Topical Bible: The Wicked are Compared to Visions of the Night

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In biblical literature, the imagery of "visions of the night" is often employed to convey the fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately deceptive nature of the wicked and their pursuits. This metaphor underscores the transient and illusory character of evil, contrasting it with the enduring truth and righteousness of God.

Biblical References and Imagery

The concept of "visions of the night" appears in various contexts within the Bible, often associated with dreams or revelations that occur during sleep. In Job 20:8, the wicked are described in terms of a vision that vanishes: "He will fly away like a dream, and they will not find him; he will be chased away like a vision of the night." . This passage highlights the ephemeral nature of the wicked, suggesting that their presence and influence are temporary and will ultimately dissipate.

The use of night visions as a metaphor for the wicked serves to emphasize their lack of substance and permanence. Just as a night vision is intangible and can quickly fade upon waking, so too are the schemes and power of the wicked destined to disappear. This imagery reinforces the biblical theme that evil, no matter how formidable it may appear, is ultimately powerless against the eternal sovereignty of God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the comparison of the wicked to night visions underscores the futility of living in opposition to God's will. The Bible consistently teaches that those who pursue wickedness are building their lives on a foundation that cannot endure. In contrast, those who align themselves with God's righteousness are promised stability and eternal reward.

The metaphor also serves as a warning to the faithful, reminding them of the deceptive allure of sin. Just as a night vision can seem vivid and real, the temptations and promises of wickedness can appear enticing. However, believers are called to discern the truth and recognize the ultimate emptiness of such pursuits.

Contrast with Divine Revelation

In contrast to the fleeting nature of night visions, divine revelation is portrayed in Scripture as solid and enduring. God's word and promises are depicted as a firm foundation upon which believers can build their lives. This dichotomy between the transient visions of the night and the steadfastness of divine truth is a recurring theme in biblical teaching.

The prophet Isaiah captures this contrast in Isaiah 29:7-8, where he describes the nations that fight against Mount Zion as being like a dream or a night vision. Their efforts are ultimately in vain, as God's purposes will prevail. This passage reinforces the idea that human schemes, no matter how grand, are ultimately insubstantial when set against the backdrop of God's eternal plan.

Practical Application

For believers, the comparison of the wicked to visions of the night serves as both a caution and an encouragement. It cautions against being seduced by the temporary allure of sin and the false security it offers. At the same time, it encourages believers to place their trust in the enduring truth of God's word, which stands firm against the shifting shadows of evil.

In daily life, Christians are called to live with an awareness of the transient nature of worldly pursuits and to focus on the eternal values of God's kingdom. By doing so, they align themselves with the enduring reality of God's truth, which outlasts the fleeting visions of the night.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 20:8
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yes, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Visions of the Sacred Humanity, and of the Glorified Bodies. ...
... was more than one so base and wicked could bear ... reflecting the rays of the sun, compared
with most ... manner in which our Lord manifests Himself in these visions. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxviii visions of the.htm

Watch-Night Service
... with flesh; and vapours are rocks compared with life. ... on Jacob; thou, who in the
night visions speaketh unto ... as sinful and vile, and heinously wicked, who have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/watch-night service.htm

Certain Heavenly Secrets, visions, and Revelations. The Effects of ...
... but as they see it revealed to one so wicked and base ... so great, that there is nothing
to be compared with them ... and I have had other most wonderful visions, as I ...
/.../the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxviii certain heavenly secrets.htm

The Majestic Voice
... The most wicked of men have been obliged to acknowledge ... yet are they but indistinct
whispers, compared with the ... has spoken to men in dreams, in visions of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the majestic voice.htm

Human Life a Dream
... that the Psalmist is speaking directly of the wicked, that prosper ... to human spirits,
"in dreams and visions of the ... is the glory of that house, compared to that ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 121 human life a.htm

This ChapterSpeaks of the Manner in which God Communicates with ...
... last, the time is but a moment compared to this ... However wicked an artist may be,
we should reverence his ... at length about the effect these visions produce, and ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ix this chapter speaks.htm

The Cry of the Heathen
... The second point is, that although not in visions of the ... India (and are they not
one or two, compared with their ... Of course it will be very wicked if I dare to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the cry of the heathen.htm

Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... is not inclined to say: "I have been wicked; I have ... this activity of mind and body,
if compared with those ... Has it never happened that, in "the visions of the ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin is spiritual slavery.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... But the lash is nothing among us compared with what it was ... need to speak to Him in
dreams and visions of the ... lips as with a bridle while the wicked were before ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

The Bible
... not against flesh and blood, but against wicked spirits in ... Shakespeare, the imagination
of Milton, are not to be compared. ... "In thoughts from the visions of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm