June 28, 2023 –
In Dr. Seuss’ book, “Horton Hears a Who,” Horton, an elephant, is the only one who hears an entire tiny city of people (Whoville) inside a speck of dust on a flower. Horton stands up for the speck, saying, “Everyone deserves respect.” Horton is a bridge between the Whos and the Jungle of Nool. By taking a positive stance, Horton promotes a lesson of speaking out and being involved—one we should learn.
The Old Testament has a story of a young Israelite enslaved girl serving in the house of a Syrian general named Naaman. The young girl was captured in a raid and taken back to Syria to help General Naaman’s wife. She liked Naaman and his wife. But Naaman was a leper.
The young servant girl, a “Horton” with no credentials, said to her mistress, “If only my master went to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.” So Naaman told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go, and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.” (2 Kings 5:4, 5, HCSB)
When Elisha heard Naaman’s appearance distressed the king before him, he sent the king a message, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me; he will know a prophet is in Israel.”
When Naaman came to Elisha, he instructed him to wash seven times in the Jordan River, and he did. He became clean. This story has many teaching points: miracles, disobedience/obedience, faith, and mercy. But there’s an essential point people often miss. There would be no story had the young, enslaved girl thought of herself as too small to help. (2 Kings 5)