The Angel of The Lord: How Jesus appears in the Old Testament
Divine Representative or Pre-Incarnate Christ? Understanding the Angel of the Lord
We are close to the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Is Christmas soon, hallelujah! But did you know that Jesus already appeared in the Old Testament? Perhaps you have heard of the angel of the Lord. He appears in various passages. For many however, he is a mystery. In the following, I would like to argue and explain why I think that the angel of the Lord is God (Jesus) himself, but pre-incarnate. If true, it will radically change our view of the Old Testament.
Theological Interpretations
There are thee common theological interpretation that try to understand the angel of the Lord:
Theophany View:
The Theophany view sees the Angel of the Lord not merely as an angel, but a visible manifestation of God. This interpretation is based on the fact that the Angel has divine qualities, such as speaking as God and accepting worship. “Normal” angels in the Bible always reject to be worshiped. Also, the angel speaks with divine authority in the story of Hagar and promises a future for her son. Hagar's response, calling Him "You are a God who sees me" unmistakably reveals her recognition of His divinity. But more on that soon.
Christophany View:
The Christophany view on the other hand is pretty similar to the theophany view but focuses on the second person of the trinity, that is, Jesus. In my opinion, it is the most compelling view of the Angel of the Lord. He is the pre-incarnate Christ, who was actively involved in the work of God's revelation and redemptive plan long before His incarnation. The Christophany view is also in alignment with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the full revelation of God. John 1:18 states that no one has seen God, but the Son has made Him known. Christ has been revealing God throughout history, not just in the New Testament with his incarnation, but even in the Old Testament, through appearances like those of the Angel of the Lord. Also, the Christophany view would emphasize the continuity of God’s plan of salvation and the centrality of Christ to that plan from the very beginning. The Old Testament appearances are not mere isolated events but were always connected to Christ and the New Testament. Christ was already present, preparing the way for His ultimate revelation. Each appearance offers a definitive glimpse of God's character, His unwavering commitment to His people, and His redemptive plan, all of which are fully realized in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Christophany is not only about revelation but also about God's active involvement in human history. The Angel of the Lord represents a tangible way that God interacts with His creation, delivering messages, offering salvation, and executing judgment. This ultimately points toward the ultimate revelation of God in Christ. Jesus has been present with His people throughout history, even before His incarnation in the New Testament.
Distinct Angelic Being View:
The Distinct Angelic Being view is pretty self explanatory: the angel of the Lord is a separate and unique angelic figure, distinct from God Himself. While the Angel of the Lord appears in a powerful, authoritative role and often speaks on behalf of God, He remains a created being, not a manifestation of God. The Angel's divine-like qualities, such as delivering messages of judgment or mercy, are understood as a special commission given to him, and not as a reflection of his inherent divinity. Those who espouse this view are adamant that the Angel of the Lord is a formidable emissary, personifying God's presence without being God Himself.
Appearances in the Old Testament
To understand who exactly the angel of the Lord is, we must further look at his appearences in the Old Testament.
Genesis 16
In Geneis 16, the Angel of the Lord appears for the first time. It is a great example to illustrate that the angel of the Lord speaks like God himself.
6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. 7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” 9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” 11 And the angel of the Lord said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.” 13 So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.
Exodus 3
The story of Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3 is undoubtedly one of the most vivid and important instances of the Angel of the Lord's manifestation. In this passage, Moses encounters a bush that burns but is not consumed. As he approaches, God speaks to him from the bush with a clear and commanding voice:
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.
The text initially refers to the figure as "the angel of the Lord," but it becomes clear as the encounter unfolds that this Angel is speaking in the first person as God. The bush is a theophany, a visible manifestation of the presence of God. The voice from the bush identifies itself as "I am who I am" echoing the divine name that God revealed to Moses in later events. The Lord is present in the bush, not just an angel. Moses is even told to take off his sandals because he is standing on holy ground.
