Dreams

[Isha]

Shalom Beni Israel

I would like to ask a question, over the last two years I have had a few dreams, about The Shema, and The Great Exodus, Dev 30, one about Noach Ark, and others.

I am careful not to go about telling just anyone, but sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to. The last thing I want to do is dishonour Abba, so I generally I have kept quiet and a few times in studies I have been overwhelmed to speak.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this subject.

[alon]

Oh man, dreams can be a pretty deep subject. Like scripture, they work on different levels; sometimes on several levels at one time. They run the gamut from simple house-cleaning to truly Inspired, possibly even prophetic.

Generally dreams are our minds attempt to understand things when we turn off all the interference and sleep. Simple housecleaning dreams tend to not make sense and are just a waterfall of images. The mind works with images, not usually with words. From the churning pit at the base of the waterfall images get sorted into eddies or flushed on out downstream, and your "house" is more organized and cleaner.

If you were reading about some of these things or meditating on them, say a particular Bible story or passage, your mind might be still working on understanding it after you fall asleep. Many people keep a notebook by their bedside because some of their greatest inspirations come from dreams, which they record when they first wake. Otherwise important details are lost. I recall the story of the invention of the sewing machine. The inventor had everything there except he couldn't figure out how to make the needle and thread work. He dreamed he was being chased by (if I recall correctly) a tribe of cannibals with spears that had holes in the points. The rest is history and my wife's hobby (quilting) which she spends way too much money on; but we won't go there ...

At the other end of the spectrum is dreams which are truly inspired by God. They always have a purpose, which you'll have to trust Him to show you. They will either edify you, or others, or give you a task, maybe even show you something that is a danger or needs doing. Your mission, should you decide to accept it (and you should) is to do what He says. Whether that is to share it or to get busy and work on something He has shown you, just do it.

An inspired dream may be like a vision or just a dream you have a really urgent need to fulfill. And lest we get too carried away with our own self importance ("God gave ME the vision!"), the whole point of the dream might have been an exercise in obedience. He might just let you speak, and look like an idiot, and see if you walk away with head held high in the knowledge that someone, and it may be only one and you may never know about it this side of the grave- but someone needed to hear that.

Disclaimer: years ago I read a book on interpreting dreams, and now I remember just enough about it to be a menace to myself and other dreamers. So read this at your own risk ... oh, too late!

Dan C

[Micha'el]

Shalom All,
Acts 2:17 tells us that: "And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams". I always wondered when all of this would start for us. I also wondered what Adonai considered old or young.
Exercise spiritual wisdom when sharing a dream. I'm sure all worked out for Joseph and his family but hard times started and then much harder times followed.
I always write it down. I agree with keeping a pad and pen next to your bed also. HaShem will let you know when to share and with whom to share when you commit your dreams, visions or prophecies to Him.
Micha'el

[Isha]

Shalom

Thank you both for the advice. I will continue to ask for guidance on this.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

B"H

Shalom and welcome to the forums Isha! You have a good question. If there isn't already a thread on this subject, feel free to start a new discussion on this subject in the appropriate area of the forum.

Chen v'shalom aleychem,

R' Reuel