A Godly Slave Girl.

"Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:2,3

Raiders from Aram had gone into Israel. They had probably killed people and destroyed houses and buildings. It was common for raiders to also steal people for slaves in order to sell them and get money.

This slave girl was taken in such a raid. Were her parents still alive? We don't know. If they were they must have been devastated. If they were killed, the girl must have been horrified. All in all, it was a tragedy for that household and city.

But Paul said, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

It is evil to raid, destroy and make slaves of people. But God can bring good out of even that!

The slave girl's master became a leper. This was a terrible blow to that family. And what did the slave girl do? Did she think, "Good, I'm glad he is being punished. He deserves it." No, she wanted to help him and his wife. She didn't want revenge - she loved her enemies.

The wife of Naaman must have been a nice person since her slave felt she could talk with her. The girl herself believed in God, for she believed in his prophet. She must have heard of all the healing Elisha had done. In her simple, beautiful faith, she was sure Elisha could heal Naaman.

Eventually, this is what happened and Naaman learned to believe in the only true God. Probably his wife did too. We don't know what happened to the slave girl after this. Perhaps she was given her freedom and could go home. I hope so.

Her example of love, forgiveness and faith is written in the Bible for all eternity. I pray I can be like her if something like this ever happened to me.