DREAM
Ideas that occur while a person is asleep; They can be classified as follows:
(a) dreams lacking spiritual importance (Jb. 20:8; Ps. 73:20; Is. 29:8).
(b) Dreams that God uses for his purposes. In raising them, God works through the laws of the mind, and can use secondary causes. These dreams can influence people’s spiritual lives.
The dream of a Midianite demoralized the enemy and encouraged Gideon, who came to know him in a providential way (Judg. 7:13). The dream of Pilate’s wife was also very notable (Mt. 27:19).
In modern times providential dreams have also been granted. John Newton, concerned about the health of his soul, had a dream that showed him the way to salvation.
When the revelation was not yet complete, God sometimes gave, through dreams, instructions or prophetic messages to his people and even to people who did not know him. These dreams seem to have carried with them the marks of their divine origin. God spoke this way:
to Abimelech (Gen. 20:3);
to Jacob (Gen. 28:12; 31:10);
to Laban (Gen. 31:24);
to Joseph (Gen. 37:5, 9, 10, 20);
to Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker (Gen. 40:5);
to Pharaoh himself (Gen. 41:7, 15, 25, 26);
to Solomon (1 Kings 3:5);
to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1, 4, 36; 4:1, 2);
to Daniel (Dan. 7:1);
to Joseph, Mary’s fiancé (Mt. 1:20);
to the wise men (Mt. 2:12).
The power to accurately interpret prophetic dreams was granted to certain privileged people:
To Joseph (Gen. 41:16),
to Daniel (Dan. 2:25-28, 47).
Dreams that contained revelations were subjected to criteria that revealed their nature. If they were immoral dreams, they were declared false; Anyone who, through dreams, tried to separate Israel from the worship of Jehovah, had to be killed (Deut. 13:1-5; cf. Jer. 23:25-32; 29:8; Zech. 10:2).
The Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians attributed great importance to dreams, and there were among them professionals dedicated to their interpretation (Gen. 41:8; Dan. 2:2, 7). Ancient manuals are known that gave keys to deciphering dreams.