Gehazi’s Exchange

I. Introduction

A. Many men and women in the bible that reflect our own lives

1. Even though we live in “modern” times

2. We can still see characteristics and attributes that are recorded in the bible that are similar to our own.

B. For our study today I want to consider an individual that we find in the OT that we can learn from their mistake

1. This example illustrates for us NT teachings

2. Instructions that we are to abide by as Christians

II. Recall Story of Naaman 2 Kings 5:1-14

A. Familiar story of King of Syria

1. Illustrates for us the necessity of obedience

2. Naaman obeyed the instructions and was cleansed

B. Pick up reading in 2 Kings 5:15-27

III. Gehazi’s Character

A. Who he was – v 21 – 24

1. Was covetous – shown by his reproaching His master for having spared Naaman by refusing his goods

a) Such generosity seemed absurd to him

b) Might “miss his chance”

c) He had no problem against “spoiling a foreigner”

2. Was a liar and “devious” – vivid imagination to make up story about the young men from Ephraim

a) Might be called resourceful today

b) Such skill does not come all at once, Possible that Elisha knew of this like Jesus knew of Judas as a thief, Jn 12:6

c) Seemingly too clever to be an amateur

3. Was prejudiced – “this Syrian

4. Was a swearing person – Took the Lord’s name in vain

5. Seems he had no sense of God’s watchful eye,

a) Nor respect or love for his master

b) No care as to what Naaman and the Syrians would think of him

c) Nor did he care if it ruined the works of Elisha

6. All these lay the ground work for his wretched exchange

B. Almost inevitably one sin will lead to another by sequence

1. Coveted wealth from Naaman (what harm? He has plenty)

2. Disdained masters honest service to God

3. Sets his wits to get his fair share

4. Builds tall tell about prophets sons and tells with slick tongue

5. Then comes into master’s presence as bold and confident

C. His Fate – v 25

1. All such cases have to “face the music” Gal 6:7,8

2. Asked where have you been? – Another lie “nowhere”

a) Like children when asked “what are you doing?”

b) Who answer “Nothing”

3. Elisha’s reply – verse 26 – Is it time for worldly goods?

D. His wretched exchange a reality – v 27

1. “Got what he wanted” – the things that belonged to Naaman

a) But not what he had bargained for

b) Became unclean – a leper

2. “Stolen fruit” often turns bitter on the lip

IV. Notice what Gehazi’s exchanged (sum up)

A. Fine physical health for life of ill health for himself and his family

B. Exchanged fine home for “valley of Lepers

C. Exchanged honorable position with man of God for life of beggar to live among others like him

D. Exchanged association from God’s people with all their faults for association with the outcasts of society who stood afar off crying unclean, unclean

E. Exchanged “security” of fine home and surrounding for “wandering and no certain future except as an outcast

F. Exchanged the rewards of a servant of God’s own spokesman for a “hopeless existence”

V. Sad to say that bad Exchanges take place even today

A. Easy to see Gehazi had a poor return on his investments

1. A banker who embezzles money exchanges

2. A Tellers window for a window of bars or even no window

B. Men exchange good wife and faithful families for sometimes short associations with “newer younger models”

C. Some preachers have exchanged good future for prominence among men with false teaching

D. Christians have exchanged hope of eternal life for

1. A few more minutes in bed on Sunday morning

2. Or a few more minutes of viewing TV on Wed night

3. Of a few hours of pleasure at some useless thing

E. Some have exchanged their faithfulness for riches or the pursuit of riches

1. Letting business prevent them from serving God

2. Taking Jobs which make it impossible to serve the Lord

3. Or moving to places where there is no faithful congregation of Christians end up quitting

F. Some exchange Christ for political power, seeking to please men rather than God

G. Some exchange honor of God for social honor

1. Young ladies compromise their modesty because they want to be in style and be accepted by others

2. Young men want to be part of the crowd and give in to peer pressure and begin to speak with offensive language and take up evil habits

H. Beware of these and other wretched exchanges

VI. Jesus asked in Mark 8:36-37 – what shall a man give in exchange for his soul

A. Danger of exchange is real

B. Consider

1. Too busy? Remember Martha Luke 10:41,42

2. Careless with your associations?

a) 1 Cor 15:33

b) 1 Cor 5:6

3. Careless of what you believe?

a) Matt 15:9 is it from God or man

b) Gal 1:8,9 even angels from heaven receive not

4. Careless of what we do

a) John 3:19 – deeds are evil

b) Remember it would be pleasurable Heb 11:25, but condemning

5. Want it easy?

a) It take effort to resist wretched exchanges

b) 1 Peter 5:8-10 resist the devil

VII. Conclusion

A. Gehazi made bad choices

1. He corruptly exchanged goods with Naaman

2. As a result received also the leprosy

B. Mark Twain once said

1. “We must learn from the mistakes of others because we don't have time to make all of them ourselves"

2. Let’s learn from Gehazi not to exchange Good for evil

C. But rather exchange evil for Good

1. Exchange your life of sin for a life with Christ

2. You can gain back a relationship with God if you will repent and confess you sins

3. Or become a Christian thro obedience to the Gospel