The Little Heroine

And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife (2 Kings 5:2)

When we read this story in the Bible, it is usually the two main proponents we pay attention to - Naaman and the prophet, Elisha. We gloss over a very special individual, without whom the story would not have happened – an unnamed slave girl. In the world’s eyes an insignificant person, with no value but in God’s eyes a precious child whom He would use to bring a powerful man to the true faith.

This little slave girl would probably have been around twelve or thirteen, maybe even younger. We are told she was taken captive in raids by the Syrians on the people of Israel. She would have been torn from her family or worse her family may have been killed. She may even have witnessed their murders. A little girl who probably cried at night for her parents and the familiarity of her people.

But in spite of the terrible cruelty that had been inflicted on her, she was not bitter and when she saw her master suffering, she felt compassion for him and offered a solution. She told her mistress that he should visit the prophet, Elijah, who would be able to heal him. Naaman had leprosy, a dreaded disease in those days with no cure.

She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3 NIV).

The full story can be read in 2 Kings 5. Naaman went to Elisha, was told to dip seven times in the Jordan, and he was healed of his disease.

In spite of the horror and tragedy this little girl had endured, she was not only able to move beyond her hurt, but also, incredibly, was willing to offer assistance to her enemy when he was in desperate need. It was an excellent reminder that I need to follow her example.

No matter how great the hurt caused to me, I need to not only forgive like she did, but be willing to help the person who harmed me. Because at the end of the day, I can never give more grace than Christ has given me.