Angels

 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
Genesis 32:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.32.1.ESV

Often, when we hear of angels, we hear of fantastical 'visions' that people seem to have dreamed up. The Bible is more matter of fact about these 'ministering spirits' who usually graft away in the background on our behalf for their Lord and ours. God ministers to us by angels often at our most acutely difficult times.

Jacob was between a rock and a hard place. He fled his greedy uncle Laban, who fleeced him of his wages throughout years of hard graft. Now he was heading to meet his fraticidal brother Esau.

Other times angels appear to other Biblical figures are at times of great affliction and stress. Angels met with Abraham just before rescuing Lot from the doomed city of Sodom. Even for Jesus, after temptation from the devil, and before He went to the cross, He was ministered to by angels.

According to the Bible, angels sometimes go on undercover assignments. This is a reason given to be hospitable, to show kindness to strangers. By giving hospitality, some have hosted angels unawares.

'O Lord of hosts, thank You for the angels who work for us behind the scenes. Please help us to be hospitable in case we show kindness to them inadvertently, in Jesus' name, amen'

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