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In Daniel, Michael is the great prince who watches over Israel. In the Shepherd of Hermas, Michael has a similar authority over believers, and he places the law in their hearts and then examines whether they have obeyed it.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Daniel 12:1
Hebrew Bible
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress unlike any other from the nation’s beginning up to that time. But at that time your own people, all those whose names are found written in the book, will escape. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake—some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence. 3 But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever. 4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, and knowledge will increase.”
Shepherd of Hermas 69:3
Early Christian
2 “Listen,” he said, “this great tree that overshadows plains and mountains and all the earth is the law of God given to the whole world; and this law is the Son of God proclaimed to the ends of the earth. But the people who are under its shadow are those who heard the preaching and believed in Him. 3 And the great and glorious angel is Michael, who has power over these people and is their leader. For he is the one who places the law in the hearts of believers; that is why he examines those to whom he gave it, to see if they have followed it. 4 But you see each person’s rods; for the rods are the law. You see many rods made useless, and you will recognize all those who have not followed the law, and you will see each person’s place in turn.”
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Notes and References
“... The angel Michael is guardian of nations, especially of Israel, sometimes in that capacity also functioning as judge. Here he represents angelic mediation of the law, an idea already established in Christianity. The great angel has already appeared as both mediator and chastiser. Some commentators take this angelic figure in Hermas to be a Christ figure confused here with a traditional Jewish treatment of Michael, since he gives the law into the people's hearts, elsewhere sends the Shepherd to Hermas, and seems to have a great deal of authority. ...”
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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