The Ministry Of The Angels
THE MINISTRY OF THE ANGELS
What is an angel? Both the Hebrew as well as the Greek word for angel have the same meaning. In both languages, the term refers to a messenger. As such, it can refer to an earthly messenger or it can refer to a heavenly messenger. It is the context that helps us to determine which is in view.
(1) Our English word “angel” is a transliteration from the Greek word avggeloj, the word for a messenger.
(2) The Hebrew word for “angel” is %a;l.m; (malach) and also means “messenger.”
We see a number of instances throughout the Bible where supernatural creatures bear God's message to mortal men.
Two angels accompanied the Lord when He came and spoke to Abraham.
Two angels met Lot in the city of Sodom and warned him of the coming judgment. An angel wrestled with Jacob in the night and blessed him and changed his name to Israel. An angel spoke to Joshua and gave him instructions on how to take the city of Jericho. An angel spoke to Gideon and commissioned him to drive the enemies of Israel from the land. An angel shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was cast into the den of lions. A certain angel came to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the Messiah.
Angels appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Christ.
One of the most significant ministries of angels in the Old Testament was the transmission of the Mosaic Law. This is attested a number of times in the Scriptures. This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. (Acts 7:38).
...you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it. (Acts 7:53).
Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator... (Galatians 3:19 a).
Angels were somehow involved in the transmission of the law to Moses at Mount Sinai. Their involvement in this process is described to underscore the monumental importance of the law.