This week's Old Testament text tells the powerful yet little celebrated story of Naaman and Elisha. Elisha we already know as Elijah's divinely appointed successor, a performer of astounding miracles and a prophet of great power. Naaman is only introduced to us here in chapter 5. But in just one verse we know both the height and the depth, the length and breadth of Naaman's being.

Naaman is a warrior, a commander, even the Lord's chosen victor. But the facet of Naaman's character that most defines him is straightforward and totally devastating. Naaman is a leper. In the light of that one fact, it seems not to matter that Naaman, whose very name means charm or pleasantness, is triumphing over Israel with the Lord's support.

As the story unfolds, the first of a remarkable set of juxtaposit…