Elisha refused the gift and sent the Syrian commander away in peace. Naaman was a powerful man and a warrior who was used to giving commands and having those commands obeyed. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? Some paint layers were thinly applied, as in sections of the brown background and the plum-colored textile held by Naamans attendant. ; Arama, "'Aedat Yia," ch. A Bible Story for Adults. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Lambert Jacobszs interpretation of the story is consistent with Mennonite beliefs. Atelierpraktijk in Leeuwarden omstreeks 1630, De Vrije Fries 89 (2009): 7485; and Peter van den Brink, Jacob Backer (1608/91651) (Exh. The Bible doesn't say whether God told him not to receive the gift from Naaman, but we see that Elisha was quick to refuse the offer, desiring only to honor God. Since documents about a commission have not been preserved, it is not known for whom Lambert painted Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts or where it was originally intended to be displayed. In general, he painted directly onto the canvas, working both wet into wet and over dried paint layers. In 2 Kings 5:17, Naaman follows the request with an explanation: for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. The dirt and Naamans new allegiance to the God of Israel are related. Send him to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood in the doorway of Elisha's house. When the painting first appeared on the market in 2005, it was given to Pieter de Grebber.8 As Albert Blankert rightly recognized, however, this attribution is not tenable for stylistic reasons, despite the fact that Jacobsz knew De Grebbers work.9 Blankert also pointed out that the way in which the old Elisha and young Naaman face each other is comparable to the confrontation between Elisha and Gehazi in the Hannover painting.10 Other arguments reinforce the attribution of the Leiden Collection painting to Lambert Jacobsz. Naaman is represented as vain and haughty, on account of which he was stricken with leprosy (Num. He did not want sin to come between him and the Lord or to hinder the Lord's work through his life because of his greed. Naaman and the Servant Girl Naaman and the Servant Girl Back To All Episodes Naaman and the Servant Girl Episode: 305 Season: 3 Joy is upset because she's in charge of a big service project. A PDF of every version of this entry is available in this Online Catalogue's Archive, and the Archive is managed by a permanent URL. Why should Elisha receive a gift for him? Superbook is a registered trademark of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization All Rights Reserved. Nevertheless, the now-lost painting represents an episode that immediately precedes the one Jacobsz depicted in the Leiden Collection painting. But despite repeated urgings, Elisha replied, "I will receive none," and Naaman departed ( 1 Kgs. Most likely, Naaman would have expected Elisha would come out of his house to perform some ritual, or that he would have led him to some special magic place to heal him. The temptation to use priesthood power for personal gain has plagued man throughout history (see for example the account of Balaam in Jude 1:11and the account of Nehor in Alma 1). 6, unsold). Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? You can now hide this message or find out more about cookies. Oh how simple it is. The Mekilta (Yitro, 'Amale, 1), however, places Naaman's conversion above Jethro's. He was a good commander and was held in favor because of the victory that God brought him. 5, Nachtrge, Ortsregister, Ikonographisches Register, Bibliographie (Landau, 1994), nos. Now Naaman was the captain of the host of Syria, he was a great man with his master, he was honorable, because the LORD had actually helped him to subdue many nations. For example, Halbertals book On Sacrifice presents us with the possibility of having ones offering being rejected. Where Are Giants in the Bible Other Than Goliath? Naaman also renounces his former god Rimmon after being cured by Elisha - acknowledges solely the God of Israel. "Elisha understood this truth perfectly, but Gehazi saw a chance for personal gain slipping away and let his greed overpower his good judgment.". Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular, Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular, Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not, Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular, Preposition | third person masculine singular, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Naaman, by the report of a captive maid, is sent to Samaria to be cured of leprosy, He refusing Naaman's gifts grants him some of the earth, Gehazi, abusing his master's name unto Naaman, is smitten with leprosy, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT History: 2 Kings 5:16 But he said As Yahweh lives before (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg). [4], According to Rabbinic teaching, Naaman was the archer who drew his bow at a venture and mortally wounded Ahab, King of Israel (I Kings xxii. Just to receive from God the simplicity with which God gives to me. An overall warm gray ground has been applied to the painting. (2 Ne. Knowledge of this print is evident in Jacob Backers The Tribute Money in Stockholm, which he executed during his Leeuwarden period. Scripture says that we can come before the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor in our time of need. I speculate that God seeing a true turning of Naaman to Himself did not want Naaman to say that he contributed toward his conversion, especially not with material and perishable things. But Naaman was completely in his right mind. cat. One day his wife's Israeli servant girl told her about the power of God moving through the prophet Elisha. oil on canvas (151 249 cm) 1661 Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. When he discovered that he was stricken with leprosy, he searched for a cure -- and of course, at that time, there was no cure. (The mikveh is a bath used for ritual immersion in Judaism. Publications are increasingly becoming available in electronic format (CD-ROM and/or online editions).BRILL is proud to work with a broad range of scholars and authors and to serve its many customers throughout the world. The king of Israel didn't know what to do, yet Elisha (Eliseus) sent a message to the King, advising that the King tell Naaman to come to see him. However, Elisha's servant, thinking the prophet should receive some kind of payment for his services, takes two talents (about $800,000) and returns to Elisha. Christian theology has always depicted Naaman as the paradigmatic case of Gods will to save people we would normally considered as being unworthy of salvation: Naaman is not even an Israelite, and doesnt share the prophets faith. And salvation is such a simple thing. His painting does not focus on Naamans recovery from leprosy or on Elishas refusal to be rewarded, but rather on Naamans conversion to the true faith.13. Simon Kick, Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts, 1644 (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Gemldegalerie); Werner Sumowski, Gemlde der Rembrandt-Schler, vol. Another composition with small-scale figures is the 1635 Elisha Refusing Naamans Gifts in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Now you see, he starts to read his mind at this point, or he starts to discern what was on his heart. I think Elisha was rebuking not only the actions of Gehazi, but also the attitude of his heart. Perhaps, as he walked back, he was thinking about what he could do with such a large sum: he could buy olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and have servants rather than being a servant. 1, J.A. But also, Elishas rejection seems to suggest God is more of a giver than of a taker, and his gifts do not aim to setting an economical cycle of gift-giving and exchange with anyone: he freely gives his Grace (in fact, this is what the word Grace strictly means: gratuity, something freely given beyond ones obligation), which always exceeds measure or merit. We've got better rivers up in Damascus." For Bruyns remark, see Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats: Atelierpraktijk in Leeuwarden omstreeks 1630, De Vrije Fries 89 (2009): 78, which refers to Josua Bruyn, Boekbespreking Werner Sumowski, Gemlde der Rembrandt-Schler, VI, Oud Holland 110 (1996), 167. When a joyful Naaman stood before Gehazi and Elisha, with skin clean and pure, Naaman pleaded, "Take a blessing [gift] of thy servant.". The original support has been lined and its tacking margins have been removed. And he took it and put it in his house. He was even used by God to accomplish His will (2 Kings 5:1). New York, 2020. I can hire me some servants. Why should Elisha receive a gift for him? Naaman was a powerful man and a warrior who was used to giving commands and having those commands obeyed. But I can't. But Elisha said, As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing. Gehazi, as is recounted in a subsequent episode in the biblical story, follows Naaman after the Syrian commander leaves Elisha and accepts the gifts intended for his master, falsely telling Naaman that Elisha had sent him to do so (2 Kings 5:1727). But the Lord revealed to Elisha what Gehazi did and prophet rebuked him saying, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever" (verse 27). Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. And in certain dire situations, one is permitted to accept presents openly.) We would all of us like to do some great wonderful thing for the Lord. 15, 5). He's trying to start a fight. Jacobsz acted as an art dealer in Leeuwarden, which allowed him to have close ties with artists and dealers in other cities. Edited by Arthur K. Wheelock Jr. and Lara Yeager-Crasselt. Gehazi's acceptance was unacceptable in the frame of Elisha's refusal. Explain that Naaman was healed by Heavenly Father through the power of the priesthood and that priesthood holders cannot use the priesthood to gain recognition or wealth. Angered, Elisha curses his servant, and the servant has Naaman's leprosy for the rest of his life. And the guy urged him, but still he refused.In the healing of Naaman we find some interesting things, and one of them is that typically, we, all of us, really have difficulty with just accepting the grace of God. The Bible calls him "the servant of Elisha, the man of God. By using the Superbook website, you accept our use of cookies. 2 Kings 5:4. Nephi called such employment "priestcraft," in which " . Wheelock, Arthur K., Jr., Christiaan Vogelaar, and Caroline van Cauwenberge. So Naaman became enraged. On Backer in his Leeuwarden period, see Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats. Naaman was a Syrian warlord, who suffered from a nasty skin condition, probably leprosy. The biblical text (Cf. 635 (as Haarlem master); see also the RKD website. Naaman believed that "There [was] no God in all the earth but in Israel" ( 2 Kgs 5:15) and wanted to return to his homeland with holy ground. When Naaman left Elisha's house to return home to Syria, Gehazi was filled with greed. However, it cannot be entirely ruled out that Jacob Backer also contributed to the painting. This phrase is used when Moses is in the presence of the Angel of the Lord and the God of Israel at the burning bush (Exod 3:15) and when Joshua meets the Angel of the Lord (Josh 5:15). Jacobszs interpretation of this episode focuses on faith and not questions of civic virtues. Jacob Backer, The Tribute Money, 1630s (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm); see Grel Cavalli-Bjrkman, Dutch and Flemish Paintings, vol. Naaman, standing outside of Elisha's house, was furious when he was greeted by a messenger instead of the prophet himself. What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits? Elisha refused gifts for use of power By Church News Archives 15 June 1990, 11:00 PM PDT After Naaman was cured of leprosy, he offered Elisha gifts for his use of priesthood powers. Naaman then takes his bath in the Jordan river (as a mikveh) and is healed. Ltfen Kullanm artlarmz ve Gizlilik Politikamz dikkatlice inceleyiniz. There are some old damages to the canvas support with associated paint losses, as in the two figures immediately to the left of Naaman. Jack Kilgore & Co., Inc., New York, 2006. And this is what God said about His land, You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. At the behest of some servants, he consents to dip himself in the Jordan. men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion." But here is Elisha refusing the gift. In v5, we read that Naaman only took with him money (gold and silver) and clothes, so I don't see how Elisha could have refused the other gifts if Naaman didn't even bring them (and how could he bring an olive orchard with him? ( 2 Kings 5:25-26 ). In which circumstances are we allowed to reject a gift? The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Muse des Beaux-Arts et de la Cramique de Rouen), and The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Muse des Beaux-Arts et dArchologie de Besanon); see Werner Sumowski, Gemlder der Rembrandt-Schler, vol. Backer had a great reputation as a skilled painter of finely formed hands. Why did Elisha refuse naamans gifts? And he urged him to take it; but he refused. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gehazi was Elisha's helper. She has done all the leadership work but finds no one is doing her bidding with the follow-up details. Lepers were shunned and disgraced. In The Leiden Collection Catalogue, 3rd ed. When Elisha became aware of Gehazi's duplicity, he punished his servant by infecting him with the disease from which Naaman had just been cured. Even though he would still have to help his aged king bow before Rimmon, Naaman wanted Elisha to know his heart belonged only to the God of Elisha. As Halbertal explains, the goal of the sacrifice is to produce a gift cycle,. 1800 (Stockholm, 2005), 59, no. He focused particularly on Naamans gaze as he quietly reflects upon the prophets reasons for refusing to accept his gifts of appreciationthe moment of revelation when Naaman came to understand that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.. And in the letter it said, "I want you to heal my general of this leprosy." Elisha refused the gifts Naaman offered for his use of God's power, but Gehazi did not. Naaman was the captain of the army of the king of Aram (Syria). Deuteronomy 8:11-14 , Elisha hearing from God refused out of obedience to God anything Naaman offered because after all he was entitled to payment as a prophet. Why would he ask for dirt? Pieter de Grebber, Belshazzars Great Feast, 1625 (Museum Schloss Wilhelmshhe, Kassel). Why did Elisha rebuke Gehazi for things he did not accept from Naaman? 78. BRILL's mainly English language publications include book series, individual monographs and encyclopaedias as well as journals. 2, Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. So please accept a gift from your servant." 16 But Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it." And although Naaman urged him to accept it . According to Blankert, the subject had a twofold significance for the regents: first, Elishas refusal symbolized the regents own rectitude and, second, the example of Gehazi was a cautionary note for their servants that they would pay a heavy price for deception. Naaman was a great man. He didn't heal Naaman. It. (1 Cor. He then praised the lord of Israel as the only true god. He's going to set himself up. ), Paul suggested that if one charged for his service in the priesthood, he would abuse his power in the gospel. viii. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. This painting was first attributed to Lambert Jacobsz (and dated around 1630) by Jasper Hillegers; see Jasper Hillegers, Lambert Jacobsz (15981636) en zijn werkplaats: Atelierpraktijk in Leeuwarden omstreeks 1630, De Vrije Fries 89 (2009): 6792. In the more thickly painted central figures, the artist used dabs of paint to imitate metallic reflections in Naamans garments, as well as in the highlights and other light-colored details in the textiles. So when he came before the man of God, he had difficulty humbling himself in obedience to the Lord's instructions. This website uses cookies to ensure the best user experience. He did not want money, wealth, power, or prestige to interfere with the call of God that was on his life. 2, Dutch Paintings c. 1600c. When we come before the Lord in our time of prayer, it's important for us to humble ourselves like Naaman did to receive favor from God. Can we say the same thing about Elishas rejection of Naamans gift? Elishas healing of Naaman in the Bible (the leper [and] commander of the army of the king of Syria) is a familiar story to many (2 Kgs 5:127). He then praised the lord of Israel as the only true god. Gehazi told Naaman that Elisha had changed his mind and now Elisha wanted the gifts. Elisha the prophet healed Naaman of his leprosy by the power of the Lord (verse 14), and Naaman praised God and offered Elisha a gift, which Elisha refused to accept (verse 16). I want to do some great thing for God. II Kings v. 2). And the leprosy from Naaman fell on Gehazi and would remain in his descendants. Not only is Elishas gesture of refusal reminiscent of that in the Leiden Collection painting, but Gehazi similarly stands behind the prophet in both works. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup.
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