Unraveling Mysteries: A Biblical Perspective of Dreams

 

Introduction:

 

Recently, I had a dream that someone I knew was being attacked. It was so vivid and realistic that I was shaken.  I called the person to find out how they were doing and without telling the dream, I found out that a neighbor had attacked him. I did not mention the dream as I was not sure if I should. Dreams have always been intriguing and perplexing to our minds. This has resulted in persons trying to figure out if their dreams are real or if they are just the result of their imaginations at work. There are persons who have businesses built around the interpretation of other people’s dreams for a fee. People use dreams to determine many things such as what lottery numbers they should buy and what actions they should take in situations they face. There are cultural influences attached to dreams also and some people take them seriously to the extent that their mood and activities are affected.

 

Dreams play a significant role in the Bible, serving as a means for God to communicate and reveal things to people. Two examples that stand out are when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and when Daniel was able to tell King Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his dreams. The Bible gives several instances where dreams had clear-cut and significant meanings. It is necessary to examine the significance of dreams in the context of Christianity. Some people believe that dreams are merely subconscious reflections during sleep and carry no deeper spiritual implications. Others believe differently.

 

We grapple with the question of whether or not it is appropriate for Christians to seek interpretation or understanding of their dreams from other people. Let's take a look at these points of view and questions to see what insights we can gain from dreams.

 

The Importance of Dreams in the Bible:

 

Dreams as portrayed in the Bible are not merely products of the subconscious mind of the dreamer but were often regarded as a means through which God communicated with His people. Numbers 12:6,” And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Both the Old and New Testaments portray dreams as a way used by God to deliver messages, offer guidance, and give prophecy. For instance, in the book of Genesis, Joseph's dreams not only foretold his future leadership but also played a critical role in the fulfillment of God's plan for the nation of Israel.

 

Dreams also served as a way to convey God's instructions and warnings. The prophet Daniel, for example, was gifted with the ability to interpret dreams, enabling him to unravel the hidden meanings behind Nebuchadnezzar's perplexing visions. Daniel was very careful to make it known that the interpretations he gave were not from his own abilities but from Almighty God. Through Daniel's interpretations, God revealed His rulership over earthly kingdoms and foretold future events, demonstrating the profound significance of dreams. To this day many are still trying to interpret some aspects of these dreams and visions. Daniel’s Seventy Weeks Prophecy is one of the most written about and discussed prophecies of the Bible.

 

In the Bible, dreams often serve as a means of encouragement and reassurance to believers facing adversity. In the New Testament, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was guided by God through dreams, in which He instructed him to protect the infant Jesus from Herod's raging anger and search to kill Him. God told Him to take the baby Jesus and his mother Mary to Egypt and He later told him to return home after Herod had died. Similarly, the apostle Paul received a vision in a dream, prompting him to journey to Macedonia and spread the Gospel, highlighting the role of dreams in directing believers in their walk with Christ. In doing so Paul became known as the apostle to the Gentiles. Although the eleven disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas (Acts of the Apostles 1:21-26), the twelfth apostle, Paul was the one chosen by God.

 

Matthew 27:19 tells us that when Jesus was facing trial before he was crucified, Pontius Pilate’s wife had a dream about the trial that her husband was presiding over. She told her husband about it and in the end, Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the decision of the Jews to crucify Jesus. They knew that Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against him.

 

Some Takeaways for Christians:

 

The dreams found in the Bible offer valuable lessons and insights into God's character and His plans for us. Firstly, dreams underscore the all-powerful and all-knowing nature of God, revealing His ability to communicate with His people through various means to accomplish His purpose. They remind us that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding us and imparting wisdom through supernatural means. In many of the dreams, God gave specific instructions. There was no need for interpretation. God told Jacob in a dream, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back” (Genesis 46:3-4).

 

At other times interpretation of a dream was needed. In Judges 7:13-14,” Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. ‘I had a dream,’ he was saying, ‘A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.’” The man’s friend told him that the dream meant that God had given Midian and the entire camp into the hand of Gideon.

 

Secondly, we should be careful who we share our dreams with and how we share them.  Sharing our dreams can get us into trouble with others even if it is not done in a boastful way. Joseph's dreams while he was still a young boy got him into trouble with his brothers. Even his father was not pleased when he told his dream about the moon and the sun bowing down to him.  Israel interpreted that to mean that His wife and he would bow down to Joseph. The rest of the story shows how it all worked out according to God’s plan although Joseph went through several sufferings and tribulations. Not every dream is to be shared.

