I was an angel on the ladder in Jacob’s dream.
Oh, you say that it wasn’t real?
That it was just in Jacob’s mind?
Think again.
God called all of us angels together
as Jacob laid down to sleep,
Putting his head on a stone
After leaving home, knowing he could not return soon.
God said, “We have an opportunity
To impress a notion upon Jacob
That will stay with him for the rest of his life.
I can’t speak to him directly,
But whatever happens in this dream,
He will most definitely remember.
I need to reassure him that the promise made
To Abraham and Isaac
Of many descendants
And a land
Will rest upon him as well.
What more should I say?”
I said, “Be kind.”
Another angel suggested, “Be respectful.”
Yet another called out, “Be loving.”
A fourth said, “Show compassion.”
A fifth pleaded, “Listen to people’s stories.”
A sixth replied, “Be a unifier.”
God told us,
“Those are all great suggestions,
But I don’t have a lot of time to speak to Jacob
During a dream. Who knows how long he will be asleep?”
I thought for a moment,
And calmly said,
“Eternal One, now that I think about it,
I believe that Jacob needs to learn through his own experiences
To be kind, respectful, loving, and compassionate.
Maybe what he needs to do first is sense Your
Presence in everyone and everything.
Once he feels that deep in his soul,
Kindness, respect, compassion, deep listening,
and working for unity will naturally follow.”
God thanked me profusely.
“That is exactly what needs to happen.
I won’t even have to tell him.
When he wakes up, the thought that
I was in that place where he slept for the night
Will overwhelm him.
And he will name that place the House of God, Beth-El.
And I hope he will realize that everywhere he goes,
And in eyes of everyone he meets,
I will be there.”
So Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to the heavens,
With our team of angels going up and down on it.
God promised Jacob a secure future.
When Jacob was stirred from his sleep,
He said, “God was in this place, and I, I did not know it!”
And when you - yes, you who are listening to my tale -
dream at night, or even when you daydream, don’t be surprised
If we angels are there
To inspire you
And
To guide you
To lead
To learn
To teach
And to be open
To finding God
In every person
And throughout creation.
May the God who is in you and around you
Open your eyes and connect your hearts one to another.
Amen.
