God’s Encouragers || Angels Defined #3

Suppose you have paid attention in the church in any capacity or sung some of the most famous Christmas carols. In that case, you have probably heard of an angel before. We’ve seen their depictions in plays, Christmas cards, and scripture pictures on social media, but how many of you know what angels are designed to do. The Bible even gives us a representation of what an angel looks like, which I believe Hallmark would not approve of.

In our current series, I will define what an angel is and what they are designed to do. This series is called “Angels Defined.” My goal for this series is to help you understand the biblical concepts of what angels are, what angels do, and why they matter to you.

In part three, we’re talking about angels offering encouragement.

Genesis 16:7-16

7             The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.

8             The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.

9             The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”

10           Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

11           And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.

12           This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him.

13           Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”

14           So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.

15           So Hagar gave Abraham a son, and Abram named him Ishmael.

16           Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.

The angel promised Hagar that her situation would turn around for her and it would benefit her. She received comfort in that. You can see that she felt seen and heard.

The angel told Hagar to name her son Ishmael, which means God hears. This is a Hebrew compound word “shama’” and “’el.” Shama is the Hebrew verb that means to hear. With the context shown in Genesis 16, it refers to God, both hearing us and answering us. “El” is the Hebrew noun to refer to God. It refers to “the God who lets himself be seen.” God was shown through this interaction and heard and answered the cries of Hagar.

God hears us all the time. When we’re celebrating our wins and the wins of those around us, he hears us. When we’re in distress and hearing the distresses of others, God hears us. He hears us when we’re upset and preparing to lash out at others. God notices you and hears you no matter the depth of your troubles or how big a mess your family is in. He will bring good out of your desperate prayers.

I remember when I was in the beginning of processing my sextortion case and taking a lot of time in prayer to help get me through it all to the other side. I was stressed, upset, anxious, and worried about what my future was going to be like. Would I still be employed? Would I be dealing with legal suits? Would I be treated differently from my co-workers? I did not know the future, but then I heard from God. Again, I remember when God stopped me on my walk. He told me, “It’s time to close the door.” Like most humans, I balked and bargained with God. Yet, God lent me some extra time before God closed that door. Did it end the way I wanted? Absolutely not, but I am at peace with things. God heard my distress throughout my last few months and answered my prayers. The answers didn’t come in the way I wanted or thought it would happen, but who am I to question God.

In the next part, we’ll talk about how angels give guidance. Until then, stay blessed!