In Neville Goddard’s teachings, the creative power of imagination stands at the heart of manifestation. He emphasised that everything in our external world is shaped by what we imagine and hold in consciousness. Throughout the Bible, we find stories of individuals whose belief in the unseen, focused imagination, and persistent faith led to miraculous transformations in their lives. One such story is that of Jacob and the sticks, where Jacob uses imaginative vision to influence the breeding of his flocks. But this is just one example. Other biblical tales similarly illustrate how imagination and faith can shape the course of events in remarkable ways.
Let us explore some of these powerful stories and how they demonstrate the profound link between inner vision and external manifestation.
1. Abraham and the Sacrifice of Isaac
In Genesis 22, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac reflects deep faith in a promise that transcends the material world. Neville interpreted this act as a powerful symbol of surrendering to a higher vision and trusting in divine guidance. This story is not about blind obedience; it's about Abraham’s unshakable belief that his vision, no matter how improbable, would manifest. Like Jacob, who used the sticks to create the desired outcome with his flocks, Abraham's act of faith in the unseen allowed a greater promise to unfold.
In the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22), we see a powerful demonstration of faith and trust in the unseen. Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac. Despite the seemingly contradictory nature of this command — Isaac being the very key to the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham — Abraham's faith does not falter. He assumes that God's promise will be fulfilled, even if it means raising Isaac from the dead.
When commanded to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham did not assume that God's promise was over. Instead, he trusted that God would somehow fulfil the promise, even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead. Abraham's assumption, rooted in his belief in God's faithfulness, was that the promise would be realised, even if the circumstances looked bleak. This trust mirrors Neville Goddard’s teaching on the Law of Assumption — that once you assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled, the desired outcome will come to pass, even when external circumstances seem to contradict it. Abraham's unwavering faith exemplifies how the Law of Assumption works in manifestation: by holding firmly to the belief that your desires have already been fulfilled, even when it seems like the opposite is happening, you allow space for the realisation of your manifestation.
2. Joseph and His Dreams
Joseph’s dreams, as seen in Genesis 37, were the key to his eventual rise in Egypt. Despite the betrayal and hardships he faced, his dreams remained a steady source of inner vision. Neville used Joseph as an example of how holding onto a vision, even when external circumstances suggest otherwise, leads to manifestation. Just as Jacob’s imaginative vision influences the breeding of his flocks, Joseph’s dreams, held firm in his consciousness, shaped his reality — illustrating the power of imagination to manifest even in the face of adversity.
3. Moses and the Rod: Symbol of Imagination and Authority
The rod of Moses is one of the most iconic symbols in the Bible, deeply connected with the manifestation of God’s will through faith and imagination. Moses' rod first appears in the book of Exodus, where it is used to perform miracles — including turning into a serpent and parting the Red Sea. However, it is also used to strike the rock and bring forth water in Exodus 17 and Numbers 20. These acts demonstrate the symbolic power of the rod as a tool of divine authority over the subconscious mind, which Neville interprets as the key to manifestation.
The act of Moses striking the rock is a powerful metaphor for the creative power of the imagination. Just as a rock is solid and unyielding, so too can our outer circumstances seem fixed or unchangeable. But through imagination — represented by Moses’ rod — we can “strike” the rock of our limitations and bring forth abundance, just as Moses brings forth water from the rock. In this sense, the rod is not just a physical object; it’s a symbol of authority over the subconscious mind, a representation of how our focused imagination can transform what seems fixed or impossible into something abundant and fluid.
When Moses parts the Red Sea using his rod, he demonstrates how imagination can reshape the physical world. The waters, symbolising emotional or subconscious barriers, divide to reveal a path to freedom. Similarly, striking the rock with the rod reflects the way we can manifest our desires by overcoming the emotional and mental blocks in our subconscious. Just as Moses’ rod calls forth water from the rock, so too does our focused imagination — when used with faith — create the changes we seek in our external world.
4. Elijah and the Widow’s Oil
In 1 Kings 17, the prophet Elijah instructs a widow to use her last bit of oil to sustain herself and her son. Miraculously, the oil never runs dry. Neville sees this story as an illustration of how divine instruction — when followed in faith — leads to the manifestation of abundance. Just as Jacob uses sticks to influence the breeding of his flocks, Elijah’s simple guidance triggers an overflow of provision. This story reminds us that, like imagination, faith can turn apparent scarcity into abundance.
5. The Parting of the Red Sea
In the story of the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), Moses, empowered by divine guidance, uses his rod to separate the waters and create a path for the Israelites to cross. Neville often used this moment to symbolise how imagination can create paths where none seem to exist. The Red Sea represents a barrier — a challenge or obstacle that seems impassable. But by using the rod of imagination, Moses was able to create a way forward. This act of divine intervention reflects how our imagination, when directed and empowered by faith, can overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers in our own lives.
6. The Walls of Jericho
The fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) is a dramatic example of how imagination and persistence manifest in the physical world. The Israelites march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, their shout causes the walls to collapse. Neville interprets this story as a lesson in the power of belief and persistence. Like Jacob’s use of sticks, the Israelites’ act of belief — which seemed nonsensical to the logical mind — manifested the desired result: the destruction of the city walls. This story reinforces that imagination, fuelled by unwavering faith, can bring about change in the most unlikely of circumstances.
7. Naaman’s Healing in the Jordan River
Naaman, a Syrian general, is healed of leprosy by dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River, as instructed by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5). At first reluctant, Naaman follows through and is miraculously healed. This act of obedience symbolises the surrender to divine wisdom, and Neville often used it to demonstrate that following divine guidance — even when it defies logic — can bring healing and transformation. Like Jacob’s sticks, which influence the outward appearance of the flocks, Naaman’s simple act, rooted in faith, brings about a physical manifestation of healing.
8. David and Goliath
David’s defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17) is perhaps one of the clearest examples of how imagination and inner vision lead to victory over external adversity. Armed with nothing but a sling and unwavering belief, David conquers the giant. Neville uses this story to highlight how imagination, when focused on victory, can overcome any challenge. Like Jacob using his sticks to influence the outcome with the flocks, David’s faith and vision transform his reality, showing us that imagination, grounded in belief, can manifest victory in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Power of Imagination: The Common Thread
In each of these stories, there is a common thread: the power of imagination, coupled with unwavering faith, has the ability to manifest reality. Whether it’s Jacob’s sticks, Moses’ rod, or David’s sling, these individuals use the tools of imagination and belief to bring about their desired outcomes. Neville Goddard’s teachings encourage us to realise that the stories of the Bible are not mere historical events, but powerful metaphors for how we can use imagination to transform our lives.
Moses’ rod — particularly in his act of striking the rock to bring forth water — is a profound symbol of how we can access the abundant, creative power of the subconscious mind. It teaches us that when we are faced with obstacles (symbolised by the rock or the Red Sea), we can use our imagination to “strike” or overcome them, transforming our limitations into opportunities for growth.
Just as Moses and other biblical figures used their imagination and faith to shape their realities, so too can we. The key is to remain steadfast in our belief and persist in our vision, trusting that the inner world will reflect the changes we wish to see in the outer world.
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