… having become as much better than the angels …

Angels – fantasy to many, subjects of stained-glass windows and iconography, objects of children’s stories—but something most people really don’t often think about. Yet these spiritual beings are key players in God’s story. On closer examination, they are powerful beings in the unseen world, but also at times enter and make their presence known in the physical world.

The first mention of “angel” in Scripture comes in Genesis 16:7, where “the angel of the Lord” appears to Hagar in the desert. As often throughout Scripture, that angel was the communicator of God’s message. The Hebrew word can be translated messenger, ambassador or representative.

It was an angel that stopped Abraham from slaying his son (Gen 22:11). An angel appeared to Moses in the burning bush without being consumed (Ex 3:2), they are therefore indestructible beings. They are also powerful beings. God sent an angel to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt (Num 20:16) and to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan (Ex 33:2). It was given to angels the power to destroy people and cities (2 Sam 24:16, for example, where Israel was to be punished for David’s sin of taking an ungodly census). They make up the Lord’s invisible army (2 Kings 6:16-17). The angel of the Lord protects the righteous (Ps 34:7) and has the ability to shut the mouths of lions (Dan 6:22).

It was an angel (called a “cherub”) that God placed as a sentinel to guard the Garden of Eden after the fall (Gen 3:24). And it is angels who attend the Lord in all His holiness (called “seraphim” in Isaiah 6). While Isaiah was blown away (“I am undone”) the angels flew around the throne praising God with the perfect proclamation of His holiness “Holy, holy, holy…” Angels are continually traversing the span between heaven and earth (John 1:51). And angels will be quite active during the end times (see the book of the Revelation). And angels will be the believer’s escort upon death (Luke 16:22) into the presence of God.
Yet, Christ is greater than the angels – this is the first comparison made in the book of Hebrews and is an emphasis of the first two chapters. Really, there is no comparison; He is far greater and better than all else, even angels.

Now, there is a benefit for us today in this superiority. Angels are powerless to separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:38), and if they can’t, nothing can! And some day we will judge the angels (1 Cor 6:3).

Lord, I will worship You, and You alone. Help me see Your servants, the angels, as Your messengers, but focus on Jesus Christ as Your Son (vs. 2)