Our ancestors certainly did. And sometimes, just sometimes, they got one.

Take Jacob, for instance. He's been through the wringer, hasn't he? Deception, exile, wrestling angels… you name it. And just when he thinks he can finally settle down, boom, more trouble. But then, Genesis 35:9 tells us, “God appeared to Jacob again, upon his arrival from Padan Aram, and He blessed him.”

"God appeared to Jacob." Why is that so significant? Bereshit Rabbah, that incredible collection of rabbinic interpretations of Genesis, sees a connection to a verse in Psalms (86:17): “Show me a sign for good, [so that those who hate me will see it and be shamed, for You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me].” The Midrash, in its beautiful way, suggests that while this verse was uttered by David, its ultimate fulfillment actually happened with Jacob. What "sign" did Jacob receive? Well, remember the story of Jacob’s wages with Laban? As it says, "If he said this: The speckled will be your wages [then all the flocks bore speckled]" (Genesis 31:8). That’s quite a specific sign, isn't it? A clear indication of divine favor in a rather complicated business arrangement.

"Those who hate me will see it," the Psalm continues. Who are Jacob's haters? None other than Esau and his chieftains. Imagine their faces, seeing Jacob prosper despite all the odds.

And what about "You... have helped me?" Remember the incident with Shekhem, when Jacob's sons took revenge for the rape of their sister, Dinah? It was a tense situation. As Genesis 35:5 tells us, "The dread of God was upon the cities" around them, preventing them from attacking. That’s divine help right there.

Finally, "And comforted me." Bereshit Rabbah interprets this as the "blessing of the mourners." A time of comfort after loss.

So, what's the takeaway here? It's not just about Jacob receiving a sign. It’s about recognizing that even in the midst of hardship and conflict, there can be moments of divine intervention, moments of comfort, moments that serve as a sign that we're not alone on our journey. Maybe we won't see flocks of speckled sheep appearing on cue, but perhaps we can find those smaller, more subtle signs in our own lives if we look closely enough. A moment of unexpected kindness, a sense of peace in a difficult situation, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, we’re being guided after all.