Join Taylor for another devotional this time based on Gabriel!
Introduction
Gabriel (meaning ‘strength of God’) is one of only two angels specifically mentioned by name in the Bible, Michael and Gabriel. Although Michael is called an archangel in the New Testament, Gabriel was not explicitly called an archangel in the Bible at all. However, Gabriel is called an archangel in Jewish literature during the Second Temple period (c. 200 B.C.-70 A.D.) and Gabriel’s self-description, ‘I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God’ (Lk. 1:19) identifies him as one of the archangels (cf. Tobit 12:15). There are either four (representing the four corners of the earth, entire earth) or seven (representing perfection and completion) named archangels in Jewish literature from the Second Temple period.
In the Bible and in Jewish literature from the Second Temple period, angels served as God’s eyes on the world and intercessors for the human race (Rev 5:6, Job 33:23, 1 Enoch). Another task involved with mediation is record keeping of human behavior or suffering, or of those who belong to God or not (Isa 65:6-7, Dan 7:10, Dan 10:21, Ps 56:8, Exod 32:32, Isa 69:28-29, Jer 17:13, Ps 87:5-7, Dan 12:1, Mal 3:16). The point is that God and His heavenly host will not overlook evil, injustice, and faithlessness.
So, what about Gabriel? What was his role in the Bible and Second Temple Jewish literature? He appears in 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, Daniel, Luke, and the Qumran War Scrolls. We’ll explore a little of each to get an overview of Gabriel in relation to the unseen realm and our realm of the physical world.
If we look at Gabriel’s role on a chronological timeline, we would start before Daniel. Although the book of Daniel was probably written before 1st and 2nd Enoch, the events of Daniel come after the events in 1st and 2nd Enoch on a timeline of events.
Now, we must realize that 1st and 2nd Enoch are not considered to be inspired by God and the book of Daniel is. So, we do have to be careful with how we use Jewish literature. It is not to replace the Bible, but it can be used in the same way that we use other historical documents, to help frame the context and background of the biblical writers and their culture. Just because something isn’t canon doesn’t mean that it isn’t useful. It’s like studying Greek and Roman culture to understand the context in which Paul was preaching to the gentiles. Paul understood the context of his audience and how they would hear and understand what he was saying. So, we must also understand the cultural context of the Old Testament and New Testament when we read and study it.
Ancient Israelite Thought About Gabriel
With that in mind, what did the ancient Israelite think about Gabriel? In 1 Enoch, he is one of the archangels and is “over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim” (1 Enoch 20:7). Gabriel looks down from heaven and is a principal intercessor (1 Enoch 9:1; 40:6; 2 Enoch 21:3). He is to destroy the wicked (1 Enoch 9:9–10) and cast them into the furnace (54:6) and is set over all powers (1 Enoch 40:9). Michael sits at God’s right hand, and Gabriel sits on the left (2 Enoch 24:1).
From The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible:
Gabriel and the other archangels intercede for the earth, and ask the LORD to punish the Watchers. In the following chapter, Gabriel is charged to “proceed against the bastards and the reprobates and against the children of adultery, and destroy the children of adultery and expel the children of the Watchers from among the people”.
“Watcher” was the term used in Daniel to refer to the “sons of God” or “holy ones” from earlier in the Old Testament. 1 Enoch uses the term the same way. In 1 Enoch, “watchers” refers to the sons of God that sinned by leaving their place in heaven and having children with human women on earth producing the Nephilim giants (Genesis 6:1-4). God would judge this divine rebellion through Gabriel and the other archangels. This is what the Jews of the time of Jesus believed.
Gabriel in the Bible
Gabriel isn’t mentioned much in the Bible. He’s only specifically mentioned in two books, Daniel and Luke. In the Bible, Gabriel’s primary function is that of revealer. This is why Gabriel is identified as a prophet in the game of Redemption. In the book of Daniel he interprets mysterious visions and prophecies. Take some time to read Daniel 8 and 9 to see two of the visions that Gabriel interprets for Daniel.
Although the identity of the angel is not confirmed in Daniel 10, it is possible that it is also Gabriel. If it is Gabriel, then he is more than just a revealer in the book of Daniel.
From The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible:
If the revealing angel in Daniel 10 is indeed Gabriel (as he is explicitly identified in the two preceding chapters), then he also has a militant role there, as he stands with Michael against the heavenly ‘princes’ of Persia and Greece.
In the New Testament, it was Gabriel who told Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, John the Baptizer (Luke 1:5-25). Then, Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God and name Him Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). Just as in the book of Daniel, Gabriel again has the role to reveal an important message from God. These events that Gabriel has a role in are crucial points of the whole narrative of humanity in the Bible. And there is more to come…
Ancient Israelite Thought about Gabriel’s Role in the Final Judgment
Finally, in the War Scrolls found in the caves of Qumran, Gabriel is mentioned as having his name inscribed on shields and towers in preparation for the final battle (1QM 9:14–16). Since the book of Daniel links Gabriel to revealing end times events to Daniel, it is no surprise that he is linked to the final battle, Armageddon. The Bible describes Armageddon as the assembly-point in the apocalyptic scene of the great Day of God Almighty where some scholars believe that it is the final cosmic battle between God and evil (Mounce, Revelation, 302), (Rev 16:16; 19-20). This is definitely the case in the War Scrolls and what the Israelites of Jesus’ time believed.
Conclusion
What can we learn from this overview of Gabriel? God sees the wickedness and injustice of both human beings and spiritual beings. God also uses both heavenly beings and human beings in His plan to restore and to bring judgment upon the wicked. God wants participants. From the very beginning to the very end, God has always wanted participants. We are a part of His story and can be revealers, like Gabriel, to the unbelieving. The story of Almighty God, creator and finisher of all things! And we can be a part of His family! We can be participants!
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