Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 4:27

"And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." — Luke 4:27 (ASV)

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

He, too, was a heathen from a distant country. Healing came to him, but to none of the lepers of Israel. God will do as he pleases with his own mercy and grace. The question that he asks is, Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? This doctrine of divine sovereignty was not according to the taste of these people; they did not like it, and some of you, I fear, do not like it.

They grew very angry; they began to gnash their teeth and to say, "This young man must be silenced; we will not listen to such doctrine as this from him."

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Only the stranger and foreigner was cured of the disease of leprosy; another instance of divine sovereignty. Men do not like this doctrine of sovereignty; they are willing to have a god if he is not God; they do not mind believing in a god who is not King, and who does not do as he wills with his own.

They believe in free will, they say. Yes, yes, free will for everybody but God! Man is to be the god of man and of God, too, according to the talk of some.

But this is the thunder from the divine throne: I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Blessed is he who humbly bows his head and says, "Be it so, my Lord!" Absolute power cannot be in better hands than in those of the God of love.