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Hebrews 1:7 – Angels, Wind, Fire
The quote is from Psalm 104:4 – He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers. This seems exactly the opposite of the way the Hebrew writer says it: “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.”
The question is WHY is the Hebrew writer saying this about angels, that they are winds and flaming fire? To answer, let’s review and preview what else is said about angels in chapter 1:
- Jesus became better than the angels (1:4)
- Jesus inherited a more excellent name than the angels (1:4)
- God never said to an angel, “You are My Son” (1:5)
- God never said to an angel, “I will be a Father to him” (1:5)
- Angels are to worship Jesus (1:6)
- Angels are made into winds (1:7)
- Angels are ministers (1:7)
- Angels are made into flames of fire (1:7)
- Angels are not said to sit at the right hand of God (1:13)
- Angels are not promised to have their enemies conquered (1:13)
- Angels are sent out (1:14)
- Angels are ministering spirits (1:14)
- Angels render service to the saved (those lesser than themselves) (1:14; 2:7)
After looking at this list, is the purpose of v.7 to uplift and glorify angels, or to compare, and contrast angels to Jesus by showing His superiority?
Another question needing asking is what exactly is being said about angels. What does it mean that they are made into winds and flaming fire? “The thought is according to the rabbinical idea of the variableness of the angelic nature.” (Vincent, v.4, pp.389-391). Thus the concept is that whatever need, shape or service that God needs the angels to fulfill, they assume. Angels were the original “Shape Shifters.” In other words, their role is vastly inferior to Jesus – He is called the “Son;” He is called “God”; He is the Creator; He remains the same.
When thinking with a Jewish mind, what do you think of when you think of God using winds and flaming fire? What about the dividing of the Red Sea and the Burning Bush? In both stories, God is providing a service to mankind.
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