Two Hosts

Two Hosts June 16^th 2002

Genesis 32:1-2,

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. [2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob had been commanded by God to return to Canaan (Gen. 31:3). In his obedience, God met with him. Let this be a lesson to us. God will meet with us as he met with Jacob while he "went on his way". His way was God’s way.

Genesis 24:27,

And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren.

I want to focus now on verse two and one word in that verse: Mahanaim.

Mahanaim means "two hosts". A host is an army or a fighting force.

There are two hosts in view here. The mighty host of God’s angels and the small company of faithful followers of the Lord. With Jacob there were but a handful of people. God’s angelic host was without number:

2 Kings 6:14-18,

Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. [15] And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? [16] And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. [17] And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. [18] And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

And,

Hebrews 12:22,

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Why were these angels created?

Hebrews 1:14,

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

How do they minister?

By removing hindrances to the gospel, especially demons.

By protecting God’s people:

Psalm 91:9-16,

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; [10] There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. [11] For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [12] They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [13] Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. [14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. [15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

(Notice in v.13 the types of Satan)

*ILL. Woman and "soldier".

Car stuck and two "men" came to help.

Ruckman and two cars passing on a one lane bridge.

Angels protect us by fighting spiritual warfare in answer to our prayers to God.

When we pray or cry out to God for help, God moves His angels into action! They are His ministers which minister for us.

Daniel 10:11-13,

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. [12] Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. [13] But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

But our text speaks of two companies.

The second company typifies the local church. God has all the Host of Heaven concerned with this little earthly company.

Why?

to bring about God’s purposes here on earth.(Israel and Church)

to provide a place of refuge. (Israel and Church)

To provide teaching for the family (Israel and Church)

To be a light shining in a dark place. (Israel and Church)

To be a testimony to God’s goodness and grace. (Israel and Church)

If God is so protective of His little earthly company, how can we neglect the church?