Baara's Dreams

Chapter 18

The next morning Naaman and Maacah enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in their room. Shortly after they emerged from their private repast, a knock was heard at the gate. Hegai entered the front courtyard leading a pair of mules with bulging bags strapped to their backs.

At Maacah's involuntary cry of, "What in the world?" Naaman soothed, "It's okay, Maacah. Hegai hasn't lost his senses and entered the wrong gate. I instructed him to bring this particular cargo here this morning."

"Tie the mules there by the gate," Naaman instructed Hegai, "and come help me to clear the alcove so we can set up an altar to Yahweh."

Leading the way into the alcove where the family teraphim was housed, Naaman began to take the family gods one by one and throw them into a trash receptacle. As an amazed Maacah watched with her hand over her mouth, Naaman held each reverently for a moment as though saying goodbye and then threw them unceremoniously into the trash with enough force to shatter them into small pieces. Naaman also disposed of the incense that was kept near the shelf of gods and the altar that sat on the floor. When the alcove was completely bare, Naaman bade Hegai bring the mules. Together they unloaded three of the heavy bags, emptying them into the denuded space. Taking a rake, Naaman spread the Israelite soil over the back of the alcove, and then, taking the roof roller, he packed the dirt down firmly. He then removed rocks from the fourth sack and built a small altar by the back wall of the alcove.

After standing back and viewing the handiwork, Naaman told Hegai to take the mules around to the back stable. When Hegai had exited, Naaman turned to Maacah and said, "Tonight, I will induct our household into the worship of Yahweh. A spotless lamb is to be brought from our herds for sacrifice. A special meal to celebrate my cleansing will follow. I want you to instruct the women to prepare a feast fit for a king. Send a message to the herders to select the best lamb for slaughter. I will inform our sons and have them prepare their wives and children for this ceremony. I want all of our slaves present for the ceremony as well."

Staring at Naaman with huge eyes, Maacah whispered, "Are you certain this is advisable?"

Taking her hands and leading Maacah into the alcove, Naaman knelt and picked up a little of the newly laid dirt. Turning Maacah's hand, palm upward, Naaman rubbed the soil in a circular motion between his fingers, allowing the dirt to drift slowly into her hand.

"This is soil from the land of the Prophet Elisha," Naaman told her. "I brought it back because of our superstitious belief that a god's power is linked to geography. The prophet told me that I needed neither soil nor idols to worship Yahweh. He told me Yahweh's power is unlimited. Even though I had experienced that power first hand, I couldn't completely overcome my pagan upbringing, and so I brought this soil here. But I won't allow superstition to chain me to powerless, unworthy gods made of stone. This Yahweh is spirit, and the prophet said we are to worship him in spirit and in truth. You gave up your Amorite deities for my Armenian ones after you married me. That was a voluntary action on your part because you loved me. This time, I'm telling you to forsake those Armenian gods and worship the one true God, Yahweh. No worship of any other deity will be allowed in this house as long as I live. I promised Elisha and Yahweh that I would worship no other god but the God of Israel. I pledged my allegiance and that of my household to the God who chose, in his graciousness, to heal a contrary and prideful man. I know that what I've done here is not only advisable, but also necessary. My allegiance now belongs to Yahweh. Your gratitude for my healing should command you to worship Him as well. You needn't fear retribution from those shards in the trash," Naaman concluded, waving his hand in the direction of the smashed idols. "They have no power, Maacah, none. Their power is the wishful thinking of ignorant men. The power of Yahweh is a proven fact. Now that I've experienced the loving-kindness and grace of Yahweh in my life, I have no choice but to worship Him and lead my family to do the same."