More Than Skin Deep
Drama
Women In The Wings
20 Biblical Monologues
Making It Preach
Our narrator shares her admiration for those who have allowed themselves to be transformed by the one true God, while remaining unsure about making that commitment herself. This telling of Naaman's holistic healing and Michal's compassionate courage and faith point to the power of God to enter the human drama and set things right. Yet, it is not because of what Michal and Naaman do that God acts. Rather, God's glory is made known in Israel so that the people of the land of Aram (Syria) will fear the Lord. But, no matter how far it reaches, how many wonders the Lord displays, humans hearts like that of this woman must accept God's sovereignty for themselves in order to be filled with the transforming joy that brings eternal healing.
Making It Play
This woman is an ancient version of what we now term a seeker. Tough and in control on the surface, she recognizes a spiritual yearning inside of her that she cannot satisfy. She is one of those who "tells it like it is," but unconsciously shares more than she intends about herself through relating her perspective on what has happened to those around her. Being the cook, she would certainly wear an apron over her tunic and likely have her hair hastily drawn back or covered (for convenience more than convention). She is taking a break from her duties and invites the congregation into the thoughts that preoccupy her mind and heart.
The Healing Of Naaman Penetrates Deeper Than The Skin, And Not Only For Him
(walks in, wiping her hands on her apron, taking in the fresh air)
Some people just have it -- you know, that innocence. It's like they don't quite belong to this world, and nothing in this life can snuff out the glow. That what she's like -- Michal. She's scrawny as they come and must have gone through horrors when she was taken from her homeland. She was lucky to end up in my master's household, at least my master and mistress are kind. But, I've heard what happens to young girls in the hands of raiders -- scum of the earth! It's no wonder she still cries out in her sleep. But, like I was saying before, in spite of all that misery, Michal has a sweetness of nature, something untouchable, but touching, at the same time. Does that make sense? What I mean is that you can't help but feel, I don't know, cared about when she looks at you. It's like she can see right through all my bluster and thick skin and knows I'm a fraud ... but likes me anyway. I wasn't too fond of that at first, but she tends to grow on you. Yeah, I'm gonna miss that girl.
Not that I don't want her to go home -- I'm glad it turned out this way! It couldn't have happened to a nicer kid! The whole thing was set up by her God, I know that now, the God of Israel. All it took was for her to want to help her master, though that wasn't such a small thing. After all, she was just a puny kid that the mistress allowed to do her fetching. You barely knew she was there! And, after having been forced from her home and made to work for strangers, why should she risk getting whipped for speaking when she wasn't spoken to? Yet, I suppose the fact that she was so meek made my mistress less likely to take offense.
At that point, my master was desperate for some solution to the leprosy, those horrible sores on his skin that made his life miserable. And, what was worse than the pain was that the king had just released him from accompanying him on stately functions so he could seek a cure. Truth was, the king didn't want to touch him! And, who could blame him? War hero or not, Naaman's skin was disgusting. How would it look for the king of Aram to get it? Doesn't take a genius to know what the gossip-mongers would do with that information -- there would be a conspiracy to knock him off the throne in no time flat, claiming the gods had blighted him or some such nonsense!
So, when Michal got up the courage to tell Naaman's wife that she knew of a prophet back in Samaria, the part of Israel that she came from, who could heal her master, she brought some hope into a despairing household. Now that, in and of itself, can be a dangerous thing, if you can't deliver. But, apparently, Michal was too naive, or too incredibly confident in her God and this prophet named Elisha, for the risk to stop her. And, when Naaman heard about it, he wasted no time in asking the king for permission to go to Israel and seek this prophet's healing. The king was just as eager to have the commander of his armies healed before word got out about his weakness, so he wrote the king of Israel, introduced Naaman, and basically told him to heal his general.
Well ... I guess that letter didn't go over so well. Since the king of Israel wasn't the one who could do the healing, he was a bit put out when Naaman showed up at his palace with our king's request. How do I know this? My brother, Hezion, serves Naaman and accompanied him to Israel. Anyway, the king of Israel was not in any position to heal Naaman himself, and he was not fool enough to think that if he refused, there wouldn't be war. Our king does not like to be told, "No," by anyone, and he is not known for listening to excuses. So, the king in Israel publicly tore his robes; Israelites are always so dramatic! He claimed that our king was trying to pick a quarrel with him, and the tearing-the-robes thing was his way of showing his distress and calling on his god to work out the mess before it became a full-fledged war.
And, what do you know? The God of Israel did just that, through this famous Prophet Elisha. Elisha heard about the tearing of the robes bit and sent a message to have the king direct Naaman to him so that he could heal him and prove he was truly a prophet of the one true God. Israelites always like to claim that their God is superior to others, sometimes even saying the other gods don't exist. Everybody else thinks they're a little odd that way. But, you didn't mess with that Elisha guy, either. No, sir! Naaman didn't know it, but that prophet did not like to be questioned. Hezion heard that one day, a bunch of young people came out and started laughing at Elisha and calling him "baldhead," so he called a curse down on them in the name of his God and wham! Two bears came out of nowhere and mauled something like forty of them! Men can be pretty sensitive about that "b" word!
But, anyway, if Naaman had known about that little incident, he might not have complained so loudly when, instead of Elisha himself coming out to meet him, he was greeted by Elisha's servant. I think Naaman was hoping to see some impressive magical spell cast that would not only heal him, but honor him as a great general deemed worthy to be healed. Instead, he got simple instructions conveyed to him by Elisha's servant. He was to go to the river -- the Bordan or Jordan, I've never heard of it -- and wash himself seven times, and he would be healed. Well, Naaman got indignant. Did this prophet not know the great battles Naaman had fought and won? Did he not know how much the king of Aram depended upon Naaman? Surely, he was worth more than some instructions that told him to go wash in a river, which he could have done more easily at home!
Naaman stomped away and almost threw away the only opportunity he would get to be healed. That's when my brother stepped in. Hezion may never have been strong in stature nor especially skilled with his hands, but Naaman has always valued him for his wit and understanding of human nature. So, when Hezion recognized this could be his master's only chance for recovery, he convinced the others in Naaman's service to join him in going after their master. Since it was not only in Naaman's best interest, but in their own, they agreed, though they left it up to Hezion to do the talking. And, I can tell you, words have never failed my brother! Now, I can create a favorable impression with some masterpiece I've spent at least half a day cooking, but he can do it with a simple phrase or two. When we were children, he could spin words faster than Mother could spin her wheel, and he had her wrapped around his finger tighter than any of her fine weavings!
So, it is not surprising that Hezion was able to find a way to convince Naaman to give the washings a try. He pointed out Naaman's courage and abilities by reminding him that if the prophet had asked him to do some great feat, he would have done it. So, why not do something simple like washing in the river seven times? What could it hurt? And, yes, my brother's golden tongue once again drew the desired response. But, Hezion's abilities are clearly human skills he's cultivated -- I know that as well as anyone. What happened in the river that day was nothing short of divine. Even as my master rolled his eyes each successive time he went into the water and out again, his skin was clearing up, until he had no choice but to take notice. And, one thing I admire about Naaman is that he is not afraid to admit when he is wrong or has misjudged someone.
He rushed back to the prophet, whom he now believed to be a man of God, and offered him a gift in humility and thankfulness. He was determined to see Elisha face-to-face, and sufficiently scared his servant into going and getting his master, but when Naaman saw the man of God, he dropped to one knee in respect. Hezion told me it would have actually been quite comical to see such a big and powerful man as Naaman kneeling before the smallish, scraggly prophet, if he wasn't filled with such reverence. With the look of wonder in his eyes that young boys often have when they meet Naaman, my master offered the man of God all kinds of riches in return for healing him. But, Elisha refused, just increasing Naaman's respect for him and his God.
