Christian perspective
Personal experience:
I had Hebrews 13:7 and 17 engraved on my parents’ tombstone: “Remember your predecessors who preached the word of God to you. Observe their way of life until the end, and follow the example of faith they set. … for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,…” This verse has always fascinated me, from my theological studies to my active ministry. I often asked myself how my predecessors managed it. Do they see us from the other side? Do they give cryptic messages through our dreams? Did the ancient African religions have a point with the concept of ancestral wisdom?
My thoughts often returned to my late father, especially during those realistic dreams in which he visits me. When I wake up, the tendency is strong to look for him in the room, to feel his presence. And sometimes I also look for his little brother, Uncle Flippie, who was my good friend. Every time I see Uncle Flippie in my dreams, he makes me laugh, a warm reminder of the joyous times we shared. But what does my father want to tell me? The answer remains a mystery. Is it possible that the Holy Spirit serves as an intermediary between me and father Sampie? I don’t know, but my longing to unravel the meaning of my dreams drives me to the Bible for answers.
The Bible is rich in stories of dreams and visions, from Joseph’s dream of his brothers bowing and the main star in the sky, to Peter’s vision of the sheet descending with various animals. These stories tell us that God communicates with people through dreams and visions, often with a specific purpose or message.
Photo: Jakobs droom – Gerbrand van den Eeckhout (1621–1674)
The Power of Dreams in the Bible
In the Bible, dreams occupy a prominent position, a place of significance that is often underestimated in our modern society. It is a reality that we often overlook, a source of comfort and revelation that we do not always fully appreciate. The Bible speaks without turning the tables on dreams and visions as means by which God makes His will known to people. While reminding us of the life-changing impact that dreams can have, the Bible also warns against their misuse, against dreams and visions that come from the wrong source.
In both the Old and New Testaments we read of countless examples of dreams and visions that God used to reveal Himself and show His way to His followers. In the Old Testament we read the calling stories of prophets such as Abraham, Jacob, and Samuel, and the dreams of kings and other important figures. The New Testament tells us about the dreams of Joseph and the wise men, the visions of Paul and John, and other revelations that led the way for the church of Christ. This variety of examples illustrates the ongoing importance of dreams and visions as a means by which God makes His will known.
Conclusion
Dreams are therefore not just a fringe phenomenon in the Bible, but an essential part of the religious experience of the faithful. It is a way in which God communicates with His people, a means of revelation and guidance that should not be underestimated.
I think we may therefore follow the examples of our biblical predecessors, who listened with faith and expectation for the voice of God in their dreams. May our eyes be opened to the comfort and wisdom that can be found there, if we open our hearts to the messages brought by God’s spirit in our dreams.
Feel free to share. Tomorrow: Examples from the Bible – Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar and Paul etc.