As the man swung the axe, the axehead slipped off the handle and fell into the river. He was immediately distressed for he had borrowed it.

The prophet Elisha asked where it fell. Then he cut a stick and tossed it in the river in same spot and the axehead floated! (2 Kings 6)

Does that story make you wonder why he did that? Why didn’t he just command the axehead to float the way Elijah commanded fire to fall from heaven?

In the same chapter, Elisha instructed Naaman to dip seven times in the river to be cured of his leprosy. Why that particular method? Even Naaman was offended that the prophet did not behave as he imagined he would. But as he obeyed the simple instruction, his skin became new.

“…put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”
(2 Chr 20:20b)

A prophetic act is an inspired physical act as a demonstration or avenue of release for the power of God.

Consider other examples:

*Aaron struck the dusty ground with his staff and swarms of gnats rose over Egypt (Ex 8)
*As long as Moses arms were held up high, the Israelites were winning the battle over the Amalekites (Ex 17)
*The walls of Jericho fell after seven days of walking around the city in silence, then releasing the trumpet blasts and a great shout. (Josh 6)
*Jesus instructed the servers to fill the vessels with water which, when poured out, became wine. (John 2)

Such creativity in solving problems! Sometimes God will inspire or instruct us to perform an act, which when obeyed, releases His miracle-working power.

It may seem strange at the time, as it no doubt did to the people who observed these Biblical miracles.

But prophetic acts are occasions of partnering with the Lord in a creative way. It is not that we come up with a “magic spell” to make a thing happen; rather, it is a divinely inspired idea that invokes in us a sense of wonder at His ingenuity.

So when you are faced with a problem, look to Him for any instructions and inspiration on what your part is in seeing a change. It may seem foolish, but as you obey in faith, the proof of divine origin will be seen in wonderful results!

“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.”
(Luke 5:26 KJV)

“…Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!”
(Rev 15:3)