God has anointed you to do something extraordinary for Him.

And because of this, there will be times when it seems as though a mountain of opposition stands against you. Or spiritual warfare may threaten to overpower you.

That is the very moment you are poised for a miracle of deliverance.

The Surprising Dream that Boosted Gideon’s Faith

God used a surprising dream to release faith in Gideon, at a time he faced overwhelming odds in warfare. [1]

On the eve of battle, God told Gideon, ‘If you are afraid to confront the Midianites, take your servant and go listen to what the enemy is saying’.

Evidently, Gideon was scared, for he and his servant crept down to the enemy’s encampment, where they overheard a man sharing a dream:

“To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.”

Then his companion answered and said, “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.” (Judges 7:13-14, NKJV)

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7 Insights from Gideon’s Dream that will Boost Your Faith

The dream of the loaf of barley bread tumbling into the Midianite tent is a compelling picture that speaks to us today.

1. Surrender will not Always be Comfortable

“A loaf of barley bread tumbled”

‘Tumbling’ gives us a picture of bread that was rolling and turning about. [2] This loaf of bread, which represented Gideon and the Israelite army, may have seemed out of control, but it was precisely aimed by the One who sent it.

So if surrendering to God has left you feeling out of control, choose to trust Him.

You may be experiencing turbulence and discomfort, but you are safe in your Father’s hands.

And remember, God’s aim is true. He doesn’t miss, and you are right on time.

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2. God (Who Chooses the Weak) has Chosen You

“To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread…”

Barley was known as “the bread of the poor”. It represented Israel and Gideon. At that time, Gideon and his family were impoverished grain farmers. [3]

Earlier, Gideon had declared, ‘I am the least of the least’ (Judges 6:15). But regardless of his position in his family, or that of Gideon’s clan, or his tribe, only one thing mattered.

Gideon was chosen by God.

And God Who declares, “I choose the weak things of the world to shame the mighty” has also chosen you (1 Cor 1:27).

So don’t look around and say, “God must have chosen someone else”. Be assured you are His choice.

Be who you are. Being authentic and surrendered to God, is powerful.

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3. What was Stolen from You is Now a Weapon

“a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it”

The Midianites and others had oppressed Israel for 7 years. Every harvest time that enemy would swoop in like locusts, and steal the grain harvest (Judges 6:1-6).

The barley loaf represented that which the enemy had been stealing—year after year.

That very thing the enemy stole from you, will be used by God as a powerful weapon.

He is the God of the turn-around. The Lord of breakthrough is your Father, and He is releasing your harvest!

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4. Realize You Intimidate the Enemy

“Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp”

The oppression of the enemy over many years produced intimidation in the Israelites. When we are first introduced to Gideon, he is threshing his grain in hiding.

God knew Gideon needed a paradigm shift! On the eve of battle, He gave Gideon an insight into the true perspective of the enemy.

That intimidator was actually terrified of God and Gideon.

What a powerful antidote to fear! The Bible says that the enemy is aware of—and intimidated by—the God-given authority you carry.

You represent Jesus! [4]

With the eye of faith, see your enemy on the run, for you are an overcomer.

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5. God has Anointed You with the Holy Spirit

“Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp”

The dreamer recognized that the power of the bread, representing Gideon, could only be located in God, the Deliverer of His people!

Gideon was a weak and inexperienced leader. But Gideon was anointed by the Holy Spirit (Judges 6:34). And his power was from God, the one Who sent him.

Your Father is releasing you and sending you forth from His hand.

Declare, ‘My power and strength is in the Holy Spirit! The Spirit is upon me, anointing me, and working on my behalf!’

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6. No Stronghold will Prove too Great

“it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed”

In the natural realm, a loaf of bread would have no impact on a tent, because:

• A tent is secured to the ground
• And it is crafted to withstand wind and weather

That tent represented the enemy’s stronghold. Its protection. But God had already stripped the enemy’s protection away. [5]

Now, that loaf of bread became a sword in God’s hands.

And just as that loaf of bread overturned the tent of the enemy, God will use you to overturn the schemes and strategies of the enemy.

No stronghold can withstand the Name of Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon your life.

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7. Your Father is Merciful Towards You

“This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.”

On the verge of overcoming a powerful enemy, Gideon continued to have his own personal battle. He was still afraid.

But God showed him mercy, by giving him an opportunity to be encouraged and have his faith strengthened.

When Gideon heard that dream, he bowed down and worshipped. The next day he rose up with his 300 men and God defeated that vast army of Midianites.

At last, the years of oppression were over.

If things have been tough lately and it seems as though opposition is stacked against you, take time to worship.

For the God who miraculously delivered Gideon is your loving Father.

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Notes

[1]Gideon had an assignment from God to save his people from the oppression of the Midianites and to defeat them. (Judges 6:14-16)

[2] The Hebrew word for tumbled, ‘haphak’, means overturned, turned over, or about, to turn every way (Strongs H2015).

[3] ‘Barley was considered an inferior grain, which was used by the poor. This loaf symbolized Israel, who appeared inferior and smaller in number than the Midianite army.’ Ref Judges 7:13, Spirit Life Bible, Ed. Jack Hayford.

[4] In the New Testament, see Mark 3:11 and James 2:19

[5] See Numbers 14:9

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Spiritual Warfare Online Course

If you would like to study further on this topic, I invite you to join my Spiritual Warfare Online Course.
This course (suitable for beginners) includes around 30 mini-lectures on video and is full of Biblical wisdom and faith-filled strategies to help you overcome in time of battle.

I give you clear guidelines and step-by-step points on how to recognize and combat spiritual attacks.

You can find out more here: ‘Spiritual Warfare: How to Identify and Overcome Spiritual Attack’

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© 2018 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
In the David McCracken Ministries family