Many encounters with angels are recorded throughout the book of Genesis in relation to Abraham and his family. The first example involves, Hagar, the discouraged maid of Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Hagar found herself in the middle of an awkward situation after discovering she was pregnant with Abraham’s child. Even though Sarah had turned Hagar over to her husband for that sole purpose, to have a child in Sarah’s stead, Sarah became so jealous that she could no longer stand to look at Hagar. Hagar then, under great stress, left her home.
When you consider it, Hagar had to have been a special individual in God’s eyes. Few people are recorded as receiving the attention that Hagar received. Even Sarah never had an angel appear and speak to her.
An angel, possessing supernatural knowledge, appeared to Hagar. He informed Hagar that she was pregnant with a male child and he had the authority to give this child the name of Ishmael. Here, the angel is called, “the angel of the LORD.” LORD, being in all caps would indicate God’s name. There are two ways we could look at this, either it was God himself or an angel sent by God himself. I believe it to be God himself because he makes the statement, “I will” to her.
The angel assured Hagar that she would have innumerable descendents. These descendents are considered to be the Arab-Islamic nations of today. This message was important in the fulfilling of God’s plan. "And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? And whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.” (Genesis 16:7-11) The angel revealed to Hagar that she would be the mother of a huge number of people. He then offered a prophetic description of her future son, Ishmael. “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?" (Genesis 16:12-13) Hagar in obedience did as the angel had instructed and returned to her position as Sarah’s maid.
A second incident occurred after Hagar’s son, Ishmael, was born and Abraham had tossed her from her home. Without doubt, God had a purpose and plan for this first son of Abraham. An angel spoke to Hagar, and her son, but in this situation the sympathetic angel was not visible. Once more, God, through the voice of the angel, promised the sorrowing Hagar that her son would be the father of a great nation. "And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her. What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation." (Genesis 21:16-18) The descendants of the two sons of Abraham, Isaac (his son with Sarah) and Ishmael (his son with Hagar) still are at war today.
We discover that Abraham called three angels that one day appeared to him, “men”. There must have been something unique about these men that made it clear to Abraham that they were from a higher realm. Abraham obtained water and washed their feet, and we see that they consumed the same foods that flesh-man eats, such as bread, butter, milk and meat.
One particular angel, whom Abraham identified as LORD, promised Abraham he would return and Sarah would have a baby and the child would be a boy. The idea of having a child caused Sarah, Abraham's elderly wife who was now 90 years old, to laugh. Consider the fact that this announcement was made before the child was conceived, giving evidence, from the scriptures, that when we will be born and what sex we will be is determined before we are conceived in the womb. God’s statement, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee,” in Jeremiah 1:5 also confirms this.
“And the LORD appeared unto him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground. And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou has said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the heard, and fetch a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man: and he hasted to dress it. and he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind them. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." (Genesis 18:1-14) It is later revealed to Abraham that the child is to be named Isaac. “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Genesis 17:19)
The mysterious appearance of an individual in the Old Testament is “Melchizedek,” who scripture states was never born and never died. Nowhere in scripture is this being referred to as an angel. The name is spelled “Melchisedec” in the New Testament and “Melchizedek” in the Old Testament. The word means king of the just, or king of peace. He made his one and only recorded appearance to Abraham, as he returned from battle. Abraham recognized him as a priest and paid tithes so him. The only being to fit the description of king of peace, to me, would have to be Jesus himself. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blesses him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” (Genesis 14:18-20) He is again presented as a priest in a single verse, recorded in the book of Psalms. “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalms 110:4)
Although he only appeared to Abraham, more information is actually written about Melchisedec in the New Testament: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:20) “For this Melchisedec king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salam, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham; But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:1-11)
“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)
In an appearance to Abraham's nephew, Lot, we witness the power that angels possess. Two angels were able, in a moment, to blind all those who were attacking Lot as well as the angels themselves. The angels said, “We will destroy this place”. These angels ended up having to drag Lot and his family out of Sodom. Unfortunately, Lot’s sons-in-law and wife did not heed the angels warning and died. The only survivors were Lot and two of his daughters.
"And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, this one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. And the men said unto Lot. Hast thou here any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou has in the city, bring them out of this place. For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and they two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Genesis 19:1-17)
On the day that Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, there was a voice from the angel of the LORD to Abraham. "And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham; and he said, Here am I." (Genesis 22:11) The voice instructed Abraham not to harm his son. "And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son." (Genesis 22:12-13)
Abraham's grandson Jacob had a variety of curious encounters with angels. In a location somewhere between Iraq and Israel of today, Jacob had a dream. In that dream Jacob describes seeing a stairway or ladder between the earth and heaven. Jacob called it the “gate to heaven” and named the place Bethel, which in the Hebrew means, “house of God”. "And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. and he lighted upon a certain place and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful (awesome) is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate to heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it." (Genesis 28:10-18)
Several years later, an angel spoke to Jacob again in a dream concerning the vision he had seen at Bethel. "And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowest a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.” (Genesis 31:11-13)
The angels met Jacob, in person, twice more during Jacobs return back to his homeland. "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” (Genesis 32:1-2)
The following experience reveals that significant point in history when the name Israel came into being. It came about after a strange night of Jacob wrestling with a man. Who was this man? Note Jacob’s statement that he has seen God face to face. At the conclusion of this strange night, Jacob walked away with a limp. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, what is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said; tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Peniel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh." (Genesis 32:24-31) The name Jacob is pronounced Ya’agob (yah-ak-obe) in the Hebrew and means “heel holder” or “supplanter.” The name Israel is pronounced Yisra’el (Yis-raw-ale) and means “God prevails.”
The book of Hosea corroborates this strange encounter of wrestling that the book of Genesis describes. "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial." (Hosea 12:4-5)
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