The Bible tells us quite a bit about angels. They are messengers, guardians, warriors, immortal, and serve God. Except for the fallen angels that serve Satan. All angels are also male and referred to using masculine pronouns. God’s angels serve God in many ways. They serve through worship, guard heaven, guard people, rescue people, and yes, on occasion, kill people. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll address one such incident described in Isaiah 37 where the Power of One Angel is demonstrated.
The Power of One Angel – Judah is Attacked
The King of Assyria attacked the Kingdome of Judah. At this time Assyria was a major power in the region and had a substantial empire. So, when King Hezekiah received a letter with the King of Assyria’s demands. Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord [the Temple] and spread it [the letter] before the Lord. Then King Hezekiah humbled himself and prayed.
“O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth. Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou only.”
God’s Answer and the Power of One Angel
God answered this challenge to His people by sending one angel. We are not told the name of the angel. We are also not told which type of angel was sent. Because there are several different classes of the angelic host. For example, Cherubim, Seraphim, Archangel, and more. So, this was God’s response.
“Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.”
The Power of One Angel Against an Army
One angel slaughtered 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. There is no record of any injury experienced by the angel, and indeed this angel is eternal and is alive and well right now. This angel was acting in accordance with God’s perfect will so he is blameless for the slaughter. You can’t blame God either. The incident is clearly the fault of the King of Assyria, who invaded the land of Israel without God’s permission.
According to scripture, there is a multitude of angels. Many scholars believe there are more than one million angels but no exact number is provided by scripture. Therefore, if just one angel can destroy an army and send King Sennacherib of Assyria back home without his army, just imagine what the entire host of angels can accomplish. I’m so happy and grateful that I’m on their side – the side of the Almighty God.
Psalm 91:10-11 (KJV)
“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
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