THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD Devotion 25 of 30 SCRIPTURAL VISIONS The same general observations apply to visions. This was a phenomenon that found men perceiving persons and things that were not apparent to the natural senses. They were enabled to see spiritual phenomenon. Often they saw a person who spoke to them – either Deity or an angel. Some of the men who had visions are, Abraham (Gen. 15:1-17), Joshua (Josh. 5:13- 15), Isaiah (Isa. 6), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:11, 13), and Ezekiel (Ezek. 1:3; 2:8-9; 10:1-7; 37:1-14,40-48; 47:1-12). Others were Daniel (Dan. 7-8,10) Amos, (Amos 7:1-2,3,7,8; 8:1-2; 9:1), Zechariah (Zechariah 1:8-11,18-21; 3:1-5; 4; 5:1-4; 6:1-8), Zacharias (Luke 1:22), Peter (Acts 10:10-20), and Paul (Acts 16:9; 18:9-10). Tomorrow: T
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME." (Psa 138:2) ". . . for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!" (Amplified Bible)
One of the most prolific communications ever given to mankind came through Moses, "the servant of God" (Neh. 10:29). It is written, "the law was given by Moses . . ." (John 1:17) – the articulation of the only moral code ever administered from heaven! Apart from Christ Himself, Moses had the greatest social responsibility of any man. His "house" consisted of all Israel, and he was faithful over that house. As it is written, "Moses was faithful in all of his house" (Heb. 3:2-5). In fact, the Lord Jesus Himself is compared with Moses, even though He was "worthy of more honor than Moses."
On one occasion, the authority of Moses was questioned by those closest to him (Num. 12:1-2). Moses was "very meek above all men which were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3), and therefore did not defend himself. However, the Lord, refusing to let the incident go, "spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation." There, before this unique trio, all children of the same parents, "the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle." Addressing Aaron and Miriam in particular, 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. 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 . . ." (Num. 12:4-8).
Keep in mind that this is God speaking about what He does. It is not to anyone's advantage to entertain a view of visions and dreams that differs from the Author of all valid visions and dreams – and that is a very gentle way of saying it! God here contrasts visions and dreams with conscious, verbal communications. "Mouth to mouth" speaks of directness. To be precise, it means that God's mind was transmitted through His speech to Moses' mind, who, in turn, spoke to men. No interpretation was required, as with dreams, and thus understanding was administered rather than "dark speeches."
It is interesting to observe that Scripture is never said to have been interpreted. The various forms of the word "interpret" occur several times in Scripture (interpret, interpretation, interpretations, interpreted, interpreter, interpreting): 63 in the King James, 47 in the New King James, 37 in the New International, 48 in the New American Standard, 49 in the Revised Standard, and 51 in the New Revised Standard. Using the King James for comparative purposes, note the following associations of the words: dreams - 30; a different language - 27; a mediator - 1; a proverb -1; something mysterious - 1; a vision - 1; a name - 1; and a personal view of prophecy - strictly excluded from Scripture - 1 (2 Pet 1:20). However, never is anyone said to have interpreted Scripture.
Again, the issue is not the validity of dreams. Dreams have always had to give way to prophecy, and often dreamers required prophets to identify the object or meaning of their dreams. Those that despise the word of the Lord in preference for dreams have betrayed their ignorance, both of God and of the truth of God!
In all of these instances, the vision was not the point, but the message of the vision. The thoughts that were conveyed to the minds of men were the advantage, not the experience or witnessing of non-earthly phenomenon.
Both dreams and visions were lesser means of communication. Their message was limited, not exhaustive. Teaching was not accomplished through these means. When Jesus came, and when He sent out His disciples, they were not known for dreaming, but for speaking; not for seeing visions, but for having understanding concerning the word of the King!
Those are just the facts in the case. Of course, men must decide what they do with them, but it is best to maintain the perspective of dreams, visions, and God's word that is presented in the Scripture.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for confirming the superiority of Your word, which has been given to all men.