Dreams from God are a unique way the Lord chooses to communicate with people. Although the Lord speaks to us primarily through His Word and the Holy Spirit, dreams from God are not uncommon. Every person experiences dreams during their lifetime. Some people can remember their dreams in detail, while others may not be able to recall much.
Perhaps you have received a dream from the Lord or have prayed for one. If the Lord gave you a dream, how did that impact you? There are thirty-one dreams in the Scriptures, with ten being in the book of Genesis. Jacob and his son, Joseph, each received two dreams recorded in this first book of the Bible. Dreams can be symbolic, give guidance, warnings, or give a glimpse of something in the future.
Joseph’s Dreams
When Joseph was seventeen, he received two significant dreams from the Lord. Both dreams were symbolic and would not be fulfilled for many years. Joseph’s dreams came true in the Lord’s timing, impacting him and his family.
Genesis 37:5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 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!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 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!” [1]
God Continues to Give Significant Dreams to People
Scripture tells us that the New Testament era will be a particular time of giving people dreams. Acts 2:17 In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.[2]
I believe God desires to speak through dreams to give encouragement and insight. Perhaps you’ve never received a dream from God, or at least didn’t realize a dream was from the Lord. Here is a process that has been helpful for me:
- Pray and ask the Lord to give you a dream.
- Expect the Lord in faith to answer your prayer.
- When you wake up, ask the Lord to help you remember a dream from Him.
- Keep a dream journal and write it down.
- Pray again and ask the Lord for meaning.
Remember, any dream must match up with God’s Word. If a dream contradicts God’s written Word or encourages you to take action outside the character and nature of Jesus, it is not from God.
To hear more about dreams from God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/refining-josephs-dreams
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 37:5–9). Tyndale House Publishers.