Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 976 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
My Guardian Angel – Wisdom Wednesday
Today is Day 976 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God’s word.
Especially in our western cultures, we do not fully understand the Scriptures from the mindset and culture of the authors. In order to help us all have a better understanding of some of the more obscure passages in God’s word, we are investing Wisdom Wednesday reviewing a series of essays from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. He has compiled these essays into a book titled I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.
Do we really have personal guardian angels? What does the Bible have to say? Today’s essay will explore…
My Guardian Angel
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
These are familiar and fondly remembered words for those of us who make a holiday tradition of watching the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. The angel Clarence helps George Bailey discover the unseen but tremendous significance his mundane life played in the lives of others. It’s a heartwarming story, full of hope and encouragement. But what about its theology? Are guardian angels—like Clarence—really biblical?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:10 suggest the answer is yes, “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” The passage affirms that children have angels who represent them before God. Where did Matthew get such an idea?
In Job 5:1, angels are presented as mediators between God and people. Job’s friend Eliphaz challenges him, “Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you?” Eliphaz presumes that angels would act as mediators between God and Job.
This understanding was common in the biblical world. Ancient Mesopotamians, for example, believed that humans had “personal gods” who could appeal for them before the assembly of gods. We no longer need a mediator. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus now intercedes on our behalf before God as found in 1 Timothy 2:5, “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” But the New Testament still describes angels as having an immediate ministry to believers, as demonstrated by Hebrews 1:14, “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”
Also, the narrative in Acts 12 shows us a continued connection between angels and people. After an angel frees Peter from prison and execution, Peter goes to the house of his fellow believers (Acts 12:6- 10). Those inside don’t believe the servant girl’s report that he is at the door. They reply in Acts 12:15, “‘You’re out of your mind!’ they said. When she insisted, they decided, ‘It must be his angel.'”
This statement testifies to the early Christian belief that humans had angels who acted as a kind of celestial double, attached to a person for their welfare.
The concept of angelic guardianship and activity in our lives is something we have often left to the imagination. Apparently, Hollywood gets some biblical things right. God’s agents are commissioned to act on our behalf, at His direction.
That will conclude our essay for this week. Next Wisdom Wednesday we will continue in the New Testament as we look at Dr. Heiser’s next essay titled “New Testament Misquotes.” I believe you will find this another interesting topic to consider as we build our Biblical worldview.
Tomorrow we will continue with our 3-minute humor nugget that will provide you with a bit of cheer and help you lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of our past 975 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Apple Podcast or Google Podcast so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!