Prayer for the week – Pray for the strength of God
DREAMS
The role of dreams in our journey with God cannot be underestimated. They are a channel of communication that God uses to instruct his servants, sometimes to warn of the dangers ahead, to affirm an answer to prayer or to reassure the disciple of their future mission. This is confirmed in his dialogue with the trio – Moses, Aron and Miriam (Numbers 12:6). Dreams can be broken into two, the prophetic and non prophetic dreams. Prophetic dreams and non prophetic dreams (requiring interpretation) are two distinct categories of dreams mentioned in the Bible. While both involve dreams that hold significance and meaning, they differ in their purpose, source of origin, and the role they play in conveying messages.
Prophetic Dreams:
God uses prophetic dreams to communicate messages, revelations or insights directly to the dreamer. These dreams often contain information about future events, guidance, warnings, or instructions. God uses it to impart His will to individuals, allowing them to have a glimpse into His plans. These dreams are usually characterized by their clarity and a strong sense of divine presence. Prophetic dreams are not only personal but can also have broader implications for the community, nation, or even the world. They typically require no interpretation, as their message is usually clear and straightforward. Examples of prophetic dreams in the Bible include Joseph’s dream about his rise to power (Genesis 37:5-11), Pharaoh’s dreams of the coming famine (Genesis 41:1-32), and various dreams recorded in the book of Daniel, such as Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue (Daniel 2) and Daniel’s own prophetic dreams (Daniel 7-8).
Dreams Requiring Interpretation:
Dreams requiring interpretation are dreams that contain symbolic or metaphorical elements that need to be deciphered in order to understand their meaning. These dreams may not be immediately clear to the dreamer, and their significance often requires the intervention of a person with the gift of dream interpretation or divine insight. Dreams of this nature might involve complex imagery, symbols, or scenarios that hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance. Interpretation involves discerning the symbolic language used in the dream and relating it to the dreamer’s life, circumstances, or the broader context. Examples of dreams requiring interpretation include the dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in prison, which Joseph interpreted (Genesis 40), and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree (Daniel 4), which required Daniel’s interpretation.
Why does God speak to us through dreams?
Why does God use images and symbols in dreams?
What happens when we cannot capture our dreams or we disregard the importance of dreams completely?
Can dreams be polluted or stolen?
These and other related questions will be treated in our next bible study and I will encourage you to keep tuned in for a good feast on the word.