Needless to say, I suppose, Elisha's God, the God of Israel, is now our God. With the prophet's permission, Naaman brought earth, actual dirt from Israel, home with him, believing as most folks do that you can only worship a god on his own turf. Naaman has set up a small altar, and insists we all abandon the gods of our people to worship Naaman's God, unless we want to find another master to serve. At first, I didn't notice much of a difference; to me, one god was like the next. And, it was a relief not to have my kitchen help spending half their time preparing sacrifices, when they are supposed to be fetching things for me. Yes, I have a position of some importance. Just as Hezion is valued by our master, I am equally important to our mistress, who often has to feed commanders, while they plan strategies for upcoming battles.
Well ... even though I didn't notice a difference worshiping another god, I have noticed a difference in my master. His skin is not only restored, he has been filled with religious fervor like I've never seen before, and he seems genuinely happy. And, when the master of the household is happy, it makes life a whole lot easier for the rest of us. It has spread to my mistress, too, who often wanders into the cooking tent humming, like a young girl who imagines herself in love. But, it is not just giddy, temporary happiness in my master. It's a healing that has gone much deeper than his skin. He's even decided to send his servants to take Michal back home to Israel, not only giving up the rights of ownership, but charging them to search until they can find her family or a suitable position for her. Isn't that something? A few months ago, he almost stepped on her one day because he didn't even notice her, and now he's giving her fine garments, freedom, and a military escort! Good for her....
I just wish ... Oh, it doesn't matter. The sooner she goes home, the better chance she has of finding her family, if any of them are left. She might not like what she finds, I'm afraid -- but, at least she'll be home where she belongs. There is just a part of me that wonders if, maybe ... if I would feel my master's joy if I just had a chance to talk with her before she left. I know she's busy packing, but I feel my heart yearning for something. Listen to me -- I sound like a poet, or even worse -- like Hezion! Still, yearning is the word. I'm yearning for something that would give me the glow I see in Michal and Naaman. It's like they know who they are, and where they are going. It's like they have seen this God and nothing in the world compares. Do you know what I mean? Ah! Maybe too many aromas in this tent have addled my brains! I am not impressed by much of anything, anymore.
I'd better get back in there and make sure those nincompoops don't burn everything I worked so hard to create! Yes, sir. The God of Israel will have to do more than heal somebody's sores to move the hearts of folks like me. (walks away, then pauses) But, I sort of hope it happens.
Our narrator shares her admiration for those who have allowed themselves to be transformed by the one true God, while remaining unsure about making that commitment herself. This telling of Naaman's holistic healing and Michal's compassionate courage and faith point to the power of God to enter the human drama and set things right. Yet, it is not because of what Michal and Naaman do that God acts. Rather, God's glory is made known in Israel so that the people of the land of Aram (Syria) will fear the Lord. But, no matter how far it reaches, how many wonders the Lord displays, humans hearts like that of this woman must accept God's sovereignty for themselves in order to be filled with the transforming joy that brings eternal healing.
Making It Play
This woman is an ancient version of what we now term a seeker. Tough and in control on the surface, she recognizes a spiritual yearning inside of her that she cannot satisfy. She is one of those who "tells it like it is," but unconsciously shares more than she intends about herself through relating her perspective on what has happened to those around her. Being the cook, she would certainly wear an apron over her tunic and likely have her hair hastily drawn back or covered (for convenience more than convention). She is taking a break from her duties and invites the congregation into the thoughts that preoccupy her mind and heart.
The Healing Of Naaman Penetrates Deeper Than The Skin, And Not Only For Him
(walks in, wiping her hands on her apron, taking in the fresh air)
Some people just have it -- you know, that innocence. It's like they don't quite belong to this world, and nothing in this life can snuff out the glow. That what she's like -- Michal. She's scrawny as they come and must have gone through horrors when she was taken from her homeland. She was lucky to end up in my master's household, at least my master and mistress are kind. But, I've heard what happens to young girls in the hands of raiders -- scum of the earth! It's no wonder she still cries out in her sleep. But, like I was saying before, in spite of all that misery, Michal has a sweetness of nature, something untouchable, but touching, at the same time. Does that make sense? What I mean is that you can't help but feel, I don't know, cared about when she looks at you. It's like she can see right through all my bluster and thick skin and knows I'm a fraud ... but likes me anyway. I wasn't too fond of that at first, but she tends to grow on you. Yeah, I'm gonna miss that girl.
