Dream of the Midianitish Soldier

    This dream was providential, and shows us how God, in the ordinary course of his Providence, without any proper miracle, gives occasion to victory, or defeat, in armies. A dream, or an impression, or even a superstitious omen, may be the means which Providence employs to effect its purposes. It is amazing upon what trivial circumstances the most momentous events depend. God employs whatever means he pleases; and he can make his enemies predict the victory of his people. Here a Midianitish soldier was a prophet to Gideon, to encourage him to the battle of the Lord against the mighty. "And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host."—Judges vii. 13, 14.