 

Thirdly, dreams serve as a reminder of the spiritual battles that believers face. In the book of Ephesians, Paul exhorts Christians to put on the full armor of God to withstand the schemes of the devil. Dreams can often be a battleground for spiritual warfare, where believers may encounter demonic influences seeking to deceive or discourage them. Discernment and prayer are therefore essential for interpreting dreams in alignment with God's truth and rejecting any false or deceptive messages. It is important to note that the interpretation of dreams or visions was only done by persons when God gave them the ability to do so.

Moreover, some people believe that dreams can provide insights into one's spiritual journey and relationship with God. They feel that through our dreams hidden fears, desires, or unresolved issues that require attention and prayer may be revealed. Some also believe that the themes, numbers, and symbols present in dreams, can give a deeper understanding of a person’s spiritual state, and can be used to discern God's guidance for their life.

 

Seeking Interpretation of Our Dreams

 

Some Christians argue that seeking the interpretation of dreams can open the door to superstition, demonic forces, or reliance on human wisdom. Others believe that God can use individuals gifted with the ability to interpret dreams to carry out His purposes. We need to ensure that we do not allow ourselves to be drawn into the devil’s snares while seeking to understand the meaning of our dreams. It is also possible that some dreams have no real significance. Ecclesiastes 5:3, “For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.” You may have had some of those and there may be others that left you perplexed as you knew that they had significance.

 

As Christians, we need to approach the interpretation of dreams with discernment and reliance on biblical truth. Seeking advice from our pastors, spiritual leaders, or mature believers, who are grounded in scripture can provide valuable insights and guidance in discerning the meaning of dreams. However, it is crucial to test interpretations against the principles outlined in God's Word and to pray for wisdom and discernment.

 

The interpretations given for dreams in the bible were not always favorable. Of course, no one wants to have an unfavorable dream. Man is not in control however, God is.  Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a huge, magnificent tree that was cut down was a warning of his downfall and was interpreted by Daniel. The fact that the king was troubled by the dream is an indication that he knew it was not a favorable dream. This was God’s judgment on him because of his pride. Daniel 4:31-32 shows that he went mad, roamed about like a wild animal, and ate grass for seven years. When he acknowledged and turned to God he was restored to his right mind.

 

Furthermore, we should be cautious about placing too much emphasis on dreams or using them as the only basis for decision-making. While dreams can offer valuable insights, they should always be viewed in light of scripture and subjected to prayerful consideration. Since it is the Lord Who says that He will talk to us through dreams. He will also ensure that we have the interpretations of the dreams that He has given us. When you have perplexing dreams, you should ask the Giver of dreams to give you an understanding of them. If it is from Him, you will get the understanding. He may reveal it to you directly or through an interpreter.

 

Conclusion:

Dreams in the Bible serve as evidence of God's faithfulness, rulership, and desire to communicate with us. They offer clear insights into His mysteries, provide guidance and encouragement, and reveal the spiritual realities at play in our lives. While interpreting dreams may be complicated, we can approach them with discernment, prayer, and from the perspective of biblical truth. We should not allow ourselves to be too deeply entrenched in getting dreams and in seeking interpretations that we find favorable.

 

Ultimately, dreams are a means of communication from God to us therefore He will always give us the understanding of the dream. Otherwise, the communication would have failed. By learning from the lessons and insights from dreams in the Bible, we can deepen our faith, strengthen our relationship with God, and walk confidently in His purposes for our lives.

Can Anyone Block the Fulfillment of God's Purpose for Your Life?

 

Man’s Free Will or the Will of God?

I sometimes wonder if anyone can cause another person not to achieve what they are supposed to in life. We hear others say that a person changed the course of history through an action. Is this really the case or were the events intended to have unfolded that way by design? We often grapple with questions of destiny, purpose, and whether our lives are subject to divine intervention or human will and intervention. Can anyone prevent or hinder the fulfillment of God's purpose for an individual? This topic has perplexed many people and there have been discussions and debates about it for centuries. The perspective a person takes is often influenced by their belief and experiences in life. As Christians, the word of God is what we use as our guide when exploring these kinds of topics. In spite of this, there are different opinions about it.

 

God’s Sovereignty

As Christians, we believe that God is in control of all things and holds ultimate authority over our lives and the entire universe. In Isaiah 14:27, it is proclaimed, "For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" This verse underscores the absolute sovereignty of God, emphasizing that His plans cannot be thwarted by human efforts or external circumstances. This sometimes makes it difficult for us to understand events that we experience, especially when they are bad. We find it difficult to understand why God would allow such things to happen. Job 42:2 of the Bible states, "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." This verse, along with others, is often interpreted to mean that human actions cannot derail God's intentions. Have faith that whatever blessings God has in store for you, He has given the grace for fulfillment.

