2 Kings 1-5 CSB
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your mantle under your belt, take my staff with you, and go. If you meet anyone, don’t stop to greet him, and if a man greets you, don’t answer him. Then place my staff on the boy’s face.” (4:29)
Culture is a powerful thing. I have seen well-meaning people do inexplicable things because of culture, and we must realize that all of us are susceptible to the control that our own culture has on us. Yet, it is fascinating to observe that some things are more powerful than culture. Even though culture is important, and following the culture (where it is not immoral) can unlock opportunities for connecting with others on a deeper level, there are times when life and death issues supersede any cultural norms. In this case, for instance, Elisha told his servant to run quickly to the aid of the boy who had died and to not waste any time. He was even told to not greet anyone on the way.
In Elisha’s culture, (like Africa) greeting was expected by everyone, and to refuse to greet someone or acknowledge them was a great insult. Also, older men did not run and while we have no idea of how old Gehazi was, his rushing and failing to greet anyone was certainly embarrassing. But, this was life and death… this was an issue that was so important that it even meant putting the cultural rules aside for a time was okay. I am reminded of a similar story in the New Testament where Jesus sent out the 72. “He told them, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. Don’t carry a money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals; don’t greet anyone along the road.” (Luke 10:1-4) Like with Gehazi, there was an urgency to their mission that demonstrated some things are greater than culture.
As a missionary in Africa, I have learned the importance of knowing the language and the culture in order to communicate the gospel effectively. You behave correctly, according to the culture, so you don’t offend others and unwittingly create a barrier to them hearing your gospel message. Yet, there is an “offense” to the gospel, and to some degree, it will always cut across the grain of every culture on earth because it is born from the heavenly culture. Some things are so important that they are “life and death” and they must come first. Do you have an urgency to your message and are you willing to take a risk for the gospel’s sake? While you shouldn’t set out to intentionally offend your neighbor, this is a “life and death” mission and this mission must come first.