Genesis 22
The Angel of the Lord makes another appearance in the story of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son Isaac in Genesis 22. As Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God's command, the Angel of the Lord calls to Abraham from heaven:
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.'
The angel of the Lord stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and declares:
"Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God" (Genesis 22:12).
God then provides a lamb for the sacrifice in Isaac's place. This moment is pivotal, not only in Abraham's life but also in the broader narrative of God's salvation plan. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. (Hallelujah!!). In this passage, the Angel of the Lord speaks with the authority of God. God Himself later spoke to Abraham through this same angel, confirming that the Angel is an agent of His direct presence and will. The Angel of the Lord receiving worship and speaking in the first person provides further evidence that He is a manifestation of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity.
Judges 2
The Angel of the Lord also appears several times to the Israelites in the Book of Judges. These appearances always coincide with moments of crisis or turning points in Israel's history. In Judges 2:1-5, the Angel of the Lord directly addresses Israel for failing to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan as commanded. This marks the beginning of a series of judgments upon the nation.
Judges 13
He later appears to Manoah and his wife in Judges 13 to announce the birth of Samson, the judge who would deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah, after speaking with the Angel, immediately recognizes the divine nature of the visitor. He boldly proclaims in Verse 22:
We shall surely die, for we have seen God.
The Angel of the Lord's response is strikingly nonchalant. He does not deny the claim but continues to speak in the same authoritative and divine manner.
What do you think of the Angel of The Lord? Pre-Incarnate Christ or Angelic being? Let me know in the comments :)
The Angel of the Lord and Israel's Redemption
He is not just a figure of authority; he is also deeply involved in the redemption of Israel. He leads, protects, and delivers the people from their enemies, just as our Lord Jesus later did. In passages like Exodus 23:20-22, the Angel is unmistakably described as leading the Israelites into the promised land. This role parallels the work of Christ, who leads Us into the true promised land of eternal life. These texts make it clear that the Angel of the Lord serves as both a protector and a guide, taking the people of God under his wings. Jesus frequently uses imagery of a shepherd leading His flock in the New Testament, and this same role is clearly seen in the Old Testament's depiction of the Angel of the Lord.
Conclusion
The Angel of the Lord offers an indisputable glimpse into the eternal nature of Christ and His role in God's redemptive plan. From His appearances to Moses, Abraham, and the judges of Israel, it is clear that the Angel is not just a messenger but an active participant in God's work of salvation. Christ is the Eternal Word. The λόγος of God (John 1:1-14). Jesus, in His divine nature, has always existed as part of the Trinity. The OT clearly foreshadows and points toward His coming, but He has always been active in the world. Jesus, as the pre-incarnate Word, revealing God to humanity in a way that could be perceived by human beings, though not fully revealed as in the incarnation. These appearances serve as a clear type, or foreshadowing, of the coming of Jesus Christ, who would fully reveal God's will to humanity in the form of a man. Personally, I'm not really convinced by the argument of the disctinct Angelic view, because this angel seems really special and speaks with an authority that angels are not entitled to, but only God. Especially the verses in which the angel of the Lord speaks of God in the first person, I think strongly suggest that it is really God himself. The question of whether God is the Father or the Son is a matter of theological debate. However, it is evident that God reveals himself as Jesus and seeks closeness to humanity. It's simply a matter of the Trinity. Jesus states in John 10:30 “I and the Father are one”. It would be much more problematic if it really is an created angelic being, seperate from God.
The Angel of the Lord makes it clear that God's work in history is absolutely linked to the work of Christ. From the very beginning of human history, Christ has been at work. He has guided, protected, and ultimately redeemed His people. The Angel of the Lord, in all His divine authority and compassion, is a powerful reminder of three things: first, that God's redemptive purposes are continuous, second, that Christ is central to the history of salvation, and third, that God has planned everything from the beginning. It is Gods perfect plan for us humans. Amen.
Thank you!
This is beautiful💞