Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"If the word spoken through angels proved steadfast..."
Text: Hebrews 2:2a
ANGELS AS MESSENGERS OF GOD’S WORD
This understanding is a time-honoured traditional belief of ancient Israel. One of the clearest texts that describe angelic involvement may be found in the following word.
“Who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
Acts 7:53
Stephen was arrested and brought to stand trial before the Sanhedrin Council (Acts 7). In his testimony he made a strong statement about angelic involvement with reference to the law of God. “By the direction of angels” the law of God was given!
ANGELS AS INTERPRETERS OF GOD’S WORD
Two cases may be cited in particular.
1. Daniel
God gave a special command to the angel Gabriel to interpret His word to Daniel.
“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.
So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid
and fell on my face; but he said to me, ‘Understand, son of man,
that the vision refers to the time of the end.'”Daniel 8:16-17
2. John the apostle
In John’s vision (Book of Revelation) he wrote of how angels ministered to him.
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
came and talked with me, saying to me.
‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot?'”Revelation 17:1
THE STRENGTH OF THE WORDS OF ANGELS
How strong and powerful are the words of angels? Let us ponder this text carefully.
“For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast,
and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward.”Hebrews 2:2
1. Their word “proved steadfast”
a) Their authority came from God (in the first place).
b) Though they were “only messengers” the word they spoke “proved steadfast”.
2. Recompence
“A just reward” is another way of describing “punishment”. Such was the authority of the word of angels!