The Old Testament gives us many illustrations for evangelistic purposes. The story of Naaman is an excellent analogy for us. Leprosy in his day was considered incurable and we can compare it to sin. Leprosy was not confined just to the poorer class of people either. Both Naaman of the Old Testament and a man known as Simon the Leper in the New Testament had the dread disease; and neither of them was from the poorer or lower classes of society. It was so much like sin. St. Paul said we are all in need of God’s redeeming power, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Naaman was a great man, a captain of the army. We would call him Commander of the Syrian forces. It takes a great man to fill such a position.

And Naaman was a man of honor, mighty in valor. As …