THE ROLE OF ANGELS
But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?  
(Hebrews 1:13-14, NRSV  )
          
Devotion 3 of 11

HUMANITY IS THE FOCUS
     Regarding Divine benefits,  humanity is the focus of God, even in its fallen state. It is to be understood that the Lord Jesus Christ is the primary object of the Father's attention. These thoughts are subsidiary to that reality. In no sense is humanity more prominent that the Son of God.

     Although the inhabitants of the earth are insignificant in comparison to the Lord, yet He beholds them with an intent to do them good. "Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even with  the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD" (Psa 113:5-9). Some might consider  these lowly acts for the mighty God of heaven; but angels do not so regard them! The reclamation of the human race for His glory is no small thing. The angels know it, and we do well to recognize it also.

     No wonder the angels shouted for joy when the Lord created the world (Job 38:7)! "Enterprise humanity" was launched at that time; a project that would result in inexplicable glory being brought to God throughout endless ages (Eph 21:7).

THE CHERUBIM
Protect the tree of life
     The expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Edenic paradise is a great tragedy in the history of our race. When the ancient pair left the "garden eastward in Eden," death entered our world. The induction of sin brought more than shame; it brought a curse upon everything touched by unredeemed humanity. Man could not negate the curse, even though he has often desired to do so.  Although the sentence of death was passed upon humanity, the desire to live remained. Because we bear the Divine image, ingenuity and persistence are part  of our basic constitution. Is it possible that the "tree of life" could be rediscovered? 

     God saw to it that this would NOT happen--and He did so without apparently destroying the tree of life. Members of the angelic host were employed for this task. "After He drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth (which turned every way, KJV)  to guard the way to the tree of life" (Gen 3:24, NIV).  This was a ministry for those that would be "heirs of salvation!" It would have been terrible for sinners to have access to the "tree of life." This is the assessment of God Himself. "And the LORD God said, The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever" (Gen 3:22, NIV). Man had not become God's equal as Satan promised, but His competitor. His knowledge of evil was profane, a condition that drove a wedge between man and God.

     However, God's purpose for humanity was not to be frustrated! The sentence of death would be passed upon flesh, but a provision was still made for eternal life. That life would not be a mere existence; nor, indeed, would it be unending separation from God. The cherubim would make sure sinful man had no access to a tree that would prolong his alienation from the Lord. That was a curse to the flesh, but an act of mercy to man himself! It opened the door for a resolution to the dilemma. Angels were ministering to the heirs of salvation by prohibiting them to live forever in their sin.

ABRAHAM AND WORLD DESTINY
     The first direct mentioning of "angel" is related to Hagar, handmaid of Sarai, Abraham's wife. After Sarai had mistreated Hagar, she fled in fear. Scripture apprizes us "the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur" (Gen 16:7ff), giving her extensive instruction concerning her duty and the son she would bear (Ishmael). Here, when the history of the world was being shaped by Divine purpose, angels were prominent in the affairs of men.

     Abraham, the father of believers (Rom 4:16; James 2:1), was confronted with angels from God (Gen 22:11,15; 48:16). The closeness to the Lord realized by his faith brought him into a realm of these noble personalities. 

     As you would expect, when the plan for humanity became more focused in Abraham, the angels of God became more active. After all, they are the designated ministers for those that shall be heirs of salvation. Thus, with Abraham, we see an acceleration of their involvements in the earth.

     Jacob, with whom the God of heaven has identified Himself (Gen 49:24; Ex 3:6,15; Psa 20:1; 46:7,11; Acts 7:32) saw a vision of "angels of God." The Lord's identity with the patriarch brought him under the influence of heavenly personalities. "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it" (Gen 28:12). When Jacob was about to confront Esau, "the angels of God met him" (Gen 32:1). 

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the blessed intentions You have revealed for mankind. In the name of Jesus, I praise Your holy name for revealing the roll of angelic hosts in my salvation. You are truly great, and greatly to be praised!

-- TOMORROW: REPRESENTED IN THE TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE --