Michael appears throughout historical texts, records and eyewitness accounts up to the Common Era when he still makes his presence known. Although most written accounts include religious or Scriptural documents from multiple denominations, one cannot discount the innumerable myths, legends, and lore handed down through the ages. Pagan writings also contain a variety of rich representations resembling Michael’s angelic characteristics. Thus, he avails himself to anyone regardless of race, creed, class or need providing endless information and examples of his existence. One need only kindle the desire to know him through the infinite clues he provides, however, an examination of Scripture and other religious texts is a logical place to begin.
Writings from the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Joshua (Yehoshua) contain rich representations of both Michael’s qualities and missions. With his customary straightforward and businesslike manner, he appears on a mission to declare the will of God. Does this mean he cannot feel or express emotion? Not at all. He merely carries the weighty task of the moment as one who always “stands in the sight of the Lord” and reflects the sobriety of his role as intercessor. Take for instance, the following verses from The Complete Jewish Bible, Josh. 5.13-15:
And it was when Joshua was in Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and saw, and, behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand; and Joshua went to him, and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?
And he said, No, but I am the captain of the host of the Lord; I have now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and prostrated himself, and said to him, What does my lord say to his servant?
And the captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, Remove your shoe from your foot [sic]; for the place upon which you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.
These three verses reveal a tremendous amount of information regarding Michael. To read between the lines allows one to discover a means of drawing closer not only to him, but to the Father he both loves and serves. Because although he appears to state the obvious with minimal details, the adage of “less is more” holds true for Michael’s manner of addressing humanity. The above verses are but one instance of his invitation to examine him more closely. By doing so, we also examine the one he continually mirrors or reflects.
“And it was when Joshua was in Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and saw, and, behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand” (Josh. 5.13). In this instance, Joshua looks up and sees a “man”. Although we do not have a full description of the being that appears before Joshua, we do know that Michael looks like a man. This is significant for two reasons:
Angels are spirit and therefore without gender.
Angels possess free will and therefore have choices.
Now consider the time or era in which Joshua lives. Women were not considered the equal of men nor were they thought to be worthy harbingers of God’s Word. In fact, they were not permitted to preach or teach the Word of God in public places. Michael, aware of these customs and beliefs, uses his free will to adopt a manner acceptable to Joshua, so as to overcome any barriers prohibiting Joshua from hearing the message he must impart. Because Michael states he has come as a man of corporeal strength and might (against a supernatural backdrop) he causes Joshua to fall to the earth on his face prostration. In other words, he wastes no time in capturing Joshua’s entire attention.
Michael appears “with his sword drawn in his hand”. The sword is associated with Michael because of his soldier/warrior status, the leader of angelic armies. He is the most powerful angel without equal. Not even Lucifer himself rivals the extent of power he derives from God. Yet Michael fully understands his role and the limitless might bestowed upon him by the God. Yet, when Joshua questions, “Are you for us or our adversaries?” Michael answers, “No, but I am the captain of the host of the Lord.”
Consider this reply.
I am the captain of the host of the Lord.
He does not bestow upon himself any other military ranking above that of a captain. In essence, the most powerful supernatural being second to God and the Holy Trinity appears as a man, with sword in hand, and willfully confers a lesser rank. In so doing, he not only avows his deference to God as all powerful but expresses a humility so astounding it confuses and vexes the opposition. As an enigma, his persona defies a single answer to the riddle he represents.
Again, when Joshua puts him to the test by asking, “Are you for us or our adversaries?” and Michael answers, “No”, he firmly asserts he has not come to do man’s bidding. Instead, he turns the situation to his advantage by commanding Joshua to remove his shoes, demanding respect for himself as God’s representative. Gaining the upper hand is something Michael does very well because his cloak of humility lightly enshrouds a righteous power to attack without warning. Michael willingly holds such power in check, else he might become as destroyer rather than leader. The subtle differences between these two roles presents a fine line only Michael might tread without fear.
Balance.
Michael epitomizes the power of balance and the balance of power. So, does God permit him the choice of when to lead or destroy? It is reasonable to assume that if He grants us the choice to do likewise, Michael’s options are far greater than our own. Therefore, one must be conscious of the fact that prayerful supplication regarding intermediary requests of Michael be constructed from a place of sincerity, lest we become influenced to disrespect his choices. As supplicants, we call upon the angelic grace of God that flows through Michael with a love for His Creation, such that God Himself looks upon Michael with immeasurable favor. This love serves as the right hand of Christ, delving deep in search of lost souls; beckoning sinners; and welcoming the outcast, shunned and forsaken.
Work Cited
The Complete Jewish Bible With Rashi Commentary. Chabad.org, 1993-2021 Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15789/jewish/Chapter-5.htm. Accessed 28 January 2021.
