Topical Bible: Dreams: God the Only Interpreter of

◄ Dreams: God the Only Interpreter of ►

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In the biblical narrative, dreams are often depicted as a medium through which God communicates with individuals, revealing His divine will and purposes. The interpretation of dreams, however, is consistently portrayed as a gift that comes from God alone, underscoring His sovereignty and omniscience.

Joseph and Pharaoh's Dreams

One of the most prominent examples of God as the sole interpreter of dreams is found in the account of Joseph. In Genesis 40-41, Joseph, while imprisoned in Egypt, interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. Later, he is called upon to interpret Pharaoh's own dreams, which none of the Egyptian magicians or wise men could decipher. Joseph explicitly attributes his ability to interpret dreams to God, saying, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please" (Genesis 40:8). When brought before Pharaoh, Joseph again emphasizes, "I cannot do it...but God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer" (Genesis 41:16). Through Joseph, God reveals the forthcoming seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, allowing Egypt to prepare accordingly.

Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar's Dreams

Similarly, in the Book of Daniel, the young prophet Daniel is endowed with the ability to interpret dreams, a gift he acknowledges as coming from God. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is troubled by a dream that his wise men cannot interpret, Daniel seeks God's mercy to reveal the mystery. God answers Daniel's prayers, and he is able to interpret the dream, which foretells the rise and fall of empires. Daniel declares to the king, "No wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries" (Daniel 2:27-28). This acknowledgment highlights that true understanding and interpretation of dreams are divine gifts.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, dreams continue to serve as a conduit for divine revelation. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, receives guidance through dreams on several occasions. An angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20) and later to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from Herod's wrath (Matthew 2:13). These instances further illustrate that God is the ultimate source of understanding and direction through dreams.

Theological Implications

The consistent biblical theme that God is the only true interpreter of dreams underscores His omnipotence and the futility of relying on human wisdom alone. Throughout Scripture, dreams serve as a reminder of God's active involvement in the world and His desire to communicate with His people. The ability to interpret dreams is portrayed not as a human skill but as a divine gift, granted to those whom God chooses to fulfill His purposes. This reinforces the belief in God's sovereignty and the importance of seeking His guidance in all matters.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 40:8
And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 41:16
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
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Daniel 2:27-30
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king has demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show to the king;
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Daniel 7:16
I came near to one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Revelation in a Son.
... falsehood, so that the Being of beings can only reveal His ... be well for us to recall
our dreams, and wise ... dream might bring a real message from God, and ecstasy ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter i the revelation in.htm

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
... But even in this case the most impracticable dreams of the new religion were fruitful
in results. ... The wisdom of the works of God is only proclaimed by His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xi the kingdom of.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... the same apostle (and a better interpreter cannot be ... his whole discourse, contends
not only that there ... of gifts for the adoration of God"dreams and visions ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

Gordon -- Man in the Image of God
... by bread alone, that he can rest only under the ... the gospel that which interprets
his highest dreams, feels in ... say that his Christian faith is the gift of God? ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gordon man in the.htm

Chapter xl
... that on general principles they believed in dreams and would ... in the sense of some
particular god who dominated ... Joseph meant: Only the one true God can interpret ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xl.htm

What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.
... him; but he told him that he had only three days ... Now both these dreams had the same
several events that ... 4. But God freed Joseph from his confinement, after he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm

A Battle Without a Sword
... instances we find God speaking to those outside Israel by dreams; for example ... And
did it not need some faith, too, not only in Gideon but in God, on the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a battle without a sword.htm

Chapter xli
... First: the two dreams have the same interpretation; there is really only one dream.
Secondly: God is revealing to Pharaoh what He is about to do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 20
... to put out them that are attentive; that God, accepting thy ... [10.] Therefore not in
your conduct only, but in ... the truth pursue all sorts of shadows and dreams. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxvi 1 cor xiv.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your ... now bears the office of
priest, not only that by ... 1:6), offer ourselves and our all to God, and freely ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm