This verse shows that God’s gifts are not for sale or profit and that He sees every hidden transgression.
Elisha addresses his servant Gehazi, saying, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?” (v.26). The prophet’s rhetorical question highlights a divine insight into Gehazi’s actions. Though Elisha stayed behind, he declares that his spirit was aware of Gehazi seeking personal gain from Naaman, the Aramean military commander who had been healed of leprosy earlier in this chapter. The phrase “Did not my heart go with you” indicates that Gehazi’s deception is laid bare before God, who sees all events Luke 12:2).
By asking, “Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?” (v.26), Elisha emphasizes that the victory over leprosy was a gift of God’s power, not to be exploited for personal gain. Elisha, who ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel around 852-796 BC, served as a successor to the prophet Elijah. In this era, dealing with foreign dignitaries like Naaman from Aram (an area northeast of Israel, often associated with Damascus), would showcase the Lord’s sovereignty over all nations. However, Gehazi’s greed stands in stark contrast to Elisha’s commitment to freely demonstrate God’s miraculous power Matthew 10:8), warning us against corrupting divine gifts for self-serving purposes.
Gehazi’s hasty pursuit of material wealth also foreshadows the spiritual lesson that nothing done in secrecy escapes God’s notice. The mention of receiving “money” and “clothes” was a direct reference to Gehazi’s scheme, but Elisha broadens the list to “olive groves,”“vineyards,”“sheep and oxen,” and even “male and female servants” (v.26). By naming these additional possessions, Elisha underscores the pitfalls of allowing greed to dictate one’s actions. Gehazi finds out that such duplicity always leads to consequences and reveals a heart that is not aligned with the master’s selfless mission.
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2 Kings 5:26 meaning
Elisha addresses his servant Gehazi, saying, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?” (v.26). The prophet’s rhetorical question highlights a divine insight into Gehazi’s actions. Though Elisha stayed behind, he declares that his spirit was aware of Gehazi seeking personal gain from Naaman, the Aramean military commander who had been healed of leprosy earlier in this chapter. The phrase “Did not my heart go with you” indicates that Gehazi’s deception is laid bare before God, who sees all events Luke 12:2).
By asking, “Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?” (v.26), Elisha emphasizes that the victory over leprosy was a gift of God’s power, not to be exploited for personal gain. Elisha, who ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel around 852-796 BC, served as a successor to the prophet Elijah. In this era, dealing with foreign dignitaries like Naaman from Aram (an area northeast of Israel, often associated with Damascus), would showcase the Lord’s sovereignty over all nations. However, Gehazi’s greed stands in stark contrast to Elisha’s commitment to freely demonstrate God’s miraculous power Matthew 10:8), warning us against corrupting divine gifts for self-serving purposes.
Gehazi’s hasty pursuit of material wealth also foreshadows the spiritual lesson that nothing done in secrecy escapes God’s notice. The mention of receiving “money” and “clothes” was a direct reference to Gehazi’s scheme, but Elisha broadens the list to “olive groves,” “vineyards,” “sheep and oxen,” and even “male and female servants” (v.26). By naming these additional possessions, Elisha underscores the pitfalls of allowing greed to dictate one’s actions. Gehazi finds out that such duplicity always leads to consequences and reveals a heart that is not aligned with the master’s selfless mission.