Dream On!

Judges 7: 13-14, NLT: Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, "I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!" His companion answered, "Your dream can mean only one thing---God has given Gideon, son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!"

The Lord has spoken to Gideon during the night, and told him to go to the enemy's camp and listen to what they are saying. He and his 300 men are preparing to go in and fight the Midianites and the Amalekites, but they are vast in number, and right now, Gideon needs some encouragement. Gideon and his servant, Purah, travel down to the valley, to the outposts of the camp. Upon arrival, this is what was heard (see scriptures above). Gideon returns to the Israelite camp, and shares the news with the others. Knowing that the Lord was with them, they went out and defeated the Midianites.

Oftentimes, God will speak to us through dreams. God can even use dreams to speak to our enemies. Just as in this instance, "An enemy soldier dreamed of a loaf of barley bread tumbling into camp. Barley grain was only half the value of wheat, and the bread made from it was considered inferior. In the same way, Israel's tiny band of men was considered inferior to the vast forces of Midian and Amalek. But God would make the underdog Israelites seem invincible." (footnote from Life Application Bible)

Do you have dreams? Ever try to figure out the significance of them? Just this week, a friend of mine shared a couple of dreams that she had recently. Almost immediately, I felt God lead me to tell her what I felt the importance of some of the events in the dreams. Most dreams are figurative or representative of something else and usually not literal. Just like Jesus talked in parables---God speaks in parables through dreams. I know Pastor Eric dreams quite often, and God even gives him visions. He will sometimes share those with us as a congregation and to the meaning as such. Don't just lay aside those dreams as nonsense, and blame it on "late night pizza". If God doesn't give you an interpretation, then share it with a friend. God may give them the revelation.

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2: 17, NIV)