In the Bible we find great kings unable to interpret dreams; but servants of God able to do so. Nevertheless two things have to be noted at the beginning itself.
One, none of these servants of God had sought to have a dream! Two, they trusted God to give them the right interpretation and were confident that God would reveal it to them. Yes, “interpretations belong to God!”
Dreams were given about the future revealing God’s purposes. It was also given as warning and encouragement. One principle that emerges early in the Bible about dreams is described by Joseph’s words: “The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”
Daniel wrote down the substance of his dreams. Some dreams that Daniel had troubled and disturbed him. But he was given the interpretation by the heavenly messenger. But many things were beyond Daniel’s understanding.
When God gave Jeremiah a message about the restoration of Israel, it ended with these words: “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah woke up at this point. He described the impact thus: My sleep had been pleasant to me. Your dreams too will be pleasant when God restores to you what you had lost.
Sometimes God reveals certain things early to His servants. Amos was shown certain judgments like swarms of locusts and fire that God was preparing to use against Israel. This made Amos cry out to God to relent. And God heard his cry. So some dreams are given to God’s servants to plead in intercession for people.
On certain occasions a dream is given to you to speak a good word for Jesus. In Matthew’s gospel it is recorded that while Pilate was sitting on the Judge’s seat his wife sent a message to him. It said: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
How much she was disturbed is clear from her willingness to sent a message while Pilate was on the Judge’s seat. Was she shown a vision of the crucifixion? We do not know for sure. But one thing that stands out is her willingness to speak a good word for Jesus!
Dreams often play a great role in guiding God’s servants to needy people who needs to hear the gospel. The vision Paul had of a man of Macedonia is a classic example. This vision came when other two other doors were already closed by the Spirit of God.
