Topical Bible: Dreams: The Ancients: Often Perplexed By

◄ Dreams: The Ancients: Often Perplexed By ►

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In the ancient world, dreams were often regarded with a sense of mystery and intrigue, frequently leaving individuals perplexed by their meanings and implications. The Bible provides numerous accounts of dreams that played significant roles in the lives of individuals and the unfolding of God's divine plan. These dreams were often seen as messages from God, requiring interpretation to understand their significance.

Joseph and His Dreams

One of the most notable figures associated with dreams in the Bible is Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph's dreams, as recorded in Genesis, were prophetic and caused considerable perplexity among his family. In Genesis 37:5-7 , Joseph shares his dream with his brothers: "Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Please listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.'" This dream, along with another where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him, foreshadowed his future rise to power in Egypt, yet initially caused confusion and jealousy among his family.

Pharaoh's Dreams

The perplexity of dreams is further illustrated in the account of Pharaoh's dreams in Genesis 41. Pharaoh experienced two troubling dreams that none of his magicians or wise men could interpret. In Genesis 41:1-7 , Pharaoh dreams of seven healthy cows being devoured by seven gaunt cows, followed by a similar dream involving ears of grain. Joseph, known for his God-given ability to interpret dreams, is summoned and provides the interpretation, revealing that the dreams foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. This interpretation not only resolved Pharaoh's perplexity but also positioned Joseph as a key figure in Egypt's survival.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

In the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon experiences a dream that leaves him deeply troubled. Daniel 2:1-3 states, "In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep deserted him. So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams to him." The king's demand for both the dream and its interpretation posed a challenge that only Daniel, through divine revelation, could meet. Daniel's interpretation of the dream, which depicted a statue representing successive kingdoms, provided insight into future events and demonstrated God's sovereignty over human history.

The Role of Dreams in Divine Revelation

Throughout the Bible, dreams serve as a medium for divine revelation, often leaving the dreamer and those around them in a state of perplexity until the meaning is revealed. In Job 33:14-16 , it is noted, "For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings." This passage highlights the belief that God uses dreams to communicate His will and provide guidance, even if the initial message is not immediately understood.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, dreams continue to play a significant role, particularly in the early life of Jesus. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, receives guidance through dreams on multiple occasions. In Matthew 1:20 , an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." This divine message, delivered through a dream, reassures Joseph and directs him in his role as protector of Mary and Jesus.

Conclusion

The ancients were often perplexed by dreams, viewing them as enigmatic messages that required interpretation. Throughout the Bible, dreams are depicted as a means by which God communicates with His people, providing guidance, warnings, and revelations of future events. These accounts underscore the belief in the divine origin of certain dreams and the importance of seeking God's wisdom to discern their meanings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 40:6
And Joseph came in to them in the morning, and looked on them, and, behold, they were sad.
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Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them to Pharaoh.
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Job 7:14
Then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:
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Daniel 2:1
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.
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Daniel 4:5
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
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Library

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... effect not only of dissipating the wild dreams of the ... One of the ancients thought
he spake shrewdly when he ... ears, eyes, hands, and feet, are often ascribed to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Denies that Man is Responsible for the ...
... regarded as one of the vagaries and dreams of philosophy. ... been troubled by a sophism,
which the ancients called the ... will be a power which is often followed by ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter i the scheme of.htm

Enthusiasm.
... with the more spiritual side of nature, in eager and often exaggerated ideals of ...
of human reason, and have been generally abandoned to the dreams of credulity ...
/.../abbey/the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter vii enthusiasm.htm

Rom. vi. 19
... And for this reason among the ancients, if any were ... bad conscience shaping out for
them dreams that abound ... were in whirlpools, [1385] struggle as often as ever ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xii rom vi 19.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... indeed, that some of the ancients occasionally used ... of which they are very often
most fallacious ... relates, that the slightest difficulties perplexed them (John ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... to solve all the knotty points which had perplexed him. ... This man knows well how often
I have done the same ... the faithful, place no faith in any of the ancients. ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... 'What, my true servant,' quoth he, 'my old servant, wilt thou forsake me now? Having
so often sold thyself to me to work wickedness, wilt thou forsake me now? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm