The Angel Of The LORD

"Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, 'What is your name,' so that we may honor you when your word comes true?' He replied, 'Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding" (Judges 13:17-18).

God from the creation of the world revealed Himself to man.  When God stated that He was resting on the seventh day did not mean doing nothing.  That is a deist form of belief, that God created then left us alone to our own demise.  The Angel of the LORD appears many times in the Old Testament. You might as I have, questioned as to who is this Angel of the LORD?

       The biblical evidence suggests that the Angel of the Lord is, in fact, an appearance of God Himself cloaked in the form of an angel.

What then can we say about the Angel of the Lord, Scripture’s premier “good angel”? The biblical evidence suggests that the Angel of the Lord is, in fact, an appearance of God Himself cloaked in the form of an angel.

Jesus' identification of Himself with the "I AM" of the Old Testament provides strong evidence that the Angel of the Lord may in fact be Christ, God's eternal Son, appearing in angel form prior to His incarnation as Jesus.  Indeed, there is no mention of the Angel of the Lord after the birth of Jesus.

The intimate connection of the Angel of the Lord with God's covenant promises takes on fresh meaning if the Angel of the Lord is indeed the preincarnate Christ.  Jesus became flesh to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham, that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3).  Christ died on the cross, and rose again, to open the door to all for a personal relationship with God.  When we respond to the invitation of the gospel to trust Jesus as Savior, we become members of the company of believers who have a covenant relationship with God.  From the beginning, that relationship has been based on simple trust in the faithfulness of God who has always been, and always will be, faithful to His word.

What a joy it is, then, to see in this angel of the Old Testament a prefiguration of the promises God makes to us today.  In the God Who Is Always Present, we like Hagar, have direction and guidance.  Like Abraham, we have hope in uncertainty and turmoil.  Like Moses, we have our dreams revitalized.  Like Gideon, we have the strength we need to overcome our weaknesses.  Like Elijah, we have encouragement in disappointment, a mission to give direction to our lives, and support in our moments of despair.  Like David, we have the assurance of forgiveness when we sin, like Hezekiah, the guarantee of protection from our enemies, and like Zechariah's community, the certain confidence that god's good future lies ahead for us.

Take heart, read these wonderful narratives in the Old Testament for they show the wonderful presence of God in all times.  Take encouragement for God does answer prayers and today we have no need for an Angel of the Lord to appear for we are as Christians God's Holy Temple, and Holy Spirit lives within us ever present.  May this knowledge increase your faith as you consider the faith of those who have gone before and what God has done for us.

Daily Prayer:

Father in heaven hallowed be Your name, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Savior, how then can I not place my faith in You.  You rested from creation but not from us.  You came not just as the Angel of the Lord, but as the Son of God, and redeemed us just as You promised.  Thank You! May my obedience be unto You a sure sign of my faith in You.                                                             Amen