As I mentioned in part 1, there are 283 times that the word "angel" is used in the Bible (KJV). I will not list every reference here, but briefly share some verses that are most relevant to this series. Today, I will begin with Gensis chapter 28.
Jacob was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He had a twin brother, Esau. He and Esau were perpetually at odds, dealing with the dangerous sin of sibling rivalry. Jacob's name means "supplanter" because even before he was born, God knew Jacob would steal his brother's birthright. He also tricked his blind father into giving him the blessing meant for the first-born twin. He was a deceiver. His cunning and evil ways caused his brother to want to kill him, so Jacob left home.
In spite of Jacob's trickery God knew the potential of Jacob's heart and that it could become tender. In His mercy, He still wanted to bless Jacob. In Genesis chapter 28, He gives Jacob a dream:
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night... and lay down in that place to sleep. 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. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, "I am the Lord God... and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not." And he was afraid, and said, "How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and... vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me... then shall the Lord be my God." Genesis 28:11-21
It is after Jacob sees God and His angels that He experiences a revival. He is in awe that God visited him, and vows to follow the Lord and pursue a life of peace. God wants all of us to acknowledge Him and pursue peace as well. We may not have such a dramatic experience as Jacob, but that does not mean God is ignoring us, or that He is not trying to get our attention. He wants us to let go of our sinful nature and make Him Lord of our lives. He will be with us guiding us, if only we will surrender our will to Him and obey. May we make the same vow as Jacob that the Lord, "shall the Lord be my God."
Jacob then meets Rachel and wishes to marry her in exchange for seven years as her father, Laban's worker. However, Laban, tricks Jacob into marring Leah first. Jacob must add an additional seven years in commitment to Laban in order to marry Rachel. The trickster has now become the one deceived! Laban also changed Jacob's wages ten times, and not for the better. God has compassion on Jacob and in chapter 31, He sends an angel to give Jacob a message:
And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, "Jacob" And I said, "Here am I." And he said, "Lift up now thine eyes... for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee I am the God where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred." Genesis 31:11-13
Knowing he has God's favor, Jacob flees Laban. Laban pursues Jacob, but God warns him in a dream not to harm Jacob. Eventually the two meet again and agree to part in peace. (Again, these blogs are shortened versions, so please read the Biblical stories on your own.) When Jacob leaves Laban again, God gives him another sign that He is with Jacob.
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's host..." Genesis 32:1-2
This is all that is mentioned of Jacob's experience with angels. However, he may have had encounters throughout the rest of his life that are were not recorded.
We may never see an angel undisguised in the flesh, but as Jacob, God may allow them to appear in dreams to us. My husband and I have both have had multiple dreams with angels in them. They are always there to instruct and encourage. They do not always look as we may assume an angel should look, but the same people with identical descriptions have repeatedly appeared in both my husband's dreams and mine. It is the confirmation of similar appearances that let us know they are not created out of our imaginations, but messengers from God appearing in our dreams.
As with Jacob, even if we have sinned and done what we knew was wrong, God knows the potential of our hearts and is merciful in giving us a chance to change. If we, as Jacob, listen to the messages from the angels, and allow His words to transform us through repentant hearts, God may choose to bless us. Because he softened his heart, Jacob eventually made peace with his brother Esau.
It is evident is Genesis 35:2 that Jacob has truly allowed God to change him when he advises his household to "Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments." It is another message God wishes us to learn. To give up all idols that come before God and get rid of all beliefs that do not agree with the Word of God and the principles taught by Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:27 lines up perfectly with the above verse in Genesis as we are instructed to be without, "spot, or wrinkle... but... should be holy and without blemish." If we are filthy in our sins, we need to take the advice in Genesis 35 and "change our garments" which can only be accomplished through the blood of Christ making us clean. Then we must stay pure for Him as Christ is retuning only for a clean bride.
Be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:14
As we continue with our study through the Bible on angels, we will see how the Old Testament and New Testament teachings on holiness will always line up and will continue on to the end of time.
For further study on God's plans for holiness, I will leave you with a few more verses in Ephesians 5. I will continue the study in angels next time beginning in the book of Exodus!
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ... That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:1-27
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