Throughout the Bible, God frequently uses dreams and visions as a means of communication with His people. These divine encounters serve as a conduit for revelation, guidance, prophecy, and warning. The use of dreams and visions underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing various methods to convey His will and purposes to humanity.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, dreams and visions are prominent in the lives of several key figures. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Jacob. In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. This vision reaffirms God's covenant with Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob the land and numerous descendants.

Joseph, Jacob's son, is another significant figure who experiences divine communication through dreams. In Genesis 37:5-10, Joseph dreams of his brothers' sheaves bowing to his sheaf and the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him. These dreams foreshadow his future rise to power in Egypt and the eventual reconciliation with his family.

The book of Daniel is replete with dreams and visions. Daniel himself interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, which reveal God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms (Daniel 2:31-45). Daniel also receives visions concerning future events, including the coming of the Messiah and the end times (Daniel 7-12).

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, dreams and visions continue to play a crucial role. The birth narrative of Jesus includes several instances where God communicates through dreams. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20-21). Later, Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from Herod's massacre (Matthew 2:13).

The apostle Peter receives a vision in Acts 10:9-16, where a sheet containing various animals is lowered from heaven. This vision challenges Peter's understanding of Jewish dietary laws and signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community.

The apostle Paul also experiences visions that guide his missionary efforts. In Acts 16:9-10, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, prompting him to travel there and spread the Gospel.

Purpose and Significance

Dreams and visions in the Bible often serve specific purposes. They can provide guidance, as seen in Joseph's dreams that direct him to protect Jesus. They can also offer prophetic insight, as with Daniel's visions of future events. Additionally, they can serve as a means of divine warning, such as the dreams given to Pharaoh in Genesis 41, which Joseph interprets to prepare Egypt for a coming famine.

These divine communications emphasize God's active involvement in human history and His desire to reveal His plans to His people. As stated in Joel 2:28, "And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." This prophecy, reiterated by Peter in Acts 2:17, highlights the continued relevance of dreams and visions in the life of the Church.

Discernment and Testing

While dreams and visions are significant, the Bible also calls for discernment. Not all dreams are from God, and believers are encouraged to test the spirits to determine their origin (1 John 4:1). The Berean approach, examining the Scriptures to verify the truth of revelations (Acts 17:11), remains a vital practice for Christians seeking to understand God's communication through dreams and visions.