How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin? – September 30, 2024

Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Centuries ago, students of the Bible argued over the question: how many angels fit on the head of a pin? How would you answer? One? A hundred? A thousand? We will never know because angels are spirits and rarely appear in a form we can see. But in today’s Bible reading, Elisha and his servant saw the sight of a lifetime. God let them see real angels. We don’t know how many they saw, but Elisha was correct, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Wouldn’t it be fascinating if we could see angels? Even though we can’t see them, Elisha’s words encourage us: There are many angels watching over us.

Like Elisha’s servant, we face times that make us feel nervous, anxious, or stressed: Starting a new school or job, meeting new neighbors, or making new friends. In our Bible reading today, there was concern over being surrounded by an army. We may also feel uneasy about possible danger. In those moments, God promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The promise of God’s presence is enough. But by his grace, he gives us more—he gives the protection of the angels, “For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

You might wonder if there are enough angels to go around. Does God have angels available to watch over me? Elisha’s answer, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” comforts us. God even gave an apostle named John a vision of the angels, which was more than he could count. He said, “I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” (Revelation 5:11). That’s a lot of angels! We may not know how many God created, but we do know that there are always enough to fulfill our needs.
Although Elisha and his servant were blessed to see the angels God sent to their aid, we can be just as confident in God’s promise to protect us. More important than knowing how many angels fit on the head of a pin is trusting that God has angels ready to serve you.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for angels who watch over us. May the thought of them watching over me tonight let me sleep even better! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What did the angels that Elisha and his servant saw look like?
• Who sends angels to help us?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How did Elisha comfort his worried servant?
• How are we comforted when we are worried?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Your friend says, “Prove to me that angels exist.” How do you answer?
• True or False: Everyone has a guardian angel.