Nougat 21

I know that biologically we dream daily. Well, that REM sleep motion or something like that eh. But do we often dream about things that could be more than just sleep patterns? Is it permissible to be a believer who dreams? And what of others who aren’t? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“The thin and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had done so, for they were still as ugly as before. Then I awoke.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Gotta Be Dreaming

Dreams can be spiritual, and aligned with God’s Spirit and will. Moreover, it is an expectation of this dispensation: old men will dream dreams, young men shall see visions, daughters and sons shall prophesy – all this according to Joel 2. Now, in Acts 2 Peter spake about this vision, confirming its validity and fulfillment at Pentecost.

One might argue that all that was was then. I concur, but further note –

A) We don’t doubt its validity for the second and third generation of believers to whom Paul wrote, particularly in Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. There’s nothing to suggest that those persons were part of the first Pentecost-al cohort in Jerusalem.

and

If it is that we deem the Bible applicable and valid for our times, then the prophecies and promises also hold true for us now. So why not us?

We learn from pharaoh that it’s important to take note of our dreams, as they may be significant (provided we remember!). We learn in the wider text that pharaoh searched among his best magicians to get an interpretation. If we’re not gifted, then prayerfully seek God’s directive. We will find answers.

It’s also noteworthy that by our standards (or most others for that matter), the pharaoh speaking was not a believer in YHWH. He believed in gods – small ‘g’, in fact, some might even have been considered gods or demigods; but YHWH was not part of pharaoh’s faith life. Yet Joseph interpreted his dream!

I agree, it could be considered as a matter of life and death for Joseph. The fact remains: the dream was brought before him. Likewise, the kings of Babylon were obliged to hear Daniel interpret their dreams. They weren’t believers. But in the act of interpretation, a revelation of God was offered to those powerful men. Might we consider it expedient to interpret dreams or visions of nonbelievers?

Ultimately, we prayerfully discern God’s will, and respond according to the measure of our faith.

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May all we seek be found in Christ