In this week’s lessons, we’ve had the chance to observe “the angels of the Lord.” As I initially read these verses, I witnessed who these angels were, in appearance and role. I heard them entering the throne room with a captive (the devil) in the middle of their ranks. The devil had shown up at God’s Heavenly throne room, and they, the angels of God, were there on all sides of him, ensuring there would be no shenanigans from the devil while he was in the presence of God. The angels of God were the military angels who stand at the ready to defend and protect in His throne room.
I saw these guards as winged angels 16 feet in height, in full glistening armor, marching in perfect cadence into the throne room of God. In the center, as if held like a prisoner, was the devil. I heard the sound of precision in their steps, marching with the strength of 40 guards strong. They were God’s protective detail.
These angels fall into the category of guardian angels. Yet, when we think about guardian angels, what comes to mind are sweet female angels singing lullabies to babies. I think we need to fully clear that idea from our mind when it comes to the guardian group. They are warriors, powerful and strong. To us, they will appear male; there isn’t one sweet girly angel among them.
Job 1 Satan’s First Attack
6 And it came to pass on a day, that behold, the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came with them. 7 And the Lord said to the devil, Whence art thou come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from compassing the earth, and walking up and down in the world. 8 And the Lord said to him, Hast thou diligently considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a man blameless, true, godly, abstaining from everything evil? 9 Then the devil answered, and said before the Lord, Does Job worship the Lord for nothing? 10 Hast thou not made a hedge about him, and about his household, and all his possessions round about? And hast thou not blessed the works of his hands, and multiplied his cattle upon the land? 11 But put forth thine hand, and touch all that he has: verily he will bless thee to thy face. 12 Then the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I give into thine hand all that he has, but touch not himself. So the devil went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 2 Job Loses His Health
1 And it came to pass on a certain day, that the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came among them to stand before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to the devil, Whence comest thou? Then the devil said before the Lord, I am come from going through the world, and walking about the whole earth. 3 And the Lord said to the devil, Hast thou then observed my servant Job, that there is none of men upon the earth like him, a harmless, true, blameless, godly man, abstaining from all evil? And he yet cleaves to innocence, whereas thou hast told me to destroy his substance without cause? 4 And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life. 5 Nay, but put forth thine hand, and touch his bones and his flesh: verily he will bless thee to thy face. 6 And the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I deliver him up to thee; only save his life. 7 So the devil went out from the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from his feet to his head.
I give you the context of why the angels are written about here, and the 2 appearances on 2 separate occasions.
This causes me to wonder. There are guardian angels at, at least, some human births. This was not a strategy of God, per se, but a strategy of a war room effort by Archangels to protect humans. Humans are beloved of God. This was a provision to protect the race.
There is another thing I wonder here: this Devil seems to have status. God isn’t fond of him being in His throne room; still, He does speak to him. Mostly, what I have tested, fallen cherubim and seraphim are the devils we have seen, but this one was a fallen guardian. He is no longer angelic in his appearance. He has horns; his face is no longer a beautiful angel’s face. He is ugly to our eyes.