Angels, Sons, Peoples

The NASB translates Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants.” Hebrews 1:6, partially quoting the LXX of the same passage, says “and worship Him all angels of God.” The LXX also includes an exhortation to the “sons of God” to praise Yahweh for His just vengeance against the enemies of His people.

This is intriguing on all sorts of levels.

First, the joy that Deuteronomy speaks of is the joy that comes to the liberated when the Lord takes vengeance on their behalf, when His arrows become drunk with blood and the sword has become sated with flesh (32:42). After this great sacrificial slaughter, the nations (or angels) are exhorted to rejoice. Hebrews quotes this passage in relation to Jesus’ arrival to the oikoumene (1:6), which suggests that Jesus is coming to do what Deuteronomy predicted. He achieves God’s vengeance, the atonement of the land, and the satisfaction of justice by His own death, though as Revelation makes clear He also atones by defending the saints against the bloodthirsty harlot.

Second, the link of angels and nations is important, especially in the light of the fact that Hebrews associates this with the oikoumene. Jesus comes as the firstborn, the heir, and the angels who have been governing the nations of the oikoumene rejoice at the coming of the crown Prince.