Theme: God's cleansing presence and power, with or without water. In the First Lesson Elisha cleansed Namaan, the Syrian, by telling him to wash in the Jordan River. In the Gospel Jesus cleansed a leper who requested healing by touching him.

COMMENTARY

Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-15
Namaan, a general from the army of the Syrians, was sent to the king of Israel by his own king, asking that he be healed of his leprosy. An Israeli girl, absconded in war, informed her master of a prophet in Samaria who could do miracles. The king of Israel thinks this is a pretense for a quarrel. Elisha, a ninth century prophet, hears of the situation and asks the king to send Namaan to him. When the general's chariot rolls up to Elisha's door, he is greeted by Elisha's servant, who relays the prophet's inst…