Hebrews 1 (6)

Introduction
The writer of Hebrews intends to exalt Christ, not to diminish the work of angels. So, while he has been at pains to magnify the greatness of Christ as Creator, Sovereign, and Lord, he wants to make sure to give angels their due, and he returns to a subject he broached in verse 7, and which we will consider more closely here.

Meditate on Psalm 35.1-10; 91.9-16

Read Hebrews 1.14.

Think it through.
1.  The word “ministering” here means to perform regular service. Angels are spiritual beings who perform regular service for us in a variety of ways. What do Psalms 35 and 91 suggest about that service? We know that angels served at the time of Christ’s birth. In what ways? Meditate on Matthew 18.10. What does this indicate? Look at each of the following: Acts 12.5-11; Revelation 10.1-10; and Revelation 14.6, 7. What do these passages suggest about how angels serve believers?

2.  The ministry of angels is in many ways a mystery. For the most part, they do their work as “spirits”. But, according to Hebrews 13.2, that is not always the case. Explain. Who are “strangers”? Can you think of any reason angels might take such a form? We do not pray to angels; indeed, for the most part, we are unaware of their ministries to us. But should we acknowledge them in some way? Can we learn anything about our own work of ministry (Eph. 4.11, 12) from meditating on the ministering work of angels?

Meditate.
“See how he lifts up their minds and shows the great honor that God has for us, since he has assigned to angels who are above us this ministration on our behalf. As if, one should say, for this purpose he says he employs them; this is the office of angels, to minister to God for our salvation. So that it is an angelic work to do all for the salvation of the brethren; or rather it is the work of Christ himself, for he indeed saves as Lord, but they as servants. And we, though servants, are yet angels’ fellow servants.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4.11

Thank You, Lord, for the angels who will minister to me today. May I be like them in serving others, so that…

Pray Psalm 45.10-17.
If the daughter here is the Church, the attending virgins may well be angels. According to verse 17, what is their service – and ours – intended to achieve?

Psalm 45.10-17 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Let none keep us from hearing You; desire our beauty, Lord! 
We bow, submitting humbly to Your ever-faithful Word. 

The Church in robes of woven gold assembles to the King. 
With joy complete and gladness bold His praise she e’er shall sing.

When we at last Your palace gain, and others take our place, 
Then let our children with You reign, a legacy of grace!

T. M Moore

For a better understanding of the book of Hebrews, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here). To learn more about Christ in His exaltation, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus (click here).

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute buttonat the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.