Not that I don't want her to go home -- I'm glad it turned out this way! It couldn't have happened to a nicer kid! The whole thing was set up by her God, I know that now, the God of Israel. All it took was for her to want to help her master, though that wasn't such a small thing. After all, she was just a puny kid that the mistress allowed to do her fetching. You barely knew she was there! And, after having been forced from her home and made to work for strangers, why should she risk getting whipped for speaking when she wasn't spoken to? Yet, I suppose the fact that she was so meek made my mistress less likely to take offense.
At that point, my master was desperate for some solution to the leprosy, those horrible sores on his skin that made his life miserable. And, what was worse than the pain was that the king had just released him from accompanying him on stately functions so he could seek a cure. Truth was, the king didn't want to touch him! And, who could blame him? War hero or not, Naaman's skin was disgusting. How would it look for the king of Aram to get it? Doesn't take a genius to know what the gossip-mongers would do with that information -- there would be a conspiracy to knock him off the throne in no time flat, claiming the gods had blighted him or some such nonsense!
So, when Michal got up the courage to tell Naaman's wife that she knew of a prophet back in Samaria, the part of Israel that she came from, who could heal her master, she brought some hope into a despairing household. Now that, in and of itself, can be a dangerous thing, if you can't deliver. But, apparently, Michal was too naive, or too incredibly confident in her God and this prophet named Elisha, for the risk to stop her. And, when Naaman heard about it, he wasted no time in asking the king for permission to go to Israel and seek this prophet's healing. The king was just as eager to have the commander of his armies healed before word got out about his weakness, so he wrote the king of Israel, introduced Naaman, and basically told him to heal his general.
Well ... I guess that letter didn't go over so well. Since the king of Israel wasn't the one who could do the healing, he was a bit put out when Naaman showed up at his palace with our king's request. How do I know this? My brother, Hezion, serves Naaman and accompanied him to Israel. Anyway, the king of Israel was not in any position to heal Naaman himself, and he was not fool enough to think that if he refused, there wouldn't be war. Our king does not like to be told, "No," by anyone, and he is not known for listening to excuses. So, the king in Israel publicly tore his robes; Israelites are always so dramatic! He claimed that our king was trying to pick a quarrel with him, and the tearing-the-robes thing was his way of showing his distress and calling on his god to work out the mess before it became a full-fledged war.
And, what do you know? The God of Israel did just that, through this famous Prophet Elisha. Elisha heard about the tearing of the robes bit and sent a message to have the king direct Naaman to him so that he could heal him and prove he was truly a prophet of the one true God. Israelites always like to claim that their God is superior to others, sometimes even saying the other gods don't exist. Everybody else thinks they're a little odd that way. But, you didn't mess with that Elisha guy, either. No, sir! Naaman didn't know it, but that prophet did not like to be questioned. Hezion heard that one day, a bunch of young people came out and started laughing at Elisha and calling him "baldhead," so he called a curse down on them in the name of his God and wham! Two bears came out of nowhere and mauled something like forty of them! Men can be pretty sensitive about that "b" word!
But, anyway, if Naaman had known about that little incident, he might not have complained so loudly when, instead of Elisha himself coming out to meet him, he was greeted by Elisha's servant. I think Naaman was hoping to see some impressive magical spell cast that would not only heal him, but honor him as a great general deemed worthy to be healed. Instead, he got simple instructions conveyed to him by Elisha's servant. He was to go to the river -- the Bordan or Jordan, I've never heard of it -- and wash himself seven times, and he would be healed. Well, Naaman got indignant. Did this prophet not know the great battles Naaman had fought and won? Did he not know how much the king of Aram depended upon Naaman? Surely, he was worth more than some instructions that told him to go wash in a river, which he could have done more easily at home!
