luminosa Posted February 2, 2003 Report Share Posted February 2, 2003 I think the rolling barley loaf represents the small band of Israelites that would defeat and overrun the vast army of Midianites. I'm reminded of young David armed only with a slingshot against gigantic Goliath armed with weaponry. The Lord shows Gideon the dream to encourage and rally him to follow His command. It's reassurance for Gideon. The Lord understands the way we think and that some of us need constant encouragement. God is good!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Maher Posted February 3, 2003 Report Share Posted February 3, 2003 What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Judg 7:13I dreamed ... and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled. This was a characteristic and very expressive dream for an Arab in the circumstances. The rolling down the hill, striking against the tents, and overturning them, naturally enough connected it in his mind with the position and meditated attack of the Israelite leader. The circumstance of the cake, too, was very significant (Bahr's 'Symbolik,' ii., 8, sec. 445). Barley was usually the food of the poor, and of beasts; but most probably, from the widespread destruction of that crops by the invaders, multitudes must have been reduced to poor and scanty fare. (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997 by Biblesoft) Judg 7:14 14 His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands." (from New International Version) The barley loaf represents the sword of Gideon. Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? To encourage Gideon and increase his faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Momphard Posted February 4, 2003 Report Share Posted February 4, 2003 Q6. What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? People of that day didn't bake bread in loaf pans, but as round lumps of dough that might bake into perfect wheels. The Midianite guard has seen just one of these loaves in his dream, careening down hill into the camp. In his dream, the small loaf strikes and collapses a tent many times its size. The other Midianite interprets the dream out loud -- in Gideon's hearing -- as the Lord causing "the sword of Gideon" to defeat the entire Midianite camp. The sword (Hebrew hereb) in Gideon's day at the end of the Bronze Age was probably made out of bronze. Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? (7:13-14) Think how encouraged Gideon must have been to hear the words from his enemy's own mouth, "God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands" (7:14). In response, Gideon "worshiped God" (7:15) The Hebrew word here is hawa, "to prostrate oneself on the ground, to worship."[19] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted February 4, 2003 Report Share Posted February 4, 2003 This gave Gideon courage that he was lacking for he did go with Purah, and proved to Gideon once again that God was in control and was with him and they would have victory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda biloni Posted February 7, 2003 Report Share Posted February 7, 2003 I think it means something small and irrelevant being used to destroy something bigger and more powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Smith Posted February 10, 2003 Report Share Posted February 10, 2003 The barley loaf dream is miraculously there in order to give Gideon the confidence in his God to proceed with an attack. God's use of the barley loaf is very interesting. It is a common thing, therefore unregarded. It is small and lightweight, therefore weak. It doesn't even achieve mobility by its own strength, but simply rolls under the influence of a massive force beyond itself. Long before Sir Isaac Newton and Galileo, the Lord knew of gravity (having created it), and He included it in this episode from history. This passage has great meaning to me personally, because when I was a middle-schooler, I participated in a Bible study calling itself the Barley Loaf Group, because our offering was collected in a cigar box padded on the lid and wrapped in Kraft paper to look somewhat like a loaf of bread. (As uninformed Americans in the 1970s, we thought of bread as rectangular, though ) Aside from study of the Word, our purpose was prayer, and so to me this story symbolizes the immense power which prayer has! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debs4jc Posted February 11, 2003 Report Share Posted February 11, 2003 What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? (7:13-14) The rolling barley clearly symbolizes Gideon and his small band of men as they defeat the larger army of the Midianites. The symbolism of a small, ordinary object overturning a much larger obstacle has already been discussed. The Lord, knowing Gideon's fear, gives him the opportunity to have his faith strengthened once again. This time Gideon didn't have to ask for it. The Lord shows Gideon how He has already begun to put fear into the Midianites. He also shows him that Gideon's much smaller force will be able to defeat the enemy. Gideon is immediately encouraged by the dream and calls his troops together for battle. He knows God has prepared the way and that the time to attack is at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dickinson Posted February 11, 2003 Report Share Posted February 11, 2003 Q6. What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? At a guess I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leo Posted February 22, 2003 Report Share Posted February 22, 2003 God wanted to give a message to His people that will not seem to grand that they will feel that the Lord will deliver them even if they don't lift a single finger to help. But the Lord didn't want to give a message that will seem too feeble that the people will still doubt the Lord's ability to deliver them from their enemies. So the Lord gave the people a message where He used a simple object that the people are familiar with their everyday lives overrunning and destroying something as grand as the army that they are about to face. It's like showing a Volkswagen beetle colliding head-on with a ten-wheeler truck and coming out unscathed. It may seem comedic and absurd but when the message comes from the Lord regarding our enemies, it should give us enough courage to face whatever is ahead of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjcollin Posted February 24, 2003 Report Share Posted February 24, 2003 Q6. What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? (7:13-14) See Exposition The Lord then gives Gideon another sign already on top of the two fleece requests. God really wants to show Gideon that this victory will indeed be His. I think it is interesting that when we first come upon Gideon he is threashing wheat in secret to keep it from the Midianites (v6:11), and now in the Midianites dream the barley which has been made into a bread wheel and is rolling through their camp. The dream in (v7:13) is directly interpretated in (v7:14). The rolling barley loaf represents Gideon. God shows Gideon this dream to encourage him (v7:15) and to help him not be afraid (v7:10). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeM Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 The rolling barley loaf represented Gideon and his small army. The Lord shows Gideon the dream to show him what the Lord saw in him. That through the Lord, Gideon would win this battle. It enforced what God wanted Gideon to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanie Posted March 31, 2003 Report Share Posted March 31, 2003 Gideon Lesson 3 Question 6 What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream (Judges 7: 13-14) The people of that day baked their bread as round lumps of dough that could sometimes bake into perfect wheels. And in the Midianite's dream, he saw one of these careening down hill into the camp. In his dream, the small loaf strikes and collapses a tent many times its size. The other Midianite interprets the dream out loud . . . in Gideon's hearing . . . as the Lord causing 'the sword of Gideon' to defeat the entire Midianite camp. God gave this dream because he is so Merciful and Gracious. He knew Gideon needed more encouragement to overcome any fear Gideon may still be feeling. This is especially wonderful because this time Gideon has not put out any fleeces but has chosen instead, to quietly trust In God. The Lord God knows what we need without us having to put out any fleeces. When we put our trust In The Lord Jesus Christ He gives us all the encouragement we need. And whatever else we may need. He Is Greatly To Be Praised. Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Hatlestad Posted April 3, 2003 Report Share Posted April 3, 2003 The barley loaf was nothing other than the sword of Gideon and to give assurance to Gideon that God was with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luray mcclung Posted April 18, 2003 Report Share Posted April 18, 2003 The barley loaf is symbolic of Gideon's sword of might and strength. Also, the fact that it is rolling symbolizes the movement of Gideon's army to defeat the Midianites. Our Lord shows his mighty warrior this dream to encourage him to victory. lmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Posted May 1, 2003 Report Share Posted May 1, 2003 This was yet another confirmation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt Woodbridge Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? (7:13-14) Bread baked in a circular shape could easily roll down a hillside. In the dream, I believe it represents the "smallness" of man's effort against the might of the enemy, but when empowered by the Spirit of God, it becomes a mighty force. The song says it well, " Little is much when God is in it." I believe it was used to confirm Gideon's faith and ready obedience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 The rolling barley of loaf means that Gideon was the sword. Give courage to Gideon for what God was going to show him. God shows this dream to the enemy so that Gideon would hear what the battle plan would be. Gideon learn from past experiences that God works in mysterious ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heatherdills Posted January 22, 2004 Report Share Posted January 22, 2004 THe rolling barley loaf meant that something that seems small and harmless, like the loaf, would destroy an entire tent in the Midianite's dream. The Lord shows Gideon this dream to reinforce the victory going to give him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Q6. What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? The barley loaf represented Gideon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mairead Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 The rolling barley loaf meant (1) barley was not as valuable as wheat and was considered as inferior, in the same way Israel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 The Midianites were coming in in droves and stealing the Israelite crops of wheat and barley. To the Midianites, Israel meant barley etc to steal for themselves. Thus the barley loaf meant Israel. The loaf knocking down the Midianite tents meant that Israel was going to "roll" Midian! (current street language in Australia for defeat). The Lord showed Gideon this dream to clarify for him the true spiritual situation. Something like "those who dig a pit will fall into it themselves". The Midianites knew their own guilt and its consequences in their heart of hearts. God made it clear both to the Midianites and to Gideon at the same time. This gave to Gideon the absolute certainty of what was about to happen, and thus total confidence in going ahead with God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria gonzalez Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 A loaf of bread cannot destroy the Midianite camp; God's power could, the power of God over the loaf of bread -Gideon and his army- could defeat the Midianites. God showed the meaning of this dream so Gideon would have more reassurance of how God was going to fulfill his plan in him, to free the Israelites from the Midianites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicea Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 Q6. What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? The loaf is small and insignificant, like Gideon's army, and yet it destroys the tent. The Lord shows this to Gideon to reassure him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Q6. (Judges 7:13-14) What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? The rolling barley loaf represented the Israelite army entering the Midianites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 Q6. (Judges 7:13-14) What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream? The small rolling barley loaf (representing the small Israelite Army), rolled into the big Midianite tent (representing the big Midianite Army), destroying it. The dream represented Gideon's Army of 300 defeating the Midianite Army and the other eastern armies in its allliance. The Lord reveals this dream to Gideon to encourage him. The Midianites were already defeated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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