As people we have dreams on a regular basis, but there are times where the Lord breaks in and gives us a special dream. God has more for us, and dreams are a way the Lord can directly communicate with us.
Dreams are a symbolic way in which the Lord can speak to us. I remember a dream I had where two people I knew were in a cage. Both were not Christians, and it was symbolic of their unbelief. In a figurative way they were held captive. Jesus talks about this. Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.[1]
Joseph Had Dreams from the Lord
When Joseph was a young man of seventeen the Lord gave him special dreams that would forever impact his life. God broke into his life and communicated to him in a figurative way about his future and destiny.
Genesis 37:6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine… 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” [2]
Joseph’s jealous brothers interpreted these as Joseph would rule over them. They would bow down to Joseph in Egypt. In a sense this would happen. But even more telling would be a time when only Joseph would be able to give them grain. Also, the wise men of Egypt who worshipped the gods of the sun, moon, and stars, would realize that only Joseph, the follower of the true God, was able to interpret the Pharoah’s dreams.
God Gives Us Dreams
The Lord communicates to us primarily through His word and the work of the Holy Spirit, but He also speaks to us in dreams. God gave special dreams to Joseph, John the disciple, King Solomon, and several others. But does the Lord give dreams to ordinary people like me? The answer to that is a resounding yes! Job 33:15He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. [3]
Dreams are often difficult to remember. To better remember and understand your dreams, ask God for help, write your dreams down as soon as you wake up. And, finally, pray to understand what God is saying to you through them.
If you wonder what is God telling me in my dreams, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-dreams-for-joseph
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.