Naaman stomped away and almost threw away the only opportunity he would get to be healed. That's when my brother stepped in. Hezion may never have been strong in stature nor especially skilled with his hands, but Naaman has always valued him for his wit and understanding of human nature. So, when Hezion recognized this could be his master's only chance for recovery, he convinced the others in Naaman's service to join him in going after their master. Since it was not only in Naaman's best interest, but in their own, they agreed, though they left it up to Hezion to do the talking. And, I can tell you, words have never failed my brother! Now, I can create a favorable impression with some masterpiece I've spent at least half a day cooking, but he can do it with a simple phrase or two. When we were children, he could spin words faster than Mother could spin her wheel, and he had her wrapped around his finger tighter than any of her fine weavings!
So, it is not surprising that Hezion was able to find a way to convince Naaman to give the washings a try. He pointed out Naaman's courage and abilities by reminding him that if the prophet had asked him to do some great feat, he would have done it. So, why not do something simple like washing in the river seven times? What could it hurt? And, yes, my brother's golden tongue once again drew the desired response. But, Hezion's abilities are clearly human skills he's cultivated -- I know that as well as anyone. What happened in the river that day was nothing short of divine. Even as my master rolled his eyes each successive time he went into the water and out again, his skin was clearing up, until he had no choice but to take notice. And, one thing I admire about Naaman is that he is not afraid to admit when he is wrong or has misjudged someone.
He rushed back to the prophet, whom he now believed to be a man of God, and offered him a gift in humility and thankfulness. He was determined to see Elisha face-to-face, and sufficiently scared his servant into going and getting his master, but when Naaman saw the man of God, he dropped to one knee in respect. Hezion told me it would have actually been quite comical to see such a big and powerful man as Naaman kneeling before the smallish, scraggly prophet, if he wasn't filled with such reverence. With the look of wonder in his eyes that young boys often have when they meet Naaman, my master offered the man of God all kinds of riches in return for healing him. But, Elisha refused, just increasing Naaman's respect for him and his God.
Needless to say, I suppose, Elisha's God, the God of Israel, is now our God. With the prophet's permission, Naaman brought earth, actual dirt from Israel, home with him, believing as most folks do that you can only worship a god on his own turf. Naaman has set up a small altar, and insists we all abandon the gods of our people to worship Naaman's God, unless we want to find another master to serve. At first, I didn't notice much of a difference; to me, one god was like the next. And, it was a relief not to have my kitchen help spending half their time preparing sacrifices, when they are supposed to be fetching things for me. Yes, I have a position of some importance. Just as Hezion is valued by our master, I am equally important to our mistress, who often has to feed commanders, while they plan strategies for upcoming battles.
Well ... even though I didn't notice a difference worshiping another god, I have noticed a difference in my master. His skin is not only restored, he has been filled with religious fervor like I've never seen before, and he seems genuinely happy. And, when the master of the household is happy, it makes life a whole lot easier for the rest of us. It has spread to my mistress, too, who often wanders into the cooking tent humming, like a young girl who imagines herself in love. But, it is not just giddy, temporary happiness in my master. It's a healing that has gone much deeper than his skin. He's even decided to send his servants to take Michal back home to Israel, not only giving up the rights of ownership, but charging them to search until they can find her family or a suitable position for her. Isn't that something? A few months ago, he almost stepped on her one day because he didn't even notice her, and now he's giving her fine garments, freedom, and a military escort! Good for her....
I just wish ... Oh, it doesn't matter. The sooner she goes home, the better chance she has of finding her family, if any of them are left. She might not like what she finds, I'm afraid -- but, at least she'll be home where she belongs. There is just a part of me that wonders if, maybe ... if I would feel my master's joy if I just had a chance to talk with her before she left. I know she's busy packing, but I feel my heart yearning for something. Listen to me -- I sound like a poet, or even worse -- like Hezion! Still, yearning is the word. I'm yearning for something that would give me the glow I see in Michal and Naaman. It's like they know who they are, and where they are going. It's like they have seen this God and nothing in the world compares. Do you know what I mean? Ah! Maybe too many aromas in this tent have addled my brains! I am not impressed by much of anything, anymore.
I'd better get back in there and make sure those nincompoops don't burn everything I worked so hard to create! Yes, sir. The God of Israel will have to do more than heal somebody's sores to move the hearts of folks like me. (walks away, then pauses) But, I sort of hope it happens.
