Angels as our example

[Von]

In his Brief Exposition of the Lord's Prayer, Thomas Hooker uses the angels in his exposition of "on earth as it is in heaven". He says that we should emulate them in the manner of their obedience, i.e. READILY, SPEEDILY, FAITHFULLY (THE WHOLE), EXACTLY AS GOD REQUIRES, CONSTANTLY. Now I know we can sometimes look at examples in the Scripture and follow them in terms of some godly characteristic, but this example gives me the creeps. In heaven, with Christ there as our ultimate example, is it still glorifying to Him to look to the angels? Or am I just being over-sensitive?

 

[Von]

Oops... I see my thread is under WORSHIP. Sorry about that.

 

[VictorBravo]

As an example it does not bother me.

Sometimes I use an example of a well-trained border collie to demonstrate how straightforward obedience is: the dog lives to do his master's will, and does it to the best of his ability.

So if a dog can be used as an example, why not an obedient unfallen angel?

We don't look to them for salvation or redemption, but we certainly can admire their qualities as fellow creatures.

 

[Edward]

He says that we should emulate them in the manner of their obedience

Maybe in some, but not all, cases. Some angels would make mighty poor examples to emulate, wouldn't they?

And aren't the elect called upon to judge the angels?

This may be one of those things that sounds nice but can't withstand scrutiny.

 

[VictorBravo]

Maybe in some, but not all, cases.

True enough. But for obedience I often think of the example of the inkhorn man in Ezekiel 9. His calm demeanor at the just yet grim task of marking out the faithful was too much for Ezekiel. Then he comes back and reports, without a hint of emotion, "I have done as thou hast commanded me."

None of us come close to being able to say that.