Dreams as revelations.
It has been said that dreams represent the usual mode of Divine communication with persons who are outside the covenant. But this view is not fully maintained by a study of all the incidents narrated. It is true of Abimelech (Genesis 20:3-7), of Laban (Genesis 31:24), of Pharaoh's butler and baker (Genesis 40:5-19), of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1 - 7), of the Midianite ( 7:13-15), of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:1, Daniel 2:31; Daniel 4:5, Daniel 4:8), of the Wise Men (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 2:12), of Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19). But it is not true of Jacob (Genesis 28:12; Genesis 31:10), of Joseph (Genesis 37:5-9), of Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15), of Daniel (Daniel 7:1-28.), or of Joseph (Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:21; Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 2:20). It is said that communication by dreams is the lowest form of revelation, because it deals with man when the senses and the will are asleep, and the panorama of the contents of the mind keeps passing, and there is no intelligent selection and arrangement of them. Dreams are much regarded in heathen religions. They are very sparingly used in the Jehovah-religion; and all Divine directions, whether by dreams or otherwise, are dependent upon the inward earnestness and sincerity of the heart. Perhaps it may be said that God used dreams in revealing his will to those who were not specially sensitive to spiritual things. Poets, prophets, mystics, see visions. Common men, or men in ordinary moods and conditions of mind, dream dreams, which God fills with meaning. See how far this is illustrated in the several cases mentioned above. Note that Joseph takes no place as a prophet or specially gifted or spiritual man; and therefore what may be called the commonplace mode of Divine communication was employed in his case.
I. DREAMS ARE USUALLY WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE. They represent the workings of the mind apart from the control of the will. They may or may not be connected. They may or may not be remembered. They bear no relation to character or culture. They can only nourish superstition if unduly regarded.
II. DREAMS ARE SOMETIMES FULL OF DIVINE SIGNIFICANCE. NO sphere of man's life can be thought of as beyond God's control and use. He can be the will that guides, shapes, arranges, our dreams, so that they shall convey to us some message from him. He has done this. He still does this. Though his working in us, by the movings and guidings of the Holy Ghost, makes special and external forms of revelation seldom, if ever, necessary.—R.T.