Naaman had heard of God through the testimony of the Hebrew maid, but now he had become acquainted with Him through his own personal experience. Faith had become knowledge. There was now a ring of assurance in his testimony that would never have been the case had he not received this wonderful blessing from God. He knew now that outside of Israel there were no gods. The gods worshiped in Syria and the neighboring nations were only idols made by the hands of man. But the God of Israel was the Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord who gave life and hope to man. If every child of God were as faithful in bearing witness for Him as the captive Hebrew maid, all the people of earth would become acquainted with the Creator’s wonderful love and care, and many would be led to give praise and thanksgiving to Him.

 Naaman showed his gratitude by returning to Elisha to offer him a reward. In doing this he probably went far out of his way, but it was a journey that was not in vain. In all his conduct Naaman showed himself more in accord with the true spirit of a child of God than did those who claimed to be His people. When the Saviour was on earth, years afterward, He referred to the fact that there were many lepers in the land of Israel at the time of Elisha, but “none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Israel was unappreciative of the presence and blessings of God. The commander of the armies of a heathen nation showed a faith and gratitude that were foreign to the professed people of God. The Lord is close and kind to those who appreciate His blessings.