The encounter between Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria and a leper, and the prophet Elisha is quite a treat. The story opens with Naaman bringing a fortune in gifts which the king had provided him to buy the healing powers of Elisha. It concludes with Naaman asking for "two mules’ burdens of earth" so that he may sacrifice to the true God when he returns home. Two stories from my own life came to me when I began to unpack this text. When I was in seminary there was a young professor whom I admired greatly and coveted his company and his friendship. One day he asked if I would go with him to pick up a refrigerator. I was delighted; here was an opportunity to do something for him and gain a foothold in a friendship. When he returned me to the dormitory he offered me several…