Monday, February 2, 2015

The Angel Called God

    One does not need to read far in the Scriptures before he/she realizes all the angels were created by God except one. That one is the Angel of the LORD (or the Angel of Yahweh/Jehovah). This One is clearly distinguished from all the angelic beings in a number of ways, yet He is called an “Angel.” Sometimes He is distinguished from God and at other times He is to be identified with God.

    Besides being called “the Angel of the LORD” (Gen. 16:7, He is also referred to as “My Presence” (Exodus 33:14), the “Captain of the host of the LORD (Joshua 9:14), the “Messenger of the covenant” (Malachi 3:1), and the “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). The question is, Who is this most unusual Angel?

    Here is a summary of some of  the ministries of the Angel of the LORD. These make it clear that the Angel of the LORD is none other than the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ. This Angel of the LORD ministered to Hagar (Genesis 16:1-7), to Abraham (Genesis 22:12-17), to Jacob (Genesis 31:11-28), to Moses (Exodus 3:2-10), to the Israelites (Judges 2:1-5), to Gideon (Judges 6:1-16). Just Who was this Angel of the LORD? I believe He is the Second Person of the Godhead, the eternal Son of God and He appeared before He was born of Mary. This Angel of the LORD is in fact called God in Scripture (Genesis 16:13; 22:15-16; 48:15-16). This Angel of the LORD is a Member of the Trinity.