 

Man’s Free Will and Choices

The Bible also teaches that man makes choices. An example of this can be found in Matthew 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”  Instead of “… not willing” the King James version states “… you would not!”. This shows that the people made decisions that were not in keeping with what God wanted them to do.

 

I have encountered people who made it their mission to try to disrupt other people’s lives deliberately. Sometimes they do so because they are envious of the other person who sometimes has no idea that this person is responsible for what they are experiencing. They will stop at nothing to try to prevent that person from being successful at whatever they are doing. In some cases that person may have many more earthly possessions than the other person they are persecuting, but that does not seem to matter to them. They are only happy if they can find a way to make the other person’s life miserable. That is a mission they have chosen for themselves.

 

James 1:13-16 states,” Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” This means that we make our choices regarding what we want to do or not do. A friend of mine once told me that on her way home she had a strong urge to take the alternate route. She did not and ended up being involved in an accident. She felt that had she followed that internal prompting she would have avoided the accident. The still small voice was guiding her, but she did not follow it.

 

God’s Providence and Our Choices

The New Testament further explores the relationship between God’s divine providence and our human choices. In Acts 5:38-39, Gamaliel, a Pharisee, and member of the Jewish ruling council, offers wise counsel regarding the early Christian movement. He said, "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

 

Here, Gamaliel acknowledges the limitations of human intervention in thwarting God's purpose. If something is truly ordained by God, human efforts to oppose it will ultimately be futile. This passage underscores the idea that while humans have agency, God's sovereignty ultimately prevails, and His purpose cannot be thwarted. Another example is Jonah the prophet who refused to go to Nineveh to deliver God’s prophecy to the people. He felt that the people would repent after hearing the warning, God would forgive them, and they would then think of him as a false prophet. He delivered the message after he tried to escape on a boat and God caused a storm and the sailors threw him overboard to save their lives. God allowed a whale to swallow him and spew him out on the shore of Nineveh, the place he did not want to go to. He exercised his free will, but it was overruled by God in His infinite wisdom.

 

Another example of an individual who, despite facing significant challenges and opposition, ultimately fulfilled his divine purpose was Moses. He overcame his initial reluctance and self-doubt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, as narrated in the book of Exodus. His journey from fugitive to leader exemplifies that God’s calling can override human limitations and obstacles.

 

 

A Dynamic Relationship and Hope in God's Promise

The question of whether anyone can stop the fulfillment of God's purpose for a person's is an intricate intertwining between divine sovereignty and the ability given to us humans to make our own choices. While God's purpose ultimately prevails, humans are not mere pawns in a predetermined script. Instead, we are active participants in a dynamic relationship with a sovereign God who invites us to participate in His unfolding plan.

 

Many believe that each person has a unique role to play in the grand scheme of things and that aligning oneself with this purpose is key to a fulfilling life. This belief encourages individuals to seek spiritual guidance and to trust in the journey, even when the path is unclear or fraught with difficulties. In life's uncertainties, Christians find solace in the promise articulated in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This verse reassures believers that even in the face of adversity or opposition, God is continually at work, orchestrating events for the ultimate good of His people.  Along our path to fulfill God's purpose, we may encounter challenges, opposition, and setbacks. These obstacles do not in any way diminish the sovereignty of God or His ability to accomplish His purposes through us. Rather, they serve as opportunities for growth, resilience, and deeper trust in His faithfulness. We may not see those obstacles as opportunities in real time as they are happening but many of us have looked back at them giving thanks that they occurred. As the saying goes, “Hindsight is twenty-twenty.”

 

 

Steadfast Trust and Total Surrender for Fulfillment of God’s Purpose.

Ultimately, the key to living according to God’s will and purpose lies in embracing trust and surrendering to God's will. As 2 Corinthians 5:5 reminds us, "Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." God has intricately designed each of us for a specific purpose, and He equips us with the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us along the way. We may not have a literal compass but if we are tuned in to the Holy Spirit and how He communicates with us we will have all the guidance that we need. Trust in Jesus’ grace for purpose to be fulfilled in your life as He has ordained it.

 

The fulfillment of God's purpose for a person's life has many complex threads of divine sovereignty and human choices intertwined to create the end result. While God's plans cannot be thwarted, He invites us to actively participate in His redemptive work in the world. As we navigate life's journey, may we find assurance in God's unchanging purpose, trusting that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).