2 Kings 5:21-22

So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'”

In the preceding chapter we have seen a similar inquiry made by Gehazi himself; and a similar reply from the Shunamite, who came in quest of Elisha, 2 Kings 4:26. The answer as made by her, under her most afflictive circumstances, justly fills us with admiration.

But the answer as here given by Gehazi, calls forth our severest indignation. Naaman, when he saw Elisha’s servant running after him, was afraid that something was amiss; and therefore asked with great anxiety, “Is everything all right?” Gehazi, the hardened villain, one might have hoped, should have relented at the sight of Naaman’s simplicity; but that same wicked spirit who put the evil into his heart, furnished him with a ready answer, “Everything is all right.”

Now this answer is of considerable importance:

I. As illustrating the character of Gehazi.

Previous to this we have nothing that gives us any particular insight into the character of Gehazi. He lived with a pious master, enjoyed the benefit of his instructions and example, and was an eye-witness of the miracles he wrought. One might have hoped therefore that he was impressed with a sense of true religion. But in this answer we see that he was a subtle, self-deluding hypocrite.

As far as related to the general scope of Naaman’s inquiry, the answer was true; but was it true, as conveying all that Gehazi intended to convey? Or would Naaman have thought it true, if he could have seen all that was in the heart of this vile impostor? Was all well, when you were coming on so base an errand? When you had fabricated such a falsehood and were making it an occasion of such dishonest gain? Was all well, when you were so belying your master, so dishonoring religion, casting such a stumbling-block before Naaman, and bringing such guilt upon your own soul? Did not your own conscience reprove you, when you thus confidently dared to assert, “Everything is all right.”

From your composure on the occasion it was evident that you expected to reap the fruit of your iniquity in peace; and that, when you replied, “Everything is all right” you apprehended no consequences.

But did you forget that God saw you? Did you forget that he notes down everything in the book of his remembrance, and will bring it forth at the last day in order to a final retribution? Did you forget that even now God could reveal your wickedness to his prophet, and punish it by some heavy judgment?

Had you known at that moment that your master’s eye was upon you, and that in less than an hour afterwards the leprosy of Naaman would cleave to you, and that it would be the wretched inheritance of your children to their last posterity, would you then have said, that Everything is all right?

Above all, if you could have realized your appearance at God’s bar of judgment, and the sentence that there awaited you, would you then have said, Everything is all right?

So it is that sin blinds the eyes of men, and hardens their hearts. Nor is there any sinful passion in the human mind, which, if allowed to gain an ascendant over us, may not produce in us the very same effect.

The selfish ambition of Absalom,

the envy of Cain,

the revenge of Jacob’s sons,

the covetousness of Judas,

the lewdness of Herod

—sufficiently show that where there is a mere professed regard for religion, a predominant lust will soon break down the barriers of conscience, and issue in many evil principles!

Let us now contemplate the answer,

II. As affording some valuable lessons to the world at large.

The great improvement which we are to make of Scripture history, is to deduce from every part of it lessons for our own instruction. Now from the conduct of Gehazi we learn:

1. That such hypocritical professors must be expected to exist, even among the godly.

If in the house of Elisha, his only servant was such an impostor; if even among the Apostles of our Lord there was a Judas. yes, and if among the very first Christians immediately after the day of Pentecost such a deceiver as Ananias was found—then what reason have we to be surprised, if such professors exist in our day? Is not human nature now the same as ever it was? Has not our Lord taught us to expect, that, wherever the seed of his Word is sown, the enemy will sow tares; and that no effectual separation of the tares can be made until the last day?

Doubtless it is most distressing when any are found to act unworthy of their Christian profession; but the wonder is rather that so few hypocrites are found, than that some occasionally are detected in the Church of Christ!

2. That the existence of such hypocritical professors is no argument against true religion.

People are apt to impute the misconduct of hypocrites to the doctrines that they profess. But is there anything in the Gospel that tends to encourage hypocrisy? No! Is not every branch of morality carried to its utmost height in the Gospel, and required as an evidence of our faith in Christ? Are all who embrace the Gospel hypocrites? Was Elisha a hypocrite because his servant was so? What would Naaman have said, if he had been dissuaded from embracing Judaism because he had been deceived by a Jew? Would he not have said, ‘Naaman’s wickedness must rest on his own head. I myself am a monument of Jehovah’s power and grace, and am under the most unspeakable obligations to him; and, if all who profess his religion were hypocrites, it would be no reason why I should not worship him in spirit and in truth!’

Thus then must we say, “Offences will come, but woe be to those by whom they come!” But while I know myself to have been a leper, and feel that the Lord Jesus Christ has healed me of my leprosy, I must love him as my Benefactor, and serve him in the presence of the whole world.

3. That in whatever light men now appear, they will before long be seen in their true colors!

Gehazi little thought that his master’s eye was upon him during the whole transaction; but his iniquity was soon exposed, and fearfully punished.

Just so, in whatever place we are, God’s eye is upon us! In vain do we say, “Tush, God shall not see;” for he sees even the most secret recesses of our hearts! The time is quickly coming, when, he “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the hidden motives of the heart.”

Do not let any of us then deceive our own souls. Let those who declaim against hypocrites remember, that, if they seek not after God, the hypocrisy of others will be no justification of their neglect. There is but one rule of judgment for all, and by that shall every man be justified or condemned, Isaiah 3:10-11.

But let those in whom hypocrisy of any kind is found, tremble for themselves; for their guilt is heinous, and their condemnation will be proportionably severe! “If there be woe to the world because of offences, much more will there be to him by whom the offence comes.”

Against every sin therefore I would most earnestly caution you, but more especially against that sin which ensnared Gehazi. “The love of money is the root of all evil, and drowns many in destruction and perdition! 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:14-15.” Covetousness is most particularly the sin to which people professing godliness are apt to be addicted, and under which they are most satisfied with their own state, Ezekiel 33:31; but, whatever profession they may make, they deceive themselves to their eternal ruin!

Charles Simeon