Why God Speaks Through Dreams
Understanding the biblical purposes behind divine dream communication — and why God chooses the night to speak to our hearts.
“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, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”
Job 33:14-17 (KJV)
Dreams Bypass Our Waking Resistance
The passage in Job reveals a profound truth: God speaks once, even twice, but we don't perceive it. During our waking hours, we are often too busy, too distracted, or too set in our own plans to hear God's voice. Our pride and self-will create barriers to divine communication.
When we sleep, those barriers come down. Our conscious mind — with all its rationalizations, distractions, and resistance — is at rest. God can then speak directly to our spirit, opening our ears and sealing His instruction in ways we cannot dismiss or ignore.
This is why Job 33:16 says God “sealeth their instruction” — dreams imprint truth on our hearts in a way that sticks. And the purpose? To “withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man” (Job 33:17) — to redirect us from our own plans toward God's will.
Seven Biblical Purposes of Dreams
1. Edification and Encouragement
God builds up our faith through dreams. When Jacob saw the ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending, it was a powerful encouragement that God was with him even as he fled (Genesis 28:12-15).
2. Warning and Protection
Dreams serve as divine alerts. The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod (Matthew 2:12). Joseph was warned to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13). Abimelech was warned that Sarah was Abraham's wife (Genesis 20:3). In each case, a dream saved lives.
3. Direction and Guidance
When we face decisions, God answers through dreams. Solomon asked for wisdom and received God's answer in a dream (1 Kings 3:5-15). God told Jacob to leave Laban's house through a dream (Genesis 31:10-13). Dreams provide specific guidance for life's crossroads.
4. Correction
God uses dreams to point out areas in our lives that need change — but always with love and hope for restoration. Even corrective dreams offer a future and hope, never condemnation (Jeremiah 29:11). The purpose is always to draw us closer to God, not to condemn us.
5. Prophetic Promise
Some dreams reveal what God intends to do in the future. Joseph's dreams of the sun, moon, and stars bowing down foretold his future leadership (Genesis 37:9-10). These prophetic dreams came to pass years later.
6. Revealing Secrets
Daniel 2:28 declares: “There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets.” Through Nebuchadnezzar's dream, God revealed the future of entire empires. Dreams can expose hidden spiritual realities, reveal the plans of the enemy, and uncover things that are not visible in the natural realm.
7. Invitation to Salvation
God sometimes uses dreams to draw unbelievers to Himself. Throughout history and across cultures, people have reported dreams about Jesus that led them to faith. Pilate's wife was so troubled by a dream about Jesus that she warned her husband, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man” (Matthew 27:19).
Dreams Are for Every Believer
In the Old Testament, God spoke through dreams primarily to prophets and chosen leaders. Numbers 12:6 says: “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.”
But the prophetic promise of Joel 2:28, fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17), changed everything: God declared He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh — sons and daughters, old and young, servants and handmaids. Dreams and visions are no longer limited to prophets; they are the inheritance of every Spirit-filled believer.
If you are a child of God, you have access to this form of divine communication. The question is not whether God speaks through dreams — the question is whether you are listening and paying attention.
How to Position Yourself to Receive from God in Dreams
- Pray before sleep — Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and give you understanding. Psalm 16:7 says: “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.”
- Keep a dream journal — Have a notebook or phone ready to record dreams immediately upon waking (Habakkuk 2:2)
- Meditate on Scripture before bed — Fill your mind with God's Word so your spirit is attuned to His voice (Psalm 119:148)
- Deal with unresolved sin — Unforgiveness, rebellion, and unrepented sin can hinder clear spiritual communication and open the door to nightmares
- Expect God to speak — Faith positions you to receive. Believe that God desires to communicate with you
Learn to Understand Your Dreams
God is speaking — are you ready to understand? Explore our biblical dream symbol dictionary and learn to interpret what you're hearing in the night.
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