parable has a limited point and is not a complete doctrinal statement. The point is simply that a tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 7:17–20). Both groups act surprised so that the King can explain: Good deeds done in faith for a fellow believer are as significant as if they had been done for Christ Himself (vv. 40, 45).

In my office at Moody I have a small rock, a gift from one of my daughters. The front is painted with a field of sunflowers. On the back is Luke 12:27: “ Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Jesus spoke similar words in Matthew 6. He taught that food is nothing to worry or be anxious about (vv. 25–27). It is certainly a legitimate need, but there is abundant evidence in nature and history that God cares about us and will provide. The parallel passage in Luke refers to ravens (Luke 12:22–31). This is probably an encouraging allusion to the story of Elijah and how he was fed by ravens during a drought (1 Kings 17:1–6).

Similarly, we shouldn’t worry or be anxious about clothing (vv. 28–30). Just as God feeds the birds, so He also “dresses” the flowers. What’s more, their “clothing” is not minimalist but extravagantly beautiful. Despite their transience, despite their lack of sewing or spinning, they outdress Solomon. The obvious conclusions? One, worry is utterly useless. Two, God loves and values us far more than birds or flowers. Three, He can be trusted to provide for our needs.

People who do not know God run after temporal things, therefore, we should not (vv. 31–32). God knows our needs, therefore, we should trust Him (see Phil. 4:6). What should we focus on instead? “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (vv. 33–34). This should be our top priority. When it comes to food and clothing and such, “tomorrow will worry about itself.” Anxiety about the future, when God already has it covered, is both pointless and faithless.