Cast Your Bread
In the Old Testament, prophets of God did some things that looked a little strange to other people.
Different prophets were called to raise their arms during entire battles, bury a girdle, marry a prostitute. They were following the prompting of God, doing what we call “prophetic acts.” These aren’t magic spells or incantations. They are actions people do when they feel prompted by the Spirit. What makes them prophetic is that they are done in faith that God will move on their behalf after the act is completed.
The book of 2 Kings, Chapter 13, details what is often called Elisha’s Final Prophecy.
Elisha was at home on his deathbed when King Jehoash of Israel visited him. The scriptures say that the King “wept over him,” probably knowing that he was losing a source of godly advice and power, and perhaps even losing a friend.
15 Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. 16 Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands.
17 Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the LORD’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.” (NLT)
King Jehoash performed a prophetic act at the prompting of Elisha, who afterward gave him the explanation of the action. King Jehoash followed through this time, but the next time, Elisha expected more from him.
18 Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. 19 But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.” (NLT)
Why did Elisha get so angry with the King? He had not told him how many times to strike the ground. Was it really Jehoash’s fault? Should Elisha have told him a specific number of times? Perhaps. But I see in this that Elisha (and God) had an expectation for Jehoash. The first prophetic act of shooting the arrow should have encouraged the King. It should have built up his faith, and it did. He could have struck the ground only once, but instead, he struck the ground three times. Still, that wasn’t enough.
I think that God wanted to see if Jehoash was encouraged enough to slam those arrows! He wanted King Jehoash to be filled with enough strength and encouragement from hearing the proclamation of the first prophecy that he found energy, developed a battle cry, and was ready to act in faith! God intended for Israel to be completely victorious and for their enemy to be completely destroyed. Unfortunately, Jehoash didn’t have the strength to pull it off.
I have been praying about a prophetic act. Perhaps you have, too. Or, perhaps you should consider it. Ask God if there is something you can do to sow into your future, your breakthrough. With scripture and prayer, God will let you know. And, if you get a nudge, don’t be afraid. Act in faith. God intends for you to be completely victorious!
