In the biblical narrative, dreams serve as a significant means through which God communicates with individuals, providing guidance, warnings, and revelations. One notable instance of divine communication through dreams is found in the account of Laban, a key figure in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis.

Laban, the brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel, is prominently featured in the account of Jacob. The relationship between Jacob and Laban is marked by a series of complex interactions, including Jacob's marriages to Laban's daughters and his extended service to Laban. It is within this context that a significant dream involving Laban is recorded.

The pertinent dream occurs as Jacob, having served Laban for many years, decides to return to his homeland with his family and possessions. Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel, his wife, has taken her father's household idols. Laban pursues Jacob, overtaking him in the hill country of Gilead. However, before this encounter, God intervenes through a dream to prevent Laban from harming Jacob.

In Genesis 31:24 , it is recorded: "But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'" This divine warning underscores the protective hand of God over Jacob and serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, ensuring that Laban approaches Jacob with caution.

The dream's impact is evident when Laban confronts Jacob. Despite his grievances and the tension between them, Laban acknowledges the divine warning he received. In Genesis 31:29 , Laban says to Jacob, "I have the power to do you harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'"

This dream is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to communicate His will directly to individuals, even those outside the immediate covenant community, such as Laban. Secondly, it demonstrates God's faithfulness in protecting His chosen servant, Jacob, ensuring the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham and his descendants. Lastly, the dream serves as a testament to the power of divine intervention in human affairs, guiding the actions and decisions of individuals according to God's purposes.

In the broader biblical context, dreams are often used by God to reveal His plans and to guide His people. The dream of Laban is one of several instances where God uses this medium to influence the course of events, ensuring that His divine will is accomplished.Genesis 31:24
And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... same sound; but if it is nowhere mentioned, we also do ... from Jesus only, not knowing
it otherwise from any Scripture. ... Of dreams from God he speaks thus: "And it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

Chapter xxxi
... no need of assuming a series of dreams, as does ... This almost amounts to a wicked
perversion of Scripture. ... Both these cases mentioned by Laban as possible are in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Introduction
... Reformation principle: "Interpret Scripture by Scripture"; and a ... drawn upon the above
mentioned Old Testament ... Interpretation of the Prisoners' Dreams by Joseph ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... beneath; so the far-of exile sees in his dreams visions of his ... in a comment on a
certain passage of Scripture, which Jacob ... Some of these may here be mentioned. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

No Compromise
... have you CONSIDER THE REASONABLE FEAR WHICH IS MENTIONED. ... and count these grand
realities to be but dreams. ... PORTION OF SCRIPTURE READ BEFORE SERMON"Genesis 24 ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/no compromise.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... and devils as presented in Holy Scripture, the Apocrypha ... Of these 5 are specially
mentioned, of whom four ... Angels of Healing; the Angel of Dreams, Lailah; and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... fear is variously taken in the Scripture, and because it ... of peace each with other,
though Laban, after the ... as in Adam, and the Israelites mentioned before, was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Christian dream interpretation? Are our dreams from God? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians view the idea of Muslims having dreams/visions about Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about nightmares / bad dreams? | GotQuestions.org

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