Dreams that Transform

In this week's Torah Portion, Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא (And He Went) speaks about Jacob's dream about a ladder that connects heaven and earth. In this dream, Jacob sees angels going up and down from heaven as if they were being dispatched towards earth with a mission and eventually returning towards the Father when the mission triumphed. It must have been a sight to see. The dream doesn't describe the ladder in detail, so we are left with our imagination. My imagination is super active, so I envision a wide winding staircase towards the heavenly night sky extended from Jacob's rocky pillow.

Note: Image generated by Picsart AI. It doesn't quite fit my vision, but it is close enough.

This dream also marks an important event in Jacob's life: His transformation into a new man. This is the dream that eventually causes Jacob to wrestle with the Angel of the LORD (Yeshua) all night long and prevails. There are so many parallels we can draw from this dream. Parallels that we can use to inspire a change in our own lives. In this blog, I always strive to find practical lessons that we can apply to our lives in order to inspire change. Otherwise, this exercise would be a wasted effort. Whenever we encounter Adonai's Word, we should walk away differently in some way: We should be touched. However, a huge change that is noticeable by everyone around doesn't happen every day or every time. Just like in Jacob's life, there are days that the message is key and provides key moments of change in our lives. I feel led by the Spirit to say this is one of those messages to whoever chooses to receive it (I MUST emphasize that it is a choice). As we get closer and closer to 2025, I find it an opportune time to meditate on this message and make a change in our lives that will impact us and those around us in a profound and significant way.

Let's talk about those parallels then. The LORD is putting in my heart a dream today. A dream that will transform my life and that of those around me. It will impact them as much as it will positively impact me. You see, I was supposed to undergo surgery tomorrow for kidney cancer, and somehow the tumor showed up as inactive and shrinking, causing my Oncologist to postpone the surgery. I do not know the semantics, nor am I a trained professional, but in layman's terms, the CT Scan I underwent had a special dye that would make an active cancerous tumor glow in the result. The Doctor seemed completely shocked to find that the tumor did not glow at all. It wasn't that it glowed less or the mass was partially glowing. The glow was completely gone which can only mean that the tumor, previously diagnosed as malignant, is now benign. This means that the cancer is gone. He said that even if the tumor doesn't go away completely I may never need to remove it. I can only classify that as a miracle. So YHVH gave me a dream. A vision if you want to be specific.

Parallel with Jacob: "Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." Genesis 28:14 (Adonai gave Him a vision or dream).

Just like Jacob, I wrestled with the dream for a while (fought against it in some way because it seemed too grand and beyond my ability - see Genesis 32:22). In the end, just like Jacob, I did not let the Angel go until He blessed me (I figured if the vision is from Him and for His glory I want it to happen - Genesis 32:26). Here comes the practical part: The Angel touched me, and for that vision to become a reality I MUST walk differently (See Genesis 32:31). I MUST change my walk and behaviors accordingly. Walk even closer to Adonai.

Some of these events happen in next week's portion, but they are intrinsically connected. You too can seek God and ask Him for a new vision or dream. A new purpose in life that will ultimately change your walk, change your ways, and even change your name (In antiquity a person's name was directly connected to their character). I feel led by the Spirit to say this: God wants you to ask Him for a dream or vision today, and He will not only give you one but help you fulfill it. The only caveat is that He wants to partner with you, which means you have a part to play and you will need to change something in your life to do it. You will need to change your walk somehow. If you believe and receive it, God will honor you today. Think of what you want to achieve next year, and put it before the LORD today.

There is one more connection here: The ladder that connects heaven with earth is Jesus (Yeshua). For those of you who have not made that connection with the Father, our Creator, Yeshua can connect you with Him and change your entire life. I pray this blog finds your heart at the appropriate time. Just like Jacob, He made this connection when seeking God with a great need. Perhaps you are facing troubles beyond your ability to control and need Him to give you victory. I pray the Spirit of Adonai touches your heart today and convinces you that He is the answer. Allow Him to touch you in a transformative way. That is my prayer for you today. Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov. Have a blessed and victorious week.