Shakespeare’s popular play depicts a comedy of errors in the true sense of the phrase. From complex love triangles and ardent lovestruck pursuers to mystical fairy kingdoms, love potions gone awry, and pathetic playwright performances, this tale is nothing short of a comical, convoluted cacophony of characters; in my words, “way too much drama!” or in more delicate Shakespearean terms, “much ado about nothing!” – all occurring in the span of one lovely midsummer night!
Not so the case with childless Abram whom God brought outdoors to envision the grandeur of the starry skies and later the vastness of the sandy seashores, all so he could capture the picture of his immense future, represented by the multitudes of descendants he would have. His midsummer night dreams were far from comedic. They were pivotal destiny-defining occurrences that detailed certain historical events long before their manifestation, transforming his life and the whole trajectory of human history1 – even though such dreams would have appeared ludicrous in his hopelessly infertile state.
Similarly, the dreamer Joseph had recurrent dreams of rulership that were laughable, being the beloved, pampered second-to-last son of a father who would never let him out of his sight long enough to venture into any of life’s rigors. Beyond the demands of the family business, his father’s overly protective attitude would prevent hardships that would enable the cultivation and acquisition of the leadership skills and opportunities requisite for the projected high-level leadership his dreams depicted2. Comical as those grandiose dreams may have seemed at the time, his journey towards their actualization was characterized by many experiences that were antithetical to any form of levity3.
Jacob the swindler-turned-prince had a destiny-defining dream that served as the turning point of his life and paved the way towards other life-defining moments with God. Through that initial encounter, he experienced God personally and established the tenets of his personal covenant with God, distinct from the familial covenant God had already established with his grandfather Abraham. Several years and encounters later, the full effects of that dream encounter were flagrantly manifest in his life and are still evident in his descendants today. While God sustained him during the hard times and gave him many reasons to rejoice during and after years of hard labor and migration to and from a foreign land, the process of his dream fulfillment was not one of perpetual gaiety and mirth.4
King Solomon, the illegitimate result of a sordid affair a season of carelessness in King David’s life yielded5 had his illegitimacy and inexperience obviated and the course of his unique reign sealed by an incredible dream visitation from God. That encounter set him up as the wisest, wealthiest and most war-averse king of his time6. His midsummer night’s dream resulted in an all-season, life-long daydream come true, the only destiny-limiting nightmare becoming his infidelity and unfaithfulness to God via idolatry and the worship of foreign gods7.
Mary’s fiancé Joseph had a dream that solely accomplished what a divine encounter only could – the conviction to accept as his own a woman and child supposedly brought to current state by supernatural means. This singular act of faith conferred upon him one of the greatest privileges of all time – the immeasurable opportunity to provide a secure home and upbringing to the Savior of the world!8 Later dreams would reveal ways to avoid danger and ensure the safety and fruition of the Jesus rescue plan for humanity9. The instructions from such dreams did not culminate in fun-filled walks in the park but required a fervent, focused journey of faith.
Jesus’ passion and trial culminated in Pilate’s wife having a dream that was no laughing matter. She was impressed upon to confirm Jesus’ innocence and to strongly admonish her husband to refrain from involvement in his wrongful conviction10. While we glean no further insights into her life beyond this, her obedience irrefutably yielded bountiful personal benefits as the natural consequence of all deference to divine mandates.
Other biblical examples abound but suffice it to say that God-inspired dreams are no casual concept; indeed, they are avenues for divine encounters and destiny-defining moments. While Shakespeare’s version is fraught with frolic, fanfare and fiction-filled hilarity, your God-ordained Midsummer Night’s Dream may be anything but, yet no less engaging, intriguing, and compelling. Be sure to keep your spiritual eyes and ears open to those night seasons, for as sure as day after day utters speech, night after night will reveal knowledge11– to the sensitive, sincere seeker of God and His glorious life plans.12
Have you had your own Midsummer Night Dreams? Where are they taking you?
References
1. Genesis 15, 17 & 22
2. Genesis 37
3. Genesis 39-42
4. Genesis 27:37-42
5. 2 Samuel 11
6. 1 Kings 3:3-4:15
7. 1 Kings 11:4-14
8. Matthew 1:18-25
9. Matthew 2:12-23
10. Matthew 27:18-20
11. Psalms 19:2
12. Jeremiah 29:11