The Troops of God
Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them he said, "This is God's camp!"
GENESIS 32:1-2
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The Troops of God
These are words of joy and triumph for the patriarch with great confidence and a feeling of security because of the peace given to him by God, just as though he meant to say: "Now the angels are appearing, heaven is laughing, the stormy winter has passed, and now the clear and serene light of day is shining forth." . . . But it is a matter of great and wonderful wisdom that Jacob can recognize the angels who meet him and that he can call them God's hosts, our Lord God's troops. Surely God does not have armies and hosts on earth? Yes, this is what Jacob calls all the angels. . .. The Epistle to the Hebrews (1:14) describes them in the words: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?" They are not gods or goddesses but ministers who serve the world, and who do so on account of those who will inherit eternal salvation. . .. In short, all things in heaven and earth are ordained to this end, that the righteous should be gathered together and the number of those who are to be saved should be filled up. Accordingly, this is a truly heavenly doctrine and not a matter of human reason and wisdom that in this life empires, states, and households, and, in short, whatever this world has are all governed by the ministry of the holy angels.
GENESIS 32:1-2
+
The Troops of God
These are words of joy and triumph for the patriarch with great confidence and a feeling of security because of the peace given to him by God, just as though he meant to say: "Now the angels are appearing, heaven is laughing, the stormy winter has passed, and now the clear and serene light of day is shining forth." . . . But it is a matter of great and wonderful wisdom that Jacob can recognize the angels who meet him and that he can call them God's hosts, our Lord God's troops. Surely God does not have armies and hosts on earth? Yes, this is what Jacob calls all the angels. . .. The Epistle to the Hebrews (1:14) describes them in the words: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?" They are not gods or goddesses but ministers who serve the world, and who do so on account of those who will inherit eternal salvation. . .. In short, all things in heaven and earth are ordained to this end, that the righteous should be gathered together and the number of those who are to be saved should be filled up. Accordingly, this is a truly heavenly doctrine and not a matter of human reason and wisdom that in this life empires, states, and households, and, in short, whatever this world has are all governed by the ministry of the holy angels.
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