God has spoken to man in many ways (Heb. 1:1-21God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:1‑2)), and He is not limited in His ability to speak to men. This is particularly evident when He speaks through dreams and visions, when the persons receiving the communication are asleep or in a trance without self-awareness. The question arises as to why God resorts to this mode of communication. What is His purpose in speaking in this way? In dreams and visions, God, by His Spirit, is communicating to the spirits of men who are often without intelligence of its meaning. Furthermore, the subjects are often left in fear and wonder, or in consternation. The words of Elihu to Job in chapter 33 give a list of reasons why God speaks in dreams and visions. Job at that time was under the discipline of God. During the trial, Job justified himself even to the point of blaming God. For this reason Elihu said to Job, “Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against Him? for He giveth not account of any of His matters. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction” (Job 33:12-1612Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. 14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, (Job 33:12‑16)).
God Is Greater Than Man
Communications by dreams and visions do not allow for man to exert power or influence over God. Nor can men contend or answer back to God. Men are reduced to listening mode. Also, dreams may easily be forgotten or need interpretation for understanding. Joseph told the butler, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Thus Elihu pressed Job about striving against God and emphasized that God owed Job no answer about what He was doing with him. Later we know that all was made clear, but at that moment God refused to communicate to him on the terms that Job wished.
God Speaks Once, Yea Twice
In reality, God had already communicated to Job by a dream, even before Elihu said to him, “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not” (Job 33:1414For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (Job 33:14)). In chapter 4, God spoke to Job through Eliphaz, who said to him, “Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?” (Job 4:1717Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:17)). At that time it appears that Job discredited this remark as irrelevant, for he replied, “Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions” (Job 7:1414Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: (Job 7:14)). Though the message from Eliphaz was also mixed with misapplied accusations, the substance of the words was most apropos. “I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?” (Job 4:16-1716It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:16‑17)). This vision that Eliphaz rehearsed from God was aimed precisely at Job’s problem, but he did not take it to heart. When God spoke, he did not perceive it.
Then in Job 20 we have another reference to dreams. This time it was Zophar that reminded Job that the exaltation of the wicked is short. “Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; yet he shall perish forever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night” (Job 20:6-86Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; 7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. (Job 20:6‑8)). One of the purposes of dreams and visions is to prevent man from proceeding on such a course of vanity. We may well admire the length to which God goes to communicate His mind, to give warning, or to reveal His ways to His creatures. But Job needed more than dreams to turn him around. Understanding comes from being in the presence of God. The first case of dreams was a word to Job concerning his actions or works; the second was a word concerning his person, the vanity of man without God.
To Hide Pride From Man
Another purpose of God in speaking to men by dreams and visions has to do with pride. God does not need our input, and He will not allow man to take credit for what He does. So Elihu continues, “That He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man” (Job 33:1717That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. (Job 33:17)). Job was defending his own righteousness as a standing before God, and in pursuing this ground we easily become proud of our achievements. God hates pride and will not allow it in His presence.
In recent years there have been an increase in the publication of books that tell of non-Christian people having dreams and visions that lead them to trust in the Lord Jesus. We can be very thankful that God uses these means to draw souls to know the Lord as Savior. But we must remember that when God operates by this means, it is not for us to elevate the experience of these people. Rather, it is an example of how far God goes to reach people that otherwise would not hear the gospel. God keeps back their soul from the pit and their “life from perishing by the sword” (vs. 18). “If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: Then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” (Job 33:23-2423If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: 24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (Job 33:23‑24)).
Moses, Miriam and Aaron
In Numbers 12, we have another case of God speaking about how He uses dreams and visions to confirm His word. In this case, when Miriam and Aaron had spoken against Moses, the Lord called them together and intervened on behalf of Moses. He said to Miriam and Aaron, “Hear now My words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Num. 12:6-86And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (Numbers 12:6‑8)). Here we see the great difference in the ways the Lord would speak to them. To Miriam and Aaron, God would reveal Himself by a dream or vision to confirm that they had a message from Him. This would prove that He had given the message. But to Moses the communication was very different. No confirmation of dreams was necessary for Moses; He would speak “mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches” (vs. 8). Moses received many messages from the mouth of God. How much greater is that form of communication! There is a place for each. Regarding dreams and visions, God is able to pierce through our distance from Him and reveal His Word. But with Moses there was understanding, and it is recorded of him, “He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel” (Psa. 103:77He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. (Psalm 103:7)).
The Visions of John and Paul
One further comment seems worthy of consideration concerning the reason why God made prophetic revelations through visions in the New Testament rather than speaking literally on the subject. Paul wrote of this matter to the Corinthians, saying that though he saw unspeakable things, he was not to boast about those revelations, but rather to glory in the One who was revealed — the Lord Jesus Christ. God has purposely chosen to reveal prophetic revelations by means of dreams and visions. The revelations of God may go beyond our intellectual comprehension of things that can be explained by literal speech. They are best communicated in figurative or symbolic language. So it is in John’s book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We understand this concept in the writing of poetry. Figurative language can communicate far more to those who know and understand the terms used with one another. Family members that live together are able to communicate in language that others do not understand. The Revelation is written in this format so those who know the Lord get far more out of it than any attempt to describe heavenly things in literal terms. The means and ways of God’s revelation are excellent. May we each learn to appreciate and understand His revelation.
D. C. Buchanan