Bible Basics 1.4 The Angels

1.4 The Angels All that we have considered so far in this study is brought together by a consideration of the angels:

§ real, personal beings

§ carrying God’s name

§ beings in whom God’s Spirit works to execute His will

§ in accordance with His character and purpose

§ and thereby manifesting Him.

We mentioned in Study 1.3 that one of the most common of the Hebrew words translated ‘God’ is ‘Elohim’, which strictly means ‘mighty ones’. The word can frequently be shown to refer to the angels who, as God’s ‘mighty ones’, carry this name and can effectively be called ‘God’ because they represent God.

The record of the creation of the world in Gen. 1 tells us that God spoke certain commands concerning creation, “and it was done”. It was the angels who carried out these commands.

“Angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Ps. 103:20).

It is therefore reasonable to assume that when we read of ‘God’ creating the world, this work was actually performed by the angels. Job 38:4-7 hints this way too. Now is a good time to summarise the events of the creation as recorded in Gen.1.