Ok, so what you are saying sounds like another possible explanation, assuming that angels could be perceived as "god-like". However, given the original meaning of "messenger", they would be understood to *not* be gods in the deity sense. As for the validation of other gods by the Israelites, that is a good question, but it's something I would need to investigate more. I have always thought that the story of Aaron and Moses and the staff turning into a snake in Exodus 7 was rather curious given that God allows the Egyptian priests' staffs to do the same, only to have them be devoured by the Israelite snake.