Exodus 23
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since My Name is in him.” Exodus 23:20-21 NIV
God sent an angel to prepare the way for the Israelites. This was a special angel, a messenger and representative of God that also had God’s presence in him (verse 21). All angels are messengers from God, but not all angels actually have God’s presence and power in them in the same way that this one did. There are many references in the Bible that talk about angels and how they relate to God’s people. In Psalms 91:11 we read that God commands His angels to take care of us. In Hebrews 1:14 angels are called ministering servants sent to care for God’s people. In Psalms 34:7, we read that the angel of the Lord actually resides around those who fear Him. Angels are real and are involved in our daily lives. God has sent His angels to minister to us and protect us because we are His heirs, His children. The presence of angels surrounding each one of us is a token of God’s affection for us. What an amazing gift from our Heavenly Father!
“If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out. Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.” Exodus 23:22-26 NIV
God promised to protect the Israelites from illness, protect them from their enemies, provide food and water for them and wipe out all of their enemies. But what did they have to do in order to receive these blessings? They had to worship God alone, listen carefully to what the angel said, and obey the angel’s instructions. This is how God’s promises work for us today. If we take to heart all of God’s commands and do our best to obey them and worship Him, God will provide this same protection and provision for us that He did for the Israelites. There is no way that we will be able to live perfect lives and obey all of God’s commands at all times. Lucky for us, God doesn’t desire perfection. He is looking for “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). This is someone who loves God and is willing to do whatever it takes to follow God. We should always remember to make following His will the number one priority in our lives.