Dreams are strange. They leave a deep impression, make us question reality, then disappear.
Certain thinkers, such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, delved deeply into the meaning of dreams in their psychological analyses. Freud believed that dream content came from the events of the previous day and childhood and he especially highlighted latent sexual desires in his interpretation. Jung added another source, the collective unconscious—”the evolutionary history of our species” (Jung: A Very Short Introduction, 103). In other words, our dreams are expressions of our ancient history extending back two million years. Instead of coming from forbidden sexual wishes as Freud asserted, Jung believed that dreams had a homeostatic function, helping us to maintain “psychic equilibrium” (106). They are telling us something important and keeping us in line with our mission.
Their emphasis on dreams is fascinating because we do spend a lot of time in that visionary unconscious state. In fact, we begin dreaming in the womb. Moreover, dreams play a prominent role in the Bible. Here are a few examples:
- Jacob’s dream of the staircase leading to heaven (Genesis 28)
- Joseph’s dream of the sun, moon, and sheaves of grain bowing down to him (Genesis 37)
- Pharaoh’s dreams of the coming famine (Genesis 41)
- Solomon’s dream of God telling him, “Ask for whatever you want” (1 Kings 3)
- Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dreams of the statue broken to pieces (Daniel 2) and the tree cut down (Daniel 4)
- Daniel’s dream of the four beasts (Daniel 7)
- Joseph’s dreams of the angel telling him to take Mary as his wife and telling him where to take his family (Matthew 1-2)
- Pilate’s wife’s dream of Jesus’ innocence (Matthew 27)
These examples encourage us to see the possibility of meaning in dreams—not merely of a sexual or evolutionary nature, but of a divine nature. And yet we know that not every dream has deep significance. Some dreams are due to a late-night snack, a need to use the bathroom, or worry. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says, “A dream comes when there are many cares.” Regardless seemingly meaningless dreams, the examples above show that some dreams may convey an important message.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.