More Than You Bargained For…

The irony in the Bible is consistent. When someone wants something not meant for them to have, God has a way of granting that wish but not in the manner they ever thought of. Here’s the perfect example of this. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was perturbed that Elisha didn’t take any of Naaman’s gifts for healing him of leprosy. So Gehazi schemed to go get some of the treasures himself, by lying to Naaman. Gehazi’s very words came true, but not in the way he wanted. Gehazi said, “... I will chase after him and get something from him”. Gehazi did get something from Naaman, but it wasn’t what he desired. His greed caused him to desire riches from the wrong motives. Thus what he got from Naaman was his disease, leprosy, not his silver and gold. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get more than you bargained for.

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi set off after Naaman.When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.22 “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75  pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”23 “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. 24 But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”“I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.26 But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? 27 Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow. 2 Kings 5:20-27