If there be a messenger with him
Or angel, either with God, as some think; or rather with the sick
man; by which messenger is meant not an angel by nature, a
created angel, though sometimes such are God's messengers, sent
by him on errands to men, are interpreters of things to them, as
Gabriel was to Daniel; of whom there are thousands, and who may
be of service to sick men for their comfort and instruction,
since it is certain they attend saints in their dying moments;
yet this proves not that they are to be invoked as mediators
between God and men: but rather a minister of the word is
designed, who is by office an angel, a "messenger" of Christ, and
of the churches; an "interpreter" of the Scriptures, and of the
mind of God in them; and a spiritual, evangelical, faithful
minister, is scarce and rare, one among a thousand; and his
business is to visit sick persons, and to observe the
"uprightness" and faithfulness of God in afflicting them, that
they may quietly submit to and patiently bear the affliction; and
to direct them for their peace and comfort to the uprightness or
righteousness of Christ, for their justification before God; and
to show them what is right for them to do in their present
circumstances; whether the sick man be stupid and insensible of
his case, and his need of righteousness, or whether he be a truly
gracious man, yet labouring under doubts and fears about the
truth of grace in him, the uprightness of his heart, and his
interest in the righteousness of Christ: but it seems best to
understand this of Christ himself, the angel of God's presence,
the messenger of the covenant, who is with the sick man, and
favours him with his spiritual presence; or is "for him"
F17 as it may be rendered, is on his
side, an advocate and intercessor for him with God;
an interpreter
of his Father's mind, and with which he is long acquainted, he
lying in his bosom; and of the sacred Scriptures, as he was to
his disciples concerning himself; or an "orator" F18, an
eloquent one, never man spake like him, having the tongue of the
learned given him as man; and who as a divine Person is the
eternal and essential Word of God; who spake for his people in
the council of peace and covenant of grace; and also as Mediator
is the antitypical Aaron, can speak well for them on all
occasions:
one among a thousand:
the chiefest among ten thousand, angels or men; see ( Song of Solomon
5:10 ) ( Ecclesiastes
7:28 ) ;
to show unto man his uprightness;
which to do is his office as Mediator, and especially as a
prophet, even to show the uprightness of God, the rectitude of
his nature, the righteousness required in his holy law; and this
Christ has shown forth and declared in his being the propitiation
for the sins of his people, ( Romans 3:25 Romans 3:26 ) ; by his
Spirit he shows to man, and so to a sick man, his want of
uprightness in himself, his need of righteousness from another;
and brings it near him, and shows it to be perfect, complete, and
suitable; as well as teaches to live soberly, righteously, and
godly.