What do should I do if I meet an Angel? (Part 1)

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

1600px-Pieter_Lastman_-_Abraham_and_the_Three_Angels.jpg



What comes to mind when you think of an angel?


Sometimes we think of divine beings zipping around invisibly up above. Psalm 91 says "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalms 91:11). We believe angels offer words of caution to us or protection, but always out of sight.

But not just content to operate in ways we can't see, the Bible makes clear that angels take human form! They appear human, just like you or I. This is kind of a big deal. There are entities, who are not human, but appear to be human who are God's messengers quite literally walking on the Earth, appearing like you and I, possibly drinking a Starbucks like you and I, but of the Heavenly realm and possessing incredible powers. Walking around today you might just bump into one and not even know it. No pressure!

Because we may meet angels in our everyday activity, we're commanded to be on our best at all times. Per Hebrews 13:2:
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."


What do I do if I meet an Angel??

So I got to thinking, how might I recognize the person I meet is an angel, and if so, how should I react?

As to how to recognize, well, besides that angels seem to wear linen a lot (Daniel 10:6), sometimes white linen (Revelations 15:6), I'm not sure. But then again I am a new believer (I trust I'll get better at this!)

Let's say something gives them away like their voice "sounds like multitudes" or eyes are like "flaming torches", what should I do? (Daniel 10:6). I'm guessing asking for their signature is not the right move.

Let's see what the Old Testament has to say about this. I will draw lessons on how to handle an angel encounter from Abraham's engagement with angels in Genesis (chapter 18). Abraham's covenant with God was "the beginnings of the formal revelation of the covenant of grace, of God's decision to reach into humanity and specifically save people for Himself" (What is the Abrahamic Covenant?). While imperfect, Abraham establishes a strong relationship with the Lord. Abraham's faith and obedience shine brightly even if he stumbles at times, like any human might.


3 Things Scripture Tells us We Should do if we Meet an Angel

From scripture, we can suppose three things we should do in an angel's presence.

1. Show Respect (Energetic Deference)

When Abraham spots "three men" approaching (Genesis 18:2), knowing they are angels in human form, he sprints to them and bows especially low.
"Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground."

This painting by Pieter Lastman shows what this might have looked like (also the image at the top of this article).

Pieter-Lastman-Abraham-and-the-Three-Angels.jpg


(The biblical passage makes no mention of the angels having wings but I still found this image brought the scene to life.)

Abraham does not begrudge bowing down before the angels. Instead, so motivated to show deference, he rushes to the scene to do so eagerly. When something matters, we waste no time to do it; it shows urgency.

I should mention I don't recall Abraham running anywhere else in the Bible (I did an Advanced Search on Bible Gateway to check in case my memory failed me and I see no other instances relating to Abraham). Abraham is at least 99 years old at this time (Genesis 17:24) and so I imagine there was a lot of huffing and puffing!

In the presence of an angel, Abraham meets the moment with all his cardio in showing respect to a divine being that differs with how we interact with mere mortals- by showing energetic deference. If bowing isn't your thing, perhaps it would be acceptable to express interpersonal deference in your own way.


2. Be in a Mode of Service


505px-Abraham-and-the-Three-Angels.jpg



Abraham's hurrying didn't stop with bowing to the angels, he also is at full speed to provide real service, not just respect, to the angels. He "hurried" again to get his wife's help in preparing a meal for them (Genesis 18:6) and then straight-up "ran" to select a calf to prepare for them (Genesis 18:7). Apparently, Abraham's energy is contagious as the Bible then says his servant also "hurried" in preparation of the meal.

These motion verbs conveying urgency ("hurried", "ran") are not used elsewhere in the Bible with Abraham so they appear to be used for a purpose here - to signify that we should serve with a priority.

Hospitality is one kind of way we can serve others; Abraham's example is about hospitality. But what's crucial it seems is the empathy and compassion Abraham demonstrates. The angels are on foot walking to Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham speaks to the needs he anticipated the angels would have. Here is what Abraham says to the angels (Genesis 18:3-5):
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

Abraham offers:
  • Water (recall Genesis 18:1 says this all takes place "in the heat of the day"; the angels must be thirsty, and Abraham anticipated their need for water)
  • To let them wash their feet (as he knows they are on foot)
  • Rest (In 18:4, Abraham says the angels can "rest under this tree", that is under shade to take cover from the sun given the "heat of the day". Abraham presumes they are tired from walking a ways; later its clear to the reader the angels are on a distance walk to Sodom and Gomorrah)
  • Food (In 18:5, "so you can be refreshed"... as they complete their journey)

We see from Abraham's example that we should be in a mode of service to an angel should we meet one. Abraham anticipates the needs of the angels and serves them with urgency and commitment.

Abraham emphasizes service as opposed to trying to see what he can get (tempting as it might be when before an angel with powers). After all, faith itself begets favor. Proverbs 3:3-4 says "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck.... Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (and sure enough, after dining with the angels, the angels confirm the promise that Abraham will have a son by Sarah)

Once we come to our wits after initial shock of an angel encounter, Abraham shows we should be all about service. Since the angels already minister to us (Hebrews 1:14), guard us (Psalm 91:11) and more, Abraham shows it's our pleasure to serve them.

If I were to meet an angel, I might follow Abraham's example and ask him, "Where are you going? Can I be of service?".

.....

(For more, see Part 2)

Blog entry information

Author
Decalogue
Read time
5 min read
Views
764
Last update

More entries in Christian Teachings

More entries from Decalogue

Share this entry